It was another sunny day at Naha Base. Today marked another sparring session with Isao. Isao usually prefers to spar with Aaron since Aaron is a Newtype, but lately, he has been choosing me again. I was piloting my MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 against Isao's RX-78-1 Prototype Gundam. I no longer use the standard heat hawk as my primary weapon; instead, I've equipped a heat saber salvaged from a Dom. The heat hawk is now stored on the left skirt armor of my Zaku as a backup.
"So... you finally have a better weapon, Lydia," Isao's voice crackled over the comms. "I remember the first time you used that heat hawk. You didn't just slash with it; you threw it and almost hit the control tower."
"I had some trouble with the heat hawk back then," I admitted, adjusting my controls. "I was used to the GM Spartan back in U.C. 0079. With this heat saber, I feel much more at home." I set the saber to a low-heat standby mode.
"Well then, Lydia, don't expect me to hold back just because you're a lady," Isao said, his beam saber igniting with a low-intensity hum.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, Captain," I replied.
Transitioning from the GM Spartan to the Zaku II F2 had been difficult. I missed the specialized armament—the wire missiles, the Minovsky particle dispensers, the smoke launchers, and the beam gauntlets. While the heat saber was an improvement over the axe, which I couldn't use to thrust, the Zaku still felt "low-tech" compared to my old Federation suit. However, the F2 has excellent handling, and I am slowly mastering its quirks.
We both took our stances, waiting for the other to blink. As usual, Isao moved first. Using his aggressive, "delinquent" fighting style, he lunged at me with twin beam sabers. I parried with my heat saber and swung back, but he used his thrusters to boost backward, narrowly evading the blade. I knew he liked to fight dirty, but I was beginning to read his patterns. Isao charged again, aiming for an opening on my left side. He didn't realize I still had the heat hawk on my hip. I drew it in a blur, using the heavy axe head to catch his beam saber hilt. It was a close call, but the Zaku held firm.
I kicked the Gundam's midsection to create distance. Isao responded by firing his head vulcans—loaded with paint rounds for the exercise. I raised my shoulder shield to soak up the hits and surprised him by hurling my heat hawk. Isao had to cease his fire to dodge the flying projectile. I used the opening to charge with my heat saber. However, just as I swung for the kill, Isao's Gundam twisted mid-air. Before I could recover, his beam saber was pressed against my Zaku's torso.
"Target neutralized," the computer chirped. I had lost, but sparring with Isao was always a rush.
Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over us. It wasn't a Medea transport. It was a Pegasus-class assault carrier—the LMSD-76 Gray Phantom. As it drifted over Naha Base, its sheer scale was breathtaking. These ships are the pride of the Federation, equipped with extensive mobile suit decks and heavy ship-to-ship weaponry.
Because it's a Pegasus variant, the Gray Phantom utilizes a Minovsky Craft System, allowing it to cruise at low altitudes within the atmosphere. It is truly a versatile beast, at home in both vacuum and air.
"Is that your first time seeing a carrier like that, Lydia?" Isao asked, bringing his Gundam alongside my Zaku to watch the ship pass.
"Yes," I replied. "I'm used to Medeas on Earth and Salamis-class ships in space. I didn't expect to see a Pegasus-class here."
"Judging by its heading, it's coming from China and going toward Iejima," Isao noted. "Looks like the situation in China is finally settling down."
After the session, I parked my suit in the hangar. As I climbed out of the cockpit, Isao approached me, clearly energized by our fight. Meanwhile, Aaron arrived with his Gundiver, accompanied by Emma in her Aqua GM; they were heading out for underwater combat trials. We crossed paths with the crew of a Medea that had just returned from Tomigusuku—Kyosuke and Ohara were back from a salvage mission, hauling Zeon wreckage up from the seabed.
Tomigusuku is a unique place—technically the "former largest village in Japan." Located south of Naha, it's a mix of Okinawan history and modern luxury. It's a city defined by water, from the Senaga Island causeway to the somber history of the Former Navy Underground Headquarters. It's where the "Old Okinawa" meets the "New," home to the massive iias Toyosaki mall and the Ashibinaa Outlet.
The salvaged Zeon parts are vital. We strip them for spare parts or sell the scrap to fund base operations. Kyosuke mentioned that the wreckage is particularly useful for maintaining our Aqua GMs, and clearing the debris helps keep the Okinawan seas clean for the local fishing industry.
After showering, we changed into our standard uniforms and headed to the mess hall. I sat with Aaron, Ohara, and Kyosuke. Aaron mentioned he had been ordered by Commander Emiya to visit Camp Kinser in Urasoe tomorrow for a logistics check, and he invited me to come along.
"So, you were born in Urasoe, Ohara?" I asked.
"Born and raised," Ohara smiled. "Kisaki is from Naha, Kyosuke is from Ogimi, and Emma is actually from Kobe, over on the big island in Hyogo Prefecture."
"Kobe, huh? I've heard the beef there is world-famous," Aaron said, his eyes lighting up.
"And the Sake," Kyosuke added. "The water quality there, called Miyamizu, makes for some of the best rice wine in Japan."
"We can plan a trip to Kobe later, Aaron," I teased. "Let's see what Urasoe has to offer first."
"I'll be your guide," Ohara promised. "There are some great spots near the base."
Urasoe is a "hidden gem" north of Naha. It was the original capital of the Ryukyu Islands before the seat of power moved to Shuri Castle. In this war, Urasoe has become a Logistical Fortress. Because of its elevation at the Urasoe Escarpment, it serves as the Federation's primary transit point for the Asia-Pacific theater. Camp Kinser has been reimagined as a massive subterranean storage facility, stockpiling fuel and oxygen for the Medeas flying sorties to Southeast Asia and Australia. It's one of the few places with the heavy industrial gear needed to realign the "Active Frames" of damaged GM units.
Historically, the camp was named after Sergeant Kinser, a Marine who sacrificed his life during the Battle of Okinawa. In the Universal Century, the base has evolved into the backbone of the Earth Federation Forces (EFF).
The next day, the four of us arrived at Camp Kinser. The facility was sprawling, filled with Type-61 Tanks, Core Fighters, and rows of RGM-79 GMs.
"I didn't realize Kinser held this much hardware," Aaron remarked, looking at the rows of MS parts.
"This is the hub, Captain," Ohara explained. "Especially for the Aqua GMs. We have to keep them running to protect the coast."
"But are we okay with only three types of GMs?" I asked, looking around. "I don't see any Guncannons or Snipers for long-range support."
"They're rare here," Kyosuke answered. "Most Zeon incursions in this sector are amphibious. Saberfishes and Core Fighters usually handle the air cover. If we need long-range fire, we just strap a missile pod or a shoulder cannon onto a standard GM."
Just as we were finishing our tour, a piercing siren shattered the air. Zeon remnants!
The base went into immediate lockdown. Civilians scrambled for underground shelters. We were cut off from our transport back to Naha. We watched from the monitors as a few local Federation patrols were torn apart by a Zeon surprise attack.
"They just don't know when to quit!" Kyosuke growled.
"We can't just sit here. Let's help!" Aaron shouted.
"Wait, Aaron! We're guests here. Are you sure we should interfere?" I asked.
"I'll take the heat for it later! We can't let this base fall," Aaron said, already running toward the hangars.
We convinced the base mechanics to let us sortie. The only available units were standard RGM-79 GMs. Some were equipped with shoulder cannons or missile pods. Aaron took a GM with a prototype beam rifle; Kyosuke and Ohara took units with missile pods and bullpup machine guns; I chose a GM equipped with a shoulder cannon and a bazooka.
The enemy emerged from the surf: MSM-07 Z'goks, MSM-03 Goggs, and a MSM-04G Juaggu. The Goggs were the biggest threat—their "Iron Nails" could tear through Luna Titanium like paper. The Juaggu acted as long-range artillery, firing its torso mega-particle cannons. There were eight units in total.
"Listen up," Aaron's voice was firm over the radio. "These are amphibious types. Stay at range. Do not get into a wrestling match with those claws if you want to stay alive."
"Roger!" we shouted in unison.
The battle was fierce. Ohara and Kyosuke provided cover fire with missiles, while Aaron and I moved into mid-range. I fired my bazooka, but after two rounds, I realized the magazine wasn't full—a hazard of taking "available" suits.
A Gogg charged me, its claws glistening. I threw my empty bazooka at it to distract it; the Gogg sliced the weapon in half, but that gave me time to aim my shoulder cannon. A direct hit to the head sensor. The Gogg slumped over, neutralized.
However, we were being pushed back. Kyosuke and Ohara ran out of missiles. Aaron had taken down the Juaggu, but the remaining Z'goks and Goggs were moving in a tight formation, using their beam guns to pin us down.
"Aaron, how's your energy?" I called out.
"I'm good, but my vulcans are almost dry. You out of ammo?"
"My bazooka is gone and my cannon only has two shots left. Let's swap!"
In a coordinated move, I grabbed Aaron's beam rifle. He fell back to use his arm vulcans to distract the lead Gogg, shearing off its claws. I took aim and fired. The beam pierced a Z'gok's head, and the machine went dark.
But then, disaster struck. A Z'gok managed to get behind Ohara and Kyosuke. It tore the arm off Ohara's GM. Kyosuke tried to intervene, but a Gogg crushed his GM's head.
I saw the pilots scramble from their cockpits. The Zeon units turned toward the vulnerable pilots. I fired the last of my beam rifle energy to draw their attention. It worked, but now they were coming for me. A Z'gok lunged. I drew my beam saber and severed its claw, but a Gogg caught me from the blind side. Its Iron Nails shredded my GM's torso, missing my cockpit by inches. My systems screamed in failure. I punched the eject button just as my suit hit the dirt.
Aaron went into a frenzy. He ignited his beam saber, slicing the Z'gok in two before stabbing his blade directly into the Gogg's reactor housing. He backed away, peppering it with vulcan fire until it exploded.
The field went quiet. The threat was over. Aaron landed his GM and ran toward me as I climbed out of my GM cockpit.
"Lydia! Are you okay?!" He sounded terrified.
"I'm fine, Aaron. Just some scratches," I said, breathless.
Suddenly, Aaron pulled me into a tight hug. I was stunned for a second, but then I felt how much he was trembling. He was truly worried. I hugged him back, letting him find his breath.
Back at Naha Base, the atmosphere was tense. Aaron had to report to Commander Emiya alone to explain his "Uncommanded Initiative."
In the military, Uncommanded Initiative is a double-edged sword. It's when a soldier takes decisive action without orders because the situation has changed. It's the ultimate test of "Mission Command"—prioritizing the goal over the protocol.
I waited outside the office until Aaron emerged. He looked exhausted and let out a heavy sigh.
"Are you okay?" I asked, walking beside him.
"Yeah... Emiya chewed me out. I broke protocol, but I couldn't just watch Urasoe burn."
"Come with me," I said, taking his hand.
I led him to a quiet corner of the lounge where we could be alone. We sat on the couch, and I gently pulled his head down onto my lap. He blushed, looking surprised and cute, but I hushed him. I ran my fingers through his hair, soothing the stress of the day.
He started to protest, his face turning a bright crimson. "Lydia, I—"
"Shh," I whispered, gently running my fingers through his hair. "Let me be your girlfriend for a minute, not your wingman."
"...Thank you Lydia," Aaron murmured, his eyes fluttering shut. "I really like this."
I felt the tension leave his body. The "Hero of Urasoe" slowly closed his eyes, his breathing evening out as he drifted into a much-needed sleep. I looked out the window at the quiet base, realizing that while the machines were made of cold iron, the hearts driving them were still very much fragile.
He fell asleep right there on my lap. When a few other soldiers walked in, I gave them a sharp look and a "shush" sign. They smiled and slipped back out, giving us our privacy. I looked down at Aaron's sleeping face; he looked so calm. For a moment, the war felt very far away.
To be continued.