Days after the fierce battle of the White Gundam Pelican Form against the IBIS Squad in the East Asian Sea, the atmosphere at the Kimeza Alliance secret base was filled with intense research and development activity. The crippled IBIS Mobile Suit, dragged from the ocean trench by Zaki and Maki, was now the center of attention and mystery. This discovery was a hidden blessing for the Earth Rebels. Airi Kimeza, assisted by Augustina's mechanic team, worked tirelessly to analyze the advanced underwater unit's technology.
"This unit is proof that Colonian technology is far more advanced than we anticipated in the maritime domain, Zaki. Its code is highly specialized and structured, unlike mass-produced Mobile Suits. This is clearly a prototype," Airi explained, scanning the IBIS mainframe. She showed the intricate diagram of the IBIS Hydro-Propulsion system. "And their Hydro-Propulsion technology is far superior to our Pelican Form. We are lucky AIRIS was able to anticipate their movements. We must master this technology as quickly as possible."
Zaki nodded, impressed. "This unit came out of nowhere. We should be grateful we got it. With IBIS, we can secure logistics at sea."
After studying and repairing the unit's damage, Augustina and Airi made a crucial strategic decision. They would not waste this valuable asset. The IBIS unit would be fully repaired, repainted, and integrated as a specialized unit of the Rebel Forces. IBIS became a symbol of the Rebels' ability to steal, master, and reverse-engineer enemy technology.
"This unit will be our true underwater Mobile Suit, filling a huge gap in our strategy. It is the first Mobile Suit to give us full underwater dominance, rivaling that mysterious Colonian technology," Augustina stated firmly. She pointed to the monitor screen. "I know who is most deserving of controlling it. Someone shrewd, fast, and with a steel resolve, and who understands the importance of maritime combat and logistics."
The pilot chosen by Augustina was her most loyal and toughest younger sister, Feres Mcgraven. Feres, who possessed high tactical analysis skills and had proven reliable in organizing combat logistics, immediately transitioned from organizer to front-line pilot.
The IBIS unit was secretly repainted a brighter sea blue for alliance identity, with dark gray accents on the joints and sonic dampening parts. Feres immediately studied her new unit diligently, spending hours in the simulator to master the function of the Hydro Beam Cannon in the palm and the five-fingered blade claws. She was ready to become the Alliance's underwater predator, piloting the IBIS, which was now the Rebels' first underwater Mobile Suit.
"I will conquer the oceans, Sis. This will be the best retribution for everything the Colonians took from us. They will never see us coming from the depths," Feres promised Augustina, her eyes showing a resolve as strong as her sister's.
While military preparations proceeded underground, Zaki and Maki's school life in the Mars Colony returned to a normal routine—a routine that now felt like a psychological minefield for Zaki. He constantly felt the pressure of the secret he carried and the increasingly palpable threat from Gills Treyman.
That afternoon, Zaki was walking toward his locker. His gaze immediately focused on a scene that triggered his protective instinct: Gills Treyman was walking with Maki toward the library. Gills looked relaxed and charming, using his usual charisma. Maki, on the other hand, wore a flat expression, but Zaki knew his sister was trying hard to hide her embarrassment and nervousness. Gills, as usual, looked perfect in his Student Council President uniform, smiling sweetly while talking to Maki. A smile that, to Zaki, felt manipulative and full of hidden intent.
Triggered by a protective feeling and the suspicion that Gills might try to pressure Maki into revealing more about the Mobile Suit incident at the school trip—even though Gills did not know for sure who the pilot was—Zaki decided to follow them. He kept his distance, stalking down the corridor behind the line of lockers, trying to be invisible.
Just as Zaki began to sneak with movements reminiscent of Mobile Suit maneuvers, he felt a gentle touch on his back. "What are you doing, Zaki?" whispered Aurora Anveil, who had materialized precisely behind him. Aurora looked at Gills and Maki walking away, then turned to Zaki with a meaningful look, implying she knew Zaki was doing more than just stalking.
Zaki was startled but quickly composed himself. He pulled Aurora into a more concealed corner. "Gills. I don't trust him, Aurora. He might not know we're the pilots, but he saw us disappear and return right after the White Ghost appeared. I need to make sure he's not trying to manipulate Maki or get her to confess something. He's playing mind games, and Maki is an easy target."
Aurora gave a small, calm smile. "He's just trying to woo your sister, Zaki. Gills wouldn't use military secrets to get a girl's attention—that's too crude for him. His obsession is more subtle. He wants to see Maki's reaction, he wants to see the crack. But... alright. I'll come along. Two heads are better than one, especially when facing Gills's love strategy. If he goes too far, I'll stop him."
Zaki had no choice. He signaled Aurora to be quiet and join the surveillance. The two of them followed Gills and Maki until they reached the library area.
In front of them, Maki continued walking, listening to Gills, who was talking about Student Council programs and the beauty of Earth's nature, a topic he knew would interest Maki. Gills cleverly avoided military topics. Although Maki tried hard to look away, avoiding eye contact, Gills still watched Maki with a sweet, attentive smile. Gills knew Maki was comfortable with her role as a pilot among the Colonians, and he enjoyed the push-and-pull game. Maki was merely blushing and continuing to look away, her heart pounding chaotically between her duty as a Rebel pilot and her genuine teenage feelings for the dangerous Colonian.
Zaki watched the interaction with a tense face. He worried Gills would mention the "White Phantom" or "White Ghost" in front of Maki. Aurora, beside him, merely observed, reserving her judgment on the emotional conflict taking place, while admiring Gills's clever strategy in playing with Maki's emotions.
At the same time, far from the teenage intrigues at school, a major military event was held at the Mars Colony Combat Fleet. Top military officials, the Council of Kings, and Colonian media gathered to witness the long-awaited launch—a direct response to the threat of The White Ghost and the mysterious underwater Mobile Suit.
King Grisel Nova, the ambitious ruler of the Mars Colony, stood tall on the podium, wearing his majestic red and gold robes. "King Sirius may have failed with cheap prototype Mobile Suits, but Mars will show the true power of Project Grai! We are no longer dealing with failure, we are creating a Legacy and a symbol of supremacy!" shouted King Grisel Nova to the Colonian military brass. "Let the White Ghost see what Mars technology is capable of!"
The new Mobile Suit was transported to the launch pad dramatically, surrounded by thick smoke and spotlights. The Mobile Suit was named Royalty Gundam.
The Royalty Gundam was the masterpiece of Project Grai. Its model was dominated by an exposed frame (like an exposed Inner Frame) with minimal armor, a design emphasizing speed and power output. This design maximized speed and boosting capability in the thin atmosphere and allowed it to operate in Earth's heavier gravity. Its main frame was a striking gold, radiating the aura of the Mars Colony's elite and wealth. Its minimal armor was dominated by aggressive black. The unit's face was adorned with a red faceplate and glowing red eyes, giving it an eerie, elite, and ruthless impression—a total opposite of the White Gundam's pure white design.
The unit was armed for absolute domination:
Knife Funnels: On its back were unique wings that could be detached into small autonomous drone-shooter units, called Knife Funnels. These Funnels were the ultimate weapon for unexpected long-range attacks, capable of pursuing targets at incredible speed and with the precision of an advanced AI system.
Combined Beam Rifle-Sword: Its main weapon was a unique Beam Rifle equipped with a steel sword embedded beneath the barrel. This sword had a thick Plasma Coating, making it a deadly energy blade. This allowed it to fight at long and close range instantly, without needing to switch weapons.
Propulsion System: It utilized an extremely powerful thruster system, designed to surpass the speed of any non-Gundam Colonian Mobile Suit.
King Grisel Nova announced his chosen pilot: Felisio Nova, his own son, the heir to the Mars Colony. Felisio, with brown hair and a striking red fringe, was a talented but arrogant pilot, raised with the belief that he was the best and that his Mobile Suit was invincible. In the concealed dual cockpit, by his side, was Yukina Asfort, Felisio's loyal maid and combat operator. Yukina, with her expertise as a skilled operator and sharpshooter, would control the Knife Funnel system and the Royalty Gundam's long-range weaponry with cold, robotic precision. They were a duo designed for absolute victory.
"The Royalty Gundam will restore the Colony's honor! Felisio and Yukina will hunt down and destroy The White Ghost and secure our dominance on Earth! Prepare the fleet! We will wait for the White Ghost to appear, and when she does, she will see what an empire is!" shouted King Grisel Nova, concluding the launch with hysterical cheers from the officers.
The launch of the Royalty Gundam marked the beginning of a new phase in the war. This Mobile Suit was no longer an ordinary Colonian Mobile Suit. It was an elite, Gundam-equivalent Mobile Suit, designed by Project Grai to hunt the White Gundam. The entire resources of the Mars Colony were now allocated to eradicating the threat. Meanwhile, Feres prepared in the ocean, and Zaki and Maki had to return to the battlefield, while facing the increasingly suspicious internal threat from Gills Treyman.
To be continued....