前日譚　第零話
“少年達の一年戦争”

PRELUDE
THE BOYS’ ONE YEAR WAR

In the early stages of the One Year War, the Principality of Zeon introduced new-type of weapons called mobile suits to the front that boasted superiority to the resource superior Earth Federation Forces. In North America, the Federation’s largest base–the California base–fell to the Zeon’s invasion, leaving the citizens left behind to be placed under their surveillance. Ernest McGuire and his sister Danika, accompanied by their neighbor Van Asiliaino, slip out of California determined to cross the desert and reach the Federation controlled Central America. Ernest was 16 years old. Van and Danika were 12.

Crossing the desert was beyond their imaginations and their water and food supplies were nearly exhausted. Ernest regretted that the plan was drafted in haste as the oldest person among them. However, Corporal Javier of the Federation Forces was the one to save the three. Having been separated from his unit during a skirmish with the Zeon, he was traveling across the desert alone in a half truck attempting to link up with friendly forces. The group sets their sights on Central America.

While a sense of relief sets in, a giant gaping crater obstructs their path. Two Wappa’s and a Zaku have arrived for reconnaissance. Corporal Javier remains behind to keep the reconnaissance team at bay, allowing the three to cross the crater.

PRELUDE SAMPLING

Universal Century 0079.04
North America – Former Border Zone

The sun rose from the horizon of the wasteland with vivid continuation, melting away the darkness of the night while dying the sky a dim shade of blue. The contrast of the sun creates a shadow on the craggy mountains and bushes, producing enough contrast to hurt your eyes. The morning dew evaporates and a mirage begins to form from the red, pebbled sand.

This desert land, once a border, is a harsh place even now in the Universal Century. Principality of Zeon Forces Lieutenant Junior Grade Hauptmann looked up at the sky, sitting in the shade of the four-wheeled light mobile car that had turned into a mass of scorching metal. There are no shadows here. The incandescence of the sun burns his skin, likely wringing out the moisture in his body. Now, without even a canteen, it would only be a matter of time before he’d collapse from heatstroke and dehydration. Even though it was necessary to find shade somehow, he couldn’t move carelessly because he was uncertain of the rotten Federation’s whereabouts.

On the other hand, he’d understand the surrounding situation if it became lighter out. He watched the surroundings through the broken side-view mirror in his hand and noticed that none of his comrade’s armored cars were around. Somehow or other following the battle, they appeared to have retreated immediately. It’s a terrible story even though they were confused by the sudden encounter.

“So I was deserted, huh?”

The Federation Forces, who should have retreated to Central America, were gathered in the central part of the desert, making preparations for a counterattack. The unit that he was attached to had inadvertently stepped into this staging area. That was negligence on the part of the Zeon Forces who had experienced nothing but victory. And now, he was left holding an ordinary assault rifle. The anti-material sniper rifle that was a part of the body was scrapped along with the light mobile car. The Lieutenant fumbled around in his pocket, taking out a pack of cigarettes. After briefly deliberating, he gazed up at the sky. If he lit up here in this place, he’d likely be exposed. Not to mention, he only had a few left. Smiling grimly, he counted the numbers: there were five. “There are still five” or “there are only five” was the disturbing problem because he didn’t know how long he could survive for.

The hours pass idly and the temperature began rising. He had no choice but to endure the heat of the burning sand. He discovers that the skin of his exposed wrist started to burn due to the sunlight. When he sticks out the assault rifle with his hat on it from the shade of the scrap, it was blown off with the sound of a gunshot. The Federation bastards seemed to have not given up yet. He grew irritated, flicking the flint wheel of his lighter with a tick, and lit a valuable cigarette. Puffing deeply, the pale smoke rose toward the sky; the Lieutenant felt a sense of contentment. He thought he heard a similar sound from far away and it didn’t seem to be his imagination. Fifty meters away in the one o’clock direction, white smoke from the other side of a toppled half truck could be seen.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Hauptmann laughed out loud instinctively.

“Hey!” came a voice from the other side of the half truck, “You, how many you got left?”

He couldn’t believe his ears, but he replied instantly, “I’ve got four.”

“I’ve got a full pack.”

Lieutenant JG Hauptmann felt the murderous intent from the bottom of his heart, “So if I kill you, I can take ‘em, huh?”

“Wait a minute. You know something? It seems like you and I are the only ones. So how about this: why don’t we come to an agreement for the pack of smokes, huh?”

“And?”

“Well for starters, one for a truce.”

It wasn’t a bad proposition to survive. If they hunted around, they’d be able to collect food and water. They’d probably even be able to repair both vehicles. But above all, escaping from this heat and finding shade was a priority.

“But how can I trust you?”

That’s right. This was a battlefield.

But, he replied immediately, “Well then, how’s this?”

With that, the young Feddie soldier appeared from the other side of the half truck with both hands raised.

That is how Corporal Javier and Lieutenant Junior Grade Hauptmann met.