Universal Century 0083.12
Assignment

“There’s no way…” murmured the recently promoted lieutenant JG, Eliard Hunter, after receiving his orders. He was in the middle of mobile suit training on a Salamis-class that was orbiting the Earth when the order came down. He would be joining the services of the Titans. At the time when Jamitov Hymen advocated the creation of the Titans, Eliard hoped to enlist in their forces and turned in his request. He heard that the Titans were a gathering of the elite who were given a one rank promotion over the regular Earth Federation Forces soldiers. The young men who had confidence in their skills and dreamt of a future as a soldier wanted to enlist with them.

Eliard Was one of them. At the naval academy, he was thoroughly trained by his Sergeant and after graduation he was promoted to Ensign. Since then he’s been polishing his skills as a mobile suit pilot. He was assigned to the Earth Orbital Fleet’s patrol operations in their hunt for Zeon remnants during the “Delaz Conflict.” That was his very first battle. The “Delaz Conflict” served as a strong advertisement that the Zeon remnants were a dangerous threat to the young soldiers and officers of the Federation Forces. Eliard had no doubts about the importance as well as justifiable suppression of remnant Zeon’s; a sentimentality that was running strong amongst the Federation Forces.

Nonetheless, he didn’t think that he would be able to enlist in the Titans because he understood his abilities, and understood that there were far superior pilots than him. After leaving the ship, he was ordered to immediately report to a base in North America. When he received his Titans uniform at the base, he felt the feelings for the first time.

“I am one of the chosen pilots.” He felt the honor and glory in his hands. The Titans morale was high. The One Year War was over and the “Delaz Conflict” had ended. Now, that meant actual fighting against the remnant Zeon forces. Eliard Hunter was assigned to an experimental mobile suit team in the Titans.

“Now that the One Year War has ended, the Zeon remnants have become terrorists like those of the past. The Titans are the military for the future. I want you to take pride in bearing the future of the Earth,” explained the team leader Lieutenant Wes Murphy to Eliard and the others attending the briefing.

Wes Murphy is a hard core soldier. It’s said that he played an active role by winning his first campaign during the One Year War as well as the Delaz Conflict. Lieutenant Murphy introduced the members assigned to the experimental mobile suit team one by one. Lieutenant Junior Grade Carl Matsubara was a year older than Eliard. Audrey April was two years older. She was a female officer who could sport a short cut and still look good.

When the briefing was over, Carl spoke to the others, “This team seems a little dangerous. “

“What do you mean?”

“I thought it was lucky that a half-Oriental like me was able to enlist in the Titans. But I was convinced once I was assigned here. The main mission of this team is the testing of mobile suits. It’s a dangerous job.”

“Are you sure about that? I can test your skills,” Eliard shot bock.

Carl smiled and laughed, “It seems I’ll be able to get along well with you. What do you think, Audrey?”

“I’m an operator. I collect test data. We’re members of the same team, so I want us to get along.”

“Well aren’t you a beauty. But I agree with you, I want us all to get along.”

Carl’s GM Sniper III and Commander Murphy’s unit were displayed on the monitor of the GM Kai that Eliard was piloting. The commanders unit was outfitted with a Gundam head. The unit was made to test psychological influence the Gundam form has on the Zeon remnants. The base of this particular unit is a GM Quel, and it was called the Gundam Hazel.

“Incoming. Two o’clock from planetary orbit,” said Murphy’s voice in the headset. Eliard confirmed it. Three Gelgoog units carrying Zaku machine guns, There was no mistaking it-they were Zeon remnants. Murphy’s voice rang out again.

“Carl. Fire the long range rifle.”

A beam shot out of the long range beam rifle of the GM Sniper III that Carl was piloting. In the next instant, they plunged into a dogfight.

“Test pilots?” Eliard cursed in his mind while handling the GM Kai, “So it’s real combat just like that, huh?“

He felt his blood shake from the abrupt change in Gs, seemingly overturning his internal organs.

“On your six,” came Murphy’s voice.

Startled, Eliard reversed. The Gelgoog followed. He rapidly fired his rifle, but none hit. He was hit by the enemy’s machine gun. In what felt like an instant, a beam pierced the Gelgoog. There was a soundless explosion followed by a billowing ball of fire. The sound of the scattering fragments striking the armor reverberated inside the cockpit.

“The rifle is definitely for taking out the enemy,” said Eliard surveying the monitor, searching for the Gundam Hazel.

Found it. It was engaged in combat with two Gelgoogs.

“Cover him,” said Carl, “Approach the commander and give him a hand.” “Understood,” said Eliard, kicking in his thrusters, accelerating in one burst. He tried to lock on to one of the Gelgoog units through his target scope. The gauges intersect quickly on the monitor. However, Eliard’s assistance wasn’t necessary. Murphy’s Hazel cornered the enemy without any danger and sunk it with the rifle. One remained. Murphy drew the Hazel’s beam saber. Eliard understood that it was to intimidate the enemy.

The final Gelgoog fired its rifle while closing in. Murphy skillfully handled the thrusters, avoiding the bullets. He brandished the beam saber and both units clashed. When the Hazel turned around, the Gelgoog was enveloped in a ball of flames.

“Amazing… “Eliard murmured without thinking.

“Watch your backs on the battlefield,” he heard Murphy telling them, “Don’t, and you’re dead.”

“Sir,” Eliard answered in a panic.

Led by the Hazel, the Murphy team was invincible to all that comes before them. Eliard continued to fight with pride in his heart.