“Use your propellant as little as possible. Set your life-support systems to save mode too.” Commander Murphy’s voice echoed inside the cockpit.

The team was undergoing final check before their launch. Eliard Hunter launched sarcastically without even realizing it. This wasn’t a child’s fieldtrip. Mobile suit propellant is limited. Though he was raised on Earth, Eliard was well aware of this. It was just like suckerfish clinging to a vessel. The commander was still treating Eliard and Carl like children.

He didn’t want the other crew to hear the conversation. Even if they didn’t, the rabbit emblem of the Murphy team is considered to be a funny story for the drunk crew.

At the moment, the mothership of the Murphy Team, the Aswan, was on an orbit near the moon, having left their post of Confeito. There, they’d rendez-vous with a transport. Their mission this time would be to escort the transport towards Side 1. The transport was already in orbit near the moon with the Aswan. They would accelerate and closely follow the transport as it enters course for Side 1. Eliard remembered the words of Captain Otto Pedersen during the briefing.

“You might say that Side 1 is a location for anti-Federation government activity. We have intelligence that suggests the rebels are working together with Zeon remnants. Piracy and terrorism is expected. Tread warily.”

Captain Otto Pedersen is the commander of the Confeito Defense Forces centered on the Aswan. He is a powerful individual who supports the Titans along with Captain Bask. At least, that’s what Eliard thought.

“The transport will accelerate in ten minutes. Let’s move out.” he heard Commander Murphy order.

He looked at the monitor, which showed the Commander’s Hazel launching from the catapult. The whole body was equipped with an experimental armor. The Murphy Team is an experimental team so they we’re allowed to just head out into battle. They were assigned to conduct some kind of test. This time around they were going to conduct a mobility test of the Full Armor type Hazel.

Next to launch was Eliard’s GM High Mobility Type, followed by Carl’s GM Sniper III. Audrey would remain behind on the Aswan.

Once clear from the mothership, the three units fell into formation and headed towards the transport. The transport had already finished accelerating in order to break away from its orbit around the moon and was on course for Side 1. Because of the constant velocity of the inertial navigation, it seemed as though the ship was standing still. So far, it is an extremely boring mission.

Eliard looked at the transport displayed on his monitor. It was a small ship and he had no idea what it was carrying. Neither he nor the team knew. Captain Pedersen didn’t even mention the cargo during their briefing. Eliard felt it wasn’t necessary to know. Whatever it’s carrying is irrelevant. Their mission was to protect the transport.

“Planet side, 11 o’clock.” came Carl’s voice, cutting in suddenly.

Eliard focused his eyes at 11 o’clock but didn’t see anything. As expected, the long-range weaponry of the sniper was no match for the other units. A small light appeared. In the next moment a beam shot past them.

“It’s an enemy attack.” Murphy said in a calm voice, “Move forward. Carl, you’ll cover us.”

A high temperature gas could be seen blowing out of the Hazel’s main thrusters as it accelerated and moved in front of the transport. Eliard followed without delay. From behind them, Carl’s GM Sniper III’s long range beam rifle began firing. The enemy returned fire.

“They won’t hit us that easily.” Murphy said, “Don’t be scared. Here they come.”

“This sucks.” came Carl’s voice.

“I’ve been shooting with the intention of hitting them!”

“Hmph.” replied Murphy. “Then guess!”

“Confirmed.” Eliard said looking at the monitor.

“Two units incoming from just below planet side.”

“Fire.” responded Murphy, “Your rifle isn’t a decoration.”

Eliard tried to lock onto the enemy with his target scope but wasn’t able to. The enemy was too fast. It was a Zaku II FZ, likely from the Zeon remnants or perhaps part of the anti-Federation government movement. Captain Pedersen said they may have been working with one another. Either way, anti-society elements were an enemy of the Titans, the guardians of order.

Locked on.

Eliard repeatedly fired his beam rifle.

The beam struck the Zaku II FZ causing it to erupt into a ball of fire. A muted explosion of light only.

“Shit!” cursed Murphy.

“What’s the matter?” Eliard asked.

“The armor is heavy.”

As the mass was increased, a decrease in accelerating performance was likely. Eliard saw a unit he’d never seen before approaching the Commander’s unit. It appeared to be a Rick Dom, but it also looked like a Gelgoog M. The machine quickly closed in on the Commander’s machine, machine gun blazing. The tracer bullet arced across space, piercing the Hazel’s left leg.

“Dammit!”

Eliard rapidly fired his beam rifle but was unable to make a direct hit. Still, he managed to blow away the enemy’s shield and left arm. The enemy turned and retreated.

“You saved my hide, Eliard. Good shooting.”

Eliard was truly delighted Murphy said that.