Although the Gryps War had met its end, the after-effects still continued.

Immediately after the war on February 29th, Haman Karn of Axis backs Mineva Zabi and begins dispatching suppression forces to each of the Sides. The Earth Federation Forces, freed from the controlling rule of the Titans, were rapidly rebuilding.

Then on June 6th, Axis forces, having brought on both Titans and Zeon remnants, adopt the name Neo Zeon and their advanced fleet were sent down to Earth.

They had to hurry, Conrad thought.

If the horrors of war spread out again, the Federation Forces might expedite their conclusion of the court-martial.

He told Eliard that every enemy has a weak point. The prosecution side surely has one. However, Conrad still hadn’t obtained the resources to attack them.

“I’m going to the moon.”

Conrad had said to his secretary, Lieutenant JG Joanna Pavlova.

“One of my old men who is in charge of personnel files hinted that I could find something if I go to the Moon.”

“I’ll make preparations. I’ll reserve a military shuttle to get there as soon as possible. Civilian services are severely disarrayed due to the Neo Zeon.”

“Haman Karn shouldn’t rush things. We need time.”

“I think I can reserve two seats right away.”

“Two seats? Whatever do you mean?”

Joanna smiled.

“I’m your private secretary, Commander. I have to go with you.”

“There are things you have to accomplish here.”

“That which I can do here I can also do on the Moon.”

Few men could win against Joanna’s smile.

“I suppose you’re right. There’s not much I can do limping along by myself.”

Conrad and Joanna departed on a military shuttle from Cape Kennedy at 10 o’clock the next day and headed for the Moon.

It had been a while since he headed for outer space.

Conrad strapped himself into the uncomfortable seats of the military shuttle and felt a sense of exhilaration. The next trial was scheduled for one week later.

However, for both the defence and prosecution, an extension of time for the trial can be given with proper reason by the judge. That is item one from the Earth Federation Forces Military Tribunal handbook.

Conrad proposed that to Commodore Milkov directly. It was very difficult to return from the Moon in a week. At first, the Commodore firmly denied it. However, Conrad insisted that he must go to the Moon as it was something very important that could affect the outcome of the court.

Somehow he persuaded him.

Even still, time was limited.

While on the shuttle, Conrad worked out a detailed plan of action so he wouldn’t waste time on the Moon.

First, he would consult with the subcontractor with Anaheim Electronics at Von Braun. With a company that large there would likely be a vast amount of subcontractors, so he would probably need Joanna to help.

Murphy. Matsubara. April. At any rate, he had to find someone among the three. All three if possible…

He suddenly looked out the window at the sea of stars. There was a fire in the pit of his stomach. The sea of outer space was no different as seen from the monitor of a mobile suit.

Conrad was still fighting and he took pride in that.

For those who are accustomed to living on Earth, the one sixth gravity causes lunar sickness such as hot flashes and sluggishness to a lack of equilibrium. Being a former mobile suit pilot, Conrad was accustomed to it right away, but Joanna seemed to be taking it hard.

She had no experience working on warships either.

Yet in spite of this, she worked admirably.

The two kept walking from early morning until the evening hours and continued pouring over their computers until midnight.

They dared not to stay at a military facility, instead choosing a civilian hotel. The military top brass all knew that Conrad was defending war crimes. To that end, they could encounter some unexpected interference.

Even after spending three full days, they found no clues.

The subcontractor of Anaheim Electronics had even more subcontractors, to the point where the numbers were mindboggling. The industrial area and junkers were concentrated in the deepest underground area of Von Braun. Most of the Junkers were subconractors of subcontractors.

That very same day, Conrad split off from Joanna and went to those innermost areas to get information.

The climate management system was creating noon and night. The sun went down.

It was evening in the old factory district.

Conrad felt nostalgic towards the scenery for some reason.

Exhausted, he entered a small pub in town. There were no clues to be found that day either.

He ordered a whiskey at the counter.

There was an old drunk next to him.

As Conrad downed the contents of his shot glass, the dead drunk old person stared at him.

He tried ignoring them, but the old guy spoke up.

“Treat me to one, would ya?”

“It looks like you’ve had plenty to drink already…”

“If you buy me a drink, I’ll tell ya the best story!”

“It’s best you don’t associate with him. He’s always telling the same lies over and over.” The bartender said.

Conrad took out a bill and treated the old man to a beer.

As the old man sipped the beer like it was a treasured item, he spoke to Conrad, his breath reeking of alcohol.

“You’re a soldier, aren’t ya? If you are, then you should know what I’m going to tell you isn’t a lie.”

“And what would that be?”

“About the Gundam. The new Gundam that was on the Aswan.”

Conrad stared at the old man.

“You’re familiar with the Aswan?”

“I was a mechanic on the Aswan. I’m not bull shittin’ ya. The name is Hendrick Ness.”

Conrad was unable to hide his excitement. Maybe he struck gold because this old man may hold a vital key to the mystery. He couldn’t help but feel that way.