The Threat of Zeon

Synopsis
In Zum City, a large crowd gathers for Garma's funeral. Inside the palace, Degwin listens to a mission from Garma about how he plans a large military victory. Kycilia comes in, and tells him that, while she understands how he's feeling, he must make his appearance as the strong leader of Zeon. Degwin, Girhen, Dozle, and Kycilia walk out on the stage before the crowd and take their seats. Back on earth, Zeon officer Ramba Ral and his lover, Crowley Hamon, fly along in their Zanzibar Cruiser. They has spotted White Base, which has finally made it to the Pacific Ocean, and Ramba decides to go after them.

Amuro solemnly tinkers with Gundam's spare computer in his room, and Fraw comes in with Haro to deliver his meal. Haro notices that Amuro seems sad, and that his brain waves are low, but Fraw calls him back after her.

On the bridge, Sayla finds a problem with the engines. The orphans run in with a vacuum, and Bright yells at them to leave. They claim they wanted to help, rather than play, and Bright tells Mirai he's taking a break. He goes over to the orphans and apologizes, thanking them for the help, before he enters his chambers, reclining in his chair. He doesn't get to relax long, though, because Ramba and his fleet has been spotted.

Back at Zum City, Garma's casket is brought out. Kycilia asks what happened to Char, and Gihren says he returned home. Kycilia calls one of her men over, and whispers something in his ear.

Ramba begins firing on White Base, which can't escape because of the engine trouble. They fly into a thundercloud, and lightning begins flashing around them. Fraw and the orphans, who have lived in space their whole lives, see the flashes and huddle together, afraid of what they believe is a new Zeon weapon. Amuro looks out the window, and gets flashes of the crashing Gaw and Icelina. On the Zanzibar, the soldiers panic at what they believe it the Federation's new weapon, but Ramba assures them and Hamon that it's just a natural occurrence on Earth.

White Base comes across a cluster of small islands and lands there, hiding. Ryu runs into Amuro's room, to tell him to get to Gundam, but he finds Amuro curled up in his bed with lifeless eyes and blank face. Ryu slaps him around a little bit and brings him back to real life. Amuro suits up, but he seems to get claustrophobic in his suit.

Ramba gives up, but a Komusai finds White Base, and he pulls back around. Ramba gets into his mobile suit and, with Akos and Kozzun accompanying him in their Zakus, launches from the Zanzibar. Amuro launches in Gundam, but seems to be affected by battle fatigue. A heat rod reaches for him, knocking him down the cliff side. As he looks up, be sees Ramba's mobile suit, a completely new one, a Gouf. Ramba, flanked by two Zakus, seems to have the upper hand. The Guncannon and Guntank come in, aiding Amuro. Ramba sends off Akos and Kozzun to fight the others, and goes for Amuro. Amuro fends off his attacks, and gives his Gouf a punch to the stomach. He quickly takes out his beam saber, but Ramba blocks the attack with his shield, shouting that his Gouf is no Zaku. After increased pressure from the three Federation suits, Ramba pulls back. The Zanzibar implements its blinders, bright lights that allow it to escape, and leave White Base for now.

In Zum City, Gihren begins his speech. On White Base, everyone watches the broadcast, which is seen everywhere. In a bar, somewhere, Char watches it as well. He finishes his drink, and a man comes along, paying for another. Char recognizes him as one of Kycilia's men, and the man offers him the title of Commander. Gihren ends his speech with a shout of "Hail Zeon!", which the crowd there continues. The White Base crew watches on in horror, along with Amuro, but Bright calls it a bunch of nonsense. The episode ends with White Base flying off as the cries of the crowd can still be heard.

Important Events
Characters Introduced: Ramba Ral, Crowley Hamon Mecha Introduced: Gouf Gihren's famous "Hail Zeon" speech.