| “ | And with this blow, history is changed. | ” |
—Vice Admiral John Cowen | ||
The Delaz Conflict (デラーズ紛争 Derāzu Funsō?) was a large-scale military conflict between the Earth Federation Forces and the Zeon Remnants group Delaz Fleet that took place in late U.C. 0083. Though brief, this conflict had lasting impact, leading to a second colony drop on Earth, the rise of the Titans, and eventually, the Gryps Conflict.
Background[]
Earth Federation in the post-war era[]
The RGM-79C GM Type C, a mobile suit that was mass produced as part of the Federation Forces Reconstruction Plan
Following the EFF's victory in the One Year War, its leadership, using the presence of Zeon Remnants as justification, decided to maintain semi-wartime readiness in the Earth Sphere. In addition, in U.C. 0081, the Earth Federation assembly approved the Federation Forces Reconstruction Plan - which included plans to rebuild the space fleets and mobile suit enhancement plans - increasing the Federation military budget.[1]
With the passing of the Reconstruction Plan, the EFF's influence within the Federal government further increased. In fact, during the Delaz Conflict, instead of military officials being called to the capital by politicians, it was government officials who visited the military headquarters at Jaburo, signifying the weakening of civilian control over the military.[1]
Within the EFF, there was a power struggle between two factions, the reformist faction led by Vice Admiral John Cowen and the conservative faction led by Admiral Gene Coliny.[1][2] Admiral Cowen, who was said to be the successor of the late General Johann Abraham Revil, championed the Gundam Development Project (also known as "GP Project"), a secret part of the Federation Forces Construction Plan.[1] On October 20, U.C. 0081, as part of the Federation Forces Construction Plan, Anaheim Electronics began the GP Project under the supervision of Cowen.[3]
In order to defeat Cowen's faction, Coliny secretly contacted former Zeon officer Cima Garahau, who held a grudge against Zeon. Having learned of Operation Stardust from her, Coliny decided to use it to his advantage.[1]
Zeon Remnants in the post-war era[]
The Garden of Thorns, the Delaz Fleet's base of operations
After the Battle of A Baoa Qu, much of the surviving Principality of Zeon forces escaped from A Baoa Qu and refused to follow the newly formed Republic of Zeon.[4] Fortunately for the Federation, most of these forces escaped to the Zeon asteroid base Axis located in the asteroid belt, lowering the immediate threat that Zeon Remnants posed to the Earth Sphere.[1]
However, the Delaz Fleet, a Zeon space fleet led by Admiral Aiguille Delaz, decided to remain within the Earth Sphere and continue the war against the Federation, becoming the largest Zeon Remnant group within the Earth Sphere. In March, U.C. 0080, they constructed a base of operations in the Side 5 shoal zone, the Garden of Thorns.[5] On August 15, U.C 0081, the Zeon National Day, the Delaz Fleet began its guerilla activities.[6] However, with the Federation Forces rebuilt as part of the Reconstruction Plan, and without powerful backers, the Delaz Fleet failed to achieve significant results.[1]
The Kimbareid Forces, a group of Zeon Remnants based in Africa
Fearing that the Federation was regaining its footing following the war's end, Delaz began planning a large-scale counterattack to reinvigorate anti-Federation forces.[1] In January, U.C. 0083, the Delaz Fleet learned of the Gundam Development Project and sent spies to infiltrate Anaheim Electronics. The Project would play a vital role in Delaz's plan.[3] On July 30, U.C. 0083, the Delaz Fleet finalized their plans for the counterattack - Operation Stardust. On August 11 of the same year, the 16-year-old Haman Karn succeeded her late father Maharaja Karn as the leader of Axis and promised to support Operation Stardust.[6]
Meanwhile, while Zeon's African Front Army officially surrendered in June, U.C. 0080, apparently ending Zeon activities on Earth for good, many Zeon units remained on Earth and conducted guerilla warfare against the Federation.[3]
Scars of war[]
Colony restoration workers watching a passing colony
The One Year War left its scars on Earth and space alike. During the war, especially the One Week Battle and the Battle of Loum, many colonies were either destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the use of NBC weapons. As a result, there were not enough colonies to house the war refugees. In response, the Earth Federation initiated the First Colony Restoration Project, a plan to transport uninhabitable colonies to the Republic of Zeon in Side 3 for repair and cleaning, in May, U.C. 0082. Earthnoids affected by the war would be prioritized in moiving into these colonies.[1] Side 3 was chosen as the destination because it was the only remaining Side with the industrial capacity to restore the colonies.[7]
The Sydney Bay
Meanwhile, Earth was heavily damaged by Operation British, the colony drop at the beginning of the One Year War. The damage to Australia was especially severe, creating the "Sydney Bay", an artificial bay with a diameter of 500 km in what was once Sydney. Though parts of the colony also fell in North America, it had recovered by U.C. 0083 and served as one of Earth's vital breadbaskets.[1]
Lunar cities, such as Von Braun, were notably unharmed by the war and continued to prosper.[1]
History[]
Theft of the GP02A[]
Anavel Gato, disguised as a Federation lieutenant, was able to steal the GP02A
On October 13, U.C. 0083, two prototypes of the Gundam Development Project - the RX-78GP01 Gundam "Zephyranthes" and the RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" - arrived at Torrington Base in Australia aboard the assault carrier MSC-07 Albion for testing. On the same day, Operation Stardust began.[3][8] Since the GP02A "Physalis" was a mobile suit designed for nuclear attack, it was armed with a Mk-82 nuclear warhead from Torrington Base's nuclear weapons storage in preparation for the test. Knowing this, Delaz Fleet ace pilot Anavel Gato infiltrated the base with the help of Anaheim Electronics technician and Delaz Fleet spy Nick Orville and stole the Gundam.[8]
Torrington Base in the aftermath of the attack
As Gato made his escape with the Gundam, the Jukon-class submarine U-801 bombarded Torrington Base with missiles, devastating the entire base. Immediately after, Delaz Fleet pilot Gaily broke into the base in a MS-09F/trop Dom Tropen to provide cover for Gato. At this point, rookie pilot Kou Uraki engaged Gato in the GP01 "Zephyranthes", but was soon driven back by more missiles from the U-801. Delaz Fleet pilot Bob, who had been correcting missile trajectory for the U-801 in his YMS-16M Xamel, then fired on the base command center, killing base commander Hawkins Marnery.[8]
Gato escaping aboard a MS landing craft
Following the attack on Torrington Base, Gato, Gaily, and Bob retreated. Meanwhile a Komusai II landed near the Australian coast in order to pick up Gato. However, even though Torrington Base was thrown into chaos, surviving mobile suits from the base, including Uraki in the GP01, quickly began pursuing Gato. Though Uraki managed to destroy the Komusai II, Gato retreated to the coast to await pickup by the U-801. Uraki eventually caught up to Gato and engaged him, but was overwhelmed. However, at the suggestion of Anaheim system engineer Nina Purpleton, he stabbed the cooling system of the GP02A's radiator shield, forcing Gato to retreat. Immediately after, Gato boarded a landing craft sent by the U-801 and make his way to Africa aboard the submarine.[9][10]
Search in Africa[]
The Albion searching for Gato in Eastern Africa
On October 14, under the order of Admiral Cowen, the Albion departed for Africa to search for Gato and the GP02A. On October 16, it reached Africa and began its search alongside many other ships under Cowen.[3][10][11] On October 23, at 0914 hours, Gato arrived at Kimbareid Base, a Zeon Remnants base built in an abandoned diamond mine. Soon after, Orville's cover was blown when he was found trying to steal military secrets from the Albion. He managed to escape aboard a FF-XII Core Fighter II and tried to reach Kimbareid Base, unaware that Albion Captain Eyphar Sinapus allowed him to escape so he could lead them to the Zeon base.[3][10]
Gato's HLV launching from Kimbareid Base
Knowing that Orville would lead the Albion to them, Kimbareid Base commander Neuen Bitter ordered his men to shoot down the Core Fighter and lure the Albion mobile suit team away from the base. As the Albion reached Kimbareid Base, Gato and the GP02A launched into space in an HLV. The Albion attempted to intercept the HLV using one of its beam cannons, but failed. After seeing Gato's launch, Bitter piloted a MS-06F-2 Zaku II F2 Type into battle and launched a desperate attack on the Albion's bridge, but he was shot down and killed by Kou in the GP01. Soon after, as Bitter instructed, his second-in-command surrendered the base.[3][10]
Into Space[]
Gato's HLV was soon recovered by the Musai-class Late Production Type Peer Gynt, which engaged two Salamis Kai-class (0083 Refit) from the 1st Orbital Fleet, destroying one and heavily damaging another.[3][12] On October 25, the Albion completed emergency repairs and left the atmosphere in pursuit of Gato.[2]
On October 31, the Peer Gynt returned to the Garden of Thorns. There, Gato reported his success to Delaz. To his surprise, Delaz revealed that Cima Garahau's Cima Fleet would be joining the Delaz Fleet. Though Gato found Cima distasteful, Delaz convinced him that it was the right decision.[3][12]
As the Albion searched the shoal zone alongside two Salamis Kai-class, the Yulin and the Nashville, they were engaged by the Lili Marleen - the flagship of the Cima Fleet - and its mobile suit team. During the battle, Delaz hijacked Federation channels and made a broadcast to the entire Earth Sphere.[3][12]
Delaz revealing the GP02A during his speech
| “ | I address the Earth Federation Forces and warriors of the Principality of Zeon. We are the Delaz Fleet! It is obvious to all that the armistice signed to end the Zeon War of Independence, which has since come to be known as the One Year War, is nothing but a lie. The reason being that it was signed by traitors who appropriated the name of the Republic of Zeon! We have never lost sight of the war's objective. We will give you proof of this shortly.
Observe! The results of our battle! This Gundam was developed for the purpose of nuclear attack! This machine, a clear violation of the Antarctic Treaty and developed in secret, is clear evidence of the accursed Federation's evil intentions! Look back! What gave rise to the Zeon War of Independence?! Why did we become followers of Zeon Zum Deikun?! For three years we've waited! No one in our force will turn away from their duty any longer! Now, with the blood of the young burning within us, I declare war upon the Earth Federation Government once again! We shall ignore the whispers of a false peace. We shall fight for what echoes in our hearts and for the glory of the homeland we have lost. Sieg Zeon. |
” |
—Aiguille Delaz | ||
Cima's Gelgoog Marine Commander Type destroying the bridge of the Nashville
As part of the speech, Delaz revealed the captured GP02A and used it as justification to declare war on the Earth Federation. Meanwhile, the Lili Marleen sunk the Yulin. Later, Cima sunk the Nashville in her MS-14Fs Gelgoog Marine Commander Type and heavily damaged Kou's GP01 (which deployed with a faulty space combat program that Kou wrote). However, she was forced to retreat after losing two MS-14F Gelgoog Marine.[2][3][12]
On November 1, the Second Colony Restoration Project began and the Colony Public Corporation began transporting repairable colonies from Side 1 to Side 3.[3] On the same day, the Cima Fleet attacked the Anaheim factory ship La Vie en Rose after receiving intelligence that the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium" was present there (which was leaked by Federation Rear Admiral Jamitov Hymen, an enemy of Admiral Cowen and a member of the Coliny faction). Test pilot Defrah Kar was forced to deploy in the RX-78GP03S Gundam "Stamen" in the Core Fighter-equipped "P-Spec" to defend the ship, and easily wiped out the Cima Fleet mobile suits upon docking with the Armed Base Orchis. However, after the end of the battle, a heavily damaged Gelgoog Marine fired at the "Stamen", killing Defrah and destroying the "P-Spec".[3][13]
Cima Garahau would personally attack La Vie en Rose and come into contact with Peche Montagne and the RX-78GP04G Gundam "Gerbera". However, a Federation battleship intervened and ordered a cease fire. Anaheim director O'Sullivan would reveal to Peche that he was giving the "Gerbera" to Cima so that she can turn against Delaz and stop Operation Stardust.
Von Braun[]
On November 2, the Albion docked at Von Braun to conduct repairs for the GP01. Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Cowen informed Captain Sinapus that the EFF senior staff was not taking the threat of the Delaz Fleet seriously and he could send no more ships to assist him, meaning there would be no reinforcements for their mission.[3][14]
The Val Walo, undergoing repair in Kelley's warehouse
While the Albion crew was on shore leave, Kou, frustrated with his defeat, ran into the streets and was beaten unconscious by a trio of street punks. He was taken in by Kelley Layzner, the owner of a scrap yard at the lowest level of Von Braun. Meanwhile, Cima secretly arrived at Von Braun in a supply ship and was welcomed by O'Sullivan, Anaheim's Von Braun branch manager.[14]
Kou soon found out that Kelley was in the process of repairing a MA-06 Val Walo, a One Year War-era mobile armor. Though Kelley refused to let Kou touch it, he relented when Kou revealed that he wanted to help him repair it and demonstrated his skill as a mechanic. However, Kou later learned that Kelley was a former Zeon pilot, and that he had asked Cima for a chance to join the Delaz Fleet after completing the Val Walo's repairs. After a confrontation with Kelley, Kou decided to help him finish repairing the Val Walo before leaving, despite knowing that they would be enemies when they next meet. On November 4, at 1006 hours, Kou undertook a test flight in the newly completed RX-78GP01-Fb Gundam "Zephyranthes" Full Burnern.[14]
The Val Walo fatally stabbed by the Full Burnern
Later that day, the Albion prepared to depart for the Solomon Sea Sector to act as a search and attack unit. However, Kelley found out that Cima was not interested in recruiting him at all and only wanted to purchase his mobile armor. Angered, he deployed in the Val Walo, intending to destroy the Albion's Gundam in order to prove himself to Cima. Kou soon deployed in the Full Burnern to engage the Val Walo. Though shocked that Kou was the Gundam's pilot, Kelley still engaged him, realizing that they would face one another sooner or later.[3][15]
After a fierce battle on the lunar surface, the Full Burnern was grabbed by the Val Walo's claw, but Kou separated the upper part of the Gundam and stabbed the Val Walo with its beam saber. Having not installed an escape system on the Val Walo, Kelley perished in its explosion, but not before telling Kou that he regretted nothing. At 2140 hours, the Albion departed from Von Braun using its laser propulsion system and began its journey to Solomon.[3][15]
Lunga Point[]
On November 5, at 0700 hours, the Gato Fleet departed from the Garden of Thorns and headed for the Solomon Sea Sector.[3][15]
On the same day, as the Albion was en route to the Solomon Sea, Kou tested the Blash XBR-L-83d prototype beam rifle. However, since it was not designed for the Full Burnern, its accuracy was too low to be useful. Albion mechanic Mora Boscht suggested fitting the rifle with an NN28 stabilizer from one of the ship's beam cannons. However, the Albion's gunner chief, Aristide Hughes, who was immensely proud of his beam cannons and had a strong dislike of mobile suits, refused to hand over the stabilizer despite the Captain's orders.[3][16]
Soon after, while its mobile suit team save for the Full Burnern were on patrol, the Albion encountered a Chivvay-class cruiser from the Delaz Fleet at Lunga Point. The Chivvay-class disabled the Albion's mobile suit deck, preventing the Full Burnern from launching or accessing its weapons. Though Mora and the Albion mechanics eventually managed to clear the way for the Full Burnern, it had no weapon that could destroy the Chivvay-class.[16]
Just as the situation seemed desperate, Mora launched the prototype beam rifle at the Full Burnern from the Core Fighter deck, which had been fitted with the NN28 stabilizer thanks to Nina convincing Hughes. Armed with the rifle, the Full Burnern evaded the Chivvay's anti-air fire and landed a direct hit on its ammunition storage, detonating it. However, the Chivvay was still not destroyed. After launching its escape pods, the ship launched a suicide charge at the Albion. At close range, Hughes fired the starboard Hood Type XII mega particle cannons at the Chivvay, completely destroying it and saving the Albion.[16]
Skirmish with the Cima Fleet[]
The Birmingham striking the Nieberlung
On November 7, the Gato Fleet arrived at the Solomon Sea Sector and began awaiting orders.[3] On November 8, at 14:52 hours, the Federation battleship Birmingham, under Admiral Green Wyatt, secretly made contact with the Cima Fleet in order to obtain the detailed plans of Operation Stardust. However, the Albion arrived at the scene and, believing the Birmingham to be under attack, deployed its mobile suit team. In order to cover up the deal, the Birmingham was forced to open fire on the Cima Fleet, disabling the Musai-class Nieberlung.[3][17]
The suitcase with Operation Stardust intelligence
In the ensuing battle, Albion mobile suit team leader South Burning and found a suitcase carrying the Operation Stardust documents from the body of a Cima Fleet soldier. He then engages Cima in battle before the latter was forced to retreat. Upon reading the documents, Burning was shocked by their content and tried to inform Kou of what he saw. However, at 1527:48 hours, Burning's GM Custom exploded from damage sustained during the battle, killing him before he could reveal anything.[3][17]
Following this battle, Sinapus issued a one rank battlefield promotion to pilots Alpha A. Bait and Uraki, promoting them to Lieutenant and Lieutenant Junior Grade, respectively.[17]
[]
Zeon mobile suits assaulting the Solomon Sector
On November 10, at 0000 hours, the entirety of the Delaz Fleet, led by Delaz's fleet Gwaden, departed from the Garden of Thorns and began heading for the Solomon Sector. At 0223 hours, the Axis Advance Fleet arrived in the Earth Sphere, upon which they received a welcoming message from Delaz.[3][18]
At 1300 hours, the Earth Federation Space Force held a naval review at Solomon (now renamed Confeito), the first one since the end of the One Year War. In response to Delaz's call, wave after wave of Zeon Remnants mobile suits attacked Confeito's perimeter. The Albion mobile suit team deployed in defense of Confeito and engaged in a prolonged battle with the attacking mobile suits.[3][18]
While most of the Federation defenders were responding to a large group of Zeon mobile suits in the Ramos sector, Gato, piloting the GP02A, approached Confeito through the shoal zone in S-0, with only two MS-09R-2 Rick Dom II as wingmen. Gato's team was eventually detected by an air-defense combat satellite, which shot down one of the Rick Dom II and alerted the Federation to his presence. However, with most Federation mobile suits unable to intercept him in time, it was already too late.[18]
The Mk-82 nuclear warhead consuming much of the Federation fleet
Uraki in the Full Burnern and Keith in his GM Cannon II quickly broke off from the Ramos sector in an attempt to intercept Gato. Meanwhile, Gato and his remaining wingman Karius broke through the few remaining Federation GM Type C and defense satellites in their way, with Karius remaining behind to cover for Gato. At 1431:06 hours, Gato fired the GP02A's Mk-82 nuclear warhead at the gathered Federation fleet.[3][18]
The attack sank or disabled more than two-thirds of the Federation vessels present. The flagship Birmingham was completely destroyed, and Admiral Wyatt was killed. At 1505 hours, as Gato moved to evacuate from the sector, he was engaged by the Full Burnern. Though the attack rendered the GP02A's left arm unusable, Gato still proved more than a match for Uraki. After a prolonged melee, both Gundams were destroyed, though both pilots survived and were recovered by their respective teammates.[3][19]
Colony Drop[]
Aftermath[]
Wreckage of the fallen colony in North America
Though Delaz's plan to severely damage Earth's food production capability was successful, his plan to increase the political standing of space colonies was not. Following the conclusion of the Delaz Conflict, the EFF leadership swiftly covered up the Delaz Fleet's involvement in the colony drop and claimed that it was caused by an accident during transportation. Though they were aware that such an excuse could not fully convince the public, this still became the official narrative.[20]
On November 23, a military tribunal was held for Kou Uraki and Eyphar Sinapus. Kou was sentenced to one year of hard labor for unauthorized use of a top secret machine, disobeying orders, breach of service, insubordination, and numerous other charges. Sinapus was sentenced to death for appropriating the ship under his command, engaging in unauthorized combat actions, numerous accounts of treason and severe violation of classified information regulations.[20][21]
With Vice Admiral Cowen removed from power and Bask Om's failure to intercept the colony covered up, the Coliny faction became dominant within the EFF.[3] On December 4, the Titans, an elite taskforce intended to maintain security within the Earth Sphere and root out any anti-Federation forces, was created. The creation of the Titans was proposed by Jamitov Hyman.[3][20][21]
On March 10, U.C. 0084, the truth of the colony drop and all data relating to the Gundam Development Project were erased from the Federation's official records. As a result, all of the charges against Kou were dropped.[3][21]
Notes & Trivia[]
Appearances[]
- OVAs and ONAs
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory
- Episode 1, Gundamjack
- First Appearance
- Episode 1, Gundamjack
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 The Official Weekly Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol. 9, p.30-33
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 山口宏 (1992-05-26). 機動戦士ガンダム0083（中） [Mobile Suit Gundam 0083] 2 (in Japanese). 角川書店 [Kadokawa Shoten]. ISBN 9784044131029.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24 3.25 3.26 3.27 The Official Weekly Gundam Mobile Suit Bible Vol.56, p.32
- ↑ (1992-02-29) 機動戦士ガンダム MS大図鑑【PART.6 デラーズ紛争編 上】 [Mobile Suit Gundam MS Encyclopedia 【PART.6 Delaz Conflict, Part 1】] ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.42 (in Japanese). Bandai, p. 52. ISBN 9784891892159.
- ↑ (1992-02-29) 機動戦士ガンダム MS大図鑑【PART.6 デラーズ紛争編 上】 [Mobile Suit Gundam MS Encyclopedia 【PART.6 Delaz Conflict, Part 1】] ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.42 (in Japanese). Bandai, p. 53. ISBN 9784891892159.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 (1992-06-30) 機動戦士ガンダム MS大図鑑【PART.7 デラーズ紛争編 下】 [Mobile Suit Gundam MS Encyclopedia 【PART.7 Delaz Conflict, Part 2】] ENTERTAINMENT BIBLE.46 (in Japanese). Bandai, p. 55. ISBN 9784891892319.
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: The Afterglow of Zeon
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 1, Gundamjack
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 2, Endless Pursuit
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 4, Attack and Retreat on the Burning Sand
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 3, Into Battle, Albion!
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 5, Gundam, to the Sea of Stars
- ↑ Gundam Evolve Episode 04
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 6, The Warrior of Von Braun
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 7, With Shining Blue Fire
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory CD Cinema - Battle of Lunga Point
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 8, Conspiracy Sector
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 9, The Nightmare of Solomon
- ↑ Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 10, Colliding War Zones
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 山口宏 (1992-09-25). 機動戦士ガンダム0083（下） [Mobile Suit Gundam 0083] 3 (in Japanese). 角川書店 [Kadokawa Shoten]. ISBN 9784044131036.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory Episode 13, A Storm Raging Through