Operation Rubicon was a covert operation initiated by the Principality of Zeon using the Cyclops Team. It is the main focus of Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket.
Overview[]
The primary objective of Operation Rubicon was to capture or destroy the Earth Federation Forces (EFF) secretly developed mobile suit, the RX-78NT-1 Gundam NT-1, hidden at the neutral Ribo colony in Side 6. This unit was notably one of the first Federation units designed for use by Newtypes and was to be given to Amuro Ray, one of the top aces in the war. If both options were to fail, Zeon would resort to an illegal nuclear strike against the colony. In reality, Lieutenant Colonel Killing, who had planned the Operation, did not believe in the operation's success, intentionally sending the Cyclops Team to fail as an excuse to launch a nuclear strike on Side 6.
Prelude[]
On December 9, the Principality of Zeon's Cyclops Team attacked a Federation Forces base in the Arctic circle [1][2]. Despite inflicting major casualties to the base's defenders, the transport evaded the Cyclops Team's grasp as Andy Strauss' MSM-03C Hygogg suffered a direct shot that killed Strauss. By chance, a failed attack on the Side 6's colony, Ribo, was salvaged by the rookie pilot, Bernard Wiseman, who had acquired a camera from Alfred Izuruha, that revealed a prototype mobile suit being assembled at the neutral colony. As a result, Wiseman was passed over to the Cyclops Team to replace the late Strauss despite team leader, Hardie Steiner's request for another veteran.
Chronology[]
December 14[]
At 23:00 Operation Rubicon starts. Cyclops Team left the Granada lunar base.
December 15[]
At 06:00, Von Helsing's fleet launched an diversionary attack on Ribo. Bernard Wiseman, along with a disassembled MS-18E Kämpfer, were transported aboard a disguised military ship to the colony [3][2].
December 16 to 17[]
Assembly work of the Kämpfer at a factory in the colony and the collecting intel on specific EFF military bases were in progress.
December 19[]
At 19:30, disguised as EFF soldiers, the Cyclops Team infiltrated the EFF base housing the RX-78NT-1 Gundam.
At 19:40, the Kämpfer sortied within the colony as a diversionary tact. The EFF Scarlet Team was dispatched from the LMSD-76 Gray Phantom but was quickly annihilated.
At 20:00, the Kämpfer engaged the Gundam "Alex" and was defeated. Cyclops Team captain Hardie Steiner was killed during the firefight in the base. All members of the Cyclops Team were killed except for Bernard Wiseman.
December 20[]
News of Operation Rubicon's failure reached Lieutenant Colonel Killing in Granada.
Aftermath[]
On December 22, Killing assassinated Major General Rugens, usurping command and preparing a nuclear attack on Side 6. Von Helsing's fleet was ordered to perform the launch at 12:00 (Operation Christmas). Wiseman, however, vainly believed that he could prevent the nuclear attack by continuing the mission and attacked the Gundam "Alex" on December 23.
Notes & Trivia[]
- The operation is probably named after the phrase "crossing the Rubicon" meaning going past the point of no return. After successful campaigning in France the Roman Senate ordered Julius Caesar to give up control of his army. He refused and crossed the Rubicon river into Italy thereby beginning a civil war which he won and as a result ended the Roman Republic and began his dictatorship.
- Operation Rubicon is featured in several crossover titles like the SD Gundam series, occasionally merged with Operation Christmas, where it is possible to spare or save some of the members of the Cyclops Team.
- An altered Operation Rubicon appears in SD Gundam Battle Alliance where other Zeon forces attack the city while the Kämpfer would be engaging with the Alex. The players are ordered to first support the city defenders before moving to help the Alex destroy the Kämpfer.
Appearances[]
- OVAs and ONAs
- Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
- Episode 2, Reflections in a Brown Eye
- Episode 3, And at the End of the Rainbow?
- Episode 4, Over the River and Through the Woods
- Episode 5, Say it Ain't So, Bernie!
References[]
| One Year War Conflicts and Events | |
| January, 0079 UC | |
|---|---|
| One Week Battle (Operation British) | Battle of Loum | |
| March, 0079 UC | |
| Earth Drop Operations (First Landing Operation | Second Landing Operation | Third Landing Operation) | |
| September, 0079 UC | |
| Attack on Side 7 | |
| November, 0079 UC | |
| Operation Odessa | Battle of Jaburo | |
| December, 0079 UC | |
| Attack on the Arctic Base | Operation Rubicon | Operation Christmas | Operation Cemballo (Battle of Solomon) | Operation Star One (Battle of A Baoa Qu) | |