The humid morning air at Naha Base carried the familiar scent of salt and machinery. Another morning at Naha Base began with our usual routine: warm-up activities and morning exercises. After breakfast, Aaron and I noticed something new since we stepped foot on Okinawa—announcements and posters for the "Eisa Festival" scheduled for next month. Because Naha Base is comprised mostly of Okinawan personnel, the base is an active part of the Eisa community. The personnel involved in the community are looking forward to the festival and cannot wait to begin dance practice. Naha Base's turn to perform the Eisa dance usually occurs at night, during the festival's peak.
Eisa (Eisā) is a folk dance originating from Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Islands. it is derived from the Obon (Bun / Usōrō) dance, performed by young people in each community during the Obon festival to honor the spirits of their ancestors. Though it underwent drastic changes in the 20th century, it is now considered a vital part of Okinawan culture.
"So this is the Okinawan culture called Eisa," I remarked.
"Yes, it is performed during the Obon festival," Kisaki explained. "The Eisa community and the people of Okinawa are very excited. I'm actually taking part in the dance myself".
"Hmm, that's new to me," I replied.
Ohara, standing behind me, chimed in, "Lydia, you and Aaron should come and see the festival. It is a major part of Okinawa City, and I know your boyfriend, Aaron, would want to see this too".
"I know he'd love to, Ohara," I said. "Aaron doesn't want to miss a single moment while we are in Okinawa, and we still need to travel around the island. I want to see what the Obon festival looks like".
"Even if we have to take part in securing the festival from Zeon Remnants, we can still enjoy the fun," Ohara added.
At that exact moment, a Medea transport arrived at Naha Base, delivering armor parts for Aaron's mobile suit, the G-Line. The mechanics were incredibly excited about the arrival; they couldn't wait to equip the parts to fulfill Aaron's "Hybrid Armor" concept and hurried to deliver them to the hangar.
While I watched them, Aaron called me for a supply delivery duty along with Emma and Isao. Since Isao had nothing to do, we headed to the city to pick up food supplies at our usual supermarket. Along the city streets, posters for the Obon festival and Eisa dance were already everywhere. While Emma and I organized the supplies the base needed, I saw Aaron head into the city alone for a moment after speaking with Isao. He returned just as we finished organizing the food.
"You're finally back, Aaron. Are you finished?" I asked.
"Yes, sorry to keep you waiting. My friends from the Chicago base were asking for a specific Naha souvenir they've been looking for," Aaron explained.
"Did you find it?" I asked.
"I found it, but I'll buy it later when I return to Chicago," he replied.
"We should get back now," Emma interrupted. "You can continue the chat later". We returned to Naha Base, finished the supply run, and resumed our usual activities until nightfall.
The next day at noon, a week after our vacation on Tsuken Island, a report arrived from Hokkaido. At 01:30 AM, a Zeon Remnant submarine had been spotted. A news helicopter noticed a Jukon-class submarine deploying mobile suits near "Oshima" island. Japan actually has two islands named "Oshima" in different locations: "Matsumae Oshima" in the Hokkaido area and "Izu Oshima" in the Tokyo area. The Zeon Remnants were found in the Hokkaido area, which is an uninhabited island. It was a smart choice for a hiding place, though the location of Zuckerberg remains unknown.
Izu Ōshima is an inhabited volcanic island in the Izu archipelago, the largest of Tokyo's outlying islands. In contrast, Matsumae Ōshima (also known as Oshima Ōshima) is an uninhabited island 50 kilometers west of Matsumae town, marking the westernmost point of Hokkaido.
Before Commander Emiya dismissed us, he ordered all personnel to keep their mobile suits on standby in case the Zeon Remnants attacked Naha Base or the city, especially during the upcoming festival. "Keep your mobile suits on standby," Emiya ordered, his voice grave. "We expect Zeon Remnants to strike anywhere, perhaps even during the upcoming festival".
As we exited the briefing, Aaron asked me to accompany him to the hangar to check on his mobile suit. When we arrived, I noticed the G-Line had new armor added to the arms and head, and the waist armor and backpack had been replaced—all in a menacing red color. The new 'Hybrid' configuration blended Standard armor with Light armor components, all painted in a vibrant, aggressive red.
"You're finally here, Captain Aaron! The Hybrid Armor is here, and I can't wait to show you," the mechanic said excitedly.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is the 'Hybrid Armor' you were talking about, right?" I asked.
"Of course, Lieutenant Lydia! The RX-81 G-Line is designed to be equipped with different armor sets," the mechanic explained. He led us closer. "We combined the Standard Armor with parts from the Light Armor. While we didn't get the complete set or the missile launcher, this 'Light' configuration emphasizes high mobility. I've added armor to both arms, replaced the skirt armor, and added a specialized antenna to the head". The head was equipped with an asymmetrical blade antenna and a sensor with a radius of 11,000 meters, similar to a commander type.
"This full red look is amazing on the G-Line," Aaron said, looking at me. "Lydia, how about a mock battle? Just between you and me".
"A mock battle? I'm in, Aaron. I want to test you just like Isao did," I accepted.
"Ahahaha. I guess I cannot escape an ex-Black Dog Squad soldier," Aaron joked.
We changed into our pilot suits. My Zaku II F2 was equipped with paint bullets for its machine gun, and Aaron's short beam rifle was set to fire blanks. As I exited the hangar, I saw Aaron's G-Line reflecting the sun-rays brilliantly. I also noticed his backpack now had a propellant tanks and stabilizers.
"Say, Aaron, isn't your G-Line overweight now?" I asked over the comms.
"Not at all. Is it because of the pack on my back?" Aaron asked.
"Yes. That propellant tanks and stabilizers makes me wonder. Even if it's a mix of Standard and Light armor, it looks like it should be for space use," I noted.
"Don't worry. It may look heavy, but it feels just like my Gundam Ground Type back in Chicago, Let's spar." he reassured me.
The spar began. I fired the grenade launcher from my Zaku machine gun, but Aaron dodged it easily. His mobile suit moved incredibly fast with the combined armor. We exchanged fire—his beam rifle against my machine gun—and the G-Line's responsiveness was a massive improvement over his previous configuration. I drew my Heat Saber in training mode as Aaron charged with his beam saber. Our blades clashed, but the session was suddenly cut short by an emergency siren.
"Emergency mission! Tomigusuku City is under a Zeon invasion. Federation forces are outnumbered and need reinforcement," the dispatch announced.
The mission was in Tomigusuku City; Zeon Remnants were outnumbering Federation forces in a shore invasion. Our "Shiisaa-Team" moved out. Kyosuke piloted the Medea transport, while Aaron, Emma, Isao, and I deployed in our mobile suits. Tomigusuku was under attack by amphibious Zeon units. The local forces, mostly Type-61 tanks and Aqua GMs, were struggling against Zeon amphibious mobile suits. Their Type-61 tanks couldn't hold the line.
"Listen up! We take those Zeon suits out before they destroy the city. Emma, go with Isao. Lydia, stay with me," Aaron ordered.
"Let's take those Zeon scum from the shore, Emma!" Isao shouted, fired up.
We descended from the sky. Local Federation units like Aqua GMs and Gundivers were struggling. Aaron used his Gatling Smasher to down three units instantly. I used my Zaku Bazooka to take down two Z'Goks from a blind spot and threw my Heat Hawk at an Agguguy attacking me with a heat rod from behind. The hawk hit the Agguguy's giant eye, and it collapsed.
Suddenly, a new signal appeared on my radar. It was a single mobile suit, different from a regular Z'Gok—the MSM-07E Z'Gok E. Neither Aaron nor I had seen this model before. It suddenly fired a beam cannon like a machine gun, catching us by surprise. We dove for cover behind a building as Acguys and Juaggus joined the suppression fire.
"A beam machine gun?! I never knew about this version!" I shouted.
"I didn't expect this either, Lydia. Be careful—I assume that Z'Gok E is the commander," Aaron replied.
The MSM-07E Z'Gok E is an experimental improved version of the MSM-07 Z'Gok. It features improved beam cannons capable of rapid fire and torpedo launchers in place of head missiles. Its propulsion was moved to the legs for better underwater streamlining, and it features retractable limbs. On land, its back thrusters allow for great mobility and jumping. Standardized under the United Maintenance Plan, its performance exceeds even the MSM-07S Commander Type.
While we were pinned, a platoon of Type-61 tanks managed to take out an Acguy, but they were quickly countered by a Juaggu's rocket launchers. Taking advantage of the distraction, Aaron and I fired back. The Juaggu engaged Aaron, while the Z'Gok E charged me. It destroyed my Zaku machine gun with its improved vice claws. Aaron tried to help, but he was blocked by the Juaggu and a Zogok. I swung my Heat Saber, but the Z'Gok E's speed was terrifying—it dodged every strike with ease. It fired its beam machine gun again, damaging my Zaku II F2. I felt the difference in my machine.
Back when In the Black Dog Squad, I had a GM Spartan with hidden weapons and smoke dischargers; this Zaku II F2 had none of that. Suddenly, Captain Sawada of the Tomigusuku Type-61 squadron contacted me: "Zaku II F2 pilot, lure that mobile suit to the south point. We have a trap set".
"This is Captain Sawada of the Tomigusuku Type-61 squadron. Zaku II F2 pilot, do you copy?"
"Loud and clear, sir," I responded.
"Lure that Zeon mobile suit to the south point. We are in position to trap it. Get it into the open so we can take the shot," Sawada ordered.
I didn't hesitate. I hit the pedals and fired my thrusters. The Z'Gok E chased me, firing its beam machine gun. As I neared the trap, it lunged with its sharp nails. I tried to swing my saber, but the Z'Gok E was too fast—it shattered my Zaku's right arm, leaving me unarmed. Before it could fire a finishing shot, I slammed my controls and used my spike shoulder to tackle the Z'Gok E, crashing it into a building.
"Nice one! We'll do the rest!" Sawada shouted. I backed off as the remaining Type-61 tanks unleashed a synchronized barrage of cannon fire, finally taking down the Z'Gok E.
The city was finally secure. My Zaku II F2 was in critical condition—I had lost an arm and taken heavy beam damage—but I was unhurt. Emma's Zaku had lost its head and shield, but Aaron and Isao's suits were fine.
"Facing those amphibious suits with a Zaku II F2 is another level," I admitted. Aaron was just relieved I was safe.
On the Medea transport back to base, Emma noted that the Zaku II F2 simply wasn't a match for high-spec Zeon units with beam weapons. Aaron agreed and promised to speak with the mechanic about getting Emma and me RGM-79 GMs.
Back at the Naha Base in hangar building, the mechanic was shocked by the damage but agreed that the Zakus would need long repairs, He agreed that the Zaku II F2 was no match for the new Zeon amphibious models. Aaron insisted that Emma and I be reassigned to RGM-79 GMs. The mechanic confirmed there were two vacant GMs available for us, and our old Zakus would be sent for long-term repair or used for new recruits.
I headed to my dorm for a refreshing bath to wash away the sweat and stress of the mission. The encounter with the Z'Gok E had been terrifying; I really did think I was going to die. Later that evening, Aaron meet me outside my room and we walked around the base as the sun set. He told me he didn't want to lose me and insisted I pilot the GM to have a better fighting chance.
"I don't want you getting hurt again, Lydia," Aaron said softly. "The RGM-79 will give you the beam weaponry you need to fight on even ground". I understood his worry; he didn't want to lose me, and I felt the same way.
As we walked near the gym, we heard the sound of Japanese folk instruments. We peeked inside and saw Kisaki and Kyosuke practicing the Eisa dance. They were incredibly energetic, dancing with a rhythm that seemed to embody the spirit of Okinawa.
"So this is what the Eisa dance looks like," Aaron whispered.
"You can see the spirit of the Okinawan people in them," I added.
"Let's leave them to their rehearsal," Aaron said. "I can't wait to see the real thing next month and tell my friends in Chicago all about it".
We left them to their rehearsal. Aaron was excited to tell his friends in Chicago about the Obon festival, and for the first time in a long time, I found myself looking forward to it too. He may be a soldier, but his excitement for Okinawa was like an open door to a new world. I, too, found myself looking forward to the Obon festival and the dance.
To be continued.