Population on planet Earth was increasing. Then, man started to build space colony and moon base colony. At time, it was nothing. Soon, envy and fear arise inside the human heart. Countless battle erupted between Earth, space colony and moon colony. The race for supremacy on technology and weapon arsenal was greatly challenge.  

          The year now is 2277. It had been 45 years after the first living quarters and base was established. The Peacecraft family was the main contributer and founder of building a city on planet Mars. The Mars colony declare it self as a neutral zone. With the technology in military and development was far advance from Earth and the rest of the colony. Those who wanted to escape the bloody war seek refuge on Mars colony. But soon, the storm will come to this peacefull planet.

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     Andromeda, Mars second generation of megabattleship and the first to have a built-in town. One of the reason of this built-in town was to raise the moral and social life of the crew and the soldier.  The Earth military call this ships as "Super Dimensional Fortress" or SDF. The most fearsome weapon is its very long range main laser cannon  known as Tri-Verlor. Other than its weapon, Andromeda can hold up to 4 squadron of space fighter jets, 25 space craft and 43 unit of Mobile Suits.

    The time is around 1315 hours. The Andromeda making it's routine patrol near the boundary of Neutral-Mars zone sector 8. This zone is used as a route to planet earth for trading or commercial space flight. There is a worm-hole beyond the boundary which make the traveling distance to earth shorter. To make the space traveler easy to spot the worm-hole, a space becon was created. 

     "Commender on deck!"

    An officer in red uniform wearing a white helmet and a white mask that cover half of his face enter the Andromeda bridge. Only his mouth is seen. He salute and tell the crew in the bridge to resume their post. He sit down at a command sofa.

     "Sofiea, status report?", ask the commander to one of a female officer sited in front of him.

     She turn around and said, "Everything is alright, sir. No space pirates or any abnormal activity in this sector, sir."

     "I know you just transfer here today and this is your first day, cadet Sofiea. Stop calling me sir or commander. Unless we're outside of Andromeda or official duty. Just call me Zechs."

     "I'm sorry sir. I mean commander ..."

    "Its just Zechs. Don't be so tense, Sofiea.  I won't court-martial you.  You can continue your work, miss Sofiea.",say Zechs and give her a smile. 

    Zechs push an intercom on his right sofa and ask Zulu whereabout. A voice replay stating that he is on his way to the bridge after checking in with logistic.

     " Are you really checking in the inventori are you checking out the girl in the logistic Department?", said Zechs.

    "What are you talking about Zechs. I'm a lone wolf. Not easy to fall in love," said Zulu.

     One of the female officer at the radar and communication desk tell Zechs that she pick up a  faint destress signal. Zechs get up and move toward her while asking the signal coordinate. She key in a few buttons and a red dot appears on the radar monitor. The signal come from the worm-hole. Zechs ask the female officer to play the destress signal on loud speaker.

     "Mayday, mayday. This is refugees spaceship Longbow from LX-99780 space satellite. We are being chase by Maggelen type battleship of the EF. They want to destroy us. Please, for god sake, help us. There are woman and children on board. We are all civilian...."

     Zechs grind in anger. He turn around and told Sofiea to move towards the destress signal and stop the ships at the boundary. He then walk towards the door after executing a yellow alert. Every one inside the bridge rush to man their post. A siren is then hear through out the entire fleet. A female announcer announce that the yellow alert was issued. Every crew and pilot drop what they are doing and rush towards their post. All shops are close and the civilian rush towards the shelter.

     At the same time, Zechs went in the elevator. He then contact someone with his built-in communicator in his helmets.

     "Mirranda, are you still in the CIC room?"

     "Yes. I'm still here. What is your order now?"

     "Hmm... Prepare my Epion EW for combat. Put 7 MS unit equip with heavy arms on the deck and prepare the medic bay for our new guest."

     "Ting... Battle hanger. Please standby..."

     The elevator open its door as it stop at it destination. He step out of the elevator while fixing his cotton gloves. The situation there look havoc with all the crew busy with their work. He move calmly toward a door written above it COMMANDER ZECHS MS ELEVATOR.

      He enter the cockpit of his MS and sit down. The cockpit door shut after he push a few buttons. It was pitch black after the door shut tight. Only a few button light up. A few second later, the visual of the surrounding show within the cockpit. An image of Zulu appeared on the left screen.

     "Why are you not in your space suit, Zechs?".

     While smiling he then say, "Don't worry, Zulu. I'm not planning to die just yet. And beside, those Earthling are bound to gravity. It will be just like a walk in the worm-hole. It will be over quickly."

    "Heh. Still arrogant like always, megaplayboy."

    "Can't help it my friend. There's something different when you in the Mobile Suits sit. It's like an adrenaline rush that burns you spirit high."

     A female operator image appears above Zulu image. "All system green,sir. You're clear to launch."

     "Zechs Marquise, MS Epion EW, launching..."

     After exiting the launching bay, MS Epion transform to jet mode and fly away towards the distress signal. He orders his man to standby for any possibility.

     Meanwhile, one spaceship come out of the worm-hole. It look as it sustain a battle damage judging from a few scratches and smoke coming out from one of it's thruster. A few second later, another ship come out of the worm-hole. This time, it is a battleship with a Earth and a winter wolf insignia at its bridge.

     Zechs hail the EF battleship to stand-down and identify itself. But there was no reply from the battleship. Instead, the battleship fire a warning shot towards Zechs MS missing by an inch. The battleship then fire two shot of its laser cannon turret towards the spacecraft engine. The spacecraft float helplessly after loosing it's thruster ability.

     Zechs then pilot his MS closer towards the battleship while firing a few shot towards the battleship cannon turret. The result, two out of four turret exploded. The battleship then shift it's attack towards Zechs. Zechs maneuvers his MS and dodge all attack while firing at the enemy guns capability. When nearing the battleship bridge, he then transform his MS from jet mode to battroid (robot) mode. Everyone on the bridge stun on what they see. A steel laser gun at the bridge window just waiting to be used at anytime. The captain of the battleship order his comm-man to open all channel.

       "Well finally, you come to your senses and open your communication after I point a gun in your face. State your business here?"

        "I'm captain Bruno of the EF 7th Battleship winter wolf. Me and my crew are on the hunt of a rebel ship that you try to protect. You're in violating Earth-Mars treaty..."

        Zechs smile and then say, "The one who is violating the treaty is you. Don't think I can't smell a black ops operative from Earth. And beside, you should inform Mars Defence because this is Mars jurisdiction."

      Suddenly, a beam laser hit one of the EF battleship defence gun that is below MS Epion EW. It was fired from one MS that is at Andromeda launching bay.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

       "The moment your ship enter this quadrant, my people already have your ships lock-on. That wasn't a random shot. It come from one of my marksman Mobile Suits. Now, stand down or turn around where you came from. What say you?"

    "Ok. We'll backing off. But before that, what is your name,boy?".

       Zechs turn the switch from sound only to live. He and the EF captain see both faces.

        "I'm Zechs Marquise 7. Commander of Andromeda megabattleship and first battalion of 502nd Mars Mobile Suits unit."

       " I will remember you boy. The craft is all yours. Hope that we won't cross path again, boy."

       The captain of the EF battleship order a retreat issue. The battleship turn around and went back into the worm-hole where they came from.

        "Noir, thanks for covering my back", say Zechs after the EF battleship disappeared into the worm-hole.

       A woman image appears infront of his screen and reply, "You owe me a dinner tonight. I'll pick a place and you pick me up at my place around 7 pm."

      "Oh, don't be late, ok", she continue before cutting the communication.

      Zechs smile and turn his MS facing the drifted spacecraft. He give an order to Zulu to bring Andromeda close to his position and standby all crew for a deep space rescue mission.

       MS Epion EW stand infront of the spacecraft while hailing the captain of Longbow. 

       "This is Zechs Marquise of Mars Special  Defence Forces or MSDF."

       "I'm Jerman Karl Longbow. Thank you for accepting my distress call. What do you want us to do now, Zechs?"

       "Gather all the remain survivor at your cargo bay. My man and a few medical staff will be there shortly after my ship arrive. Tell your men don't be panic. It's just protocol. Ok. I'm heading back to my ship now. Stay safe.", say Zechs to the spacecraft captain before retreating to Andromeda.

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       Meanwhile, at one of the arrival hall terminal,  three dozen armed soldier are waiting for patiently. Some of the man are checking their weapon. While other are talking about their social life.

     "Soldiers, attention!", say one of their platoon Sargent.

      A female officer in a black space Suits with a Major rank on her shoulder walk in. "Noir"  name that is written on her right space Suits chest. 

      "As you were, men.", she said as she approach the center table that is infront of the soldiers.

       She then debrief the soldier on their mission. One team will follow the medical crew to go in the Longbow spacecraft. While the rest of the team will remain in Andromeda. She warn the men not to fire their gun unless they are force to do so. She then ask the men if they have any question regarding their mission. The men silent meaning their know what to do or still blur. At that moment, she see MS Epion EW fly-by from the window. It is coming in to the docking bay. She then order the platoon Sargent to continue and go ahead with the mission.

      After saluting the men, she then walk out calmly toward the elevator. As the elevator open the door at its designated level, Noir rush out. She run while having a happy facial on her face like a lover rush to see her love one come back alive from a battlefield.

      She then stop at the front of the commander's elevator door while catching her breath. She straighten her outfit and wipe her sweet. The elevator door finally open and she see her dearest one unharmed. 

       Zechs smile at her as he walk out of the elevator towards her. She punch softly at his guts.

       "This is for making me worry about you with out your space Suits. And this is for coming back alive to me," she then kiss Zechs mouth passionately while tears on her eyes.

        After the kissing, Zechs hugs Noir closely while stroking her straight dark hair to calm her down.

        "Why the tigeriss of the dune shed tears for me? Aren't you happy that I come back?"

        "You know why. Don't tease me ok. Next time, when the mission on space, please wear your space Suits.", tell Noir to Zechs before punching his chest softly.

        Suddenly, both of their intercom start to ring. They quickly let go each other before answering their intercom. Both of them got a call from a different person but stating the same thing and that is the rescue operation has been conducted. Both of their present are required at the arrival hall 5.

       "Shall we go, Noir?", said Zechs while offering a hand to Noir.

        Noir accepted Zechs hand and hold firmly while walking towards the elevator. She felt so happy. At the same time, in CIC room, Mirranda watch everything right from Noir waiting Zechs in front of the commander's elevator to the end. She smile.

        "Ahh. I'm so jealous of those two love birds." 

       "If only I have boyfriend like commander Zechs. I won't ask more. I let him take me as he please."

       Mirranda turn her seat around facing the 3 girls standing behind her.

       "So, how long have you 3 girls been standing behind me?", say Mirranda while leaning forward.

       "Not that long. We been watching you from Zechs walk out of the elevator till now.", tell one of the girls with straight dark red hair till her shoulder. 

       Then, a pink pony-tail hair girl hug the dark red hair girl from behind and say, "What Emmilya said was true. You do look happy to see Commander Zechs every time he come back safely from any mission. Myleen know because Myleen always look at you smiling by yourself and sometime shed a tears of joy."

       Mirranda smile and say, "I'm assign to take care of Zechs personal by the Peacecraft family. And beside, I consider Zechs is like a brother to me."

       She stand up. "So Sara, if you want a boyfriend like Zechs, the odd is slim. Do you think you can be one of Zechs special girl?"

       "Is that a dare I hear from you?"

       "If you think that is a challenge, it's up to you. But, can you stand up against Mars tigeriss of the dune?", Mirranda stare at Sara after finishing her sentence.

       Sara stun for a while. She look at her two friends hoping for an answer. Both of them shake their head slowly like telling her to take the challenge because they know Noir reputation against those who try to take her place in Zechs heart.

       "Arghh... What ever! I'm out of here. It's already lunch time.", Sara quickly leave the CIC room in anger.

       Emmilya chase after Sara to comfart her leaving Mirranda and Myleen behind. Mirranda then smile after the automatic door close. Myleen is confuse either to go with Sara and Emmilya or stay with Mirranda.

       "Ano, Mirranda-san, if you really have a crush on Zechs, you should..."

       Mirranda stand up quickly and shout, "Enough of this Zechs boy story!".

       She turn around and walk a few step then stand infront of Myleen with a serious face.  She then rise her right hand up. Myleen was frighten and close her eyes while facing the floor. She shiver a bit thinking that Mirranda will slap her in anger. But, Mirranda pad Myleen head softly.

       "Come on my junior officer Myleen. Let's do lunch together. My treat for today hard work."

     Meanwhile, at the arrival hall 5, the screening process and aid to the survivor is on going without any unwanted incident. For those who pass the screening test, they were given food and blanket. While those who doesn't pass, they where taken to medic bay for further treatment.

     Zechs and Noir are at the TROP (Temporary Rescue Operation Post) room located not far from the hall. It's quite busy and hustle. 

    "Sir, we will be arriving at Mars 2 space station within 45 minutes, sir."

    The flight officer leave the place after Zechs dismiss him to continue back to his post. Noir came up to Zechs while showing some paperwork. Then, a space Marine rank first class private approach both of them with a civilian. He then salute his superior.

    "Sorry to bother you in this busy hour, sir. But, this man claiming to be the captain of the vessel that we rescued. He insist on seeing you, sir." say the Marines after putting down his hand.

    Zechs look at the man behind the Marines. He then dismiss the Marines to continue his work. Noir look at the man with sharp eyes and a serious looks before handing Zechs a folder. She leaves both of them after Zechs has taken folder.

    "Walk with me, captain".

    Both of them walk out of the room and into the quiet corridor. They walk until they stop at a hall way. There were no one insight. Zechs lean at a rail guard and hand a file to the captain.

   As the captain hold the folder, Zechs say to him, "No more lies, Melvin the smuggler of side 7. Time to come out clean. Level with me."

    "Ok, you got me. But how do you my name is Melvin?," , say the captain after taking the folder.

    Zechs smile and say, "I know all the Longbow family. They are one of Mars main customer. After our last video chat, I ask my assistant to run your face in the net. So, I want to know, how do you get this job?"

    Melvin look at the file of him.

    "I was there after delivering work. Went to the bar to get a drink and then 4 guys whom happen to work for the president of the satellite approach me. One of them told me that the president wanted to have a word with me."

     Melvin close the file and hand the file back to Zechs before saying, "To make it short, the president hire me to get her daughter and a few people here to Mars."

    "You don't have to worry for now. I won't arrest you. Unless, you broke the Mars law. For now, your a freeman. I will ask my engineer to look up at your ship. If it can't be repair, I will give you a few option of ships to choose from.", Zechs take the file and then throw it in a trash bin.

   Before Melvin bid Zechs goodbye, he take out something from his left jacket and give it to him. He said that is an emblem given from the president to be handed to the one who save what remain of the colony people and her daughter. Melvin walk a few step away from Zechs after he take the emblem.

     As Melvin left Zechs, he smile and say to Melvin, "Welcome to Mars my friends."