Now that the White Base and its crew have escaped from Side 7 to Luna II, it’s up to us to decide what happens to them. We’re given the choice to let them remain as a unit and travel with the Operation V prototypes to Jaburo on their own, or disband them.
Allowing them to remain as a unit will initiate the events that take place in the original Mobile Suit Gundam TV series. We will not have direct control over what they do, but instead receive reports on their progress. Think of it as the main events of the anime happening alongside us as we continue to make decisions in the game. The other option, disbanding them, will halt their story. The trade off is we can immediately use them as pilots, and certain character deaths that happen in the show will be avoided.
For this playthrough, I chose to disband them, both because it would be much easier to get their interaction lines, and to unlock some interesting bonuses in Part 2. Someday I want to go back and do a proper White Base run to capture all of the scenes I’ll be missing this go around… But for now, let’s continue on.
Wakkein: On that note… What are your plans for the future of the White Base and its crew?
Captain Paolo, who was killed in action, was also concerned about them until the end…
Luna II does not have the military strength to defend Operation V. I think you should have them head to Jaburo on their own.
[Choice: NO]
Wakkein: That’s true… It’s dangerous to overestimate their abilities. The White Base and mobile suits will be kept at Luna II. The crew will be sent to Jaburo by high-speed craft. Please decide what to do with them once they arrive.
(Though for the sake of keeping Amuro and company together and easier to keep track of, I immediately put them back in their units at the White Base at Luna II anyway.)
EFF Officer: Reporting that the research data of “Operation V” retrieved from the research facility on Side 7 has arrived from Luna II. By feeding back the research results of “Operation V” received from Luna II, our military technology will improve.
The next step is to capture the Hawaii base while moving the units from Luna II down to Earth.
Bright: Sayla, where were you before you came to Side 7?
Sayla: Do I need to answer?
Bright: Oh… not really…
Sayla: It’s no good to back down so easily, right?
Job: Bright-san! Let’s join forces and fight!
Bright: Hm? …And you are?
Job: I’m Job John! Did you really forget about me?
Bright: There’s no way I’d forget about my precious comrades. I was just concentrating on the battle.
Job: My apologies.
Bright: (…? Who was that again?)
Job John also has some fun solo lines as well. I’m rooting for you, buddy…
Job: I’m a pilot! I won’t let people call me a handyman anymore!
Bright: You should fight more effectively, instead of relying so much on the performance of your weapons!
Amuro: What?! Now you’ve said it…! To me, you’re just a…
Bright: Fine, hate me if you want!
Ryu: Hey Amuro! How’s it going?
Amuro: Ryu-san! Let’s do our best together!
Sayla: Good luck, Amuro! I know you can do it…
Amuro: Don’t flatter me!
Amuro: Kai-san… I don’t like everything about you, but we’re friends, aren’t we? Let’s do our best together!
Kai: I like the way you put it, Amuro! Let’s get along!
Hayato: Amuro… I won’t lose to you!
Amuro: What are you talking about… Hayato, let’s work together!
Amuro: Fraw! Why are you fighting?!
Fraw: If you hadn’t fought for me, I would have died a long time ago. I want to repay you!
Amuro: You can’t fight… I may not like it, but… I’m a man…
Kai: Hey, if it isn’t Hayato! What’s up with that worried look on your face? Let’s take it easy.
Hayato: This is just the way I look! Kai-san, please take this seriously!
Hayato: I’m no good… At this rate…I can’t beat Sayla-san or Kai-san…
Fraw: What are you talking about!? Hayato! You’re great too! Let’s do our best together!
Kai: Hehe! Sayla-san, please look out for me! I don’t want to die in a war like this!
Sayla: You call yourself a man? You coward!
Kai: W-what was that?! You’re so pretentious!
Sayla: Why you…! Stop talking like a delinquent!
While I was working to capture all of the White Base crew’s lines for each other, by chance Amuro engaged in combat against Johnny Ridden, who was stationed right near Luna II.
Amuro: He’s fast! A red mobile suit? It feels different from Char’s, but…still dangerous!
Johnny Ridden: Are you the Federation’s ace? Can you keep up with my speed, the one known as the Crimson Lightning?
After Hawaii is captured, the next base we can attack is California. I’m not sure if the following is only triggered after you have captured it, but after doing so in this playthrough, the MS IGLOO related story event began.
EFF Officer: I have something to report. Since the start of the war, our forces have captured many enemy mobile suits. How about repairing these mobile suits and using them for diversions and disruption behind enemy lines?
Accepting this proposal will send Federico Czariano (from MS IGLOO: The Hidden One Year War) on a mission that will defeat an upcoming enemy, but ultimately lead to his death. If you say no instead, the captured enemy mobile suits will appear at Jaburo for you to use.
There is a consequence of this choice, however. Since Federico Czariano was not sent on a mission, he will not deal with the upcoming threat himself, and therefore we will have to combat it ourselves. A lot of story events in Gihren’s Greed work this way – either the events are handled “off screen” by the characters on a mission, or you have to “manually” do so yourself with your army. For example…
EFF Officer: A reconnaissance unit has reported that a Komusai equipped with a new enemy weapon has landed in North America.
This singular unit is the Hildolfr, and experimental mobile tank. Since Federico Czariano did not fight it while on a mission as he does in the OVA, it’s up to us to defeat it with our forces. We’ll see another example of this type of situation later with the 08th MS Team as well.
Meanwhile, our next available bases for capture are New York and Odessa. By this point, I had Mirai and Sleggar together with the rest of the White Base crew on Earth, so I was able to get their lines while capturing New York.
Bright: Hey, Mirai… did you meet your fiancé you were talking about the other day?
Mirai: Even if you say fiancé, it was only discussed between our parents… and that person thinks that the war has nothing to do with him…
Bright: I see, but… it’s best to cherish your relationships…
Mirai: …Do you mean that?
Bright: I too…want to live as honorably as other people while I’m alive, but I’m clumsy…
Mirai: …you sure are.
Amuro: Mirai, why are you still fighting? You could just quit the military!
Mirai: Yes, it would be possible if I used my father’s name… but I wouldn’t do that. This war is not someone else’s problem. That’s what I think. Is that strange?
Amuro: Not at all. That’s a great way to look at it!
Sleggar: Haha! Looks like I’m coming along too. I can’t believe I’m going to be with such a beautiful military woman*.
Mirai: Nice to meet you, I’m Mirai.
[*T/N: Though the text uses the kanji 女兵士, Sleggar actually says “WAVE” here, an acronym used for the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, the women’s branch of the United States Naval Reserve during World War II]
Sleggar: Hey there! I’m so lucky to have a Newtype on my side! I’ll take good care of you!
Amuro: Please don’t tease me.
With New York base captured, it’s on to Odessa!
Revil: Calling all troops! Our forces are now commencing Operation Odessa!
Operation Odessa
This was a strategy to recapture the mining region between Central Asia and Eastern Europe, which was the lifeline of the Zeon military.
If this land could be recaptured from Zeon, which lacked national resources, the Federation would gain an overwhelming advantage in the war on Earth.
The Federation Army, at a disadvantage, was aiming for a comeback by taking on this battle.
As the battle begins, one of the Federation officers suddenly contacts us with an urgent message.
EFF Officer: General Revil, the intelligence department has reported that Elran is a spy. Should we arrest him?
[Choice: YES]
EFF Officer: Understood. We will arrest Elran immediately.
Whether or not this particular notice triggers is based on your enemy intelligence level. Otherwise, a nuclear warhead will be launched at Odessa, wiping out half of all units there, both Federation and Zeon.
EFF Officer: After arresting and interrogating Elran, it was discovered that a nuclear missile has been deployed in Odessa! This has been confirmed by our special operations division! We’ll have them organize a unit to destroy the nuclear facility!
M’Quve: Can you hear me, Revil?! Get your hands off Odessa or I’ll launch a nuclear missile!
……..(Revil silently orders the advance)
EFF Officer: What! Are you sure, General Revil? He’s saying they’re going to fire a nuclear missile.
…Understood, we shall proceed!
M’Quve: Launch the nuclear missile!
[And after a moment passes…]
M’Quve: Why! Why can’t we launch the nuclear missile?
EFF Officer: General Revil, the special operations unit has returned from the nuclear facility!
The enemy can no longer use the nuclear missile!
M’Quve: Revil! What a clever trick…
Funny enough, M’Quve is actually present in the Odessa battle, piloting his flying crab mobile armor Adzam.
M’Quve: Please deliver that vase to Kycilia-sama… it’s priceless!
I had no idea Char was here either until by random chance Amuro of all characters engaged him in combat. Perhaps it’s fate…
Char: Let me see the capabilities of the Federation’s mobile suit!
Amuro: Is he waiting for me?!
If Amuro is the one who defeats Char, they have unique dialogue together for that as well.
Char: Argh! Is the Federation’s mobile suit a monster?!
Amuro: D-did I do it?
We’re treated to some special dialogue and a cutscene after capturing Odessa.
EFF Soldiers: The enemy forces have begun to retreat. Our forces are not facing any enemy resistance!
EFF Officer: Understood. We will now cancel our combat status and move to alert status.
The Federation Force’s major counteroffensive, Operation Odessa, was a success.
This was their first major victory, and it greatly boosted the morale of the troops, creating momentum for a counterattack throughout the army.
After winning this fierce battle against Zeon, the Federation Army was about to have an opportunity to strike back.
During the turns needed to capture Odessa, our technology level reached the point where Dr. Mosk Han contacted us regarding a new technology to upgrade our Gundams. This is crucial if the White Base story events are still in progress, but since they were disbanded, I believe this just serves to allow us to build the G-3 Gundam and future units in the RX-78 series.
Mosk Han: We are close to putting into practical use a technology called “magnet coating” that uses electromagnetism to coat the drive parts and make them smoother. Please consider allocating the funds.
Given that the Federation has turned the tide of battle on Earth, it’s no surprise that they’ve started looking towards strategies for attack Zeon’s strongholds in space as well. Plans have been made to construct a massive weapon known as the “Solar System”.
EFF Officer: The development department has proposed the development of an anti-fortress weapon, the “Solar System,” in preparation for the upcoming operation to capture the Zeon space fortress. Please consider allocating the funds.
The fortress he’s referring to is Solomon, the first of Zeon’s bases that we will be able to attack in space. But first, we need to finish up the situation on the ground.
EFF Officer: With the capture of the Odessa mining base, the military situation on the ground has taken a major turn. Now is our chance to wipe out the Zeon forces from the Earth’s surface! We propose the “Kilimanjaro Capture Operation”!
This is far less eventful than Operation Odessa, although I did finally manage to get Amuro and Matilda to talk to each other. Thanks to the White Base being disbanded, the events with the Black Tri-Stars never occurred, so she’s still alive.
Amuro: Why must we fight?
Matilda: …Even the Federation Army is in disarray right now. If you hadn’t fought for us, we might have been defeated.
Maybe you’re an esper… Do your best…
Amuro: Yes ma’am!
During this period, two other events occur simultaneously across multiple turns, one based on the War in the Pocket OVA and the other The Blue Destiny games. I’ve split each into their own sections for the sake of avoiding confusion.
First, War in the Pocket. Things kick off with a report regarding Zeon conducting research into Newtypes.
EFF Officer: Reporting that it appears Zeon has established a research institute for Newtype abilities. We will ask the intelligence department for immediate confirmation, so please wait for the report!
In turns out Zeon has already begun developing weapons specifically for Newtype use. Not wanting to fall behind, we’re given the choice to create one of our own.
EFF Officer: We have received a detailed report from the intelligence department about Zeon’s Flanagan Institute. Zeon has already realized military use of Newtypes. We cannot afford to fall behind, so we must also begin serious research into Newtypes. We propose the establishment of a Newtype research institute.
If approved, the institute begins work on a new mobile suit with the help of some test pilots.
EFF Officer: Reporting that the Newtype Research Institute has begun development of a mobile suit for Newtypes. Currently, tests are being conducted repeatedly by dedicated test pilots to gather data. However, it will be some time before it is deployed in combat, so please wait for its completion.
One of those test pilots is Christina Mackenzie, a main character from Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Saying no and allowing her to remain at the institute will cause the events of the OVA to unfold.
EFF Officer: General, the shortage of pilots on the front lines is becoming a serious problem. Do we have permission to transfer Newtype Research Institute test pilot Christina Mackenzie to regular duties?
However, if you accept, she will immediately be a useable pilot in your forces instead. There’s a catch, though…
EFF Officer: General Revil, the Newtype Research Institute was attacked by a Zeon special forces unit, and the “Alex” that was undergoing operational testing was seized by the enemy. Fortunately, however, the development data is safe, and research can continue.
From this point forward, Zeon will indeed have a single Gundam Alex among it’s forces, though thankfully we can now build some of our own too.
Now for The Blue Destiny event. A man named Dr. Chlust Moses wants to defect to the Federation in exchange for a new technology he is developing known as the EXAM System.
Assistant: Reporting that Dr. Chlust Moses, a Zeon scientist, is requesting asylum. He appears to have been researching a computer system called “ΕΧΑΜ” at the Flanagan Institute. Would you like to grant him asylum?
The EXAM System is a combat support system that can be installed into a mobile suit to grant the pilot the ability to mimic the power of Newtype, although it is notably very unstable. It’s primary component is the captive soul of a Newtype girl named Marion Welch.
Alph Kamra: The development department is reporting that “EXAM,” developed by Dr. Chlust, is a type of computer OS. In other words, if it can be installed on our military’s conventional mobile suits, it could greatly improve their performance. Please consider allocating research funds!
[If the plan is activated]
Alph Kamra: The development department is reporting that we have successfully linked Dr. Chlust’s “EXAM” with our military’s computers. We will immediately begin development of a mobile suit equipped with “EXAM.”
After a few turns, Alph Kamra (who oddly the game never mentions by name) returns to request some test pilots, namely Yuu, Philip, and Summona.
Alph Kamra: Reporting from the development department. We have succeeded in developing the Blue Destiny, a machine equipped with “EXAM” by thoroughly modifying the RX-79. However, there are many things unknown about the EXAM system, so it is essential to collect data in actual combat.
Please send us some excellent pilots!
Agreeing will send all three away on a mission. Yuu will eventually engage in a battle off screen with rival Zeon pilot Nimbus Schterzen and both will go missing. Saying no (the choice for this playthrough) will allow us to keep Yuu and his teammates, but Nimbus will be piloting a stolen Blue Destiny Unit 2 at Side 3 once we reach there.
Alph Kamra: Reporting that the EXAM research facility has been attacked by a Zeon special forces unit! Dr. Chlust was killed in the attack, and all of the experimental data and units were stolen. We can no longer proceed with researching EXAM. It’s unfortunate…
Even though the facility was destroyed, the plans for Blue Destiny Unit 1 remain, and we can build more if we choose.
With those events out of the way, let’s finally move on to Solomon!
EFF Officer: General, now that we have occupied Odessa… the threat of Zeon has disappeared from the surface. Is now an opportune time to begin our invasion of Zeon?
We propose the “Solomon Capture Operation”!
