The war room was dim, lit only by the glow of a massive tactical screen that stretched across the wall. Gihren Zabi stood at its center, hands clasped behind his back, staring in silence as footage replayed for the fifth time. The image was grainy but clear enough: the Federation's mysterious new Gundam — standing tall, shrugging off shellfire that would have shredded any other machine, its armor gleaming as if laughing at the futility of conventional weapons.
Reports scrolled alongside the footage. Apsalus — destroyed. Ginias Sahalin — confirmed KIA. Zeon casualties — severe. Tanya's name appeared, listed among those who had survived but whose forces were crippled. Gihren's sharp golden eyes narrowed.
"So," he muttered, his voice low, almost contemptuous, "the Federation unveils a new monster and dares to throw it into the battlefield. A single mobile suit that annihilates a super-weapon we poured so many resources into."
He turned away from the screen and walked slowly toward the edge of the room, boots clicking against the polished floor. If they can produce these machines in numbers… if every Federation pilot is given a Gundam with this armor system…
A hand gripped the back of a chair as his mind continued to calculate. Our tactical advantage would collapse within months. Zeon's superiority would be reduced to dust.
He struck the console with his fist, the sound echoing sharply. "No. I will not allow the Federation to outpace us."
Moments later, senior engineers and R&D officers filed into the room. Their faces were pale — they had already seen the report. Gihren turned to face them, his expression cold, imperial.
"Effective immediately," he said, voice like a blade, "all secondary projects are to be halted. I want every resource redirected to beam weapon development. Rifles, cannons, reactors — I don't care what you have to strip for parts, just make them functional and field-ready. Our next generation of mobile suits must carry beam rifles as standard."
The engineers shifted nervously. One dared to speak. "Supreme Commander, such a redirection will delay other R&D initiatives — the new MS frames, the Gogg improvements—"
"Obsolete concerns," Gihren snapped. "Conventional warfare has just been rendered meaningless. That Gundam survived concentrated artillery fire and tank battalions. We will not defeat such an enemy with the past — only with the future."
No one argued after that. They bowed, murmuring their understanding, and quickly left the room to relay his orders.
When the door closed, silence returned, but it did not last.
A chime sounded at his private terminal. Gihren raised a brow — few had the authority to use that channel. He keyed the connection open.
Kycilia Zabi's image appeared on the holo-display. Calm, collected, her military cap casting a slight shadow over her sharp eyes.
"Brother," she said smoothly, "I see you've reviewed the Southeast Asia report."
"I have," Gihren replied, stepping closer to the console. "And I've already taken measures. Beam weaponry research has been prioritized. Zeon will not allow the Federation's new toy to turn the tide of war."
Kycilia inclined her head slightly, as though approving. "Good. That is why I am contacting you. I have a proposal that complements your decision."
She transmitted a data file. Across Gihren's screen, the words Project Psycommu Genesis appeared in bold red letters.
He raised an eyebrow. "A Newtype project?"
"Yes," Kycilia said without hesitation. "Our intelligence divisions have been tracking reports of pilots with uncanny reflexes — Amuro Ray among them. We cannot rely solely on machines. We must evolve our pilots as well."
Her tone sharpened, clinical but persuasive. "Project Psycommu Genesis will identify potential Newtypes within Zeon ranks. We will create simulators, develop amplifiers, and train them to maximize their abilities. Our research teams already have prototypes for Psycommu-linked weaponry. Imagine mobile armors that respond at the speed of thought, weapons that fire before the enemy even pulls the trigger."
Gihren's eyes narrowed. "You speak of turning human evolution into a weapon."
Kycilia did not flinch. "Evolution is inevitable, brother. The Federation has unveiled their miracle machine — a symbol that inspires their soldiers. Shall Zeon not create its own symbol of superiority? If we prove that Spacenoids represent the next step of humanity, our people will rally behind us more than ever."
Gihren turned from the screen, pacing slowly. Her words lingered in his mind like a venom and a promise.
Newtypes. If they are real… if they can be trained… then they could be the key to victory. We could show the colonies that Zeon is not merely fighting for independence, but for humanity's future.
He stopped pacing, gazing again at the image of the Strike Gundam frozen on the screen. The thought of Federation pilots matching Zeon's best warriors gnawed at him.
Slowly, he faced the screen again. "Your project is ambitious, Kycilia. Ambitious — and dangerous. It will require vast resources and the utmost secrecy."
Kycilia allowed herself the faintest of smiles. "Resources can be redirected. Secrecy can be maintained. But time, brother — time is what we cannot buy. The Federation will not wait for us to catch up."
The silence stretched. Then Gihren's voice rang clear and sharp: "Very well. You have my approval."
Kycilia's smile widened just a fraction, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
"I will expect full progress reports," Gihren continued. "Construct research facilities at Granada and Axis. Begin recruitment and testing of potential Newtypes immediately. Accelerate Psycommu development at any cost. And Kycilia —"
"Yes?"
"Make certain that this project delivers results. If we are to claim the future of mankind, there can be no failure."
"You won't regret this, brother," Kycilia said, voice smooth and confident. "The future belongs to those who seize it first."
The transmission ended.
Gihren stood alone once more, but the room no longer felt silent. It felt charged — as if history itself were holding its breath.
He turned back to the tactical screen. The still image of the Federation Gundam glowed defiantly, as if mocking him.
"We will not be outmatched," he said softly, his words a vow. "If they seek salvation in their machine, Zeon will forge the next step in humanity. We will show them who is destined to rule the stars."
His hand moved to the console, signing the authorization for Kycilia's project. Orders flashed across Zeon's secure channels.
In the following days, factories would resound with the construction of new reactors. Engineers would labor through sleepless nights, assembling prototype beam rifles. In hidden facilities, scientists would begin testing Newtype candidates, some volunteering, some less willing.
And all the while, the war would continue — now armed with the knowledge that an arms race far greater than before had begun.