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Episode 25 - You're our star of hope!
Today the Freeden is moving across a field where it strikes a landmine. Jamil orders the ship to stop. In a plane above, a General is bragging to a Prince and his close associate that their new minefield will help keep the New Federation out. Prince Willis thanks the General but then General Lee looks out the window to see the Freeden’s Gundam team destroying the minefield. General Lee says he’d like to talk to them. When Prince asks why, Lee informs the Prince that they stole a Gundam from the New Federation and oppose them as well. The Prince then agrees.
Estard is a smaller country that was formed after the space war. Thousands of refugees live there. Estard has an alliance with a few surrounding states against the New Federation. They now request that the Freeden help in their new operation. Jamil thanks Prince Willis for supplying the Freeden but says he needs time to think over the operation. General Lee snaps at Prince Willis for being too weak and says that Willis’s father would’ve decided immediately. The Prince’s close associate tells Jamil he has 3 days for the ship to stay and decide if they will participate in the operation.
Soon, Wits and Roybea are in their own car, Roybea says he isn’t in the mood for war. In their car, Sarah asks Jamil what they will do. Jamil doesn’t respond. On the Freeden, Tonya says the captain is becoming more silent since the New Federation showed up. The helmsman says that Jamil is probably wondering what to do. In the infirmary, Doctor Techs fixes up Ennil’s wound and asks if she still has doubts on what to do. Tifa is staring at her canvas when she senses something, drop the crayon and runs to tell everyone they’re in danger. An Air Raid siren is going off in the city as several New Federation bombers close in. Sarah says they should get to the Freeden but Jamil says there is no time. They hide in a shelter as the New Federation carpet bombs the place.
At a New Federation defense base, Shagia Frost tells the local Commander that he is there on a top secret mission and will move out at 0600 (6 am for the trivia minded). As Garrod and the others emerge from the shelter, they see the entire town destroyed. Garrod says to Jamil that it is obvious what they need to do. Jamil simply nods. The next day, the Freeden decides to join the operation. General Lee is standing at a map and explains the battle plan. The combined forces of Estard, Gastar and Northernbell will draw out the enemy’s main force while the Freeden will flank the enemy and take down the air base so the New Federation can no longer launch air strikes. As the soldiers clamor about the plan, Lee announces that the Freeden will make the impossible possible and calls them the Star of Hope.
As the allied forces are moving out, Garrod goes to Tifa’s quarters. He says he wanted to see her before he launched. Tifa says she’s glad and that she hardly sees Garrod anymore. Garrod says he’ll always be with her and runs off after receiving her blessing. On the Double X’s screen, General Lee tells Garrod that the Pylon type mobile suits will lead him. Then he asks Garrod to hurry to minimize casualties. Garrod says he understands and Lee wishes him luck. The Double X takes off.
The Commander at the airfield says he’s surprised that the allied forces would attack and Shagia looks up and leaves. The advancing group of Pylons receives heavy fire and Lee orders the ships to put up a barrage. The battle begins as the Pylons and Daughtress' tear into each other. The Airmaster and Leopard launch as well while Garrod and his unit make their way through the forest. After Garrod walks by, the lights on the eyes of Virsago and Ashtaron light up. In his castle, an advisor tells Wills that if the operation succeeds, they should call a cease fire with the New Federation. He warns Willis that General Lee will destroy the place as his close associate enters the room. The close associate tells him that soldiers are just pieces of the country and that Willis must learn to think that way. One Pylon throws a grenade while another is shot by some Valiants. Wits takes out two flying Valiants while Roybea shoots one down. Roybea says he’s not in his usual mood. As the New Federation forces pull back, Jamil says he’s worried about their movements.
The enemy units had taken up trenches and now are firing heavily on the ships. The commander orders an air strike to decimate the allied forces. The Pylons realize they’ve been out flanked and Sarah informs Jamil. Garrod and his Pylon unit reach their destination and he prepares to ready the satellite cannon. A shot from Virsago’s chest beam stops him and downs several Pylons. One Pylon leaps into action but gets told otherwise by Virsago’s claw. As Garrod stares down Shagia and Olba, the air base prepares to sortie for the massive strike. One Pylon runs forward and is shredded by the dug in suits quicker than Roybea can tell him to stop. Wits encounters a few flying type models and begins a dogfight with them. Shagia causes Garrod to drop his rifle as Olba finishes the remaining Pylons in Garrod’s unit. Garrod parries Shagia’s saber with his shield before drawing his own.
Planes begin to prepare for take off and Roybea valiantly defends the frontline. Wits is heavily damaged but continues to fight. He changes from bird mode and takes down one flyer. The second one crashes into him and meets its end when Wits punches the cockpit. The engines on the airplanes begin to glow. Shagia jumps away from Garrod and Olba grabs him from behind. As Shagia prepares to stab the cockpit, Garrod breaks free, taking the Ashtaron’s claws with him. The big boot from Double X stops Shagia and a volley from the Double X’s Vulcan’s stop Olba. Garrod uses this chance to activate the satellite system. As the Double X begins to glow, any chance of being stopped by Olba and Shagia disappears as they are blinded by the light. Garrod locks on and destroys the base just as the planes are beginning to take off. Without much choice, the Frosts retreat.
Not long after, the Commander orders a retreat. The allied forces win the day. As the battered Gundams stand together, Lee thanks Garrod for his help. Tifa looks up and senses that Ennil El is leaving the Freeden. Olba says the double X was a good match for them and Shagia says he’ll be a good challenge.
Paul Jr’s Thoughts:
This is a nice episode. The Freeden joins an operation against a much larger New Federation force and comes through. Roybea says he doesn’t like the idea of going to war and it seemed to have an effect on his will to fight. Wits didn’t have an easy time against those new flying types either. And what were Olba and Shagia talking about at the end? Is their plan higher than the New Federation? Let’s watch and find out!
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