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Episode 31 - fly garrod fly!
The same group of New Federation officers as last time sits with Lord Bloodman as he asks if they’ve confirmed that a shuttle had launched. One officer throws forward the idea that there are spies in the New Federation. Another recommends a state of emergency be declared as Lord Bloodman wishes they could’ve made their announcement beforehand. The Freeden’s Gundam team valiantly defends the Freeden. Jamil in GX keeps the Frosts at bay and Shagia realizes that Jamil must be piloting it. Roybea stops firing when he sees the Valiants suddenly break off their attack. Shagia and Olba wonder why they were called back as the Gundam team docks.
The mechanics hop to repairing the Freeden. Sam tells them to hurry up and they assure him that they’ll be fine and tell him to work on the Gundams. Sam comments on how they’ve become more professional. Sarah confirms for Jamil that the shuttle they saw came from an old federation base. He says they will check it out as soon as they are repaired. She asks if they should leave without Garrod and Tifa. He says that they are at the base. They are taken aback by Jamil’s words while Garrod sits outside the Double X and stares blankly. Doctor Techs examines Tifa’s room and picks up the burnt picture of Tifa and Garrod.
On Tifa’s shuttle, Mr. Nichola tells her that he has been studying her. He says that nobody in the colonies will treat her like Alternative Company, Fort Severn and the New Federation did. Nichola says the colonies understand newtypes and tells her she should forget her past. Tifa appears unimpressed and tells him she will return to the one she cares about and cares for her. When the Freeden arrives on Garrod, he is still staring blankly. The bridge speculates as to what happened. Wits shakes Garrod and Roybea asks if something happened to Tifa. Garrod is unresponsive so Wits winds up hitting him. Doctor Techs stops him and shows Garrod Tifa’s drawing. Garrod grabs the picture and begins wailing. As Ennil El in her Jenice speeds off, she tells herself she is such a good natured person. Wits tries to motivate Garrod but they all realize that neither the Freeden nor the Gundams can leave the atmosphere. Jamil has an idea. He says that the New Federation must be preparing to go to space when they see an orange vulture sign. Roybea says he hasn’t seen one for awhile and soon, Ennil El and her Jenice are aboard the Freeden.
The plan to rescue Tifa is to move into a New Federation base equipped for space travel which is already under the control of pro colony forces. Ennil tells them that when she met the other colony people, there was a lot of talk about capturing Tifa and bringing her to space. She says she split shortly after but was too late. Ennil offers to lead the way and the Freeden moves out. In the entertainment room, Ennil sits at the bar when Garrod enters. He seems to have been looking for her. He wants to say something to her but she stops him. He asks why she is helping the Freeden. She says she is trying to quit dragging her past. She always lived recklessly until she met Garrod who seemed to keep hope in such a dark age. She was jealous of Tifa at the time. Then her chance at a new life was torn away by the New Federation and now Garrod is her last memory. She orders him to return alive and with Tifa. He agrees and she says it is harder for a girl to live happily than win a war. He laughs and they have a drink.
In his room, Jamil looks out the window and thinks about the colonies. He wonders if his old rival, Lancelow Dowell, is still alive. He remembers the battle he had with Lancelow’s mobile armor where the GX lost a head and arm in battle. As the Freeden nears the base, Lord Bloodman gets the news that they are unable to communicate with the 8th base. (Why do you think that is?) Bloodman asks what the closest unit is which happens to be Commander Kazov’s unit, with the Frost Brothers still at his command. The Frosts talk about the possibility of a spy and Shagia says that should benefit them because now the New Federation will focus on the colonies.
At the 8th base, Jamil gets a colony representative to allow Garrod onboard so long as Garrod brings the Double X. As the Double X is being loaded, Garrod is ordered to board. He wants to say goodbye to his friends and is told to be quick. A few explosions and an alarm interrupt his chance and it is announced that they are under New Federation attack. Shagia and Olba join a group of Valiants who deploy from Kazov’s ship. Garrod runs toward the Freeden but Roybea stops him and reminds him where he is going. Four Octapes deploy from the 8th base to engage the New Federation. Sarah orders the Freeden to move out as Jamil, Wits, Roybea and Ennil launch.
The Octapes have upgraded beam rifles which easily cut through the Valiants. Wits, Roybea, Shagia and Olba all give their own opinion on the subject. Roybea takes his position as the Freeden’s turret while Jamil and Ennil attack the approaching Valiants. The shuttle is urged to expedite the launch and Garrod says he believes in his friends. Kazov orders a charge and soon, Shagia and Olba take out the 4 Octapes. Kazov sees that they are in firing range and orders the Photon Particle Beam Cannon to charge. The colony bound ship launches and is lucky to escape the hangar which is blown to bits by the particle cannon.
Kazov orders another shot. Wits tries to stop it but some Valiants get in his way. Even Jamil has a concerned look when Sarah tells him she will ram the Freeden into the New Federation ship. Jamil protests but Tonya tells him they are of one mind. Jamil orders everyone to protect the Freeden. The Freeden goes on its own Rambo mode and is shot to cheese by the New Federation. The Freeden crashes into the New Federation ship, destroying it, while the rest of the crew escapes in jeeps. The Freeden crew each tells Garrod to fly as the spaceship flies out of sight. Tifa’s shuttle arrives at Space Colony Cloud 9 and docks.
Paul Jr’s thoughts:
Using the Freeden to suicide bomb the New Federation ship is by far the most heroic thing all series but I can image the crew is feeling a bit emasculated. Even though they’re receiving assistance from the Colonies, the Freeden’s ex crew seems to be on neither side. What can they do to stop another tragedy? Can they really put a war in only 8 episodes?
