Clop Class Cruiser "Melbourne" In Transit to Mortem Asteroid Cluster U.C. 098
"Sensors aboard one of are scout satellite have detected fading signs of a build up of Minovsky Particles within the Mortem asteroid cluster this may be the lead we need to find these Aspis terrorist."Announced Lieutenant Colonel Armsten of ECOAS 840 special forces team a grizzled veteran from the one year war, with salt and pepper hair and leathery skin pocked marked with scars from burns. Pulling a unlit cigar from his breast pocket and jamming it between his teeth to relieve stress, he adjusted back and fourth with his teeth until it sat comfortably." This is the only lead we have on the Aspis and we will move to investigate it, after the crew searched through the database the only information they could find about the cluster is fragmented and we are not one hundred percent sure is true." He brought up a still of the Asteroid cluster on the conference display in the briefing room. "It referred to a Zeon weapon in the one year war called the Medusa stone thought to of been destroyed, we can speculate that if the Aspis is in there that they are seeking this weapon. "We will be moving to investigate the area for this weapon and any signs of Aspis so be ready for anything in there , We will be supported by the colonial guard on this operation for support." He said looking to the briefing room full of ECOAS operators and EFNG Soldiers filling it, operators gave a grumble of acknowledgement and they looked to their brethren from the national guard with annoyance. "The NG's will give any information they need to pass on then be ready to launch in thirty.

Lieutenant Tanaka looked to the attending personnel at the briefing feeling slightly annoyed to be working with the untested colonial guard soldiers. He ran a hand through his black hair and tapped his foot lightly as he jotted down notes into a small note pad well he watched Armsten offer his information to all the mobile suit pilots watching them. Joy came to him for a split second as he thought of wiping out Aspis to their last man. Pulling his attention back as the briefing was being handed over to national guard CO not taking a word the man would utter as serious since he knew he shared the same mentality of superiority as the entire ECOAS team compared to these F.N.G.S

Tivvay-Class Hoplite deep within the Mortem astroid cluster

Deep in space the small fleet of the Aspis; which consists of the Tivvay-Class, two Musai class ships the Xiphos and Kopis, and a civilian cargo ship the Pilum slowly drift in space as Admiral Van Dyke decides the next move.

"Sir scouts have reports of a large Federation fleet moving in. Consisting of two Clop-Class and three Salamis-Class sir." A man pronounced to Van Dyke in his Captains chair. Van Dyke was an old man sixty-four to be exact and had been fateful to the Zeon cause since the One Year War where he was the Captain of a Musai. It had taken him twenty-five years to gather enough support for this expedition many didn't believe the device was even real and even fewer were willing to die for this fools quest. But here he was looking at an old paper map on his lap one hand examining it another stroking his grey beard.

"It was just a matter of time before the Federation decided to investigate what a group of ships doing here was doing." He croaked back at the man, "Double patrols around the perimeter and I want men on these sensors 24/7." He said taking a breath. Van Dyke was close to the ship... He felt it but the astroid cluster was risky to navigate and besides believing he was close the map was hard to read due to its condition.

"Sir I believe if we strike them now while they are regrouping we can push them back long enough to find the Stone." The man said back. Van Dyke thought for a moment about it and then said "Lt. Campbell you may be right about this...but we are at no position to lose mobile suits. But you are a wise man... You can go along with a few suits, no more then 6." He said back to him. The mans eyes grew big as if he was given a present. "Yes sir! I will not let you down." With that he saluted and left the deck towards the mobile suit bay.

In the bay was 8 mobile suits crammed inside the ship; including 2 modified Zaku F2s, 3 Rick Dom 2s, 2 Geara Dogas, and Lt. Campbell's own personal machine a Geara Doga or as he called it the "Spartan Doga" painted white and yellow along with 5 fuel rods for fast travel to any battlefield.

Clop Class Melbourne

The Colonial Guard were uncomfortable being inside the ECOAS flag ship. The ship was unusually clean and quiet when they came aboard being transferred from the noisy and active ship of the Roaring 20's. As they shuffled from the across the ship glancing at the high-tech mobile suits in the bay and the ECOAS tema in fancy uniforms everyone including Ledger felt as if they were cannon-fodder to this mission but none would say it.

They entered the briefing room about twenty men most from the mobile suit teams and a few officers from the two ships. Captain Crowns held his head high not to be shown up by the ECOAS crowd wore his Colonial uniform with pride. After the Colonel gave his speech he invited Crowns to the front to fill in any details about the Aspis.

The man for up from his seat in the front of the room and proceeded to trot down the aisle. Crowns was a bigger man with a full beard to sport it and talked in a gruff voice to top it all of. He wasn't going to be shown up by them he thought and took his place in the front.

"We the Colonial Guard at Achilles have been noticing strange activity in our area for months now. At first it was just strange amounts of high Minovsky particles in areas. But as recently as May 5th, two weeks ago we have noticed a few old mobile suits in the astroid belt. From our scans we were able to identify at least three mobile suits; MS-06F2 Zaku F2, AMX-006 Gaza C, and a strange one civilian racing mollie suit CAM-01 Thunderbird which may be illegal racing instead of an Aspis suit. What we have concluded from this is that the Aspis are ill-equipped and are just desprate to find the weapon. We Colonial Guards are happy to help in anyway possible and end this threat before the year. Thank You!" He said looking around the room at uninterested ECOAS members.

Ledger was in the back of the room and was mad at the welcoming they were receiving. He saw these special team pricks just ignore his commander while just before they were standing straight up for theirs. At the same time though he knew these guys meant business and could probably kick his and the rest of the teams ass with no problem. He was just counting down the time until he could return to Roaring 20s and maybe show the ECOAS that they weren't useless.

Clop Class Cruiser "Melbourne" In Transit to Mortem Asteroid Cluster U.C. 098
Tanaka could feel the tension in the room between the ECOAS and Colonial pilots and it was normal for when they dealt with regular forces. He gave a final glance at his notepad before jamming it into one of his suits pockets,grabbing his helmet as the briefing finished he rose and headed out the door exchanging a quick joke with a buddy that was new on the team. Marching towards the hangers as a group laughing and joking the whole way. Tanaka Snapped on his helmet and kept the visor up as he entered the low gravity area transiting to the hanger, clasping onto a handle set into a he was pulled forward toward the airlock leading into the hanger. Doors slid open and Tanaka tanaka released his grip as momentum kept him floating forward through the expansive hanger with mobile suits lining each side. His customized Jegan stood in ready to launch mechanics stood idly on a cat walk well pilots moved to their mobile suits.

Tanaka dropped into his cockpit and began running through the start up procedure of his customized Jegan and information scrolled lightning fast up his monitors the alarm broadcast came on altering everyone of incoming mobile suits from the asteroid cluster. Darkness filled his cockpit as the main hatch closed it was rapidly was filling with light as consoles came on line then the monitors displayed images from the mobile suits cameras. "This is Stalker zero-three emergency launch, moving to catapult now." He said as he manipulated the controls as his jegan grabbed it's shield and beam rifle and slowly plodded towards the catapult. "Stalker zero-three you are clear to launch."Replied the female launch system operator." Steeping onto the launch platform that latched onto the Mobile suits feet and shut the air tight doors to the hanger automatically. "Zero-Three launching!"Roared Tanaka as blast doors flew open and his mobile suit was propelled forward then released into space a momentum carried it clear of the ship before maneuvering systems steadied it in position.

Near the Federation Fleet

Lt. Campbell tried to perform a sneak attack on the Fleet but his inexperienced pilots came a little to close to them and triggered a response. Most of the pilots in the Aspis were rowdy nationalistic kids from Side 3 who believed the Stone was real while most actual Veterans from the wars had their share of fighting for a lost cause. The incompetence of the young pilots showed here as Ensign Yule stepped out of the cover of the astroids into the Fed sensors. Campbell knew a response was immediate as the Clop ship started to come alive with lights and moving.

"Alright men we stay in the astroid field they have to come to us for a fight." Campbell said to his subordinates.

"Dammit all! I got to close! Forgive me for what I am to do for the Glory of Zeon!!" Ensign Yule said jumping off the building sized astroid in his Zaku F2 and charging straight towards the fleet. The Zaku was an old one from right after the OYW but was now fixed to carry a small beam machine gun oppose to the old Zaku machine gun. None of the suits from the Federation Fleet were out and Yule knew that if he could get close enough that just maybe he could destroy the Clop class.

Inside Melbourne

Just as Ledger and his team were about to leave an alarm went off signaling enemy mobile suits were in the area. Ledger was in shock for a minute hearing those alarms for the first time but quickly returned to reality and along with his team raced back to the Roaring 20s Salamis ship. While they raced across the ship they saw the mobile suit hangar already mobile suits being readied to defend. Ledger hoped he could make it back in time to join the battle ahead.

RGM-89De Jegan [ECOAS Type] near fleet
Looking at the vastness of space and asteroids ahead Tanaka saw flashes and trails of light as unidentified objects were moving within the asteroid cluster. Depressing a switch alongside the right side of his cockpit lowering the specially equipped Visor over the normal visor equipped on the head of the Jegan boosting it sensors and search and detection sensors. Alarms chirped as a set of yellow cross hairs moved tracking a rapidly approaching Zaku. " Zero-Three we got a unknown number of mobile suits moving within the cluster , one moving fast on the fleet." Said Tanaka as he lowered the Visor on his helmet making his suit air tight. "Zero-Four and Zero- seven are on your six."announced a young pilot new to ECOAS barely capable of congaing his excitement as another ECOAS Jegan and a Stark jegan joined him well other jegans we deploying to defend the fleet." Zero-Four and seven follow me in a wedge, watch my back I will take care of this guy rushing to kill himself." Said Tanaka as he activated the thrust and brought his thrust nozzles to life as he propelled forward.

Closing the formation opened up as the following pair slowed and Tanaka's Jegan continued accelerating bringing up it's beam rifle as lock on tones activated and the cross hairs tracking the closing Zaku turned red. Three pink particle beams launched from the beam rifle in rapid succession well their was range between them,just in case it released it's beam rife and launched it's beam saber from the hip recharging rack on the right hip and clasped a hand around it and activated the beam saber as a pink blade erupted from the cylindrical device.

Near Federation Fleet

Ensign Yule was surprised how fast the response was for the Federation including the ECOAS Jegan which was close. Yule was shocked the Feds would send in ECOAS after all they do make people disappear. His sensors picked up that he was being targeted and he quickly backed up firing his beam machine gun as he did at the Jegan. One shot...he dodged it then another...hit his left foot blowing it away while the last shot from the Jegan scratched his left skirt armor.

"AAAHHHHH!!! I'm losing fuel!" He said panicking still firing the beam machine gun at the Jegan until it ran out of ammo. After running out he tossed the weapon aside and pulled out his outdated Heat-Hawk stored on the back of the Zaku and charged with the last of the fuel.

Meanwhile from the astroid field Lt. Campbell ordered his men to return covering fire for their comrade but ordered everyone not to run into the battle as two more Jegans came out of the other Clop ship.

RGM-89De Jegan [ECOAS Type] near fleet
Bringing his shield into place protecting his Jegan's vital torso and head as it absorbed beam machine gun rounds as a lucky shot pierced shield and hit sent an electrical shock through the shield prematurely firing off all four missiles at space until they hit their max range and detonated in space. Throwing away his shield was surprised to see the Zaku closing not knowing if it was Zeal or panic from it's pilot. He brought a two handed grip on the beam saber and parried the first swing. bringing up a leg he knocked away the Zaku as opened up space between the two activating his throttle he followed the Zaku as second swing from the zaku was narrowly avoided as it boiled paint on the Jegan. Bringing his beam saber through the Zaku's arm separating it at the elbow joint from the mobile suit.

Tanaka was surprised as he was rammed by the Zaku but it wore off quickly as he used his thrust er to separate from the Zaku he brought the beam saber through it's hull straight into the Zaku's cockpit. He kicked off from the Zaku as blue electrical arcs raced across it before it exploded launched the jegan way as paint was burned off from the explosion as he got clear.

Nelson-Class shipRoaring 20s

Ledger was in the hangar preparing his mobile suit for launch-if they needed it but by the skills of the ECOAS pilots it was unlikely for just a small attack force. He was busy drinking water in the cockpit of his mobile suit when a flash from straight ahead caught his attention. He signed to himself as he was excited for the chance to deploy in battle but soon realized that was probably a fat chance now.

Near Fleet

"Dammit Yule!!" Lt. Campbell said to himself as he saw the beam saber penetrate the Zaku right in the middle. "We aren't going to die right here. We will retreat into the astroid cluster and surprise them as they come. Call the Kopis to set up the trap and report to Van Dyke about the lose. I will provide covering fire the two of you retreat!. He said to the other two pilots both of each were in Gaza C's painted green with dark red shoulders.

Campbell then turned his attention do the Jegans. "Finally I meet the dirty work of the Federation. I'll make sure I kill one of you before leaving." He said as he maneuvered his Geara Doga below the ships and fired his Beam Rifle into a Jegan protecting the Melbourne. The shot was able to graze the machines leg and burst the fuel tank in its leg causing a small explosion. Campbell then turned his attention to the Jegan who killed Yule. He had a clear view from behind of the Jegan and was waiting for the perfect shot.

[i]Clop Class Cruiser "Melbourne" Nearing Mortem Asteroid Cluster U.C. 098[/it]
"Mobile suit corps fall back near your ship."instructed the bridge mobile suit control technician as she looked to the damaged Jegan being taken into the hanger."Cover are men before we enter."Ordered Lt.Colonel Armsten said as he looked to the colonial fleet"What the hell are they doing?"He grumbled under his breath. Missile bays opened and Beam Cannons aligned on both Clop class cruisers aligned as they opened fire into the Asteroid Cluster targeting the asteroids nearest the last known location of the Aspis mobile suits well ECOAS mobile suits fell back.

RGM-89De Jegan [ECOAS Type] near fleet
Alarms blared to late as a energy beam impacted Tanaka's Jegan from behind sending a violent shutter through the mobile suit as recoiled from the explosion as his backpack thrust unit exploded. Tanaka slammed forward shattering his helmet's visor on the main console pelting his face with shards of glass and the impact knock him unconscious. Both Jegan and Stark Jegan turned to thier motionless leader firing well dragging the damaged Jegan back to the Melbourne.

Near Fleet

"Damn can't get a clear shot!" Lt.Campbell said to himself as the Jegan was still in working condition but now he had bigger problems to worry about the ships above him were getting ready to open fire on his position. This was a good time to test how fast his custom Doga could go so he readied all his boosters and launched just as the first shots were fired from the ships. The Doga moved at back-breaking speeds Campbell was giving it his all being a veteran for the Second and Third Neo-Zeon movements he thought he could handle it. The beam cannons destroyed some astroid fragments and the missiles barely missed him. Campbell decided that his best move was to retreat as now even the Colonial Guards were launching mobile suits.

A missile was able to scratch the paint off his Dogas abdomen but other then that Campbell was happy with the results retreating into the darkness of space.

Roaring 20s
Ledger launched just as the Aspis Mobile Suit retreated into the astroid field. He was shocked to see two ECOAS mobile suits damaged something he thought was impossible and that scared him about what was to come from this war in the middle of nowhere space.

Clop class cruiser"Melbourne",Near Mortem Cluster
Tanaka awoke from his short lapse of unconsciousness laying on a bed within the pilot of the stark Jegan sitting near by speaking to the doctor."Well good morning sunshine."she said as she turned and saw him moving. "Your alive, but I have bad news they could save you leg."she said with a stern look. He sat up rapidly prepared for the worst and was relieved to see them both completely attached as he relaxed a little."Miranda That wasn't funny, but what happened?" He asked as he stood up and moved to a mirror seeing multiple small white bandage strips cover cuts from glass. "Multiple lacerations on your face from your broken visor."announced the doctor as he looked over."Not what I meant thank you."replied Tanaka as he left the medical room Miranda on his tail. "Cowardly aspis shot you in the back they are almost done fixing both damaged mobile suits, and we have a briefing." Said Miranda as he handed over a small drink pouch she had stashed in her uniform pocket well she had one in her other hand with the star extended.

"These Aspis managed to damage two of are mobile suits and but we destroyed one but are performance out there was sad is the best way to state it, and the colonial sitting on their thumbs out, There didn't help matters any." Bellowed lieutenant colonel Armsten as he brought up a close up of the Mortem cluster."We were caught with are pants down on this and they know we are coming and we expect an ambush so before we go in we will begin an aggressive recon into the cluster looking for the medusa stone and or the Aspis operation point with a team of Lieutenant Zackery Tanaka and Ensign Miranda Collins and three colonials."Announced Armsten as he looked around at the ECOAS pilots watching him." If you are compromised at any point pass it back to us but do not return to the fleet until you are safely disengaged and out of their sight if you fail to follow this instruction I will shoot you my self."he said and put a hand on the pistol at his hip to make his point clear.

Inspecting his Jegan the repairs were complete but their was still splotches of darkened burned paint and scratches from fragments that broke off Tanaka nodded in approval as the maintenance crew watched him."These colonials better learn to fight and fast or they will get us all killed." Said Miranda as she approached her Stark Jegan next to his ECOAS Jegan on the launch platform. "Well we will see how well they do out there during this."said Tanaka as he climbed into his cockpit and sealed his new helmet.

"Zero-three launching!"Shouted Tanaka as his mobile suit was launched followed by Miranda's from the Melbourne and moved to a rally point to wait for the colinials to start the operation.

Roaring 20s

It's been two days since the attack making the date June 20, 0098 UC. After being yelled at multiple times by Captain Crowns for making a fool of the Colonial Forces Ledger and the other pilots were determined to prove themselves and it came fast when the ECOAS fleet asked for three colonials for assisting in combing over the Mortem Astorid Cluster for signs of the Aspis fleet. With luck Ensign Ledger, Ensign Grants,and Lt. Carol were picked for the assisment and launched with the ECOAS team just after breakfast.

"We will meet them just outside the cluster near the Whiskey astroid. It's marked on your map." Lt. Carol said jumping into his Nemo while the other two soilders jumped into their GM 2s. Ledger was exicted to finally be on real mission and meet the two ECOAS soilders soon after. It was strange seeing such advanced gear compared to them but he knew he could keep up.

Deep Inside Mortem Cluster

"Sir the Kopis is in position for early detection of the Feds." A radio men said to Admiral Van Dyke who looked unchanged. "Good but we need to find the Stone fast now that the Federation is getting ready to move. How are the patrols by the Thunderbirds."

"Nothing yet besides one piece of scarp found another 20 km east of here." He replied back.

Van Dyke rubbed his eyes and signed,"Please tell me that suit we have is working now."

"Yes sir! A our mechanics have gotten it to work...barely but they say the controls are in perfect condition."

"Good. Good." He said getting up from his seat and out of the deck.

RGM-89De Jegan [ECOAS Type] Mortem Cluster

"Keep communications on laser we do not want them picking up radio wave communications."Ordered Tanaka as he sent the message to each mobile suit via a low intensity infrared laser as they moved through the cluster keeping close to asteroids to conceal their signatures as they moved. Their formations had both ECOAS Jeagan and Stark Jegan on point with the colonials in tow. "You colonial guys okay back there?"Asked Miranda as they continued the boring yet risky task. Tanaka took a bite out of the small protein bar as he watched information transmitted through his mobiled suits enhanced visor showing each independent and or piece of scrap within view.

"Yea we are good!" Ledger said avoiding some of the smaller astroids he then went on, "So you ECOAS guys how do you even become that and how big is the Aspis threat? I mean is it as big as the Sleeves a few years back and since I am at why pick us? Some lonely colonial guard on the outer reaches of the Federation territory." He unloaded all these questions at once as if he was relieved for it.