Sieg Zeon - Chapter 1: The End of Innocence

It’s a strange mix of absolute nervousness and swelling pride that Valeria Caine found herself standing with the rest of the December 0078 graduates, many of whom were licensed as full-fledged mobile suit pilots. It may have something to do with the fact that one of the Zabis decided to be present in the otherwise typical ceremonies. Apparently, the usual accolades of "Good job. You're super!" weren't enough for her class in particular, which made the proceedings even more unbearable.

Of course, she wasn’t alone in hoping it would be Garma, the youngest and most charismatic of the Zabis. Quite a few of her fellow females acted like someone had shot their puppy when they learned otherwise. Not Valeria though. No, you have self respect like that, she thought to herself as she tried to calm herself, even as she ever so slightly fidgeted with her green hair and stifling green uniform.

As it turned out, the one that came to see her class was Vice Admiral Dozle Zabi. She knew from videos and photos that he was supposed to be a large, intimidating man. That still didn't prepare her for seeing just how huge he was in person. Clearly he seemed to have eaten all his spinach and drank all his milk, as far as she was concerned. What the fuck have they been feeding this guy? The thought that he could probably crush her entire head with a single hand, let alone use both hands to add in a crushed torso didn’t help in easing her nerves. That, plus his facial scars made him look rather terrifying, even knowing they’re all on the same side.

Which made it almost surreal to see how friendly he actually was. With a jovial grin, he was evidently one who didn’t stand on pomp and ceremony. He waded right into the sea of freshly minted pilots and just started up conversations like he was a favorite uncle one hadn't seen in a while. Still, Valeria felt nervous, forcing herself to remain in full attention as she kept up as stern a face as possible. I’m not going to make a damn fool of myself! 

All other thoughts however left her as Dozle walked by her. It’s clear from his body language that he didn’t have much time to spare save for some congratulatory banter. Even as she returned a salute, she quietly sighed with relief that she’s able to keep up at all. Yet there was a slight, almost melancholy glint from the Zabi commander’s eyes as he laid a friendly pat on her shoulder.

“It’d be a waste to send someone like you to die, soldier. But just do your all, and we'll an end to the Federation in no time!”

“I’ll do my best, Sir!” Valeria replied as she saluted Dozle, who in turn nodded with a smile before turning to the next graduate. It all lasted a few moments, but it was enough to leave an impression on her to continue pushing through in what was to come.

After the ceremonies ended and her orders received, the young pilot slipped away from the impromptu celebrations and decided to find the Zaku she trained on, taking part in what was becoming a tradition for Zeon pilots. It was sentimental and ultimately trivial in the wider scheme of things. Still, she grinned. But it's not like that's a bad thing.

The next time someone trains on that Zaku, she mused as she left, they'd find carved into the seat with so many other names, the words “Valeria Caine” in fluid strokes.

--o--
 

As she sat anxiously with her fellow rookies making up the 87^th MS Team in the ship’s briefing room, her mind went back to just after Christmas, during her leave following her graduation. It has been good to see her parents again. It would have been perfect if Dad hadn't kept trying to warn her away from all the boys she’d be surrounded by, or if Mother hadn't taken her aside to encourage her to let herself go wild every now and then. A little bit embarrassing too. Honestly. She blushed slightly at that, grateful though that the ship’s captain hadn’t arrived yet. Did they really need to subject me to that AGAIN? Still, she couldn’t hold it against them. After all they were just trying to avoid thinking about how much danger she was in. Indeed, a part of her wondered, as she said her farewells and promised to write or call home, whether she would even see them again.              

Shrugging that morbid train of thought aside, Valeria glanced at her teammates. For all of her homeland's Germanic trappings and generally European-based culture, her comrades in arms would have surprised someone from the distant past. Many of them were either Caucasian or Asian in ancestry, with names to match like Thomas Crowley or Phan Kim. And no doubt more than a handful on the Holstein alone were volunteers hailing from the other Sides, drawn in either by Zeon’s drive for freedom or the thrill of seeing action. Either way, she could sense that they were all lost in their own thoughts on what was going on. Sighing, she looked away and instead tried focusing on the screens in front of her.

I don’t blame them. After all, there’d been word that the other fleets had given similar orders to hers. The forces stationed at Solomon Asteroid Base were being sent to Side 4, “Moore.” Those at the A Baoa Qu fortress were headed to Side 1, “Zahn,” while those stationed at the homeland itself were bound for the lunar city of Granada. Whatever the plans being laid out by Zeon's high command were, the EFSF would be utterly unprepared.

“It’s really coming down to this,” Valeria muttered to no one in particular just as the Holstein’s captain entered the room. While a part of her still hope that the naive minority’s right, that somehow the "Feddies" would listen to reason and peace would reign, she knew better. 

It was New Year’s Day. January 1, UC 0079. And in a few days, if not sooner, a war for independence was to be waged that would rival if not surpass the infamous conflicts of the old Anno Domini era. It's not a question of if anymore, but of when.