Gundam, Gravity Elegy

It seems like nothing has anything to do with him. Every morning, he just opens all sorts of news, checks the announcements, and sees all sorts of job transfers. Then he watches as the 'big shots' effortlessly bring these things to a simple and brutal close.

Then came Gao Ren's nightmare:

"I still remember the days when humanity united as one to venture into space..."

"Whether it's a space colony or Earth, we are all one family."

The frail old man seemed to be recalling those glorious years.

Some were dressed in suits, while others were covered in medals.

Under the spotlight, their every move exudes an impeccable perfection.

“Young people, the future of the world belongs to you. Never let the dictatorship of the old century revive in this new world. You must... you must defeat the Zabi family.”

However, it was precisely because it was too perfect that Gao Ren felt a deep-seated unease.

But he couldn't show it.

Facing the numerous cameras that offered no blind spots, he simply walked quickly over and embraced the elderly man who seemed barely able to stand.

"I will, and I, along with the Federation soldiers who are still fighting on the front lines, will fight for all of humanity."

Upon touching the old man, Gao Ren could clearly feel that his limbs were still strong and powerful, and although his body seemed to sway from side to side, it was actually quite steady.

"We will never let Zabi... let those cosmic tyrants succeed."

3, 2, 1.

"Okay! Cut!"

It felt as if an eternity had passed before the sound finally rang out:

"All cameras are off. Thank you for your hard work."

"Haha, it's finally over."

The moment the director announced the end, the few elderly people who had been trembling all lay down on the conspicuous sofa without any restraint.

The staff brought out drinks, and they grabbed them without hesitation and drank them.

Perhaps due to the temperature inside the studio, Gao Ren could see the foundation all over their hands just from casually touching their faces.

For a fleeting moment, he even felt that these elderly people looked much younger.

"That's disgusting..."

"Have a drink, child."

"No need, Mr. Norman, I'm in a hurry."

He waved away the kind, bespectacled old man who seemed to want to offer him a drink, and quickly walked out of the film set.

To be honest, he could certainly sense the other party's goodwill, but the current situation left him no room for much thought.

"Next, participants of 'The Exiles', please get ready. We will be filming a propaganda video against the Zabi family in an hour."

My throat felt like it was stuck, and I was almost suffocating.

So, how do you feel?

"That's terrible."

Gao Ren instinctively wanted to loosen the tie that was practically locking his throat, but considering that he might have to attend an event later, his hand froze in place. In the end, Shirley personally reached out and untied the thick collar for him.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it."

"Really?"

"Anyway, I'll need to change clothes and touch up my makeup on set later."

"..."

In short, this is roughly how Gao Ren's life is now.

As the 'Son of Sydney' who survived from Australia a few months ago, the public opinion surrounding him should have calmed down for a while, but the involvement of the mobile suit and his first public victory have once again pushed him into the spotlight.

In order to maximize his profits, his promised vacation was ruined, and he had to travel between various film sets.

Within three days, he felt like he had been running around for three TV shows and filming promotional videos for four different departments—and these were things he couldn't refuse, things with official Earth Federation backing.

"So what exactly is the federal government doing? How come these media outlets can find my contact information?"

"Those we can find all have inside connections and some kind of background... but it's almost over."

"Really?"

"Today is almost over."

"..."

Meeting Gao Ren's resigned gaze, Shirley simply flipped through her schedule:

"Cheer up! This afternoon, we're scheduled to film a promotional video, the content of which is..."

Then, after glancing at the schedule personally arranged by the Earth Federation's propaganda department, Sherry's words suddenly fell silent, like a cassette tape stuck on a tumble.

"What kind of publicity?"

"……conscription."

Meeting the guardian's gloomy and somber expression, Gao Ren couldn't help but close his eyes:

"Knew it."

…………

Generally speaking, recruitment propaganda follows two routes.

During peacetime, the recruitment propaganda of the entire Earth Federation, including all sides, tends to be solemn and dignified. However, due to the differences in national conditions and cultures among the countries within the Federation, the implementation of this propaganda may vary in different regions.

Since Zeon declared independence and began preparing for war with the Federation, it has openly adopted the banner raised by the deceased Deikun as its war slogan.

Now, after several months of war, the Earth Federation, which was caught off guard from the start by losing a large number of combat capabilities due to NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) and mass weapon attacks, has officially launched a real recruitment campaign aimed at the whole world.

First, it cannot expose federal secrets.

Secondly, it cannot involve religion or culture.

Finally, it cannot emphasize national differences, and because of its adult nature, it cannot discuss past history.

Given these limitations, if we want to create a promotional video that can reach a global audience and resonate with people, we can perhaps only start with one thing:

"Earth Federation, our home."

As the promotional video opens, a beautiful, aquamarine planet takes center stage, followed by a cluster of space colonies.

"Peace and prosperity."

"hello."

The boy, carrying a schoolbag, waved to the passersby, as if bathed in sunshine.

The camera didn't show his face clearly, but it did capture the image of the woman standing opposite him:

"Mom, I'm home!"

"However, prosperity also comes at a price."

Before any response could be received, a green mechanical leg had already crushed the figure and the house to pieces.

Immediately afterwards, a satellite appeared to fall from the sky.

After a deafening explosion, only the boy remained, roaring amidst the ruins:

No, my family—

The screen gradually turned gray, and a prominent character appeared:

ZEON – Principality of Zeon.

Like a meticulously arranged stage, the once roaring boy calmly walked to the center of the screen:

"Hmph, does this seem familiar? This kind of scene is playing out on Earth and on various colonies right now, and you could be next, unless you can make the most important decision of your life."

After the snap, the original word "invasion" was completely erased, leaving only the flag of the Earth Federation flying.

"Prove to everyone that you have the courage and strength to resist atrocities and Zeon."

When the camera turned to the boy again, he was already wearing a light pilot's suit and then took the helmet from off-camera.

Then I put it on.

Behind him, a jet-black mobile suit had already started up, its crimson eyes flashing beneath the V-shaped antenna:

"Become an elite."

After the mobile suit fires a shot at the screen, the scene shifts to a battle in the sky.

The Hitsugaya-class fighters fought side by side, chasing after those strangely shaped alien fighters.

"Become a hero."

On the land, the roaring Type 61 tanks, led by land-based warships, charged forward in a collective assault, while the steel tanks standing on the ground bombarded them.

In space, warships unleashed a barrage of fire, while Guncannons, armed with twin cannons, swept through the enemy with crossfire.

"To become a legend."

A swordfish flew past outside the atmosphere, and on the ground, a black mobile suit affixed the Federation flag.

"Become a federal soldier."

Finally, the video slowly faded, and as the giant logo of the Earth Federation appeared, applause erupted:

"Well, I didn't expect that little guy to have the talent to be an actor."

“That old man Rebil is lucky. Not only did he manage to escape from Side 3, but he also has such a capable young fellow under his command.”

"Can he carry on Rebil's banner?"

"Let's not tell jokes like that."

The idle chatter of high-ranking officials, generals, and politicians' advisors below the stage created a nauseating scene.

They make no attempt to place the individual on a scale, freely evaluating the value of life.

It was as if they didn't take the war seriously at all.

"It was all just a joke..."

"General Gop, I have arranged a dinner later, and I would be honored if you could join me."

"Haha, I'll go."

After casually waving away a federal congressman whose name he couldn't actually remember, the seemingly amiable General Arasso Gop strolled leisurely down the corridor with his hands behind his back, turning directly into a luxurious restroom.

Then, his large fingers moved across the screen, quickly transferring the phone number in his mind to the communication button:

"...General?"

"Ah, it's me, Lieutenant Paige."

Gop spoke casually:

"How is that child now? He has another daily life program that needs him to appear on."

The echoing greeting, seemingly filled with the care of an elder, made Shirley instinctively grip her phone tighter.

She couldn't help but glance towards the bathroom, where she could still hear the intense retching.

"...very bad."

After hesitating for a moment, she calmed her emotions:

“He’s not an adult, General, so at least don’t put him on these kinds of shows anymore. He’s really not comfortable in front of the camera…”

"Of course, I will try my best to adjust in the future, and the rest is up to you—take good care of the child."

This concludes the communication.

Although for these high-ranking generals, all arrangements are just a matter of a word, various unexpected events can occur when they are actually implemented.

So what can we do now?

Sherry walked slowly to the bathroom door and peeked out, only to see the boy leaning on the sink.

"The sky, the stars... fell down."