History Recap / MobileSuitGundamTheWitchFromMercuryPrologue

In the year Ad Stella 101, the Vanadis Institute is testing their experimental GUND Format mobile suit operating system aboard the Fólkvangr frontier space station. Test pilot Elnora Samaya, frustrated by difficulty clearing the thirty-third and final layer of integration, attempts to increase her Permet Score to force the connection, leading her mentor and research head Cardo Nabo to terminate testing for the day. Admonishing Elnora for her recklessness, Cardo then directs her attention to her four-year-old daughter Ericht, who snuck into the testing bay in search of her mother.

The Mobile Suit Development Council, formed by the largest mobile suit manufacturers, pressured by both the public outcry and the risk to their businesses, discuss their plans to seize Ochs Earth and shut down Gundam development. Amidst some hesitation among the executives, Delling Rembran, assistant to Grassley Defense Systems CEO Sarius Zenelli, pushes for a heavy-handed approach, suggesting they proceed akin to a witch hunt.

Sitting down to enjoy Ericht's birthday cake, the Samaya family are interrupted first by Elnora's arm -actually a GUND prosthetic- malfunctioning, requiring her to take a moment to change its power source while explaining to her daughter how the technology and Cardo saved her life. Another interruption occurs when Nadim has to take a business call, moving to his office over Ericht's disgruntled cries. Nadim's contact at Ochs Earth informs him of the Mobile Suit Development Council holding a press conference ahead of their expected deadline, largely due to Delling's influence. Meanwhile, Nadim and Elnora's co-workers, Wendy and Nyla, decide to meet with the incoming transport shuttle Begavent.

With her parents not paying attention to her, Ericht again sneaks into the Lfrith testing bay, venting her frustrations about feeling overlooked on her birthday in favor of the machine. Her complaints are overheard by Cardo, who had been inside the cockpit; apologizing to the little girl while admonishing her for sneaking away from her parents, she explains the purpose of their research and what the Lfrith represents. Places Ericht into the cockpit, Cardo lets her talk to the machine to both vent her feelings, and perhaps lead to its awakening. Receiving a phone call about the Mobile Suit Development Council holding their press conference without informing Ochs Earth or Vanadis, Cardo leaves Ericht inside the Lfrith while she goes to meet with the others.

The press conference begins with Sarius announcing the council's decision to freeze all Gundam-type mobile suit development, seize Ochs Earth and its assets, and establish the auditing organization Cathedra, led by Delling. Joining other workers watching the conference, Cardo attempts to stop the Begavent from docking, but her order comes too late, an assassination squad disembarking from the shuttle immediately beginning to execute Fólkvangr's staff, including Nyla, who manages to save Wendy before being shot through the head. As Delling takes the podium, additional reinforcements led by his assistant Rajan Zahi move into position, deploying mobile suits to prevent any escape from the station. With communications cut off, Nadim and Elnora split up, with Elnora continuing to search for Ericht while Nadim launches in a pre-production Lfrith Gundam to buy time against the council forces, soon joined by Wendy in another. When the Gundams prove superior to their grunt suits, Rajan has ace pilot Kenanji Avery sortie in his Beguir-Beu.

In the Lfrith test bay, Elnora finally finds Ericht, embracing and reassuring her sobbing daughter. Attempting to activate the Gundam, Elnora overhears a radio message, informing her of Cardo's death. Ericht then pulls her attention to the Lfrith successfully activating, thanks to Ericht's vitals achieving the final layer integration. Launching, the awakened Lfrith easily destroys three enemy mobile suits before being confronted by the Beguir-Beu, which is again able to paralyze the Gundam. Before he can kill the mother and daughter though, he is tackled by Nadim's Gundam, which jets them away.

Making a final call to his wife and daughter, Nadim bids them to flee, sacrificing himself to keep Kenanji away, pushing his Gundam to Permet Score Four to ensure he puts enough distance between them. Delirious from the strain, Nadim experiences a flashback, beginning to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ericht, which is broadcast over all communications in the area. Ericht joins him in singing, finishing the song herself, oblivious to her father passing before the final lines.

In the year Ad Stella 101, the Vanadis Foundation is testing their experimental GUND Format mobile suit operating system about the Fólkvangr frontier space station. Test pilot Elnora Samaya, frustrated by difficulty clearing the thirty-third and final layer of integration, attempts to increase her Permet Score to force the connection, leading her mentor and research head Cardo Nabo to terminate testing for the day. Admonishing Elnora for her recklessness, Cardo then directs her attention to her four-year-old daughter Ericht, who snuck into the testing bay in search of her mother.

Back with Ericht, she, Elnora, and Nadim, Elnora's husband, prepare to celebrate Ericht's fourth birthday. Alone, Ericht's parents discuss the vitality of proving the GUND Format's safety in time, not helped by Ochs Earth's higher ups rushing to roll out the Lfrith before the Mobile Suit Development Council make their move. Nevertheless, the Samaya family continues their celebration with no fuss, Elnora replacing the battery of her right arm, actually a GUND Format limb, notwithstanding. Elnora comments on the technology, owing Cardo for exposing her to it and saving her life. Meanwhile, the members of the Council discuss Ochs Earth's situation when one member, former military soldier Delling Rembran, suggests stopping them before they complete their Gundam to. maintain the peace. As such, they begin their press conference. Unbeknownst to everyone, even to two workers, Wendy Olent and Nyla Bertran, who discuss "Spacians" monopolizing everything, a group of people are moving in on the Fólkvangr facility.

Elnora returns with a fork for Ericht, only to find she is no longer there. Ericht has made her way into Lfrith's resting spot where Cardo finds her talking to the Gundam. Cardo lightly admonishes the little girl for her actions before telling her that Lfrith was the culmination of everything related to the GUND Format and its end goals. Cardo lets the little redhead into the cockpit and links her biodata to Lfrith, allowing her to talk to the machine. All of a sudden, Cardo gets a phone call about the Mobile Suit Development Council holding their press conference without them.

During the press conference, the head of Grassley Defense Systems, Sarius Zenelli, announces the council's decision to freeze all Gundam-type mobile suit production, seize the Gundams from Ochs Earth, and establish the auditing organization Cathedra. As Delling takes the podium and denounces the Gundams as a "curse", the raiding soldiers at Fólkvangr kill off the people there while their mobile suits outside the front surround the facility and shoot any escaping shuttles. Angered by the Council's decision to use force against Ochs Earth, a few test pilots, piloting mobile suits similar to the Lfrith, try to engage the invaders, but a new mobile suit piloted by ace pilot Kenanji Avery, the Beguir-Beu, armed with a system that nullifies all GUND Format systems, offs them one by one.

Within Fólkvangr, Cardo is cornered by a platoon, but still reaffirms the importance of the GUND Format in helping humans live in space, though she is shot down for her troubles. Ericht and Elnora reunite in the Lfrith's cockpit as they hear of the deaths of nearly all of their friends and the raiders intending to blow up the front. As Elnora grieves, she suddenly sees Lfrith having a callback from layer 33... with Ericht successfully doing so, her name shown on the front monitor screen. With that, Lfrith takes off, its technology, bits, and all making quick work out of the attacking mobile suits outside Fólkvangr; the little Ericht likens the explosions to candles. However, there is no time to marvel, as Kenanji arrives to engage Lfrith, deactivating its GUND Format.

All of a sudden, Nadim barges in to fend off Kenanji and buy his wife and daughter time to escape. Declaring his love for his wife, Nadim pushes his Gundam's Permet Score to four and pushes the Beguir-Beu away. As the loving father slowly expires making his last stand, he sings "Happy Birthday" with Ericht while the invaders listen on in shock over hearing Ericht's voice over their intercepted communications. Ericht, however, is oblivious to Nadim passing on as she finishes the song and his Gundam and Fólkvangr are both obliterated.

Back at the conference, Delling concludes his speech with a world-shaking declaration: with him leading the newly-formed Cathedra, the organization shall ensure Gundams are no more.

[[folder:Summary]]
The year is Ad Stella 101, and in the darkness of a cockpit, a pilot testing a new mobile suit is testing her machine's Permet link connection tests. Despite facing no abnormalities in the mech's advanced GUND Format technology, the pilot, Elnora Samaya, is unable to hit its thirty-third layer, forcing her mentor, Doctor Cardo Nabo, to cease testing for the day despite her requests to increase her machine's Permet Score, telling her that her health is not worth their team successfully proving the GUND Format's safety. Just then, Elnora's little daughter, Ericht, enters the testing hangar, to see the mobile suit and her mother despite being told not to enter the room.

The use of Gundam-type mobile suits, the Lfrith chief among them, is provided by the mobile suit manufacture company Ochs Earth Corporation. However, this advancement has run into bioethical controversies, especially with the GUND Format installed in them. The GUND Format was initially used to mitigate its user's physical dysfunctions while in space. However, the Vanadis Institute, which was acquired by Ochs Earth, used them for mobile suits. With that, people trying to pilot such a mobile suit ended up getting killed or crippled for life due to the data storms they inflicted on them.

The year is Ad Stella 101, and in the darkness of a cockpit, a pilot testing a new mobile suit is testing her machine's Permet link connection tests. Despite facing no abnormalities in the mech's advanced GUND Format technology, the pilot, Elnora Samaya, is unable to hit its thirty-third layer, forcing her mentor, Doctor Cardo Nabo, to end the test for the day despite her requests to increase her machine's Permet Score, telling her that her health is not worth their team successfully proving the GUND Format's safety. Just then, Elnora's little daughter, Ericht, enters the testing hangar, despite her mother telling her not to enter. When Ericht asks about the mech, called Lfrith, Cardo explains "she" is still an infant who has yet to "learn" anything.

Back with Ericht, she, Elnora, and Nadim, Elnora's husband, prepare to celebrate Ericht's fourth birthday. Alone, Ericht's parents discuss the vitality of proving the GUND Format's safety in time, not helped by Ochs Earth's higher ups rushing to roll out the Lfrith before the Mobile Suit Development Council make their move. Nevertheless, the Samaya family continues their celebration with no fuss, Elnora replacing the battery of her right arm, actually a GUND Format limb, notwithstanding. Elnora comments on the technology, owing Cardo to exposing her to and saving her life with it. Meanwhile, the members of the Council discuss Ochs Earth's situation when one member, former military soldier Delling Rembran, tells them to stop them before they complete their Gundam and bring down "the hammer of witches" to maintain the peace. As such, they begin their press conference. Unbeknownst to everyone, even to two workers, Wendy Olent and Nyla Bertran, who discuss "Spacians" monopolizing everything, a group of people are moving in on the Fólkvangr facility.

Elnora returns with a fork for Ericht, only to find she is no longer there. Ericht has made her way into Lfrith's resting spot where Cardo finds her talking to the Gundam. Cardo lightly admonishes the little girl for her actions before telling her that Lfrith was the culmination of everything related to the GUND Format and its end goals. Cardo lets the little redhead into the cockpit and links her biodata to Lfrith, allowing her to talk to the machine. All of a sudden, Cardo gets a phone call about the Mobile Suit Development Council holding their press conference... without Ochs Earth.

During the press conference, the head of Grassley Defense Systems, Sarius Zenelli, announces the council's decision to freeze all Gundam-type mobile suit production, seize the Gundams from Ochs Earth, and establish the auditing organization Cathedra. As Delling takes the podium and denounces the Gundams as a "curse", the raiding soldiers at Fólkvangr kill off lots of people there while their mobile suits outside the front surround the facility and shoot any escaping shuttles. Angered by the Council's decision to use force against Ochs Earth, a few test pilots, piloting mobile suits similar to the Lfrith, try to engage the invaders, but then, a new mobile suit piloted by ace pilot Kenanji Avery enters the battle with a mobile suit, the Beguir-Beu, that nullifies all GUND Format systems.

Within Fólkvangr, Cardo is surrounded by a platoon, but still reaffirms the importance of the GUND Format in helping humans live in space, though she is rewarded with getting offed by the platoon. Ericht and Elnora reunite in the Lfrith's cockpit as they hear of the deaths of nearly all of their friends and the raiders intending to blow up the front. As Elnora grieves, she suddenly sees Lfrith having a callback from layer 33... with Ericht successfully doing so, her name shown on the front monitor screen. With that, Lfrith takes off, its technology, bits, and all making quick work out of the attacking mobile suits outside Fólkvangr; the little Ericht likens the explosions to candles. However, there is no time to marvel, as Kenanji arrives to engage Lfrith, deactivating its GUND Format.

All of a sudden, Nadim barges in to fend off Kenanji and buy his wife and daughter time to escape. Declaring his love for his wife, Nadim pushes his Gundam's Permet Score to four and pushes the Beguir-Beu away. As the loving father slowly expires making his last stand, he sings "Happy Birthday" with Ericht while the invaders listen on in shock over hearing Ericht's voice over their intercepted communications. Ericht, however, is oblivious to Nadim passing on as she finishes the song and his Gundam and Fólkvangr are both blown up.

Back at the conference, Delling concludes his speech with a world-shaking declaration: with him leading the newly-formed Cathedra, the organization shall ensure Gundams will no longer exist.

Back at the conference, Delling concludes his speech with a world-shaking declaration: the newly-formed Cathedra "shall deny all Gundams".

Back with Ericht, she, Elnora, and Nadim, Elnora's husband, prepare to celebrate Ericht's fourth birthday. Alone, Ericht's parents discuss the vitality of proving the GUND Format's safety in time, not helped by Ochs Earth's higher ups rushing to roll out the Lfrith before the Mobile Suit Development Council make their move. Nevertheless, the Samaya family continues their celebration with no fuss, Elnora replacing the battery of her right arm, actually a GUND Format limb, not withstanding. Elnora comments on the technology, owing Cardo to exposing her to it and saving her life. Meanwhile, the members of the Council discuss Ochs Earth's situation when one member, former military soldier Delling Rembran, tells them to stop them before they complete their Gundam and bring down "the hammer of witches" to maintain the peace. As such, they begin their press conference. Unbeknownst to everyone, even to two workers, Wendy Olent and Nyla Bertran, who discuss "Spacians" monopolizing everything, a group of people are moving in on the Fólkvangr facility.

Elnora returns with a fork for Ericht, only to find she is no longer there. Ericht has made her way into Lfrith's resting spot where Cardo finds her talking to the Gundam. Cardo lightly admonishes the little girl for her actions before telling her that Lfrith was the culmination of everything related to the GUND Format. Cardo lets the redhead child into the cockpit and links her biodata to Lfrith, allowing her to talk to the machine. All of a sudden, Cardo gets a phone call about the Mobile Suit Development Council holding their press conference... leaving out Ochs Earth.

During the press conference, the head of Grassley Defense Systems, Sarius Zenelli, announces the council's decision to freeze all Gundam-type mobile suit production, seize the Gundams from Ochs Earth, and establish the auditing organization Cathedra. As Delling takes the podium and denounces the Gundams as lethal weapons of war and a "curse", the raiding soldiers at Fólkvangr kill off lots of people there while their mobile suits outside the front surround the facility and shoot any escaping shuttles. Angered by the Council's decision to use force against Ochs Earth, a few test pilots, piloting mobile suits similar to the Lfrith, try to engage the invaders, but then, a new mobile suit piloted by ace pilot Kenanji Avery enters the battle with a mobile suit, the Beguir-Beu, that nullifies all GUND Format systems.

Within Fólkvangr, Cardo is surrounded by a platoon, but still reaffirms the importance of the GUND Format in helping humans live in space, though she is rewarded with getting offed by the platoon. Ericht and Elnora reunite in the Lfrith's cockpit as they hear of the deaths of nearly all of their friends and the raiders' intending to blow up the front. As Elnora grieves, she suddenly sees Lfrith having a callback from layer 33... with Ericht successfully doing so, her name shown on the front monitor screen. With that, Lfrith takes off, its technology, bits, and all making quick work out of the attacking mobile suits outside Fólkvangr; the little Ericht likens the explosions to candles. However, there is no time to marvel, as Kenanji arrives to engage Lfrith, deactivating its GUND Format.

The use of Gundam-type mobile suits, the Lfrith chief among them, is provided by the mobile suit manufacture company Ochs Earth Corporation. However, this advancement has run into bioethical controversies, especially with the GUND Format installed in them. The GUND Format was initially used to mitigate its user's physical dysfunctions while in space. However, the Vanadis Institute, which was acquired by Ochs Earth, used them for mobile suits. With that, people trying to pilot such a mobile suit ended up crippling its pilots for life due to the data storms they inflicted on them.

Back at the conference, Delling finishes his speech, declaring that the newly formed Cathedra "shall deny all Gundams".