The Story So Far

Episode 1: Crumbling Stars

Once hopeful that the war with the AEUG would conclude before the end of August, the failure of Operation Apollo has ensured the war would drag on through the rest of the year. Additionally, with Titan focus split between the AEUG in space and the forces of Karaba on Earth, the Federation has become increasingly vulnerable to the Zeon Remnant and pirate elements that hide throughout the Earth Sphere, the entities routinely raiding Federation patrols, supply stations and even civilian installations. Lest the disruptions irreparably harm the war effort, Titan leadership opted to form several units whose primary purpose would be to eliminate these rogue elements.

On this day, one of the first of these units, Helios Corps, would go into action for the first time. Considered something of an experiment, Helios Corps is one of the few units to merge Federation personnel with their allies from the Republic of Zeon, the core of its strength centered on the Alexandria-class Rhodes and the Chivvay Kai-class, the Graf Spee. Operating primarily out of Luna II, their first mission would lead them to the debris belts dotting Earth’s orbit as part of a decoy operation to lure out the remnant. Despite the skepticism of its detractors and minor setbacks in the field, Helios proved itself a valuable asset and eliminated the remnant force with minor casualties.

Episode 1.5: Hidden Shadows

With their first victory behind them, Helios Corps has returned to Luna II for repairs and resupply as they await their next assignment. What should’ve been cause for praise, however, was marred by the untimely demise of the Remnant’s POWs, the act orchestrated by Lieutenant Volkodav and other, unknown accomplices. Already forced to administer discipline to one of his highest ranked pilots and others already questioning his judgment, Commander Miller could only wonder what changed from his days during the war.

While the Rhodes itself was under the watchful eye of Miller, Captain Banis departed for the inner facilities of Luna II to receive a directive on their next course of action: A patrol of the colonies of Side 2, the region under scrutiny due to supposed pirate activity. More so, and much to his surprise, Banis also learned that not only would an agent from the intelligence department be joining the Rhodes’ crew but that they were a Cyber-Newtype on loan from one of the Newtype Labs. Between rumors and hearsay of their exploits (as well as their recent failures), just how useful they would be remained to be seen…

Episode 2: Phantoms of Pezun

August 27th, U.C. 0087

Though the need to crush pockets of Remnant activity was a necessary one, the task itself was nonetheless a mundane one, especially when compared to units directly fighting the AEUG. With their current route leading them into a sparsely populated region near the Pezun asteroid base and far from predicted hotspots, Helios Corps found their dead-end assignment to be filled with unwanted excitement when they were ambushed by the Zeon Remnant. The encounter quickly proved itself to be more trying than the last due to the unorthodox equipment in the Remnant’s possessions such as enhanced mobile suits stemming from the Principality’s old Pezun Project and even a prototype Mobile Armor.

Initially forming a worthwhile defense, the situation quickly devolved with the arrival of the mobile armor with several mobile suits and both flagships of Helios suffering extensive damage. It was only through the concentrated effort led Lieutenant Volkodav and JG Maconree that Helios was able to force the mobile armor and its allies to retreat from the battle. However, that came at a heavy cost: One of their promising, younger officers, Petty Officer James Greer, would lose his life in the battle when his GM Quel was savagely crushed by the mobile armor’s massive claws…

Episode 2.5: Waking Giants

September 5th, U.C. 0087

Reeling from the loss of one of their own and a need to rethink their tactics in combating the Remnant, Helios Corps has returned to Luna II for repairs and resupply. There, several come to grips with the loss of Petty Officer Greer in their own ways while others considered the misaimed priorities of the Titans, the war itself continuing to go awry despite their best efforts. As if addressing their concerns, Rofle Brocken, an engineer and representative of the Oakland Newtype Lab, has arrived with new equipment for Helios while collecting their combat data for an unknown purpose. Additionally, the pilot roster of the Rhodes goes through an overhaul to better foster coordination in the field and put an end to the cavalier tendencies of its pilots…

Episode 3: Shroud of Zeus

September 13th, U.C. 0087

Almost two weeks have gone by since Helios was reorganized and almost all of it has been spent fine-tuning the operations and teamwork of its pilots through a series of mock battles. At one point facing off against the Graf Spee, their latest mock battle pit the pilots of the Rhodes against each other to reevaluate their cohesion in the field. Despite a promising start, things go awry when Lieutenant Volkodav’s mobile suit suffers a malfunction and JG Maconree abandons the exercise when his Newtype senses alert him to a possible threat, one revealed to be none other than the infamous ‘Man from Jupiter’, Paptimus Scirocco. Untrusting of the intruder, Maconree challenged the Jupiterian to a battle of wills, one that ultimately left the Cyber-Newtype himself greatly debilitated as unknown images came to his mind…

Though wary of his presence near the mock battle, Captain Banis and Commander Miller nonetheless invite him to the Rhodes. However, an already tense situation threatens to spiral into chaos when JG Maconree, already disoriented by a continued rush of jumbled memories, angrily confronts Scirocco before being reined in by Miller. Though seemingly placated for the moment, his mental state is called into question when Ilse Mistral overhears a phrase no one in their right mind would utter in the presence of the Titans, “Sieg Zeon…”

Episode 4: The Wild Hunt

September 19th, U.C. 0087

Though his stay was brief, Paptimus Scirocco has left the crew of the Rhodes fascinated by his very nature, the man otherworldly in more ways than one. Captain Banis and Commander Miller both have concerns regarding his insight into the incident near Pezun but have put it on the backburner until their return to Luna II. However, an influx of new pilots and other developments of growing importance are quick to ensure they don’t have a moment’s rest.

Concerned with Maconree’s declining mental state and treasonous chanting a week prior, Ilse finally brings the matter to Miller’s attention and not a moment too soon as, once more, Maconree again has a mental collapse and is placed under medical watch. Adding to the growing pile of troubles, Helios receives an emergency sortie order to investigate an AEUG fleet operating in Titan airspace above the Earth after the loss of a surveillance satellite. A problem in its own right, Titan command is unnerved by the presence of a rogue unit of Zeon Marines and the possible return of The Red Comet, Char Aznable.

With their initial encounter with the AEUG going in their favor, the battlefield nearly falls into anarchy when it’s revealed that JG Maconree, thought to still be in the sick bay, had in fact commandeered a mobile suit into the battle and was pursued by Lieutenant Volkodav and Flight One. The tense standoff would only be diffused by the arrival of an ace AEUG squadron, the engagement itself very nearly bringing the entire unit low before the AEUG retreated to fight another day. Meanwhile, a team of MPs awaited Maconree upon his return to the Rhodes…

Episode 4.5: The Road to Gaia

October 5th, U.C. 0087

Over two weeks had passed since the encounter with the AEUG and Maconree’s detention. Despite having every reason to do so, Captain Banis and Commander Miller have refrained from informing the intelligence department of Maconree’s mental state, the pair of them keenly aware that Maconree is more a victim of the Newtype Lab’s activities and would likely be disposed of if returned to their custody. With that in mind, they have opted to keep Maconree under close watch to ensure he wouldn’t bring harm to himself nor the crew in the event of another mental break.

However, the damage was done. Despite attempts to move past the events, the actions taken by Maconree and Flight One both linger in everyone’s minds and not everyone is willing to let bygones be bygones outside of professionalism, most notably amongst the younger officers. Despite the clear disrespect to the higher ranked, the younger pilots have started to bond despite their differing backgrounds and dispositions.

During all of this, Helios would receive unwelcome news: The return of Axis was imminent as was the continued degradation of the Earth front. In light of their past dealings with the Remnant and Earth-side experience of certain members, Helios Corp would be temporarily split apart with a detachment headed to Kilimanjaro while the main arm would join a specialized-taskforce to end the Remnant once and for all. Though nominally appropriate given their role, Banis and Miller are nonetheless concerned due to the sudden arrival of a pilot from the Jupitris and increased scrutiny of Helios’ activities…