Rasa, the Assembly is going against the teachings of God.
KINGDOM OF AZADISTAN MOSQUE
The land of this nation was given to us by God.
How dare they bring infidels to this promised land!
The Reformists will eventually take this land away from us!
Rasa! Give the word and legions will rise up at your call!
The time is now!
Calm down.
The Princess and the National Assembly will face the judgment of God...
...for turning their backs on His teachings.
And so, we shall wait for God's retribution.
How long do you intend to say such things?
At this rate, we'll end up like the people of Krugis!
We must become the sword of God and bring divine punishment to the Reformists!
We must drive the infidels off our land!
Send God's wrath down upon these corrupt Reformists!
Let us be blessed!
Let God smite those who forget His teachings!
- Rasa! Rasa! - Rasa! Rasa!
What was that?
Gunfire?
Could it be the Reformists?!
Rasa, bandits have entered...!
Who are you?
Where do you think this place is?
nee konna katachi no deai shika nakattano? Was this the only way we could meet?
kanashiine It's so sad
anata ni shindemo ayamete hoshikumonai... I don't want you to die or kill anyone...
onegai Please
unmei sae nomikomare We're sinking into a sea
shizumisouna umi e to A sea that swallows fate itself
negai yo kaze ni notte May my wishes ride on the wind
yoake no kane wo naraseyo And ring the bells of daybreak
tori no you ni May they fly like birds
My wishes over their airspace
musuu no nami wo koe asu e tachimukau anata wo You face tomorrow, crossing myriad waves
mamoritamae Be protected by my wishes
My life I trade in for your pain
furimukazu habatake Keep beating my wings without looking back
kono omoi wo hakonde Carrying my hopes and dreams
ano sora wo tondeku Fly through the sky
negai wa darenimo uchiotosenai Wishes can never be shot out of the sky
The Middle East.
Many of the countries situated here...
...had supported their economy with oil exports.
But due to the solar power generation system construction project...
...this oil lost much of its value.
The UN resolved to place strict controls on oil exports, with few exceptions.
A number of Middle Eastern countries took military action in response to this.
The conflicts multiplied...
...becoming the Solar Power Wars that were waged for over twenty years.
Impoverished by the conflicts, and abandoned by the rest of the world...
...many countries of the region have repeatedly dissolved and re-united...
...in response to their economic destitution.
This is the current state of affairs in the Middle East.
The Kingdom of Azadistan, located between the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf...
...is one such nation that is attempting to deal with this situation.
Six years ago, Azadistan took advantage of civil unrest in its neighbor country...
...and absorbed the Republic of Krugis.
The monarchy was restored in the resulting new country.
TO THE LIMITS OF HOLY TEACHINGS
Due to different interpretations of the state religion...
...the population has split into two religious denominations.
KINGDOM OF AZADISTAN ROYAL PALACE
As a result, the current political climate remains unstable.
Massoud Rachmadi has been kidnapped by an unidentified group?!
How could that be?
The Conservatives will likely believe that we Reformists are responsible.
In fact, we can't rule out the possibility of that being true.
It seems that the UN's assistance did nothing but bring us misfortune.
But the National Assembly approved solar power generation!
That doesn't mean all our citizens accept it.
The Assembly has already decided to deploy a peace-keeping force.
It's only a matter of time before radical Conservatives take action.
And if by some chance, Massoud Rachmadi should turn up dead...
Stop it! Don't say such awful things!
You must think of these things... in order to avoid the worst possibility.
The worst possibility...
A civil war.
Let God's wrath strike those who've forgotten His teachings!
UNION AIRSPACE
I cannot get through to Ptolemaios.
It will likely still be some time before they return from Lagrange Four.
Should civil war break out in Azadistan...
...we'll just have to use what we have available now.
It's me. What's the situation there?
There seem to be small fights breaking out here and there, but nothing serious.
You should get out of the country quickly.
I'm going to stay here.
Stay there? But why?
I want to see what this country does and where it goes next.
And...
...I want to see for myself what kind of action you will decide to take.
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE TOKYO - JNN HEADQUARTERS
I went back through the records and researched the last two hundred years...
There are about 138 people with doctorates who've either run away...
...or have gone missing.
Can you run a check on the most recent disappearances?
Yes, Ma'am.
News flash!
It appears that Azadistan's religious leader Massoud Rachmadi...
...has been kidnapped by an armed group!
Did he say Azadistan?
We sent a reporter there to cover the UN's technology aid package!
Contact him and have him report on it!
Yes, Sir!
Will Celestial Being make an appearance?
Probably.
Oh my, that looks delicious!
You didn't have to go to all this trouble.
I told you, my Mom likes to get things!
But it's only one pizza.
- Young man... - Yes?
Your clothing?
Oh, I work part-time at this place.
Mom. Saji's parents passed away when he was little...
...and he lives with his older sister now.
Oh my. Your parents...
And so you're forced to work part-time...
You are quite the brave young man!
I wouldn't go that far...
Mom cries kinda easily.
A little too easily.
You said your name's Saji, right?
Ah, yes.
Now that I look more closely, you do have a handsome face.
D-Do you think so?
You look like him.
Like who?
Like my dear husband reborn.
He does not! Besides, Dad's still alive!
Rasa. Massoud Rachmadi.
I see.
So, you've finally made your decision.
Yes. I've decided to take on the position of this nation's Princess Royal.
Even if my existence is merely a symbol, an ornament of the reborn Azadistan...
...I feel if there is anything I can do then I must do it.
So please, Rasa!
Then I shall have no choice but to take an opposing position.
Wh-Why is that?
Listen carefully, Princess Marina.
Even if the nation is reborn...
...the people living on this land have a history, families, and God's teachings.
There are also many who dislike change.
I am one of them.
In order to keep those who oppose you from responding with violence...
...there must be a figure who can take in their feelings and calm their fears.
Rasa...
Has everything I've done until now been a terrible mistake?
Shirin.
Is the Assembly likely to listen to my opinions?
- Will the two sides agree to compromise? - That's not really an option right now.
The Conservatives are boycotting the Assembly.
After being secretly approached by the Union...
...the Reformists are now discussing the idea of accepting their military aid.
But doing that would provoke the extremists among the Conservatives!
And why would the Union get involved?
They have no reason to protect this country.
I'm sure they have their reasons.
OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN
It's been a while but we'll finally be facing Gundams again, First Lieutenant!
I'd be disappointed if we didn't.
But how did we end up deployed in Azadistan?
The military brass have been working on the congress behind the scenes.
We can't afford to fall behind the Human Reform League.
KINGDOM OF AZADISTAN DESERT REGION
Please wait inside until the civil war actually breaks out.
They're a little small, but we do have rooms for you.
How thoughtful.
Hotel! Hotel!
And how are things at your end?
In order to prevent a civil war in Azadistan...
...we must rescue Massoud Rachmadi from his kidnappers, and then...
...inform his countrymen of his safety.
The problem is that the people of this country despise outsiders.
I don't know if we can pull this one off.
I'll see what I can do.
You will?
I'm from Azadistan.
From this country?
Hey, Setsuna.
Don't get too emotional out there just because your homeland's in danger.
I know.
Veda figures there's a high probability...
...that the group that kidnapped Massoud Rachmadi aren't Reformists.
The Conservatives staged this whole thing?
There's also the possibility that it's a third party.
There are people who want to start a war here.
Do they really want it to happen again?
You there!
Do you wanna buy some water?
No thanks, I have enough.
Is this your first time here?
I've been traveling the world.
Hey, I heard from the Chief...
...that there are these really tall towers that take you into space. Is that true?
Yeah, it's true.
So have you been up there?
Yeah.
Awesome!
Princess Marina said that one day we'd be able to go into space, too!
Marina?
Don't you know her? Look...
That's Princess Marina Ismail on the posters over there.
Marina Ismail.
Hey! What are you doing?
You're from Krugis, aren't you? I can tell just by your face.
Grandpa?
You don't belong around here!
Get out of here now!
Who would've expected they'd ask the Union for assistance.
I guess they're not aware that there are Conservatives within the military as well.
I must somehow escape this place.
At this rate, this nation will once again fall into a state of chaos.
So, which side will God choose this time?
Well, either way, we're gonna have a war.
SOLAR POWER RECEIVER ANTENNA FACILITY
What's the matter?
Bring the wrath of God down upon the infidels who would invade our land!
Combat in point D!
Looks like they're targeting the antennas! Let's go!
Flag Fighters!
Roger!
Sir, they're fighting amongst themselves!
What should we do?
Which ones belong to the traitors?
The radar!
What?!
Those particle beam flashes mean...
...it's a Gundam!
All shots on target! All shots on target!
Staking this place out was a good idea.
And out of nowhere!
- What?! - A missile attack...!
There are just too damned many!
The solar antennas have been destroyed?
Who would do such a thing?
Regrettably, some of the mobile suit pilots that were on security duty...
...were extremists who support the Conservative cause.
But why...?
It's as if they anticipated Massoud Rachmadi's kidnapping.
A planned attack?
Could it have been...?
Howard! Daryl!
Pursue the one that launched the missiles!
I'll take care of the Gundam!
Roger!
We'll leave the Gundam to you!
Hey, hey, I thought the Union's job here was to just defend Azadistan.
So they are after us, after all.
Target and fire!
I call that one the Graham Special!
- Haro! - Roger! Roger!
It won't happen twice!
My shots keep missing! Who is that pilot?!
Allow me to introduce myself.
Graham Aker's coming through...!
He was able to kick me?!
He actually made me use a sword!
You've got such tight defense, Gundam!
How about this?
What?
He blocked them?
How dare you do this to my Flag!
This guy just keeps on coming!
Haro, cease GN particle dispersal! Transfer all the power to the weapons!
Roger! Roger!
All this against a mere Flag?!
Gundam!
Mobile suits have been spotted leaving the Azadistan Army's Zayer base.
They're heading for the palace.
- An emergency call... - All units, head there and intercept them.
I expect there to be some movement at other bases as well.
The Azadistan Army...
Mobile suits left the Zayer base without any orders?!
This means...a coup d'etat!
There are five mobile suits in total.
They're heading straight for us.
Princess! Evacuate to the shelter!
- But I... - Please hurry!
We are the sword of God!
We will rise up against them!
Bring the wrath of God down upon those who have forgotten His teachings!
Chase out the infidels who have trespassed upon our promised land!
Shouldn't we be getting ready to leave?
Ribbons. You should take a look at this as well.
A Gundam will be coming very soon.
Setsuna F. Seiei... Exia will eliminate the targets!
It's a coup d'etat. So what will you do...
...Mr. Flag Pilot?
After finally reuniting with a Gundam...!
Disappointing to say the least...
...but a man has his obligations!
Howard! Daryl! We're going to defend the capital!
Roger!
Anything on who fired the missiles?
We saw a silhouette of a mobile suit, but because of those special particles...
Sometimes Gundam abilities have drawbacks.
So that's a Gundam.
That was just brute force.
He's relying too much on the Gundam's abilities.
The pilot is Setsuna F. Seiei, I believe.
What is it?
A mobile suit squad has been deployed from Kazuna Base.
They're passing through the Kehi region.
Roger.
Gimme a break! It's one thing after another!
What's this?
Exia!
Celestial Being has begun an armed intervention in Azadistan...
...a Middle Eastern nation receiving UN technological assistance.
There is religious discord in Azadistan...
So where is Azadistan?
Um, I recall it being in the Middle East...
Stop sitting so close!
However, why this unrest at a time when energy is about to be supplied to them...
...with the support of the UN?
Miss Sumeragi!
It's an urgent coded message from Veda!
A coup d'etat in Azadistan?
KINGDOM OF AZADISTAN CAPITAL
Our reinforcements have taken control of the airspace over the capital region.
When religious devotion gets out of control this kind of tragedy is the inevitable result.
Damn you!
Well, you stopped it, Gundam...
Too bad, the fun was just beginning!
We suffered a coup d'etat...
And then...there was an intervention in our country by Celestial Being.
We're under the protection of the Union military now.
The coup d'etat is fading fast... Please be at ease, Princess.
But now the hearts of the people have been lit with the flames of anger.
Everything I've done so far has only led this country into bitter conflict.
Marina Ismail, be resolute!
It's not over yet! Not yet...
ai wo shirazu yureru yurikago The cradle rocks without knowing love
This is terrible...
moetsukiteku nemuri no mori de As the sleeping forest burns to ash
Exia found! Exia found!
tomoni ikiru yorokobi sae mo Even the joy of living together in peace
Setsuna.
kieteshimau tooku Vanishes into the distance
I cannot...become a Gundam!
zetsubou wa amai wana Despair is a sweet trap
tozasareta sono tobira The doors are locked securely
kokoro ga senjou dakara Because our hearts are a battlefield
darenimo sukuenai Nobody can save us
zenmai no shinzou ga unmei ni ayatsurare Wind-up hearts are manipulated by fate
buriki no heitaitachi wa satsuriku wo hajimeru The hollow tin soldiers begin the massacre
ai wo shirazu yureru yurikago The cradle rocks without knowing love
moetsukiteku nemuri no mori de As the sleeping forest burns to ash
tomoni ikiru yorokobi sae mo Even the joy of living together in peace
kieteshimau tooku Vanishes into the distance
yasashisa wo shinji subete wo yurushite Let us believe in kindness, and forgive all
itsukushimuyouni Let us treasure each other
tada wakachiatte wakariatte Simply sharing and understanding
Setsuna has had his convictions shattered...
...and now, Ali al-Saachez stands before him.
Exia rises again to eliminate conflict.
Next episode, "Return of the Saint".
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NEXT EPISODE RETURN OF THE SAINT
Setsuna becomes a Gundam.