Gryps Conflict

The Gryps Conflict is a fictional conflict from the Universal Century timeline of the anime Gundam metaseries. The war is covered in the television series "Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam".

A full-scale civil war of the Earth Federation, the Gryps Conflict begins on March 2, UC 0087 and ends on February 22, UC 0088, when the Titans are wiped out by the Anti-Earth Union Group's deployment of the Gryps II colony laser.

Introduction

After the disastrous events of "Operation Stardust", the Earth Federation creates the Titans at the urging of Commodore "Jamitov Hymem" to hunt down remnants and sympathizers of the former Principality of Zeon and to eliminate any anti-Federation insurgencies. However, because the Titans were made up of Earth-born elites, most of whom felt socially superior to space dwellers, they often commit reckless acts of brutality towards the space inhabitants. The Federation government, having grown considerably weak following the One Year War, comes to fall under the control of the fascist-like Titans. Their oppressive actions are met by protests in the colonies in the form of demonstrations and acts of sabotage. To quell these dissident actions, the Titans dispatch military forces to all of the colonies. As a result, the first two colonies at Side 7, "Green Noa I" and "Green Noa II" (later called "Gryps II"), becomes the headquarters of the Titans and are quickly covered with military bases, as well as research and development facilities.

The 30 Bunch Incident

On July 31, UC 0085, a demonstration is held in the colony "30 Bunch" at Side 1. This demonstration, however, goes out of control. The Federation authority fails to stop it, so the Titans intervene. Using a very potent, lethal poison gas called "G3", the Titans pump it into the colony, indiscriminately killing all ten million inhabitants. Unfortunately, the Federation government decides not to punish the Titans for this incident, thus, the Anti-Earth Union Group (AEUG) is formed, with ex-Earth Federation officer "Blex Forer" as its leader. They also begin receiving financial and technological support from "Anaheim Electronics", including the backing of many colonies and lunar cities.

The Gryps Conflict

Gundam Heist

The Gryps Conflict officially starts on March 2, UC 0087, when a small AEUG platoon is dispatched to infiltrate the two Titans-occupied colonies at Side 7 for a reconnaissance mission. Platoon leader "Quattro Bajeena" (a disguised "Char Aznable"), enters Gryps II and discovers the new RX-178 Gundam Mark II is being used to train Titans pilots inside the colony. Upon this discovery, the group decides to hijack the mobile suit. With the unexpected help of a civilian boy named "Kamille Bidan", whose parents are Federation engineers responsible for the development of the Mark II, they are able to successfully steal two of the three Mark II units. During this event, the Titans are also confronted by the AEUG's new "RMS-099 Rick Dias" mobile suit, along with the battleship "Argama".

Titans field commander "Bask Om", who is on Green Noa I, reacts to the hijacking and uses Kamille's mother, "Hilda Bidan", as a hostage to negotiate a trade. Young Titans officer, "Emma Sheen", is sent to rendezvous with the Argama in the third Mark II and deliver the terms. When Kamille finds out of this, he sets out to rescue Hilda; sadly, she is killed from a stray shot of a Titans "RMS-106 Hi-Zack". Nevertheless, it is a success for the AEUG, due to Emma, who rejects Bask's cruel methods, defects and joins the AEUG, bringing along with her the third Mark II. However, only one unit is in working order, and after being repainted, Kamille, who also allies with the AEUG, becomes its primary pilot.

To the Moon

Following the successful heist, the Titans announce to the world that this incident is an act of terrorism committed by the AEUG and the Titans battleship "Alexandria" starts to pursue the Argama, as it makes it escape from Side 7 to the moon. In preparation for a large-scale assault on Jaburo, a key Federation supply base, the Argama sends "Reccoa Londe" to Earth to scout the Jaburo area. While sidetracking to 30 Bunch of Side 1, Federation ace pilot "Lila Milla Rira" ambushes the Argama, but is defeated in combat by Kamille. Finally reaching the moon city of Amman, the Argama is able to resupply. Char himself receives the new "MSN-00100 Hyaku Shiki".

During their stay on the moon, senior memberes of the AEUG meet with their sponsors from Anaheim Electronics, who want to proceed with the attack on Jaburo, despite Char's objections. To strengthen their fleet, the AEUG steal several Federation ships from their drydocks. With greater firepower, the AEUG begin their approach to Earth. During the voyage, the Argama sends out its mobile suit squadrons to assist the civilian shuttle "Temptation", under attack from an unknown mobile armor (later revealed to be the "PMX-000 Messala", piloted by the powerful Newtype "Paptimus Scirocco", who uses this offensive to observe the status of the AEUG). The Temptation is transporting refugees from Side 7, where its pilot, "Bright Noa", the famous captain of the "White Base" from the "One Year War", willingly joins the AEUG (having earlier disowned Bask for using Hilda as a hostage) and elected the new captain of the Argama. Kamille's childhood friend, "Fa Yuiry", one of the cilivians, also joins the crew.

The Attack on Jaburo

On May 11, the AEUG fleet dispatches dozens of mobile suits equipped with ballutes to enter the atmosphere, but are immediately met with Titans resistance from the Alexandria, alongside Scirocco's Messala. The AEUG forces are able to successfully enter the atmosphere and arrive in the skies above Jaburo. A small battle ensues between the AEUG, the Titans and the Federation forces stationed at Jaburo. Because the Jaburo base is defended by old and outdated mobile suits and fighters, the AEUG soon realize something is amiss. Upon entering the cave system below base with minimal resistance, they discover the facilities devoid of Titans presence, to which a nuclear bomb is placed, instead. The AEUG hijacks the Garuda-class airplane "Audhumla", loading their remaining forces and captured Federation soldiers on it. During the escape, Kamille rescues an imprisoned Reccoa and former White Base crewmember, "Kai Shiden", both captured during reconnaissance. The bomb explodesd, destroying Jaburo, just as the Audhumla leaves.

This attack results in a loss for the AEUG, having unable to reduce the Titans' strength, and due to the fact the AEUG's best pilots are now forced to stay on Earth. Fortunately, the Audhumla is contacted by their allies on the planet, "Karaba" and races to rendezvous with them.

Time on Earth

Upon meeting up with Karaba leader and former White Base crewmember, "Hayato Kobayashi", he informs the AEUG forces of a possibility to bring their pilots back into space. Soon afterwards, the Audhumla is attacked by the Titans and is confronted with new, transformable mobile armors: the "ORX-005 Gaplant", piloted by cyber-Newtype "Rosamia Badam", and the "NRX-044 Asshimar", piloted by "Buran Blutarch". During this battle, the Audhumla comes into contact with "Katz Kobayashi", Hayato's son, and "Amuro Ray", the legendary Earth Federation ace pilot in the One Year War. Narrowly escaping the Titans, the Audhumla lands at the Kennedy spaceport, where the majority of AEUG pilots head back into space. However, they leave their Rick Dias suits on Earth to give Karaba more firepower. Kamille volunteers to stay with the terrestrial resistance.

The Audhumla then departs for New Hong Kong, where Kamille meets cyber-Newtype "Four Murasame", developing a mutual attraction to one another. However, Four is chosen to be the pilot of the giant "MRX-009 Psyco Gundam" and is forced to attack the city. Kamille fights to stop her, and manages to bring her rampage to a close, until an explosion presumably kills Four, after she helps him return to space. Back with the Argama, Kamille is given the "MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam", an advanced mobile suit built to his specifications.

Operation Apollo

While major members of the AEUG operates on Earth, the Titans strengthen their position in space. The Republic of Zeon allies with the Titans, loaning them the asteroid fortress "A Baoa Qu", which the Titans move to the colony of "Luna II". Together with the Gryps II space colony, they rename their new headquarters the "Gate of Zedan". Gryps II itself is then split in half, where one part is transformed into a powerful colony laser. Scirocco, aboard his battleship "Jupitris", pledges his loyalty to Jamitov and the Titans.

On August 10, a Titans fleet under Scirocco's command, with assistance from the Republic of Zeon, begins Operation Apollo, attacking and occupying the lunar city "Von Braun". Although the AEUG successfully liberates the city from Titans control, the Federation senate grants Jamitov complete authority over the entire Federation Forces. On August 17, AEUG leader Blex Forer is assassinated and Char becomes the new leader of the AEUG.

In the following days and month, the Titans attack several colonies and moon cities with methods banned under the "Antarctic Treaty", such as dropping an unused colony on the lunar city "Granada" on August 24 and attacking colony 25 in Side 2 with poison gas a month later. However, both operations end in failure.

The Arrival of Axis

After their 20-month long journey, the asteroid base Axis, greatly comprised of former Principality of Zeon members, finally arrives in the Earth sphere. Because of its great military strength, Axis could become a powerful player in the Gryps Conflict, thus the AEUG and Titans wish to ally themselves with Axis. The AEUG is the first party which receives an audience with eight-year old "Mineva Lao Zabi", the surviving member of the Zabi family, who reveals that Char was previously sent to the AEUG as an undercover agent for Axis. However, Char himself realizes that Mineva is no more than a puppet for "Haman Karn", who is the true leader of Axis. Unfortunately, this destroys the only chance the AEUG has for an alliance with Axis, and because of this, Scirocco seizes the opportunity and successfully negotiates a partnership with Haman the following day.

The Attack on Mount Kilimanjaro

By the beginning of November, the AEUG is informed of Karaba's plans for an attack on a Titans base set up at Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. The AEUG agrees to help them by attacking from Earth satellite orbit, however, during the assault Kamille and Char accidentally fall to Earth, where they are forced to join in Karaba's attack. Kamille comes across the Psycho Gundam a second time at the base, surprised to see that Four had survived. Unfortunately, she takes a shot meant for Kamille from Titans pilot "Jerid Messa" and is killed. On November 3, Karaba is able to overrun Mount Kilamanjaro, giving the resistance forces their first big victory.

Char Denounces the Titans

On November 16, in an effort to quell the Titans control over the Earth Federation, Char, Kamille and Karaba seize control over the Earth Federation Assembly summit in the city of Dakar, where Char, as Quattro, reveals his true identity and denounces the Titans before the whole world, citing their dictatorship-like tactics, war crimes against humanity and similar atrocities. His speech is strengthened by the fact the AEUG and Titans were fighting above the city. Because of this, Federation Assembly members and the majority of Earthnoids disown the Titans' actions. The Federation government proceeds to withdraw their help for them, isolating the Titans on Earth. Fearing for his own safety, Jamitov is forced to leave the planet and departs for the Gate of Zedan.

Axis Rising

With almost all of humanity disowning them, the isolated Titans begin retaliating the space colonies with force. On December 7, they use the Gryps II colony laser to destroy "18 Bunch" of Side 2. One week later, colony 21 in Side 2 is attacked with poison gas, annihilating the entire population. When it is revealed the Titan's next target is the headquarters of Anaheim Electronics on the moon, the AEUG decides to negotiate with Haman. They promise her Side 3, so long as Axis destroys the colony laser; Haman accepts the terms. On January 18, UC 0088, she orders Axis to ram into the much smaller Gate of Zedan. This levels the Titans headquarters and destroys a great deal of their fleet. Unfortunately, Haman sets her eyes on the colony laser and Axis forces capture the superweapon for themselves, while the giant asteroid is set for a collision course for the lunar city Granada.

One week later, negotiations between the Titans and Axis begins to fall apart. Scirocco, not wanting to wait any longer to seize power, assassinates Jamitov and places the blame on Haman. Meanwhile, Bask Om is killed by Reccoa, who defects from the AEUG, allying with the Titans. With both leaders dead, Scirocco usurps the leadership of the Titans.

Operation Maelstrom & the Fall of the Titans

With the colony laser in Axis' hands and the asteroid set to collide with Granada, the AEUG mounts Operation Maelstrom (the name is chosen, due to AEUG ships continually circling the Axis fleet and firing into the center, creating the impression of a giant whirlpool) to capture the colony laser. The operation is a success and the AEUG is able to use it to change the course of Axis before it crashes into Granada.

Two weeks later, on February 20, the forces of the AEUG, the remaining Titans under Scirocco's control and Axis meet in a three-way fleet battle around the colony laser. Kamille engages Scirocco in his powerful "PMX-003 The O", while Char confronts Haman in her "AMX-004 (MMS-3) Qubeley", although his Hyaku Shiki is nearly destroyed in their scuffle and is presumed missing-in-action. During the battle, Haman orders the Axis fleet to pull out, in order to prepare for their invasion of Earth. With the remaining Titans fleet in firing range of the colony laser, Bright uses this chance to charge the superweapon. Kamille is able to destroy Scirocco's The O, but the Newtype cripples his mind before death, leaving Kamille in a vegetative state. With the colony laser fully charged, Bright gives the order to fire and the superweapon destroys the Titans. The Gryps Conflict comes to an end on February 22, UC 0088.

Aftermath

With the destruction of the Titans, the Earth Federation is severely weakened. The AEUG also loses a majority of its forces during the final battle, including many of its ace pilots, like Char and Kamille. The most powerful party is now Axis, who uses this advantage to start a new war against the Earth, culminating in the First Neo-Zeon War.

Changes Between the Series & Movie Trilogy

While most of the events in the original television series is kept, many are modified, either merged, added, or even removed in the compilation movies. The most significant change is the ending, where Axis does not establish itself into Neo-Zeon and Mineva decides to study aboard on Earth, paving the way for the Republic of Zeon to make peace with the Earth Federation, and Kamille evades Scirocco's powers, effectively nullifying him becoming a vegetable. This ending displaces the events chronicled in "Mobile Suit Gundam Double Zeta".

Some of the major amendments during the Gryps Conflict in the movie trilogy are the following:

*The Argama bypasses the route to 30 Bunch. Rather than Emma being personally shown the devastation of the colony, Reccoa reveals images of the colony aboard the Argama on video. Also, Lila does not intercept the battleship at Side 1; rather, Kamille engages her during the Jaburo drop operation.
**Likewise, the Argama does not stop at the lunar city of Amman. Their reinforcements are received in Earth satellite orbit directly from Anaheim Electronics, meeting up with the rest of the AEUG fleet, prior to the attack on Jaburo.
*The Audhumla does not make a stop at the Kennedy spaceport, while Four is killed attempting to help Kamille return to space. Rosamia's Gaplant is shot down, but survives her machine's destruction, yet she does not appear again.
*The attack on Mount Kilimanjaro does not occur and Operation Apollo is removed in the movie, along with some minor battles; only the attempted colony drop onto Granada is kept.
*The operation attempting to destroy the Alexandria by range is added after the colony drop, but interrupted due to the involvement of Axis.
*Char's speech at Dakar is removed, along with most of the minor battles during his denouncement of the Titans.
*Bask Om is killed by fellow Titans officer "Yazan Gable" instead of Reccoa, after Scirocco assumes leadership of the Titans, following Jamitov's assassination.
*Axis stops their involvement after the destruction of the Gate of Zedan, while the AEUG test fires the colony laser after seizing it from the Titans.