La Vie en Rose (Gundam)

"La Vie en Rose"
Fast Facts
Ship Type	Space Dock Ship/Testing Platform
Operator:	Anaheim Electronics
Launched:	Universal Century 00??
General Characteristics
Length:	618 meters
Weight:	98,935 metric tons
Armament:	none
Mobile Suit Complement:	none
Mobile Suit Contingent:	RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" x1

The mobile docking ship "La Vie en Rose" is a fictional spaceship seen in the anime series . The floating dock ship is the primary home of the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis" and serves both as a heavy repair facility and testing platform for Anaheim Electronics. The name "La Vie en Rose" reportedly comes from the way the ship opens up to dock with ships. Extended out, the ship looks like a rose in bloom.

In the Gundam universe

The "La Vie en Rose" is one of 3 main facilities owned by Anaheim Electronics used to produce and repair Mobile Suits and service the larger space warships of the Earth Federal Space Force. The facility is unique due to its ability to dock with ships via 4 arms, which clamp down on the ship while docking, and extend out when not docked with a ship.

Universal Century 0083

The most critical role played by "La Vie en Rose" happens in UC 0083, after Anavel Gato uses the stolen RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" nuclear warhead against the Earth Federation's Naval Review at Konpei Island, destroying and crippling roughly 2/3rds of the Earth Federation's fleet. After losing the RX-78GP01Fb Gundam Full Vernian "Zephyranthes" in a battle with the RX-78GP02A Gundam "Physalis" after the tactical nuclear strike, the "Albion" goes to the La Vie en Rose. Upon docking with the ship, it is revealed that Admiral Kowen is no longer head of the Gundam Project, and the Federation liaison officer overseeing its development restricts the movements of the Albion Crew, allowing only Nina Purpleton, Ensign Kou Uraki, and Captain Eiphar Synapse access to the La Vie en Rose. He also prevents the Albion from acquiring the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis", citing the current situation with the Delaz Fleet's Operation Stardust. (Another possible reason is that since Anaheim Electronics acquired the Zeonic company that made Mobile Suits for Zeon after the One Year War, some of its workforce are Zeon sympathizers.)

On the "La Vie en Rose", the "Albion" crew meets Lucette Audevie, the chief engineer of the RX-78GP03 Gundam "Dendrobium Orchis". Lucette knows a lot about Nina, and reveals some of that info to Kou during his time trying to get familiar on the GP03. This puts an even greater rift between Kou and Nina.

Tragically, Lucette is killed by the EF Liaison officer after trying to help Kou "steal" the GP03 after it is revealed that Haman Karn-led Neo Zeon has given the AMA-002 Neue Ziel Mobile Armor to the Delaz Fleet and that Delaz plans to send a former space colony crashing into earth. After the "Albion" crew neutralizes the EF Space Stronghold Defense Unit on the "La Vie en Rose", Kou commandeers the GP03 and goes out to find the Delaz Fleet and the AMA-002 Neue Ziel.

Zeta Gundam and ZZ Gundam

Due to Anaheim Electronics' profit-oriented mindset and the trade restrictions imposed on it by the Titans during the events of Zeta Gundam, Anaheim was instrumental in helping the AEUG in its fight with the Titans by helping AEUG members hide out in various Anaheim facilities, including the "La Vie en Rose".

In Gundam ZZ, the acting captain of the "La Vie en Rose", Emary Ounce, uses the ship to help house the remaining members of the AEUG in their fight against Haman Karns Neo Zeon movement. In addition, she flirts with Bright Noa, who tests his loyalty to Mirai Yashima.

Near the end of Gundam ZZ, the La vie en Rose was heavily damage by the Quin Mantha piloted by Puru Two, who launched a massive funnel attack on ship, killing Emary Ounce in the process. Past the events of Gundam ZZ, it is unknown what becomes of the ship: whether it is decommissioned, still in use, or sold off when Anaheim loses its contracts to the Federation think-tank SNRI (Strategic Naval Research Institute) during the events of Gundam F91. Some gundam related materials suggest that "La vie en Rose" was destroyed during an uprising, but that remains unconfirmed.

References

* Gundam Technical Manuals Volume 3 Stardust Memories (TOKYOPOP) ISBN 1-931514-06-2
* Gundam: The Official Guide (VIZ Media LLC) ISBN 1-56931-739-9
* Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 - Stardust Memory Vol. 4 Episode 11 - La Vie en Rose (Bandai Entertainment 2002) UPC 669198801532