A Decoy in Space

Infobox Gundam Episode (MSG)


Title=A Decoy in Space
episode_no= 31
prod_code=
airdateJ

airdateUS= August 31, 2001
Episode -2=Tragedy in Jaburo
Episode -1=A Wish of War Orphans
Current Episode=A Decoy in Space
Episode +1= Breakthrough
Episode +2= Farewell in Side 6

"A Decoy in Space" is the 31st episode [ [http://www.mahq.net/animation/gundam/series/msgep31.htm "Episode 31: A Decoy In Space,"] Review by Chris, at Mecha Anime HQ] of "Mobile Suit Gundam".

Plot summary

At a secret meeting, senior officers give Bright his orders. They will use "White Base" as a decoy flying in the opposite direction of the Tianem Fleet, headed towards Solomon, Zeon‘s space fortress. One of the generals remembers that Mirai was engaged at one time.

On the drive back to ship, Mirai tells Bright that it was an arranged marriage but ran off to Side 6 when the war started. LTJG Sleggar Law reports to the ship with transfer orders. He soon tries flirting with Sayla and Mirai but they avoid him. "White Base" takes off towards space. Char, inside the "Zanzibar", also takes off towards space.

Once in space, the "White Base" detects the "Zanzibar" trailing behind them. A Zeon officer named Tokwan wants to use the Bigro to attack the Trojan Horse, and launches along with two space-modified Rick Doms. Bright orders Amuro and Sayla to sortie with the G-Sky and G-Bull Easy. Sayla is attacked and grappled by the mobile armor Bigro, which is very maneuverable in space. She hesitates to fire because she believes Char is piloting the mobile armor. She breaks free from its claws but cannot regain control of the G-Easy and is in danger of falling back to Earth. Amuro in the G-Bull attack the Rick Doms.

Bright orders Sleggar to man the main cannon, but he instead wants Bright to turn the ship around. Bright reminds him that he’s the ship’s commander, despite being one rank below Sleggar. Sleggar asks Bright to trust him.

The "Zanzibar" fires, and Char is hoping that Sayla isn’t on the ship anymore. Sleggar cannot fire until the ship turns around, but Bright won’t do that yet. Bright reminds Sleggar he isn’t in command. Kai launches in the Guncannon and says to himself he has to move on after Miharu’s death.

Amuro fires at the Bigro, but Tokwan avoids most of the missiles. Kai shoots at it as well, diverting its attention from Amuro. Amuro contacts Sayla so they can dock and use the Gundam. Amuro helps push Sayla back into space by firing one of the G-Bull’s cannons. Sayla asks Amuro who he thinks is piloting the Bigro but drops the subject. The Gundam is converted, and Sayla converts to the G-Fighter. Char orders the "Zanzibar" to go out at full speed, figuring the "White Base" won’t attack at close range.

Bright turns the ship around allowing Sleggar to use the main cannon. The Zanzibar passes by, and Sleggar’s volley scores a direct hit upon the enemy ship. Elsewhere, Sayla destroys one Rick Dom. Nor far away, the Bigro gets a hold of one of the Gundam’s legs and subjects the mobile suit to G Forces. Tokwan assumes the Gundam pilot is unconscious by now, but instead Amuro fires the Gundam’s beam rifle through the Bigro’s cockpit and destroys it.

After the skirmish, Amuro asks Sayla why she wanted to know who piloted the Bigro but Sayla dismisses the topic. Bright congratulates Sleggar for scoring a direct hit on the "Zanzibar". Sleggar compliments Sayla’s piloting skills and invites her to the showers with him. She (and then Mirai) decline. He instead goes with Amuro, Kai and Hayato.

Mobile suits introduced

*MA-05 Bigro
*MS-09R Rick Dom

Characters introduced

*Sleggar Law
*Tokwan

References