Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket

[Historical Background] In December of U.C. 0079, the One Year War initiated by the Principality of Zeon has entered its final phase. People have witnessed Zeon's gradual decline and hope for an early peace treaty. However, a stubborn faction within the Zeon military continues to fight against the Earth Federation. At this time, while intensifying their final major offensive, the Earth Federation forces have not neglected research and development in military technology. Due to the outstanding performance of the RX-78 Gundam piloted by the young hero Amuro Ray during the war, the Federation fully recognized the value of Mobile Suits (MS) and the importance of the "Newtype" abilities demonstrated by Amuro. To better combine these two elements, the Federation prototyped a new RX-78 Gundam, the "NT (Newtype)-1 Alex," at their base in the Arctic. Shortly after, on December 21st, the Arctic base was raided by Zeon forces. Fortunately, the NT-1 was not destroyed and was secretly transported under cover to Side 6, a neutral area in space, where it underwent final testing. [Plot Synopsis] Side 6 is immersed in a peaceful atmosphere. Far from the battlefields, almost no combat has occurred here, and there are few Earth Federation troops stationed there. This does not please the boy Al, as he is a military enthusiast who longs to witness intense battle scenes. One day, while chatting with his friends, unrest breaks out in the colony due to a clash between a small Zeon reconnaissance unit and the Federation forces. Soon after, a damaged Zaku (modified) flies over Al and crashes onto a grassy area in the nearby woods. Bernie, a rookie Zeon soldier shot down, trades his rank insignia for Al's camera memory card, which contains footage Al secretly took of MS assembly at a Federation factory. It also includes images of Chris, a red-haired girl who moved next door to Al's family from Earth a few days prior. The intelligence Bernie obtained attracts the attention of the Zeon military, and they immediately form an assault squad tasked with destroying the Gundam. Thus, Bernie's squad sneaks back into Side 6 amidst the chaos of a small-scale skirmish. In the space colony, Bernie meets Al again. Al, whose dream is to become an MS pilot, volunteers to scout the location of the Federation's secret base for the Zeon assault squad and becomes friends with Bernie, the young man assigned to watch him. One day, Bernie encounters Chris under Al's window, adding a touch of romance to his surveillance mission. Meanwhile, in the assault squad's secret warehouse, a new type of MS designed to counter the Gundam--the Kampfer--is being assembled, with plans to complete the destruction of the Alex before Christmas. Once all preparations are finished, the operation to destroy the Gundam begins. The Kampfer, piloted by a veteran Zeon soldier, overwhelms the stationed Federation troops and, coordinating with the assault squad, quickly reaches the secret factory where the Alex is housed. The NT-1 Alex engages hastily but defeats the Kampfer thanks to its superior performance. At this point, the Zeon assault squad's operation fails, and every member except Bernie is killed in action. After the failure of the assault squad's operation, Bernie, the sole survivor, receives orders to evacuate Side 6 immediately. Since the Zeon military has no chance to organize another force to destroy the Gundam, they plan to use a nuclear bomb to obliterate the entire space colony before Christmas Eve. Upon learning this, Bernie asks Al to notify his family and Chris to leave the colony as soon as possible, but Al opposes this. Al hopes that Bernie, whom he regards as an excellent pilot, can defeat the Alex and save the colony's fate. Consequently, Bernie is forced to leave alone. The police do not believe Al's warnings and ignore them. Simultaneously, the Zeon attack ship carrying the nuclear warhead has departed from the mothership. Facing despair regarding both his friend and his family, Bernie hesitates at the airport. Ultimately, he decides to issue a final challenge to the Alex for the sake of Al, his beloved Chris, and the people of the colony. With Al's assistance, he repairs the Zaku that was shot down during the initial raid on Side 6 and attacks the NT-1 using its only weapon, the energy axe. Meanwhile, Al learns from his father that the Zeon military will sign an armistice agreement in a few days. He runs frantically toward the place where Bernie is fighting, but before him lies the shattered NT-1, its beam saber having pierced through the Zaku's cockpit. Furthermore, the sight of the beautiful red hair of the Federation pilot rescued from the NT-1's cockpit leaves Al stunned...