Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury - PROLOGUE

Deep within the asteroid-based frontier settlement of Fólkvangr, the Vanadis Institute is conducting critical operational trials on a revolutionary mobile suit known as the Gundam Lfrith. Inside the institute's specialized laboratory, test pilot Elnora Samaya pushes the experimental machine to its limits, working tirelessly to prove its capabilities. Despite her relentless efforts, the Lfrith continues to fall short of the strict performance conditions mandated by the governing council, leaving the ambitious pilot increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress. As the demanding testing cycle drags on without yielding the necessary results, Elnora finds herself torn between her professional obligations and her personal life. Her mounting impatience reflects the immense pressure placed upon both the pilot and the project itself, with the council's expectations looming large over every trial run. The stakes are high, and failure to meet the required benchmarks threatens to derail the entire development program at the remote facility. Yet, amid the sterile environment of the laboratory and the weight of these institutional demands, a deeply personal milestone passes almost unnoticed. On this very same day, Elnora’s young daughter is celebrating her fourth birthday, serving as a poignant reminder of the human connections that exist just beyond the cold confines of the research station.