Here is a comedic scene in bad taste about how the pilots try to cope with the stress of yet another horrible fight ahead, and a fight against time too at that. Not everyone can be a hero.
The launch scene in this one is directly inspirated by the scene in Gundam Seed, Phase 46 (or was it 47?) where the good guys all launch in turn with suitably heroic music in the background. I absolutely love that scene as a set-up for the final battle and wanted to recreate it. I guess it doesn’t work as well on paper. Here it is regardless:An Enforcer is set in its struts, with the armor casing on its right shoulder open.]
Jerry: You better make sure that arm joint holds, you got me?!
Mechanic: Sir, it will hold. I will bet my life on it.
Jerry: Funny you should say that because it is not really you who is betting their life on it, is it?
Mechanic: I’ve opened the joint twice now sir, and there is nothing there. I am needed elsewhere…
[Annoyed, Jerry pulls on the controls, lifting the right arm of his Hawk Enforcer and nearly dislodging the gantry next to it. The mechanic holds onto the railing for dear life, screaming.]
Jerry: [on the loudspeaker] When I raise the arm over shoulder height, there is a distinct tug on the controls. The bearing of the joint does not move smoothly, which means it might get stuck.
Mechanic: Sweet Jesus, alright, I will take it apart again!
Woman: Stop molesting the crew and making a scene!
[Jerry moves his camera to pinpoint Ash, standing in front of his unit with her hands on her hips. He gets out of his seat and moves to his hatch.]
Jerry: I’m not gonna face the backpacked bastard who killed Fu, Kai and Elthmann one-armed!
Ash: [waves her finger] Fighting for vengeance will only get your hot head blown clear off. We need to work as a team, like we did against the red one.
Jerry: [grumbles] Thanks for the lecture. Now climb into your unit or keep it up and I might smack you one.
Ash: [incredulous] You would hit a woman?
Jerry: Hey, when you’re in a mobile suit it’s pretty pointless how you pee. As long as you don’t have flowing hair and boobs slapped onto that thing, I reserve the right for an educational backhand!
Ash: You goddamn Neanderthal!
Jerry: Making up fancy words won’t help you win this argument!
[Behind them Kurogawa is burying his face in his palms. The Orb pilots are eyeing the spirited, half-joking exchange with amusement whereas the UPA pilots wish they had been accommodated on the ZAFT ships.]
Orb pilot: Hey, come on, just kiss and make up, will ya?
[Kurogawa steps in, voice is filled with authority.]
Kurogawa: Shut up, the lot of you! If you have to be witty, keep it down. We’re going to a battle people, and I realize you feel like letting out a little steam beforehand, but get serious! Get professional! If you can’t do that, I don’t have any problems with making you sit this one out!
[Kurogawa gives a stern glare at Jerry and Ash both, both of whom feel like the usually friendly family dog has just bitten them. But the order works, at least for a second.]
Orb pilot: Excuse me, did you just say that if I shout and dance about, I won’t have to go out to get shot at?
[The hopeful gleam in the man’s eyes makes Kurogawa hesitate.]
Kurogawa: Errr…
Orb pilot: I do a fantastic ‘Lord of the Dance’.
Kurogawa: I will ground all pilots of they don’t behave. Except you. You’re going out no matter what.
Orb pilot: [disappointed] Aaaaw. [pause, quietly] Racist.
Lacus: Commander Waldfeld, you can launch now. Good luck.
Waldfeld: Andrew Waldfeld, Gaia, heading out!
[The Gaia flies out of the catapult, its red colors making it easy to spot. The launching sequence has begun and the camera moves next to the Valkyrie: The Enforcers take off.]
Kurogawa: Hawk Enforcer, Kurogawa-unit, taking off!
Miriallia: Kurogawa-unit, please launch!
[Kurogawa is pushed against his seat as his Enforcer is propelled out. Ash’s Enforcer is next.]
Ash: Hawk Enforcer, Imiz-unit, let’s go!
Miriallia: Imiz-unit, please launch!
[Ash flies out like Kurogawa, and takes up formation next to him. Jerry is next.]
Jerry: [bored] Can I go now?
[Miriallia stammers a little, then speaks quietly and a little resentfully.]
Miriallia: Saber-unit, please launch.
Jerry: [cowboy-style] Yeeeeeee-haaaaaw!
[The hangar is now clear, only the Final Justice remains. Athrun takes the elevator up with Cagalli and pauses at the cockpit and gives Cagalli a little kiss, and then pushes himself inside and closes the hatch. Blushing, Cagalli does not realize immediately that there is no mobile suit left for her. The Justice moves to the launcher.]
Cagalli: Hey! HEY! You asshole!
Athrun: [on the loudspeakers] I only promised to take you with me, but I never promised a mobile suit. You wrecked yours in Orb.
Cagalli: You blue-haired bastard, open the hatch if you dare! I thought you shared in a relationship!
Athrun: Go ahead and ask Kira if he lets Lacus roll around in the Freedom.