#side 5

The former Principality's Delaz Fleet relocates to the massive shoal zone created by the ruins of Side 5, where the high concentration of wreckage will shield them from detection by the EFSF.

White Base investigates the presence of a Zeon ship at the long-abandoned Side 5 colony, Texas.

The ship in question belongs to the 300th Autonomous Squadron. When Char is informed that an enemy vessel has arrived at the other end of the colony, he deploys in his Gelgoog for the first time, to delay the Federation forces as his Zanzibar prepares to launch.

Meanwhile, Amuro enters Texas in the Gundam, and begins setting off traps left by the Zeon forces, making him easy for Char to spot. They duel until severe damage to the colony separates them.

White Base lands inside the colony, sending out search parties looking for the Amuro. Sayla crosses paths with her brother Char, and they discuss their shared past, which Bright overhears on Sayla's communications channel. Char and Sayla part ways, and by the time the Gundam returns to White Base, the Zanzibar has escaped.

Armed with the RX-79BD-3 Blue Destiny Unit 3, the "Guinea Pig Team" pursues Nimbus Schterzen to Side 5. Yuu Kajima confronts Schterzen, and in the ensuing duel they destroy each other’s mobile suits once again. Schterzen is killed, but Kajima survives, drifting through space until he is recovered by his teammates.

The Battle of Loum begins at Side 5. This is the first major engagement of the One Year War, with the Federation Forces attempting to prevent a second colony drop after Operation British.

During the battle, Lieutenant Char Aznable earns distinction as “the Red Comet” by singlehandedly destroying five EFSF warships in quick succession using his signature Zaku.

The Battle of Loum ends in defeat for the Federation.

Vice Admiral Revil, commander of the EFSF, is captured by Zeon's Black Tri-Stars shortly after they sink his flagship, Ananke.

Although the Principality is prevented from performing another colony drop, Side 5 is completely destroyed over the course of the fighting, resulting in an additional 2 billion civilian casualties.