Happy Birthday, Ash! (Episode)

Summary
Ash Kennedy has fully recovered from his exhaustion from the previous chapter, he takes his time to see what he has planned for today. What he learns is that his birthday is tomorrow, and that he should get ready for such a day. His name was later called because it's time for breakfast.

During breakfast, Ash sees Saji and Shane arguing over who should pilot the RY-175 Guncannon Mark II. Ash tells the two to calm down because tomorrow is a special day for him, and he doesn't want them to ruin it. They understand what he told them, and he serves breakfast for the two. He calls Elizabeth's and Louise's names to inform them that it is breakfast time.

After breakfast, Ash talks to Elizabeth about planning a special party for him tomorrow. Elizabeth hugs him and tells him Happy Birthday, although it was a day early. Ash thanks her, and talks to his squadmates about planning the party for him. The alarm starts to ring, and everyone goes to combat.

Ash gets Louise and Saji special versions of the ASO and Peace Gundams, both are cloned from the original versions that he and his sister pilot. They also have different paintjobs to match their gender, as well as the same abilities that the original versions have. All of Task Squad 496 go to combat.

Jack orders everyone including himself to destroy the Damacus Xroswave. Ash and Elizabeth ordered everyone to take their position, and wait for the right moment to attack. Jack likes their strategy, and takes it as an advantage. Ash will destroy the main camera, Elizabeth will take care of the left arm, Saji will take care of the left leg, Louise destroyed the right leg, Serena and Jack aim to destroy the core engine, John, Sean, Shane will aim to destroy the cockpit.

During the battle, the pilot of the Xroswave is revealed to be Gerald Starstorm, taking this as an opportunity to avenge his dead brother.