Yes, it's the original Epyon. Kathy's role seems to basically be the audience's shoes and/or Captain Exposition :P
Also, Epyon was stated as being piloted by a "Zechs Merquise", the leader of the Lanagrin revolution. We don't know, of course, if it's the real Zechs or what.
Art from Chapter Nine is up:
http://gundam.wikia.com/index.php?ti...icture_Gallery
Kathy and Father, Heero and Jr., Epyon and Epyon-II, and Relena being all speechy to Heero. Cover is series!Duo and Wufei, like the Trowa and Quatre cover before.
Speaking of Kathy, the more I look at art of her... she sure LOOKS like her mother, but she's probably the
least cloney of all the kids, if you ask me.
PS: In case you miss it in the new uploads, the 'story so far' bit here features full color versions of previous b+w chapter illustrations:
http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__...7b034a7db5.jpg