Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 68: Everyone can change their skin!

"Liya is in danger, rescue her quickly!"

This was the news received by the Federal Parliament when it met early the next morning.

Of course, in reality, this message for help that came across the starry sea was not so brief. The head of the Leah colonial government sent a long and sincere document with earnest words and sincere emotions. The content covered a wide range, from the support of the Federation at the beginning of the establishment of Side6 to the later returns of Side6 to the Federation and its unwavering position.

However, no matter how many words there are, after reading the whole article, it actually means the same thing: considering that I pay so much taxes to the federal government, please give me a hand!
The appearance of Zaku 1 completely exceeded the imagination of the side security forces and even the local federal forces observing the battle. This huge humanoid weapon has unparalleled destructive power and defensive capabilities, and its ultra-high-tensile steel can almost withstand all the heavy firepower at the hands of the security forces.

As for the Queen's anti-tank missile, although it can effectively penetrate the Zaku, due to its wire-guided guidance and the fact that it must be launched from a fixed launcher, it poses no threat to a Zaku that is on guard.

These giants weighing more than 50 tons may look bulky, but with the help of power reactors and advanced computer control systems, they can have reaction speeds beyond ordinary people's imagination. In the low-gravity environment of a colonial satellite, they can even jump several kilometers.

The 105mm machine gun and the thermal axe for close combat can easily destroy all equipment of the security forces, especially the thermal axe, which is made of ceramic polymer compounds. By connecting to the reactor function of the body and heating the axe blade, it can be heated to a temperature high enough to cut through the Luna Titanium Alloy.

The vehicles of the security forces could not even withstand the grenade attacks fired by the 105mm guns, let alone the thermal axes.

However, even though the gap between the enemy and us was so huge, the soldiers of the Leah Security Force still resisted to the best of their ability. Some of these resistances were not even led by officers, but were carried out spontaneously by the dispersed Security Force soldiers.

On Satellite No. 22, a Security Force anti-tank team hid in a ruined building after all their friendly forces were wiped out. They then fired a Queen anti-tank missile at a Zaku 1 that was facing away from them. The wire-controlled missile successfully hit the Zaku's leg, tearing a huge hole in one of its mechanical legs, causing the Zaku 1 to lose balance and fall to the ground.

But then, this group was chopped into molten iron by another Zaku with a heat axe, along with the people and the building.

On Satellite No. 31, when the Security Forces faced the Zaku 1, which left them helpless, they came up with the idea of ​​evacuating civilians, then blowing up the building and using the weight of the building to attack the Zaku.

And they actually succeeded. A Zaku was hit directly by the exploding building as it passed by.

But the security forces' good luck ended there. After the seven or eight-story building collapsed, it did not crush the Zaku as the soldiers had expected. Instead, it was caught steadily by the other side and then pushed to another direction.

These are the most effective counterattacks that the security forces can make. On more satellites, the defenders are simply unable to stop Zeon's Zaku Battalion. Any counterattack is futile, and any defense is wishful thinking.

In less than two days, one-third of the satellites that were originally in the hands of the colonial government were reduced to only three. Moreover, these three satellites were not captured because the Zeon Zaku troops did not want to attack, but because the three satellites were stationed with the Federation Army troops of Side 6, so the Zeon mobile suits gave up the attack.

However, they did not retreat. Instead, they stayed outside the alert range of the Federation Space Fleet and continued to carry out various provocative demonstrations.

As for the remaining one-third of colonial satellites that were in a state of uncertainty, the Rank Independence Organization did not even launch an attack. Instead, it kept broadcasting live videos of Zaku's conquests on the satellite's internal TV channels, which made them lower the federal flag and replace it with the flag of the independent Rank Republic.

Now, Leah's colonial government can even be said to be crumbling. Even the colonial governor has been moving his own property onto the transport ship. He no longer has any hope of defending Side 6. Even if he did, he has no way to implement it.

Because the security force, which had a strength of tens of thousands, was already in name only, all the commanding personnel including the supreme commander had been killed in battle. They did not even have the chance to surrender. The entire command center was sent into the sky by Zaku with a 280mm rocket.

As for the grassroots troops, except for the last government guard force of less than two companies, most of the other personnel were wiped out, and there were only a few prisoners.

In fact, the security of the remaining three colonial satellites has now been taken over by the federal garrison. There is no other way. The fleeing crowds have blocked the city's roads, and tickets to the spaceport are hard to come by. In order to get a ticket to escape, local residents will even sell everything. In such extreme panic, only the federal garrison can control the current situation.

However, even with side6 reaching this point, the federal parliament still cannot reach a consensus on the issue of intervention.

"The current situation on Side 6 is beyond redemption. It's too late for us to intervene. If we deploy the fleet, military spending will exceed the budget!"

"And the Rank Republic has already stated that even if they become independent, they will not join the Zeon camp. Instead, they will return to the Federation as a member republic!"

"Yes, if the space fleet is dispatched, it will cause public opposition in the space colonies. We have already created panic, there is no need to do it again!"

Looking at the group of insects sitting below, the Speaker had the urge to hit someone for the first time. Yes, it is none of his business and he can just stay out of it. The independence of the space colony has nothing to do with them, but his position as Speaker does not allow him to do that.

"Mr. Rebir, don't we have any other options?"

After the meeting, at an internal meeting, the Speaker grabbed his few remaining hairs and looked at the commander of the space army behind the screen with an almost earnest look.

"Well, if the parliament can't pass it, there's really no good idea. In fact, I've already read the report. Judging from the combat effectiveness of the Zeon Volunteer Army currently deployed by the Ranke rebels, the army scale we need to deploy is much larger than before!"

"Then we can only watch Leah become independent?"

"Um, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Commander, I have an immature idea!"

A middle-aged man sitting in the back row of the meeting suddenly stood up.

"First Secretary Humphrey, it's not your turn to speak here! Sit down!"

"I'm sorry, Minister!"

"No, wait a minute, I want to hear your thoughts!"

"As you command, Your Excellency!"

The first secretary named Humphrey stood up again and spoke quickly.

"What if we follow the example of the Zeon and send out a volunteer force?"

"Secretary Humphrey, you have to understand that volunteer troops cannot be sent!"

"Yes, sir, it's my fault. What if there are Federation soldiers who volunteer to bring their equipment to the Leah Colony and participate in the war?"

"That way, they don't need parliamentary approval. However, military equipment is federal property. If they do that, it would be tantamount to rebellion!"

"Yes, in that case, the Minister of Military Affairs will be held responsible for this!"

"So, what about the Minister of War?"

"I'm sorry, sir, the Minister is not feeling well and is unable to attend the meeting today!"

The Deputy Minister sitting in the position of Minister of Military Affairs answered very humbly.

"Then it seems our Minister agrees!"

"It seems so, sir!" At this moment, the staff from other positions who came to participate in the meeting realized that the old fox, the Speaker, had already come up with a plan with Rebil and the Deputy Minister of Military and Political Affairs and others early on, and even the secretary might have arranged it.

The only person sacrificed in this little political negotiation was the old man who was actually wielding great power on the golf course!
"So, General Rebill, which units of our federal army are willing to volunteer?"

"Mr. Speaker, the 130th Armored Training Regiment has volunteered to go. This is a newly formed unit, also equipped with the Federation Army's new mobile suits!"

The so-called 130th Armored Training Regiment was actually the test pilot unit of the experimental base where Macharius was located. This designation was even temporarily awarded by Rebil before the meeting began.

The moment the meeting ended, the adjutant who had been waiting beside Rebill issued the order to Colonel Carter at the test base.

Then, a shrill battle alarm sounded over the test base, which was still at night.

"Emergency assembly, emergency assembly!"

The sound of rapid whistles mixed with the shouts of officers on night duty echoed between the dormitory buildings, and then, in the darkness, the sound of rapid movement began.

Less than three minutes later, footsteps could be heard in the dark corridor. Then, the test pilots in their pilot uniforms and the federal infantry in their combat gear rushed out of the building.

"All troops, board the vehicles immediately! Destination: Spaceport!"

"What's going on? Who are we going to war with?"

Looking at the boxes of live ammunition being loaded into the car, an officer whose body had recovered but whose mind was still confused asked.

"I don't know, but we'll know once we get on board!"

Someone answered quickly, and at the same time as he was answering, a fleet of flatbed trucks carrying mobile suits were already running at full speed and overtaking the convoy of transporters.

"We're going to Side 6?"

"how do you know?"

Colonel Carter, sitting in the command vehicle, stared in amazement at Macharius, who was holding his helmet and sipping iced coffee.

Behind them is the trailer transporting the prototype Gundam. As the most powerful mobile suit of the Federation Army, the prototype Gundam is an indispensable combat force, so Colonel Carter is very fond of Macharius, the only one who can skillfully control this big guy.

"Don't underestimate my intelligence network, Colonel!"

After finishing the drink in the cup, Macharius threw the garbage out of the car window, and then poured the disposable cup accurately into the trash can on the side of the road.

"I've been keeping an eye on the situation there!"

"What kind of monsters are the young people nowadays!"

Colonel Carter nodded immediately.

"Yes, we have obtained a new official designation as the 130th Volunteer Armored Training Regiment and are heading to Side 6 to support the local security forces!"

"Well, it seems that the old man is not senile after all!"

"What do you mean?"

"What they mean is that they know they're going to interrupt the Zeon's attempts. If they keep giving in, those guys might dare to instigate colonial independence today, and they might dare to drop asteroids on Earth the day after tomorrow!"

"But the opponent we are facing is the Zeon mobile suit!"

Colonel Carter glanced at the endless convoy behind him.

"Although our army is no different from the enemy in terms of numbers, but..."

"It's nothing, but, Colonel, you have to have confidence in your troops. This battle between mobile suits is the first time for both sides, so we all have the same starting point!"

Looking at Macharius's calm expression, Colonel Carter smiled bitterly again. He was actually not as calm as a young man.

"Are you sure, then?"

As soon as the colonel asked the question, he felt a little regretful, wondering if it was inappropriate to ask like this, but then Macharius answered nonchalantly.

"My future is still very long!"

While the two were talking, they had already passed through the sleeping city and arrived at the spaceport which had been under martial law. A number of Columbus-class transport ships were already waiting at the port.

As the person in charge of the RX project, Dr. Timley was also on site directing the operation of loading the mobile suits.

"Crini, the learning computer depends on you!"

"no problem!"

Macharius nodded, then followed the Prototype Gundam's maintenance team onto the Columbus-class transport ship in front of them.

He was joined on board by other members of the Red Dragon Team. Although they did not have mobile suits to drive, they did have the Type 74 air-cushion reconnaissance vehicle assigned to the prototype Gundam.

After checking his own mobile suit, Macharius immediately summoned all the pilots of the Federation mobile suits to gather in the hangar on the communication channel.

"Listen carefully, we are facing the Zeon MS05 mobile suit, codenamed Zaku, and its weapons and equipment..."

Honestly, Macharius hadn't expected their first actual combat to come so soon. He could only give the other pilots a make-up lesson from his unfinished book, "Attention, Mobile Suit!" While this didn't improve their skills, it did give them a better understanding of the enemy they were about to face.

In this way, the pilots would have a greater chance of survival during battle. After all, in terms of strength, ordinary Federation pilots were not as good as the well-trained Zeon Training Squadron.

"Everyone, I know this is your first real combat experience, and everyone is unsure. But I want to tell you that the Zeon people are the same. So, don't panic. Remember the training principles, trust your teammates, work closely together, fight together, and then, return safely!"

(End of this chapter)