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

Chapter 69: Enemy mobile suits descend at three o'clock!

The 130th Armored Training Regiment boarded four Columbus-class transport ships, set sail from side 7, passed through Luna II, and then the Earth. It traveled around half of the Earth before arriving at side 6 Leyva.

Under the escort of the Salamis-class cruisers, the Federation Fleet had previously had an unimpeded journey. However, after entering the Side 6 space domain, the fleet's forward speed immediately dropped.

This is not because the fleet has to be wary of ambushes or something. In fact, the observation equipment of the Federation Fleet is not just for show. If there is no disgusting interference, the early warning range is terrifyingly large. If an enemy wants to launch a sneak attack, unless he can be completely invisible, he will be captured by the warship's radar.

The fleet slowed down mainly because a large number of civilian ships blocked the waterway in the Side 6 space domain.

These spaceships were packed with people fleeing from the colonial satellites. Although the battle that broke out in Side 6 was not very long-lasting, its cruelty was unimaginable. Even though the Zeon Training Brigade deliberately controlled the intensity of the firefight, tens of thousands of people were still affected by their guns.

In particular, many people were attacked even after they boarded the evacuation vehicles provided by the security forces. Under the terrible firepower of the Zaku, almost no one was left with a complete body.

The cities that had taken countless efforts to build were also burned in the artillery fire. Even the skylights of some colonial satellites, which were the cantilevered areas that were not habitable, were hit by shrapnel and became damaged and leaked.

Faced with such a horrific scene, how could the colonists not flee?

The population of the Side 6 Leah colony and the Side 3 Zeon colony is also very different. Under the wise leadership of its leader Gihren, the population of Zeon dropped from 6 billion in the early days of the country to million, while the population of Side increased from more than million to more than billion. Even if only one-tenth of these people fled, it would still be a terrifying number.

Now, the neighboring side, the colonial commune, and even the Federation Space Force have sent transport ships to evacuate the colonists as much as possible, but it is still a drop in the bucket. The docks are crowded with residents who want to escape. Any ship entering the port will immediately be crowded with panicked people. Violent conflicts are common even for a position.

The worst part is that the Zeon Volunteer Army, an independent organization organized by Rank, is still roaming in the outer space. These highly skilled Zeon pilots will treat these civilian ships that are not protected by federal warships as simulated attack targets, constantly flying over them to simulate the attack process, and even deliberately get close to them to intimidate them with weapons.

The Zeon people also know how to pick on the weak. They will never approach when the Federation warships appear, but will only follow them from a distance. Once the Federation warships leave, these guys will come again like hungry wolves eating carrion.

"What the hell do these damn guys want to do? They can't even attack the colony satellite!"

Many of the pilots looking out the portholes were from colony satellites, and looking at the line of refugee ships outside, they couldn't help but feel the same.

"How long will it take us to enter the port?"

In the bridge of the Columbus-class transport ship, Colonel Carter sat in the empty seat to the left of the captain, also looking at the civilian ships on the right side of the fleet.

"The port in the capital of Leah is currently overloaded. We'll need at least another hour!"

Columbus's captain held his head with one hand and said helplessly.

In the current situation, even if there is no traffic jam ahead, they cannot enter the port. Unless it is an independent garrison colony satellite, the spaceports of general colony satellites are dual-use military and civilian, and the berths are limited. If the Columbus-class stops, the evacuation will definitely be interrupted. The captain couldn't help but feel a chill on his scalp when he thought of the dark crowds of people at the dock.

While the two were looking worried, suddenly, a ball of fire lit up not far in front of them.

"explode?"

"What happened!"

"Radar detects high-speed moving target!"

As soon as the two stood up, the radar operator shouted a warning.

"Zoom in the image!"

Then, three high-speed Zaku 1s passed over the wreckage of two civilian transport ships that collided and were still exploding.

"It's the rebel Zeon Volunteer Army!"

These three Zaku 1s that appeared out of nowhere were like hungry lions rushing into a grassland full of herbivores. The transport ships carrying civilians were so panicked that they could not maintain order at all and tried to deviate from their routes to avoid them. In such a chaotic situation, accidents were naturally easy to happen.

So, under the gaze of everyone on the bridge, another ship crashed into a meteorite outside its route. Although it did not explode, the hull was torn apart. Then, the passengers in the cabin flew out of the torn wound like an opened can of sardines and scattered under the starry sky.

"These bastards!"

The captain slammed the console in front of him in anger. Without waiting for him to give any orders, the two Salamis cruisers on escort mission immediately broke away from the fleet and pounced on the Zaku squadron that was flying in a swagger.

It was only then that the Zeon people discovered that there were actually Federation warships in the dense fleet. So, the Zaku team turned around and ran away without any hesitation, and Salamis chased them closely. In a short time, both sides distanced themselves from the route.

"Send out the Manzhu to rescue the survivors!"

A Columbus at the rear of the fleet then opened its huge cargo door and released several aircraft that were shaped like flat boxes but had vertical wings on both sides.

This is a Manzhu-type gunboat equipped by the Federal Army for reconnaissance and patrol. In this case, it can naturally also be used for personnel search and rescue.

While the gunboat was searching for survivors, Columbus's radar again detected several high-speed targets.

"Another Zaku team is approaching!"

"Asshole, you think this is a playground, don't you?"

Columbus's captain pondered for a few seconds and then gave the order.

"Attention, all ships! Deploy into battle formation and intercept them outside their route!"

"Sir, we are a transport ship!"

"Which ship here isn't? At least we still have weapons for self-defense!"

Then, the four Columbus-class ships started their engines, and the thrusters emitted dazzling blue light, pushing the spacecraft out of its route and rushing towards the Zaku that was approaching its route.

"Sound the alarm, prepare for battle, everyone wear space suits!"

"Sentinel system online!"

"Fire when you're in range!"

The bridge, which was originally illuminated by warm lights, changed its cold light to a cold and murderous low-brightness mode in the next second. A huge holographic map projected thumbnail images of the captain's own and the enemy's side under his feet.

All the space officers and soldiers on the ship have changed into hard space suits, which can more effectively resist the damage caused by fragments and shock waves, and maximize the survival probability of officers and soldiers in a vacuum environment.

The 130th Armored Training Regiment they transported only had soft space suits, but it was better to have something to wear than nothing.

"Damn it, these federal dogs are so unlucky! And that damn designer, did they grow up eating pig feed?"

The Zaku 1's detection range was pitifully small, so the Zeon pilots saw the huge Columbus-class and their radars did not respond, which made the pilots unable to help but curse the Zeonic designers.

"Why are the federal troops here? Should we retreat?"

"Why retreat? We are the volunteers of the Rank Republic. This is our territory. There are only four Columbus ships. What are you afraid of? Richard and his men have already lured away the Salamis of the Federal Army. Just wait and see how I play with them!"

Captain Zaku, who was in the lead, said with disdain.

Then he pressed the intercom and began calling for reinforcements from nearby friendly forces.

Soon, two more teams of six Zakus flashed out of the darkness.

Afterwards, the nine Zakus scattered in all directions and once again attacked the civilian ships on the route.

"They're scattered!"

"Asshole! Don't worry about the fuel, use full power and catch as many as you can!"

What made Captain Columbus even more angry was that even if he turned on the engine power at full capacity, he could not disperse those Zakus. The Zakus were like ants and elephants compared to Columbus. The former relied on its own flexibility to send out one Zaku to constantly lure Columbus, while the others continued to wreak havoc on the route in their Zakus. When Columbus changed its target, the bait would fly back in a circle and continue to bully those civilian ships.

This went on and on, and not only the captain, but even Colonel Carter was almost getting feverish.

"Sir, Red Dragon One requests to attack!"

"Why is he causing such trouble? Wait, who are you talking about?"

Carter was about to get angry, but suddenly calmed down.

"Macarius Skrini, Red Dragon One, requesting the Prototype Gundam be dispatched!"

"But they haven't received space combat training yet?"

"No need, I've already driven the prototype Gundam around a few times!" Macharius' words suddenly interrupted the ship's channel.

"Please approve, sir!"

Colonel Carter was immediately troubled, but when he heard the cries and shouts from the civilian ships coming from the public channel, he immediately straightened his military cap.

"Okay, I approve, Krini. If the situation isn't right, withdraw it!"

"understand!"

Without waiting for the call to end, Macharius patted the shoulder of the space soldier next to him. Then, he turned and left the communication terminal, stepped on the railing behind him, and in a state of weightlessness, he floated towards the prototype Gundam on the other side.

At this moment, in a zero-gravity environment, the maintenance team has prepared weapons, ammunition and fuel propellants for the prototype Gundam.

"Red Dragon!"

When Macharius got into the cockpit, the other members of the Red Dragon team immediately cheered for him on the channel.

After hearing the shout, Macharius inserted the start key with one hand, and then saluted the federal army outside before the cockpit door closed.

Then, the Columbus-class ship containing the prototype Gundam stopped moving and opened its cargo hold.

Because there was no ejection device, Macharius had to do the process of leaving the warehouse himself.

He controlled the prototype Gundam and walked to the front and back of the warehouse door, then stopped.

"Macarius Scrinyi, Prototype Gundam, attack!"

The next second, without any hesitation, he controlled the prototype Gundam to take a step forward and leaped into the vast space.

Cold, empty, deep, and dark—this was Macharius's first impression of space.

"This new human's keen senses are sometimes not a good thing!"

Although he said this, his hands did not stop moving at all. After leaving the warehouse, he had adjusted the posture of the machine and started the jet device.

Then, everyone on the bridge saw only a black shadow with a little light flashing past them.

"Let me see, where are you?"

After quickly leaving Columbus's protection range, Macharius immediately held his breath, concentrated his attention, and began to use his perception.

And almost instantly, he saw a flash of light closest to him in his mind.

"I see you!"

The prototype Gundam then opened up to full power, and driven by the jet device, it rushed towards the Zaku 1, which had no idea what it was about to face.

"Haha, this stupid federal pig wants to chase me!"

The pilot of the Zaku 1 was still paying attention to Columbus, who had already turned on the light. He had just turned on the radio and was about to inform his teammates of Columbus's movements when the Zaku's radar scanned a target.

"what is this?"

The Zaku pilot looked at the main display in front of him in confusion. The radar showed that the target was moving towards him at high speed, but he saw nothing.

However, the next second, as if suddenly appearing, a strange mobile suit with black, white and red paint and a V-shaped antenna appeared on his monitor. On the opponent's shield, the golden star and moon logo was particularly conspicuous.

"Federation's mobile warfare..."

Before the pilot could finish his words, he realized that his mobile suit was under attack.

Dozens of 100mm armor-piercing shells silently passed through outer space and hit the Zaku's armor. The ultra-high-tensile steel armor was dented, cracked, and then completely shattered under the impact of the bullets.

The pilot had no time to react. He first heard a dull thud coming from the armor outside the cockpit, and then his eyes went black, completely plunging into endless darkness.

As the prototype Gundam flew across this space, a Zaku with a large hole in its chest cockpit was floating quietly.

"The first one!"

Macharius skillfully controlled the machine to make a sharp turn and then headed towards his next target.

"Strange, why is Ed's signal gone?"

"Yeah, that's weird. Didn't that guy go to sneak away from Columbus? Could he have been killed?"

"Are you kidding me? The Columbus-class can kill our Zaku. You might as well say he was killed by the Space Ghost!"

"Hahahaha, weird, I have something here..."

The Zaku pilots on the route were still laughing and torturing the nerves of the civilian ship helmsmen.

Suddenly, a Zaku pilot on the periphery suddenly raised a question.

"Something is moving fast..."

Before the pilot could finish his words, his machine signal also disappeared on the iff of other Zaku.

"What's going on? Why is Perry gone?"

"Could it be that there really is a female ghost in the universe?"

"Wait, I have a reaction here!"

"What's your reaction? Reply, Dirk. Answer immediately. Everyone, move towards him immediately!"

"There's an enemy, I can't see him, he's too fast...ah!"

Captain Zaku's response was a miserable cry that suddenly stopped on the communication channel.

"What on earth is this? Gather, assemble immediately!"

Captain Zaku felt a chill on his back. In such a short period of time, they had already lost three mobile suits. This was unbelievable!

"My radar responded, I saw the guy behind me, I was bitten, he was too fast, I couldn't hit him, he flew past me!"

"Don't panic, Austin. What is it? What's attacking you? You're a veteran of the teaching brigade!"

"I don't know, the surveillance camera is broken, he's here again, save me..."

"God damn it, what on earth is attacking us!"

The one who responded to the captain's roar was another Zaku squad leader.

"I see it, at three o'clock, an enemy mobile suit is rapidly descending!"

"What? It's a mobile suit?"

At this moment, Captain Zaku finally saw the target of their attack on the main display, an unfamiliar mobile suit.

The one fighting with him was the previous Zaku squad leader. The opponent's Zaku was now madly pouring firepower at the opponent with the 105mm machine gun in his hand, but the latter was shuttling through the barrage with extremely flexible all-directional maneuvers. The barrage fired by the 105 machine gun could not even catch the opponent's shadow.

The mobile suit arrived in front of the Zaku team leader in the blink of an eye. The latter dropped the machine gun that had run out of ammunition, pulled out the thermal axe and tried to fight in close combat, but the mobile suit dodged the Zaku's slash with a nimble move, then flipped its body up and down 180 degrees, turned around like a nimble ballerina, and went behind the Zaku. Then, the machine gun in the opponent's hand lit up several rays of light, and the Zaku lost its response.

At this time, Captain Zaku finally saw the star and moon logo on the opponent's shield.

"What? The Federation's mobile suits are all monsters?"

(End of this chapter)