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

Chapter 71: This is how pressure is transferred

When the Columbus transport ship entered the satellite port, at this moment, even the space residents who hated the Federation could not help but applaud and welcome the other party's arrival.

Afterwards, the 130th Armored Training Regiment was officially incorporated into the Rank Security Force, and everyone changed into the dark blue uniforms of the Security Force.

After all, they were federal soldiers who came to Rank voluntarily to help, so naturally they could no longer wear federal army uniforms. Anyway, the Rank Security Army was already defunct in name only, and the military uniforms piled up in the warehouse were just the right thing to do.

It can be said that if the previous battle on the route only made the space residents of Rank feel a little relieved, then the official transfer of the 130th Armored Training Regiment is now a shot in the arm for the turbulent society and the uneasy people, which means that the federal government has not given up on them.

As a result, many satellites that had been wavering before and were forced to take sides due to the powerful military force of the Rank Independence Organization began to waver again, and even the media friends made a 180-degree turn.

A newspaper located in the 35th colony satellite that still publishes paper newspapers had a headline the day before that was "People sincerely welcome the independent organization." But when the 130th Armored Training Regiment arrived, the headline immediately changed to "People angrily denounce the rebel organization and welcome the federal friendly forces with food and drink"!
As for the independent group, who are they? Just a bunch of traitors!

It’s no wonder these people are so realistic. After all, those people in the port still have places to run, but many people on the space satellites have nowhere to go. In order to survive, they can only choose to be fence-sitters.

The flags of the Rank Republic hung outside some buildings also disappeared overnight, replaced by the star and crescent flag of the Federation.

When they first started doing this, the space dwellers were worried that the Republic's Zeon volunteer army would rush out from space at dawn the next day. But the next day, what they saw was the Security Forces' gunboats full of pigs resuming their normal patrols.

As a result, the hearts of these cosmic residents were put at ease.

"Those Zeons can't come!"

In reality, the Zeon couldn't even come! This was naturally thanks to Macharius's wave of slaughter. Zeon had dispatched a battalion of thirty machines to the Ranke Independence Organization, believing that with the Leah Colonial Government's meager forces, a single battalion would be enough to handle it. This was also why those guys dared to harass civilian air routes with impunity. Then, Macharius attacked with a single plane, destroying an entire squadron.

Now, Eric, the commander of the Zeon Volunteer Army, only has 18 intact machines left. Although it seems that the combat capability is still fine, the previous squadron died too quickly, and the Zeon side has no information. He even learned about the annihilation of his troops only after watching TV.

Lieutenant Colonel Eric was so angry that he really wanted to take his men with him to get back at the enemy, but before he boarded his gray Zaku, he watched the brief video of the Federation Army destroying the Zaku.

This was taken by a civilian on a civilian ship. It is not clear and only captures the last bit of the scene. However, just watching his men being kicked to death by the other side with three kicks, the lieutenant colonel's anger was suppressed.

"Sir? Aren't we going to avenge our brothers?"

"Hold it all in!"

Lieutenant Colonel Eric slowly took off his helmet and walked out of the cockpit.

"The Federation Army's intelligence is unclear. A rash attack could result in even greater losses!"

"Then I'll take a small team to explore..."

"What are you testing? Did you see how that guy crushed your squadron leader to death? Do you think you can beat him?"

Eric glanced coldly at the Zeon pilots gathered around him, then continued.

"I'm not even sure I can handle him. Do you think you can beat me?"

The Zeon pilots were instantly dejected. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Mansfield, nicknamed the Griffin, was able to become a colonel at such a young age and command an independent mobile suit unit. Of course, it was not because of his outstanding appearance. His appearance was just the reason why he was appreciated by Gihren. His strength was also well-known within Zeon.

If there were a ranking list, his driving skills would be ranked third on the list. But now, he said that he couldn't beat him, so other Zeon pilots were naturally no match for him.

"Everyone, be alert! First, all squadrons must be on duty 24/7 to secure the spaceport. No unauthorized attacks are allowed. Anyone who disobeys orders will be prepared to have their entire family sent to the decompression chamber!"

The lieutenant colonel then walked quickly towards his command post. Before he reached the door, he saw a group of people gathered in front of the sentry, talking about something anxiously.

The lieutenant colonel looked over and found that the person who came was an old acquaintance, Mr. Mark, the first president of the Rank Republic. The other party was eager to see Eric, but the sentry ignored him at all. The anxious president could only jump outside the cordon.

"Hey, Lieutenant Colonel Eric, you're finally here!"

When he saw Eric coming from the hangar, President Mark rushed over and grabbed Eric's hand tightly.

"Mr. Lieutenant Colonel, I heard that your army suffered a tragic defeat. This must be false, right?"

"Mr. President, there's no need to test anything. Yes, our army did encounter some minor setbacks, but they're nothing. My people will ensure that the Republic's regime remains unshaken!"

"Oh, Lieutenant Colonel, what are you talking about? We are your close partners forever. We are also very sad about the loss of our friendly forces. So, if you need any help from us, please don't hesitate!"

Mark looked at Eric who looked calm, but he could hardly hold back his laughter in his heart. His organization had many sources of intelligence, so he naturally knew the specific losses of the Zeon people. Now seeing Eric holding on in front of him, he felt so sour.

Eric was also a smart man. Looking at Mark's eyes, he knew that the other party was definitely not holding it back, so after a few polite words, he turned and left, walked into the command center, and prepared to report the situation to the homeland.

"Nine units lost?"

"Yes, Your Excellency the Commodore!"

"The Federation Army's machines are so powerful? Are you sure it was a single machine that did it?"

"Well, because there is not much information, I don't know for sure!"

"What should I do, Lieutenant Colonel?"

Kycilia's confidant, Brigadier General Ma Kebei, the current director of the Zeon Operations Intelligence Bureau, sat in his office chair, his chin supported by his right hand, his left hand constantly stroking a white porcelain bottle in his arms, and he looked casually at Eric on the other side of the screen.

Lieutenant Colonel Eric said nothing, just stood at attention.

After a long silence, the Brigadier General spoke again. "I'll send you another battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Brenif Oggs. That way, there won't be any problems, right?"

"Thank you, sir!"

Eric shuddered when he heard that, then he raised his arm excitedly and saluted the brigadier general.

"Don't be so quick to thank me, Lieutenant Colonel. I only approved this out of Lady Kycilia's favor. Otherwise, based on the loss of nine machines, you should have been assigned to the Living Dead Division!"

"Yes, subordinate, I understand!"

Eric lowered his head again.

He knew that Markbay was pointing fingers at him. As an old man in the teaching brigade, he knew that many of his colleagues were secretly standing on Kycilia Zabi's side, but it was Kilian Zabi who promoted him, so he had never made his position clear. But now, Markbay, as Kycilia's confidant, was obviously very dissatisfied with his unclear position.

Therefore, the other party is forcing him to choose whether to stand on Kycilia's side or on Kihlen's side.

"I chose to come to Rank because I don't want to get involved in these politics!"

The lieutenant colonel sighed helplessly in his heart.

"Then I will send you the intelligence on the federal army as soon as possible!"

"I am deeply grateful!"

After the communication ended, Eric wiped the cold sweat from his head and let out a long sigh. He had been prepared to be scolded, but Mark Bay said nothing and even took the initiative to send him reinforcements. But now it seems that it would be better for him to be scolded. At least in this way, he can avoid being involved in the bottomless political vortex in the country.

Thinking of this, Lieutenant Colonel Eric couldn't help but talk about Brenif Oggs mentioned by Markbay. This old man was also from the teaching brigade. Judging from the combat level of mobile suits, the other party could be said to be the well-deserved number one in Zeon, and he was also very sincere and friendly in his dealings with others. But now, Markbay asked him to help himself.

Did the other party choose to join Kycilia's camp?

Lieutenant Colonel Eric felt that he was under tremendous pressure, and even wanted to get drunk, but now was not the time to drink. No matter how much pressure he was under, he could only change into his pilot uniform and stay in the hangar at all times to guard against possible attacks by the federal army.

In Zeon, although he acted nonchalant in front of Eric, Markbay knew that the Federation's interference in Rank's internal affairs was a very bad signal for Zeon.

Therefore, he immediately reported this information to his immediate superior, Kycilia Zabi!
"You mean, some Federation troops arrived at Side 6 under the guise of volunteers and wiped out one of our Zaku squadrons?"

"Yes, my lord!"

The brigadier general who looked so arrogant outside now seemed like a fawning little eunuch in the palace. In front of Kycilia, he didn't even dare to raise his head and kept looking at the ground.

"This is really good news!"

I don't know if Mark Bay was deliberately imitating his master, because at this moment, Kycilia was also sitting in her comfortable office chair with a lazy posture, and she even held a snow-white Persian cat with heterochromatic pupils in her arms.

Moreover, even in her office, Kycilia still wore her mask that covered half of her face.

"Good news, my lord, this is not good news!"

"Yeah, it's not good news for my brother, but isn't it good news for us?"

"Yes, I am stupid, sir!"

Mark Bay suddenly realized that it was Kihlen's decision to interfere with side6. If it succeeded, the credit would naturally be attributed to Kihlen, but if it failed, the responsibility would also be Kihlen's!

Kilian's failure is good news for the Kisilia faction!
"But I've already dispatched a new brigade to reinforce side 6!"

"It doesn't matter. Now that the federal army has intervened in Rank, the situation is no longer something that can be handled by a single battalion. You don't need to worry about what happens next. Just report directly to my good brother and let him make the decision!"

"I understand. Then should we do something else, like cut off the logistics to the Side 6 Volunteer Corps..."

"No, don't do these unnecessary things. If Kilian wants you to send reinforcements, then go ahead and send them. But all the people you send must be replaced by the Royal Guards!"

"understand!"

"By the way, your most important task right now is to get intel on the Federation's mobile suits. I don't care what means you use, but the more detailed the better. If possible, even getting the mobile suits yourself is fine!"

As the only woman in the Zabi family who aspires to a high position, Kycilia, like her brother, attaches great importance to the development and application of new military technologies, especially new technological weapons such as mobile suits. The establishment of Zeon's training brigade is the result of her consultation with Dozle.

While Dozle was still struggling with the development of new weapons, she had already organically combined the tactical research of mobile suits with the exploration of the potential of pilots.

Therefore, Kycilia attaches great importance to the Federation's mobile suit intelligence!
In particular, her intelligence personnel within the Federation were not aware of this news from the Federal Army, which means that the confidentiality of this plan is also very high within the Federation, and it may even be privately promoted by a certain faction of federal military officials.

This is very important. After all, mobile suits are new weapons. Therefore, the army's acceptance of this weapon will affect future tactical concepts and even military construction policies.

Just like the competition between the aircraft carrier party and the battleship party in the old Earth era, the result was that the aircraft carrier party defeated the battleship party.

Therefore, it is very necessary to find out the attitude of the Federation Army towards mobile suits, so that Zeon's tactical thinking can be adjusted according to the Federation Army's plan, thereby achieving the effect of suppressing the Federation Army.

After all, Zeon's national strength is too weak compared to the Federation. It cannot make lavish investments in all areas like the Federation does, and can only choose the right focus to avoid wasting resources.

Moreover, Kycilia has her own selfish motives. After all, in Zeon, she is the only one who regards mobile suits as her trump card for turning things around.

(End of this chapter)