Gundam, Gravity Elegy

Scanning the map extracted from inside the command post, Gao Ren estimated the approximate distance.

"20 seconds left in the journey—"

The sudden tremor made Gao Ren feel dizzy, and it was definitely not just fatigue; it was as if something was rampaging through his mind.

Warning?

Or……

"Take this!"

In a daze, several more Zaku appeared in front of me, and their incredibly agile movements and lingering sounds clearly demonstrated their identity.

"Could it be... that kind of research?"

So why is it here?

Perhaps they are guards assigned here, or perhaps they are completely out of control, wandering around this base that can only be called a 'trap' like some kind of mechanical zombie?

Gao Ren didn't know, but when he came to his senses, what appeared before his eyes was that scarlet single eye.

"Boom"

In the dimly lit corner, bathed in red light, those agile Zaku and those terrifying 'children' watched him with giggles and laughter.

"Don't come any closer—"

If he could, Gao Ren really didn't want to meet them again when he was at his most powerless.

"Leave."

Even though their consciousness no longer depends on their bodies, but is entirely manifested through their steel shells, even though they can no longer be called 'alive'.

but……

"At the very least, you should try to survive—"

However, they seemed not to hear anything.

'Didi Didi'

The fire control illumination alarm echoed in the cockpit, and Gao Ren finally closed his eyes:

"In that case, please rest in peace—"

'boom'

The thrust was fully charged, and the black giant roared and thundered.

'Sizzle'

After a flash and a series of explosions, the Zaku, torn apart and shattered, fell to the ground.

There were no cries of anguish from the pilots, nor any overwhelming pain.

"It hurts a little...".

"But I'm so tired."

"We need to rest now."

As those tender steel bodies fell to the ground, the echoes still reverberated with those innocent, childlike voices.

Unfortunately, Gao Ren was unable to provide any response.

"……Good night."

Watching the Zaku and seeing their 'gaze' gradually dim, Gao Ren took the opportunity to fully restore the slowed-down acceleration.

He didn't have time to linger in a place like this; he had more important things to do!

"Clang!"

"So what is it again?!"

'boom'

Just after turning the corner of an intersection, another red light appeared before my eyes.

But just as Gao Ren subconsciously raised his beam saber, a familiar figure appeared on the screen.

Although it also uses a single-eye structure internally, its external appearance is like a mask of sunglasses. Although the missile launch pods on its shoulders have been removed, the thick armor with lion patterns and the beam saber in its hand still outline a familiar silhouette—RX-77.

"Steel Cannon—Captain Cuvatro?"

"……Um."

However, perhaps because the particle concentration inside the base was still rising, the sound inside the communication system sounded muffled.

but……

"I'm here to help you."

Kuvatro spoke.

“The special forces team stationed at command post has already shared the basic map, so I guessed you would come here.”

In such a critical moment, that somewhat tired voice conveyed an immense sense of security.

At least, Gao Ren suddenly felt his inner restlessness calm down.

At least for now, I'm not alone on this journey!

'Bang bang bang bang bang'

Suddenly, the roar of machine guns came from around the corner.

At that moment, Guncannon dove in front of the Gundam, its thick frontal armor taking the brunt of a volley of fire.

At the same time, the Gundam raised its forearm, and the machine gun and close-in weapon Vulcan opened fire together, completely destroying the Zaku and fixed turrets that were coming towards it, which were like vengeful spirits.

"I need to get to the energy zone. Can you clear a path for me?"

"But I have no weapons left to shoot."

"No problem, I also have a beam rifle with about eight rounds of energy left."

"Is that so..."

Just as the Guncannon reached for the weapon hanging on the Gundam's waist, the main monitor, which was also moving downwards, completely captured the view of a certain red wreckage.

Then, his thoughts came to a standstill.

Although he had lost both his legs and arms, he could still tell that it was a Zaku.

A red, comet-like... Zaku.

"This thing... how did that guy's machine end up here?"

"Because I plan to use this as a 'bomb'."

"……bomb?"

"Yes, the data in the control room shows that the energy facility here uses a Minovsky-type reactor. Because it needs further compression, the external I-force field and electromagnetic field are at their most stable. So, all we need to do is find a way to open a hole and let the facility collapse on its own."

Ah, that seems to be true.

However, Cuvatro found himself unable to focus his attention on the theoretical knowledge.

No matter how hard he tried to force himself to look away, his gaze would always involuntarily linger on the red wreckage.

The single, crimson eye still lingered on the head where the power pipe was being held.

Compared to what he had seen before, it could only be described as miserable and lifeless.

As for the 'opponent', Gundam didn't even suffer much damage.

"To ensure the safety of the fusion reactor, I couldn't attack the cockpit directly, so I had to sever his limbs, and he eventually escaped."

Even now, Kuvatro can still sense that behind that anxiety and regret lies a mastery of the battle.

and so……

Did you deliberately seek him out?

"Huh? No, we just happened to run into each other on the way."

"...Is that so?"

What you clearly need to do with all your might is merely a means to an end in the eyes of the other party.

Such a thing could be accomplished through a chance encounter or a coincidence...

"You... are so strong."

Unprecedented... no, it should be said that a certain thought that had been lingering in my mind from the very beginning suddenly exploded in my head.

"How can you be so strong—"

Author's message

…………

One more point not mentioned is that the rice reactor itself produces almost no neutrons, so additional materials are needed to achieve neutron kill. This is also the principle behind the MK82 nuclear warhead (the electromagnetic field generated by rice grains under nuclear fusion conditions can even sustain neutron rays for several seconds).

Without additional materials, it's more like a super-sized beam bomb or thermobaric weapon. The GP02 nuclear bomb is like a combination of a traditional nuclear bomb and the fictional Minovsky physics.

PS2: Incidentally, this scene also applies to the battle at Istanbul Harbor. The commander and most of the soldiers broke down when they saw Gundam charging towards them with a Zaku.

Chapter 93: Detonation

"In short, all preparations are now complete. I will be responsible for detonating the energy zone. Captain, please help me draw the attention of any potential Zaku."

Finally, this is what he said.

Although optical images could no longer accurately reflect the pilot's appearance, Kuvatro could still discern the boy's thoughts from his words.

Anxiety—that's inevitable—is mostly due to worry about the tight schedule, but more so to a deep-seated confidence.

Whether it was a sense of responsibility or a desire to save others, when Cuvatro came to his senses, he found that the boy had already made arrangements for everything.

No one knows whether the arrangements are appropriate or whether there are any oversights, but even if there are, in Kuvatro’s view, no one can criticize or blame him.

Because he not only came up with the only solution at the moment, but more importantly, he himself rushed to the front line and shouldered the heaviest and most important responsibility in one fell swoop.

"Even many adults can't do this—"

At this moment, Cuvatro didn't even know where to begin his description.

Ideas? Tactics? Abilities? Or something else...?

"Only 14 years old—"

Despite wanting to focus on more aspects, Cuvatro unconsciously placed all his gaze and attention on those excessively young 'numbers'.

If I had to explain why...

“I was only 14 years old back then.”

What happened to me when I was 14?

Oh, right.

He believed in Deacon's ideals, idolized the deceased Zeon Deacon, and believed that his close friend Deakin was truly willing to fight for his friend's ideals.

Wanting to do his part for the rights of the space inhabitants, he applied to the Zeon Higher Military Academy in Side 3, and met a 'good friend' who looked a lot like him and was even mistaken by others for his brother.

and then?

And then, he was here.

“biu”

With a gentle pull of the trigger, a compressed, high-temperature particle beam bursts from the muzzle, easily tearing the Zaku directly in front of it to shreds.

The expansion and explosion of the fusion furnace echoed inside the base's passageway, and the smoke and dust it kicked up, along with the particles spreading from within the furnace, made the already dim passageway even more gloomy.

Thick smoke obscured the view, making it seem impossible for Zaku to get close or lock onto it.

Finally, what emerges from it is the high-temperature particle saber.

Wow, that's fast!

There seemed to be some sound echoing in this environment that was still filled with Minovsky particles, and Kuvatro felt his hands freeze for a moment.