Gundam, Gravity Elegy

Page 143

"Back in school, no matter how outspoken you were, you would only provoke me with words, making me the one to make the first move and pretend to be the victim."

To be honest, given the situation at the time, Gao Ren was indeed somewhat in the wrong according to the rules—he was the first to make a move, which is why he was later put in solitary confinement.

If he hadn't been about to go to war, and if those big shots hadn't felt the need to appease him, Leonard would probably still be in the hospital for a while instead of being locked up like a show.

In fact, the military policeman who led the way specifically chose a route that would allow him to see Leonard, just so that Leonard could see the guy before he left.

So……

“You piece of trash wouldn’t have the guts to openly do something like ‘attacking friendly forces,’ after all, this isn’t ‘accidental injury.’”

"Tsk, you bastard, you're still the same as always..."

For a moment, it seemed that Leonard was about to unleash his less-than-clean verbal system once again.

However, faced with that unwavering gaze, the overwhelming pressure easily shattered those foul words:

So don't look at me like that.

Under his watchful gaze, Leonard's already unsteady steps finally slipped back a little.

As if giving up on continuing the confrontation and argument, he waved his hand:

"I did save your bunch of scoundrels, and for that, two of my precious subordinates died in battle."

However, some people seem completely unable to accept such words:

"You call that a 'rescue'? The control room was destroyed by your bomb!"

Upon hearing this, Lü De became immediately excited:

“There were other people in that area. You not only directly caused Simon's death, but you also seriously injured Marvin, and even... even Lieutenant Gao Ren was almost killed by you.”

"What can we do? Let that guy continue to 'go berserk' and kill you all? I don't know your complete battle plan."

Despite the soldiers' cursing, Leonard simply reached up and picked at his ear.

But at this moment, this shameless, thuggish attitude seemed irrelevant; what truly mattered was what he was talking about:

"Rampage?"

"Ah, this is it—"

Leonard casually pointed to the now-paralyzed mobile suit behind him and then yawned.

"Our mission for the 'Black Dog Team' was to monitor the operation of this machine, but it suddenly went berserk and started attacking indiscriminately, causing a lot of trouble."

"So in the end, you're not all in cahoots!!"

The argument seemed to be continuing, but Gao Ren felt that his eyes were not quite able to see clearly.

He didn't continue paying attention to the argument; instead, he focused his gaze on the mobile suit.

Compared to the salvaged steel cannon-like parts and wreckage next to it, it was relatively well-preserved, and at a glance, it was clearly a GM.

However, compared to the regular models, this 'White Ground Combat GM', which is clearly the original model, is covered with heat dissipation vents all over its armor.

Putting aside the weaponry, a normal mobile suit shouldn't have this level of heat dissipation requirements, not to mention the concept of 'berserk'...

"Boom"

Suddenly, the machine, which should have been silent, 'awakened'.

The mask on its head shimmered with light, and it seemed to want to move, but its body began to sway from side to side involuntarily, as if it were completely out of control.

'dang bang'

Finally, the white giant fell to the ground, leaving only a pair of 'eyes' under the mask staring intently in the direction where Gao Ren was.

Upon seeing this, Leonard immediately frowned.

Looking at the crowd around him, whose attention had already been drawn, he waved:

"That's all for now. Our 'Black Dog Team' needs some rest and reorganization, so please, 'unrelated individuals,' leave. After all, this is an important matter that cannot be disclosed to the public."

"So who is the pilot of this machine?"

But before he could finish speaking, the boy's echoing voice instantly pulled him back to reality.

"what?"

"Is the pilot of this 'JM' still in the cockpit?"

"Hmph, I can't say anything about that. This machine is an important research project from above, and all the information is kept confidential."

Meeting that cold gaze, Leonard simply swayed and walked up to Gao Ren.

Then, he reached out and poked the 'star' on Gao Ren's shoulder:

"With your level of authority, 'Second Lieutenant,' you are not qualified to know about this—"

Then, the sound stopped abruptly.

Without him even realizing it, the boy had already gripped his wrist tightly.

Admittedly, a small child shouldn't be bigger than him in terms of strength, but he has other people around him.

"Elegy Choir—"

As the sound echoed, the soldiers suddenly stood at attention, and those who had been on the front lines rushed forward.

"Wait, what are you doing—"

But before he could speak, a leg kicked him directly in the chest.

Having endured this for so long, Lü De kicked him away, but none of the Black Dog Squad soldiers who were supposed to obey his orders listened and ignored him.

Taking advantage of this moment, Gao Ren pounced on the lying Jim and used the emergency valve on the outside to force open the cockpit, revealing the situation inside.

The interior is dark and appears to be unused, displaying equipment that at first glance seems no different from a regular cockpit interior.

However, the pilot in the seat was not a qualified one at all.

"child……"

A figure that looked even smaller than him—even smaller than Gao Ren—was 'bundled' to the seat by the seatbelt, his neck forming an abnormal curve.

"...It's broken?"

After gently reaching out and touching that tender face, Gao Ren felt a chill run down his spine.

…………

"Whether they are heroes or scientists, they are just bargaining chips in their hands. As long as they can be exchanged for real benefits and capital, the lives and will of these consumables are not worth mentioning at all."

In this respect, there may never have been any difference between the Earth Federation and Zeon.

Author's message

…………

The Black Dogs team felt abstract in the game, and even more so after the comics were added; there was hardly any camaraderie among them.

Also, in RX-80 series-related comics, there are always scenes of children being used for experiments.

Chapter 99: If the world is distorted...

"You're finished, Gao Ren!"

"I'm acting on orders from a very important person; you can't treat me like this!"

"You're not qualified to handle this kind of thing. Get Kuvatro... no, get that Edward guy out here and see me!"

The deafening roars were incessant, and every word, even every syllable, seemed to be interrogating the listener's spirit and will.

But no one has given any positive feedback on this.

Whether they had long disliked the captain or knew that resistance was pointless, the logistics and support infantry of the Black Dog Squad seemed very obedient.

After realizing what had happened, they surrendered without any resistance.

Thus, Leonard, who had inexplicably become a lone wolf, met his only fate.

"Shut up!"

'boom'

Lu Defei, who had long harbored resentment towards him, kicked him in the stomach.

"Well--"

He didn't even have the strength to cry out in pain; the once arrogant mentally ill man collapsed to the ground.

Even so, like the Jim that had already stopped working, his eyes didn't spare the boy present, staring at him fiercely:

"Do you know that this is a requirement from the big shots up above!"

The almost complete and unreserved threat made Gao Ren close his eyes.

He didn't look at the shouting guy again; instead, he turned his gaze to his left and right.

"Tie up these guys who have seriously violated military discipline and keep them under strict guard."

After glancing at the survivors of the 'Elegy Singer', Gao Ren ultimately couldn't bring himself to give any further orders.

Facing these soldiers with bloodshot eyes, Gao Ren simply walked slowly into the crowd and looked at a soldier wearing glasses:

"Marvin."

Marvin Herrio, now covered in bandages, had stayed in the control room with Simon and the others, but ended up being the sole survivor in the control room area.

"second lieutenant……"

He choked up:

“Simon…and others.”

He seemed to want to say something, but he was also choked up.

"I'm sorry, we...we failed the mission, and we almost...almost killed you, Lieutenant."

Beneath the shattered glasses, a pair of eyes revealed intense unease, as if he hadn't yet recovered from the shock. Gao Ren simply patted him on the shoulder.

"It's alright, at least you've survived... Besides, I'm the one who's sorry, it was I who left you there."

"That's not true!"

Before he could finish speaking, Lü De retorted:

"The lieutenant has already taken on the most dangerous task, we..."

He was speechless, his voice trembling.

He might have wanted to say something more, but his overwhelming emotions completely blocked his throat, making it difficult for him to utter a sound.

but……

"That's enough. Thank you so much for your support. Please get some rest."

At least, all the tasks and work here are now finished.

Next...

"Does the lieutenant need backup?"

"No, there are no more missions."

However, there are things that absolutely must be done.

Meeting the gazes of Lü De and Abbott, Gao Ren forced a smile:

"So you all just need to get some rest."

Fundamentally, what needs to be done next belongs to the awakened lion... to his own arbitrary decision-making.

That's why we can't involve these 'infantrymen' and these excellent soldiers anymore.

"So, I'll take care of these things from now on."