Gundam, Gravity Elegy

Looking at that stubble-covered face, Gao Ren couldn't help but take a step back.

"That's right, we can barely put together the firepower of three small squads by piecing things together, but one of them is an older model, which has some shortcomings in terms of output."

"That kind of thing doesn't matter. Even if it's an old model, it still gives our squadron, which doesn't even have a single tank right now, a powerful fighting force."

Upon closer inspection, Gao Ren noticed that Major Michael's frivolous expression had vanished, replaced by seriousness and earnestness in his eyes.

"Thank you."

Gao Ren could sense that he meant what he said sincerely:

"With Zaku's help, our battalion can reduce many casualties."

Unconsciously, Gao Ren's originally stiff tone gradually softened:

"But even so, only three can actually be deployed directly. As for the others, the two Zaku with damaged cockpits need to be re-inspected; various parts and electronic components have definitely been damaged..."

"Besides, these Zaku aren't free."

Before Gao Ren could finish speaking, Kuvatro's voice came from behind him.

He reacted instinctively, but the captain was faster than him. Before he could dodge, the captain's strong arm was already around his neck.

"Captain?"

"You spendthrift! If I hadn't been watching, you were thinking of giving away the Zaku you just got your hands on for free?"

"Huh? No, we have this..."

"Oops, we've been exposed!"

Just as Gao Ren was about to subconsciously retort, he caught a glimpse of Major Michael's regretful expression out of the corner of his eye:

"What a pity, I thought this child could be a breakthrough."

"Hmph, you unscrupulous businessman, trying to get something for nothing without even asking me, the captain, for my permission."

So what's going on with this unfolding now?

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Let's Give an Old Classmate a Hand

"In short, I have some newly replenished individual weapons here."

Do you think we'd be short of something like this?

"I also have some privately collected tank turret parts here."

"I suggest you keep this for yourselves. If you want to take these supplies, you should at least show some sincerity, right?"

In short, this seems to be how things ended up.

To be honest, Gao Ren himself didn't know what was going on. When he came to his senses, they were already sitting in a makeshift shed, and the two men, who belonged to different units and were the highest-ranking, began a round of bargaining.

"Hey, Kuvatro, you should know that I'm dirt poor here. I'm almost sold my belt."

"Then I suggest you think it through. Apart from those Zaku that can be put into use with a little repair, there is also a land battleship and a large cargo container, which is full of supplies for Zeon 441st Squadron. They are the 'stars' recently. You should know what this means, right?"

"Hey, can't you lend a hand to your old classmate for the sake of our past friendship?"

"I remember when I entered military academy, you graduated in less than two months. Those two months of friendship might not be so useful."

Captain Cuvatro and Major Michael were engaged in a heated exchange, while Gao Ren, as a listener, couldn't help but pick at his ear.

"Sister Shirley, what on earth are these people arguing about?"

At this moment, he really wanted to find someone to confide in about all the grievances he had been holding in.

Unfortunately, the internal channels are currently filled with static.

"Oh, I almost forgot."

Glancing at the Zaku, who was still on alert and holding a rocket launcher, Gao Ren couldn't help but slap his forehead:

"A rice stove exploded earlier, and the concentration hasn't dropped to a level where communication is possible..."

Now, apart from his machine and merely carrying a portable communicator, he is essentially a deaf-blind little man.

Fortunately, he wasn't the only one watching the circus here.

Just as he was thinking this, his gaze met that of someone who was clearly older:

"G4 Unit, Lieutenant Gao Ren, MS Pilot."

"Lieutenant Harman Yandl, of the 44th Battalion of the European Front, tank gunner—though there are no tanks now, of course."

There was no need to say anything more; with just a glance, Gao Ren could sense the other person's absent-minded attitude.

"So, Lieutenant Yang De'er did notice it too, didn't he?"

"Yes, you have too much stuff. If it were just one or two Zaku or tanks, our major would probably grit his teeth and shamelessly take them. But this time is different."

At this point, Lieutenant Yang De'er turned and headed outside the shed.

The Zaku still stood, and beside them, beside the Zeon soldiers who had been driven out, the bright yellow land battleships stood silently:

"Gallup-level... is that the correct designation?"

"Yes, it's something Zeon used to suppress colonies. They modified it and then put it on Earth."

"That's not important. What's important is that you probably can't take this thing with you."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ren's lips twitched:

"Yes."

In fact, let alone that Gallup-class ship, even these Zaku ships couldn't be taken away.

"Our Migratory Bird only carries three aircraft, and those Zaku, including their parts and weapons, were originally intended for you."

"Leave it to us?"

"Well, so I tried to avoid the critical parts as much as possible from the beginning—I can only say that the cockpit is still usable after a little repair."

"I never expected you could think of these things on the battlefield."

"After all, I don't want to see any more casualties."

Gao Ren gently leaned down on the simple wooden table and simply sighed:

"I can't change the orders from my superiors, nor can I change the overall situation, so at least let me do what I can."

"..."

At that moment, he suddenly had a strange feeling.

When he came to his senses, he found Lieutenant Yandel staring at him with a strange, indescribable look.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. I just didn't expect to encounter this level of goodwill on this damned battlefield. I thought all that was left was those messy political struggles."

"I don't understand that kind of thing, and I don't want to understand it. Rather, I've never liked making complicated things complicated... just like it is now."

With a slight smirk, Gao Ren turned his gaze back straight ahead.

Those things just stood there, as if challenging his point of view:

"The outcome was already decided long ago, but they're still arguing about all sorts of things."

"Ah, if it's something like that, then it's just human nature."

Lieutenant Yandel burst into laughter:

"Although he didn't really help at all, at least our major felt somewhat involved."

"enough!"

Just then, Major Michael roared.

But instead of lunging at Captain Cuvatro, he straightened his collar.

Meeting Cuvatro's incredibly mysterious smile, the major couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.

He then took two steps back and saluted:

"Next, the 44th Mechanical Mixed Battalion will provide full support for your operation... Are you satisfied now?"

"Ah, that's more like it. So please take care of me in our future collaboration, senior."

Watching the current display of enthusiastic brotherhood, Gao Ren finally couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Are you finally done talking nonsense?

He really wanted to say that, but after thinking about it carefully, he decided against it.

After all, what he did wasn't exactly similar, but rather... completely identical.

"Soldiers."

At that very moment, Major Michael also took those steps that could only be described as arrogant:

"Thanks to the wise and skillful negotiations of your commander, the mobile squad from Gabro is willing to hand over these supplies belonging to the Zeon army, including the Zaku, so that we can further strengthen our military equipment."

"Really?"

"Great!"

Like a popular superstar, Major Michael simply spread his arms and waved:

"But do you think we can just accept this kind of charity?"

At that moment, the entire venue fell silent:

"Now that our tanks have been redeployed, we have no armored vehicles, and we're like stray dogs, tell me, can we abandon our dignity and accept charity from others?!"

"cannot!"

I don't know when it started, but the sound exploded from the crowd, then merged into a wave of noise:

"We also have dignity; how can we live off the charity of others!"

“That’s right, that’s why we need to prove ourselves, not only to those superiors who look down on us and treat us like expendable resources, but also to our benefactors—to prove that our 44th Battalion deserves these supplies.”

Finally, meeting the soldiers' gazes, he raised his hand and gave the order:

"So from now on, we will provide support to the fourth squad of the G4 experimental unit, supporting all their operations against those Zeon, and letting those Zeon see the backbone of Earthlings—Long live Earth!"

Long live Earth!

Long live Earth!

There were only two hundred people, and probably not even 100 of them actually had time to listen to the major's nonsense, but it was precisely these people who shouted out loud slogans that could echo under the sky.

Looking at the soldiers, Gao Ren couldn't help but sigh:

"In the end, Lieutenant Barbley's situation is not an isolated case."

"That's right, so the wise and mighty captain decided to follow our Lieutenant Gao's example and boost our senior's confidence."

"Come on."

Gao Ren looked away from that face that looked like it was crawling with maggots.

"I just hope we don't waste our time here..."

"Reporting, Major, the interior of the Zeon land-based ship has been inspected and it is safe to use."

"Hahaha, great! Now I'm going to enjoy Zeon's warship!"

"time--"

Watching the major tumble and crawl like a charging monkey into the landship, Gao Ren couldn't help but exchange a glance with Kuvatro.

Then, the latter patted him on the shoulder:

"Come over here too, we can discuss our next steps."

What to say?

"The front lines are truly teeming with talent."

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Enemy Communications

But how to say it?

Just like how he could only manage to get some Zaku peripherals for the penniless 44th Battalion, no matter how much he complained about his seemingly unreliable superior, he still had to obey his orders—like those so-called operational meetings.

Although he always felt that with Michael and Cuvatro around, the war council would become strange, he still had to attend.