Gundam, Gravity Elegy

After staring at that youthful and pretty face for a long time, Top finally closed his eyes.

"Lieutenant? Are your eyes bothering you?"

"...You've done more than enough."

Just as Sofia was about to move closer, Lieutenant Top simply placed his hand on the girl's shoulder:

"Don't worry about what happens next, just leave it to me."

"second lieutenant?"

Amidst her confusion, Corporal Sofia's blue eyes reflected only Lieutenant Top's resolute face:

"I will protect you... no, I will protect all of you."

'boom'

Suddenly, a sound like an explosion splitting the earth came from the distant low hills.

The slow, visible diffusion and drifting of the substance inevitably draws attention and draws a crowd.

"What happened to that place?"

Just as Sofia instinctively approached the bridge window, Lieutenant Top stopped her:

"It's getting late, Corporal Sofia, it's time to rest."

…………

"Confirmed, the explosion occurred at point A on the Zeon strategic map—the former command post of the Mudrock Squad. No Minovsky particle reaction was detected, so it should be a diesel-electric hybrid engine."

Is it the Type 61?

"No, according to the information, about a week ago, this place was allocated two early-production model steel tanks."

Gao Ren was stunned after hearing what the diver said:

"...Is it the same as our hangar?"

"No, these 'tanks' that were supplied to the front-line troops first are not quite the same. The armor and furnace are not much different from the Type 61, but ours is a product of Project V, and the materials used are more solid. The armor is not only Luna titanium alloy, but the power source is even a particle nuclear fusion reactor."

Looking at Captain Kuvatro's thumbs-up, Gao Ren felt a mix of emotions:

"To be honest, I still don't know why a tank that's so difficult to maneuver and is full of live ammunition would use a nuclear reactor..."

Honestly, just thinking about the 'steel tank' makes Gao Ren feel like he has a lump in his throat that's itching to be filled with something.

Thinking about it carefully, it's probably better not to dwell on this kind of thing.

"Sister Shirley, can you hear me?"

"no problem."

"Start the timer now. Go check over there in 10 minutes to make sure no one is around. Then we'll go over there and rearrange the scene."

"Follow your orders~"

In the jungle, a giant hidden inside a power pipe lit up its single, scarlet eye.

Zaku – Due to its special circumstances, the 44th Squadron had to regurgitate some of what it had already taken, leaving two mobile suits, including this old Zaku, on the Hump.

Now, this old-model giant, camouflaged, reached out and pushed aside the conspicuous bushes, slowly making its way towards the location still shrouded in smoke.

"Under normal circumstances, if the mudstone squad is to withdraw directly, it should use timed detonation. However, it cannot be ruled out that there may be remnants left there. If you encounter any remnants of the Federation Army, you can show your identification number."

"I know, I was wearing a Federation uniform anyway... but it looks like I'm pretty lucky."

Sherry glanced at the feedback displayed on the interference-free radar and raised an eyebrow:

"There are no more Federation soldiers here. What remains at the explosion site is... a completely wrecked Steel Tank, and some wrecked weapons belonging to mobile suits, which should be the limbs and weapons of the Steel Cannon."

"Great, if there are no other problems, then we'll just throw some spare parts for the Zaku here and we'll be all set."

"Tsk tsk, it feels like a bit of a waste."

Upon hearing Gao Ren's instructions, Kuvatro couldn't help but sigh:

"Those parts could be pieced together to form a machine."

“But we have to leave something for those ‘allies.’ Miss Diver, contact Lieutenant Aiga of the Mudrock Squad in half an hour and coordinate your statements with them. Just say that they shot down the Zaku of Squadron 441.”

"...You're going to give up your kill count?"

"if not?"

Seeing Kuvatro's ghost-like expression, Gao Ren couldn't help but roll his eyes:

"The number of clicks is nothing compared to the plan itself."

"...I see."

"And then, Miss Diver, do our Federation forces have guerrillas in the Hessen region?"

Chapter 41: Omens of a Nightmare

"What's your name?"

"Reporting, Colonel, my name is Elmer Snell."

"Okay, tell me why you joined the army?"

"To get ahead!"

"Is this important to you?"

"It's very important because I never want to scavenge for food in the slums again!"

The familiar voices lingered in his ears, making Yuri Keller feel somewhat confused. This familiar conversation inexplicably felt strangely familiar to him.

But before he could think too much about it, what came into view was a magnificent and dazzling sight that could only be described as extravagant.

Beneath the magnificent crystal chandelier, a lively conversation resounded.

The elegant ladies in formal attire covered their faces with fans, as if maintaining a sense of mystery, while high-ranking officials and gentry raised their wine glasses, demonstrating their etiquette and refinement.

At the same time, countless spirited young people in military uniforms strode confidently among them, as if discussing their own future.

"A graduation party...?"

Yuri glanced at the glamorous dress he was wearing, which was so extravagant it was almost blinding, and couldn't help but sigh.

He finally remembered that this was the graduation ceremony of the Higher Military Academy of the Principality of Zeon, and it was also in the same year that the Zabi family, who controlled the army, officially announced the transformation of the republic into a principality.

As for the spirited young man standing in front of him, he was none other than his ace up his sleeve—the White Ogre!

"Elmer—"

They met at this banquet, and it was here that he witnessed this man openly proclaiming that he was fighting for fame and status.

That shameless and unreserved attitude left a deep impression on him, and naturally, with his strong competitive spirit, he became one of his most formidable subordinates.

However, just as he wouldn't treat Dozru with excessive respect, he also disliked being too distant from his subordinates.

So what did I do back then?

Yes, amidst the seemingly helpless sighs of the crowd, he reached out and put his arm around the other person's shoulder:

"Well said. For soldiers, desire is the driving force for progress."

However, just as he subconsciously reached out as he remembered, he saw that the face that should have been full of vigor was now covered in blood.

"Ok?"

But when he looked at the other person again, he saw that the graduation officer's uniform was covered with burn marks:

"Elmer?"

The young man's neck and limbs were twisted together, just like those low-quality photoshopped spider images circulating online.

"Guh—help me."

"what?!"

Amidst that almost heart-wrenching howl, Yuri felt everything around him rushing away, eventually coalescing into a dark shadow.

"ceiling……"

Gently wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Major General Yuri Keller took a deep breath.

Then, he looked at the small electronic alarm clock on the bedside table:

5: 30 AM

"Is it morning yet?"

…………

July 1, UC.0079

In this world filled with war and conquest, the sun still begins its work with relative punctuality.

As it rose from the shadows of the mountains, a rare tranquility emerged in the chaotic world, and even the colossal aircraft carrier sailing in the sky seemed to become part of this sky.

Of course, since they were flying in relatively safe airspace, when Zeon pushed its front line to this place, even though the Federation forces had more say in air superiority, they didn't dare to openly fly their flying 'sea creatures' around here.

"Belgium... if I remember correctly, that's what it's called, right?"

“That’s right, Lord Yuri.”

Looking up at the commander who had silently entered the bridge, the secretary in charge calmly stood up and retreated behind her seat.

"Although the land is not vast, this country has a rich history and is known as the 'crossroads of Europe'..."

"Alright, Cynthia, you're starting to ramble on like that guy, Ma Kebbe."

Before the secretary could say anything more, the major general waved his hand:

"Tell me about the other people."

"Yes, the 'Gau-class' ships provided by Colonel Bida have joined us, and at the same time, Major Abis's Buffalo has completed its resupply at the Ruhr Industrial Base as planned and is expected to catch up with us by noon today."

"Bona...has he already returned to the Ruhr?"

"Yes."

"Wow, that was fast."

"...No, this speed is normal, Lord Yuri."

After hesitating for a moment, Cynthia said in a low voice:

"Major Abis bombed outwards from Central Europe. When he returned from Switzerland, he had no bombs left. At that time, Gauz's straight-line speed was the speed of sound, and he could have made it back even if he had taken a safe route."

"...Ah, that seems to be true."

Upon hearing his secretary's words, a look of sudden realization dawned on the man's face.

"Lord Yuri, did you not sleep well?"

"No, I slept very well... Where is the 7th Division now?"

"Colonel Bida's main force is not far from us, and their land warships are stationed in Luxembourg."

"So all that's left is to wait for the Federation forces' movements..."

Gently stroking his chin, Yuri's gaze involuntarily fell upon the huge electronic map displayed on the bridge floor:

"If I remember correctly, this time we're facing... General Bruce?"

"Yes, according to the information sent back by our people, the head of the European Front will personally take charge of this operation, and it seems that leaving guerrillas in various places for attrition warfare is also a strategy he has left behind."

"The strategy was indeed good, but it was all for naught when it was betrayed by those around you and everything was exposed."

Looking at the marching route already marked on the map, Yuri simply rubbed his chin:

"Right now... where are those people from the Southern Cross?"

"According to Lieutenant Danan's private report, they seem to be stationed in the Burgundy region and have just acquired new machines."

"...Why Danan? No, why don't I, as the commander, know about this new mobile suit?"

"Because Captain Aiguba said that he belonged to the Mobile Assault Force and was not under the command of the Space Attack Force, it is speculated that he was receiving direct support from Granada."

Upon hearing those words, Yuri felt a throbbing pain in his temples.

"Do those guys even know what's going on? We're all under the Earth Attack Force now, and he's a soldier in my First Division. These guys are actually bringing their spacefaring methods to the front lines on Earth—"

"Lord Yuri, if all else fails, perhaps we should report the situation here to Lord Dozle? I suspect those machines were originally meant to be..."