Gundam, Gravity Elegy

"That kind of thing doesn't matter. Lieutenant Colonel, look! There are parts for a land battleship outside the window!"

"What?!!"

Batmran couldn't help but look out the window, where he saw one enormous turret and armor parts after another being unloaded from the super-large transport plane:

"It really is a land-based warship?"

"A month ago, because the Large Pallet-class achieved relatively good results, the Federation also allocated its budget to land-based warships, and therefore decided to build a more heavily armed version—the Heavy Fork-class, so..."

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Colonel Bartmran's blood boiled, and without even waiting for Gao Ren to finish speaking, he immediately stood at attention and saluted:

"I, Bartholomew, will never let the Federation down!!"

"...Thank your superior, Colonel Lowell, more."

Chapter Three: Jealousy?

morning.

When the transport of supplies finally ended, the suspended light had already illuminated the ground for several hours.

Because of the nighttime attack, coupled with the massive transport of supplies, everyone at the McCarran base was working non-stop, and Eem Eem Koruka, the logistics director, stayed up all night.

However, she did not feel tired at all. Various data copied from the computer appeared in front of her eyes, forming one vivid module after another.

"I see. The head-mounted Vulcan cannon was completely removed to prevent a secondary explosion. The extra space was used to add periscopes and other mobile equipment. At the same time, the internal weapons were removed and more weapons were placed externally. Considering that not everyone is suitable for close combat, the saber was moved to the leg. ... No, no, no, the energy cap has not been fully optimized yet. Without the back reactor to charge it, it will run out of energy very quickly."

After glancing at the new design drawings, a strange expression appeared on Miss Koruka's face:

"Moreover, why reduce firepower when the machine is clearly constructed of Luna Titanium Alloy?"

"Well, there's nothing we can do about it, sir. After all, we're just a bunch of rookies. For us, using a military knife means we're already in dire straits, so we can't afford to worry about charging it or having internal weapons."

"Ha, Grand, you still have the nerve to talk? Your GM is covered in wounds from the heat axe and close-in weapon system. You even drew your beam saber and fought in melee, but I didn't see you use the Vulcan cannon to hold them off at all. The new chest machine guns on the Zeon Zaku are practically riddled with holes by you!"

"There's nothing we can do about it. Once Captain Grand is involved in the battle, he can't think about anything else..."

"So, Sergeant Field, what are your thoughts on being shot in the head? You were completely unharmed, and the main monitor was blown up, yet you're incapacitated?"

Then, Miss Aem's icy gaze silenced the pilot who had been laughing heartily.

In no time, the two grown men were thoroughly berated by the logistics director, but they dared not utter a word of rebuttal.

They knew perfectly well that the GM they were piloting was a superior machine to the Zaku, yet they still managed to fight like this in a coordinated battle; they were truly ashamed to even speak.

"It's true, before you become top-notch pilots, excessive armament is really a burden for you..."

At this point, McCarran's logistics director couldn't help but turn his gaze to the other side of the repair shop, where three aircraft, sitting obediently on the maintenance racks, were radiating a chilling aura that kept strangers at bay.

"Lion Dance Squad..."

Her eyes gradually filled with envy:

"The prototype Gundam, the Guncannon, and the Ifrit that Zeon stole from Zeon—these three mobile suits have completely different focuses, but they all have the ability to fight alone."

“Um…Director Koruka, there’s something I’d like to say.”

"What? Grand?"

"Putting aside things like the steel cannon, that thing with a lot of propulsion nozzles on its legs and exposed power pipes looks like a one-eyed guy."

"What's wrong?"

"That entity is Jim."

"Ji... Ah?!"

The astonished voice echoed, drawing the attention of those in the corner who did not belong to this base.

Upon seeing those astonished expressions from afar, Gao Ren couldn't help but raise an eyebrow:

"It seems your machine will be a surprise wherever it goes."

"Hmph, isn't it all just to validate the design and to shape the image?"

Two weeks ago, during the Battle of Rouen, the Earth Federation's media extensively publicized what was essentially a victory, praising the heroes who fought against Zeon while also highlighting other achievements.

For example, stealing Zeon's new mobile suits, or launching surprise attacks behind enemy lines, and in all of these, the YMS-08A—the mobile suit designated Ifrit in the internal data of the mobile suit—played an indispensable role.

Heroes do not fight alone—that's what the Federation says.

Anyway, due to some adults' reasons, even though the wealthy Federation did not prepare the corresponding parts for the completely different drive technology of fluid pulse, they still used a decommissioned Ground GM and combined it with the data stored inside the dismantled High Mobility Experimental Machine to 'create' a Federation version of 'Ifrit' with almost identical weapons.

But it actually has another number inside:

RGM-79FD (Full Data)

Unlike the GM, which gradually subtracts from the Gundam base, the full-data GM even begins to add to the original data, attempting to completely absorb the technology obtained from Zeon.

Unfortunately, as a test model, it still requires two power pipes to be directly connected to its lower body and backpack to maximize propulsion efficiency. At the same time, due to engine power limitations, it cannot be equipped with beam weapons.

"But I quite like it. Being able to move freely on the ground—that's what a mobile suit should be like."

Shirley couldn't help but put her hands on her hips:

"Thanks to this 'Ember God Jim (Ifrit),' I single-handedly took down the enemy's artillery position."

"And that sacrificed flight platform."

"what……"

Before Shirley could be proud for long, the calm voice from behind made her suppress all her smiles.

Looking back, she saw only a woman holding a portable computer standing there quietly.

His expression was calm, yet it exuded an extraordinary sense of oppression.

"Our next supply is at least a month away, so please don't deliberately let it explode to create the illusion that it's been destroyed, okay?"

"no problem!"

When faced with a real older woman, 18-year-old Shirley immediately stood up straight.

The raw, untrained response made Cuvatro, who had been silent and almost invisible, burst out laughing.

But before his smile could last long, the gaze that followed made him freeze as well:

"Aside from the gashs and wounds caused by thermal weapons all over your body, the Steel Cannon has some malfunctions in its chest and obvious damage to its outer armor. Did you forcefully take the hits from the enemy's howitzer with your chest armor?"

"Yes, because my intention was to take them down, but they fired one shot and then ran away. Although I really wanted to use stronger lower body armor to block them, but..."

The sound stopped abruptly.

He said nothing more, and a serious expression, as if he had been scolded by his mother, appeared on his face, where the scars were still visible.

"There won't be a next time. I'll be more careful and try to bring a shield when I go out to fight."

Then, after two pilots were taught a lesson in succession, Gao Ren's initial relaxed mood completely disappeared.

That calm yet oppressive gaze lingered silently, while he couldn't help but scratch his cheek.

"Leg malfunction..."

"I understand. I'll try to be more careful in the future, but this time the situation was really urgent, so I jumped down without thinking..."

Before Ms. Lutz could say anything more, Gao Ren immediately responded.

However, the woman shook her head:

"No, the leg design will be further optimized, and the persistent fall problem will be solved by adding nozzles or adjusting the internal parts structure. You just need to ensure your own safety."

"……Oh."

"What? Their attitudes are completely different."

Seeing Ms. Lutz's voice becoming increasingly gentle, Cuvatro began muttering to himself again.

Although he appeared to be covering his mouth, trying to project an air of mystery, the sound he made that was loud enough for those around him to hear proved that his true intentions lay elsewhere.

"You're really just wasting your time. Ah Ren's driving data is all fed back to the higher-ups to optimize the RX program. How can you compare to him?"

But before Shirley could finish speaking, an even more authoritative answer came crashing down on her:

He's still young.

Hearing this, Kuvatro seemed about to laugh, but in the end he simply reached up and adjusted his sunglasses.

"Yeah, 14 years old, that's really young..."

"What, are you jealous? Our Ah Ren is at the age where he should be pampered~"

"That tone is way too cheesy."

Putting aside whether others could handle it, Gao Ren himself felt a bit overwhelmed after hearing Shirley's tone.

"Can't you be normal for once...?"

Actually, he originally wanted to be more serious.

But the moment the words left his mouth, a sudden intuition that echoed in his mind made him instinctively cover his head.

Like an electric shock to his forehead, a certain idea inexplicably surfaced in his mind:

"Captain, are you angry...?"

"Okay, okay, stop fooling around."

But without giving him any reason to finish speaking, Cuvatro stretched:

"Things are mostly done here. I wonder what the next mission will be..."

His muttering manner seemed unchanged from before, but his back, which should have been described as robust, appeared somewhat... frail.

"Let's go back as soon as possible."

"……it is good."

Author's message

…………

Em, from the anime series *The Flag*, is the designer of the Full Armor Gundam Type-B. He independently completed the Full Armor Gundam project, which was originally intended to be abandoned, based on Timre's sketches.

Chapter Four: A New Mission?

The sun was still shining brightly, and by noon, the McCarran base, which had previously looked somewhat dilapidated, was now a scene of bustling activity.

The logistics department was gathered together, discussing where to place the heavy forklift components and when to assemble them, while large quantities of supplies were being continuously transported from the central airport to various parts of the base.

At this time, a modified Media transport plane, also painted black for nighttime operation, began to operate.

The turbo engine whipped up a blast of air, and a patch of black against the bright white sun shot into the sky, like a raptor taking flight.

“Migratory birds… are so free, and so strong, remaining steadfast even in the face of danger.”

Staring blankly at the figure gradually disappearing into the clouds, Miss Elena couldn't help but wipe away the stinging tears in her eyes.

"But, but how could this be!"

Then, she threw herself into the arms of a woman next to her:

"Dr. Elisa!!"

"what's wrong?"

I'm heartbroken!

"……what?!"

"He's so small! How can he be such a little kid!"

A woman named Elisa Bate couldn't help but push up her sunglasses, and as the doctor on duty, she subconsciously looked around the rest of the office.

In the corner, the base commander who should have been in charge—Lieutenant Colonel Batmran—was just beaming.

"I must hold this place until Colonel Lowell returns. Hehe, I will definitely not let down the generals or the colonel's expectations!"

He was clearly an adult, even seemingly past forty, yet he was just talking to himself.

For a moment, the professional woman genuinely wondered if the people in the base had been driven mad by the intense pressure of the battles on the front lines.