Gundam, Gravity Elegy

"So, shouldn't we have a meeting to discuss our next steps?"

…………

Of course, the minor turmoil within the McCarran base was merely a microcosm of the front lines. Sometimes, people who seem capable of releasing their emotions all at once are actually able to maintain their mental state within a relatively safe threshold.

However, this matter is no longer relevant to Gao Ren and his group who have left.

For the Lion Dance team, the only thing that really matters is its location:

"This place is only about 500 kilometers away from Los Angeles. Perhaps the Gobi Desert and mountainous terrain can act as a barrier, but in essence, it's still a massive construction project right at the doorstep of Zeon..."

As she watched the massive base gradually fade into an indistinct dot, Shirley simply raised an eyebrow:

"Is it really okay to do this?"

"Of course it doesn't matter. After all, McCarran's only advantage is its geographical location. But now, battlefields are erupting everywhere, and spaceports and resource points across North America are under attack. Their primary task is to sever Earth's connection with space as much as possible..."

"So in the end, it turns out we don't have enough troops again?"

Meeting Shirley's subtle gaze, Gao Ren nodded:

"By carrying out the landing operation without completely defeating the Space Force, Zeon is now caught in a dilemma."

"It just so happens to be right at the crucial point. Once this base is completed, it will definitely be a thorn in the side for Zeon."

Finally turning her gaze away, Shirley stared at the world map in the conference room.

Zeon's directly occupied territories looked like patches of filth, repulsive to look at.

Gradually, her gaze shifted to the less severely affected regions of South America:

"But to be honest, I'm quite impressed with Gabro's ability to come up with such a strategy."

"Then you're wrong. This is essentially just Colonel Lowell's own suggestion, and the success or failure of this base rests entirely on his shoulders."

Gao Ren spoke expressionlessly:

"The federal government has always had sufficient resources and costs. People at the top are afraid to take responsibility and are unwilling to do anything. But when Colonel Buin's Lowell was willing to take full responsibility and use his family's connections, the higher-ups gave him the green light."

"Tsk, actually, the last sentence is the most important, isn't it?"

"Yes, Lowell seems to be some kind of... prestigious family in America? Like the McGuire family, they have a lot of influence in the military?"

At this point, Gao Ren couldn't help but frown.

To be honest, he didn't know much about this kind of thing, nor did he want to know the intricacies involved.

In short, all of this can be summed up in one sentence:

"In the end, it all comes down to power."

Shirley just pouted like that:

"As expected, the Earth Federation is rotten to the core."

"That's right."

For the Lion Dance Squad, such remarks are actually quite common. Even though they are called elites, it is common for members, including Kuvatro, who has never been able to keep his mouth shut, to talk behind the scenes about the Earth Federation.

Like a poor, struggling worker, being exploited by those above while cursing and swearing, and then going on to carry out the next task.

"Drip drip drip"

Inside the conference room, the moment the communication went off, the previously noisy atmosphere vanished instantly.

When the call connected, a gentle yet resolute female voice answered:

"Everyone in the Lion Dance Team, I'm very sorry to bother you at this time."

On the screen, a dignified and gentle woman speaks.

Shuka Nazaki—a communications officer at the MS Operations Unit Headquarters—her image appeared clearly on the screen:

"Headquarters has issued new instructions."

"Sigh, I just finished and now I have another task."

"This is really troublesome..."

"But this mission was assigned by Gabro headquarters, and General Gao Yun attaches great importance to it, so I can only entrust it to you."

Then, amidst that gentle voice, the conversation in the conference room of the Migratory Bird instantly quieted down.

Even Mr. Cuvatro, who merely echoed others as if he had lost the ability to speak, widened his eyes behind his sunglasses:

"Wait, this doesn't seem to be a message?"

"Yes, it's instant messaging."

The response came not from anyone in the meeting room, but from the other end of the communication.

The image is clear and the speech is strong.

Although the influence of Minovsky particles is almost ubiquitous in today's battlefields, it is also very easy to transmit such timely communication if the distance is close enough.

and so……

"Look down below."

The optical sensor's reflection revealed a shadow like the earth, but as it drew closer, it resembled a giant iron bird.

With a length approaching 150 meters and a wingspan of 260 meters, the Earth Federation had never built such a behemoth, yet its name was already etched into everyone's hearts:

“Gaumo…”

Author's message

…………

The art style of Rusty Horizon is very good, and the plot has been fine so far. You can check it out if you're interested.

The only problem with it is what I wrote: most of the characters have some kind of bloodline or family connection, even the male protagonist has the identity of "Rebil's nephew-in-law".

There should be more at midnight tonight, if I write fast enough.

Chapter Five: General Gao Yun

Because of their lack of understanding of Earth's environment, the Principality of Zeon's fighter jets and bombers, created through simulations and their own imaginations, are almost all limited to a range of 2,000 kilometers.

Even the Doppler-class fighter jets, which rely on the power of their nozzles and engines to fly with great force, have their maximum range firmly fixed at around 1200 kilometers and are unable to move.

In order to seize air superiority on the main battlefield from the Earth Federation, and to greatly expand the combat radius, Zeon created this thing - Gau.

According to intelligence, Zeon internally defined it as an 'attack aircraft carrier,' and it did indeed perform remarkably well on the front lines.

Then, it crashed.

In fact, Gao Ren's initial consideration was to prevent the explosion debris from scattering and posing a further threat, so he chose to destroy their engines and force the Zeon to choose to airdrop. This action later greatly benefited the Federation forces.

Because of Zeon's modular design, the large wings were not integrated with the main body. With the frame remaining relatively intact, the repair work on the two crashed Gau-class aircraft was quickly put on the agenda.

Although the design of the Gau-class is extremely abstract, it is itself a problem based on Zeon's "omnipotence" concept of wanting both.

Once you remove the bomber and the air-to-ground particle cannon, and expand the hangar a bit, you'll find that this is actually a very suitable transport aircraft.

Therefore, after the repairs were completed, one of them was assigned to the Earth Forces for use as a global logistics transport and even a command tower.

"And the other one is right here."

As the iron bird drew ever closer, Gao Ren raised an eyebrow.

"Directly assigned to MS units?"

Although it might not be noticeable from a distance, upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the pure white 'Gau' had a distinctly different design, with a noticeably different canopy on the top.

Then, it slowly opened, and a huge fixed frame slowly floated up, while guiding lasers revealed a 'path' for the transport aircraft to approach.

With a jolt that could be felt even in the conference room, a cup of tea spilled onto the floor.

"Container docking complete, passageway is opening. All members of the Lion Dance Team, please proceed to the conference room on the Camelot. The Commodore is waiting for you."

Then, communication from within the team was shut down.

What to say?

"Another super-large transport plane that has been repaired, and it's rushing to contact us again..."

Kuvatro couldn't help but whistle:

"It looks like it's going to be a troublesome job."

…………

Admittedly, Cuvatro did not say anything wrong.

If it's just a regular mission, then a single mission command can handle it. If resupply is needed, then simply fly back to Gabro or conduct an in-flight resupply.

However, the current situation is the most significant – the Gau-class aircraft carrier has taken the initiative to come to us, and at the same time, there is a crucial player involved.

"Technical Brigadier General..."

John Gowan!

Although this name should be etched in the minds of every member of the lab rat team, before actually meeting him, the most crucial question still couldn't help but blurt out:

"Speaking of which, who was it again?"

Then, an awkward silence echoed down the corridor leading to the conference room.

But this can't really be blamed on Gao Ren. In fact, after the team was formed, this nominal team commander never appeared in public again. He was truly a very mysterious person.

He acted as if he didn't care about the team at all, and didn't give his subordinates, who operated in small teams, a chance to get to know him.

If they didn't normally need to meet, Gao Ren wouldn't care, but now...

"Captain, do you know?"

Currently, the female diver who is skilled in internet work is reportedly still on vacation, so she is not in their team.

Unable to temporarily hack servers to unlock loot boxes like they did in the European theater, they could only pin their hopes on Cuvatro, who had previously worked in the intelligence service.

"Under special circumstances, your rank should be treated as two levels higher, so you should have met him, right?"

"That happened back in the special forces days..."

Kuvatro said helplessly:

"However, I did meet this general—he was a confidant of General Reibill and one of the first to initiate the mobile suit manufacturing program. He had a lot of contact with Dr. Tim Ray, but if I had to say..."

"If you really want to say?"

"You have very low emotional intelligence, don't you?"

"what?"

"Yes, that feeling is definitely there."

Before Gao Ren could fully process what she was saying, Shirley's agreeing tone nearly made his brain shut down completely:

"When I graduated from military academy, as the military leader of the RX project, he really just recited his speech at the ceremony, showing no concern for interpersonal relationships at all."

Then, Gao Ren was shocked.

When did the Federation Army start having such 'capable people'?

Shouldn't generals be cunning and only think about their own interests?

Thinking of the people he had met, Gao Ren felt a sudden headache coming on.

To be honest, he's probably seen Gop and the bunch of staff around him who can't utter a single coherent sentence in half a day during this time.

Those people almost constituted his stereotype of federal generals.

And now...

"Oh right, don't think he's a good person. After all, he's a general at heart, so he definitely has the temperament of the army and his condescending bureaucratic mannerisms."

"Oh, and then?"