Gundam, Gravity Elegy

She still remembers running like she was on a fever, running from the room corridor through the restaurant, lifting her long dress as she ran to the deck, and then leaping off—just like Cinderella in the fairy tale who had to leave at midnight.

However, Cinderella in fairy tales is very beautiful, and I am definitely not as pretty as Cinderella.

So, would anyone like themselves like this?

Should I use this name as a code name?

Perhaps out of excessive comfort, the girl's thoughts drifted unconsciously to all sorts of strange places, until...

"Sigh, we're still out of energy."

A single sentence suddenly echoed in her ears, shattering all her beautiful fantasies. The cool touch on her neck made the girl open her eyes abruptly:

"Impossible, isn't the Gundam's backpack propelled by thermonuclear water flow?"

At this point, the already cramped cabin was filled with the girl's somewhat flustered voice:

"energy……"

It was at the same time, after she had fully regained her senses, that she realized she seemed to have done something stupid.

Under the boy's subtle gaze, the communications officer, still dressed in her formal attire, gave an awkward smile:

"Sorry, Lieutenant, I thought there was a malfunction in the machine's power system..."

"Of course not. I tried my best to avoid vital areas during the fight. The underwater backpack and the shields of the nozzles are all in good condition."

"Really? There are so many bullet holes..."

"It's all just external armor."

Of course, Ai Lian clearly didn't have the same deep understanding of her own phone as Gao Ren did about such matters.

"The important joints were not damaged, and there was still fuel left in all the nozzles. If conditions allowed, I could actually fight for a while longer."

However, this degree of 'blind spot' did not make her feel uneasy in the slightest; the boy's calm demeanor, as if he had a precise grasp of everything, only brought her a strong sense of security.

Of course, there might also be a little awkwardness:

"The result was that at the most critical moment, the beam saber actually 'ran out of power'."

"Ah, um..."

I don't know when it started, but this seems to have turned into a venting session for complaints:

"Eileen, do you know that beam sabers only have a 10-minute battery life because the energy system is not yet perfect? ​​Not only is that not enough, but you used to be able to put it back in your backpack to recharge when the time was up. But the dual-shot backpack used underwater doesn't have that function at all, and the shield doesn't have a built-in particle replenishment device either."

"Oh, I see..."

I can't understand it at all.

If it were Ms. Takizawa or Noel, they would definitely be able to understand it easily.

As for herself, with the knowledge she had acquired, she could only say one thing:

"Actually, many pilots don't even last long enough to use a beam saber. Given the availability of ranged weapons, they probably wouldn't consider weaponry like a saber, right?"

"But in MS battles, the beam saber is essential. MS move very fast, close combat is almost the norm, and endurance is especially important... In the end, if the beam saber were still usable, I wouldn't have had to retreat so quickly."

"But Zeon's reinforcements..."

I think I'd better forget about it.

Looking into Gao Ren's determined gaze, Ai Lian felt like her brain wasn't quite up to the task.

The knowledge she acquired and the content taught in school are completely useless here.

What kind of three-aircraft coordinated tactic? Two aircraft can perfectly complete all mission objectives by operating separately.

Without any tactics, relying entirely on individual ability, he could even suppress a base with a weak rear defense with a single machine.

"Ms. Lutz said that the development department is trying to readjust the design of the 'energy box' and optimize it together with the beam rifle. I can only say that I hope a finished product will be available as soon as possible."

"Mmmmmmm..."

"...I feel like you're being really perfunctory, Ellen."

No, there isn't.

She simply gave a cute smile that was both awkward and polite.

She certainly had no complaints about this elite force called 'Awakening Lion'.

She just needs time to adjust...

"Even if you don't want to be an elite member, you should at least be a member who won't let this team down."

Deep in the sea, the girl made up her mind.

then……

"But I'm still so sleepy..."

That determination was quickly overwhelmed by an irresistible weariness.

"Let's sleep a little longer then, since we still have 20 minutes until we reach the designated meeting point."

"Then, Lieutenant, remember to wake me up."

"Ok, I know."

…………

July 23, UC.0079

The Lion Squad of the Earth Federation Wide Area Special Response Force successfully destroyed the logistical supply of the Alnaut Base.

Five transport planes, four submarines, and four transport ships were destroyed, along with a number of mobile suits, arsenals, and warehouses containing countless weapons, thus creating significant operational space for the Greek front.

Upon receiving the intelligence, General Tachibana, Commander-in-Chief of the European Front, immediately ordered the main force to march south and join up with the Guinea Pig Unit fighting on the front lines.

On June 24, the European Front completely occupied the Greek and Bulgarian regions, and concentrated its troops at the gateway to Turkey, confronting Zeon's Eastern European forces while completely breaking down Zeon's 'Black Sea defense perimeter'.

Author's message

…………

The setting seems to prohibit open flames and smoking on colonies, right?

In any case, open-flame grilling should be prohibited.

Chapter 40: The Ambitious Landing Ship's Piece of Cake

"At this point, our Earth Federation has reclaimed most of the land in Southern Europe."

"That's right."

"Thinking about it now, it feels like a dream. Before the Battle of Rouen, I really thought the Earth was going to fall into the hands of those 'aliens'."

"That's right."

"So, Dr. Kobe, where do you think our Federation forces will focus their attention?"

"Man? What can I say? Let's trust General Tachibana's judgment. As General Bruce's successor, I believe he can demonstrate excellent strategic skills."

On television, the program called "Defense Perspective" continued to follow current events closely, with the so-called military experts and the host engaging in a back-and-forth exchange, one sentence after another, like a stand-up comedy routine.

However, its contents contain almost no nutritional value.

As a program aimed at the general public, viewers should have had this expectation from the beginning.

"But this is just too outrageous."

Looking at the seemingly eloquent so-called military expert on the television screen, Gao Ren felt a headache coming on.

"They just repeat the same thing over and over again, without doing any further analysis."

"After all, it's a folk program."

Shirley yawned.

As a former professional athlete, I'm certainly used to this kind of thing.

"Although it has a certain official background, it is ultimately a private program. If you guess right, you will be in trouble, and if you guess wrong, the program's reputation will be affected. So before the federal government authorized these documents, we could only repeat these same old things."

"If the Federation doesn't have any intention of publicizing this, does that mean there will be a major move soon?"

"Maybe? Anyway, if there's any movement, it won't be able to bypass us."

Perhaps in terms of rank, the Lion Dance Squad is just a front-line squad, but as the saying goes, it's good to have a big tree to lean on. General Gao Yun, who now commands the SRT (Special Response Unit), is a favorite of General Rebil.

Furthermore, the previously assembled guinea pig troops had indeed left indelible marks of victory in the Greek region, therefore...

"Oh dear, I hope I didn't disturb your time alone."

Just then, the conference room door opened, and the blond man—Cuvatro Bagina—walked in with a nonchalant air.

Then, upon closer inspection...

"Oh, Corporal Ellen is here too."

His feigned calm demeanor was truly unsettling; anyone who became acquainted with Kuvatro probably wouldn't hold him in any respect—not even Corporal Ellen Roshfield, who was a top student.

“...I’ve been here from the beginning, Captain.”

"Oh, I see."

Just as Cuvatro waved his hand dismissively upon hearing that they were having braised pork for dinner that night:

"Anyway, it's good that you're here, since we just happened to have a mission from above."

In what aspect?

"Of course... a large-scale battle."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ren's eyes narrowed, and the previous ease and comfort on his face completely disappeared.

"The Passenger Bird now needs to change course and rendezvous with the Camelot."

At Kuvatrona's casual command, the boy couldn't help but take a deep breath:

"Here we go again."

…………

July 27, UC.0079

Location: Camelot

As a recycled and modified 'Ga'-class aircraft, the large white transport plane, which is completely different from the regular Zeon paint scheme, is soaring over the skies of Europe.

Perhaps due to its location in the federal territory, the aircraft carrier does not have an escort formation from various air bases. Even so, the mere presence of a single aircraft still exudes an arrogant attitude in the high sky—just like General Gao Yun today.

"Hahahaha, you've arrived."

After Gao Ren and his group returned to the spacious office, they saw the general walking over, laughing heartily.

The all-around strategic victory made the general beam with pride, displaying an excitement and pride that was impossible to conceal for someone his age. It's easy to imagine how much glory he had enjoyed:

"Thanks to everyone's efforts and the outstanding performance of our 'Special Response Force,' the Federation has increased its budget for mobile suits. Not only does the G4 unit have a new testing program, but the dedicated carrier for mobile suits is also on the agenda."

"...Mothership?"

Upon hearing that somewhat familiar word, Gao Ren instinctively blurted out his question.

Normally, interrupting one's superior is a taboo in the Federal Army, where everyone is scrambling to climb the ranks, but General Gao Yun is different from others.

At least, he was happy to see this surprised reaction:

“That’s right, there’s nothing to hide now. The Gabro shipyard is manufacturing ‘Strike Ships’ specifically for mobile suits. These are new types of warships that were planned to be built before the RX Project and were originally intended to carry fighter jets and tanks.”

At this point, General Gao Yun casually turned on the computer beside him, and the image of a warship quickly appeared on the projection screen:

Centered on the central hull, the hangar and catapult area are clearly visible at the front, and the engines are clearly visible at the rear, resembling four legs, while the heat sinks extending on both sides resemble wings.

When these distinctive designs are put together, one word involuntarily comes to mind:

"Pegasus..."

At first glance, Gao Ren really did think that way:

"Like a celestial horse from mythology."

“That’s right, so General Rebil also named this type of ship, which originated from the ‘colonial satellite landing ship,’ ‘Pegasus.’”

"So it's the Pegasus?"