Gundam UC Hunting Time

"Remember where you are. Don't wander around in front of your own guns. Idiots who die under your own ship's gunfire won't get medals!"

"Standing together! Teamwork is the lifeline of the Party!"

Lin Xingyuan went all out, hurling insults, but—

"Bianca, don't you think the captain is particularly gentle with the pilots of these iron balls?"

Watching the specially equipped iron team training, Io couldn't help but sigh at Bianca. Bianca took off her headphones, played Lin Xingyuan's curses aloud, and rolled her eyes.

"Gentle? You call this gentle?"

Hearing all this criticism lately, she feels like her idol has been shattered.

Io scoffed: "Tsk, so you can't be the captain, because you don't understand him at all. Look closely, compared to when he was teaching the MS team, the captain is obviously more meticulous and patient. He not only personally takes to the field, but also studies suitable tactics for the Iron Ball all night long, just to enable more people to survive in battle."

"Is there?"

"Absolutely, that's called compassion, it's so gentlemanly."

Io was deeply moved, his emotions surging, and he turned on jazz music to accompany the scene before him, until the alarm suddenly sounded.

……

……

Chapter Sixty-Two: Even Gears Have Their Will

Space region near the Earth-Moon route —

The distant sun, eternally shining, illuminated the two Zaku tanks on patrol. Inside the cockpit, the two Zeon soldiers gazed at the distant Earth, exchanging idly conversation.

"I really envy those guys who are about to land on Earth. Not only can they enjoy Earth's environment, but they also keep winning battles. Unlike us, who are doing this kind of boring mission every day."

"Stop complaining. Life on Earth isn't that easy either. The gravity environment is not friendly to mobile suits at all. Not only do we have to get shit on our heads by the Federation Air Force every day, but we also have to be wary of hidden tanks and anti-tank teams."

"Huh? Don't we also have tanks and fighter jets?"

"Don't be silly. The Federation's industrial capacity is thirty times that of Zeon. They can produce those things like sausages. The ground troops are having a tough time, much harder than what the military reports say."

"What? You have more inside information?"

"Yes, I heard it from the transport unit. Last week, an interception unit of the Mexican Front lost contact. The Federation launched a counter-offensive in South America and captured the bases of Lima and Naussi. The ground attack command is planning to abandon the operation. Even in space, things are not stable on Luna 2. In short, all signs indicate that the Federation has recovered from the initial chaos. Maybe sooner or later, we will have to go to the front line as well."

"Really?"

"Of course, otherwise why would the big shots at the top build a national defense line? And even create something that can't be put on the ground."

The pilot, who was speaking, steered the machine around to look behind him, where a Yodonheim-class mobile suit was parked. Through the open hatch, a new experimental machine could be seen being prepared. Its shape was reminiscent of some kind of crustacean, and its enormous size was comparable to several mobile suits.

"That's true, but there's no need to worry too much. Our Zeon's science and technology are the best in the world. Once this thing is deployed on the battlefield, the Federation will have no chance of victory."

"I hope so."

"Attention all units, please pay close attention to your surroundings. XMA-05 is about to complete preparations and will begin testing in ten minutes. Over."

The conversation, tinged with both unease and a sense of impending doom, was interrupted by a communication from the Yodonheim-class.

"This is sentry 01, 02, received. Alright, time to get to work."

The two Zaku tanks activated their thrusters and began to move, surveying their surroundings. Suddenly—

"02 calling 01, propulsion beam detected at defense ***, ***, **!"

The wingman sent a report, and the lead pilot paused for a moment before issuing the order.

"It might be a cargo ship. Let's go check it out first."

……

……

"MS? Zaku!? In a place like this?"

Upon hearing Io's report, Lin Xingyuan was also taken aback—this place was not far from Luna 2 and belonged to the Federation Space Force's traditional training area.

"Has the Zeon army become this arrogant now?"

Yes, that's how arrogant we are!

Having control over the universe means you can do whatever you want.

How many are there?

Ignoring the nonsensical barrage of comments, he asked urgently.

"I don't know, we've only observed two aircraft so far."

"Two aircraft?"

Lin Xingyuan stroked his chin, somewhat puzzled—what was the Zeon army planning with such a small number of troops? A reconnaissance operation?

He couldn't figure out the other party's purpose, but he still made a decision decisively.

"Can you send someone?"

"It's already moved."

As they spoke, Io piloted his newly repaired mecha out of the Columbus-class, leaving Bianca with an envious look on her face—because of the lack of key components, her mecha was not yet assembled, and she did not want to be the pilot of the Iron Ball, so she could only stare in envy.

"Very good, you go and hold off the enemy, I'll lead the team back to get live ammunition."

Lin Xingyuan gave a shout and led the Iron Ball Squad toward the Columbus-class, intending to take down the two Zaku as part of their combat training.

"Then you'd better hurry, Captain, or I'll eat it all."

Io chuckled, licked his lips, and piloted Zani, equipped with a wizard-style backpack, toward the enemy aircraft. This was a simplified model made by Sergeant Mei based on the design provided by Lin Xingyuan. It consisted of a set of four-barrel Gatling guns, a set of seven-tube Storm rocket pods (capable of firing two rounds of 7+7 rockets), and an extended Tomahawk missile, making it very suitable for assault operations.

On the other side, the pilots of the two Zaku were stunned as they looked at the thermal pattern recognition provided by the onboard computer.

"Zaku?"

"But the IFF didn't respond!"

"Could it be from the Federal Army!?"

"The Black Reaper!?"

The two men simultaneously considered a possibility, shuddered, and hurriedly raised their machine guns, ready to fire as soon as the enemy entered range. However, the enemy aircraft displayed astonishing maneuverability, easily dodging their rockets and closing in. Soon, the three aircraft formed a triangular formation. The camera clearly captured the entire scene.

"It's not black!?"

Upon discovering that the opponent was not the legendary Black Reaper who had assassinated Dozruzabi, the two Zaku pilots breathed a sigh of relief, their courage immediately returning.

"What a reckless bastard, Doug! Hold him off! I'll take him down!"

"learn!"

So the wingman Zaku went all out to draw Io's attention, while the lead aircraft circled around from the side, preparing to take down the target at close range.

"Can you do it?"

In Zani's cockpit, Io's lips curled into a dangerous smile. Holding his shield in front, he continuously maneuvered closer to engage the enemy aircraft ahead, while simultaneously glancing at another Zaku that was flanking him. He used his shield to deflect the shells fired at it, and at the same time, he pressed the switch button. The Gatling gun on the shoulder of the aircraft turned with his gaze, instantly firing a terrifying line of fire at the flanking enemy aircraft.

"What!?"

The Zaku's lead aircraft, which was approaching suddenly, was startled and immediately hit in the head and face by Gatling gun shells. The wingman was also startled to see the lead aircraft under attack. As a result, he was momentarily distracted and Io took the opportunity to close in.

"Eat this!"

He fired a volley of rockets, throwing the enemy into a panic. Then, Io pulled out his retractable Zaku Battle Axe and swung it down on the enemy's head!

In the chaos, the enemy plane hastily accelerated and retreated, only to have its forward-extending, reverse-firing leg cut off.

"Quack quack!"

Io grinned wickedly and continued to lunge forward. The Zaku pilot beside him, seeing his partner trapped, was terrified and hurriedly fired a rocket to stop him.

The shield was not suitable for blocking rockets, so Io immediately retreated while firing fiercely at the enemy with his shoulder-mounted machine gun. Relying on the superiority of his equipment, he single-handedly suppressed the two of them.

Meanwhile, the Iron Team, which had returned to the hangar, quickly replenished its ammunition. The advantage of having two arms was demonstrated for the first time during the maintenance. These Iron Teams could complete the resupply as quickly as possible by relying on themselves and their teammates. Subsequently, this five-unit squad, equipped with double-sided reinforced shields, twin 57mm cannons, low-recoil cannons, Zaku machine guns, rocket launchers, rocket pods, and missile launchers, returned to space.

[Damn... with this gear, who's actually fighting whom?]

I feel a little sorry for those two Zaku.

In the distance, the flashes of battle could be seen, and the sounds of tense swallowing could be heard over the communication channel. Lin Xingyuan didn't curse, but instead gave instructions to the newcomers in a steady and calm voice.

"...Check the air conditioning, check the life support system, make sure the communication system is working properly, and everyone put on your helmets. If you need to urinate, do it now; if you need to pray, do it now. Follow instructions and don't doubt orders. Just execute them. Any hesitation on the battlefield will kill you."

Hearing his calm voice, the new recruits gradually calmed down and did as he was told. Only after they had all reported did Lin Xingyuan raise his voice.

"Perhaps we are just a cog in the Federation's war machine, but even a cog has its own will! This time, Death will be your ally. Let the Zeon forces witness our power!"

"Oh!"

The resounding responses echoed through the communication channel, and a cold smile crept onto Lin Xingyuan's lips.

"Excellent! Follow me! Let's crush the cosmic Nazis! Justice belongs to us!"

Author's message

……

……

Zeon's MA-05 began production in May, so it's normal to have a technology demonstrator or something.

As the previous reader pointed out, and even the bald guy himself admitted, when he made Gundam, his imagination wasn't enough, and he downplayed the production scale and war scenes. So here I'll exaggerate the production capacity, get closer to the theory, and cite some settings from Thunderbolt.

That's it.

Ask for support!

Chapter Sixty-Three: All-Around Attack Tactics

Is this boring teaching routine finally coming to an end?

[Tap tap tap tap! Tap tap tap! We want to see tap tap tap!]

[Iron Ball VS Zaku, something to look forward to!]

Having not participated in battle for a long time, Lin Xingyuan suddenly felt a strange excitement as he watched the approaching battle lights and the scrolling barrage of bullets in front of him. It seemed as if every cell in his body was cheering for the upcoming battle.

Am I a hidden war maniac?

The camera captured images of the enemy Zaku aircraft, showing that Io had done a good job, damaging one Zaku and was now engaging them, fully carrying out his orders.

"Attention everyone! Prepare for the anti-MS battle, using all-out attack tactics! I'll be the main tank. Remember, work together! We're connected by an invisible thread!"

Lin Xingyuan activated the communicator and issued combat orders to the other four iron spheres. He then controlled the shields on both sides to close in front of the machine, forming a stable triangular structure. The tilted shields greatly enhanced the defensive capabilities, enough to withstand the fire of the Zaku cannon. He charged towards the target first, then aimed and fired the twin 57mm cannons on his head while activating the Gatling guns held by the two mechanical arms.

As the shells approached and the alarm sounded, the Zaku, who was dealing with Io, immediately noticed the approaching special iron ball. It immediately dodged, turned its one eye, saw the shape of the special iron ball, and was about to turn and fire when it was hit by a barrage of Gatling gun fire, sparks flying and its armor shattering. It hurriedly turned to the side to block with its shield and opened fire in return.

The 120mm shells from the Zaku machine gun hit the approaching special iron ball directly, but were deflected by the shields tilted in front of it. Just as the pilot was stunned, the special iron ball returned fierce fire, forcing it to defend itself in a sorry state. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the other four iron balls had already circled around to four directions, rotating their overhead cannons and handheld weapons as they sped along, firing at the Zaku that Lin Xingyuan was holding back with all their might.

The pilot of the lead Zaku immediately realized the danger of being outflanked by other unidentified aircraft. He tried to break away, but was tightly entangled by the enemy aircraft in front of him, like prey caught in a spider web. In the blink of an eye, he was torn to pieces by the crisscrossing grenades, rockets, machine gun shells and missiles.

Oh my god... that's terrible.

What a ferocious iron ball!

[It really is an all-around attack]