Gundam UC Hunting Time

As he spoke, he recklessly maneuvered the space capsule closer, grabbed Lin Xingyuan's space capsule with the mechanical arm, and attempted to push it away from Zagu.

Lin Xingyuan, enduring the ringing in his ears, looked up and found that the electronic instruments and displays in the space capsule were completely black, clearly damaged in the impact. Fortunately, the space capsule had observation windows. As the mecha detached from contact with the Zaku, his field of vision widened, and he looked at the Zaku I, finding that its head was damaged, and its body was motionless and unresponsive.

【Fault?】

Did the driver faint?

"and many more--!"

Seeing the scrolling comments, Lin Xingyuan realized what was happening and hurriedly stopped Tachibana Kanna's actions.

"what happened?"

“Maybe this is the real ‘surprise’…” Lin Xingyuan muttered to himself.

"what?"

Tachibana didn't understand.

"Nothing much, I'm going to capture this Zaku!"

He said he then loosened the safety switch, activated the explosive bolts, and blasted open the deformed and cracked hatch.

"What?! No! This is too dangerous!"

"No, this might be a rare opportunity! Help, move that Zaku out of the way!"

Tachibana didn't want Hayashi to take any risks, but Hayashi insisted. Left with no other choice, he could only carefully manipulate the robotic arm to first drag away half of the Zaku. Hayashi then pushed off with all his might, using the reaction force to get closer to the Zaku I.

The yellow-green painted Zaku I remained motionless, whether due to damage or pilot unconsciousness was unknown. Lin Xingyuan pulled out his pilot's sidearm and examined its appearance.

This design is really ugly...

He decided that once he learned how to pilot it, he would rather give up the opportunity than take this machine into battle.

However, it doesn't matter until you get your hands on it.

As gently as possible, Lin Xingyuan climbed to the cockpit, risking being slapped to death by the awakened Zaku 1. He listened intently but heard nothing—the possibility of the pilot fainting had increased, which reassured him somewhat. He then got up and looked around the cockpit, quickly finding a small cover with the help of the comments.

Yes, this is the place!

[This maneuver was personally demonstrated by Char Aznable, lol.]

[Are we finally going to have MS pilots?]

The barrage of comments was filled with anticipation, and donations poured in. Lin Xingyuan opened the cover, revealing a rotatable torsion lever inside. After glancing at the direction indicator, he reached out, grasped it, and twisted it forcefully. With a hiss of air pressure unlocking, the Zaku's cockpit opened!

Why isn't the Zaku's cockpit door centered? It looks so awkward!

[Perhaps because its predecessor was an engineering machinery manufacturer?]

Is a Zaku an excavator?

[What's the key point? Isn't the key point that the MS's cockpit is never locked?]

【really.】

[You don't need to know so much about Gundam, lol]

Large combat equipment, such as tanks and aircraft, does seem to be unlocked.

The live chat was filled with laughter, but Lin Xingyuan on set was very nervous. He held his breath, carefully approached, thought for a moment, and after a few seconds, suddenly leaned out from below.

"Don't move!"

With the gun pointed directly into the cockpit, he didn't pull the trigger—if he could, he would love to capture the pilot alive, which would save him a lot of time searching.

Of course, it was dangerous to do, but he thought it was worth a try.

Want to capture me alive?

[Actually, it wouldn't matter if they were killed. There are Zaku pilots in the Zeon army who couldn't stand the atrocities committed by their own army and defected to the Earth Federation.]

[But there aren't any people like that on Luna 2, are there?]

[Idiot! You should have thrown a grenade with the pin still on first, to bluff your way in!]

Oh, a professional!

I've learned a lot!

[So sneaky, are you Amuro Ray?]

[Old fox, so cunning!]

This is a good idea; I'll use it next time.

Seeing the tips shared in the comments, Lin Xingyuan secretly memorized them. He watched as the unconscious pilot in the cockpit lowered his gun and made a gesture to Tachibana Kane, who was waiting in the space capsule.

Chapter Eleven: The Zaku, Standing Tall Inside the Hangar

Luna 2 internal hangar —

"So this is... a mobile suit... that thing called a Zaku!?"

Standing at the foot of the headless Zaku 1, secured by an iron frame, and gazing up at the nearly complete Iron Man, Wakken gripped the railing tightly, barely able to control his expression. The other officers reacted similarly, their faces a mixture of surprise and fear.

Humanity's strongest fleet was defeated by something like this.

"Yes, according to the prisoners, this is a relatively early model, designated MS-05. The Zeon army has now begun to equip itself with MS-06, but the technology is the same."

"Prisoners!? Where are they?"

Upon hearing that there were prisoners, Wakeman, realizing their value, immediately inquired.

"Major, I'm here."

Two military policemen escorted a handcuffed man over. Wakken sized him up. The man was in his thirties, wore glasses, and was thin. Although he was wearing a Zeon military uniform, he looked like he couldn't even kill a chicken. His eyes were darting around, and he didn't dare to meet Wakken's gaze. He didn't look like a soldier at all.

Although it's a logistics unit, they actually allowed people with this kind of quality to enlist.

Lieutenant Hayashi's earlier statement, "Zion has no more troops to spare!" suggests that it was not unfounded.

The gloom that had been hanging over him dissipated, and Waken gained more confidence in the Federation's victory, making him appear more energetic.

"Can this machine be repaired?"

He asked the technician.

"Of course, the machine is in very good condition, and we are confident that we can repair it in a short time."

"Then fix it as soon as possible; we need firsthand information!"

He gave instructions to the technicians, then looked at the prisoner, asked his name, and made a promise.

"As long as you cooperate with our people and tell us everything you know, we guarantee you will be treated with dignity and released after the war ends."

"What if I refuse?"

Relying on the superior strength of the Zeon army, the prisoners tried to show their arrogance, but Wakham only gave a cold laugh.

"You will cooperate."

He winked at the two military policemen, who then led the prisoners away. Afterward, Hua Ken turned to Lin Xingyuan, revealing a genuine smile of admiration.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lieutenant Lin. You have made outstanding contributions to the Space Force. I will report this truthfully to my superiors. Trust me, promotion, medals, and bonuses are not a problem. You can also take leave if you want; I approve it."

Someone whistled enviously. Lin Xingyuan stood at attention and saluted: "It's my duty, Major. You don't need to take leave. I have a request."

"You said."

"I hope to participate in the restoration of this Zaku and be one of the first to drive it."

"Oh? You're interested in technical work?"

"Yes."

As a model kit enthusiast, how could I miss the opportunity to personally tinker with MS (Metrists' Edition)?

"no problem."

Hua Ken readily agreed and left the hangar in high spirits, after which everyone came up to congratulate him.

"We absolutely have to have a drink!"

"That's right, it's Lieutenant Kaka who brought us the opportunity to win!"

"Congratulations, Second Lieutenant, no, you'll be a First Lieutenant soon!"

Baninger patted Lin Xingyuan on the shoulder, and the live chat erupted in cheers.

Finally, MS is open!

Congratulations, PL, on your successful job change!

Real men drive Zaku.

Looking up at the headless giant standing there, Lin Xingyuan showed a genuine smile for the first time since he transmigrated.

……

……

The day after capturing the MS, Lin Xingyuan did not participate in the salvage work. Instead, he worked with the technicians to repair and analyze the MS.

Numerous data cables were inserted into the Zaku I's central computer to analyze its system logic; the armor was disassembled to analyze the internal mechanical structure and design concepts, and even the metal materials were sent for analysis; in addition, the technicians learned about the machine's operating procedures by questioning prisoners, and finally attempted to replicate it based on the specifications of the parts.

Of course, above these technicians, the intelligence department was also involved in the analysis—they would infer the Zeon army's production capacity and supply system based on the manufacturers of the Zaku's various components, and then carry out targeted sabotage operations. Of course, that's another story.

In an era capable of manufacturing colony satellites, industrial capacity was astonishing, and the Federation's technological strength surpassed that of Zeon. Therefore, even at a base like Luna II, it only took two days to repair the captured Zaku using self-made parts.

[Is this how Zani came to be?]

【Zani? What is that?】

[RRf-06, a Zaku using Federation-manufactured parts, a product of Luna 2, is a must-try.]

"Now we begin the first trial."

The technician announced loudly through the headset, nodded to Lin Xingyuan in the cockpit, and then stepped back from the giant iron man. As the indicator light changed, Lin Xingyuan pressed the start button.

"Power furnace ignition successful, power increasing..."

A buzzing sound emanated from deep within the machine, like a monster opening its eyes and letting out an excited roar.

"System self-test, all control units are green and there are no abnormalities..."

All the instruments lit up, displaying the data.

"Fluid pulse power has reached a safe value, drive system online..."

The newly created head rose up, and a single pink eye lit up behind a transparent protective layer shaped like sunglasses. At the same time, inside the cockpit, each display screen reflected the outside scene.

"Initiation complete, Lieutenant Lin. Please look around the room; we need to calibrate the sensor values ​​on the newly constructed head!"

"receive."

The technicians gave instructions, and Lin Xingyuan tried to turn his head, and the giant's pink single eye moved accordingly.

[Haha, wearing a Jim head, but actually still one-eyed!]

[Strangely comical.]

[This cockpit is so old, when will it be used for full-scale testing?]

"Alright, thank you, Lieutenant. We're about to unlock the system. Please take over the operation promptly."

"receive."

Under the watchful eyes of numerous comments, Lin Xingyuan gripped the control stick of Zaku I tightly. Then, the mechanical arm binding Zaku I loosened, and Zaku I randomly sank down with gravity—this was the port area of ​​Luna 2, which had facilities that generated artificial gravity through spin.

"Tom—"

"Pfft-"

With a thud as it hit the ground, the Zaku I slightly bent its knees and then straightened up, cushioning the impact, but Lin Xingyuan in the cockpit still felt it very clearly.

Without technologies like a semi-movable frame and linear seats, it's no wonder the pilot of this machine was knocked unconscious by his own crash.

He looked out at Jianqiao Bridge, where the unfortunate prisoner, dressed in a federal army private's uniform, stood with the technicians, his face bruised and swollen, but not in handcuffs, clearly having learned to be 'decent'.

Speaking of which, the fact that Char can pilot such a machine to perform a flying kick is practically like solid concrete.

The machine landed steadily on the ground, and the barrage of comments erupted in celebration.

[It's here! Zaku stands tall on the earth!]