Although the Astray Gundam had gained an initial advantage through its superior Mobile Suit performance and the enemy's underestimation, the Zeon MS units possessed far more combat experience than Jung and his team. With solid squad discipline, they quickly stabilized their formation and adopted alternating covering tactics while retreating under fire.
Though the 100mm machine gun bullets merely sparked against the Gundarium Alloy Alpha armor and shield, leaving only minor dents, the impact force remained significant. No matter how strong the defense, they couldn't continuously withstand bullet barrages, especially since the Astray Gundam still had vulnerable sections.
Moreover, they had to constantly evade incoming rocket attacks—these couldn't be blocked by armor alone, as even the shield couldn't withstand multiple hits.
And then...
"Damn Zeon, darting around like rats! Fight properly if you have the guts!" Ford Romfellow cursed while spraying rounds from his Gatling Vulcan Cannon, the ammunition trails stretching long behind but only chasing the enemy machines' tails without connecting.
"Calm down, Ford! Your mission is to intercept enemies approaching me, not dart around blocking my line of fire!"
"Fred, fall back!"
"But they're getting away..."
"Are you planning to chase them into the ship cannons' range?"
Except for Kajima Yuu and Jung who demonstrated decent coordination from the start, the others essentially fell into chaos. While operating as a squad, they completely lacked synergy and ended up hindering each other.
This was understandable—they were strangers assembled from different regions, having never met before. Their MS training, including both simulations and live tests, totaled less than a month.
In contrast, Char's Zeon forces, though small in number, were elites carefully selected by Dozle, all with impressive records from the Battle of Loum.
Thus, while Jung's team would eventually become famous aces, their current rookie status meant they could only rely on the Astray Gundam's excellent performance for self-preservation against Zeon's veteran elites, unable to gain any real advantage.
Seizing an opportunity, Char's Zaku II fired a rocket at Rus' machine as it targeted his subordinate.
"Zing—"
Yang Hui's beam shot precisely intercepted the rocket, causing a secondary explosion between Char and Ford.
"He shot down the rocket mid-flight! Incredible marksmanship!"
However, Char's attack was never intended to hit Rus' machine. That single shot had successfully torn an opening in the cage trapping him. Char immediately pushed his machine to maximum speed, escaping through the gap to regain his freedom in the skies.
"Boom boom boom..."
Without hesitation, Char emptied his entire rocket magazine in rapid succession, each projectile aimed at different targets.
Yet again, precise beam shots intercepted several rockets, detonating them before they reached their targets. And then...
"Zing—!"
A thick green beam tore through space, splitting the entire combat zone and forcing the Astray Gundams to scatter in frantic evasion. Machine guns didn't frighten them, and rockets could be blocked with shields, but ship cannons... a single hit would mean certain destruction.
Seizing this opportunity, the red Zaku II pushed its thrusters to maximum output, transforming into a meteor as it caught up with the retreating warship and its remaining units. After recovering all five MS, it immediately turned around and began withdrawing toward the distant void.
"Don't pursue!"
Seeing that Fort and others still wanted to give chase, Yang Hui immediately ordered them to stand down.
"But Major..."
"We can't catch them. That Musai is a modified high-speed vessel - even a Magellan-class couldn't keep up."
"However..."
"Return to ship."
"Roger..." x8
After returning to the warship, Yang Hui immediately ordered the maintenance team to service the Mobile Suits, then went to report to Walker.
"Not bad results, Major Yang Hui."
"Is that sarcasm, Lieutenant Colonel Walker?"
"No, genuine praise. After all, your opponent was none other than the [Red Comet]."
"I appreciate the compliment, Lieutenant Colonel Walker, but my team still has many issues that need addressing through proper training."
"That's also true."
Evaluating this operation's outcome was complex. On one hand, this was the first combat deployment for their MS units, and repelling Char Aznable, the [Red Comet], in their very first engagement was already remarkable. After all, Char had single-handedly sunk five cruisers during the Battle of Loum, and that was when he'd run out of ammunition.
But on the other hand... nine against six, with clearly superior Mobile Suit performance, yet they only managed to destroy one Zaku II despite numerical and technological advantages.
Walker had watched the entire battle. The Mobile Suits' capabilities were unquestionable - whether in mobility, defense, or weapon power, they far surpassed Zeon's Zaku IIs. Though he'd heard these were prototype specifications and mass-produced versions would see reduced performance, even then they shouldn't be worse than Zaku IIs.
So the battle's mediocre outcome clearly stemmed from pilot issues: insufficient training, chaotic formations, almost no coordination, mutual interference - it was complete disorganization, painful to watch.
"Anyway, good work, Major Yang Hui. We'll soon reach the drop coordinates, so get some rest while you can."
"Understood."
After ending the communication, Walker reviewed the battle once more, this time focusing specifically on Yang Hui's performance. Initially surprised to learn Yang Hui would pilot an MS into combat, Walker had been astonished once the battle began. Most observers would only see Yang Hui's shots all missing Char, with only that final burst somehow luckily hitting the launched rocket.
But Walker, with his sharp eye, had immediately recognized Yang Hui's terrifying marksmanship. Yang Hui hadn't been trying to destroy Char's Zaku II at all - he'd been using his firepower to confine Char's movements within a tight space. And those later perfect shots weren't sudden bursts of skill or luck.
"What were you really trying to accomplish... training your troops? Or..."
Walker concluded that Yang Hui had held back. If he'd wanted to, Char couldn't have dodged his shots. So why deliberately give Char opportunities to break through and retreat? The purpose behind this behavior warranted deeper consideration.
Shaking his head, Walker suppressed this question and focused on the immediate task, preparing to organize a document to be submitted to Tianem for decision after returning to Luna II.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Famell successfully evaded the Federal Army and entered safe space, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. Lieutenant Dren, the ship's captain, wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Thank goodness they didn't pursue us, otherwise it would have been truly dangerous."
"Thank goodness? How can you call this situation 'thank goodness'?" Char questioned Lieutenant Dren.
...
As elites selected by Dozle, they were far from short-sighted. Dren and the others understood Char's meaning - both perspectives were valid. Dren was speaking from his own viewpoint, relieved that the Federal Army hadn't pursued them, which could have meant their complete annihilation.
But Char was considering the entire war and the Zeon Army as a whole. Although the Federal MS pilots' movements and tactics were immature and inexperienced, their Mobile Suits' performance far exceeded that of the Zaku II. And this wasn't just one unit, but nine. So... could these units be mass-produced? If so, how should Zeon's MS units respond?
Of course, Char was only voicing these concerns superficially. The true nature of the [V Project] was now confirmed. The M1 Astray that Yang Hui had shown him before was an excellent Mobile Suit that made him envious just looking at it. It was certain that Yang Hui was involved in the [V Project], and then...
"That Mobile Suit... you hid it well, Yang Hui."
Thinking about that Astray Gundam that had pinned him down and trapped him in a cage-like formation, Char couldn't help but shudder. After their initial contact, the enemy machine had basically remained stationary, just continuously firing with its twin guns. Every time he tried to counterattack and aimed at the enemy machine, lethal Beam shots forced him to abandon his attack.
And then there was that final precise shooting that hit multiple rockets simultaneously. Char searched his memory, running through all the Zeon MS ace pilots he knew, and confirmed that none of them could achieve such a feat. Maybe hitting one or two out of a dozen rockets was possible, but hitting multiple simultaneously - that level of marksmanship could only be described as "divine."
"Hah, are you forcing me to bow to you?" Thinking this, Char who had once made a "god" kneel before him shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Major, is something wrong?" Lieutenant Dren's voice interrupted Char's thoughts.
"Nothing. Contact Lieutenant General Dozle and request permission to return."
"Eh? We're ending it here?"
"We've successfully confirmed that the Federation has developed MS. Our mission is half complete."
"And the other half?"
"Do you think with our current combat strength, we have the capability to completely destroy them?"
"Impossible!" Lieutenant Dren shook his head vigorously, almost creating afterimages.
What a joke? When the enemy pilots were still inexperienced, they almost wiped us out. Going back now... would just make us experience fodder?
Besides, this small fleet came from Luna II, meaning the project is still being conducted there. A single ship assault on Luna II? You might as well just shoot me - it would be easier.
So the mission objective has now been confirmed. They could consider their task complete and would need to return to request reinforcements if they wished to proceed.
"Contact Lieutenant General Dozle. I'll take responsibility."
"Yes..."
Returning to his room, Char locked the door, removed his mask for the first time in a long while, and slumped into his chair.
This battle had made him feel a sense of mortal danger that even the One Week War and the Battle of Loum had failed to evoke. Yang Hui's attacks appeared fierce yet carried no killing intent, yet even so, they brought Char unparalleled pressure—a kind of pressure he hadn't experienced even when threatened by Kycilia as a child or aimed at by Guntank's cannons.
However, amidst the exhaustion, Char felt excited anticipation. He and Yang Hui were collaborators. The more power Yang Hui demonstrated, the higher their chances of successful cooperation would be.
"It seems you've begun making your moves. I wonder when you'll deliver on the gift you promised me?"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!