The eight Astray Gundams departed from their base and advanced rapidly toward the front lines. Their space-use propulsion backpacks had been removed and replaced with specialized equipment for ground combat.
Large thrusters mounted on their legs allowed the Astray Gundams to maintain hovering mobility on the ground. Their backpacks lacked stabilizer wings and nozzles, instead consisting of a large container carrying substantial supplies, weapons, and ammunition.
When deployed, the backpack could unfold the latest camouflage cloth that could change colors according to the local environment, serving concealment and infiltration purposes. Additionally, when stimulated by electric current, this camouflage cloth would harden, providing decent defensive capabilities.
Since the backpack contained large quantities of ammunition, its armor had been reinforced. Two auxiliary mechanical arms also carried two shields for protection.
Ford Romfellow's unit abandoned the heavy dual Gatling Vulcan Cannon Assault Shield System, opting instead for handheld Gatling Vulcan Cannons with ammunition belts directly connected to the backpack. His Mobile Suit had the highest demand for physical ammunition, so his backpack was entirely filled with ammunition.
Russ Kessel's unit continued using the Super Mega Cannon. To maintain output and ensure safety, the backpack was equipped with a secondary energy source and an enhanced cooling system. To prevent the risk of the cannon overheating and causing the Mobile Suit to self-destruct, the Super Mega Cannon was connected to the backpack rather than the Mobile Suit itself. If the cannon overheated, they could simply jettison both the Super Mega Cannon and the backpack.
Giorgio Miguel's unit continued carrying the 230MM Cannon to provide heavy fire support, with the backpack also loaded with numerous shells.
Travis Kirkland's unit replaced the Beam Rifle with a 200MM Rocket Launcher. Although the caliber was much smaller than the rocket launcher used by the Zaku II, it was lighter, carried more ammunition, and had less recoil. Of course, the Beam Rifle wasn't completely abandoned but was mounted on the side of the container. Additionally, his unit was the only one among the nine machines equipped with auxiliary detection equipment, serving as the eyes and ears of the entire team.
Blog Karl's and Fred Reber's units removed much of their heavy armor to reduce weight as much as possible and enhance mobility. They abandoned Beam Rifles and replaced their arms with two compact shields. However, these shields were part of the Offense-Shield System—nozzles at the front and sides could release Beam Blades, and they could be launched for attacks before being retrieved via steel cables.
Yang Hui's, Jung's, and Kajima Yuu's units maintained their original armaments. Their backpacks carried additional supplies along with an appropriate number of Energy Magazines.
After advancing some distance, the squad entered a mountainous forest and halted.
"Major, where are we heading now?"
"Spread out and conceal yourselves on site."
"Are we setting up an ambush?"
"Correct. This is the essential path for the Zeon Army's advance."
"Understood."
"Astray 4 and Astray 5, occupy the high ground on the left. Astray 6 and Astray 7, move 10 kilometers to the rear right. Astray 2 and Astray 3, position yourselves 1 kilometer to the left flank. Astray 8 and Astray 9, 1 kilometer to the right flank."
(To avoid accusations of padding word count or unprofessionalism, let's assign code names: Yang Hui is No.1, Jung is No.2, Kajima Yuu is No.3, Russ Kessel is No.4, Ford Romfellow is No.5, Giorgio Miguel is No.6, Travis Kirkland is No.7, Blog Karl is No.8, Fred Reber is No.9.)
"Understood!" x8
"Remember, don't engage the first wave of enemy units. Those are definitely reconnaissance forces. Let them pass. Our target is the main force behind them. Everyone stay alert this time. If anyone screws up again, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Yes... yes!" x8
The nine Astray Gundams immediately dispersed to their respective positions, deploying camouflage cloth from their backpacks to conceal themselves before entering silent mode.
"Russ, do you really think the Zeon Army will come?"
"They'll come."
"Alright, I'm going to take this seriously this time."
"You weren't serious last time?"
"Uh... don't expose me like that!"
"Heh, just remember not to block my firing line this time. If my hand slips, we're both finished."
"Tch, no need to remind me."
...
During the silent mode, everyone was nervous yet incredibly expectant. They had been humiliated last time and were determined to redeem themselves with a spectacular performance this time - to regain the honor they had lost!
Moreover, this time they would be facing Zeon's main force. Though dangerous, it also represented tremendous merit. Success would mean guaranteed wealth and status, while failure... well, they probably wouldn't be around to worry about it anyway.
It wasn't until dawn the next day that the tedious, tense waiting was finally broken.
"Clang~ clang~ clang~..."
"They're here!"
Radar detection was unnecessary now. The vibrations through the ground and the sound of mechanical giants stomping told them clearly - Zeon's reconnaissance unit had arrived.
Their tension heightened. This was their first time using this equipment, and they weren't sure if it could fool Zeon's reconnaissance forces.
Soon, three green, bald, one-eyed giants came into view, moving intermittently with their crimson single eyes scanning randomly, searching aimlessly for something.
A dozen or so Dopp Fighters patrolled the skies, looking for enemies that might or might not exist.
"Don't find me... don't find me..." Everyone silently prayed, even holding their breath for fear that their breathing might give them away to Zeon's reconnaissance unit.
"Huh? The Minovsky particle concentration here..." One Zaku II stopped right in the center of the ambush zone, its pilot detecting something unusual.
"Is there a problem?"
"Well... Minovsky particles have been dispersed here. The concentration is faint, but there shouldn't be any Minovsky particles in this location. We're still some distance from the Federal Army's defense line."
"Maybe they drifted over from elsewhere?"
"Possibly."
"With such low concentration, it might even be the Federal Army setting up a false alarm to delay our advance."
"They'd do something like that?" x2
"Of course! Think about it, we're executing a lightning strike operation. We need to seize the Middle East and Odessa with the speed of a thunderbolt to break open the Earth front. If the Federation uses such tactics to delay our advance, wouldn't that give them more time to prepare their defenses?"
"Impressive!" x2
"Heh, not to boast, but if I hadn't made some mistakes back in the day, I'd be your commanding officer by now."
"Pfft~ Alright! Since there's no problem, let's move out. The Federation's defense line is just ahead."
"Fine, fine."
When the Zaku II came to a halt, everyone's hearts clenched. But seeing them pause only briefly without discovering anything before continuing nonchalantly past their ambush position, they all breathed sighs of relief.
"That scared me to death! My heart was about to jump out just now!"
"Same here..."
"Quiet, there are still Dopp fighters circling above. Don't give us away at this moment."
"Understood."
After waiting about half an hour more, the sun's radiance already bathed the land. From the other side of the horizon came loud roaring sounds. Squinting to see, more and more black dots appeared along the horizon, growing larger and larger.
"They're here!"
"As expected of Zeon's main force, this scale..."
"Three Dabude-class, twelve Gallop-class, thirty-six Zaku IIs, numerous Dopp fighters and Magella Attack Tanks. There should still be Zaku IIs inside the Gallop-class that haven't deployed. Worst case scenario - fully loaded with thirty-six more..."
"Scared?" Yang Hui asked.
"A bit..." everyone replied.
The merit of destroying a main force was indeed tempting, but they only had nine Astray Gundams. Not to mention the warships, fighters, and tanks - even the enemy MS numbers were at least four times theirs. Facing such numbers and scale, being newcomers, they couldn't help but feel afraid.
"Then don't move when the battle starts. Wait until I'm dead and surrender directly?" Yang Hui continued provoking.
"Who's going to surrender!? And Major! Don't say such unlucky things!"
"This is called reverse flagging!"
"Huh!? There's such a technique? Learned something new!" x8
The combination of provocation and jokes dispelled much of their tension and fear, while strengthening their confidence.
"Enough idle talk. Using the Dabude-class as our benchmark, begin the attack once they enter the ambush zone. Numbers 4 and 6, your targets are only the fifteen land warships. Ignore everything else."
"Understood!" x2
"Numbers 5 and 7, protect Numbers 4 and 6. Be careful of harassment from Dopp fighters."
"Understood!" x2
"Numbers 2, 3, 8, and 9, flank from left and right. Keep moving and don't stop, disrupt the enemy formation."
"Understood!" x4
"Alright everyone..." After assigning tasks to each person, the lead Zaku II had already stepped one foot into the ambush zone. The Dopp fighters in the sky were now circling directly above them. The remaining few minutes felt infinitely stretched, as if decades had passed.
Finally, as the benchmark Dabude-class land warship entered the ambush zone, a ferocious smile spread across Yang Hui's face: "...The hunt begins!"
Without a verbal response, the most direct action answered Yang Hui.
A thick pink beam erupted from the steep slope, sweeping away Zaku IIs and Magella Attack Tanks in its path like a torrent. Its power undiminished, it continued forward, piercing through two Gallop-class land warships.
Caught by surprise, the Zeon Army was momentarily stunned. They never expected an ambush here.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."
Under the devastating power of the Super Mega Cannon, trees were incinerated, the ground baked into molten lava, and the Gallop-class warships with gaping holes erupted in violent explosions. Flames shot skyward, debris scattered everywhere, and thick smoke billowed.
"Enemy attack!"
"How could there be enemies here? Were the reconnaissance troops eating shit!?"
"Counterattack! Counterattack now!"
"The enemy..."
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!..."
After a brief moment of shock, the Zeon Army quickly regrouped to organize a counterattack. But before they could restore their full formation, "Justice" descended from above like a divine judgment. 230mm cannon shells rained down from the sky, delivering judgment upon Zeon. Three Gallop-class warships were directly hit, with continuous flames and chain explosions. Even Zaku IIs that had just opened their hatches to deploy were swallowed by the inferno before they could jump out.
"Direction 2! Enemy artillery position!"
"The previous attack came from 8 o'clock!"
"Main guns turn, target..."
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!..."
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