A barren wasteland, littered with wreckage and scorched earth pockmarked by craters from explosions.
"Major, targets eliminated."
"Supplies recovered as well."
"Continue advancing."
"Understood."
From initial tension to subsequent excitement, their eyes still gleamed with the predatory bloodlust of wolves hunting prey, yet their expressions remained calm and detached.
Just moments earlier, a complete patrol squad consisting of three Zaku IIs, six Magella Attack Tanks, and six Dopp Fighters had been annihilated by Yang Hui's squad without leaving a single survivor.
They had lost count of how many patrol squads they had eliminated. They simply followed Yang Hui's lead, destroying any enemy that stood in their path.
"All units, we have entered enemy territory. Maintain high alert."
"Understood." x3
After advancing further without encountering resistance, cross-referencing with their maps revealed they were nearing Zeon's supply lines. A Zeon material transfer station lay just ahead - if they could destroy both the station and all its supplies, Zeon would face critical supply shortages for at least a month.
However, being a key Zeon stronghold, it was far from unprotected. On the contrary, security was extremely tight, requiring careful planning to successfully destroy the transfer station.
Finding a concealed position nearby, Yang Hui studied the map while formulating an operation plan.
"Major, I'm back." Blog Karl, who had been scouting the base, immediately reported to Yang Hui.
"What's the situation?"
"I circled the entire base. Security is extremely tight - standard mobile patrols include an entire Zaku squadron, with continuous Dopp patrols overhead. There are twelve fixed posts, each guarded by a Zaku squad and a Magella Attack Tank squad, plus heavy weapon emplacements. Unfortunately, we can't contact Command - satellite imagery would have revealed internal troop deployments."
"Can Unit 4's Super Mega Cannon destroy it in one shot?" Russ Kessel asked.
"Negative." Blog Karl shook his head. "The base is roughly square-shaped. The Super Mega Cannon's blast radius can only cover one-third of the area at most."
"Then that won't work."
Their objective was complete destruction of the material transfer station. If they alerted the enemy, not only would they lose the element of surprise for a second attempt, but Zeon would also intensify their pursuit. Destroying only one-third of the station wouldn't justify the risk.
"This location should be secure. During reconnaissance, I noted Zeon patrol routes - none currently overlap with this area. Major, I request permission to scout the transfer station again tonight." Blog Karl proposed.
"Approved. I'll accompany you tonight. If no opportunity presents itself, we'll abandon this target."
"Understood." x3
"Fort, what's our remaining supply status?"
"Enough for about ten days."
"Good. Everyone rest now. We'll rotate watch shifts - I'll take the first shift."
"Understood." x3
As the sun set in the west, night's tranquility gradually claimed the warm sky, and temperatures began to drop.
Yang Hui checked the time, then found Blog Karl to set out together for a second reconnaissance of the material transfer station.
"Just as expected, the defenses are even tighter. Major, we have no opportunity," Blog Karl stated after confirming the nighttime security was more stringent than during the day, immediately advising Yang Hui to abandon the raid on this material transfer station.
"Hmm, though it's regrettable, we can only... wait, what's that?"
Just as Yang Hui was about to give up, he suddenly noticed several signal lights blinking in the sky. Using night vision binoculars, he saw several "Uncle Fatty" transport planes descending from the sky and landing inside the transfer station.
"Another batch of reinforcements has arrived. Damn Zeon, just how many troops have they deployed here?" Blog Karl gritted his teeth in frustration, knowing every piece of material here would add to the Federal Army's burden.
"Hmm... I think... we might have an opportunity now," Yang Hui said.
"Major?"
"Let's head back first."
"Understood."
After returning to the hiding spot, Yang Hui immediately gathered the three of them and spread out a map for a meeting: "Just now, a batch of 'Uncle Fatty' transports arrived at the transfer station. The frontline situation is tense. Judging by the Zeon Army's aggressive offensive, they're rushing to capture the Middle East region as quickly as possible. Therefore..."
"This batch of reinforcements will likely be sent to the frontline soon, possibly... even tonight!"
"That's possible. If so, we can intercept this batch of materials en route and draw the transfer station's forces away from their base."
"...Russ, you head to this position." Yang Hui drew a circle on the map at a location deeper in Zeon territory, then sketched a curved line. "Wait at this position for Fort's signal. Use the Super Mega Cannon to attack Area A of the transfer station. After firing one shot, abandon the Super Mega Cannon and retreat at maximum speed from this direction."
"Abandon the Super Mega Cannon?" Russ asked. After several battles, he had grown fond of this weapon—powerful, long-range, a super weapon that could turn the tide with a single strike. The thought of abandoning it made him somewhat reluctant.
"Yes, after this battle, we'll be pressed for time. Carrying the Super Mega Cannon would slow us down too much."
"Understood. I'll set the self-destruct program."
"Good. Next, Fort and Blog, you head to this position." Yang Hui drew another circle on the map, this time between the frontline and the transfer station. "Wait for the supply convoy. Five minutes after they arrive, fire a signal flare, then destroy all the supplies and reinforcements. After completing the mission, retreat from this direction and rendezvous with Russ."
"Understood." x2
"I'll raid the transfer station after you begin your operation. If I haven't reached the rendezvous point within one hour, continue with the plan as scheduled."
"...Understood." x3
None of the three tried to dissuade or comfort him. Firstly, they believed Yang Hui would definitely make it to the rendezvous safely within the allotted time. Secondly, there was no need for such sentimental gestures between them anymore. They were all soldiers, warriors, and comrades—what they needed was silent understanding and support, not obstruction or emotional displays.
"Major, what if the supply convoy doesn't come?" Ford Romfellow asked.
"You can wait here for a maximum of two hours. If they haven't appeared within that time, withdraw directly to the rendezvous point." This timeframe was calculated by Yang Hui - if, as they anticipated, Zeon was eager to deliver supplies and reinforcements to the front lines, they would definitely pass this location within two hours. If not, they wouldn't make it in time for the battle at dawn, making the night departure unnecessary.
"Understood." X3
...
The four mobile suits had separated and begun their operations. Yang Hui alone lurked not far from the transfer station, awaiting the start of the battle.
"Calculating the time, Fort, Blog, and Russ should have all reached their designated coordinates. Now we just wait... Hmm? Heh, in such a hurry?"
At that moment, Yang Hui spotted a squadron of Zaku IIs escorting a large convoy advancing toward the front lines. Just as they had speculated, the Zeon Army was anxious to achieve results and couldn't wait to deploy additional forces to the front.
Fifteen minutes later, Yang Hui saw approximately a squadron of Zaku IIs mixed with war chariots and fighter aircraft leaving the transfer station, rushing toward Ford Romfellow and Blog Karl's ambush position. Soon after, bright signal flares rose in the distance, accompanied by the roar of guns and explosions. Yang Hui knew the battle there had begun, which meant...
"BOOM~!!!"
The Super Mega Cannon unleashed its power. The thick beam torrent surged like a tidal wave, covering and submerging one-third of the transfer station area. When the pink radiance dissipated, the melted ground still crackled with electric arcs, followed by...
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM..."
Continuous explosions linked together into a solid line, the violent flames illuminating the quiet night and shattering the moon's tranquility.
"WOO~ WOO~ WOO~..."
The transfer station's alarm sounded, indicating chaos had erupted inside. But Yang Hui wouldn't give them a chance to restore order. The Astray Gundam's eyes lit up as it advanced toward the transfer station at high speed.
"What's that..."
"SWISH~"
A three-unit Zaku II squad that had been distracted by the transfer station's flames and explosions barely caught sight of the Astray Gundam's silhouette before being bisected by its beam saber.
Without pause, Astray Gundam Unit 1 raised its arms and fired two shots, destroying the two nearest heavy weapon emplacements, then leaped into the interior of the transfer station.
"That's! The Federation's MS!"
"How did it get here!?"
"Enemy attack! Where are our MS units!? Hurry and..."
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM..."
"AH~!!!!"
Astray Gundam Unit 1 charged into the unprepared enemy base interior like a wolf king pouncing into a flock of sheep, beginning to slaughter its prey at will.
Immediately, Yang Hui scattered the high-explosive grenades prepared in his backpack like rainfall, then maintained high-speed movement while rapidly firing. The beam rifle and Vulcan cannons swept continuously, targeting everything within his line of sight.
However, Yang Hui wasn't conducting random destruction. Even if he used all his ammunition, he couldn't achieve results comparable to the Super Mega Cannon.
Therefore, he was searching for the ammunition depot. Destroying it would not only put tremendous pressure on Zeon's front lines but also utilize the ammunition depot's chain reaction explosions to inflict greater damage to this transfer station.
"Found it!"
After searching around, Yang Hui located the ammunition depot at the core of the transfer station. To his delight, right next to it was the hangar for the reserve MS units.
"Checkmate!"
After slicing through two approaching Zaku IIs with his sword, Yang Hui casually grabbed a grenade from one of the Zakus and threw it toward the ammunition depot. Then he immediately retreated from the transfer station at maximum speed.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."
Deafening explosions roared as flames and smoke shot skyward. The shockwaves seemed ready to flip the entire transfer station over.
The architect of this chaos, the true man Yang Hui, never looked back at the explosions. With a ferocious grin on his face, he focused entirely on putting distance between himself and the scene.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!