The Southeast Asian jungles stretched beneath the Federation's formation, dense and suffocating, though from orbit, the Apsalus Project looked deceptively calm. Lockon Stratos crouched in the cockpit of his Guncannon, eyes scanning the rear perimeter. Smoke and tracer fire from the front and flanks painted the sky with chaos, but his position was crucial. From here, he could cover the Federation's retreat or pin down the Zeon forces pressing in.
Ahead, he could see the unmistakable silhouette of Ramba Ral's Gouf cutting through the jungle haze, his Zaku II squad forming a screen around him. Ral moved with terrifying efficiency, each step of his mobile suit precise, calculating, almost alive with a vigor Lockon hadn't expected from someone of his years. Beside him, the Zaku II skirmished with Federation units, cutting paths and drawing fire to protect the Gouf's advance.
Lockon's hands gripped the controls tightly. Nostalgia gnawed at him; he remembered his own Gundam, the sharp angles, the power, the feeling of dominance in the cockpit. But that world was gone, and here he had only his Guncannon, his aim, and his instincts. Every shot counts, he reminded himself, aligning the targeting computer on the lead Zaku II.
From the front, Norris Packard barreled toward White Base in his Gouf Custom. The sheer size and firepower of the suit made him a threat none could ignore. Lockon's sensors picked up the Gouf's trajectory, its spikes glinting under the dim light. A bead of sweat formed at Lockon's temple. Two directions, one man, and the White Base crew depending on him.
He muttered under his breath, "I don't have a Gundam, but I can still make a difference."
He opened fire on the Zaku II screen, the Guncannon's twin cannons spitting rounds that slammed into the suits. One Zaku exploded, the cockpit sending smoke curling into the air. The Gouf staggered slightly, its momentum faltering, though Ral's experience kept him steady. Lockon adjusted, switching targets, aiming for Norris' Gouf Custom. A glancing hit struck the arm joint, sparks dancing along its frame. Norris snarled in his cockpit but refused to halt his advance.
"Lockon! You're not doing this alone!" a familiar voice shouted from the deck. Kai Shiden launched his Guncannon alongside Hayato Kobayashi in a Guntank. Both units landed with controlled precision, their presence immediately shifting the balance.
Lockon allowed himself a small nod. "Finally. About time."
Kai swept his cannon across the advancing Zaku II. "Let's even the odds!" Hayato's Guntank roared, hammering shells into Ramba Ral's squad. Tracers and explosions erupted across the forest clearing as Lockon's shots found new openings. Several Zaku II suits were shredded mid-advance, forcing Ramba Ral to pull back slightly, reassessing the new threat to his flank.
Ral's Gouf, however, pressed on, moving with a fluidity that betrayed his mastery. Lockon had to predict his evasive maneuvers while keeping Norris pinned down. "Come on… steady… steady…" he whispered, finger on the trigger. The Guncannon roared, landing a direct hit on Norris' armor. Sparks flew, systems overloaded, but the Gouf's pilot bared down. "So… you're the sniper. I'll remember you," Norris growled, voice low and steady.
Lockon shifted, tracking Ramba Ral once more. "You're slowing, Ral. Not fast enough." He fired again, scoring another hit on the Gouf's left leg actuator. The suit staggered, smoke rising, though Ral quickly compensated, keeping his balance with deft mechanical precision.
Kai's Guncannon laid down covering fire, cutting through the remaining Zaku II and protecting the Federation units at the rear. "Lockon, aim for the Gouf's joints! Keep him off balance!" Kai's voice crackled over comms.
Hayato added his own barrage. "Don't let him flank! We hold the line, no matter what!"
Lockon exhaled sharply, adrenaline surging. With the combined effort, he found a clean opening on Ramba Ral's Gouf. He fired, hitting the torso, causing the suit to stagger. The smoke and sparks obscured his vision for a moment, and Lockon prayed the timing held.
From the side, Norris' Gouf tried to push forward again. Lockon shifted his aim, firing a well-placed volley that rocked the Custom's armor. Sparks and smoke sprayed from the joint, forcing Norris to retreat, at least temporarily. Lockon caught a glimpse of the pilot's determined eyes; even under fire, he refused to give up.
Ral snarled inside his cockpit, fury evident, yet he was impressed by the resilience of the Federation trio. "So… these rookies have some backbone," he muttered, adjusting his controls to evade another volley. His Zaku II units, reduced now, struggled to keep pace as the Guntank and Guncannons pressed their assault.
Lockon kept firing, coordinating with Kai and Hayato. "Kai, left flank! Hayato, cover the rear! Don't let them break formation!"
The forest erupted in flashes, explosions, and smoke as each shot landed with precision. Lockon could feel the weight of every move, every decision. Miss a shot, and the rear could collapse. Miss an opening, and Norris or Ramba Ral could reach the White Base.
Norris' Gouf flared sparks from a damaged thruster. He gritted his teeth, muttering, "This sniper… clever… but I'm not done yet." He pivoted, trying to press again toward White Base.
Ral's Gouf slowed as well, the barrage from behind and front forcing him to reconsider his advance. "Damn it…" he hissed, his normally calm voice tinged with frustration. "These kids… they fight with the fire of youth."
Lockon's finger tightened on the trigger, a bead of sweat running down his temple. "Stay together… don't let them pick us off." His voice was steady over comms, but his heart pounded.
Kai's voice came back, firm and clear. "Lockon, I've got a clear shot on that Zaku II. Finish it!"
Hayato added, "I've got the rear covered. Keep Ral distracted, he can't advance while I'm hitting him."
The combined pressure worked. Zaku II units fell one by one, smoke rising from the clearing. Ramba Ral's Gouf stumbled slightly, sparks flying from the torso, and he cursed under his breath. He recalibrated, pulling his suit back, waiting for another opportunity.
Lockon exhaled slowly, allowing himself a brief glance at the White Base. The deck was still intact, the crew alive, and for now, the rear was secured. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Good timing, Kai, Hayato… couldn't have held them much longer."
Norris growled from behind his damaged suit. "This isn't over. You'll pay for this," he muttered, retreating to regroup.
Ral's voice crackled over the comms. "You've slowed me down… but don't think I'm finished."
Lockon didn't reply, keeping his focus on tracking the retreating threats, ensuring that the next wave wouldn't catch them off guard. The three Federation units — his Guncannon, Kai's Guncannon, and Hayato's Guntank — stood shoulder-to-shoulder, holding the rear and giving White Base breathing room.
The forest clearing was littered with smoke, sparks, and the occasional smoking wreck of a Zaku II. Lockon leaned back slightly, exhausted but alert. This wasn't over. Ramba Ral and Norris would return, and the Federation needed every ounce of precision and coordination to survive the next assault.
Lockon adjusted his targeting computer once more, muttering under his breath, "We'll be ready… whatever comes next."
Kai's voice interrupted, calmer now. "We held the line, for now. But don't get cocky. They'll regroup."
Hayato chimed in, a grin audible in his tone despite the tension. "And when they do… we'll be ready. Let them come."
Lockon glanced to the horizon where Ramba Ral's Gouf lingered in the smoke, and Norris' damaged Custom paused for now. He took a deep breath. The fight's not over, but we've survived today.
And with that, the three units prepared for whatever Zeon would throw at them next, the rear line standing firm against the chaos, determination shining through the smoke and debris.