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Near a long-abandoned space transfer station, a fierce battle erupts. The station, a relic of a bygone era, now serves as a clandestine base for the Sea Wolf Pirates. This notorious pirate group has long been a thorn in the side of numerous smaller nations, exploiting the jurisdictional ambiguities of overlapping territories to conduct their illicit activities. Their formidable arsenal and battle-hardened crews have made them a force to be reckoned with, inspiring caution, if not outright fear, in the hearts of many national leaders.
The Iron Ridge Country, for instance, possesses a significant number of GM MS. These units, technologically superior to any MS fielded by the Sea Wolf Pirates, represent a potent defensive capability. However, Iron Ridge's relatively small MS force pales in comparison to the sheer numbers the pirates can muster. This disparity has, until now, prevented Iron Ridge from taking decisive action against the pirates, despite the increased military strength afforded by their domestically produced MS.
The question arises: why have these smaller nations not banded together to eradicate the Sea Wolf Pirates? The answer lies in a complex web of political anxieties and historical precedents. While collective action would undoubtedly be the most effective solution, the deep-seated reluctance to allow foreign troops onto sovereign soil proves to be an insurmountable obstacle. The specter of unwanted occupation, of "invited guests" who refuse to depart, looms large in the collective memory of these nations. Past experiences have taught them that the cure can often be worse than the disease, leaving them to endure the predations of the Sea Wolf Pirates rather than risk their own territorial integrity.
However, the status quo is now being challenged. The Sea Wolf Pirates, operating from their hidden base, have become the target of a determined Mercenary Group. The group's objective is clear and resolute: to eliminate the Sea Wolf Pirates. The approaching clash promises to reshape the balance of power in the region, potentially ushering in a new era of security, or plunging the area into further conflict.
A month prior to the present day, the Antares Mercenary Group dispatched an escort team, comprised of two Flank-class frigates, to safeguard a merchant fleet traversing the spaceways. Unbeknownst to them, their designated route intersected with the operational sphere of the Sea Wolf Pirates' Captain, a circumstance that would soon lead to regrettable consequences.
In a twist of unfortunate timing, this particular escort mission marked the Antares Mercenary Group's inaugural foray into expanded business operations. Thus, it was their first experience escorting a route that happened to go into the Sea Wolf Pirates' territory, and as a result, they encountered a robbery by the Sea Wolf Pirates for the first time.
In the preceding months, the Antares Mercenary Group had developed a reputation for effectively protecting cargo ships from pirate incursions. Their consistent victories in these engagements had fostered a sense of confidence, if not invincibility, among the group's members. This sentiment, however, was soon to be tested.
The Sea Wolf Pirates, for their part, had grown accustomed to operating with impunity, their boldness fueled by a perceived lack of effective opposition. This hubris would ultimately prove to be their undoing.
The two forces inevitably collided. The Antares Mercenary Group's contingent consisted of only two frigates and eight GM MS, a modest force compared to the Sea Wolf Pirates' armada of six modified spacecraft and over seventy MS of varying designs.
Outnumbered and outgunned, the Antares Mercenary Group suffered a complete and utter defeat. The two frigates were destroyed and the eight MS were shot down. The Sea Wolf Pirates emerged victorious, but their triumph was a costly one. They sustained heavy losses, with only four of their spacecraft and fifteen MS remaining operational.
News of the escort fleet's destruction sent shockwaves through the Antares Mercenary Group's headquarters. A wave of anger washed over the organization, fueled by a desire for retribution and a determination to avenge their fallen comrades.
Ryuuichi, in particular, was incensed by the incident. The loss of his personnel and equipment weighed heavily on him, and he resolved to bring the Sea Wolf Pirates to justice.
To that end, Ryuuichi authorized the expenditure of significant capital to establish connections and acquire intelligence regarding the pirates' whereabouts. He spared no expense in his pursuit of knowledge, determined to uncover the location of their hidden base.
Furthermore, Ryuuichi had been diligently developing new Gundams and other advanced weaponry, eager to deploy them in a decisive engagement. The recent defeat served as a catalyst, accelerating his efforts to field these new assets.
Under Kenji's meticulous planning, the Antares Mercenary Group strategically declined numerous commissioned jobs, allowing them to consolidate their forces and marshal their resources for a singular purpose: the complete annihilation of the Sea Wolf Pirates.
The intelligence they had gathered indicated that the Sea Wolf Pirates had amassed a substantial cache of stolen goods, a tempting prize that further fueled Ryuuichi's resolve. Thus, alongside the desire for revenge, Ryuuichi harbored a secondary objective: to seize the pirates' ill-gotten gains.
Ryuuichi himself would participate in the upcoming operation, piloting the newly developed Gundam FA-78-3, a heavily armored and armed variant of the original RX-78 design. This formidable machine, christened Ancestral Gundam Seven, represented the culmination of Ryuuichi's technological expertise and his unwavering commitment to the destruction of the Sea Wolf Pirates.
…
The Antares Mercenary Group's fleet emerged from hyperspace, positioning themselves directly above the Sea Wolf Pirates' hidden base, an abandoned space transfer station. Without any preemptive communications or declarations of intent, Ryuuichi initiated a full-scale assault.
The sudden appearance of the Antares fleet and the immediate launch of their attack caught the Sea Wolf Pirates completely off guard. The initial moments were marked by confusion and disarray as the pirates scrambled to respond to the unexpected threat.
However, the Sea Wolf Pirates were not a ragtag group of inexperienced raiders. Under the leadership of their captain, Tarou Sayama, they were a seasoned and formidable force. Despite the surprise attack, the pirates quickly rallied, and began launching a coordinated counteroffensive.
Ryuuichi's force consisted of twenty frigates and the Albion, a Pegasus-class Assault Landing Ship. The Albion, a 405-meter-long vessel capable of carrying thirty MS, served as the fleet's mobile command center and primary MS carrier. To compensate for the lack of thermonuclear reactors, Ryuuichi equipped the Albion with four Super Energy Furnaces, providing the necessary power to operate its systems.
Originally intended to be an all-energy weapon platform, the Albion underwent significant modifications due to the unavailability of reliable thermonuclear reactors. Many of its laser turrets were replaced with conventional solid-bullet cannons, retaining only the MEGA Particle Cannon as its primary energy weapon. Ryuuichi personally oversaw these modifications, transforming the vessel into a hybrid energy/kinetic weapons platform and officially designated it the Albion Aircraft Carrier.
In total, Ryuuichi's force could deploy 110 MS, a respectable number but still dwarfed by the Sea Wolf Pirates' overwhelming strength.
The Sea Wolf Pirates boasted a formidable arsenal of over sixty modified spacecraft, more than one thousand MS of various types, and nearly one hundred fighter jets. The numerical disparity between the two sides was significant, presenting a considerable challenge for the Antares Mercenary Group.
Amidst the chaos of the opening volleys, a black-haired woman, piloting the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4, gripped the control sticks with determination. Her fingers danced across the controls as she targeted an enemy spacecraft on her screen. With a resolute expression, she pressed the activation button for the MEGA Particle Cannon.
"Eat this!" Reika Fujimoto shouted, her voice echoing through the Gundam's cockpit.
The RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 unleashed a devastating blast from its shoulder-mounted MEGA Particle Cannon, sweeping across the enemy formation. The beam tore through space, incinerating everything in its path.
In a mere ten seconds, the MEGA Particle Cannon ripped through three modified spacecraft, causing them to explode in spectacular fashion. Nearly thirty MS that were unable to evade the beam in time were vaporized, their wreckage scattering across the battlefield. Five fighter jets were also caught in the blast, their wings shearing off as they were reduced to burning debris.
The destructive power of the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 quickly drew the attention of the remaining Sea Wolf Pirates. Dozens of MS and fighter jets converged on the Gundam, unleashing a hail of laser fire and missiles.
Sensing the danger, a second black-haired woman, bearing a striking resemblance to the pilot of the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4, piloted the RX-78-5 Gundam Unit Five to her sister's aid.
The two women were sisters, Reika and Sakura Fujimoto, former MS military pilots from the Starfall Dynasty. During their time in the military, they had served under Hayato's command, earning a reputation as skilled and fearless pilots.
After retiring from the military, the Fujimoto sisters found themselves seeking new challenges. It was then that they received a call from their former superior, Hayato.
Learning that Hayato had become the captain of a private mercenary group, the sisters decided to join the Antares Mercenary Group. They viewed it as an opportunity to continue their military careers in a less restrictive environment.
The Fujimoto sisters were astonished to discover that the Antares Mercenary Group possessed such advanced MS. They were even more surprised when they were given the opportunity to pilot the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 and RX-78-5 Gundam Unit Five.
The Gundam MS reignited their passion for combat. Combined with the Antares Mercenary Group's generous pay, the Fujimoto sisters decided to dedicate their skills to the organization, becoming two of its most valuable assets.
Sakura skillfully maneuvered the RX-78-5 Gundam Unit Five towards her sister's RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4. She engaged the Gatling gun, unleashing a torrent of solid projectiles. The Gatling gun spun at an incredible rate, unleashing a storm of bullets that tore through the ranks of the approaching enemy MS and fighter jets.
Any surviving enemy MS and fighter jets were swiftly dispatched by Reika, who targeted them with the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4's beam rifle. With precise shots, she eliminated any remaining threats.
The combined firepower of the Fujimoto sisters proved devastating. In a single coordinated attack, they destroyed nearly forty enemy MS and ten fighter jets.
In the command room of the Sea Wolf Pirates' base, Captain Tarou Sayama observed the unfolding battle with a grim expression.
"I didn't expect the Gundam to be even more powerful than the rumors," Tarou muttered, his voice laced with concern.
"Captain, we have reports of multiple MS resembling the Gundam appearing in various locations," the communications officer reported.
Tarou's frown deepened as he watched the footage of other Gundam MS wreaking havoc on his forces.
"What is the status of the other fleets? How long until they can return?" he asked, his voice sharp.
"Captain, the Vice Captain has sent a message stating that he will arrive within the hour. He also…" The communications officer's voice trailed off.
Tarou, after hearing the report, ordered the communications officer to relay a message to all returning fleets, instructing them to accelerate their return to defend the base.
Tarou glanced at the radar display, his expression growing more somber. The green dots representing his forces were steadily diminishing, while the red dots representing the enemy forces remained constant.
"Just what have I done to provoke such a powerful mercenary group?" he wondered aloud.
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