The smoke still choked the air above Kyushu, a grim monument to the ferocity of the Zeon withdrawal. But the operation was a success. With the Kyushu team safely evacuated, the main force's focus snapped to its true objective: the former Hive 22.
Jean, ever the model of efficiency, reported, "Commander, the main attack force is arriving at the former Hive 22. We've detected a large UN fleet, but our Aqua Mobile Suits are engaging them now."
"Good," I said, a cold satisfaction in my voice. "I want them off my land."
I rose from the command seat in my mobile bunker, the low hum of machinery fading as I stepped away.
"A good leader doesn't stay back in the safety of their bunker like a coward," I stated, turning to Jean. "A good leader leads from the front."
I strode toward the hangar bay. My custom Zudah, painted in a midnight blue and silver trim, stood awaiting me.
"So beautiful," I murmured, running a gloved hand along the heavy armor plate. I turned back to Jean, a feral grin spreading across my face. "Shall we?"
Location: Hive 22, UN Base Command
The holographic map above the conference table still glowed crimson over Kyushu.
"The attack on Kyushu was devastating," a visibly strained officer reported. "An entire city is dead. We've sent thirty percent of our force to assist with the cleanup and reinforce the region."
"It's a necessary sacrifice," another officer replied, his hands crossed behind his back, trying to project calm.
"The clean-up is progressing well. It's only a matter of time before we've fully taken control of this land." He said again. Taking slow deliberate steps around the Holographic Table.
The illusion of security shattered when a panicked soldier burst through the door.
THUD
"SIR! We've spotted an enemy attack force headed this way!" They yelled, and then keeling over and panting.
The officers exchanged stunned looks and nervous sideways glances.
"Nani?! Didn't they attack Kyushu?"
One officer, his eyes widening in sudden realization, calmed the room with a single, sharp word. "A decoy. Kyushu was a decoy."
"So you mean they were always aiming for Hive 22?"
"Yes," the calmer officer confirmed, running a hand through his hair. "With thirty percent of our troops gone to Kyushu, this will be a hard battle."
"I will prepare the men," the other officer said, already turning on his heel and heading for the door.
Above the churning waves, the UN Navy was a wall of steel, spitting shells and flak at the incoming Zeon assault. They focused their fire on the Dodai II transports carrying the heavier artillery.
"Don't let the Dodai II get shot down!" a Zudah pilot yelled over the comms, his Mobile Suit dodging a rain of flak and the straight lines of bullets.
BOOM! BOOM!
Two Flak shells exploded in front of him. But the better armored Zudah shrugged it off no problem."Where the hell are the Aqua MS?!"
Suddenly, a brilliant beam of yellow light erupted from beneath a ship, tearing through the hull below the waterline. The vessel split in half before violently exploding into a massive fireball.
Whiiir PEW! PEW! PEW! BOOM BOOM!
Multiple Destroyers and Cruisers were melted in half in a simultaneous attack. Nearly half the fleet gone in an instant.
"Finally! Everyone, go! Now!" the Zudah pilot roared. Pushing his controls forwards and charging into battle, thrusters at full power.
The attack force surged forward as the UN navy was shredded by the relentless Gogg and Z'Gok Mobile Suits.
SPLASH! THUD!
A Ram Z'Gok leaped out of the water. It's thrusters firing to soften the landing on a TSF Aircraft Carrier deck.
The several (4) TSF on deck took a instinctive step back in fear, others pulling out their swords and guns.
"The fuck is that!?" One of them said. A female voice, her TSF holding two Type-74 PB Blade. It's Super Carbon blade glinting in the sliver of sunlight that passed through the Flak filled skies.
Before they can say anything more the Ram Z'Gok charged forwards, it's rocket boosters firing to close the distance to the nearest TSF.
The TSF in retaliation. Shot the 120mm Assault cannon on it's rifle. Exploding on the Ram Z'Gok's chest, black smoke covering it.
But it did not stop. It continued to charge through, proceeding to crush the torso of the TSF between it's two claws. The internal frame collapsing and snapping, and a sudden burst of blood seeping from the edges of the cockpit door.
"Tanaka! You'll pay for that you whatever the fuck you are!" The Female soldier said. Her TSF charging forwards, both blades in hand. Her swords met the Claw Shields of the Ram Z'Gok, the TSF and Mobile Suit trading quick slices and blows, Heated claws meeting Super Carbon.
RATATATATA BOOM! BOOM!
Then a stream of projectiles and and cannon fire hit the rear of the Z'Gok, the other TSF firing 4 guns. Using both the arms and Sub-Arms.
"DIE BAKEMONO!" The Pilot yelled as he kept going ham on the triggers. Firing a steady stream of 37mm rounds and 120mm cannon rounds.
The Heavier Armor of the Z'Gok saved it from the barrage of fire. The Armor developing hundreds of smaller holes and and deep indentations.
Click, Click ,Click, Click.
The echoing click of the empty guns sounded, the Z'Gok pushing the TSF it's currently engaging with onto it's ass, and then turning and pointing one of it's hands at the other TSF.
The pointed hand opened up revealing a small barrel that was slowly gathering energy.
Whiir, PEW!
In a single shot, the yellow beam of Mega Particles melted the entire torso of the TSF, and then exploding a moment later.
BOOM!
"You'll pay scum!" The second to last TSF on the deck jumped high, aiming both it's swords into a deep stab directly on the head of the Z'Gok
WOOSH! WOOSH!
Two missiles fired from the holes on the head of the Z'Gok, the large caliber missiles exploding the TSF into scrap that scattered everywhere.
Meanwhile, the TSF on the ground was slowly crawling backwards in fear,
"No… Impossible." The pilot murmured under her breath.
Then, the Z'Gok turned to her, it then walked up, standing over her TSF, it's singular eye staring down into the Optics of her TSF, and to an extension, her soul.
"So s-strong… or are we simply… weak." She said, her thoughts elsewhere as she felt her TSF move slightly as the Z'Gok put it's foot on its chest.
"And you always will be." The Z'Gok pilot said in a cold monotone voice, the TSF pilot's eyes widening and a moment later, she was crushed, the cockpit crumpling easily under the weight.
Meanwhile
Inside a Dodai II, the pilot cut the tow rope. "Zaku Cannon dropping!"
The Zaku Cannon plunged toward the ground accelerating and accelerating until.
POP! POP! POP! WOOSH!
3 large parachute opened on it's back, 4 smaller thrusters firing to slow it's descent to the ground. Bending it's knees as it landed.
"Zaku Cannon drop complete. Returning to base," the Dodai II pilot confirmed as the transports turned away to head home.
More Zaku Cannons and Zaku Half Cannons landed, the Half Cannons immediately established a no-fly zone with their twin shoulder mounted 90mm Miniguns, shredding incoming helicopters, TSFs, and tanks.
A Zudah then landed in the middle of the formation, a commander antenna on attached to it's head.
"Zaku Cannons, prepare for continuous barrage!" the Zudah pilot commanded.
The artillery MS knelt, lining up their shots. A second later,
BOOM! BOOM!
The Zaku Cannon's 180mm cannons opened fire, multiple large caliber shells flying high across the sky and far inland.
"We have captured Beachead A and are heading inland!" an officer reported over the radio.
"Good. Continue your advance," I said, nodding even though they can't see me, before turning my head to Jean. "Are the Gaws ready?"
"Yes, Commander. It's ready," she saluted, already heading toward the massive flying aircraft carrier, which was being loaded with Mobile Suits and Mobile Armors.
"Any thoughts on your new upgrade?" I asked, a hint of pride and smugness in my voice.
"Of course, Commander," Jean replied, her tone sincere. "I love it." She said, her voice pitching up momentarily.
I climbed into the cockpit of my Zudah within the Gaws' massive hold. "Time to get the party started." I say, licking my lips.
Location: UN Headquarters
"Commander! We are being destroyed! We need reinforcements now!" a soldier's voice screamed over the radio.
"We need ammo! Give me ammo!" came another desperate shout before a loud explosion cut the transmission short.
"Damn it! All troops, retreat! We are going to hold the beach facing in one single direction!" the commanding officer bellowed "Hold that choke point at all costs!"
As the Zeon forces advanced, the UN and Japanese troops were pushed into a desperate holdout, their backs to the water. Their navy tried to cover them, but the lurking Goggs and Z'Goks ensured they wouldn't save a soul.
Meanwhile. A massive Gaw broke through the cloud cover, parting the clouds as it continued to fly.
"The fuck is that thing!?" One of the ground soldiers said, looking up high in the sky.
"Shoot it!"
TSF's, Anti Air Tanks, Self Propelled Guns, aimed high towards the massive Gaw, Bullets, Heavy Caliber Shells and Missiles firing up to intercept the massive flying behemoth.
RATATATATATA BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The Gaw's armor held under the heavy ordnance hitting it. But not for long.
"Commander, we are on top of the target. Opening bay doors," the Gaw's pilot announced.
"Alright, prepare to drop," I said, with Jean and a few other Zudahs lined up behind me.
Creeeaaaaaak
The hull of the Gaw creaked ominously under me as the barrage of fire continued. Then the massive front doors of the Gaw opened wide, like a gaping mouth of a Monster.
"Oggo team! Deploy!" The secondary hatches on the base of the wings opened up, each hangar carrying a pair of Oggos.
"Let's get this party started!" One of the Oggo pilots yelled, launching out of the Gaw at high speeds and quickly forming up into a defensive screen.
"Jump!" I yelled, leaping forwards and out of the open doors. The other Mobile Suits following suit.
As the dozen or so MS fell with me, hundreds if not thousands of varying ordnance flying past me.
To my side, the Oggo mobile pods fell with me. firing their 9 tube 280mm rockets and Zaku Bazooka's. The ground below blanketed into a massive field of explosions.
[Warning: Altitude reached. Deploying Parachutes]
My Zudah's parachute snapped open, slowing the descent. The Oggos flew ahead, forming a protective screen against the incoming MQ-9 Reaper Drones, and other jets, destroying them mid-air.
"Come here you little shit!" An Oggo pilot yelled almost deliriously as the arms of the Oggo snapped open, the claws clamping onto a passing Reaper. With the unmanned drone exploding into a million pieces.
Pushing past the defensive screen of Oggos i see the vast field of the Enemy forces below, firing desperately at every direction. I let out a "hmph" of amusement.
Cutting my parachutes, I boosted toward a battery of Type-99 Howitzers and M270 MLRS. I landed with a loud thud, the rocky ground cracking on my landing.
The on the ground soldiers looked up and shouted orders. The Howitzer turning it's Cannon to face me, before it could do so, the hands of my MS clamped around it's barrel and crushing it, i then proceed to rip off the turret and use it like a club to bludgeon the nearby MLRS.
Thud, Thud, Thud.
Jean landed behind me, followed by the others. "Commander. Thank you for clearing the LZ." Jean gave a quick salute with the hand of her golden Zudah.
"Commander, we're heading to support the attack force. Good luck," an Oggo pilot radioed, the team of Oggos turning and Blasting off towards the sky.
"Continue the good work," I said, then turned my Zudah toward the UN HQ.
"How are they so tough!" a Japanese TSF pilot cried, facing a Zaku Half-Cannon in melee combat. The Super Carbon sword clashing with the intense heat of the Heat Hawk.
"Tim! Watch out! Rocket incoming!" an American TSF pilot yelled.
A Zudah flying above pointed it's Bazooka downwards at the group of TSF's below.
WOOSH!
The Bazooka fired, the large rocket streaking down towards the enemy. The Zaku Half Cannon retreating out of the crossfire.
BOOM!
The rocket exploded mid air, propelling thousands of small supersonic Tungsten balls at the TSF below.
"AAAAAAAGGGGH!" "GRAAAAAGGGHH!!!" The TSF pilots screamed as the Tungsten Balls peppered the armor of their TSF, piercing and damaging core systems.
"Canister rounds are amazing," the Zudah pilot boasted as they ejected the magazine of the Bazooka.
Then a garbled message went through the radio.
"You won't g-get away with this you t-terrorists!" One of the damaged TSF lying on the ground raised it's damaged gun. Firing a stream of 37mm shells at the Zudah
In response, the Zudah used it's shield to block the attack, the projectiles bouncing off harmlessly.
The TSF tried to fire the 120mm cannon. But the gun exploded in it's own hand, then the Zaku Half Cannon went in for the finishing blow, swinging it's Heat Hawk at the cockpit.
Then, the radio crackled again.
"Sir! Zeon infantry and Magella Tanks have arrived. You can move on now," a soldier reported over his radio.
"Copy. We are moving out now."
As Zeon forces swarmed the area, the UN and Japanese defensive perimeter collapsed, leaving only one last stronghold.
"Captain, I have to retreat. My Zudah can't take any more of this," a pilot pleaded, his Mobile Suit visibly failing.
"Understood. Move back, head toward the outpost, and stay put," the Captain ordered. The Zudah pilot nodded and pulled back.
With Jean, we were a whirlwind of destruction, tearing through TSFs, tanks, and choppers.
"Take this!" Jean shouted, her Heat Lance skewering multiple TSFs while her two mounted Miniguns destroyed incoming rockets.
"Commander, we've found their airfield. Permission to take it out?" a pilot asked.
"Negative. Keep the airfield intact and the planes in good working order, but you are authorized to neutralize any remaining personnel," I commanded, switching my Zaku Machine Gun for my Beam Saber to slice through a TSF that got too close.
"Understood."
"Jean, you good? " I asked.
"Yes, Commander," she confirmed.
"Good. One last thing, then." I turned my head toward the sea, spotting a large ship in the distance. A beam of light erupted from beneath the waves, and the ship exploded.
Location: Underwater
"Ship spotted. Preparing to fire," the Gogg pilot, Ganto, reported before firing its signature beam weapon, vaporizing the enemy vessel's keel.
"Hey, watch this!" the Z'Gok pilot, Rick, said. The claws of his Mobile Suit glowed with heat as he charged a destroyer, piercing clean through its hull. He tried to pull it out, but the claw stuck.
"You stuck?" Ganto asked, a chuckle in his voice.
"What?! No!" Rick shouted, wrenching his Mobile Suit back and forth.
"You're stuck, aren't you?" Ganto teased, "slapping" the hull of Rick's Z'Gok.
"No, I am not!" Rick finally managed to free the claw, spinning as the momentum released it. "See! It ain't stuck."
"Alright then," Ganto replied.
Then, a metallic clank echoed through the water.
"What the? A barrel?" Rick wondered just before it exploded.
"Depth charges! Move away!" Ganto yelled, boosting out of the area.
After a moment, Ganto tried the comms. "Hey, Rick, you good?"
"Yeah, I'm fine! Let's sink more ships!" Rick replied, his voice a little shaky but determined.
Ganto sighed in relief and turned his Gogg toward the next target. The beachhead was secure.