"You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war."
- Napoleon Bonaparte
Chapter XIV: Descent
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
August 8, GC 379
The calm was almost enough to soothe, but not quite. Its presence was welcomed, however, strangely foreign, as though it had never touched upon that part of the Ark Royal before. But then, when one shared quarters with a self-proclaimed antagonist – to say nothing of the war– peace and tranquility were often rarities. Thus, Hayato Kobayashi did all he could to enjoy it, hoping it would last a while, preferably well before Garma's fleet arrived at Anges, which caused the shooting to begin anew.
Seated on his bed, eyes closed and body composed, the young mobile suit pilot was acutely aware of the impending battle. Though he lacked the special powers that two of his fellow pilots held, he knew that the battle was imminent. He felt like he could track the oncoming Zeon fleet in warp. They were close enough for Hayato almost to sense their intensity, will, and desire to destroy him and those he fought alongside. Yet they were not quite there yet, still in the transit of interstellar flight. Anywhere from minutes to hours away, but closing rapidly upon this distant world.
For now, Hayato chose not to dwell on the approaching battle. Instead, he delved into his own being, a being descended from a proud and noble history. He was a warrior, the latest in a line of warriors. A familial line that predated the Federation by millennia, extending back to an era of feudalism. A line which Hayato felt all too privileged to be part of, whose spirit he prided himself in carrying. In this era of chaos and destruction, nothing was left sacred or untouched. But his noble lineage, his connection to a time when wars were fought for and upon segments of land, was a weight he carried with pride.
Concentrated inwardly hard enough, Hayato delved back in time, reflecting upon his great and noble ancestry. Generations of men and women had fought upon the battlefield long before him for whatever differences in background, character, and ideals. Men and women like the samurai Masakage Kobayashi, who had been a Shinsengumi member and fought in the Boshin War. Or the fighter ace Sugano Kobayashi, who had started his career at Pearl Harbor, having piloted one of the forty-one A6M Zeros that took part in the attack's first wave. Another fighter ace, Ayeka Kobayashi, who had ended up becoming the first Japanese woman to earn the title. The latter had participated in World War III, defending Japan from its enemies throughout the conflict. Living long enough to see the dissolution of the old world – up to and including her birth nation – and the emergence of the Federation.
And then there was his immediate predecessor. Captain Saiga Kobayashi of the Earth Federation Starship Hiryu. His father was among Earth's most brilliant minds, so much so that even Fleet Admiral Revil respected the elder Kobayashi's skill. Not that Hayato found that difficult to believe. After all, the elder Kobayashi was one of the few Earth ship commanders not to have been taken off guard by the Galactic War's abrupt beginning (i.e., lack of declaration), even destroying an enemy squadron within mere minutes of the conflict. From there, he became one of the most persistent thorns on Zeon's side, one whose combat record would undoubtedly become the stuff of history when it was all over. The fact that he commanded one of the five surviving Lexingtons emphasized his prowess, especially with how much time and effort the Zeeks spent against the much hated "Trojan Horses."
From the feudalisms of ancient Japan to the conflicts and intrigues of pre-unified Earth to the modern Galactic Century, much had culminated together to form the being known as Hayato Kobayashi. Once more, it is the latest addition to a proud familial line, one borne of blood, iron, and strife. He often wondered how he would amount in such a lineage, especially as a participant in a war encompassing the whole galaxy. Would he make his ancestors – and his father – proud? Weren't they already proud of him? Shouldn't they be, after all he had accomplished to this point? He would have liked to think so, but like so many other things, he was not entirely sure.
Hayato felt the exact opposite, more often than not. Not that he had somehow failed his ancestors and lineage, but rather that he couldn't measure up to them. He knew he didn't; they had all taken part in vital history points before and after the Federation's forming. Hayato was barely surviving, living through one battle so he could go into the next. And he likely would until the war's end, assuming he lived to see it.
A frown threatened to enter his expression, but he forced it back. No, Hayato Kobayashi was nothing like his ancestors or his father. He was a gifted mobile suit pilot – capable of fighting against the Zeon and their minions evenly and efficiently – but he was not exceptional. His combat record was noteworthy – having long joined the ranks of the Federation's aces – but it was not remarkable. And though he managed to survive from one battle to the next, taking down a fair number of Zeeks, he could not dominate the field like the Eagle of Arcturus or the Valkyrie of Riah. Or the White Devil, Hayato begrudgingly admitted.
The best anyone could observe of Hayato was that he was an above-average pilot and a capable soldier but hardly one of Earth's best. How could someone like that compare to those great warriors before him? How could he hope to earn his place within his family's lineage when he was above average and not much else?
That, he knew all too well, was where his disdain for the Federation's newest ace stemmed from. Yes, Hayato put forward – at least to himself – he was envious of Amuro Ray. Envious enough to hold loathing, as though the Lieutenant's very presence aboard the Ark Royal unsettled him. However, it wasn't for the reasons Kai and the others had suspected.
It wasn't because Amuro Ray was a better mobile suit pilot than he. Hayato could live with others being better than him, even when it came to fighting. Nor, for that matter, was it because he had a superior machine. When the Gundam entered mass production, that point would become mute anyway. And Hayato firmly doubted the Lieutenant was anatomically larger than himself – at least by any noticeable extent – despite Kai's idiotic ramblings. Not that it would have bothered him, of course.
No, what he envied Lieutenant Ray for was something that should have been obvious, yet somehow easily overworked: power. Whether it was due to his being a Newtype, Hayato sensed great power from within the Gundam pilot. A power that, almost on an intuitive level, Hayato knew he would never be able to attain or match.
What this power was, even he couldn't describe. It wasn't something that simply made Amuro Ray a better pilot or allowed him to kill Zeon more easily, and it certainly didn't make him a better person. Yet it was there, and Amuro Ray was strong because of it. Stronger than any being – up to and including the great Sayla Mass or Sleggar Law – that Hayato had ever encountered. A kind of strength that didn't just win battles or wars but shifted the universal balance on its axis. The type of strength that instilled change.
Hayato wanted that power – yearned for that power – for himself. To be capable of altering destiny, no, to dictate to destiny as he saw fit, as his ancestors had done from one battlefield to the next. Alas, however, Hayato knew it was not to be. His wasn't to change but to struggle and survive. To live through the battles, perhaps even lead others to survive beside him, but nothing more. Anything else would be beyond him, and he hated himself for it.
Suddenly, the alarm klaxons began to sound. "All hands, Level One Battlestations! Zeon fleet is now exiting warp! All hands, Level One Battlestations!"
Opening his eyes, Hayato rose and focused. For all that he had considered, there was one thing that he was assured of. He would survive this battle, as he had survived so many before. And while the Zeeks may not rue his coming the way they did the three Gundams and their pilots, he would still elicit his pound of flesh just as any other Kobayashi would have done in his place.
Determined, he exited his quarters and ran toward the hangar deck.
"Captain on the bridge!" Ryu sounded off as Bright exited the turbolift. Taking his seat, Bright grimly observed the scene before him. Between the storm above, the Ark Royal remaining in her hiding spot, and her present damage, they could not pick up the Zeon fleet on sensors. As a result, the main monitor remained blank of any readings outside the immediate airspace; it had only been through Lieutenant Ray and Lieutenant Mass' shared "gift" that Garma's fleet had been detected. Bright was grateful for that much, but at the same time, he would have rather had the enemy fleet within his actual sight so that he could direct the plan of attack accordingly.
Regardless, it was what it was. Just like the fact he was going to fight an entire fleet with a crippled ship and twenty-seven working mobile suits. "Weapons status."
"Weapons armed and battlestations manned," Omar dutifully reported from tactical. He didn't know how they would get out of this one, but he candidly refrained from speaking that thought. "We may enter direct combat as necessary."
Bright stifled a grimace at those last two words. "Engines?"
"Main engines operational at fifty-six percent capacity," Katz followed up, resisting the urge to adjust his collar. "Warp drive remains offline."
Both Bright and Mirai considered that for a moment. They could run for it if it came down to it, but it would be short without warp capability. And even then, they would have had to break through the Zeek blockade at the start, to say nothing of any Zakus that got past Sleggar's suits. Suicide Run didn't even begin to cover that scenario.
And, of course, there remained the CAG's plan, which, even now, the pair found dubious. It had been simulated relentlessly up to this point, but there had been no way of telling it would work in the actual fight. And it helped even less that it relied on an outside element, which happened to be out in the open. Right in the Zeeks' line of fire, no less.
Kikka tapped her headset. "I have Shrike Leader on the line," she announced, inadvertently snapping both the captain and executive officer from their thoughts.
"Put him on," Bright commanded, watching as Sleggar's face soon appeared on the monitor. As he had expected, the CAG was dressed in his dark blue pilot suit and sitting in Unit Beta's cockpit.
"We're all set on this end," Sleggar said before looking over. "And none too soon. The Zeeks have now entered firing range."
Here we go, Mirai thought grimly before tapping the intercom switch on her chair. "Incoming bombardment," she broadcasted throughout the ship, unconsciously securing herself. "All hands brace."
The crew quickly followed that command, preparing for the inevitable. Within minutes, all hell broke loose from above.
Zeon Rewloola-class battlecruiser Reugen
Anges
Hmph, a fitting hole for lowborn vermin to hide in, Garma thought as he observed Anges upon the bridge monitor. There was no better way to describe it, even from the present distance. Anges was less of a planet and more of a hole in the universe where only the lowest of existences would take shelter. A bleak wasteland could be depicted even from the void of space. Garma could think of no better place for the Ark Royal to take refuge, especially after the beating she had taken in the Azure. "Have you pinpointed her?"
"Negative Admiral," the tactical officer shook his head, obviously hesitant to give the reply. "Our sensors are unable to penetrate the atmosphere. There's just too much interference from that stormfront."
Despite the man's apprehension, Garma wasn't angry. Given the Ark Royal's track record, he had almost expected as much. Whoever commanded that ship must have possessed the genetics of an Earth tiger, given how skilled they were at concealment. Again, Garma found it regrettable that his opponents were not Highborn themselves. Zeon would have easily conquered the galaxy if it had more like them.
All that aside, Garma had his work cut out for him. Though he had a rough idea of where the Ark Royal was hiding – the one major and quite abandoned settlement on the planet – he could not do anything until he flushed her out of her lair. And for that, he would have to "beat around the bushes," just like an actual tiger, only with warship-grade beam cannons.
"Proceed with bombardment," Garma commanded, eyes focusing on the monitor, picturing his unseen enemy within. It was the obvious play, and he knew his prey was anticipating it, but he had no real choice. It was either that or send the mobile suits out straight on. And if Garma did the latter, he would at least soften the Feddies first. "Commence when ready."
"Sir!" the Reugen's captain sounded off before nodding to tactical, who was already working on setting up the targeting coordinates. All while the communications officer relayed the Admiral's orders to the rest of the fleet.
Upon that call, the Zeon warships angled their beam cannons, centering them on the still-obscured city on the planet ahead of them. From there, the Reugen's bow cannons open fire, launching a series of neon yellow beams into Anges' atmosphere and the surface below. The Ralmel quickly followed this, followed by the cruiser Marek and then the Martok. Proceeding until, at last, every ship in the Zeon fleet fired their main guns directly ahead.
Zeon Rewloola-class battlecruiser Ralmel
Anges
So it begins, Char observed as he watched the onslaught continue forth. It was a spectacular opening and a move that Char would have performed in Garma's place. It was the only move Garma could have started with, short of beginning the ground assault immediately. And for better or worse, the young Zabi wasn't stupid enough to charge straight into obscured territory, where he and his forces would be cut off from any support. Not without at least attempting to flush the enemy out first, anyway.
Unlike his friend, however, Char knew the Ark Royal's exact position on Anges. As much as the atmospheric instability hindered conventional sensors, it did not affect a Newtype's ability, allowing Char to easily isolate the sentient presences below, even through the present destruction.
The Ark Royal's crew had anticipated their opponents' opening attack as he had expected. It had taken proper shelter within one of the ruined buildings, which was large enough to hold their immense starship. Ironically, some beam shots managed to strike the building's domed ceiling, but it held up regardless, protecting the Earth ship within as the city was further reduced. Naturally, there was a flood of anxiety throughout said crew, many dreading the worst, but they seemed to be holding up well enough. Once again, Char found himself impressed with their resilience.
Such resilience would be very useful soon, both upon Anges and after. Thus, Char again appreciated that he hadn't sunk the Ark Royal at Arcturus. Nor, for that matter, had he killed her star pilot at X-145.
In the meantime, however, there wasn't much for him to do but watch the show. His Zaku was ready and waiting for him, but he couldn't launch until ordered, not that he would have done so in the middle of that onslaught. Knowing Garma, the barrage would continue for several minutes until the Admiral was convinced that either his target had been destroyed or that his initial strike yielded no effects. Char naturally frowned at this, almost wishing the Admiral would order the ground assault now and get it over with.
"Quite the spectacle," Nanai commented from beside him, her arms folded over her chest. "Not that I think they will be smoked out so easily."
Char smirked at his XO's comment. "At the very least, it will soften them. And perhaps cause some damage along the way."
"As you say, sir," Nanai replied, though unconvinced. "Though with that kind of atmospheric shroud, we'll be lucky to hit the surface, let alone that Trojan Horse."
The Commander nodded in acknowledgment. "Alright, so we won't cause some damage along the way. But it will still soften them, perhaps just enough to make a difference."
Nanai remained doubtful but chose not to argue the point. "At any rate, perhaps it would be best for you to stand by in your Zaku, sir."
Char raised an eyebrow behind his mask as his second-in-command cleared her throat. "I can hold the conn if you so wish."
The ace allowed a flat smile to form on his lips. He didn't need his Newtype abilities to know what his XO was thinking. Nor did she need such power to understand what her superior was thinking.
"Indeed, Commander," he replied as he rose from his chair.
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
The whole planet seemed to rock as the beam of fire rained down, obliterating everything it struck. Explosions raked across the ruined city, buildings fragmenting and debris being sprayed about, the ice and snow rendered non-existent at the energies' touch. For the first time in an age, the surface of Anges was alight with heat and activity, the previously frozen entropy dispersed with great vigor as destruction hailed from above. And with that destruction came an all too certain despair, which fell upon the planet's inhabitants as viciously as the yellow beam fire.
Aboard the Ark Royal, still tucked within its impromptu shelter, the reactions to the beam fire varied from crewman to crewman – from a grim, forced detachment to tremoring anxiety – yet strangely uniform. This was the first orbital bombardment for many, especially those used to operating in the open void. Very much a rude awakening, such that several found themselves quivering and tearing up as the world broke and shattered around them. Yet, none broke under the strain through their professionalism, adherence to their ship and comrades, and, perhaps most importantly, their will to survive this onslaught. However, several did come admittedly and uncomfortably close.
Amuro Ray was one such case. As much as he wished it otherwise, it was too much for him to bear, though he did well forcing himself to remain in place. Even without his Newtype powers, he could feel the Zeons' fire descend from above, striking their haven with thunderous effect, over and over. It was almost as intense as the Colony Laser attack on Juno, only instead of a concentrated burst of energy that struck the planet only once – albeit with terminal effect – the barrage was more akin to a violent rainstorm that battered the face of Anges over and over. With the Ark Royal fixed directly within the epicenter.
Another beam struck close, causing the ship to tremor even more violently. Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, Amuro tried to force back the tension, only to be vehemently rebuffed. There was no calm to be had now, no means for him to hold himself at ease. The sheer cacophony was too much, so he ground his teeth to keep the tension back. How did he manage to keep from breaking into such chaos? Even Amuro did not know.
By contrast, Sayla stood by silently in her own Gundam, her demeanor eerily calm. Unlike Amuro and a fair portion of the ship, abundant quaking and explosions did very little to affect her. It was but the storm's beginning, especially when she kept wearily in mind. That the worst of it—as indicated by what she was sensing from above—was yet to come upon them.
Zeon Rewloola-class battlecruiser Reugen
Anges
Tapping his finger against his folded arm impatiently, Garma watched as the barrage continued. The onslaught had been going on for precisely twenty minutes, yet the Admiral could not see any sign of activity from the planet. Not that he could do so – the immense storm cover easily shrouded the planet's surface from his eyes – but he would have thought there would be some response by now. Namely the sight of the Ark Royal attempting to escape or fight her last stand. "Well?"
"Nothing, sir," the tactical officer replied.
Garma frowned. The Trojan Horse should have come out of its hole by now, or at least there should have been some indication of her position. As daring as her captain was, it would have been madness to stand by and wait for the bombardment to subside, especially when the Zeon could repeat the process across the entire planet if necessary. Yet that seemed to be his adversary's course of action; otherwise, something would have appeared by that time.
She must be dug in more than I expected, Garma thought, shaking his head. It was very much possible, even for a ship that size. Thus, without a pinpoint position to focus on, Garma's fleet was doing little more than dropping hail upon a strengthened metal rooftop. Once more, the enemy captain's skill at concealment was emphasized.
Thus, Garma was forced to give the inevitable command. "All ships, cease fire."
As soon as the guns disengaged, Garma continued. "Prepare for ground assault."
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
Realizing that the shooting had stopped, Bright blandly looked up toward the ceiling, feeling no shortage of undignified words and exclamations toward his opponents above. However, he forced them back easily enough, taking solace that he and his ship had survived in one piece. Or so it appeared. "Damage report."
Omar took a moment to study his readout. "No additional damage. Zeeks never so much as grazed us."
Thank God for small favors, Mirai thought before moving on to a somewhat more important matter. "The transceiver?"
This time, Kikka gave the report. "Still operational," she proclaimed with some surprise.
Hearing that, Bright activated his chair's holodisplay, which projected an image of the spike-shaped structure in the virtual city center. While many buildings lay demolished around it – though some had been like that before the Zeon attack – the structure stood firm and remained unblemished. Such that even Bright could hardly contain his surprise.
We may make it through this after all, he thought, feeling some vestiges of hope emerge. It was still too early for that certainty, but at least a key factor toward their survival – perhaps even victory – remained in place.
Disengaging the image, Bright faced forward again. "All units launch immediately."
And let the games begin, Sleggar thought as he aligned Unit Beta onto the catapult. Ignoring the lurch in his stomach, he focused on the open cityscape beyond where it would occur. "Sleggar Law, Gundam Unit Beta, launch!"
"Sayla Mass, Gundam Unit Gamma, launch!" Sayla sounded off as well.
"Amuro Ray, Gundam Unit Alpha, launch!" Amuro followed up.
One after the other, the three Gundams launched from the Ark Royal, followed by a far greater number of Guncannons. It took several minutes, even with the catapults set on a lower power setting, but eventually, the whole of the Ark Royal's allotment took off to the field, all but disappearing within the ruins outside their ship. All while the left behind crew could only watch, and pray, for their success.
Feeling Unit Beta's feet touch down with a hard, metallic thump, Sleggar quickly took his assigned station within the shadow of one of the more intact buildings. Once in place, he watched the rest of his mobile suits do the same, spreading across the ruins to their assigned areas and standing by for the oncoming assault. The pattern was much like they had done at X-145 but refined for a gravity-based environment. Either way, the Commander was pleased to see his people still knew the game and were setting themselves up effectively enough. Between that and the transceiver still being intact, things were going exactly as planned.
Of course, even in the distant and apparently grimdark future, Sleggar mused as he knelt his Gundam and angled his beam bazooka to the sky above. No plan ever survives contact with the enemy.
Once again, the other mobile suits quickly followed their CAG's example. Amuro and Sayla both angled their bazookas while the Guncannons each folded out their respective shoulder weapons and then trained them upward. Between their numbers and overall formation, they had the immediate airspace covered. Such that the Zeon would be due for a rude awakening once they made planetfall. Far more than they would have otherwise expected, hopefully.
Whatever the case, the 13th Carrier Assault Group was ready and willing. Amuro and Sayla again peered into space above, observing their enemy's mobilization.
"Char Aznable, Zaku, launch!" Char announced as he triggered his thrusters, sending his Zaku barreling down the Ralmel's dorsal catapult. An instant later, he was in the void, followed by several other Zakus from the Ralmel and nearby Zeon ships. All launching toward the dark grey world in the distance.
"All units, this is Admiral Garma," Garma called out from his Zaku, which again fell in formation with Char's. "Our primary targets are the enemy mothership and the three prototype mobile suits in its muster. We are to capture them if possible or to destroy them if necessary."
Garma grinned as he pictured the crippled Ark Royal and her mobile suit forces. They were waiting for their approach and had all too likely set up a barricade for the Zakus' reentry. This bothered the Admiral somewhat, as he did not wish to charge headlong into enemy territory without knowing what he was getting into, and the lack of fleet support capability didn't assure him. However, it remained his only choice of advance. He would have more options available to him once they completed planetfall.
"The enemy is crippled, cornered, and is effectively making its last stand, so expect anything and everything from them," Garma went on. "But do not falter, as victory is closer than ever. A victory that is both long overdue and shall be worthy of praise from all of Zeon!"
"Heh," Char laughed to himself. As much as Garma detested his rank, he had some aspects of it down. If only he knew what lay in store for him and those following him now. Not that Char knew entirely, but once more, considering who their opponents were, he seriously doubted that the Feddies would fight unprepared.
"Remember that our Emperor and our Fatherworld watch over us! Let them behold our finest hour!" Garma called out before finally shouting. "SIEG ZEON!"
"SIEG ZEON!" came the resounding chorus from the mobile suits and the ships they were leaving behind.
"Sieg Zeon," Char repeated in a milder tone, filled with irony. Though he had doubts about this being their "finest hour," there was one thing he was completely assured of. That, one way or another, this would be Garma Zabi's final hour. The next in his line to fall, yet most assuredly not the last.
Seemingly responding to that thought, Char felt his stomach lurch, causing him to nearly pause. He forced it back effectively enough, however, and from there, he spared it no other thought.
"Advance!" Garma commanded, putting his Zaku's thrusters into full burn. Char followed his example, as did the rest of the mobile suit force.
All setting upon the singular world, where their enemies awaited…
Boldly they rode and well, Sayla mused as she picked up on the Zakus' charge, referencing some random Earth poem in the process. She couldn't remember its name or how it read, but she thought one line was fitting for the present.
Through her Newtype senses, she watched as the Zeon "brigade" charged toward the planet. Multiple enemy mobile suits launched headlong toward the battleground, heedless of the immediate dangers. All while Sayla and her allies stood by, waiting for them to pierce the atmosphere and fall upon them. Their trap ready to be sprung.
"Enemy forces nearing the point of reentry," she heard Amuro announce to the group from Unit Alpha. He was also using his Newtype powers to keep track of their enemy, as the overhead storm prevented conventional sensors from extending into space and vice versa. "Distance seven thousand and closing."
"Acknowledged Shrike Three," Sleggar replied from Unit Beta, picturing the approaching Zeon in his mind. Though he lacked Newtype powers of his own, Sleggar could almost feel their approach as well. He could imagine Garma assuming that his "prey" was open and vulnerable, standing by to fight one last stand before inevitable demise, as opposed to having taken time to set up for the Zeeks' arrival, with the intention of not only standing their ground but also to win and survive.
However it would turn out, the Commander could only maintain his watchful gaze, almost licking his lips in anticipation. Not much longer…
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
Yet again, silence reigned throughout the Ark Royal as her crew stood by and waited. Only now, instead of waiting for an assault to end, they anticipated another one's beginning. Ironically, this made the present much more uncomfortable, with several crew members almost wishing the shooting would begin. At the very least, it beat waiting around and doing nothing, and this time, they would be shooting back. Or at least, their mobile suits would be shooting back.
In any case, Mirai resisted the urge to look at her chronometer for the third time. It was a trying experience, waiting for death and destruction to make their curtain call. Especially when her ship was crippled and unable to fight itself, instead being forced to rely on her remaining twenty-seven mobile suits for defense. The fact Garma had reinforced his fleet – at the very least, replenishing the numbers he had lost in the Azure – helped even less.
If there was any solace to be had, it was that neither the Ark Royal nor her mobile suit force would go down easily. Sleggar had ensured that twice over already, and for all of her problems with her ex, Mirai knew he was the right commander for this situation. She also admitted that he had come up with a rather creative plan this time. Not one that would likely be recorded and taught at the Academy after the war, but certainly one that would give him and the others an edge against the Zeon. Perhaps even enough to shift the battle in their favor overall.
The Lieutenant Commander quickly dismissed the notion. No, short of Admiral Revil showing up with the Birmingham to back them up, there was no way they could truly "win" this battle. At best, Sleggar and the rest would destroy enough enemy units that Garma would be forced to retreat again, lest he sustain more damage than what was acceptable. And with any more luck, Lieutenant Ray and Lieutenant Mass could do away with Garma and Aznable themselves in the process.
It was very slim and all too unlikely to happen, but it was their best shot. Mirai, for the life of her, could not think of anything better at this point. At least anything that didn't involve the White Devil repeating his onslaught on Juno. Something that Mirai wasn't sure if she wanted actually to happen, considering how bothered Sleggar was over it.
"Enemy mobile suits now entering thermosphere," Sayla reported, momentarily breaking the silence. "Distance eight hundred. They will reach stormfront at twenty-seven."
"Roger," Sleggar replied, then shifting over. "Alfa Romeo, standby to broadcast."
"Acknowledged Shrike Leader," Kikka answered. As the communications officer, she was in charge of the broadcast in question. She only hoped she got the timing down precisely. "Awaiting signal."
One after the other, the Zakus breached Anges' upper mesosphere, causing the red heat of reentry to encompass their respective frames. From an outside viewpoint, it would have been a spectacular sight, the image of multiple Zeon war machines raining down upon that single planet as if they were to conquer it. It certainly never got tiring for Garma despite having taken part in more planetary assault operations than he could remember. This one, however, he had a feeling he would not forget any time soon.
Looking downward, he watched as the blackened cloud cover drew that much closer, subconsciously frowning toward it. Once more, he knew that the Feddies were waiting for him on the other side, but he would have liked to see how they were waiting for him beforehand. Unfortunately, the storm obscured the naked eye and optical cameras as much as it did sensors, and as a result, Garma and his forces were effectively blind against their opposition. Only when they got through the cloud cover, at which point the shooting would inevitably start, would they know. Never an ideal scenario.
Still, it was what it was. Despite his discomforts, Garma had already committed and pressed downward. It would be a tough fight, he knew all too well, but it would most assuredly be the last. One way or another, this would be the end of the thirteenth Trojan Horse and the three demons in its muster.
After all, despite the relative strength they retained, there was only so much the Feddies could do in their present position. And for all the countermoves that could be made, Garma couldn't think of one that could turn the tide. Or anything else beyond delaying the inevitable…
"Zeeks now entering stratosphere," Amuro reported, the oncoming Zakus remaining as clear to his Newtype senses as they had been at the start. They were so close now that Amuro felt he could start shooting at them already, but obviously, that would have gone against Commander Law's plan of attack. "Distance fifty."
"Steady," Sleggar called out to the group, feeling his hand nearly tremble against his controls. He could practically taste the heated metal as the Zeon drew that much closer but knew better than to start firing now. Not before the enemy was caught between a giant rock and a more proverbial hard place. With an appropriate background theme to back it up.
So that's their strategy, Char thought as he visualized the transceiver in the middle of the ruined city, which was active and tied directly to the Ark Royal's control systems. He naturally grinned in approval. It was a clever trap, even for this bunch of Feddies, and Garma and those around him were charging straight into it. It was so out of convention that none of them had conceived it, let alone considered it a possible counterattack. And there was nothing more in war that Char loved than the unconventional.
Granted, Garma wouldn't take long to catch onto it, but that was only a minor problem. By then, he would lose several Zakus, and the storm would inhibit his ability to call for reinforcements. Perhaps just enough to give the Ark Royal and her mobile suits a fighting chance against such a legion.
Whatever the outcome, the Zeon force was now approaching the stormfront, which especially appeared as a black, incoming mass. Char's smile remained across his lips as he dropped into the cloud, his Zaku's sensors now entirely obscured. Watching – once more through his unconventional power – as the "enemy" began to stir.
"Enemy force now at twenty-seven," Sayla started the countdown, her special senses entirely fixed on the approaching Zakus. "Twenty-six… Twenty-five…"
Inhaling deeply, Sleggar watched and waited with the rest of his group. It wouldn't be long now.
"Twenty-four… Twenty-three… Twenty-two…"
God be with us. Sleggar prayed, exhaling through his nostrils while his finger twitched that much more over the trigger.
"Twenty-one…" Sayla, at long last, finished. "Twenty!"
In that instant, Sleggar called out with all of his voice. "Broadcast!"
No sooner than when the Zakus breach the cloud cover were they struck. Before any Zeon pilots could realize it, their mobile suits became awash with a specially designed electronic signal, which easily overpowered their suits' ECCM systems and transmitted directly within. Causing many effects against the unguarded, unprepared assault force.
The first effect was the most obvious. Anticipating sensor recovery as soon as they moved back into open airspace, the Zeon were all too horrified to find that their sensor displays remained obscured by static. The density of the enemy signal compared to the storm had ensured that their sensors were even more enshrouded and incomprehensive. Only their visual cameras remained operational, yet without their accompanying targeting systems, the Zeon could only see and nothing else.
The second effect was only realized after the first. As more than one Zeon pilot attempted to call out to the rest of the force, they found that their communications systems had also been affected by static. Try as they might, none of the Zeon could reach out nor receive transmissions. The surge all but entirely deafened their voices.
And then there was the third effect, which proved to be the most devastating. Through the static wash and inhibition, the Zeon suits' each picked up a specific line of sound that was unlike anything their pilots had ever heard in battle. Several of them were disbelieving in what they were hearing. The opening of an Earth fiddle – one played at high, almost frantic speed – culminating into a song's lyrics.
"Raise Your Flag! With all your voice! With all your voice! With all your voice, shout it out loud!"
Straight to you from Radio Free Earth, Sleggar mused as he watched the Zakus drop into the open sky, yet not firing or attacking in the least. How could they? With their suits buffeted by an overriding electronic interference – artistically carried over through a wave of "Raise Your Flag" by the Orphans – there was no way they could respond straight away even if they had been able to detect the Federation mobile suits – each concealed within various parts of the ruined city – below them.
Unfortunately for the Zeeks, Sleggar and his group remained entirely unaffected, for their custom-built communications signal was designed specifically for their opposition. "All units, fire at will!"
All at once, Anges' sky lit up as the 13th collectively opened fire. Beams of various sizes and numbers launched into the air, blasting several of the oncoming Zakus in but the first few seconds of the battle, causing several explosions to flash. It was only then that the Zeon began evasion, either engaging their beam shields to deflect or attempting to maneuver out of the way of the oncoming fire. Once again, however, without the ability to isolate their targets, much less detect them from the city ruins and bleak surroundings below, they could not respond in kind beyond blind firing.
What the hell is this!? Garma cursed as he threw his Zaku into several evasions while trying to gain a target. Unfortunately, his display remained a sea of flickering white noise, and though he could see the oncoming fire with his main camera, he could not target their points of origin. All he could do was maneuver around the fire and try to draw closer in, yet it took all his skill and power to keep from getting hit. All the while, the Feddies seemed to be pouring everything they had into the sky.
"Dopp One to all units!" Garma shouted into his comm., only to hear static. He grit his teeth in ire. "Repeat, Dopp One, to all units! Any unit! Respond!"
The static did not relent, causing Garma to curse yet again. As much as he had anticipated the lowborn not simply lying down and dying, he hadn't expected anything like this. Just how were they able to broadcast a jamming signal like this? Especially when their ship was as damaged as she was? And much more, how had they monitored the planetfall so well that they could broadcast at the precise moment?
Regardless of the answers – whatever they were – Garma knew he and his were in deep excrement (to borrow Earth parlance). Until they isolated the source of the signal, they were all deaf and nearsighted, unable to fix upon their opposition nor coordinate in any way. They were little more than birds in the sky against the hunters below. Hunters with heavy-grade beam weaponry.
Damn it! Garma cursed for the third time as he attempted to dive groundward, where he thought he saw the profile of a Guncannon by a collapsed building. A responding concentration of beam fire dissuaded him, to which Garma desperately responded with his machine gun as he ascended back. Even without his targeting system, he knew he hadn't struck anything. And worse, the oncoming beam fire intensified much more, causing Zakus to fall around him.
All while that thrice-damned singing continued in the background.
I was always partial to the Orphans myself, Sayla thought as she fired her bazooka, striking down one Zaku after another. Though the inhibiting effects of the signal were effectively canceled out, she – with the rest of the 13th – had her suit modified to pick up the musical part of the signal alone. As a result, her ears rang with the Orphans' magnum opus, providing the perfect backdrop to the chaos above. As well as the Valkyrie of Riah's part in it.
A Zaku managed to weave through the anti-air fire and dive over her, firing its machine gun in a strafe. To this, Sayla merely took a step away, letting the beams stitch across where she had been standing, right before turning back and firing her bazooka into the Zeon mobile suit's side, obliterating it before it could ascend back into the sky. It had been uncomfortably close, but once more, without a proper targeting system, it had no chance of hitting her. Short of her standing still, of course.
More beam shots erupted from above, regardless, some of which came closer to hitting Unit Gamma. One even went as far as to charge at her with its axe drawn, to which Sayla deftly responded with a vulcan spray. In turn, the Zaku pilot was quick enough to engage his suit's beam shield to deflect her fire, from which he moved up close for the kill. Rather than attempt to evade entirely, Sayla reached up with her left hand and grasped onto the axe blade with her gauntlet. It held in place for a time, only for the Gundam to lose its grip, crushing the blade projector with contemptuous ease. A point-blank bazooka shot finished the enemy mobile suit off for good, its remains collapsing backward into the ice.
From there, Sayla fired several more shots into the sky, striking down even more Zakus. Unfortunately, quite a number of them were present, and Sayla could tell she was barely making a dent. Worse yet, the Zeon pilots were gradually getting into the fight. Even without their comm capabilities, they could coordinate with one another on some level.
This was evident when a pair of Zakus dove against one of the Gauntlet Squadron Guncannon Troopers, weaving around its beam cannon fire before firing their missiles in tandem. Just as the Trooper returned fire with its vulcans, the Zakus split in formation and launched at either side, firing their machine guns simultaneously. The Gauntlet pilot didn't stand a chance as his mobile suit was blasted apart from both sides, resulting in a great explosion as his Apollo reactor destabilized.
"Damn it," Sayla cursed as she turned and fired her bazooka through the back of one of the attacking Zakus, avenging the Guncannon pilot on some level. She then attempted to shoot the other one, but another one of the mono-eyed suits charged at her in turn, raking the ground with its machine gun fire. Thus, Sayla was forced to turn her attention away, firing her vulcans at the immediate aggressor. Moments later, the Zaku spiraled into the ground with a trail of smoke behind it.
This is going to be a long one… Sayla thought disparagingly as she ducked behind her cover again, allowing another burst of machine gun fire to spray over it. Once she realized she was clear, she brought Unit Gamma out again, firing her bazooka that much more.
Char grimaced as the Zaku beside him was struck by an errant beam, its pilot letting out a scream right before vaporization. He didn't hear it through the comm, but it was just as apparent. Responding fast, he turned and fired a burst from his bazooka at the offending Guncannon, only for his shot to strike just off the Federation mobile suit's side deliberately. The Guncannon returned fire with its shoulder cannons, to which Char jetted away.
It was irritating, but Char endured it. As tempting as it was to destroy the transceiver and wipe out the enemy mobile suit force wholesale – both of which he could very well do, even without his Zaku's sensors and comm system – such actions would be counterproductive at best. And at worst, it could tip Garma and the rest that Char Aznable was more than he appeared. Thus reigning in his urge for destruction, the ace settled for zipping through the sky, firing misaimed shot after misaimed shot at his opposition. At the very least, it gave the impression that the Feddies' jamming was also hindering him.
Still, I can't let you have it entirely your way, Char thought smoothly as he targeted another Guncannon, one hiding behind a set of frozen rubble. Leveling his bazooka, he fired a shot into the Federation suit's cover, obliterating it. Suddenly caught in the open, his quarry reversed in thrust, firing its shoulder cannons for cover. Char easily evaded the dual bursts as he charged in, dodging the follow-up rifle shots alongside him as he again leveled his bazooka. Unfortunately, he could not take the shot as another Guncannon – a Hellfire – targeted him from the side and let loose a burst of missiles. Knowing that the guided projectiles were unhindered by the jamming, Char jetted back and maneuvered around them, eluding all except one. The latter was easily dealt with when he raised his shield at the right moment.
At that, Char picked upon another Guncannon, a Stormer, pinpointing him before firing its Gatling cannons. He retaliated with a snapshot with his bazooka but hadn't been able to aim properly, resulting in the blast missing the Stormer by a wide margin. As a result, the specialty Guncannon easily maintained its fire, forcing the ace to retreat that much further, practically dancing around the rapid beam fire as he did. Char returned fire several more times as he gained distance, but once more, he could not get a clean hit between his suit's inactive targeting system and the Guncannon's concentrated fire. It helped even less when a standard Trooper moved beside the Stormer, adding its fire into the mix.
Char evaded the oncoming fire easily enough, his Newtype powers augmenting his expert piloting skill. He still nearly flinched; however, when he felt another one of the other nearby Zakus get obliterated, its pilot's abrupt final thoughts almost threw Char out of equilibrium. This was soon followed by two more getting cut down – both with bazooka shots from one of the three Project V suits, though Char could not determine which one exactly. And then a fourth fell just as quickly within his mind's eye, completely obliterated by a high-powered beam shot, courtesy of the lone Buster within the enemy formation.
They've improved that much more, Char thought begrudgingly, the sheer volume of fire forcing him further into the sky. Indeed, he hadn't expected his opponents to execute their plan so well. Even when he had seen it coming, they had caught him off guard, not as much as Garma and the rest, but still enough to cause him difficulty. They could actually shoot him down if he wasn't too careful.
With that in mind, Char circled and made another dive, this time against a pair of Troopers that had taken cover in another set of ruins. Dodging the oncoming fire that much more, Char once again leveled his bazooka and returned it all in full.
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
Bright swallowed as the action continued to play out on the main monitor, all but gripping the arms of his chair from the anxiety. He had to admit that this battle was new for him; he never thought he and his ship would be hiding in a hole while the real fighting occurred outside. It was worse than actual fighting. At least Bright and his crew could have defended themselves and aided Sleggar's mobile suits, whereas, in their present setting, they were entirely vulnerable and needed to be protected. It would have been humiliating and shameful to Bright had he not been so concentrated.
If there was any consolation to be had, it was that the fight had started well enough. The Zeon had blundered thoroughly into the trap – far more than Bright would have figured from Garma – and he and the rest of the 13th were taking ruthless advantage of it. Between the triumphant radio chatter and the continuously disappearing Zeon signals, the Commander was reminded of the Battle of the Philippine Sea from Earth's ancient Second World War. The setting for the infamous Great Marianas Turkey Shoot was still discussed and studied in the modern day and age. Bright wondered if Sleggar was purposely evoking that image with his anti-air assault.
If we can keep up this momentum… Bright thought, daring to feel a little more hope emerge from within. The battle had only started, something he did well to keep in mind, but that didn't mean it had to change hands at any point. And it certainly didn't mean that it had to be protracted. In fact, with any substantial luck, they could wipe out the enemy's mobile suit force in its entirety, from which the capital ships would be left vulnerable to a counterattack.
The Commander sighed wistfully at the thought. Right, and while we're at it, we could go on a one-ship assault on Zeon itself.
No, despite his hope, he wasn't fooled about their chances. The longer the battle took, the likelier the Zeeks would discover the transceiver. Everything would be up in the air – so to speak – afterward, such that their one gambit was that they destroyed enough enemy mobile suits beforehand. At the very least, it would diminish Garma's advantage in manpower, and at most, it would force him or the next in line to call a retreat. Anything else would be wishful thinking, including finding some way to get the Ark Royal out from under it all.
Thus, the Commander returned to his original line of thought. Somehow, Sleggar and his suits just had to keep up the momentum. It was their only choice and their only chance.
With no shortage of disdain, Shiro unleashed his Stormer's shoulder cannons into the air, riddling another hapless victim with twin Gatling fire. Rather than detonating up front, the now ruined Zaku fell from the sky and crashed into one of the nearby buildings. However, its final destination was uncomfortably close to the transceiver, causing Shiro to flinch momentarily. However, No damage was done as the jamming and the music continued.
"Blind, deaf, and dumb," Kiki called out as she fired her shoulder cannons into the air, grazing another Zaku on the leg. Though visibly shaken, the Zeon mobile suit remained in the fight and fired a retaliatory machine gun spray. Fortunately, the jamming remained in effect, allowing Kiki to evade the burst easily enough and then fire back with her beam rifle. "I almost feel sorry for the poor Zeeks. They didn't see it coming."
"Don't distract me, Five," Michel followed on as he fired his shoulder cannons, the Zaku he was targeting – which sported a command fin – just narrowly evading the energy shots. It fired back with its missiles, but without their guidance systems, the projectiles were little more than poorly aimed rockets. Michel didn't even bother maneuvering around them, instead allowing them to fall and explode around his Guncannon while maintaining fire. Eventually, he managed to blast the head of that Zaku off with his rifle, forcing the enemy mobile suit away.
It didn't go far, however. It practically fell right into Shiro's crosshairs while attempting to flee. One Gatling spray later, the headless Zaku has blasted apart, its remnants falling over the cityscape. A pair of finless Zakus moved against him in response, firing their machine gun and bazooka. Though their shots were wide, Shiro knew better than to take any chances and abandoned his cover, returning their fire with his cannons and rifle simultaneously. If there was one disadvantage with the jamming, he realized, predicting the enemy's line of fire was much more difficult. If he wasn't too careful, he could stray into it.
Fortunately, Shiro remained as adept as ever and so evaded the worst of it while deflecting a stray shot here and there. He obliterated one of the oncoming Zakus with his cannons, causing it to throw away its bazooka and draw its axe, charging straight at him. He shot that one down with his rifle simply enough and then moved to another area. Another team of enemy suits moved against him, and the Lieutenant Commander responded accordingly.
"Damn it," Karen cursed as she let out another barrage of missiles and then followed up with several more beam rifle shots. Blind as they were, the Zakus were still doing well in evasion, as her missile barrage only managed to strike down one of the mono-eyed bastards while another fell to a rifle shot into the back. The remainders, in turn, fired their machine guns at her position, forcing Karen to pull her Hellfire back and jet away before one of the Zeeks somehow gained an actual bead on her. Despite the still-present jamming, the last thing she needed was a lucky shot to get through. "Eight, you still with us?"
"Always and ever, Shrike Seven," Eledore replied as his shoulder cannons blazed once more, blasting the arm off another Zaku as it turned to fire at him. It wasn't his best shot, but he had aimed right off the cuff. Fortunately, the resultant "flesh wound" was enough to cause the Zeon pilot to fidget – superior genetics be damned, apparently – from which Eledore immediately capitalized with a rifle shot through the torso. The Zaku exploded as its Apollo Reactor was pierced and destabilized. "Not about to leave you alone with deadbeats like these!"
How sweet, Job dryly thought – knowing better than to verbally utter such a response – while firing more rifle shots of his own, just managing to graze another Zaku in the process. The enemy suit twisted in response and fired off its missiles, to which Job was forced to retreat for the same reasons Karen had. He then retaliated with his shoulder cannons, obliterating the entire top portion of the Zeon suit while the remainder fell to the deck. Job grimaced, hoping that it didn't land on any of his allies. "It's getting intense out here, Seven, even with our cover!"
"Don't jinx it, Nine!" Karen replied as a Zaku dove at her, which she engaged with her vulcans. To this, the Zaku reeled back behind its shield, deflecting the oncoming spray while simultaneously drawing its axe. Cursing again, Karen was forced to draw back once more as the Zaku slammed its blade into where she had just been standing and then made a follow-up slash that she deflected with her shield. That's when Karen performed the traditional Guncannon attack of firing her shoulder weapons point blank, with the resultant dual missiles blasting the Zaku's head and right arm away. Leaving it perfectly open for her to fire another rifle shot through the cockpit, causing the now-deadened suit to fall over. "We could win like this!"
"God willing," Eledore muttered, firing another twin cannon blast. He still had doubts in that area but was far too professional to let them hinder the present. Moreover, they were holding the line effectively enough, and he dared not do anything to change that status quo. Much less not take advantage of it. "Nine, your left! Your left!"
"I see him!" Job replied, twisting his mobile suit as another Zaku dove after him. Unfortunately, he couldn't fire in time, allowing the Zaku to wake the ground with machine gun fire and force Job to evade. The enemy mobile suit then followed up with a missile spray, though Job was able to weave away from the blinded projectiles. He counterfired with his shoulder cannons, but his opponent banked away immediately, just as they did with his follow-up rifle shot and vulcan spray.
"Job!" Eledore called out, turning his own Guncannon about and firing his shoulder cannons in support. The Zaku also dodged this but left itself open to its original opponent's follow-up. Wasting no time, Job lanced a snap rifle shot through the cockpit, causing the Zeon mobile suit to fall.
"Thanks, Eledore," Job breathed while having his suit duck behind another set of ruins as an enemy bazooka shot obliterated the space he had been standing over. He naturally returned its fire, his shoulder cannons blaring for effect. "As you said, Seven, we just may hold the line to the end!"
Firing another barrage of missiles as more enemy mobile suits attempted to move in, Karen repeated her lover's prior exclamation. "God willing…"
Depressing the trigger, Sanders lanced the resultant mega beam shot across the sky, sweeping it over a fair-sized arc before being forced to disengage. Two Zakus went up in smoke. As a result, all but instantly vaporized under the heavy weapon's power, but as usual, there were still many more remaining. This was emphasized by a fair collection of beams raining down over Sanders' position, forcing him to jump away before one of the Zeeks nailed him. Despite their targeting systems being hindered by everything else, his opponents could hit him with their fire, as was soon the case.
"Bastard!" Sanders grunted when one of the oncoming beams smashed into his Guncannon's left shoulder. It wasn't enough to blow off the pauldron, much less destroy the arm, but it was still a hard blow to take. He responded in kind, firing his rifle back up at the offending Zaku, obliterating its head and then its cockpit. The remains fell to the ground like the rest, failing to detonate as its reactor hadn't been struck. From that, two more Zakus moved against him while firing their machine guns in tandem, forcing Sanders to duck his Buster behind another shattered building. He then fired back that much more with his rifle, though he failed to get a decent bead on his targets.
"Die, you SOBs!" Kai shouted in uncharacteristic bloodlust as he let loose his cannons. It was a snapshot, but it still managed to hit, obliterating a Zaku before it could engage its shield. Another Zaku soon appeared in its place, firing a machine gun burst in retaliation, though, unlike its comrade, Kai was quicker in bringing about and igniting his shield. As he did this, Hayato moved in from the side and fired back with his rifle, striking the Zaku in the left leg. That was enough to throw the Zeon suit off balance, if momentarily, to which Hayato finished it with a shot through the torso.
"Two more coming in from one-three-six!" Hayato shouted in warning while turning his Guncannon about, firing his cannons at the designated enemy suits. Unfortunately, the Zakus evaded the twin bursts and promptly returned fire with a missile spray and machine gun burst apiece. Sneering in response, Hayato reversed his mobile suit and banked behind another fallen building, the beams and projectiles slamming into the ruins. Sanders and Kai were just as quick in coming to his aid, though only Sanders managed to down one of the oncoming suits with a rifle shot. Kai only managed to blow off the spiked shoulder pauldron of the other, causing it to take back up into the sky above.
"Dear frakkin' lord!" Kai hollered as another Zaku suddenly strafed by, its beam machine gun peppering the deck as the Ensign jetted away. He then counterfired with his vulcans, though he wasn't sure if he managed to hit the green bastard or not. Not that it mattered, as Sanders also downed that one, hitting it in the back before it could ascend upward again. The resultant explosion forced Kai to look away and shield his eyes, only to return to firing his rifle and cannons moments later. "Is there any end to these 'highborn' assholes!?"
"You would think Twelve," Sanders replied sardonically while again firing his mega beam cannon, sweeping it across the immediate airspace. More Zakus fell as a result, but many more remained, firing down at the defending Guncanons. All of whom could only return their fire in earnest.
Sleggar frowned as he ducked Unit Beta behind cover again, letting a spray of beam fire strike against it. Though he had known well before the battle that Garma would bring a fair chunk of the Second Fleet with him to Anges, it was still too much. Even with the active jamming in effect and the Zeeks' dwindling numbers, they were making little progress toward victory. Such was emphasized when the attacking Zaku dove down at him, strafing beam machine gun fire. The Eagle of Arcturus easily struck it down with his vulcans as it attempted to climb again, but it mattered little. Soon enough, another Zaku came at him and fired its bazooka, forcing him to abandon his cover while shooting back with his weapon. That Zaku also fell, only for two others to move in where it had been.
I swear I will moonwalk on Garma's grave when this is over. The CAG glowered as he fired his bazooka at the offending suits, managing to blast one dead center. The other retaliated with a missile spray, which was too close for Sleggar to shoot down in time. As such, he kicked his thrusters into gear while engaging his left beam shield, deflecting the two projectiles he could not dodge. Unfortunately, the Zaku followed up with another machine gun burst, with one of the beams managing to hit the bazooka. Cursing at this, Sleggar threw the ruined weapon aside and drew his hyper beam rifle, finishing the Zaku before it caused any real damage.
At the very least, the Zeon hadn't located the transmitter yet – or, with further luck, not even figured out its existence – but Sleggar knew all too well that it wouldn't last. Whether they found it or some lucky highborn bastard shot it by accident, it would eventually be disrupted by how long the battle was lasting. As such, the Commander knew he had to take out as many of the Zeeks now while they were still hindered. Well before they regained their sensors and long-range communications, which would all but spell doom on his motley band of defenders. To say nothing of the crippled Ark Royal, whose hiding place the Zeon were also likely to find at the present rate.
Thus, as Sleggar momentarily brought his mobile suit behind another cover set, he decided a more direct approach was in order, especially when his Gundam's sensors picked up a distinctive pair of Zakus well above him—one with a blood-red sheen and the other vibrant purple.
Amuro, Sayla, Sleggar thought about the other two Gundam pilots, knowing they would pick him up with their respective powers. He gave the command without waiting for a response—verbal or otherwise—from either. Let's go.
Both nodding at once, the two Newtypes immediately threw aside their bazookas and drew their rifles. The three Gundams then abandoned their covers and took off into the air, striking down any enemies as they ascended.
Char was drawing a bead on another Trooper when he felt the all too familiar spike of lightning run through his consciousness. Grimacing, he banked away as a magenta-tinted beam shot by where he had originally been, only to be followed by a second and a third. He didn't need to look down to see which enemy suit was firing at him. Both the accuracy of the fire and the equal familiarity of the incoming presence were indicative enough.
Sure enough, the "enemy" suit in question – the one that held the same shade of red as his Zaku – launched after him, beam rifle blazing as it ascended. He counterfired with his bazooka, but even with his Newtype powers, he knew it was a futile gesture. The opposing suit and its pilot were too adept, dodging every one of his shots as it pursued him while he did the same with its rifle shots. Regardless, the two suits maintained their waltz, exchanging magenta and yellow-tinted fire and evading just as deftly.
Once again, I am most impressed, Artesia, Char commented as he dodged another rifle shot andattempted to close the distance. Sayla retaliated with a vulcan spray, forcing her brother to throw his beam shield up as he retracted once more. This is a most effective counterstrategy to our assault, and it is appropriately unorthodox for your band of Feddies.
I'm glad you approve, Casval, Sayla firmly retorted as he fired several more shots, keeping her brother maneuvering while dodging the return fire just as quickly. Though the Zaku's beam bazooka had a slower rate of fire than her rifle, the Red Comet was enough of a crack shot to make up the difference, and she dared not give him any lapse. That aside, to what end do we proceed now?
Sayla then leaped over another bazooka shot and fired back to blast the Zaku's head off. No such luck as her opponent was faster, presenting his beam shield to deflect the shot, then counterattacking with additional fire. Thereby forcing Sayla back on the defensive. Are we to continue this charade until one of us is well and truly dead?
Unfortunately so it seems, Char acknowledged with apparent solemnity. In the true fashion of their race, neither he nor his sister had held back in their battles. Even now, as their two mobile suits darted about and fired beam after beam, they fought in full, as if they were enemies. Anything less would potentially alert our true enemy. And more beside him.
As his latest shot grazed the red Zaku – actually managing to remove one of the spikes on its left shoulder – Sayla frowned. Yes, she was fighting with everything she had in her, and she could not deny the natural thrill of it, but that didn't mean she wanted to draw her brother's blood. If anything, the notion sickened her, though she was able to keep that displeasure back lest it affect her performance.
Char, however, was keen enough to notice his sister's conflict. Do not give me that look, Artesia, he replied as he fired his bazooka, the beam grazing over his opponent's shoulder. We both knew it would be like this from the moment we found ourselves on opposite sides.
That doesn't mean I have to like it, Casval, Sayla bitterly rejoined while firing, at last striking something more vital. Specifically, her shot hit the Zaku's bazooka straight on, though Char was quick enough to throw it aside before it detonated and took his mobile suit's right arm with it. Sayla followed up with additional fire, but her opponent dodged these much better. We should fight side by side, just as we originally swore. Not putting on this disgusting farce.
Char did well not to miss the ire behind that exclamation. Perhaps, he replied as he drew his beam axe and charged. But such remains our fate, dear sister.
Unable to evade in time, Sayla was forced to raise her beam shield to deflect the initial strike and then reverse away from the follow-up. From there, she reholstered her rifle and drew her right saber to parry her brother's next attack. Magenta and yellow blades locked against each other, and both mobile suits glared through the contending energies. Their respective camera eyes illuminated that much more once more, mirroring the intensity—and turmoil—of their pilots, who could only glower through the cackling light.
Garma snarled as another set of dual cannon fire passed him. The Feddies were daring now, capitalizing on their advantage as much as possible. That indicated much to Garma, namely that their jamming was being transmitted from a vulnerable source, one that the Feddies anticipated he and his to find and destroy eventually. However, even if he had known the transmitter's exact position, reaching it would have been very difficult given the sheer volume of fire. Only by a combination of his skills and sheer luck had his Zaku remained unblemished to this point.
And that was precisely when he appeared once more. Yet again, through sheer luck, Garma had just caught the White Devil's approach from the corner of his eye, to which he kicked up his thrusters and dodged just as the first beam rifle shot was fired. Responding just as quickly, he twisted his Zaku around and fired off a machine gun spray, but between his still-hampered targeting systems and his opponent's skill, the white mobile suit merely banked away from it. Several more rifle shots followed, forcing Garma to maneuver that much more, even engage his beam shield for one or two. All while his attempts at retaliation were either evaded around or failed to strike in their entirety.
Lips sneering in frustration, Garma replaced his machine gun with his axe. It was all he could do now, as there was no way he would hit his opponent with any gunnery weapons. Thus, he was pleasantly surprised when he saw the white mobile suit reholster its beam rifle in apparent response and then draw its saber, magenta blade flashing active. Smiling in appreciation, Garma acknowledged his adversary with a duelist's salute – bringing his axe up to his mobile suit's chest in a flourish – before sweeping the weapon to his side and kicking his thrusters to full, charging at the White Devil with his axe raised high. Amuro naturally responded by knocking the axe blow aside with his shield and then countered with his sword. Garma parried this in turn, slashing at the white mobile suit's chest, forcing Amuro to jet back to evade.
The white and violet mobile suits flitted about, weaving between the various other Zakus and fire from the Guncannons as they dueled across Anges' sky. As had been the case in their previous fights, neither warrior made any immediate headway, Garma's greater experience effectively matching up for Amuro Ray's superior mobile suit. That being said, Garma noticed something a little different about his opponent this time. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Amuro appeared far less hindered than before. His movements were clearer and more concise, possessing none of the lag they previously held. Not that he had been an easy opponent before, but now Garma had to step up to keep the White Devil from gaining first blood early on.
It was an intriguing development. As he evaded another saber slash, Garma wondered what had changed since their last battle. Unfortunately, he could not find out, short of attempting skin-to-skin communication with the enemy suit, which would be all but begging the White Devil to strike him down. It was strangely aggravating to him, but despite the good Lieutenant Ray's disposition, Garma had enjoyed exchanging words alongside blade attacks with the Devil. If anything, he wanted to find that damned transmitter that much faster now so that he could continue their "conversations" from before.
Even now, despite everything that's happening, you continue to fascinate me, Amuro Ray, Garma thought as he deflected another saber attack with his shield, then countered with a slash at the enemy mobile suit's head. The white mobile suit jetted back again, firing its vulcans in retaliation, to which Garma drew up his shield again. He then banked to the left and charged against the enemy suit's flank, forcing Amuro to twist around and deflect his stroke.
Federation Lexington-class fleetcarrier Ark Royal
Anges
"Shrikes Two and Three now engaging Aznable and Garma," Omar reported to the rest of the bridge, doing well to keep the anxiety out of his voice.
Bright nodded, watching as Unit Alpha and Unit Gamma fought their opponents. At the very least, it kept those two particular threats tied down for the foreseeable future. Of course, it also kept the two Gundams just as tied down. "Transmitter status?"
"Transmitter remains active," Kikka answered, her lips folding into a smirk as she added. "Now broadcasting 'Stand Up to the Victory' by Reinforce Junior."
"Heh," Mirai laughed bemusedly. She still couldn't believe that her ex's plan had worked. But then, Sleggar had a knack for pulling off the seemingly impossible. "It looks like the situation is well in hand, Captain."
"Apparently so, Commander," And that's precisely what worries me. Bright thought, knowing his XO would pick up on his disposition without his having to vocalize it. Once more, things were going too smoothly for his taste. Not that he believed this to be a deliberate action on Garma's part, but he still couldn't help but feel something about the present fighting was amiss. Such that it could turn for the worse at any point in time.
Still, he took it for what it was worth. Garma's forces were still fighting and fighting hard, but as hindered as they were, they had yet to make any headway against Sleggar's units. While the White Devil and the Valkyrie of Riah might have been removed from the general fighting, the Eagle of Arcturus remained active and unchallenged, his blue Gundam now surging through the various Zeon suits. Effectively catching them between the backdrop of the storm and the ongoing fire from the Guncannons.
Lightning flashed from above as Sleggar surged forward, firing upon the multiple targets ahead. As a result, several of the Zakus fell, struck down by the Eagle's pinpoint accuracy, only for additional numbers to launch after the blue Gundam. The Federation pilot responded appropriately, barrel rolling away from the neon fire before returning it, obliterating two other Zeon mobile suits before he was forced into evasion again. He jetted to his left, circling the enemy formation while deflecting their attacks with his left shield, right before blowing the head off another Zaku with a snapshot. A follow-up snapshot finished it permanently, only for one of its comrades to launch after him with its axe drawn, mono-eye flaring vehemently.
Sleggar turned Unit Beta against the oncoming Zaku, raising his right beam shield to remove the axe attack. After that, he dodged the follow-up slash by banking to the right and circled his attacker, promptly firing a vulcan spray into the Zeon suit's back. By some miracle, the Zaku didn't explode, but its pilot was dead, leaving the now thoroughly riddled machine to fall physically. The ace didn't bother to watch it land, instead turning around and firing another pair of beam rifle shots, obliterating another pair of Zakus following. A third unit moved in after that, firing off its machine gun and missiles in tandem. To this, Sleggar reversed once more, deflecting the beam bolts with his shield while swatting down the missiles with his vulcans. Then, launching upward, another Zaku fired upon him with a bazooka.
Spinning around with a characteristic flourish, the ace picked off those Zeon, snapping off two well-placed beam shots before either Zaku pilot could anticipate, let alone defend. Once again, however, he didn't bother to see if they detonated, as one other Zaku was soon upon him, axe raised for an overhead strike. Responding that much faster, Sleggar brought his left gauntlet up and smashed it against the Zeon suit's elbow, bifurcating the arm. Then, taking a page from Sayla's handbook, he kicked the offending Zaku away, planting another beam that shot into the torso as it fell backward. This time, the shot was straight through the Apollo Reactor, so the suit exploded, but not before Unit Beta turned and jetted away.
Sleggar then sneered with increasing irritation as another Zaku force approached him, beams raining in his direction. He was starting to wonder if Garma had taken the whole of Zeon's Second Fleet to Anges rather than just a "mere" task force. On the other hand, they had to run out of men and machines at some time – consequently, what he and the rest of the Ark Royal were counting on – and outside of Garma and Aznable themselves, it didn't seem like there were additional aces within the Zeon muster. As much as Sleggar wouldn't have minded the challenge, he would rather he and his comrades survive Anges and go on to carry the fight elsewhere.
As luck would have it, the broadcast signal changed tracks again, and the opening chords of "Across the End" by the Pacifists were soon heard. A very appropriate fight song, Sleggar felt, such that he switched his rifle to burst mode and fired off a powered shot and obliterated several of the Zakus at once, though more than a few managed to evade at the right moment. Knowing it would take a while for the rifle to recharge, he swapped it out and drew his right beam saber – once more with flourish – before gunning his thrusters. The Zakus responded by concentrating their fire, with several more of their number drawing their axes toward the Eagle's approach. And yet, all the same, Sleggar closed in, all but dancing around the fire and the melee attacks as he cut into Zeon metal, taking down one Zaku after another through his charge.
Sayla glared as the red Zaku launched at her again, forcing her to dodge to the right to avoid its axe blow. She then countered with her vulcans, forcing her brother to twist his suit around and engage his beam shield to deflect. Not wasting the opportunity, she maneuvered right again, attempting to catch him on his vulnerable left side, but Char could keep up with her and dodged her sword attack. He then threw her blade back before slashing at Unit Gamma's head, to which Sayla jetted back to escape the axe's reach, retaliating with another vulcan spray. To this, Char evaded at his right, then bringing down his axe for an overhead chop, which Sayla deflected with her left shield.
Gritting her teeth as she put more power into her suit, Sayla forced the axe blade aside with a nudge before slashing her sword at the Zaku's chest. As she half-expected, Char vaulted back, the tip barely grazing his mobile suit's breastplate, to which Sayla followed up with another slash that the Red Comet was forced to deflect again with his shield. The Zaku then ascended up and over Unit Gamma, moving to strike at the Gundam's momentarily exposed back, but the Valkyrie was just as fast in throwing out her left arm and knocking aside the attack with her shield. She continued the rotation, bringing about her sword in a counterstroke, only for Char to narrowly deflect that attack with a well-timed parry. This forced Sayla to gun her thrusters and jet back as the Zaku again aimed to decapitate her Gundam.
Maneuvering through the thunder and the fire, the two blood-red mobile suits continued to weave through the sky, trading sword strokes for axe blows at every opportunity. Just as they had done before, neither ace held anything back, attacking the other at any point they found vulnerable and wanting. All the while, all but entirely unhindered by the conflict and turmoil they both felt from within toward having to fight the one they had each sought for so long. The other mobile suits in proximity did well to stay out of reach as the pair rushed onward, slashing and dodging throughout their flight.
To this end, Sayla triggered her vulcans again as she flew back, forcing Char back onto the evasive by zigzagging his Zaku around the beam spray. Taking advantage of the environment, the Red Comet dashed behind one of the nearby ruins, which easily held up to the beam fire, and then circled the other side to attack the Valkyrie at her left flank. Again, Sayla raised her left beam shield to repel the intended strike and then counterattacked with her blade, only for the Zaku to jump back to avoid its reach and then surge forward again, bringing its yellow glinted axe against the magenta saber. The blades remained locked for several moments until Sayla forced the axe aside and thrust, intending to impale her opponent's mono-eye. Char naturally dodged this, his Zaku banking to the left and bringing its axe around again. Another timely shield deflection on Sayla's part kept it from doing any damage, while a following vulcan attack forced the Zeon suit to retreat yet again.
Even so, it wasn't long after that the two crimson suits charged at one another once again. Their blades locking as their pilots – the true heirs to the throne of Zeon – brought about their respective forces of will against the other.
Throwing up his right beam shield, Amuro could deflect the purple Zaku's axe attack and then throw it aside to execute a counterslash. If somewhat expected, Garma evaded the stroke, ducking his Zaku beneath the sweeping blade, to which he then lunged at the white mobile suit's exposed torso. To this, Amuro turned his Gundam aside, allowing the Zaku to fly past him before the axe blade could connect, then retaliating with his vulcans. A simple igniting of Garma's beam shield kept the beam shots from connecting, but it didn't matter as the White Devil gunned his thrusters and shot after its quarry, slashing his saber again as soon as he entered into reach. Garma gunned his thrusters, this time ascending over the magenta energy blade.
Amuro was naturally far from done; however, he, too, put Unit Alpha into an ascent, easily overtaking the Zaku before it could reach a higher altitude. Responding quickly, Garma fired off another spray of missiles, which remained unguided from the jamming but still effectively forced the White Devil into momentary evasion. The Zeon ace then capitalized on the lapse by launching from overhead, moving to slash at the Gundam's eye cameras before Amuro could deflect or evade. And yet evade he did, arcing his mobile suit back and causing the axe blade to hit nothing but open air right before thrusting her saber blade forward into the Zaku's exposed cockpit. A backward roll on Garma's part kept the sword from connecting, but Amuro remained on the offensive, firing his vulcans point blank and forcing the Zaku to duck back behind its shield.
Once again, taking advantage of the situation, Amuro launched to his right and circled, attempting to catch the Zeon suit by its right flank. And again, Garma was ready for him, dodging the White Devil's following saber slash before executing his attack at the Gundam's cockpit block. Amuro parried this, angling his beam saber blade to intersect with the Zaku's axe before throwing it aside and slashing at the Zeon suit's waist. Garma reversed just before the tip of the magenta blade could cut into his suit, then stormed forward to hack into his opponent's chest, hoping to cut into Unit Alpha's Apollo Reactor. Amuro raised his left shield to repel and then counterattacked in turn.
It was a strange, somewhat unnerving sensation, Amuro realized as he exchanged blade for blade with the purple Zaku. Although Zeon communications were jammed, thereby preventing Garma from bantering as he had in their previous battles, Amuro could still pick up on his opponent's thoughts and emotions through Newtype power alone. As such, the White Devil easily felt his opponent's enthusiasm and zeal toward their fight. It could not be classified as "evil" – or so Amuro thought somehow – but it was still a disturbing state for the Newtype to detect. It was as though Garma Zabi were actively thriving on their battle in a way Amuro could not comprehend. Even Aznable had been far more restrained, though Amuro had also picked up some semblance of those emotions from the Red Comet, at least for a time at X-145.
Regardless, the Earth ace did well not to dwell on it, much less let it affect him. As he had resolved with Sayla not too long ago, he would stand firm against his opponent and defeat him. No matter what else transpired on Anges, his battle with Garma Zabi would end then and there. And he and those he fought alongside would be better for it.
Thus locking blades with the opposing Zaku again, Amuro glowered against the purple suit's mono-eye, then forced aside its axe to slash at the cockpit block again. Once more, Garma evaded the attack, then maneuvered around and lunged at Unit Alpha's right. Another timely parry on the White Devil's part kept the axe from connecting, followed by another counterstroke against which Garma was forced to employ his shield.
They really are unstoppable, Hayato thought as he observed all three Gundams – and their pilots – in action. It was hardly the best time to do so – in fact, it was technically a distraction as he kept up his fire against the Zeeks above – yet the young Ensign Kobayashi couldn't help himself. After all, what he saw before him in the sky above was exactly what he wanted, what he yearned for. The power to overcome. The power to change all.
Thus, as he fired his shoulder cannons at another one of the mainline Zakus, which managed to evade at the last possible second, Hayato felt the all too familiar tinge of envious disdain well up inside. He did well not to let it affect his performance, such that he was eventually able to strike down that Zaku with a beam rifle shot, but it remained all the same. Like it or not, he would "only" survive this battle with the rest of his comrades. Otherwise, its outcome would be dictated by those three above him. Both physically and in capability.
Lips curling into a sneer at this, Hayato targeted another Zaku and again let loose his cannons, blowing off the Zeon mobile suit's left arm as it attempted to dodge. He may have been a "mere" survivor, but again, like it or not, now wasn't the time to dwell on such things. The battle was still roaring on, and those he was fighting alongside depended on him to contribute to their survival. This was made evident when his ears picked up a quip from Kai – something about getting his head out of his fat ass and killing something. Hayato took some measure of solace in this as he hammered away with his cannons and rifle, continuing the good fight against the ubermensch above him.
And yet, despite his concentration on the battle, he still couldn't quite turn away from those three. Nor could he completely force back the sense of crippling inadequacy he felt from within.
