Gundam, but from the Ground Alliance to the Human Alliance to the out-of-control servitor

Many Zeon veterans who participated in the Battle of Hart have a hard time forgetting the Federation battleship that, in the second half of the battle, led the remaining Federation fleet to break through Zeon's front and rear outflanks and reorganized its formation without defeat;

I can't forget her air defense circle that doesn't seem to be as powerful as other federal warships, with cannonballs flying everywhere, but once it is launched, something will be gained; I can't forget that when I concentrated on staring at her, she was suddenly unexpectedly caught by other federal warships. The battleship fired its black gun accurately.

As a result, these veterans bypassed the Marco Polo one after another, preferring to break through the air defense firepower network of other federal warships that were more closely formed.

As for those who had not seen the power of Marco Polo, they soon saw the friendly aircraft invading this ship, which did not seem to have dense anti-aircraft firepower, being covered by a sudden and rapid burst of firepower with almost no room for dodge;

Either he is an example of using his life to warn his teammates that this federal warship is not to be trifled with.

Between 'challenging oneself' and 'picking on the weak', most Zeon pilots subconsciously chose the latter.

However, Lieutenant Escott was one of the few Zeon pilots to choose the former.

Just as Marco Polo was thinking about whether he should shout something taunting at the public screen to attract the hatred of the Zeon army, Lieutenant Escott, who had made a large circle with his back to the sun, rushed down from behind Marco Polo. .

In space, the unobstructed brilliance of stars became the best cover for Lieutenant Escott's attack. His commander-type Zaku carried a rocket launcher in one hand and a machine gun in the other. He squeezed the trigger and fired at the tail of the Marco Polo. Close defense turret.

Chapter 33: Two-pronged attack (End)

"Using the cover of the sun? It's a good fight, but, sorry."

Marco Polo updated the tactical logic library again.

The 120mm bullets from the Zaku machine gun passed by the laser beam that arrived first, and continuously hit the mantlet of the ship's stern close-in defense gun, causing the overwhelmed ceramic armor splints to shatter;

But the blazing laser also shone on the machine body that Lieutenant Escott deliberately went out of control and was constantly vibrating. First, an irregular melt mark was drawn on Zaku's head display, and then it was moved sideways and burned. Zaku's machine gun.

It was too late to adjust the backup monitor. Lieutenant Escott emptied a magazine of the rocket launcher from memory, and fired four consecutive rockets at the Marco Polo's stern thruster.

"Please sit still and hold on tight..."

Marco Polo let the attitude adjustment nozzles in various parts of the ship's hull turn on full power, and the giant ship with a length of more than 300 meters rolled up, allowing the close-in defense guns on the side to include the incoming rockets into the firing range again.

Of the four rockets, two were directly intercepted, and one fell into the dozens of meters long high-temperature tail flames behind the Marco Polo and was directly burned;

In the end, the only shot that was too late to intercept was also taken by Marco Polo, who adjusted his posture and tried his best to use the thickest armored position in the middle of the ship to eat it——

The 360mm conventional charge rocket blasted a small gap in the outer shell of the Marco Polo; it is not appropriate to call it a gap, because the gap is directly opposite a room that has been filled and closed because it is no longer in use. Personnel accommodation compartment.

The foaming cement and self-sealing gel used for filling absorbed the impact of the explosion, and the flames quickly extinguished because there were no combustibles or oxygen to support combustion.

"...Lieutenant General Cunningham."

"what happened?"

If Marco Polo hadn't activated the magnet on the CIC floor in time to fix the magnetic buckle on Lieutenant General Cunningham's shoes, he was almost thrown out of the seat due to the sudden maneuver.

"Just now, a Zaku broke into attack distance with its back against the sun, causing slight damage to the outer shell of the ship - but it's over."

Marco Polo gently raised his hand, and a holographic simulation screen with blue light popped up, which played back the last trajectory of Lieutenant Escott's life.

A red line simulates his attack trajectory, and several key time nodes are marked:

It started with him being difficult to distinguish from the sunlight background by Marco Polo. Then, the Commander Zaku machine gun and rocket launcher fired respectively, as well as the Marco Polo laser point defense cannon's counterattack;

Until the end, Lieutenant Escott was driving the Zaku, which had half its head burned off, and was destroyed by concentrated fire while trying to escape after the attack.

“It’s a lesson worth remembering and an opportunity to learn from.”

After Marco Polo finished simulating Lieutenant Escott's attack, Lieutenant General Cunningham finally understood what had happened and couldn't help but admire:

'For humans, especially a complex command system composed of multiple human individuals, this kind of coordinated and appropriate response from discovery to contact in just a few seconds is simply an impossible task. . '

Lieutenant General Cunningham thought for a moment and then asked curiously:

"So after this... it can be said that after the Zeon army successfully broke through the defense, will you make the same mistake again?"

"I'm not sure if 'error' is the right word to describe it."

Combining the received combat data and videos, Marco Polo then commanded the federal fleet to conduct air defense operations and quickly generated a diagnostic report with pictures and text, and attached a summary PPT.

"But where can we continue to improve, higher-definition, more reliable optical monitor lenses; image recognition technology against the interference of rice particles, in natural strong light like the sun, artificial strong light like explosions, etc.; and more Sensitive turret steering motor——"

Marco Polo consulted the limited database on the landing ship and came to the conclusion:

"——The feasibility of these software and hardware improvements, and the trade-off between improved performance and increased cost, are beyond my ability to decide, and whether the same mistakes will be made again depends on this."

"So, it seems that it's all a matter of software and hardware. Is there anything wrong on your part?"

Lieutenant General Cunningham flipped through Marco Polo's introspection report a few times and said half seriously, half jokingly.

"To humans, this may sound a bit arrogant," Marco Polo said frankly without a trace of embarrassment:

"The concept of human beings making mistakes can be summarized as 'their own fundamental lack of ability', and being able to avoid mistakes but being careless because of 'incorrect attitude'. And I have done the best within my capabilities; just now Zeon Even if Junzhagu's assault were repeated, I couldn't do it any better."

"What about 'insufficiency of one's own basic abilities'? You yourself have admitted that that is also a mistake."

"When lack of ability can be used as a mistake to blame others, it is usually in the case of 'should have a certain degree of ability, but does not have it due to one's own reasons'——"

Marco Polo turned around again and looked at the diagonal rear side of the ship: When Zeon's Zakus were afraid of her anti-aircraft firepower and chose to go around, they had lost the indomitable way to break into the Federation fleet when the war first broke out. courage between the air raid nets;

Especially when Zaku's pilots discovered that the bazookas equipped with conventional warheads in their hands, even if they were a few thicker, were far less effective than the previous nuclear rocket warheads, their style of play became more conservative, and they only dared to launch missiles from a distance. In the distance, they patrolled and exchanged fire with federal warships.

This can barely hold back the progress of the federal fleet, but the damage caused is limited.

"——When I am constantly studying the existing combat information and making full use of the opportunity to improve myself; excluding the factors of uncertainty, even if I turn the time back to before the war started and do it all over again, I still can't My hard power has improved even higher.”

"For things within your ability, you can exert your due strength [-]%; and for those tasks that exceed the limit of your ability, because there is no wasted time and energy that can be used for self-improvement, there is nothing worth regretting - —”

Cunningham stood up, smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"This is the so-called 'I can't achieve it even if I try my best'; if all human beings could be as pure as you, Marco Polo, then..."

He jumped up slightly and retrieved his military cap, which had just been thrown away during Marco Polo's short maneuver. Suddenly, the conversation changed:

"...But even if it is true, from a human perspective, I still hope to hear a more humble and tactful answer."

"Taught me, Lieutenant General Cunningham, I will pay attention to it later."

[Respect the broad sense of human virtue standards and flexibly state the facts?If that's what humans want. 】

Vice Admiral Cunningham did not focus on the command of the battle, because he knew that this time the Space Force's 2nd Fleet had failed to break the engagement;

Although it is not yet certain whether the information from the ground was a trap, or it was after the commander of the Principality of Zeon learned that the Luna 2 Space Force fleet was dispatched that he accurately determined the target of the Federation Space Force's attack;

However, when the transport fleet that was supposed to be full of ammunition and supplies for the Zeon army's descending troops emerged, Zakus still maintained their combat configuration in space. The 2nd Fleet's attack this time The primary goal has been failed.

"Captain, take us to charge again, I still have two rockets!"

In Zaku's cockpit, the rookie pilot who was drafted into service in October last year. This was the first time he joined the front-line troops to participate in actual combat. He squeezed his eyes hard, causing cold sweat to spread on his forehead from unknown time. The eyelids slide open.

On his display screen, many battleships in the Federalist fleet had numerous scars on their shells, or traces of being blackened by explosions. However, most of them still maintained considerable anti-aircraft firepower. Maintaining the fleet air defense perimeter in an orderly manner;

Among them, the five largest and most eye-catching Magellan-class battleships, although they also suffered a lot of injuries, were still alive amid the siege of hundreds of Zakus from all directions, and none of them was sunk or lost. power.

"That's enough. It's enough for your kid to survive until now. As a newcomer on the battlefield for the first time, it's enough."

The more experienced captain of the Zaku team pulled the joystick, causing the machine body to smoothly turn in an arc, temporarily flying out of the 'threat range' planned by the federal fleet:

Yes, these keen Zaku pilots are more or less aware that compared to when the war first started, the fleet of the Federation Space Force seemed airtight due to the interference of unprepared rice particles, but in reality it often seemed a bit aimless. anti-aircraft fire network;

Now the Federal Space Force's air defense operations are obviously more organized, and they will deliberately target Zaku who come within a certain distance and carry anti-ship rocket launchers that pose a greater threat to battleships.

Of course, being aware of this does not mean that the Zeon army on the battlefield can immediately find ways to take advantage of this to affect the outcome of the battle.

"This battle is no longer possible."

The veteran overlooked the entire battlefield at this time. Zagu, who was like a swarm of mosquitoes, surrounded the federal fleet that maintained a tight air defense formation and advanced in groups, but most of them only dared to wander outside the effective range of federal air defense weapons;

The fireballs produced by the detonation of rockets light up from time to time, but basically dissipate meaninglessly in the void in an instant. They cannot break through the firepower network equipped with laser cannons on the federal warships until they are within a certain distance.

The left leg of his machine body was also hit from behind by a battleship-level high-energy laser during a raid on a Salamis-class cruiser; although from the monitor, the mechanical leg seemed to still be hanging on Zaku's body. However, the body status display shows that the entire left leg has been disconnected.

Even if it is not a fatal injury, the mobile suit's legs are not purely decorative. Zaku, who has lost the posture adjustment nozzles on his legs, has lost more than 20% of his flexibility; even if he has the chance, he no longer dares to risk a break-in. The Federal Army's air defense circle approached and attacked.

"Retreat. Lieutenant Escott has already died, and we don't know how many officers are still alive on the battlefield. We have perfectly completed the task of covering the main fleet's withdrawal... transfer."

More and more Zaku began to break away from close contact with the federal warships, watching from a distance, as if waiting for an order to retreat, or someone to take the lead in turning in.

The rookie pilot, who was still unwilling to give in, was still holding a Zaku machine gun and pointlessly spraying bullets in the direction of the Federation fleet in the distance; but it was over. This wave of attacks by the Zeon army's Zaku was hitting the ship. After the rocket launcher shells carried by the equipped machine were basically fired, it stopped helplessly.

"It was observed that the Zeon army Zaku began to retreat; after compiling and reporting the losses, 4 ships of the Salamis class were sunk, 2 ships were seriously damaged, and 2 ships of the Magellan class were damaged. The remaining warships still maintain the ability to continue fighting to a certain extent."

In terms of quality alone, it is nearly three times worse than the Magellan class. The protection logic basically continues that of the surface missile ships of the old era:

The Salamis-class cruiser, which thinks "as long as it is not discovered, will intercept enemy attacks if it is discovered", does appear to be too fragile in this era of frequent close combat within visual distance.

"Heavily injured..."

Lieutenant General Cunningham also helplessly held his forehead, paused for a moment, but still opened his mouth and said: "In this case, we may also tow it back to the port for repair... Is it possible to restore the maneuverability?"

"The Salamis was not designed with that kind of redundancy, unfortunately, Lieutenant General Cunningham."

Lieutenant General Cunningham had a look of understanding on his face, "Then we can only punish him."

"So what's our next step?"

While Marco Polo carefully guided the mothership of the 'Poison-Quenching Dagger' squadron, he captured the broken and scarred Zaku and welcomed back the several machines whose identities were finally confirmed——

In front of the Federation fleet, which had already entered anti-aircraft operations, they had no chance to return directly to the ship. They could only use their unique abilities to use their superior mobility to Zeon's original Zaku to find ways to avoid the battle and wait for this attack on the periphery of the battlefield. The ambush ended in an unsuccessful battle for both sides.

However, after this battle, the group of Federation MS pilots who can still survive will surely improve their driving skills by leaps and bounds.

"Let's circle the earth and find a way to avoid the interference of rice particles and send signals to the ground on an open channel. At least let our colleagues in the Earth Army know that our Federal Space Force has not been completely wiped out and we still have the courage to attack."

This time cannot be in vain. Although the primary goal has failed, the following secondary goals can still be achieved. This is Lieutenant General Cunningham's idea.

"Your will... However, there are several transport ships suspected to be 'Zeon ships' in front of our fleet, and they are escaping."

"Huh? Zeon's battleship moves so slowly. Is the propeller damaged?"

Lieutenant General Cunningham was stunned. The Musai-class and Papua-class ships of the Principality of Zeon were undoubtedly high-speed ships. With Zaku harassing them, the Federation warships really couldn't catch up with them;

Only then did he notice that Marco Polo had projected several processed and enlarged images of the front of the fleet.

"Is that... a cargo ship with civilian specifications?"

Chapter 34: Aftermath

"Fortunately not humiliated."

This is Lieutenant General Tiam, who has a tired face, leading the 4th Fleet, which has been reduced by nearly half compared to when it set off, to re-enter the communication range around Luna 2 and meet Canning, who arrived at Luna 2 earlier. The first words said by Lieutenant General An.

"My plan was a little too radical this time, I'm sorry."

Watching the 4th Fleet, which also suffered heavy losses, return to port this time, the officers of the Federal Space Force on Luna 2, especially those belonging to the 1,2st and [-]nd Fleets who survived the Battle of Hart, felt a sense of A subtle 'even' feeling.

After reading the battle report of the 4th Fleet, Vice Admiral Cunningham had to admit that he attacked the Zeon army's lunar Granada base across hundreds of thousands of kilometers and destroyed the mass accelerator used for bombing the earth. The fleet's trip can be described as thrilling.

First, they pretended to raid the Zeon mainland again, scaring the Zeon army stationed in Side 3 and Abavacon Fortress from moving, and then lured Kycilia's troops stationed at the Granada base;

Then he boldly used nanoparticle interference to pass by the Zeon troops who came to reinforce the mainland, turned the ship around and headed straight for the Granada base.

If he hadn't been discovered by Dozru Zabi's Zeon Space Attack Force's main fleet on the way back to Luna 2, Lieutenant General Tiam might have escaped unscathed after attacking the Granada base.

"No, it was originally a request from Gabro Headquarters. Rather, as long as this can prove that our 4th Fleet is not a greedy person, it is enough."

Vice Admiral Thiam's ship Titan, escorted by the Marco Polo, was the last warship of the 4th Fleet to enter the port, and slowly docked in the main berthing area of ​​Luna 2.

Even after going through hardships and obstacles, the 2th Fleet of the Federation Space Force, which was about to arrive at Luna 4, exhaustedly escaped the pursuit of the Dozlu fleet, still faced the last hurdle——

That was the Zeon Assault Mobile Army's 'Primus' fleet, which was originally responsible for sealing off the area around Luna 2.

'You federal guys can go out whenever you want, and come back whenever you want, [Side 3 expletive], do you think we are fake? 'Not to mention that the Granada base that Tiam's fleet raided this time was the base of their immediate boss, Kycilia Zabi.

So, when Marco Polo caught Lieutenant General Tiam's expected return time, deliberately exposed his whereabouts, and pretended to attack to meet the friendly troops returning to Hong Kong;

The 'Primus' fleet immediately gathered together like flies that smelled a garbage dump, and played hide-and-seek with Marco Polo for a whole day in the minefield laid out by the federal army——

Vice Admiral Tiam immediately seized the opportunity and commanded the fleet to return to Luna 2 from the other side.

"I have been...somewhat trapped in Hart's place, and I have some prejudice against you. I'm sorry."

Lieutenant General Cunningham apologized again. In any case, this time it was Lieutenant General Thiam who took the initiative to intercept the Zeon supply fleet in low-Earth orbit and attack Grana, which was far away on the far side of the moon and adjacent to the Zeon mainland. Of the bases, choose the latter, which is much riskier.

"The performance of the 4th Fleet during the Hart Battle will indeed raise questions, and that's okay..."

Lieutenant General Thiam waved his hand seemingly magnanimously, indicating that Cunningham didn’t need to mind, and instead took the initiative to change the topic to the present:

"I should be thanking you. I was prepared to have another bloody battle with Zeon's blockade fleet at the gate of Luna 2, but the return trip turned out to be unexpectedly smooth -"

Lieutenant General Tiam looked out of the porthole of the bridge. The Titan, the flagship of the 4th Fleet, slowly passed by the warships whose shells were cracked one after another. He could directly see the internal structure of the battleships through the blackened holes. With their men wrapped in bleeding bandages, they helped each other out of the cabin;

"——I only know now that you ordered your flagship to be dispatched again after you returned, attracting the attention of the Zeon fleet in another direction; this is really a big help."