Mecha: Return of the Pioneers

Chapter 1988 Grips Makes the First Move

The space region where Grips2 is located.

A colossal machine, built with the most advanced technology in humankind today, is undergoing cooling operations, striving to re-enter the launch process in the shortest possible time and bombard the asteroid Axis, which emerged from the dimensional rift.

"Cooling operations in all zones are 45% complete! Cooling operations in the core firing area are 65% complete! We expect to begin the second round of launch charging in 20 minutes!"

"Connecting with observation satellites from various units to conduct data observation and confirm the results of the firing!"

In the command center of Grips-2, Djamitov sat in the center with a smile on his face.

"General! The destructive effect of the colony cannon has not yet been calculated, but based on the current observations, our colony cannon should be able to effectively slow down the speed at which that asteroid approaches Earth."

Jamaica Daningham, the top henchman of Basque Om, did not follow Basque Om to Earth but chose to stay on Grips 2 to assist Jamitov. He reported the freshly obtained observation results to Jamitov word by word.

"Using a 20-minute cooling cycle to buy Earth an hour? Simply put, consuming enormous resources only buys Earth a mere 40 minutes of temporary respite!!"

Djamitov's smile gradually turned cold, and a sharp killing intent flashed in his eyes.

"This is truly a gratifying result."

Jamaica's Daningham didn't dare to respond and stood silently to the side.

“Daninhan. I did not mean to hold a grudge against you.”

Djamitov snorted coldly, stood up, and pointed at the dimensional rift on the screen.

"I'm afraid that's why Reibir has remained in space all this time. Now, let me see just what you're capable of? How dare you so blatantly send the future Axis back to the present, attempting to crash into Earth, with such contempt for the Earth Federation Forces and the Titans?!"

"Daninhan! Once the second round of charging is complete, launch immediately without further permission!"

"Yes, General Djamitov!"

Half an hour later, another incredibly dazzling beam of light burst forth from the space where Grips 2 was located, piercing through the void and reaching the dimensional rift.

The piercing alarm continued incessantly.

All personnel inside Axis donned protective suits and rushed nervously to their posts, striving to complete their missions before the second wave of attacks arrived.

On the other side of Axis, inside Neo Zeon's flagship, the Lorra-class space battleship.

Char (Neo Zeon) watched with a solemn expression as the images were transmitted back from the end of Axis facing the ground.

The enormous beam of light that pierced the void and struck from behind the Earth reminded Char (Neo Zeon) of very unpleasant memories.

"Judging from the timing, this is probably a Titans colony cannon. The location is likely near Grips 2."

Dorell Rona, standing at one side with his hands clasped behind his back in a military salute, speculated in a low voice.

Although the sound was soft, Char (Neo Zeon) could still hear it.

"Captain Dorell, your knowledge of history is quite good."

"No! Commander-in-Chief. I just happened to be reviewing historical records related to the Grips War."

Dorell Rona quickly and modestly replied.

"Hehe. It's alright. A thirst for knowledge is a good quality that young people should have."

Char (Neo Zeon) waved his hand, indicating that Dorell Rona didn't need to be nervous.

“Indeed. This is very likely a colony cannon from Grips. What I didn’t expect was that Jamitov’s reaction would be so fast, so fast that our Axis had just emerged from the dimensional rift when it was hit head-on.”

"Could it be..."

Dorell Rona hesitated for a moment, not voicing his suspicions. "That's nonsense. Dorell. Only I, Mr. T, and your father, Ironface, knew of Axis's arrival. Therefore, there's no possibility of a leak."

Char (Neo Zeon) dismissed Dorell Rona's guess, while inwardly marveling at the same time.

Since there is no risk of leakage, it means that there are people on the Earth Federation Forces side who have seen through their actions.

"Is it the conflict factor that Mr. T mentioned?"

Under this premise, Char (Neo Zeon) decisively denied the possibility that Djamitov was a factor in the conflict.

As a former rival, Char (Neo Zeon) knows Djamitov.

He was already nearing the end of his life and could never have made such a judgment.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have trusted Cyrok so much, as Char (Neo Zeon) did in his timeline, and wouldn't have consistently tried to make Cyrok his successor.

So, is it just a coincidence?
Or perhaps, Djamitov made his decision based on an anomaly observed in a particular object?

The former statement is too vague.

Char (Neo Zeon) is more inclined to believe the latter theory deep down.

Therefore, the person Djamitov was observing was probably General Reibir, who had not died in the One Year War, was still alive, and still had a great influence on the Earth Federation Forces.

Jamitov's hasty attempt to interrupt Axis's charge may have been motivated by a desire to steal the credit from Rebil.

After figuring out the key point, Char (Neo Zeon) gradually revealed a mocking smile.

So what if we're being pointed at by Grips 2's colony cannon?
The massive Axis is no mere decoration. Do you really think you can destroy it and claim the credit simply by launching a few shots?

Char (Neo Zeon) wanted to see the look of panic on Jamitov's face when he realized that he couldn't destroy Axis no matter how hard he tried.

"Commander-in-Chief! A massive high-energy reaction has been detected! Based on the comparison, it's a shot coming from the far side of the Earth! Similar to the previous attack!"

"Attack arrival time!"

Char (Neo Zeon)'s gaze sharpened, and he asked in a deep voice.

"30 seconds to arrive!"

Char (Neo Zeon) nodded and turned his gaze to Nanai, who was standing beside him.

"It's time to activate the gift that the Ghost Faces have given us."

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief!"

Nana responded crisply and quickly walked over to the weapons control officer, transferring the authority to her.

As she operated the device, a series of structures, resembling unfolding umbrellas, rapidly rose from the outer wall of Axis facing Earth.

"15 seconds until the attack arrives!"

CIC is still reporting the numbers.

After calmly inputting multiple commands, Nana completed the activation process 5 seconds before the attack arrived.

"Boom!!!"

Just before the light of destruction reached Axis again, a massive, reddish energy shield instantly enveloped Axis, becoming an impregnable wall that firmly protected it.

(End of this chapter)