Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 137 The Young Master's Scheme!

"We must support the central cluster as soon as possible!"

"Once they are annihilated, our army will be directly divided into two parts, and at that time, we will have no foothold in North America!"

"I have ordered the Southern Cluster to abandon its attack on Los Mochis and withdraw four brigades to support the Central Cluster, but it will take at least three more days!"

"Not enough, there simply isn't enough time!"

Compared to when she first arrived on Earth, Karma, who had lost some of her dashing and heroic demeanor, strode forward, waving her command stick and slamming it hard on the map.

"Currently, our goal is to open up Highway 80. Only by opening up this route can our army have a glimmer of hope!"

After he finished speaking, the conference room suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

Several seconds later, someone slowly spoke.

"But how do we break through the red dragon's blockade?"

News of the defeat of the 9th Brigade has reached the command headquarters. The brigade's mobile suit force has lost two-thirds of its strength, and half of the independent regiment that was operating with the 9th Brigade has also been wiped out. Those more than two hundred mobile suits could easily take down an Federation fleet in space, but on the ground, they were terrified by a single Gundam. In fact, a large number of pilots were demoralized and refused to fight.

The Third Brigade, which is now replacing the Ninth Brigade, has not yet arrived in Winnemarca and has been subjected to precision strikes by the Federal Air Force. It has been forced to stop and prepare for air defense camouflage. It is simply unrealistic to expect them to break through Winnemarca!
Meanwhile, the California base was in dire straits with no troops left to fight. The only forces that Karma could mobilize were the Guard Divisions scattered throughout the region and the series of independent units formed by Kycilia.

Insufficient manpower has always been the biggest problem for the Zeon forces. The vastness of the Earth has depleted their manpower pool, which is why Karma had to withdraw from the Central Cluster. Zeon could not afford the devastating loss of hundreds of thousands of people in one fell swoop.

"I plan to withdraw the independent units of the 7th Division, along with a part of the Guards Division, and coordinate with the 3rd Division to launch a pincer attack. My goal is not to annihilate or repel the Red Dragon, but simply to open up a passage!"

Karma then said.

"The 7th Division?"

The Zeon officer couldn't help but frown.

While it cannot be denied that the 7th Division possessed formidable combat capabilities, it was still far too unconventional compared to other conventional Zeon units. Perhaps due to its formation by a woman, the 7th Division's organizational structure was a disaster for Zeon logistics. The division had virtually no regular units, consisting entirely of a chaotic mix of independent mobile units. Furthermore, these independently mobile units of varying sizes were scattered across different bases and under the command of different superiors, much like they were suffering from serious illnesses. It's no wonder this unit was disliked!
"How many troops can they withdraw?"

"Not many, mainly mobile suit units, about a regiment, but there is one Dabud-class destroyer available for deployment!"

After witnessing the power of the Federation's land battleships in Salt Lake City, the Zeon forces quickly conducted targeted research. The logistics and production department, led by Macabe, soon built a Zeon land battleship, the Dabude-class, at the California base. However, at present, only this one ship can be mobilized by Kalmar.

"So, who should be in charge of the rescue operation?"

"I will personally command!"

"what?"

The Zeon officers were also stunned. Soon, some of them stood up, but it was to dissuade Karma from having this idea.

"I have made my decision. Everyone has their own important tasks to complete, but I, the commander, am usually idle. Now is the best time for me to contribute my own strength to Zeon. You don't need to worry about my safety!"

Karma said with great confidence that he had the Red Comet and the Blue Giant Star by his side. The former was an ace assassin who had made a name for himself in space, and the latter was a veteran general who had made great contributions in the early stages of the One Week War. With these two by his side, and the fact that he would stay on the Gau-class ship obediently throughout the entire process, there should be no problem with his safety!

In fact, Karma mobilized more than just these elite forces. The Midnight Fenrir Squadron, belonging to the 7th Division, and the Raucous Fairy Squadron, Zeon's first mobile suit squadron composed entirely of female pilots, were also among those being recruited.

In addition to these independent squads, Kalmar's forces also have a new Black Lone Star squad, which consists of Gaia, who had narrowly escaped from Macarius's gun, and two other elite pilots.

These units had previously caused the Union Army considerable trouble on both the northern and southern fronts, especially the Midnight Fenrir Squad, which was directly under the command of Kycilia Zabi. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation, Kycilia would not have agreed to let Kalmar take over the squad.

Kalmar then boarded his personal guard on his dedicated Gau-class aircraft carrier, while Rambaar's troops, due to space constraints, had to rely on Uncle Fat.

Do you think we can win?

Looking at Hamon, who was intently examining a map beside him, Ramball, lying in the overhead chair in the cabin, asked in a low voice, sounding rather uncertain.

"do not know!"

Harmon shook her head. She truly didn't know whether Makarius could still wreak havoc as before in the face of the Zeon army's counterattack, or whether they would be mercilessly devoured by the dragon flames. All she knew was that, regardless of life or death, she would be with Rambalar.

"But if you really can't win, you can choose to surrender, can't you?"

"Who would surrender to that kid!"

Ramball's eyes widened immediately; a soldier's dignity would not allow him to do such a thing!

"Even if I'm going to die, I'll drag that kid down with me!"

Unlike the uncle and aunt duo who would stay together even in death, on the Gau-class, when everyone around her had left and only Char was left, Karma slumped into the command chair as if all her strength had left, covering her face with her hands and sighing silently.

"Xia, do you think we'll win?"

Looking at the dejected Karma, Char sighed inwardly.

He's still just a young master after all!

However, he still said it very considerately.

"With the assistance of other elite pilots, I am quite confident in defeating the Red Dragon!"

"Once we defeat the Red Dragon, the remaining Federation forces will be no threat!"

Karma's eyes reddened upon hearing this, and she spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Old comrade-in-arms like you are still the most reliable, Xia Ya. You are the man who can be my right-hand man!"

"That's my honor, Karma!"

With the roar of its engines, the massive fuselage of the Gau-class aircraft gradually climbed into the sky and rendezvoused with the waiting Dopp aircraft group.

As the Federation forces advance, the skies over the war zone are no longer safe. Massive numbers of Swordfish fighters are constantly pouring into this aerial hunting ground. Once they catch a lone aircraft carrier, the Federation pilots will pounce on it like mad dogs!
Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, after repelling the Zeon 9th Brigade, the defending forces received even larger reinforcements in the afternoon. An entire Median Flying Group delivered a combined arms regiment to the combat zone, including two armored battalions and two infantry battalions, and also provided new replacement mobile suits and pilots for the damaged GM Group. In addition, Macarius's new rifles and shields were also delivered, and even a batch of the Red Dragon Group's most valuable maintenance crew arrived, especially Sakaki Seitaro, who was currently serving as the maintenance chief, as he was worried that Macarius might cause some more problems with the mobile suits.

In addition to these supplies, Lieutenant Matilda also brought tons of supplies to the garrison, including freshly baked cream cakes and ice cream, as well as Cuban-style cigars.

These supplies are extremely valuable to the soldiers on the front lines at this moment, and in terms of boosting morale, they are even better than military medals!

"Great! At this rate, we should be able to send the Zeon back into space before Christmas!"

Colonel Winston seemed very optimistic, and even made a jinx without hesitation.

However, he was soon proven wrong.

"Sir, radar reports that enemy aircraft are approaching!"

Which direction did you come from?

"It must have departed from the California base!"

"It seems that young master has finally made a move!"

Makarius glanced at the dense cluster of lights on the radar screen and guessed that Kalma had made a move. The enemy had dispatched hundreds of fighter jets in multiple waves, clearly driven by their previous losses.

Fortunately, they had taken sufficient cover in advance, and even most of the mobile suits were covered with infrared camouflage cloth and hidden outside the town. The Zeon air force, lacking precision-guided weapons, could not inflict too much damage on them!
Soon, the first wave of Zeon aircraft arrived over the combat zone and eagerly swooped down toward Winnemac. But just as the aircraft were about to begin their attack, the air force commander saw that Zeon flags were still flying over the Zeon base, and there was more than one.

"Could it be that this place has already been recaptured by friendly forces?"

Because of previous instances of air force mistakenly bombing friendly forces, the air commander called a halt to the attack and prepared to conduct routine identification first. However, Dop's cockpit then sounded an enemy lock-on warning.

Then, several Federal Army self-propelled anti-aircraft guns rushed out of their bunkers and began to rain ammunition into the sky. Shells and missiles roared into the air, and in an instant, several Dopp missiles were hit, either being struck and falling to the ground or being torn to pieces, their blood staining the sky.

The first wave of attackers could only hastily drop their weapons and record the positions of enemy anti-aircraft fire, then report to the follow-up units, hoping they would remove this thorn in their side.

Then, when the second wave of Dopp missiles approached from very low altitude, white smoke from man-portable missile launches rose again around the town. However, the Federation's air defense capabilities were limited to this. Although more than ten Dopp missiles were shot down, their air defense firepower was gradually taken down by subsequent Dopp missiles. Fortunately, nearly 70% of the Zeon air raid's munitions were dropped on the town, especially the bases occupied by the Federation, which became the primary targets of the bombing.

Many of the Zeon prisoners of war held at the base were blown up in the air without even realizing it. So much so that when the Federation forces arrived to search for them, the surviving Zeon prisoners all clamored to join the Federation forces and fight the Zeon pilots.

After a prolonged air raid, an observation post located behind the town, near the western side, issued a warning.

"An unknown number of Zeon armored units are approaching the western perimeter!"

Subsequently, more detailed intelligence continued to flow into the command center.

"It's the Zeon Guard Division stationed at the California base, specifically responsible for protecting headquarters. I didn't expect these guys to actually be out here?"

"That should only be a portion. If the entire force were mobilized, our guerrillas in the occupied areas wouldn't miss this opportunity!"

Marcarius said with a hint of regret.

"It's alright, we've caught a great opportunity!"

Colonel Winster then patted Makarius on the shoulder and left the rear command post.

"Leave the enemy's regular forces to me; you handle the tough ones!"

Then, as usual, they conducted fire reconnaissance. The Zeon ground forces cautiously dispatched several light armored units to repeatedly probe the Federation's firepower deployment. After discovering that the Federation was not fooled, they even sent light infantry to outflank the Winnemarca airfield along the south side of the town.

Then, the paratroopers stationed there could only engage in firefights with the enemy. Immediately afterwards, an entire mobile suit battalion stormed into the airport, forcing the Federation forces to also deploy mobile suits to fight back.

After the firefight at the airport, two more battalions began their incursion along the north side of the town, where they continued to engage in firefights with Federation mobile suits.

What is the enemy trying to do?

Amuro, who remained completely still in the command post, was puzzled. Shouldn't an attack choose a breakthrough point and launch a fierce assault? Why were the Zeon soldiers running around like headless flies?
"They're just testing my position!"

Marcarius understood what the other party meant. Obviously, the Zeon were also worried that he would repeat the attack on the Ninth Brigade. Therefore, they adopted a multi-pronged approach to try to disperse the defenders' forces and force him to show himself.

"Then I'll go help!"

Amuro was about to get up, but Makarius stopped him.

"No, let's switch this time. You stay here to guard against enemy attacks, and I'll just show my face at the front!"

"Understood!"

Amuro nodded and then obediently sat back down in his chair.

Meanwhile, Makarius jumped onto the G3 Gundam and quickly headed to the northern part of the city.

At this moment, the Zeon army was still dawdling on the edge of the town, and even their attack seemed very perfunctory. Large numbers of ground-based Zaku were even continuously firing into the town from the outskirts.

"Still not moving? Waiting for me?"

Makarius chuckled, then swaggered out of the building, maneuvering his machine before pulling the trigger.

A ground-based Zaku, about three kilometers away from Macarius, was firing rockets at the town with all its might when it was struck by a beam of light that pierced its torso. The sudden burst of particle beam startled the nearby Zaku pilots.

"Beam rifle, twelve o'clock position, confirmed, the Red Dragon is on the north side of the city!"

"Great, that guy didn't go out. Immediately order Lieutenant Gerhard Schmitzer and Captain Kirigarette to move! Have the First Brigade hold them off!"

Karma, who was directing operations from Gau, immediately issued the order with great excitement.

It's just flanking from both sides, he can do that too, and he has plenty of cards in his hand!

(End of this chapter)