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

Chapter 141 For My Motherland
After Ramball suggested he consider it, Rebil readily agreed. Although he was a prisoner of war, there were no restrictions on him, and the Federation even thoughtfully prepared a couple's room for Ramball.

Afterwards, Ramball enjoyed a sumptuous meal in the officers' mess hall, which was arguably the best meal he had eaten since arriving on Earth. Of course, this was mainly because he didn't get to eat the general's special meals in Zeon.

After eating and drinking his fill, he returned to his private room. Considering his marital status, the Cheyenne Mountain Base thoughtfully arranged a couple's dormitory for him and even left a bottle of red wine in the room.

"what happened?"

Seeing the preoccupied Lanbaral, Hamon hummed a little tune as he applied a face mask and asked him a question.

“I met Rebil today…”

"Does the Federation want you to take the lead in opposing the Zabi family?"

"As expected, nothing can be hidden from you!"

Lanbarar chuckled and then poured a glass of wine for each of them.

"Don't forget what I used to do!"

According to rumors, Claudia Hammon was once Kilianzabi's secretary, but no one dared to verify it.

So, you're tempted?

"Yeah, I never expected that guy would be right under my nose!"

Thinking of this, Rambaar couldn't help but beat his chest in frustration. He and Char had missed each other so many times; if only Makarius had revealed this information earlier...

"Yes, I never expected it to actually be him!"

"Ah, you mean...?"

"I just don't dare to confirm it!"

Harmon nodded. She recognized Char the moment she saw him, but she wasn't sure.

Now, she regrets it a little; she should have talked to him more!

"Is this what they call a woman's sixth sense?"

Ramball sighed, then said.

"I don't know what he's planning, but it's definitely something very dangerous, especially since he and Karma are now even the closest of comrades..."

Ramball didn't know what the other party wanted to do, but the most serious thing he could think of was that the other party would find an opportunity to wipe out the entire Zabi family. Given Karma's level of trust in Xia, this was very likely!
The older man wasn't against Char's revenge; he was worried about how Char would escape afterward, and what they would do if the other party planned to die together.
"You know what? Makarius even leaked some information to me!"

"Is it about Artesia?"

"How come you know everything?"

"Because these are the only two things that can affect you!"

Hamon touched Lanbalar's somewhat rough face. He used to be a handsome young man, but now he was a weathered middle-aged man!

"Yeah, that guy threatened me. If I refused, they'd send Artesia to handle it. You know what? I'm not worried about Rebil, but I'm worried about that damn brat. Artesia is so cute and innocent, she could never be a match for him!"

Remembering the soft, sweet, and sticky little dumplings from his childhood, Lanbalar slammed his fist on the table in anger, just like an old father.

"The red dragon is too dangerous!"

"I said very solemnly."

"You know, people like him often have lofty ambitions, and once they achieve them, they will bring countless blessings. But the more ambitious they are, the more ruthless they become. They will sacrifice those unimportant pawns for the greater good. We were the first ones he chose!"

"What's your answer?"

Ramball sighed silently, then lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"I haven't decided yet, but do we have a choice?"

The following day, Ramball, sporting large dark circles under his eyes, returned to Rebil's office.

This time, what he saw were the three leaders of the Federation Army.

"Can I ask my country what it will do first?"

"We can't predict the future, but I think it will be much better than the present!"

"I understand. So, for my motherland, I am willing to endure all of this, even if it means being shattered to pieces!"

Ramball solemnly raised his right hand and gave a military salute.

"I believe your dedication will be remembered!"

Thus, without the knowledge of the Federal Parliament and the Zeon government, the first military commander of the Zeon Republic was born. Although this commander currently has no military rank, territory, or subordinates, everything is difficult at the beginning. Now that he has started, can the rest still be considered a problem?

After seeing Ramball off, the conversation among the three leaders continued to the topic of Deikun's two children. Makarius naturally couldn't keep it from Kinklini, and since he knew, it was normal for Santa Claus and Gop to know as well, though only within their small circle.

"Who would have thought that Char Aznable is actually Casvaldeken, the famous Red Comet, who is Zeon Deikun's own son? Guess what kind of expression that old man Degin will have when he finds out?"

Gopp never expected that at his age, he would be able to get such a juicy piece of gossip. The old man was truly amazed.

"Yes, I was also surprised when I learned about this, but it's also mentioned in Shakespeare's works!"

"I'm quite curious, how did you find out about this!"

King, of course, wouldn't tell anyone that Makarius had said all this, but Gop and Reibell knew without a doubt that if King had such extraordinary abilities, he wouldn't just be a Chief of the General Staff. "Then don't underestimate my intelligence network!"

Kim Eun didn't bring it up, and it was good that everyone kept the tacit understanding. At least, after sharing a secret, everyone was in the same boat.

"We can put the matter of Char on hold for now. He's currently with the Zeon military, so there's nothing we can do about it. But isn't Artesia currently in the medical department of the research base at Side 7? Should we try to relocate her?"

When Char attacked Side 7, Artesia, who was already working as an assistant nurse at Side 7, received a letter of recommendation for her active participation in the rescue of the wounded, which promoted her to the research base. After all, her background and experience were spotless.

After learning the other party's identity, Kim Klini did not arrange any surveillance personnel. After all, the other party's actual job was a medical staff member of the base's affiliated kindergarten, who only dealt with the children every day. In fact, because of her serious, responsible and meticulous work attitude, she had become the children's favorite big sister.

"Why don't we transfer her to the Red Dragon Brigade?"

Santa Claus suddenly said.

"?"

"What do you mean?"

"This makes it easier to monitor them!"

Before King Klinney could object, Gop had already prepared the dispatch order, which Rebil then stamped, and Artesia Deacon, currently known as Theramas, was transferred from Side 7 to Earth.

Makarius never expected that his unintentional threat would put him in such a difficult position. After all, on his first day accompanying Ramball, he went to the logistics department to discuss the weaponry design of the mobile suits with the technical staff.

"Considering future responses to enemy space forces, I think electromagnetic guns are actually quite good weapons, just like beam rifles. Especially now that beam weapons are so prevalent, various countermeasures against beam weapons must also be under development. What do you think?"

"I think you're right, but you have to understand that developing electromagnetic railguns is not as simple as just talking about it!"

"Our military only needs to make a request and then put it out to tender, and the arms companies will handle the rest!"

"But there has to be expected value. Beam rifles have an extremely bright future, so these companies will naturally increase their investment. What about the prospects for electromagnetic weapons?"

"For sniper-type mobile suits, we can even develop super-large electromagnetic cannons and launch attacks on the ground from space..."

When Makarius said this, he couldn't hold back anymore. After all, it's too difficult to lie through one's teeth. Anyone with a brain knows how bad the effect of launching an electromagnetic weapon from space to the ground would be with the current level of technology. But in order to get Gao Yun to make new toys for G3 or later Gundam models, he still tried his best to argue his case.

"Let's not talk about that now. I have a project that's going to be canceled, but we already have a batch of prototype vehicles. Do you want it?"

"What project?"

Macharius was curious.

Then he saw a very familiar design proposal for a mobile weapon.

"RTX-440 Ground Assault Steel Tank?"

Marcarius then realized, "So that's what it is."

Although in this life, with him around, the Federation used the Steel Tank more for fire support rather than for charging into battle, the Federation Army still wanted to develop an assault gun-type Steel Tank because the GM's firepower sometimes couldn't meet the troops' requirements.

However, with the mass production of the GM Cannon, the so-called assault gun steel tank became somewhat of a liability. After all, this thing was a bit complicated in terms of design. Strictly speaking, it had the upper body of a mobile suit and the lower body of a tank, so maintenance was very complicated. But the Federation Army had already invested so much and even built a prototype, so it would be a pity to just abandon it, since in terms of firepower, this thing was still very strong.

Its main weapon is a long-barreled 220mm smoothbore cannon that can fire a variety of ammunition. It is powerful enough to blast a Zaku into pieces and can also be used to carry out long-range strikes against fortified fortresses. If necessary, it can also be driven to the front line and fired with the barrel pointed at the enemy's head.

In addition, it has two reinforced armaments that can be equipped with all the necessary weapons, including a 30mm multi-barrel cannon, a high-pressure flamethrower, and a quadruple missile launcher. The airframe is also equipped with a fire control radar, making it capable of both air and ground attack.

In addition, there are additional hardpoints on both sides of the aircraft, which can be used to mount 56-tube rocket pods, MLRS multiple rocket launchers, and, if necessary, to scatter heavy anti-mobile soldier mines.

Moreover, because it is used as an assault gun, the Assault Steel Tank has enhanced battlefield obstacle-crossing capabilities, making it easy to cross anti-mobile soldier trenches.

"This equipment has a lot of problems. My troops aren't a garbage dump!"

Although he really wanted it, Makarius still looked disgusted.

"But since you've spoken, I'll accept it!"

"That would be great!"

Gao Yun nodded. If Makarius didn't want it, then the army really intended to either seal it away or use it to swindle funds from the Zeon.

"But I've already cleaned up the mess for you, so what about my business?"

"Don't worry, we have a dedicated team working on this. We'll deliver the results to you as soon as possible!"

The reason for inquiring about the railgun was naturally to prepare for the upcoming space battle. Macarius remembered the huge thing that Dozle had quietly created. As the first practical weapon equipped with an i-field, that thing had caused considerable losses to the Federation forces.

The so-called i-field is when Minovsky particles are dispersed into the air or space, the charged Minovsky particles will spontaneously form a lattice structure in space due to the repulsive force between them. This particle dispersion is called the i-field.

Simply put, it forms an electromagnetic wave membrane that can effectively neutralize the beams emitted by beam weapons.

To counter this kind of thing, live ammunition is a very good option. If you bring a railgun up there, Makarius is sure to beat Dozru to his knees and call him daddy!
However, the federal forces are currently still counterattacking California, and it will be some time before they can go into space to fight the Solomon Islands. So, the technical personnel in the rear will have to suffer.

However, speaking of the Great Zam, Makarius thought of a special weapon from Zeon, namely the Apsaras. This thing is also a mobile weapon used against fortresses. Strictly speaking, it and the Great Zam are both MA, which means mobile armor, while things that are only humanoid are called MS, which means mobile suit.

Given the current dire situation, Makarius wondered if Zeon had managed to send Kinias down again, along with his sister. Thinking of this, Makarius slapped his forehead. His worldview had become so distorted. He wondered if Amada Shirou would ever see the woman again. He would have to find out who she was with when he had time. He figured Amada Shirou wouldn't be doing too badly, since she had been with him on the colony back then!

"Yeah, and the Pale Knight too, he's really cool. Sigh, I really want to drive a Kosei!"

Marcarius sighed helplessly. As a mobile suit pilot, he naturally hoped to pilot the coolest mobile suit. Unfortunately, he couldn't even get his hands on a large machine like the Kosei anymore, let alone the Mark II. He could only pilot the RX-78 series!
"Oh, right, and the flying tiger too. I'll have to ask Ramball if Zeon has built that thing yet!"

Marcarius even decided that if Zeon hadn't built this thing yet, he would write a personal letter to Karma to urge him to do so!

(End of this chapter)