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

Chapter 145 How can that sniper be so accurate?
"Are these all the machines that were withdrawn?"

"It seems so, sir!"

"Then let's halt the attack for now!"

The commander of the 29th Armored Division looked at the damaged and wrecked aircraft of his own side emerging from the dense forest and then shook his head.

"The Zeon people are fighting desperately too!"

Although the 29th Armored Division was considered one of the Federation's more elite units, it still suffered a defeat at Donner Pass. The Zeon army deployed two battalions of Zaku, led by several highly mobile Zaku, and engaged in fierce fighting with the Federation forces that had rushed to support the reconnaissance units. In just half an hour, the Federation forces lost two-thirds of their mobile suits and half of their tanks.

As the war progressed, the Zeon forces had come to understand how to maximize the effectiveness of their elite pilots. After mass-producing high-mobility Zaku, special-purpose Tiger, and other special-purpose mobile suits on a small scale and equipping them with these elites, the Zeon forces had regained some of their lost advantage in mobile suits.

The counterattack at Donner Pass was Zeon's attempt at a new tactical system. Led by several elite squads and supplemented by a certain number of regular troops, it achieved unexpected results on a local front.

This operation indeed satisfied the Zeon command. They lost less than ten Zaku tanks, yet inflicted considerable damage on the Federation forces. The destroyed mobile suits and tank wreckage even burned in the forest for a full day and night.

However, these losses were completely within acceptable limits for the 29th Armored Division. With the Federation war machine running, the Federation forces no longer needed to worry about replenishing these technical equipment. In fact, the equipment and personnel of the 29th Division were replenished by Media transport planes the very next day.

Of course, even without this reinforcement, the 29th Armored Division was strong enough to sustain it in fighting for a long time.

In fact, after repelling the 29th Armored Division, the Zeon army wanted to launch a tactical breakthrough, attempting to push back the 29th Division and the subsequent 57th Division, but was frightened back halfway by the subsequent fighting sequence of the 29th Division.

At that time, the 29th Division deployed a full four mobile battalions and two armored regiments, while the Zeon troops behind it, upon seeing the vast number of GM heads on the opposite hilltop, silently withdrew back to the forest area.

Although they had no intention of launching a counterattack, the Zeon army maintained a very tight grip on the forest area. The 29th Division launched two more regimental-level attacks, both of which were ambushed by the Zeon army. Those high-mobility Zakus that could move elusively in the forest were really difficult to deal with, and the 29th Division's attacks were almost all thwarted by them.

Left with no other choice, the commander of the 29th Division had to request the headquarters to dispatch a strong reinforcement.

"So many Jims?"

As Macarius and Amuro jumped off the Midia, they saw a new batch of GMs arriving. A bunch of seemingly clueless rookie pilots lined up obediently in a corner of the tarmac, like sheep being herded.

"No need for salutes, everyone at ease!"

When they saw Makarius and Amuro pass by, the pilots were a little dazed. After all, the logistics base was so busy, with supply trucks coming and going and transport planes taking off and landing. Yet everyone was making way for the two underage guys. The guy in the lead even had the rank of major. Were they still asleep?
Then, a few unlucky kids were punished by the veterans for forgetting to salute.

"I can understand if you don't salute your superiors, but if you don't salute the Red Dragon, do you want to die today? Do a hundred squats right now!"

"It seems the 29th Armored Division suffered considerable losses!"

Although Amuro is young, under the tutelage of Makarius, he has begun to learn how to think and approach problems like a qualified officer.

"Then we're facing a tough opponent!"

"Then are you scared?"

"A little, but not too scared!"

"It's alright, I'm telling you, when Zeon pilots see Gundam, they'll be even more scared than we are!"

While chatting, the two arrived at the 29th Division's headquarters.

"Great! I know they're sending you guys, and I'm immediately relieved!"

Major General McCoy, commander of the 29th Division, was all smiles. No one would refuse such powerful reinforcements. As long as the Red Dragon launched an attack, breaking through the mountain pass was inevitable. The major general could basically win without lifting a finger. How could he not be happy!

"You flatter me. Without your troops holding the line at the front, we wouldn't be able to accomplish anything significant!"

"Alright, enough with the formalities, sit down first!"

After Macarius took his seat, fragrant hot coffee and freshly baked muffins were immediately served. The orderly even thoughtfully placed three jars of syrup on the side, worried that they might not have enough to eat.

While Makarius was enjoying the battlefield location, an intelligence major from the 29th Panzer Division also shared all their current intelligence on the electronic map, including photos of the enemy, images of friendly aircraft being attacked, and even dismantling pictures of wreckage.

"So far, only three High Mobility Zaku have been discovered, but we cannot rule out the possibility that the Zeon forces may have other contingencies. In addition, our scouts have also discovered these!"

Subsequently, a blurry image of a tiger riding in a D.YS bomber was presented.

"Did you encounter their attacks?"

"No, these machines were just moving back and forth behind the mountain pass; they didn't appear on the battlefield!"

"That must be a backup plan prepared by the Zeon army!"

Marcarius put down his fork, then took his coffee and walked to the map.

"Hmm, you guys are always being sniped by Zaku?"

"Yes, that mountain pass is situated on high ground, making it difficult for conventional firepower to be effective. Even if we called in an airstrike, the enemy must have deployed concealed underground bunkers in the rear. The airstrike only blew up rocks and didn't hit anything!"

"Hmm, I've got it. General, I need your troops to act as bait for me, is that alright?"

"Of course, what do you want to do?"

"First, destroy their eyes!"

Makarius pointed to the sniping position at the mountain pass.

"Amro, have the maintenance crew unload my sniper GM. We won't need the G3 for this battle!"

"As ordered!"

The next morning, before the sun had risen, thick fog blanketed the forest at the mountain pass. Looking at the dense forest, the Zaku pilots stationed on the mountaintop couldn't help but yawn.

Because the Principality's beam weapon development was slow, the sniper Zaku, which should have been put into service, was delayed in being deployed. Therefore, the Zeon forces had to temporarily use the modified Zaku 2 to replace the sniper.

One of them is the Zaku II deployed at the mountain pass. After improvements to its observation equipment and reconnaissance system, its detection range has now exceeded 2 meters. When paired with the ASR-78 anti-ship rifle, it is capable of delivering accurate and lethal blows to the GM within this range.

The Zaku pilot, who thought the Federation forces would halt operations for a few days due to their previous defeat, suddenly saw a huge shadow flash by in the mist.

Then, he checked again. On the huge monitor, a Jim peeked out like a thief, looking around suspiciously.

After confirming that the surroundings were safe, the GM disappeared into the forest. However, the Zeon pilot wasn't worried, because right after the GM disappeared, a large squadron of GMs took advantage of the fog and sneaked into the forest. "Never learn!"

The Zaku pilot was completely unaware that many of the GMs mixed in were completely different from those of the friendly forces. Or rather, he was aware of it, but because the sniper GMs were rarely seen, Zeon didn't have much information, so he subconsciously regarded these GMs as some kind of improved version of the ordinary GMs.

He then immediately pressed the communication button next to him. After receiving the alarm, a series of gates suddenly appeared in the mountain behind the pass, and then a large number of Zeon mobile suits walked out from them.

"Sneaking around, trying to launch a sneak attack? No way!"

Looking at the images transmitted from the front, the pilot of the high-mobility Zaku Aigba snorted disdainfully. He had killed no less than ten GMs in the past few days. Since the Federation liked to send them away so much, he would not hesitate to eat up these reckless guys!

Just as the Zaku were moving, on the opposite side of the mountain pass, where the GMs appeared on the road, Markarius, driving his sniper GM and wearing a camouflage cloak with infrared detection capabilities, appeared outside the detection range of the Zaku snipers.

This is also an advantage of the Sniper GM; as a professional mobile suit, its detection range is much longer than that of the Zaku!
However, the enemy was well hidden, so Markarius couldn't find them for a while. He even had to use his senses, but the malice permeating the forest concealed the sniper's tracks, so he could only continue to wait.

Until an alarm sounded from the machine in front, indicating that the Zeon forces had been detected.

"You all retreat immediately!"

Then, Makarius saw Zaku, who had suddenly raised his small body slightly, high up in the mountain pass.

The latter had clearly received orders to delay the retreat of the Federation military units, and now it was sticking its head out, preparing to snipe one or two exposed Federation military units.

Soon, the Zaku sniper found his target: a GM that had broken free of the trees and was exposed to his gun.

"You pathetic bastard, die!"

Just as the Zaku pilot was about to fire, the GM suddenly disappeared back into the forest, forcing the Zaku pilot to raise his aircraft even higher to make it easier to find the target.

"Sniping from too high is a bad habit, kid. Be careful next time!"

Makarius slowly aimed his gun at the enemy's chest. The straight-line distance between him and the enemy exceeded six kilometers. Sniping with a 75mm live ammunition sniper rifle is no easy task. Considering factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, he patiently adjusted the aim little by little until he was absolutely certain. Then, Makarius pulled the trigger.

Then, the cloth covering sniper Jim shook, a light dust cloud spread out, and a high-speed armor-piercing round was fired and flew forward.

"call out!"

The Zaku pilot was still aiming at the retreating GM below when suddenly he heard that piercing whistling sound. Before the pilot could turn his head, an armor-piercing bullet drew a perfect curve in the air and shot diagonally into the Zaku's chest from mid-air.

The Zeon pilot's last impression was of the suddenly shattered cockpit, after which he was plunged into eternal darkness.

"First Company, you can stop now!"

"Roger that!"

The GM battalion, which was retreating through the forest, suddenly stopped, and then the GM pilots of the 29th Division received orders to hold their ground.

Then, the ordinary pilots obediently knelt down on the ground with their GMs, raised their machine guns and shields, and waited quietly.

Then, amidst the clatter of trees being felled, a high-mobility Zaku arrogantly charged out from the front of the GM squadron, brandishing its rocket launcher.

"Fire!"

Several GMs aimed at the enemy immediately pulled the trigger, unleashing a barrage of bullets. However, the high-mobility Zaku easily dodged the attack, then raised its rocket launcher, preparing to fire all its ammunition in one go at close range.

"when!"

Just as the pilot was about to pull the trigger, a streak of light flashed, and then, as if he had been punched in the chest, a huge gash was instantly torn open, with shattered metal fragments and sparks flying everywhere.

Then, the high-mobility Zaku, which had lost control, crashed headfirst to the ground. Because of its previous propulsion speed, its body even rubbed against the ground for dozens of meters before coming to a stop.

"?"

"What happened? Why has unit number three lost signal?"

Although Captain Aigba was puzzled, they had already begun fighting Jim, so he could only put his questions aside for the time being.

Then, his machine and another high-mobility Zaku rushed out of the forest and even glided in mid-air.

"Haha, good..."

Just as the pilot of another high-mobility Zaku was about to express the thrill of the high-speed chase, another whooshing sound interrupted his voice. Then, Captain Egba discovered that the friendly unit's head had been blown off and a huge hole had been blown out of its chest.

"Sniper?"

Seeing the broken limbs of the enemy lying on the ground, Captain Aiguba instinctively dodged behind his ally. Then, the Zaku in front of him stumbled and fell to the ground. Before it fell, Captain Aiguba also saw sparks of exploding metal.

"Damn, how is this guy so accurate?"

Captain Aigerba's alarm bells rang in his mind. Without thinking of anything else, he hurriedly advanced to his left, because his allies were in that direction and he could use them as cover.

"Now you can't hit me, can you?"

Just as Captain Egba was thinking this, another machine to his right was destroyed. Due to the angle of impact, the armor-piercing bullet pierced through the body of the Zaku II without shattering. Instead, it continued forward, bounced up after hitting the ground, grazed under Egba's crotch, and finally disappeared after crashing into a grove of trees.

"Can it still hit?"

Looking at the machine that had been grazed, Captain Aigba felt a chill run down his spine. If that bullet had been a few meters higher, he would have been finished!

"Damn it, stop targeting me!"

Captain Aigerba couldn't help but shout and curse in a trembling voice, but his body obediently stopped suddenly and grabbed a friendly unit.

"Sir? What's going on?"

Before the pilot could finish speaking, his machine also exploded in a burst of sparks, and shattered metal fragments splattered all over the High Mobility Zaku, scraping off the green paint on the machine.

"Stop hitting me!"

Aigerba is going crazy!

Why is that sniper targeting him?
(End of this chapter)