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

Chapter 148 The Unpredictable Master of Infiltration!
"With idiots like the Third Regiment, incompetent good-for-nothings, there's no way we can win this battle!"

These were the first words spoken by the Zeon commander upon seeing Makarius after choosing to surrender. With all his mobile suits lost, the 7th Regiment had no reason to hold out any longer. Looking at the hundreds of seriously wounded soldiers lying in the fortress, the Zeon commander decisively chose to surrender.

I'm done with this, I'm going to go to the POW camp and sleep soundly!

Moreover, in order to secure some preferential treatment for his wounded soldiers, the regimental commander even readily handed over all the headquarters' documents and equipment without a scratch.

Generally, these documents are destroyed before surrender, as the information on them is classified. With these documents, professional intelligence analysts can extract a great deal of intelligence data about the enemy, including personnel organization, distribution areas, and deployment status.

Makarius also greatly admired the other party's extremely sensible behavior.

"Nagase Hotaru, write this guy's name down!"

Makarius patted the other man on the shoulder and then said to him.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel. A good man like you who cares for his subordinates deserves a better promotion after the war!"

Makarius wasn't just talking; the Neo Zeon Defense Forces in Ramball were currently just a shell, their numbers depending entirely on how many non-Zabi loyalists could be identified in the Federation POW camps. Now that he finally had a mid-level officer in his hands with something to hide, he naturally wanted to give him a big promotion.

After all, the other party's behavior was tantamount to treason. When the prisoners of war gathered after the war, he would not be qualified to sit at the table, and would not even be allowed to pick up the leftovers.

If the other party wants to do well, they can only align themselves with the Federation family and firmly support the Earth Federation government. Otherwise, when the Zabi family launches a counterattack, people like them will be the first to be purged!

Subsequently, the intelligence officers of the 29th Division who accompanied the operation immediately began to delve into the intelligence left behind by the Zeon forces, and even had dedicated personnel to listen in and record every communication channel.

Now that the Red Dragons have captured the fortress, it's equivalent to taking over the entire mountain pass, because the road ahead is all downhill, allowing the Union Army to advance into the northern part of the California base complex in one fell swoop.

"Sir, there's some intelligence you need to see!"

"what?"

Makarius jumped out of the cockpit and went to an intelligence officer, who then opened an electronic map.

"This is?"

Looking at the five striking red dots on the map, and the huge circle centered on them, Makarius was puzzled. However, after the other party zoomed in on the map, Makarius suddenly understood.

"Dabude-class?"

"Yes!"

"Interesting! I must meet the person who came up with this plan sometime!"

After copying the map, Makarius immediately began to study it.

It's clear that the Zeon are taking their defenses very seriously. The five Dabude-class destroyers are positioned in a point-like pattern, ensuring that their firepower can cover almost every part of the defenses, just like the fortress they are currently in. If it weren't for the threat from the sky, the shells might already be falling.

To ensure the safety of these five Dabude-class ships, the Zeon likely drew inspiration from the Italian campaign during World War II. When the Allied forces landed in Italy, the Germans used two large-caliber railway guns to attack the Allied landing troops. To avoid Allied air strikes, the Germans hid these railway guns in tunnels, and then launched their attacks once the planes had left.

The Zeon forces did something similar. They also built additional underground bunkers behind the defensive line to hide the Dabude-class destroyers. They even deployed Minov particle dispersal devices and anti-aircraft positions around them. These bunkers were all located under thick mountain walls, which even bunker-buster bombs might not be able to penetrate!

Outside the bunker are specially leveled firing positions and dedicated field roads, allowing the Dabude-class destroyers to quickly deploy firepower or relocate.

"The straight-line distance is 80 kilometers..."

Marcarius studied the map for a long time, then snapped his fingers.

"Could you find me a guide who is familiar with the local area?"

"Please wait!"

Soon, a young lieutenant was brought before Makarius.

"Sir!"

Are you a local?

"I'm practically a local; I was with the California Forest Fire Brigade before I joined the military!"

Are you familiar with this area?

Makarius tapped on a valley located some distance southwest of the mountain pass on the map.

"I've only been there once, and I flew there by helicopter!"

"Can the mobile suit cross this foothills?"

"No problem, the slope here isn't too steep!"

"Okay, you stay here and lead the way for us!"

Makarius then put away the map and jumped onto his mech.

"Communications squad, connect me to North American Command, a secure line!"

"Sir, the connection is established! Lord Rebil is online!"

Then, an image of Santa Claus appeared on the monitor in front of Makarius.

"Krinny, how was the attack on Yamaguchi?"

"Very smoothly, sir. We have made great progress. Yamaguchi is now under our control, and the 29th Armored Division is advancing towards it in full force!"

"So who are you looking for?"

"Requesting approval for our department to act independently!"

Makarius then reported his proposal to the other party.

When he saw the Dabude-class, he was thinking about how to find an opportunity to take it down. However, if they continued along the current route, they would have to travel nearly 300 kilometers more, which would be a waste of time. But if they chose to go in a straight line, they would only have to travel nearly 30 kilometers of mountainous terrain and then nearly 50 kilometers of waterway. He was grateful that this mountain range had given birth to the winding North Fork River, which saved him a lot of effort.

"You want to cross the southern foothills directly?"

Rebil was also shocked by Makarius's idea. After all, most people attacked along the transportation routes. It was rare in military history for someone like Makarius to break away from the transportation routes and make a bold infiltration.

After a moment's thought, Reibald approved Makarius's plan.

After all, apart from the terrain, this plan is basically risk-free. Mobile suits can wade through water without any problems. And once they successfully infiltrate, the current Zeon forces cannot afford to lose a Dabud-class ship!
In fact, according to Makarius, if he had a flight platform or other flying machine, he would have flown there directly, instead of going through all this trouble of crossing mountains and valleys.

After receiving approval, some of the ground crew who were accompanying the Red Dragon Squadron got to work again. They were to make some temporary modifications to the aircraft, such as adding protective nets to the air intake to prevent debris from entering, installing serrations on the feet to increase friction and prevent slipping, and also reinforcing the vulnerable parts of the aircraft.

Considering the performance of the mobile suits, Macarius only selected a small squad of Sniper GMs to accompany him. Although there were only six mobile suits, the configuration of two Gundams and four Sniper GMs was enough to give any Zeon army a good beating.

In addition to the mobile suit, Makarius also requested a small reconnaissance helicopter from the 29th Armored Division, specifically for scouting routes. After preparations were complete, the G3 Gundam took the lead and slowly climbed up the hillside on the south side of the fortress.

Seeing the G3 Gundam's strange yet remarkably stable route selection, the other members of the Red Dragon Squad observing the situation from the rear couldn't help but laugh. This was because during the Zeon exercises, Macarius's tank had also climbed up a hillside that the Zeon army had never even considered, twisting and turning in the same way.

Of course, although it looks easy to laymen, it is actually a bit tiring for Makarius, because choosing a route requires him to observe carefully, not only considering the passability of his own mech, but also the teammates behind him. Fortunately, everyone brought extra heavy shields with serrated edges, which they used as climbing axes, reducing the difficulty of climbing for their mechs.

Led by G3 Gundam, the infiltration team reached the ridgeline without any problems. Standing on the high ground and looking at the magnificent view of the towering mountains, Macarius suddenly remembered a classic line.

"Our homeland is behind us, and the world is right before us!"

"?"

Hearing what Makarius said, Amuro, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but become curious.

"Boss, I didn't expect you to have such literary talent?"

There are many things you haven't considered!

Marcarius chose a gentle slope and then manipulated the machine to slide down little by little.

"What's a few lines? I'm planning to make a movie after the war, and I'll include this scene. Then, with some appropriate background music, the ratings will definitely be high!"

"What would you like to accompani? I recommend the Armored Soldier's Song!"

Yudin, who was standing to the side, carefully maneuvered the machine down the mountain with Macarius, and said this.

"No, no, no, why pair it with military songs? That's too tacky. If you're going to pair it with something, pair it with mine!"

Makarius coughed twice and then began to sing a cappella.

"A ray of light in the storm, never give up on that ideal."

"Your wounded back will be gently wrapped in the feathers of an angel."

"Hmm, the lyrics are good, but the song itself seems a bit odd being sung by a male voice!"

"Yes, it needs a female voice. Nagase, you give it a try!"

"Ah, me?"

"Yes, let's give it a try!"

"OK then!"

"In a corner of the vast blue rainy universe!"

"The dream that has taken root is still very immature!"

Although Nagase Hotaru is not a professional singer, she has a good foundation and, under the guidance of Makarius, she was able to sing with the feeling he wanted.

"This song is great, boss. Was it your idea?"

"That's it!"

Marcarius agreed without batting an eye.

"That's great! Then I suggest you find a professional singer. I'm not good enough!"

"You sang quite well. Hmm, maybe we can have Sera try it again when we get back. Oh, by the way, Amuro, you should practice too. I'll get you a song later!"

"what?"

Amuro had no idea that he was involved in this.

"Don't shout. Just sing obediently for me, and that'll be it. I'll find you someone else, and the two of you will stand there and sing a duet! That's an order!"

Marcarius issued a menacing command over the channel.

"What if I refuse to comply?"

"Then I'll lock you up in solitary confinement, and then I'll make you sing!"

Although the presence of Macarius might cause problems in Amuro and Char's relationship, Macarius will try his best to make up for it. After all, everyone eventually becomes a space ghost, so their relationship will definitely be stronger!
The pleasant interactions among the group quickly made them forget the hardships and risks of the journey. Under Makarius's leadership, the team successfully crossed the foothills that stretched in front of them without any accidents. Now, they only needed to cross the river at the foot of the mountain to reach their destination.

"it's getting dark!"

"Yes, after all, we started late!"

Marcarius checked the time. They had set off at 3 p.m., and now it was 7:30 p.m. The sun had disappeared, and the temperature in the valley had dropped. The Zeon should begin their counterattack on the mountain pass fortress!
Sure enough, when they were halfway down the river, they heard the whistling of shells tearing through the sky overhead, and then, behind the ridgeline where no one could see them, came a violent explosion.

That was launched by the Dabud-class destroyers, which were able to resume operations after the aerial threat was greatly reduced. The Zeon forces certainly could not tolerate the fortress falling into the hands of the Federation forces, so they would inevitably launch a fierce surprise attack at night to try to take back the position, and the Dabud was their greatest asset.

"Everyone, hurry up! The sooner we arrive, the fewer casualties our friendly forces will suffer!"

"understand!"

Around 10 p.m., Markarius, who was advancing, heard the loud sound of large-caliber heavy artillery firing.

He then stopped and saw a bright light shining from behind the hills on the right side of the riverbank.

Once they climbed the hill, they saw the enormous vehicle quietly parked in the clearing in the middle of the valley.

This behemoth has a head that looks like a turtle raised high on the front, which is the bridge of the Daboud-class ship. Its main guns are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the hull. In addition, there are huge fixing devices on all four sides of the warship. At this moment, these devices are firmly fixing the warship to the ground to withstand the huge recoil when firing.

Around the warship were several ground-based Zaku tanks on alert.

Further afield, there are still many infantry and armored vehicles operating.

"Amuro, are you ready?"

"Ready at all the time!"

"Very good, very spirited. Remember, as a Gundam pilot, you must have this kind of spirit!"

Markarius nodded, then maneuvered his machine to leap up the ridge and activated the thrusters.

"Come on, brothers and sisters, follow me!"

(End of this chapter)