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

Chapter 157 Fortress Attack

The arrival of Rambarr was just a minor incident. After a brief two-day rest, the federal troops resumed their attack on the outer defenses of California.

The Federation Army Headquarters was determined to completely liberate North America by August, then take over Central Asia in September, and begin attacking the Solomon Islands in October. In this way, they could advance into the Abaoa Fortress in November and launch a true counterattack on the Zeon homeland.

The Federal Parliament has even begun to build a special trial bench for Dejin Zabi and his children. Both the materials and the craftsmen have been carefully selected. The Federal Parliament has no intention of showing any leniency to this guy who dares to overturn the table and directly confront the federal government. If it weren't for the fact that we live in the information age, the Parliament would even be willing to wipe out the Zabi family completely, splitting them in half like an earthworm and shaking the yolks apart!
Besides the Zabi family, almost all the well-known generals in the Zeon army were also on the list, especially the Zeon personnel who led the attack on the colony satellites; none of them were missing from the list of war criminals.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the Federal Army being able to complete each step of the attack operation in a timely manner according to plan.

Therefore, on the first day of the attack, the Federation forces used all their strength, bombarding the Zeon forces with artillery and aircraft, and almost leveling the outer defense line of the Zeon forces before a large number of mobile soldiers covered the infantry to begin the charge.

Despite the Zeon forces' weak firepower, the Federation forces cleared the outer defenses in a very short time. The Federation forces then discovered that the Zeon seemed to have abandoned the outer defenses, leaving only a small number of punitive troops to guard the area, while the majority of the forces retreated into the California base, preparing to fight using underground bunkers and the city.

Although most of the firepower was wasted, taking the outer positions was a good start. Subsequently, the Federation forces began probing the main defensive positions, and their initial gains were limited to the outer defensive lines.

Because every attack on the main position was repelled by the Zeon army with fierce firepower, in the past few months, the Zeon army relied on the laborers enslaved by the Führer's guard to carry out a radical transformation of the California base, building a large number of fortifications and even opening up underground spaces to turn them into hiding places and mobile tunnels for the deployment of troops, which enabled its defense to cover all aspects.

The Zeon also built sturdy underground artillery bunkers for the last three Dabud-class battleships, allowing the Dabud-class to fire upon attacking Federation forces from underground, while the Federation's counter-fire was mostly intercepted by the defensive structures.

Despite numerous attempts by the Federation forces, the attacking troops were unable to get close to the Zeon defenses. The Zeon forces had deployed a large number of ground-based Zaku rifles on the front lines. These anti-ship armor-piercing weapons were highly effective against ordinary GMs, often disabling one GM with a single shot.

A significant portion of the Federation Forces' offensive losses were caused by these machines.

Ultimately, after suffering thousands of casualties and destroying hundreds of pieces of technical equipment, the federal forces ceased their attack.

Upon learning that the main defensive line was intact, the Zeon soldiers at the California base finally breathed a sigh of relief. The previous series of attacks by the Federation forces had left them breathless, but now they could finally stop the Federation's advance.

However, the Zeon forces were a little too happy, because after nightfall, the Federation forces sent another batch of troops to the front lines. This was not the Red Dragon Battalion, but a group of mobile suit units equipped with the brand-new GM.

Compared to the standard GM, these GMs have undergone many modifications. First, the modification experience of the ground combat GM (non-ground combat GM), namely the RGM79F, which was improved in Central Asia and the Caucasus region, has been retained or even further enhanced.

The local Federation forces reinforced the upper body armor and boosters of the standard GM, achieving good results in combat. After learning from the enemy's improvement experience, the Federation logistics department quickly modified the front-line assault troops into the brand-new RGM79FP, also known as the Assault GM.

The logistics department equipped it with additional external armor and a dedicated double-bladed beam rifle. The shield was also modified for close combat, with an increased defensive area and additional combat claws. In this timeline, influenced by the combat data left behind by Macarius, Federation pilots also liked to frequently use their shields to stab opponents' monitors or joints, which were poorly protected. Therefore, ordinary pilots also made many modifications to their equipment. Some installed melee spikes, while others thinned the edges to make blades. However, most chose melee claws, since in addition to melee combat, these things could also serve as weapon supports and digging tools.

The Federation forces equipped with the Strike GM were no ordinary units; they were called the Nemesis Training Corps, a special operations instructor corps. While their tactical and technical skills did not reach the level of Red Dragon, who was a full-fledged ace pilot, they were still outstanding within the Federation forces.

"It's almost time, let's begin!"

Major Sakideshaw, commander of the Nemesis Training Corps, glanced at his watch. It was already three in the morning; it was time to wake the Zeon people up to pee!

Then, after a long silence, the Federation artillery resumed its bombardment of the Zeon defenses. Although the daytime offensive had been thwarted, the Federation had not been idle. Corrected firing parameters for the Zeon defenses were continuously sent back to the rear. As a result, this rapid bombardment successfully destroyed many of the Zeon fortifications.

Under the shelling, more than ten special-grade assault GMs, along with more regular GMs and additional Federation infantry, gradually approached the Zeon positions under the cover of the shelling.

Under the bombardment, the Zeon army's detection methods and sensors were damaged to varying degrees, so the Zeon soldiers in the defensive line could only rely on ancient manual methods for observation.

"When will these federal troops stop?!"

"Instead of hoping they will cease fire, we should hope the Führer will send reinforcements!"

“But where are the troops in the country? My mother wrote to say that my fourteen-year-old brother has already joined the army, and I don’t know where he will be assigned!”

On the defensive line, two Zeon soldiers were guarding the observation equipment, but they had no heart for work. They were lamenting the current situation at home. For a period of time, the civilians in Zeon were able to enjoy the benefits of the war and receive extra food rations. However, this did not last long. As the plundered resources were exhausted, the Zeon civilians returned to their previous lives. Now they even had to rely on the soldiers on the front line to send them food or wages to survive. Even so, life at their homes was becoming increasingly difficult.

Just as the two were sighing, a Zeon soldier suddenly noticed that there seemed to be someone outside the bunker. But just as he picked up his rifle to approach and take a closer look, a stun grenade suddenly flew in.

Then, amidst the violent tremors, the sound of silenced weapons firing rang out simultaneously. After the commotion subsided, a squad of rangers in camouflage appeared outside the bunker.

"Kill it!"

"Signal to Jim!"

Relying on the Rangers' infiltration, most of the Zeon's manned observation posts were quickly eliminated. The Zeon forward positions only realized something was wrong half an hour after these observation posts lost contact. By this time, the Nemesis Training Corps had already approached the Zeon defense line and even planted explosive devices on the walls outside the bunkers.

Then, after a relatively quiet explosion, the federal forces blasted a hole in the underground tunnels of the California base.

"Go, go, go!"

The Rangers took the lead, carrying their light and heavy weapons as they broke through first. There weren't many Zeon soldiers in the passage, but the Rangers didn't let their guard down. Instead, they set up various weapons in the passage as much as possible, especially wire-guided missiles for anti-mobile soldiers. Because the passage they had blasted was not enough for mobile suits to pass through, GM was currently frantically widening the passage. In the meantime, the Rangers had to guard the gap.

Soon, a squad of Zeon soldiers heard the explosion and rushed to the scene.

"machine gun!"

Hearing the footsteps approaching, Chris immediately grabbed an M299 machine gun from one of his men and aimed it at the passage ahead.

Soon, several Zeon soldiers emerged from the tunnel. Chris immediately pulled the trigger, and the bullet pierced the body of the soldier in front, even passing through him to hit the Zeon soldier behind him.

"Enemy attack! Take cover!"

Seeing that four or five people in front of them had fallen asleep, the Zeon soldiers behind them immediately shrank to the edge of the passage, and the Federation army's gunfire stopped instantly.

"Grenade!"

Chris gave his men a signal, and then one of the Rangers quietly stepped forward, pulled out a grenade from the wall, and threw it around the corner of the corridor.

Upon seeing what had landed, several Zeon soldiers immediately ran in another direction, but as soon as they took a step, Chris's machine gun fired again.

"Retreat quickly, retreat quickly!"

Seeing the heavy casualties among their allies ahead, the Zeon soldiers retreated back into the passage and urgently called for reinforcements.

Then, a Weasel infantry fighting vehicle drove out from one end of the passage and began firing wildly in front of it.

Shrapnel from the 20mm cannon flew off the wall, instantly taking down several Rangers. Chris could only order his men to retreat as close to the wall as possible, while the Weasel continued to fire at a leisurely pace. Rangers were constantly being hit by shrapnel and fell, their fates unknown, but Chris still endured his grief and waited.

Soon, the Weasel tank that had opened fire felt it had cleared the obstacles and began to advance. The Rangers seized the opportunity, and the moment the Weasel emerged from the passage, an anti-tank soldier fired a rocket at it.

A fist-sized hole immediately appeared in the hull of the Weasel, and the vehicle lost power. Although the still-moving turret turned in time to fire a burst of bullets at the anti-tank gunner, the infantry fighting vehicle had lost its mobility. The Ranger seized the opportunity to fire another rocket, which this time destroyed the fighting compartment and ignited the ammunition in the turret.

"Ask them how much longer!"

Looking at the dozen or so fallen men, Chris took a deep breath. The anti-tank operation had drained him of his strength, and even the shrapnel wounds on his body were throbbing with pain.

Soon, good news came from his subordinates: the Nemesis Training Corps had widened the opening to halfway, and the mecha would be able to enter soon.

This relieved the Rangers, but the next second, a sound came from the passage again. This time, it wasn't an infantry fighting vehicle that entered the passage, but a Zaku.

"Damn it!"

Chris glanced at the still-expanding hole and could only let out a loud shout.

"Prepare for anti-mobile fighter operations! Four missiles, prepare for salvo!"

Without mobile suits, the Rangers can only rely on the Queen to fight the Zaku.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, the Rangers were naturally filled with immense fear, their foreheads covered in sweat. Yet, they remained steadfast at their posts until the Zaku land combat vehicle strode out of the passage.

"Two low shots, two high shots, fire!"

Upon seeing the massive Zaku appear, the four separate missile teams immediately pressed the launch button.

Subsequently, four missiles flew towards the Zaku in two directions, and the Zaku pilot immediately raised his machine gun. Amidst the roar of the cannons, the two missile teams, along with their launchers, were instantly blown to pieces by the 120mm ammunition. The missiles they launched also failed to hit their targets due to loss of control.

While the missiles from the other two groups shattered one of Zaku's legs, they did not disable his other functions. After falling to the ground, Zaku immediately shifted his gun and aimed at Chris.

"Extremely durable!"

After firing the missile, Chris immediately grabbed a rocket launcher. Seeing himself being targeted, he roared and pulled the trigger.

The rocket whistled out and hit the Zaku. Then, as if the cockpit had been hit, the Zaku's machine gun fell limply to the ground.

Chris then plopped down on the ground, feeling his back and even his buttocks were wet, and a cool breeze made him feel chilly.

"Sir, you took down a Zaku?"

"I did it?"

Just as Chris was wondering if his rocket launcher had been modified by logistics to fire particle cannons, he heard heavy footsteps behind him.

A GM assault rifle approached, its MG79 still emitting blue smoke from its muzzle.

"Thank you for your hard work. Now, leave the rest to us!"

Jim's pilot looked at the scattered debris and saluted the Rangers. After all, without their defense, Jim's squad wouldn't have made it to the passage.

Chris was too embarrassed to stand up, because he was sweating so much that his pants were soaked, so he could only sit on the ground and wave to Jim.

"Wish ya'll good luck!"

　I'm going out to play tomorrow, so updates will be irregular, but I should be able to guarantee full attendance.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)