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

Chapter 222 Falling short of success

"Sir!"

The surviving Zeon pilots were horrified to see the High-Strike Crab that had crashed into the sea, leaving nothing but a mass of bubbles.

At this moment, the battle situation in the entire naval port has been completely reversed. The Zeon aquatic forces, which were previously riding high, have lost their previous high morale and are now being forced into retreat by the Water Jim.

A Crab swung its fighting claws in the sea, smashing open a Water GM and knocking its head off, forcing the Water GM to stagger back out of the battle. But the next second, more Federation Water GMs surrounded it. One Water GM raised its harpoon gun and swiftly fired a shot at the Crab's torso.

The harpoon bullet hit the crab's armor and exploded violently, causing the crab to stagger in the water.

Enraged, the pilot of the Crab pilot retaliated with his Vulcan cannon. The shells slammed into the Water GM, sending sparks flying. Taking advantage of the opportunity while his teammates drew attention, two Water GMs raised their beam picks from the left and right, swiftly shoving them into the Crab's body. The attacked GM, dragging its sparking body, pressed forward again, thrusting its harpoon gun directly into the Crab's wound and pulling the trigger at point-blank range.

With another explosion, the Demon Crab exploded like a blooming flower, its entire upper body bursting open. Then, the machine crashed heavily into the sea. At the same time it fell, in another spot not far away, another War Crab was pierced through by four beam picks, dying helplessly with resentment.

Although the Federation Navy's combat experience was not as good as that of its allies, it still demonstrated its combat power after stabilizing its position. The individual performance of the Water GM was not as good as that of the Zeon Aqua, but once they were grouped together, the Aqua had to run away. Not to mention, Makarius was also providing continuous fire support from the shore.

As another aquatic mobile suit was sunk, its wreckage crashing into the sea and creating a splash, the remaining Zeon forces completely abandoned any intention of continuing the fight. If they continued, they would be wiped out.

At its peak, the Sea Wolf Squadron comprised four squadrons with over twenty mobile suits. However, now, after the last remaining War Crab released its retreat signal flare, fewer than six other Sea Crabs of various models were able to release smoke and escape to the sea. Mobile suits like the High War Crab were completely wiped out.

The fact that the Zeon forces abandoned their attack did not mean the end. Just as the aquatic mobile suits were trying to leave the battlefield, the Federation forces’ Aqua GM and escort ships quickly followed and launched a pursuit.

Not to mention, in the air, many anti-submarine helicopters carrying active sonar systems are constantly dropping into the water to provide friendly forces with intelligence information about the enemy.

Pursued by the Federation forces, the Zeon forces had lost their initial arrogance and could only desperately dive into the deep sea, surrounded by countless depth charges and torpedoes.

Under the relentless pursuit of the Federation forces, two more aquatic mobile suits were quickly and severely damaged. The Zeon pilot in one of the mobile suits reacted quickly and escaped as soon as the cabin was flooded. However, the Zeon pilot in the other mobile suit could only watch helplessly as his mobile suit slowly fell into the abyss because the hatch was stuck.

After the Zeon pilot who escaped the mech surfaced, he was quickly discovered by the Federation Army's pursuit force. After being pulled onto the ship, he didn't forget to grin and show off to the Federation Army officers and soldiers who surrounded him.

"You think this is the end? This is just the beginning. When the nuclear bomb explodes in London, Zeon's glory will be reborn in the flames!"

"So, you also sent a team to attack London? Thank you very much for your intelligence. I will ask my superiors to commend you!"

The captain of the Federation escort ship who had pulled the pilot aboard stopped his eager subordinates and quickly reported what they had said to headquarters. The prisoner then realized that he seemed to have been a bit hot-blooded and, in order to show off his youthful vigor and bravery in front of the enemy, had spilled out things he shouldn't have said.

However, this is not surprising. Not everyone has received professional training in being captured. It is quite normal for them to want to say things that can be used to intimidate the enemy and bolster their courage in the face of fear for their future fate.

"Nuclear weapons, or splitting forces?"

Upon hearing this, Marcarius frowned. Although he also wished for the bureaucrats of the Federal Council to die suddenly, he couldn't let them die under a nuclear bomb.

He quickly pulled up the nautical chart and then made a prediction based on the movement trajectory of the Zeon submarine force.

"Please notify the London security forces immediately. Also, I need a Derby!"

"Colonel, are you going to intercept them alone?"

The fleet commander was startled when he learned that the Zeons were going to attack London with nuclear weapons, and even more surprised when he learned that Makarius was going to intercept them alone.

Are all the young soldiers of today such monsters?

As the base commander, he also witnessed the battle of NT1 from the base command tower. Watching Marcarius, who seemed to be cutting melons and vegetables, drive the Zeon forces back into the sea, the commander could only sigh that he was getting old after all.

"Then, London is in your care!"

Given the urgency of the situation, the fleet commander spared no expense in contributing the Dede flight pedal, which was originally intended for use as an emergency communication aircraft by the headquarters. This was one of the few Zeon equipment that was still being produced and used by the Federation Forces after the war.

"Colonel, unless absolutely necessary, please cherish this Derby. It may mean nothing to your Space Force, but it's quite rare for us in the Navy!"

Just as Markarius was about to take off, the base's maintenance chief squeezed into the communication channel and spoke in an almost pleading tone.

"Do you know Chief Engineer Kiyoshi Sakaki?"

Makarius asked curiously.

“I took his training courses at the Gabro base before!”

"I'll try my best!"

Hearing what Makarius said, the maintenance chief was immediately relieved. The Federation Army's ace was actually quite easy to communicate with, not as terrible as Professor Sakaki Kiyoshi made it out to be!

"Alright, Makarius Skriny, NT1 Gundam, sortie!"

After taking off by maneuvering the flight pedals, Makarius promptly pushed the throttle to its maximum, beginning a ferocious and savage high-speed cruise. Unsure of the enemy's exact location, he could only keep the aircraft at a low altitude, allowing him to better use radar or optical equipment to detect suspicious targets.

And the heavens were kind enough to disperse the clouds, allowing Markarius, sitting in the cabin, to have an unobstructed view of the vast land and the boundless ocean.

After speeding along the coastline for dozens of kilometers without any results, Makarius was about to doubt whether his course was set up at all when he felt a flash of lightning in his mind, and his new human perception was triggered!

"where is it?"

Marcarius looked at his radar screen, which was empty. Clearly, the enemy was outside the aircraft's detection range.

"Switch to the optical search system!"

Then, looking down at the beautiful coastline, Makarius made a discovery: he saw a small black dot moving rapidly on the surface of the sea.

When the camera zoomed in, Makarius recognized the other party's identity: a Sea Spear high-speed boat assigned to the Zeon Navy, typically used for short-range tactical reconnaissance or communication.

This thing is powered by two high-speed jet engines on top of the hull, and it can even briefly leave the sea surface at high speed.

Clearly, this Sea Spear was sent out by the Zeon for reconnaissance! Following the Sea Spear's trajectory, Makarius quickly spotted the Shark-class submarine surfacing. At that moment, the massive submarine had opened its hangar, and then a Dede flight platform carrying a Zaku glided out of the hangar and wobbled into the sky.

"Parachute Zaku!"

Marcarius naturally recognized the Zeon mobile suits that had been modified for airdrop operations.

"So you really intend to nuke London, huh? But sorry, there's a no-fly zone over London today!"

Markarius maneuvered the machine with a nimble turn, then swooped down and began charging the shoulder cannons. At this moment, several Dedas had already taken off from the Shark-class, and the last one, the fifth Deda, had just left the maintenance station.

"Die!"

Once the shoulder cannon was fully charged, Macarius pulled the trigger. With a slight shudder, a beam of purple particles shot out and pierced the hull of the Shark-class ship.

On the Devilshark-class aircraft carrier, Captain Zeon, along with a squad of officers, stood on either side of the hangar, tearfully bidding farewell to the fifth Devilshark aircraft, which was about to take off, with perfect military bearing.

"Salute to the glorious First Parachute Regiment!"

Captain Zeon knew that the 1st Parachute Regiment was going to carry out a special mission from which there was no return, so he specially arranged a small farewell ceremony to send off these lone heroes. But as soon as they raised their hands, the entire submarine began to shake violently.

"what happened?"

Caught off guard, the Zeon crew were thrown out, their heads bleeding profusely. Before they could even get up, the submarine's battle alarm sounded.

"Sir, we're under attack! The entire ship is destroyed!"

The captain, his face covered in blood, grabbed the ship's communication phone to ask about the situation, but before he could finish speaking, cries came from the combat information center on the other end.

At the same time, a second secondary explosion occurred inside the submarine due to the attack, and the flames and smoke from the explosion poured directly into the hangar along the passageway.

"Damn it, what's going on?"

Captain Zeon scrambled through the smoke to the outside of the ship, and then saw the sixth DAD, which had just left the hangar and was about to begin its ascent, rush down from above the position of the fifth DAD. On top of that DAD, there was a Gundam!
"Damn it, watch out behind you!"

Ignoring the flames already erupting behind him, Captain Zeon shouted urgently at the fifth D'Dai, but the other side couldn't hear him at all. So, the captain could only watch helplessly as a flash of light appeared in the Gundam's hand, and the paratrooper commander's machine riding the fifth D'Dai was pierced by the beam. Then, the D'Dai he was riding was also cut in half by the beam like a hot knife through butter.

Then, the out-of-control wreckage, along with the pedals, plummeted toward the coastline, trailing black smoke, before exploding into a bright fireball upon impact.

"Captain Allen?"

"Captain, why did your signal disappear?"

"Captain, Captain, can you hear me?"

The Zeonzakus taking off ahead were unaware that their commander had been eliminated. Then, the friendly signal on their radar flashed again, and then it became three!
"What's going on... Gao... Da!"

The third Zaku pilot, bewildered, switched the monitor to the auxiliary view behind him. Then, he witnessed a Gundam with bright red eyes bursting out on its flight platform amidst the explosion in the air.

Beneath the enemy's feet lay fragments of friendly aircraft, falling like petals scattered by a celestial maiden.

"Enemy attack! Gundam!"

"How come there's a Gundam here?"

The remaining three Zeon mobile suits were thrown into chaos upon hearing this. No one had expected that the previously successful operation would encounter such an unexpected turn of events.

However, the Zeon pilot of the third Zaku quickly calmed down.

"You go, I'll cover you!"

Then, without hesitation, he manipulated the machine to change direction, and then the Zaku raised the MMP80 machine gun in his hand!

To the Zeon pilot's surprise, his attack seemed to have been anticipated. The Gundam simply performed a skillful maneuver and rolled away, leaving the barrage behind. Then, the Gundam flew past him without even looking at him.

"Run! That guy's target is you!"

"Nani!"

Glancing at the Gundam that was already chasing behind, the Zeon pilot of the second Zaku immediately broke out in a cold sweat. After trembling and thinking for a few seconds, he also turned his mobile suit around. However, the weapon he raised was not a machine gun, but a rocket launcher loaded with a nuclear warhead.

"Die, bastard!"

The Zeon pilot immediately pulled the trigger, firing the nuclear warhead inside.

Then, he saw a flash of fire on Gundam's forehead, and the nuclear missile he had fired was destroyed by the enemy. The broken wreckage then fell into the sea.

"how is this possible?"

While the Zeon pilot was frantically trying to load the second nuclear missile, Makarius had already lunged at him in the face. Then, NT1's shieldless hand grabbed the Zaku's head, lifted it up, and dragged the Zaku away.

Then, without even glancing at his struggling Zaku, Makarius raised his right-hand rifle, aimed it forward, and pulled the trigger after a slight aim.

The beam shot out again, knocking the first Zaku off the footrest.

After taking down the first Zaku, Makarius immediately turned around using the pedals, and then casually released the second Zaku. The second Zaku was sent spinning and flying towards the third Zaku.

The pilot of the third Zaku cursed it as despicable and then tried to catch the falling ally. Just as he caught his teammate, Macarius's beam arrived at the same time.

"It's done!"

(End of this chapter)