Gundam: From Piece to Player

The logistics and transportation work is going smoothly at this stage, but there have been some minor hiccups.

During the loading of goods from the port and their transport to Europe, they were attacked by federal submarine forces.

But Kalmar quickly made adjustments, assigning Colonel Hartmann to use underwater forces to escort the transport convoy and ambush the attackers.

The results were outstanding.

It can only be said that countering submarines with submarines is the optimal solution.

In May alone, the federal government lost 51 U-boats.

U-boats were almost powerless against the ferocious Sea Hound-class submarines, completely outmatched in speed and perception, not to mention the Zeon submarines that could move swiftly underwater.

The shortcomings in air defense have also been addressed... Faced with the Federation's anti-submarine aircraft, Hartman's submarine force used infrared heat source detection submarine-to-air missiles for defense, and five of them were shot down.

The Federation Navy's surface ships also performed poorly, often being chased and bitten by Zeon with a few Greyhound-class destroyers.

Karma realized that he seemed to have overestimated the strength of the Federation Navy.

Are these people really capable of naval warfare?

Could it really be a case of "use it or lose it"?

If the Federal Army's existence is valuable, it might be that it occasionally suppresses terrorists and insurgents, and occasionally engages in actual combat.

So what is the value of the Federal Navy?

Kalmar learned through the intelligence department that the federal government had approved the federal navy's proposal to develop underwater MS, which made him suspect that the federal navy's commissioners were trying to make money at all costs.

What the heck is a water-type Jim?

Why insist on using mobile suits (MS) for underwater warfare...?

In fact, underwater combat units offer more design freedom because seawater can distribute a greater mass, not to mention the long history of nuclear engines used underwater.

Zeon already has several successful aquatic designs, and Kalmar can't understand why the Federal Navy doesn't "learn from" them.

Regarding the production and adjustment of land combat equipment and ammunition, Kalmar has instructed the Zeon Earth Attack Force to switch to Federation-standard weapons as much as possible.

The most successful of these was the tank, thanks to the Zeon maintenance engineers' understanding of the Type 61 and its derivative armored vehicles.

After production line modifications, the Type 79 tank (Type 61 Modified) used on the Earth Front has now achieved self-sufficiency in Earth-oriented warfare.

The same applies to other army equipment such as energy storage devices, clothing, communication equipment, and dry rations.

It can be said that, apart from mobile suits, the Earth Attack Force's weapon specifications are almost 90% similar to those of the Federation Forces.

They accomplished earlier what Anaheim wanted to achieve between Zeon and the Federation—weapon commonality.

Chapter 87 Hostility

After completing the logistics and military affairs.

Karma saw someone harassing Lala not far away.

"The plan is about to move to the next stage, Lieutenant Lala, you need to help me."

The harasser was named Kalster, the inventor of the EXAM system, who had transferred from the Flanagan Institute to Kalmar.

"I can only cooperate after Your Excellency makes the decision."

Seeing Lala's troubled expression, Karma went over to her.

"Doctor, what's wrong?"

"General, the project can move to the next phase."

When Kalster saw it was him, he rubbed his hands together, eager to try.

"The next phase?" Karma asked. "Isn't EXAM already completed? It's been tested and can defend against attacks launched by Newtypes."

"I need to attack, a real attack."

"We can certainly defend now, but we can't attack yet," Dr. Kalster said. "How can we eliminate those monsters if we can't attack?"

Karma was speechless when she saw Lala's pale face beside her.

What is Kalster doing? Saying things like that in front of the Newtypes.

Kalmar coughed, and Kalster realized he had said the wrong thing.

"Let's go somewhere else, Doctor."

By comparing the New Humans to monsters, Kalster already harbored considerable hostility towards them, which was also his motivation for developing the EXAM system.

However, this approach is not in line with historical trends.

In the future, these superpowered individuals will be the protagonists of history. More than half of the protagonists in the UC series are Newtypes. As for why this is the case, you should ask a certain evil bald man.

From a biological perspective, the new humans are indeed a product of evolution.

Just like plants undergo various mutations after going into space... advantageous mutations are determined through natural selection, which is "evolution" that adapts to the environment.

The emergence of a new type of human aligns with this theory.

Unlike mutants, this mutation is not as diverse, but rather has many commonalities.

"General."

"Ah."

Karma and Kalster were heading towards the deserted lookout tower when they encountered another Newtype tester, Lieutenant Marianne.

As a new human pilot who came with Dr. Kalster, before Lala arrived, Kalster treated her almost like a beast of burden, subjecting her to all sorts of tests.

Karma made a three-point agreement with Karlster for this purpose, and with Lala's addition, Marianne was finally able to take turns on duty.

The discussion with Kalster only continued after they arrived at the observation tower in Cau.

"Actually, I've always been curious, Doctor, why do you think that new humans will become enemies of humanity? From a biological point of view, isn't this evolution?"

"Your Excellency, you have no idea just how terrifying the new humans are."

Karma thought to herself, "How could I not know?"

He might still have the urge to attack when he sees the White Devil, but when he sees the green-glowing Unicorn Gundam, he would probably feel a sense of despair.

"Then tell me, what exactly makes it so terrifying?" Karma countered. "You mean its application in combat? For example, the use of floating weapons?"

"Your Excellency... if this is all they can do, it is not enough to frighten me."

"I recently did an experiment while chatting with Marian," Kalster said uneasily. "She unconsciously read my thoughts... From a scientific point of view, this is inexplicable. Ordinary people don't emit brainwaves when they think, which proves that we have no understanding of the 'principles' and 'mechanisms' of this ability."

"I'd also like to ask you, how did the tests you conducted on Ms. Lala with the equipment you lent me last time go?"

Karma thought to herself, "I still can't detect any brainwaves."

The most common application of brainwaves in the new humans is floating weapons.

However, upon further research, it was discovered that using brainwaves for spatial exploration was only the most superficial aspect of the new humans.

Take the mind-reading ability of the new humans, for example... It's completely unexplainable from a scientific perspective right now.

Not to mention the terrifying power that Camus and Judau displayed in the future.

Communication between new humans can also be explained by brainwave synchronization and chat rooms. The principle behind new humans being able to read the thoughts of old humans is currently unexplained.

"Doctor, I must criticize you now. Since this phenomenon has occurred, what we should do is not to ignore it like an ostrich, but to study and analyze it, instead of simply rejecting and eliminating it."

Karma said.

"Otherwise, how are they any different from the religiously ignorant people of the Middle Ages who burned heliocentric proponents and hunted witches?"

"Your Excellency, the threat still exists. One day, the new humans will inevitably wipe out all the old humans."

Kalster's eyes widened, but Kalmar didn't seem to care.

Can the new humans wipe out all the old humans? The truth is that the invincible Amuro Ray was controlled by the federal government until his death.

In fact, the federation succeeded.

Amuro Ray finally died on the battlefield against Char.

"When you treat Lieutenant Lara and Maria as threats, they will sooner or later be used by those with ulterior motives and turned into real weapons. I'll ask you again, do you think they are threats?"

Kalster fell silent.

Karma thought to herself that after teaching him a lesson, she should say something nice.

"Doctor, I'm not forbidding you from continuing your research. After this battle, the Federation will probably realize the immense value of the new humans as weapons. We'll need to be prepared and respond accordingly... I've already invested so much money in your research, so please trust me a little more."

Kalmar skillfully painted a rosy picture for Kalster.

"Of course I remember your kindness. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I would have accomplished nothing."

Kalster has essentially compromised.

“You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately. I’ll give you some time. You can disguise yourself and go shopping in New York City. You can bring Maria along too. Go on a trip or whatever. She sees you as her father.”

Kalster looked guilty and finally accepted Kalma's suggestion.

After dealing with Kalster's matter.

Karma returned to the hangar in Kau. Although sometimes it was unavoidable to ride in these things, there was one place that was still the safest.

Gundam cockpit.

He told Alice to project the received television signal onto the screen... and then they could watch television.

The television broadcast featured a reporter posing a pointed question to a government spokesperson: Why is New York City siding with the evil Zeon?

The mayor's response was evasive... he offered a bunch of useless information.

Such questions were broadcast directly without editing.

This is related to the current chaotic situation in the United States. Since the capital is actually under the control of the Zeon forces, the already unregulated American media has become even more unrestrained.

As the camera panned, a striking platinum blonde woman in a long dress could be seen among the audience.

Iselina Eschenbach was, in a sense, his first wife.

Her father, the mayor, Mr. Joseph, was actually quite dishonest.

Indeed, his career had just begun to take off when he encountered this war. Although he was intimidated by Karma's military might, he appeared to be compliant.

According to intelligence gathered by the intelligence department, he had secretly contacted the federal guerrillas and was plotting an assassination against him.