Gundam: From Piece to Player

"Is there any way to use my Zaku with a beam rifle? Didn't you capture a Federation mobile suit? Can't you figure out the secret behind it?"

Karma thought to herself, "I'm not Doraemon, don't ask me for everything."

“I’ve figured out the principle, but I can’t put the device into production right away. You should also keep an eye out for a land battleship equipped with a Federation MS. There’s a device on board that’s used to charge the ‘magazine’ of the beam rifle. If you have that, you’ll be fine.”

Xia didn't say anything, but he seemed to have memorized it.

In fact, after analyzing the principle of the beam rifle of the 78th generation.

You'll find that the beam rifle doesn't have high requirements for the MS reactor. As long as the MS reactor has enough power to reach the E-CAP's excitation threshold, it can fire a beam.

On the contrary, the output of beam melee weapons is directly related to the power of the MIRV.

Compared to the Type 78 beam rifle, whose technology is difficult to absorb immediately, the technology of the close-combat beam saber is much more user-friendly.

By modifying some of the printed 3D parts, ZUDA reduced the power consumption of the beam tomahawk to 70% of the original, which is a small improvement.

As for Char's Mobile Zaku, the issue of using a beam rifle won't be a major problem in the future; the real issue is that beam weapons will be difficult to develop.

On October 6, with the large-scale deployment of the Federal Army, the plan to launch a European counterattack against the Odessa base was no longer a secret.

From southern France to Germany, Poland, and Russia, the front line successively included the Romanian detachment, the Western Attack Group (3rd Army), and the Northern Attack Group (2nd Army, 7th Army, and 4th Army).

Meanwhile, south of the Black Sea, the Southern Detachment (strategic artillery unit) has entered Türkiye and is advancing toward Ankara, with the aim of providing artillery support from the southern coast of the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, the detachment (5th Corps) dispatched from the Far Eastern Army in the southeast had to split into two routes to advance due to the poor road transport conditions in the Caucasus.

At the beginning, the advance of each army group was relatively slow, probably because the federal forces had already learned that Odessa had been fortified.

Just as his superiors were sending him to the fortress to be minced meat.

The psychological resistance of Union officers and soldiers slowed down the march.

One step behind leads to further setbacks, and also increases logistical costs.

Reibir was furious about this situation and issued strict targets and a ruthless order to all units.

"By October 20th, all armies must reach their designated attack locations, surround the Odessa base, and launch the attack on Odessa on October 25th. The last troops to arrive will be the first wave of troops to attack!"

Troops in Western Europe, Central Europe, and Russia are in relatively good condition, as the railway network in Europe is currently intact. The key is to expedite the deployment of troops by rail.

However, the railway network to the east of the Black Sea is in poor condition, with only highways available.

The construction and maintenance of railways in mountainous areas are quite expensive, and relying solely on roads would significantly reduce transport capacity. The 5th Corps' marching speed was noticeably slowed down. Frightened by Reiber's actions, they simply handed over all defense and reconnaissance missions to the European Air Force.

The troops marched quickly in a straight line along the highway.

However, the air force's loiter time is limited; basically, it can only maintain its presence for about 10 minutes per hour.

Therefore, most reconnaissance missions can only rely on the Fifth Army's helicopter units.

The Bataan-class land cruiser served as the Odessa Operations Command Center (and Western Attack Group).

A group of federal army staff officers were discussing the current operational plan around the federal commander-in-chief, who was also surrounding an elderly general with gray hair.

"Victory is in sight, General. Just looking at the troop strength, our army outnumbers Zeon's by six times. The advantage is on our side."

As Reibir's adjutant, Lieutenant General Erlan looked at General Reibir.

"I don't think it's a good thing. Satellite images have shown the situation at the Odessa mine. It's become a fortified area. We'll have to take on all sorts of tough fortifications."

Rebil sighed, his hands behind his back.

"Just like the United States faced during World War II on Iwo Jima, they had to take over the Japanese tunnels one by one."

Rebil recalled something and asked, "Is there a large-scale airlift and sealift situation for Zeon troops stationed in North America?"

"No, the 8th and 20th carrier battle groups departed from São Paulo, South America, ten days ago to carry out commerce raiding and interception operations on the west coast of the Atlantic. Apart from engaging in combat with a small number of Zeon submarines, no unusual activity has been detected."

What about the Red Sea?

"The 5th and 6th carrier strike groups are conducting a maritime blockade off the coast of Somalia, and no large-scale transport has been detected yet," the staff officer replied.

"...That's strange. It's impossible for Karma Zabi to be completely indifferent to this."

"General, do you think Kalma Zabi might have planted nuclear weapons near the Odessa region, waiting for our troops to enter, and then..."

"Is it exploiting loopholes in the Antarctic Treaty?"

Rebil listened to the staff officer's words, pondered the possibility, and felt that it was not impossible.

When the Antarctic Treaty was signed, there was actually a supplementary clause... which was deliberately left by the Federal Army, allowing the use of nuclear weapons in certain circumstances.

In order to make the Zeon forces wary of attacking Luna II, the Federation officials who signed the treaty added a clause that allowed the use of nuclear weapons for defense in their own core territory (non-occupied areas).

The downside is that if the Federation wants to take back Side 3, Side 3 might resort to nuclear weapons in a desperate act of annihilation.

—This supplementary clause can effectively undermine the morale of the attacking forces.

The Odessa region is currently a leased territory of Zeon in Ukraine—the treaty does not specify whether nuclear weapons can be used in the leased territory, making it a legally ambiguous area.

“It shouldn’t be that bad.” Rebil pulled himself out of the thought. “Kalma Zabi is an arrogant brat who has always looked down on our army. He’ll only use him when he has no other choice.”

“General, another possibility is that Kalma Zabi believes that the Odessa base is no longer worth defending and wants to leave the final battle in space. He has secretly withdrawn, leaving only a small number of troops to cover the rear on submarines.”

Chapter 115 Ambush Target

The staff's speculations had various rationale, but none of them considered the possibility of the other side making a strategic mistake.

This is because Kalma Zabi is not an incompetent person.

If this person is considered incompetent, then the meaning of the word "incompetent" might need to be changed to "omnipotent".

Since Karma Zabi appeared in the news three years ago, and became the commander of the Zeon Earth Front in February 1979, he has gradually become a household name.

From the moment he landed, everyone thought that the youngest son of the Zabi family was here to die... until he achieved victory after victory on the battlefield and in politics, even the worst match ended in a draw.

His command of nearly three-quarters of the Zeon army further demonstrates his capabilities.

To be beaten like this by a space colonist on Earth's home turf.

Are the Earth Federation's Earth Forces a bunch of tax thieves? Don't they have any shame?

Having been ridiculed so much, the elites of the Earth Federation Forces were all motivated and determined to truly defeat this formidable enemy in Odessa.

If the other side withdraws from Odessa, or detonates a nuclear bomb in Odessa,

That would mean the enemy is gone, and the Earth Federation's punch landed on cotton... It's truly frustrating.

“By the way, the White Base will be involved in the attack on Odessa.” Rebil looked at Maggie Luda, the Federation’s technical lieutenant who had been specially summoned. “Even just one warship can play a significant role in disrupting the situation.”

"I heard that one of the precious Gundams on this warship was stolen by Karma Zabi, and that it acted recklessly... burning down tens of thousands of acres of maple forest in North America, and recently crashing into Mark Bay's ambush and becoming paralyzed and unable to move. Can these 'elites' of the Federation Space Force really play a role in disrupting the war?"

"Haha."

"That's far too overconfident."

Ayrland's disparaging remarks about the White Base instantly filled the ship with a cheerful atmosphere.

The Earth Forces are composed of the armies of various member states. Nobody likes the Federation Space Force, which is vying for funding. It's a pleasant thing to see the warships belonging to the Federation Space Force suffer a setback.

Of course, this also included a slap in the face to General Reiber—Plan V was his proposal.

"We think so, and Zeon thinks so too, that one day the White Base will be able to play a real role."

Rebil stopped the laughter of the crowd.

He firmly believed that the project he proposed and that cost a lot of money must be meaningful.

The colleague looked at the female technical officer standing further away with an inquiring gaze: "Lieutenant Maggie Luda, could you finish repairing the White Base?"

"Yes, General, I guarantee I can fix it up to look brand new."

"Yes, Dr. Han went with you too, saying he wanted to give the Gundam a final upgrade, hoping that it could reach its full potential in Lieutenant Sugai's hands."

At the Odessa mining base, on a Zeon Dabude-class battleship, Mark Bay listened to a report from a spy dressed in Federation military uniform on the other side.

While examining a Southern Song Dynasty celadon bowl, a gift from a Japanese collector, with a magnifying glass.

It is said that after this tea bowl was passed down to Ashikaga Yoshimasa, it was sent back to the Ming Dynasty, where craftsmen replaced it with the same bowl. However, at that time, celadon of that quality could no longer be produced (the idea that the older the better).

The craftsman used several metal staples to repair it, and the staples looked like lifelike locusts.

On the contrary, it increased its artistic value, making it much more valuable.

The story makes it seem plausible, but Mark Bay still wants to find out whether this thing is real or fake.

Or would it be more accurate to measure it with an instrument?

"--The final upgrade for Gundam should be the magnetic coating system on the field motor that you mentioned... This information is useless."

"Yes."

"After the battle is over, tell Erlan not to contact us anymore. Our deal is over. He's probably made about 1 million in intelligence fees. He's made enough."

"Yes."

After the communication ended, a trusted confidant leaned closer and asked, "General, are you really planning to hand over command of the Earth Prospectors to Lord Kalmar during the campaign?"

Mark Bay did not answer his confidant's question, but carefully put on gloves and placed the collection into the storage container.

“Excuse my frankness, but I don’t think this is what Her Majesty Kycilia would like,” the confidant expressed his doubts.

"Oh, you're going to teach me how to do it?"

Mark Bay gave his confidant a cold look, and the confidant broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "I wouldn't dare."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, if we act too openly, it could give Commander-in-Chief Killian an excuse to replace us, and it would be unacceptable for Lady Kycilia's strength to suffer losses."

"Although it was top secret in the past, I can tell you now. Many of the engineering machinery and artillery weapons we need to set up defensive positions were transported here after the North American campaign ended, as were the subsequent ammunition. This was long before we learned from Erland that the Federation Army was going to launch Operation Odessa."

"You mean...?" The confidant looked incredulous.

"It's just as you think... Everything the Federation Army is doing right now is part of Lord Karma's plan, and I don't want to make an enemy of such a terrible person."

After a two-week voyage, Kalmar's fleet finally arrived at the Black Sea. Before the ambush began, he still sought out Yuri, the commander of the European forces, one of his childhood friends.

The city of Inebolu, located on the southern coast of the Black Sea, is currently under the control of the Zeon forces. The town has a small population, and two groups of Zeon troops have filled all the tables in a local restaurant.

The arrival of the Zeon army brought an unprecedented boom to the local tertiary sector.

"Kalma, I didn't expect you to sneak over here in a submarine. How about we make a big score this time?"

"Here's a military merit to satisfy your appetite. In 10 days, you must obey my orders completely and carry them out meticulously."