Chapter 252
Don't get the wrong idea—this wasn't about Amuro single-handedly breaking through the capital's entire defense system and storming the Parliament building with two others in tow.
It was the White Chaser that was going to breach the capital's defenses.
At the Augusta Base, the White Chaser had already been equipped with replenished flight platforms. The REMs it carried were now launching in pairs, with two pilots sharing one flight platform per unit.
At the same time, standard Federation-issue GM IIs in red-and-white military colors also deployed from the hangar, forming a protective formation around the White Chaser.
Following the assault route provided by the Dakar base, the White Chaser finally emerged from the clouds and descended in altitude, skimming just above the sea surface as it advanced toward Dakar!
What they didn't know was that, in the year 0096 of the future, another group of departed souls would charge toward Dakar along this very same path.
The goals of both these groups were the same: to demand change from the Federation.
But their motives couldn't have been more different. The departed souls sought change merely because of ideals passed down from their predecessors.
At the very least, after that point, no one could so easily rally a military force under such vague convictions again.
"I'll be the one to deliver that declaration."
In Amuro's cockpit, Eli muttered to himself.
Mounted on a flight platform, the NT-X led the charge!
And at that moment, keeping watch along the shores of Dakar were none other than Eli's old acquaintances—the Aqua-type GMs.
"All units, listen up! Avoid using deadly force as much as possible—but if your life is in danger, don't hesitate! This cause we fight for needs everyone involved—don't throw your life away needlessly!"
Before the fighting broke out, Eli issued his final command through the screen as the MS unit commander.
"This mission will require sacrifices. You understand that, don't you?"
Also aboard the NT-X, Jamitov spoke calmly, arms folded across his chest as he addressed Eli.
"Don't worry—I'm prepared for that... Amuro!"
"Yes!"
Hearing Eli call his name from behind, Amuro's expression turned solemn as he charged forward, breaking through the defensive perimeter set up by the Aqua-type GMs.
Oddly, those Aqua-type GMs didn't immediately open fire. Instead, they hesitated.
After all, according to the IFF identification systems, these approaching units were still marked as allies.
Even so, the first shot was fired!
The ones who initiated the attack were the Capital Defense Corps—now completely taken over by Titans personnel, retaining nothing of their former selves except their designation.
Four Asshimars quickly scrambled above Dakar, attempting to seize control of the capital's airspace from the White Chaser.
At the same time, the Aqua-type GMs on the ground finally opened fire.
What surprised the White Chaser's MS forces was that the attacks were mostly erratic and indiscriminate.
Amuro immediately raised his beam rifle and fired at one Aqua-type GM.
He didn't aim to kill—the shot precisely destroyed the GM's head unit.
The purpose of Amuro's action was symbolic, a way to convey that everyone was to follow Eli's orders.
But surprisingly, the Aqua-type GM, after losing its main monitor, made no attempt to switch to the sub-monitor to continue fighting. Instead, it promptly opened its cockpit hatch, clearly signaling it posed no further threat.
This unusual behavior caused Amuro to raise an eyebrow, then he noticed that many other units were doing the same—ceasing combat the moment they took damage.
The real threat to the White Chaser forces was still the Capital Defense Corps equipped with the GM Q types.
And that was only natural—inside the Parliament building, both Titans' Supreme Commander Green Wyatt and Military Commander Bask were present, preparing to introduce their legislation.
Unlike in the original work, where Char stormed Dakar to broadcast AEUG's ideals to the world, Eli's objective this time carried far more explosive intent.
He was almost openly declaring war on the Titans.
The GM Qs were solid machines, their performance in urban environments well-established.
What's more, they brazenly positioned themselves in the city's main avenues. They could fire freely at airborne MS units, but those in the air couldn't retaliate toward the ground.
In such a densely populated area, even the smallest explosion could wipe out an entire household.
"I'm going in close for the attack!"
Amuro roared, drew his beam saber, and dove in on his flight platform.
As the NT-X swept between two GM Qs, the beam saber carved out a sweeping arc, slicing both enemy machines cleanly at the legs.
In the very next moment, the flight platform ascended once more.
With that single strike, Amuro had broken through the enemy line.
Meanwhile, as the remaining GM Qs fired wildly, the REM units closely following behind the NT-X mimicked Amuro's movements, descending to the ground and initiating close-quarters combat with their melee weapons.
The GM Qs that stubbornly continued firing were mercilessly eliminated by these elite-of-the-elite REM pilots.
Only those GM Qs that visibly restrained their fire, concerned for the urban surroundings, were spared—disarmed but allowed to live.
"Marine Corps, move in now! Secure the communications hub and Parliament building!"
Once the REMs cleared a path, three transport helicopters immediately charged down the corridor toward the Parliament.
At this moment, the NT-X—a direct descendant of the Gundam NT-1, once considered the Federation's symbol during the One Year War—stood tall before the Federation Parliament building.
The guards at the entrance, stunned at the sight, simply stood holding their rifles, unable to react further.
"Stand down—now!"
As the guards hesitated, the Marine Corps had already disembarked from the helicopters, disarmed the sentries, and continued their advance into the building.
Then, and only then, did the NT-X drop to one knee, its hand raised over its chest.
Eli said nothing to Amuro. Instead, he guided General Jamitov onto the NT-X's open palm.
The Marine Corps, who had entered earlier, had already secured a clear route into the parliamentary chamber.
Eli and General Jamitov walked in silence until they reached the chamber doors, where the proceedings were still underway.
"Look at this! If we don't let the Titans handle Earth's defense, this is what'll happen to every city! Times are changing! The old, soft military policies no longer work! The Titans are the only future worth choosing!"
Inside, Green Wyatt was still ranting with fervor.