"The enemy fleet is approaching the base's defense line."
"All units, continue to execute Operation X Alpha."
"Attention all personnel, we must exert our utmost effort to repel the incoming enemy and defend the [Big Ring] base at all costs. We must become the shield that protects Earth, even if it means fighting to the last man!"
Amidst Flit's final announcement, the deployment of the final defense line gradually completed. Eighteen warships lined up in front of the [Big Ring] base, with over 300 MS units standing ready ahead, forming the first line of defense.
"If the [Big Ring] base falls, Earth will be left wide open. This is a situation where success is the only option, but... intelligence indicates that the enemy has the upper hand in numbers," Argreus said, standing beside Flit with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Hm? What are you trying to say?"
Facing Flit's displeased questioning, Argreus straightened his expression and responded earnestly, "This is the perfect opportunity for a tactician to showcase their talent!"
"Argreus, this isn't a game!" Flit reprimanded.
"Exactly! That's why it's so exhilarating!"
"Ugh..."
Listening to Argreus's earnest reply and watching him brimming with excitement like a child who just got a new toy, Flit's mouth and eyes twitched simultaneously. He suddenly began to doubt whether choosing Argreus as his successor as Commander-in-Chief was the right decision.
However... there was no denying Argreus's command ability. With the imminent battle, it was best to focus on the present. His personality flaws could be addressed later.
"Report from Observation Station 24, five suspected VEGAN capital ships have been detected!"
Hearing the report, Flit's expression turned grave.
"So they've arrived..."
"Notify all ships, enemy vessels detected. Deploy the Anti-Beam Disturbance Screen and prepare for battle!"
Both sides had entered each other's surveillance camera range, still just barely visible as tiny dots. A dazzling tapestry of pink and yellow beams began to weave between them, painting a vibrant picture in the void.
This large-scale battle was unprecedented for both the Federal Army and VEGAN. Both sides felt a mix of anxiety and tense excitement, but also a resolute determination to achieve their objectives.
"It's begun! The battle... protect everyone, and then... survive!"
Asemu's heart was filled with both nervousness and excitement. After two days of special training, Asemu's rough edges had been smoothed out a bit. He no longer acted recklessly on impulse. The Gundam AGE-2 closely followed behind the G-Titan, maintaining the squad's formation.
Several consecutive shots, and pink beams of deadly light pierced through the torsos of several enemy units.
"Asemu is amazing!"
"Is this the result of the special training?"
"We can't fall behind, let's keep up!"
Inspired by Asemu's training results, Albright, Max, and Alisa's fighting spirits were ignited, and they launched a fierce assault on the enemy units.
However, as the MS units of both sides clashed, the battle descended into chaos. Formations quickly became disordered, and Woolf and Asemu couldn't always protect Albright, Max, and Alisa from stray bullets or surprise attacks.
"Albright, Max, Alisa, Formation R, don't get separated!"
"Understood!" X3
"Asemu, let's go!"
"Understood!"
The clash between the two sides seemed evenly matched, but with VEGAN's numerical advantage and more advanced technology, the scales of victory were slowly tipping in their favor.
"The situation isn't looking good, Commander," Argreus said, watching the three-to-one casualty ratio and the gradual advance of VEGAN forces towards the final defense line, his expression grave.
Although the casualty ratio had improved compared to before, this was a battle they absolutely could not afford to lose. With the numerical disadvantage, if they didn't find a way to turn the tide, the Earth Federal Army would be the ones to lose. The result would be Earth being left completely open to VEGAN.
"This level is still within expected parameters, Argreus. We can—"
"Commander! Special situation in B408 and D901!"
"What?"
Flit and Argreus looked at the main screen. In the areas reported by the CIC, allied identification signals were disappearing unusually quickly, while an average of eight enemy signals were rapidly breaking through the defense line in each area.
"Have they finally appeared? The X-Rounder units..." Argreus immediately judged that only the X-Rounder units could break through the defense line at such speed with just a few units.
"Where is the [Celestial Being] unit located?" Flit asked.
"At A991."
"Order the [Celestial Being] unit to engage and intercept the enemy X-Rounder units."
"Understood!"
"Commander, even if the [Celestial Being] unit is dispatched now, they might not make it in time, right?" Argreus said with a smile, not questioning the [Celestial Being] unit's capabilities, nor showing any concern for the safety of the [Big Ring] base or the defense line.
The [Celestial Being] unit would undoubtedly stop the enemy X-Rounder units, but there was still some time before they could meet. And this time... was the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his tactical prowess.
"Alright, let's begin."
"Yes!" Argreus straightened his back and began issuing orders: "Agale squad, Smith squad, maintain spacing and move to B895! Mins squad, maintain a spacing of 5000, deploy from S098 to B235. Roosevelt squad, retreat to I213..."
As Argreus's orders were given, Flit followed up: "Agret squad, Sphinx squad, proceed to D562 to intercept. Robert squad, cover the Karnwulf squad's transfer to C101. Marco squad, move to E231 to hold the defense. Dique squad, move from F214 to G853..."
Detailed orders were systematically relayed to every MS unit mentioned. The entire defense line began to operate like a well-oiled machine, with every cog playing a crucial role.
No, it was more accurate to say that under the tactical command of Flit and Argreus, every cog was performing its role to the utmost.
The unstoppable two [Devil Man] units, enjoying themselves as they were about to break through the MS units' defense line and reach the fleet at the rear, suddenly found themselves surrounded. They were subjected to targeted attacks from the Federal Army units, forcing them to retreat step by step.
"Mink, fall back and regroup!"
"Damn it! These inferior creatures!"
"Tch, I'll get my revenge later!"
Though unwilling, to avoid being trapped like butterflies in a spider's web, they had no choice but to swallow their pride. The Genoace M units transformed into MA mode and retreated.
...
"Ho! Flit's doing quite well," Yang Hui said as he prepared to enter the battlefield, watching Flit and Argreus suppress the X-Rounder units' fierce assault with just their tactics.
"Well~ Now that we're entering, he won't have to work so hard anymore," Graham's tone revealed a hint of excitement. He couldn't touch Jehart yet, but these X-Rounder users together would make for an interesting enough challenge.
"Graham, handle the enemies at B412. I'll take the other side. Yurin, fill the gap in the defense line and push the enemy's advance back!"
"Understood!" X2
The three Gundams' backs erupted with intense, dazzling flames, transforming into three different-colored meteors as they streaked into the battlefield.
...
"Commander! The [Celestial Being] unit has joined the battle!"
"Oh~!"
The moment the [Celestial Being] unit's participation was announced, the previously tense atmosphere instantly became fervent.
"Right, have the holding forces maintain their positions. The rear units will steadily advance and coordinate with the Luna Gundam to push the front line back," Flit commanded.
"Yes!"
Argreus still had a small doubt, but as he watched the trajectories of the three Gundams on the screen, he couldn't help but feel amazed.
"Without any communication, the Commander was able to predict Vice Admiral Yang Hui, Major General Graham, and Colonel Yurin's actions. Is it the Commander's tactical foresight? Or is it their deep mutual understanding? Heh... seems I still have a lot to learn."
...
The Dawn Gundam chased after the [Devil Man] units on the other side of the battlefield, while the Flag Gundam blocked the retreating [Devil Man] units. The Luna Gundam separated from the two and moved to the gap in the defense line that had appeared due to the frequent adjustments.
"Funnels deployed."
The ring on the Luna Gundam's back split into feather-like segments, revealing the hidden, menacing gun ports.
The cockpit's screen marked each enemy unit with red dots.
"Multi-Lock System activated. Psycho-Link System LV.2 released..."
For a moment, Yurin seemed to become one with the Luna Gundam. The Gundam's eyes were her eyes, and its arms were her arms.
On the screen, thin lines connected the dense red dots. The long-range funnels and the beam sniper rifle in her hand began to glow with a deadly, cute pink light.
"Hum~!"
Several dazzling pink beams shot out, piercing through all the enemy units rushing towards the gap. Each pink line penetrated at least three enemy units.
But it didn't end there. The beams extended further into space, and as one end disappeared, new pink lines appeared, taking out any stragglers.
Yurin, usually gentle and smiling, now had a calm, emotionless expression. She watched as fireworks bloomed in the desolate void, her heart unmoved. Her fingers simply kept pulling the trigger, emotionlessly harvesting enemy lives.
"It's Colonel Yurin!"
"As expected of the [Moon Angel], she's incredible!"
"The Vice Admiral and Major General are here too! We're sure to win!"
"Oh~!"
With Yurin's dazzling performance, the previously disheartened MS units' morale soa
red. With the Luna Gundam at the center, they began to rebuild the crumbling defense line, gradually pushing back and reversing the tide of the battle.
(End of Chapter)