Build Gundams Ch 35

"Captain, the numerical disadvantage we face has, through the superior performance of our MS, resulted in a stalemate. However, should the enemy continue to commit forces, this balance may be disrupted," a bridge officer reported to Commander Kenji Takeshi, his tone reflecting measured concern.

Kenji, his gaze fixed on the unfolding battle displayed on the main screen, responded calmly, "We need to hold out for thirty minutes. Once reinforcements arrive, the tide will turn in our favor."

Amidst the chaos of battle, the cries of besieged pilots echoed across the comms.

"Damn it! The enemy is overwhelming! We can't eliminate them all!"

"Requesting assistance! We are surrounded!"

"There are too many! They're trying to grind us down through sheer numbers!"

Numerous RGM-79N GM Custom Mobile Suits found themselves pursued and besieged by a swarm of enemy MS and fighter craft.

One GM Custom, having sustained severe damage – the loss of both legs and an arm – was desperately retreating toward the Antares fleet, relying on the covering fire provided by two wingmen.

The enemy, however, pressed their advantage relentlessly, dozens of MS and fighters maintained pursuit.

Despite the valiant efforts of the GM Custom pilots, who vigorously engaged the enemy, successfully destroying numerous MS and fighters, a significant portion of the enemy force remained focused on eliminating the damaged GM Custom and its protectors.

The remaining enemy units continued to harass the limping GM Custom.

The fact that the enemy forces primarily employed projectile weaponry with limited range was the only thing keeping the damaged GM Custom from becoming space dust. Had the pirates used directed energy weapons, the fight would have been over.

Suddenly, a beam weapon lanced through space, obliterating the majority of the pursuing enemy MS and fighters.

"Return to the Albion immediately; I will handle this," Reika Fujimoto's voice instructed through the comms.

Piloting the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 and wielding its Mega Beam Cannon, Reika effectively relieved the pressure on the beleaguered GM Customs.

Switching to a beam rifle, Reika unleashed a series of precise shots, downing seven Harrier and Harrier II fighters. The remaining enemy craft scattered.

Reika, observing the condition of the two heavily damaged GM Customs on her screen, reiterated her order, "Both of you, return to the Albion for repairs."

A Mega Beam Cannon shot whizzed past Reika's viewport, narrowly missing her. A Harrier MS exploded in a brilliant flash.

That wasn't one of ours, Reika thought. The GM Customs didn't carry Mega Beam Cannons.

A small window opened on her main display, revealing the GP01 Gundam Zephyranthes, piloted by the newly assigned Second Lieutenant Evan Rhys.

The GP01 held a beam cannon in its right hand and a shield in its left, with a beam rifle mounted on its back.

A second window appeared on the main screen.

"Second Lieutenant Rhys, do you require assistance?" Reika inquired.

"Lieutenant Fujimoto, allow me to handle this sector," Rhys replied.

"Understood."

Reika piloted the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 to another combat zone.

…

"7th MS Squad, completely annihilated," the comms officer reported.

"4th Fighter Squadron, completely annihilated," another reported.

"2nd MS Squad sustained heavy casualties, less than thirty percent combat effective," came another grim update.

"6th MS Squad, lost all communication. Presumed destroyed."

Commander Meilin's brow furrowed deeper with each report.

She had underestimated the capabilities of the Antares Mercenary Group. She had gambled that their numerical advantage would be enough to overwhelm the mercenaries, but she had miscalculated.

Meilin glanced at the image of the RX-78-7 Gundam Unit 7. Initial reports indicated that a single Gundam Unit 7 was capable of decimating an entire MS squad.

"What are our confirmed kills?" Meilin asked the comms officer.

The officer hesitated, then replied, "We have confirmed six enemy MS."

"Six?!" Meilin exclaimed, leaping to her feet. "We outnumber them five to one, and we've only managed to destroy six enemy MS? What am I commanding, a collection of space debris?"

The Captain standing beside Meilin spoke cautiously, "Commander, it is not entirely the fault of the pilots. The enemy Gundams possess performance characteristics far exceeding our models. Even their GM Custom MS outclass our standard Leopard MS."

Meilin took a deep breath, attempting to regain composure.

Just then, the comms officer delivered more bad news.

"Commander, another Gundam has been sighted on the battlefield."

"Designation? Have we acquired visual confirmation?" Meilin demanded.

An image appeared on her console.

The photograph showed the RX-78GP02A Physalis, equipped with a six-tube rocket launcher on its back, a beam rifle in its right hand, and a shield in its left.

"Have any of our units – or those of our allies – managed to breach the enemy's defenses?" Meilin asked.

"Several fighters from the Storm Mercenary Group have broken through, but they were quickly intercepted by the enemy's warships and GM Custom MS," the comms officer reported.

"How many Gundams have been sighted?"

"Six confirmed sightings, Commander."

Meilin's expression hardened.

"Six Gundams. They have completely negated our numerical advantage."

…

Pani, piloting the RX-78-7 Gundam Unit 7, surveyed the battlefield through his monitors, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic scene of destruction. He saw the burning wreckage of numerous Leopard MS drifting in the void, silent testaments to the battle's intensity. Despite the losses, more Leopard MS and Leopard Fighters were converging on his position, drawn to him like moths to a flame.

They're persistent, I'll give them that.

In the opening minutes of the battle, Pani had single-handedly eliminated twenty-four enemy MS and fighters, a feat that had quickly earned him the unwanted distinction of being a high-priority target. The enemy was throwing everything they had at him, trying to bring down the Gundam that was tearing through their lines.

Pani calmly activated the shoulder-mounted beam cannons, the energy weapons humming to life as they charged. With pinpoint accuracy, she unleashed a devastating barrage, instantly obliterating four Leopard MS caught in the crossfire. The beams sliced through their armor like butter, leaving nothing but molten wreckage in their wake.

Her supply of solid ammunition was exhausted, a testament to the ferocity of the fighting. Had the RX-78-7 Gundam Unit 7 not been equipped with a Minovsky ultracompact fusion reactor, allowing for sustained use of high-output beam weaponry, the mobile suit would have already run out of power, leaving him vulnerable to the swarm of enemies.

"How is that Gundam still firing?" one of the Leopard pilots exclaimed in disbelief, his voice crackling over the comms.

"It's like its energy supply is infinite! It's fired so many high-powered beams, and it still hasn't run out of power!" another pilot responded, fear creeping into his voice.

"Watch your flanks! Those GM MS are picking us off!" a third pilot warned, desperately trying to maintain situational awareness.

The GM Custom MS, taking advantage of the enemy's tunnel vision on the RX-78-7 Gundam Unit 7, were proving deadly, striking with precision when the enemy was distracted. The GM Custom MS weaved through the chaos, picking off isolated targets with calculated efficiency.

Suddenly, several beam blasts impacted Leopard Fighters and MS, sending them spinning out of control. The RX-78GP02A Physalis had arrived, piloted by Avina. The bulky Gundam moved with surprising speed, its beam rifle spitting death as it joined the fray.

The two Gundams coordinated their fire, cutting down more Leopard MS and Leopard Fighters with ruthless efficiency. The combined firepower of the two Gundams was devastating, and the enemy ranks began to thin as they tore through their formation.

"First and Second Fighter Squads, lost communication," the comms officer announced.

"Third and Fifth MS Squads, completely destroyed."

Commander Meilin's face darkened. With the appearance of each new Gundam, more of her forces were being destroyed.

"Commander, the Shadow Ghost Mercenary Group is requesting emergency assistance," the comms officer reported.

"Emergency assistance? What is the situation?" Meilin asked.

"Their defensive line has been breached by an undocumented Gundam, Commander," the comms officer replied.

Meilin's frustration reached a boiling point. "A single Gundam breached their line? Are they even trying?"