"Damn it! Why, why, why!? I'm piloting a Gundam! How could I be defeated by a lowly soldier like you… ugh~!"
Michael's curses were abruptly cut off by a kick from the special model of Into the Array. In the heat of battle, Peries gradually adapted to the performance of the special model, growing bolder with each exchange, and had firmly suppressed Throne Zwei.
According to Yang Hui's design, the theoretical data after equipping the Quasi-GN Drive on Into the Array already surpassed that of the GN-X Calamity Type. Coupled with the modifications of the special model, it was hardly inferior to a Gundam. With the absolute superiority in piloting skills, it was a miracle that Michael even had the strength to fight back.
"Damn it! Ah~!"
Throne Zwei fell to the ground, preparing to rise and deliver a fierce blow to the special model of Into the Array. However, four beams of light shot down from the sky, directly piercing through the armor of the second unit's limbs, reducing it to a mere hunk of metal. The special model of Into the Array descended from above, stepping firmly on the remaining body, with its gun barrel aimed at the cockpit.
"Don't move, you are under arrest."
"Damn it… ah!!!!" Michael pounded on the cockpit, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. His arrogance and pride were crushed by the defeat and capture.
...
"Michael! The second unit…" Seeing that the second unit had also been captured, Johann lost focus and was directly shot through the left shoulder by Beiwei's beam, his left arm and the GN Cannon destroyed in the process.
As Beiwei charged forward, its beam saber radiating a sense of impending doom, Johann hurriedly maneuvered the first unit to draw the GN beam saber he had never used before to defend.
Unexpectedly, as Beiwei's beam saber just made contact with the first unit's GN beam saber, its other hand raised a gun and fired several shots at the first unit, nearly putting multiple holes in it. However, to ensure the capture of the unit, the beam gun had reduced its output power, and the significant impact and vibrations knocked Johann unconscious in the cockpit.
With Johann incapacitated, the first unit plummeted toward the ground, where it was captured mid-air by two units of Into the Array.
"This is the end. All units, immediately bring the three Gundams back to base. Call for the base to dispatch the ground troops to clear all debris. Be careful; we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes from the last capture operation!"
"Understood!" XN
The responses over the comms were filled with excitement. The once untouchable Gundam had been brought down from its pedestal! They had accomplished what the other two countries could not, proving that they were the world's most outstanding MS units.
Having captured three Gundams, although they still used Quasi-GN Drives, this gave the Human Reform League an advantage over both UNION and AEU with three additional units! Plus, the technology from Gundam would allow the Human Reform League to widen the gap with the other two countries!
"I hope that kid knows how to maintain balance," Sergei thought.
Sergei was well aware of what his subordinates were thinking and understood the consequences of capturing three Gundams. The balance among the three major powers had been shattered. They could either temporarily unite under the pressure of Gundam to buy the Human Reform League more time, ultimately overpowering UNION and AEU; or UNION and AEU, envious and ignoring the pressure from Gundam, could directly unite to pressure the Human Reform League.
In this case, the first phase of the plan could be considered a failure.
But Sergei believed that since Yang Hui dared to do this, he must have arranged a backup plan. He was uncertain about AEU, a country Yang Hui had always looked down upon, but he was sure that UNION would acquire similar technology, restoring the balance.
Having come this far and invested so much, there was no way they could let the plan fail.
Upon returning to the Hangar, Sergei had just disembarked when Peries ran over, a smile on her face.
"Major!"
"Oh, Lieutenant, have you encountered something happy?" Sergei asked gently. After all, in his memory, this was the first time Peries smiled; before this, she had always worn a serious expression.
"Colonel, we did it! Gundam has finally been defeated!" Peries said excitedly.
"Oh… yes, Gundam is no longer a threat to us." Sergei replied, a bit worried about Peries' state. From the moment she joined the Dingwu unit, she had been ordered to defeat Gundam. The repeated failures in battle had made her question her own worth, and many comrades and seniors who had given her warmth had sacrificed themselves, leading her to develop a heavy obsession with Gundam.
This obsession had its pros and cons; in battles against Gundam, Peries would unleash two hundred percent of her fighting power. However, the downside was… once Gundam no longer existed, what would be the meaning of her existence?
But… seeing Peries no longer acting like a war machine and possessing human emotions, Sergei felt genuinely happy for her.
"Right!"
"Now, Lieutenant, don't get too proud. Remember, pride leads to downfall. No matter what achievements you make, you must maintain a calm heart and not become too complacent, understood?" Sergei said.
"Understood!"
"Hmm, now go celebrate with everyone."
"Celebrate?" Peries tilted her head, not understanding why they should celebrate. Shouldn't they rest well after a successful operation and train harder to prepare for more difficult tasks?
"Of course, as one of the key contributors to this operation, you definitely cannot miss it. Look, they are all waiting for you to join them." Sergei nodded, indicating for Peries to look behind her.
Peries turned around and froze. Sure enough, Lieutenant Min and the others were all waving at her, inviting her to join the celebration.
"But… the disassembly of Gundam isn't finished yet, and there's still the interrogation of the Gundam pilots…" For some reason, feelings of "shyness" and "anxiety" welled up in her heart, and Peries searched for excuses.
"You don't need to worry about those; that's the job of the technical and intelligence departments. You should hurry and go."
"But what about you, Colonel?"
"Me?" Facing Peries' expectant and fearful gaze, Sergei paused for a moment, then smiled, "Hahaha, I still need to report to the higher-ups. I'll join you all after that."
"Oh, then… please come quickly, Colonel…"
After saying that, Peries actually blushed, lowering her head as she walked toward the celebration.
Watching Peries shyly escape, Sergei smirked, stroking his chin, "Hmm… finding a sister for Andrei is indeed a good idea; Heli should agree too."
...
At the villa on the small island, Wang Liu Mei returned safely, while Yang Hui received a secure message from Sergei.
"Phew~ I should be going now." Yang Hui stood up and said to Wang Liu Mei.
"I just got back, didn't I?" Wang Liu Mei complained slightly.
"Sorry, Liu Mei, my brother is done over there, and I have to head back to space."
"... You must come back alive." Wang Liu Mei tightly hugged Yang Hui from behind, her tone carrying a hint of pleading.
"I will, not just me, everyone will come back a
live."
The tenth update is complete! Next… it's up to you all! (︶)..:*
(End of this chapter)