The new equipment was launched from Diva, and under the cover of G-Bouncer and Genoace, Gundam AGE-1 underwent a transformation in space. The new equipment was more slender and defined than the Titus Type and the standard model, giving off a very light feeling, like a ninja in the dark night.
"This is!"
"Gundam AGE-1 Sparrow Type, a high-mobility equipment, equipped with the Blade of Downpour, which is sharper than the High Vibration Blade of the Samurai Gundam. It has Electromagnetic Needle Guns on both knees for ranged attacks, but comparatively, the armor of the Sparrow Type is quite weak, so be careful not to get hit," Vargas reminded.
"Got it!"
Pulling the control stick and stepping on the pedal, an unprecedented thrust pressed Flit back into his seat, almost taking his breath away.
"What incredible speed! If that's the case..."
Flit's hands moved quickly, and Gundam AGE-1 Sparrow Type drew the Blade of Downpour from its lower back, darting between the UE's MS like a deadly ninja. Each enemy machine he passed was sliced in half by the Blade of Downpour before they even realized what happened, as smooth as a hot knife through butter.
Seeing that the MS of Zalam and Auba were about to be destroyed by the UE, and realizing he couldn't reach them in time, Gundam AGE-1 Sparrow Type raised its knee, and a sharp gun needle was ejected from the dark launch port, piercing through the enemy machine in the blink of an eye, then exploding in sparks in space.
"Awesome! This is the power of the Sparrow Type, great!"
...
Gundam AGE-1 Sparrow Type forcefully joined the battlefield, tipping the scales even further in their favor, while on the other side, Dawn Gundam and Samurai Gundam had also broken through heavy obstacles and were closing in on Fah Bausser.
But here they encountered setbacks.
Fah Bausser transformed into a spider, weaving dense nets of yellow beams, trying to ensnare the two butterflies, Dawn Gundam and Samurai Gundam.
"Isn't this barrage a bit excessive?" Graham cursed, having thought that Yang Hui's design of the White Tiger-class Cruiser was already insane, but clearly, this was even more outrageous.
"There are a total of 90 Beam Cannons, 36 of which are twin-mounted," Yang Hui said expressionlessly, maintaining absolute rationality as he reported the scan results.
"This level of barrage is not easy to break through."
"Replace, buy me some time..."
"Beep beep beep..."
The alarm sounded, drawing Yang Hui's attention to the approaching enemy machines.
"Speed exceeding twice that of Ghafran and Bacta-type... It's him!" The emotional fluctuation nearly broke his state of absolute rationality. "Graham, abandon the mothership, freely hunt MS."
"Understood."
Dawn Gundam and Samurai Gundam began to retreat in formation, but Dawn Gundam could slow down, firing its Beam Cannons and Beam Rifles continuously, detonating enemy machines one after another. Samurai Gundam circled around Dawn Gundam, slicing any enemy machine that got too close in half.
But none of this was Yang Hui's target; his focus had always been on Desil, who was about to catch up to them.
As Beam Cannons came flying, both Dawn Gundam and Samurai Gundam skillfully split apart at the same time, with Genoace dodging around Samurai Gundam, suddenly transforming in high-speed flight, wielding a longsword to strike at Dawn Gundam.
Dawn Gundam did not back down, drawing its Beam Saber to meet the attack, engaging in a stalemate with Genoace.
"Hooked! Graham, take him out."
"Got it... Ugh!"
Following Yang Hui's instructions, Samurai Gundam was about to accelerate and slice through Genoace, but before it could even start, it was entangled by surrounding enemy machines. The dense firepower net sliced Dawn Gundam and Samurai Gundam apart, dividing them into two battlefields.
"Yang Hui!"
"It's fine, just be careful and retreat guerrilla-style."
"Understood."
Samurai Gundam dodged while retreating, unsure if it was due to UE's concentrated fire strategy, but aside from Genoace and Dawn Gundam being locked in a stalemate, all other enemy machines and Fah Bausser's artillery were hitting Samurai Gundam, leaving it no chance to attack.
The battle on the other side felt like a different world, with only two MS engaged in combat.
"Do you think my melee combat is a weak point? How naive."
Seeing Genoace continuously entangled with Dawn Gundam, not giving it a chance to fire, Dawn Gundam decisively discarded its Beam Rifle, wielding dual swords to engage in melee combat with Genoace.
Desil was indeed not to be underestimated, utilizing the high mobility of its jet form to maneuver, and while moving at high speed, using Beam Vulcans to restrain, it would immediately revert to MS form for close combat.
Although Yang Hui maintained his state of absolute rationality, sweat had begun to bead on his forehead. The Innovator Mode's consumption of mental energy in an environment without GN Particles was terrifying. After fighting for over ten minutes, Yang Hui was already feeling fatigued.
However, he dared not deactivate the Innovator state. He wasn't sure if it was because Desil had been provoked by him and Graham, but Genoace's movements became increasingly concise and sharp.
"Is this what it means to be Flit's rival?"
The two machines passed each other, with Genoace slicing off a wing from Dawn Gundam's backpack, while Dawn Gundam's Beam Saber severed Genoace's left arm.
The two machines continued to collide, and arcs of electricity danced across their bodies.
At that moment, Genoace's speed suddenly slowed significantly. Dawn Gundam seized the opportunity, firing both its Beam Cannon and Electromagnetic Cannon simultaneously.
"Got it!"
Just as Yang Hui was excited about Desil's impending demise, Genoace suddenly tilted its body, narrowly avoiding the Beam Cannon, while the Electromagnetic Cannon struck Genoace's torso but failed to penetrate its armor completely.
Amidst the smoke and flames, Genoace, dragging its damaged body, retreated towards Fah Bausser at top speed.
"Don't think you can escape..."
"Beep beep beep..."
Just as Yang Hui prepared to pursue, the red alert on his machine halted his thoughts.
"It seems I don't have the right to criticize Graham," Yang Hui said with a wry smile, looking at the damage display of various components. In this battle, Desil's growth was immense; despite exhausting the machine's full capabilities, he still couldn't take it down, and the final evasive maneuver... honestly, Yang Hui felt an unnatural sensation.
"Mephis, why did this happen?"
[Detected that his machine has a forced remote control system. When the machine malfunctioned, someone took over its control.]
"A forced remote control system..." Yang Hui frowned, looking at the slowly retreating Fah Bausser, realizing it must have been Ark Dorell's doing. He understood Desil, so he had left a backup plan.
Yang Hui slammed his fist down, regretting that such a good opportunity was missed, but there was nothing he could do about it. Dawn Gundam's current condition no longer supported Yang Hui in pursuing, nor could it engage in intense combat.
Yang Hui was also relieved that most of the firepower had been drawn away by Graham; otherwise, he would have found it difficult to retreat.
"Graham, it's time to withdraw."
"Understood."
Graham also noticed the situation with Dawn Gundam, leading the main force of UE away from another direction to ensure Dawn Gundam's safe return to the formation.
"Yang Hui, are you okay?"
The arcs of electricity still danced across Dawn Gundam's body, startling Flit and Woolf.
"I'm fine, just exhausted the machine's performance."
"Get back to Diva, you're in danger now," Flit urged.
"No need, UE has already begun to retreat."
"So that means..." Flit looked towards UE, and indeed, all the MS had retreated to Fah Bausser's side, guarding the mothership as it withdrew. An unknown light flickered, and UE vanished from everyone's sight.
"UE has retreated!"
"We won!"
"Oh~!!"
...
"The giant ship of UE is retreating, and the MS are following, exiting the combat zone!"
With Mireille's report, everyone erupted in excited laughter. This was the first time humanity had defeated UE on the front lines; it was not just their victory but also a victory for humanity.
"First-level combat readiness is lifted, entering second-level combat readiness, clean up the battlefield, and rescue survivors!"
"Understood!" XN
After issuing the orders, Grudick also breathed a sigh of relief. After the tension, there was joy, and also fatigue; the heart that had been under high tension could finally relax.
The losses in this battle were not small, but achieving a one-to-one casualty ratio with UE was unprecedented, and the losses were all from Zalam and Auba's MS, which was entirely worth it.
"Gundam...?" Grudick looked at the three returning Gundams, a smile creeping onto his lips. This was humanity's hope for a counterattack and to defeat UE.
...
After cleaning up the battlefield, Don Boyaji and Ractor Elmelda connected with Diva.
"We, Zalam & Auba, officially declare our participation in your upcoming Bat Extermination Operation."
"Is that so? Thank you very much."
"Yes, this battle has awakened us. Thank you, Yang Hui."
"Just speaking the truth."
"After we finish the funerals for the fallen, we will lead the fleet stationed at other satellites to Minslie Colony Satellite to rendezvous with you."
"Then, see you then, Yang Hui. Don't forget the weapons you promised us."
"Rest assured."
After the communication ended, Grudick said to everyone on the bridge, "As you heard, some may think this is too reckless, whether to join or not, I hope you decide for yourselves."
If before it was just the passionate impulse ignited by Grudick that led everyone to follow, after this battle, they saw the hope of victory, and naturally, no one would choose to withdraw; still, no one left the ship.
"I understand, Mireille, has the resupply been completed?"
"Yes, it has."
"Then in two hours, we set off for Minslie! All departments prepare!"
"Yes!" XN
"Yang Hui, come here for a moment."
"Sure, I also have something I want to discuss with you."
This dual-machine breakthrough made Yang Hui feel powerless once again. Facing the firepower of a kilometer-long super battleship, the firepow
er of MS was still too thin. At least he currently did not have the capability to destroy Fah Bausser with a single machine, and the current Diva was too flimsy compared to Fah Bausser. The modification of the Photon Destroyer Cannon must be prioritized.