Chapter 131: Someone Else Behind the Scenes
"Sanders, Arcadia, you two must hold that guy off. The opponent is an ace, so be extra careful."
Seeing that no enemies had appeared on the radar even now, Eli immediately understood—the opponent was most likely that Night Battle-type Efreet.
However, despite its excellent stealth and melee capabilities, Eli wasn't worried about his two subordinates.
What concerned him more was something else.
The enemy's point of appearance was precisely at a weak spot in the Titans' defensive perimeter.
But from the Titans' movements, it was clear that this weak spot had been considered, and they could complete an encirclement at any moment.
That said, the Titans' members seemed to be somewhat lacking in combat capability...
Eli frowned as he watched the enemy take down five Titans-modified GMs in such a short time.
Clearly, those Zeon remnants hadn't just been sitting around for the past month—they must have enhanced the Night Battle-type Efreet.
Otherwise, relying solely on throwing kunai and the limited-ammo triple-barrel Gatling gun on its left arm, that Efreet would have a hard time breaking through so many enemies alone.
The enemy's objective was clear. Judging by yet another Titans GM being taken down, it was heading straight for the venue.
"Beware of surprise attacks."
Eli issued the order.
This area should have had a tropical savanna climate. During the Southern Hemisphere's summer, there were some obstacles, but not enough to fully conceal an MS.
Thus, the enemy's greatest advantage—radar stealth—was significantly diminished.
Seeing that Sanders and Arcadia had already engaged, Eli shifted his attention to the venue below.
"How's the evacuation of the attendees?"
"Not completed yet. The Titans' ground forces are protecting key personnel."
"Ask if they need to evacuate to the White Chaser. The enemy is likely more than just one unit..."
Eli's first thought was to get the key figures aboard the White Chaser.
Within the atmosphere, Zeon remnants had very few weapons capable of threatening the White Chaser.
"East Unit 1 Water GM critically damaged! Last transmission confirmed an attack by Zeon—Zeon amphibious MS are heading for the convoy!"
The "convoy" referred to here was the one transporting Dozle.
Eli's expression darkened.
The transport convoy had three decoy groups: one returning along the original route, one heading west, and one ascending into the air. Yet the remnants had instantly determined the real target.
Additionally, the Night Battle-type Efreet had appeared at a weak point in the defensive perimeter—despite the Titans having prepared three different defensive plans and only finalizing the current one three hours before the event started.
At the same time, the navy had gone silent. The submarines meant for defense had likely been destroyed.
This incident reeked of conspiracy. At first, Eli had suspected it was orchestrated by a faction within the Federation, but now it seemed that no faction had anticipated this situation.
It was as if someone knew every classified detail about the operation and had immediately relayed that information to the Zeon remnants.
"Recall the two GMs patrolling overhead and have them guard Dozle's convoy. Io, take your last remaining squadmate and head there as well."
Rather than dwell on the larger conspiracy, Eli chose to focus on the immediate battle—eliminate the enemy first. Capturing one alive would surely yield some answers.
After assigning Second Squad to defend Dozle, Eli turned toward the hangar.
Seeing the bridge crew looking at him with complete trust, Eli suddenly understood why Char always had such an ostentatious demeanor.
It was no exaggeration to say that within the Federation, people had started comparing Eli's strength to Amuro's.
That itself was a form of recognition.
"Do you need an airborne backpack?"
Istha stepped forward to ask, only to receive a firm refusal from Eli.
"A rapid descent is enough. Floating midair just makes me a target."
As he hooked onto the boarding cable and entered his Assault GM, Eli waved a hand at Istha in dismissal.
—Hiss—
As the cockpit door sealed shut, all screens powered on.
Due to structural limitations, this Assault GM wasn't equipped with an all-range panoramic display, but the linear seat that Eli had requested was successfully installed—thanks in no small part to the unwavering support of the Yashima Group.
In this situation, there was no need for an electromagnetic catapult to provide initial velocity. Eli maneuvered his MS toward the open launch hatch.
Suddenly, the entire ship tilted sharply, nearly making him lose control of his unit.
"What happened?"
Eli immediately opened the ship's comms to inquire.
"Missiles!"
Several missiles were inbound from Sydney Bay, heading straight for the White Chaser!
Of course, the ship's close-in defense cannons intercepted and detonated them before they could reach their target.
However, these were no ordinary warheads. As they exploded, tiny flashes of light appeared in the smoke—
Radar jamming chaff rounds!
This Zeon remnant unit was no ordinary force.
With this, the White Chaser—temporarily stationed here to evacuate government officials—would be unable to launch attacks on Zeon's submarines.
In other words, the enemy had at least secured their retreat.
"I'm heading down!"
Eli made a final transmission before launching his Assault GM out of the ship.
For this sortie, he chose a beam spray gun as his primary weapon.
Due to its short barrel, the spray gun had poor particle compression, limiting its range.
But that was exactly what Eli needed.
With so many government officials present, stray shots causing casualties would be unacceptable.
As this thought crossed his mind, Eli adjusted his Assault GM's beam saber output to a lower level.
At the same time, the main thruster and leg-mounted verniers fired up, counter-thrusting just before landing—allowing for a stable descent.
Thinking back to piloting the Ground Type Gundam, using a similar landing technique from a comparable height had actually damaged its leg stabilizers.
Yet now, his Assault GM had landed flawlessly, all systems functioning normally.
But there was no time to marvel at technological progress. Eli immediately began moving across the dirt and sand terrain.
In the distance, two Water GMs—East Units 2 and 3—had already engaged the incoming Zeon amphibious MS.
All thrusters activated simultaneously, propelling the Assault GM forward in a hover-motion maneuver toward the battlefront.