The crew didn't understand Yang Hui's intentions, but their long-established rapport and military discipline dictated that on the battlefield, any order from Yang Hui must be executed without hesitation—no questions asked.
The Minerva was slightly delayed, but the Sword of the Heavens unleashed all its armaments toward the coordinates Yang Hui had specified—beam weapons, various missiles, even its specially equipped super Lohengrin Positron Buster Cannon fired in full volley. In an instant, the designated coordinates were blanketed in fire.
The Minerva's attacks soon reached the same coordinates.
The next moment, two wall-like, invisible barriers suddenly manifested in the empty void of space. Under the influence of explosions and flames, their forms gradually became visible.
At each coordinate, dozens of Mobile Armors called Euclid and several large Mobile Armors named Zamza-zah stood upright, deploying their Defensive Vanguard Positron Anti-Beam Shields. In front of these shields were countless microscopic particles, imperceptible to the naked eye, intercepting every missile.
Behind the Mobile Armor units were dozens of Gundam-type MS units, and further back, an unfamiliar new-class battleship.
"Radar detects multiple signatures, cross-referencing database... 54 Euclid, 8 Zamza-zah, 10 Gale Strike, 16 Hail Duel, 16 Hail Buster, 20 Nebula Blitz, 16 Abyss Aegis, 40 Dagger, 2 unknown MS, 2 unknown battleships!"
The CIC's report made Natarle Badgiruel's expression darken. As expected, it was a trap—and the ambush force was far larger than anticipated.
"Captain Badgiruel, the enemy's numbers vastly surpass ours. I recommend an immediate retreat..."
Even Natarle found the Librarian Works' ambush and preparations troublesome, let alone Talia. At first, Talia hadn't understood why Yang Hui had suddenly halted. She guessed he must have detected something, and then...
With Yang Hui and Orb's top aces gathered here, she had initially thought they were about to go "fishing in a pond." And indeed, they were—except this pond was infested with sharks!
Given their current combat strength, Talia didn't hesitate to suggest retreat. This battle was unwinnable!
But what left her utterly dumbfounded was Natarle's rebuttal: "Negative. This operation isn't limited to just our location. Multiple targets across Earth and space are being engaged simultaneously. If we retreat and word gets out, morale will suffer a severe blow. Moreover, I don't believe we've reached the point where retreat is absolutely necessary."
"But—" Talia was furious. If this wasn't the time to retreat, then what was?
"The Sword of the Heavens and Minerva will close formation." Yang Hui's voice echoed through both ships' bridges simultaneously. "Minerva's MS units will focus on ship defense. Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria—you take the left flank. Creuset, Kira, Athrun—right flank is yours. The two unknown new models are mine."
"Roger." xN
"R-roger."
At this moment, even Shinn wasn't acting willful anymore, because both he and his teammates were intimidated by the Librarian Works' formation. No matter how impulsive he was, he wouldn't make a suicidal decision. The four Gundams and Zaku Warriors of the Bale Team formed a defensive perimeter around the Minerva, expanding their coverage after the Sword of the Heavens joined them.
"Are you serious? This difference in numbers?" Shinn complained over the comms.
"These numbers... Chairman Yang Hui is being too reckless, isn't he?" Even Mayu, who admired and respected Yang Hui the most, now thought his decision was unwise given the overwhelming disparity in combat strength.
"In this situation... what should we do? Are we really just waiting to die here?" Lunamaria worried.
The other team members felt similarly. Though they didn't dare complain openly, they were filled with resentment and confusion toward Yang Hui. Even the veterans who survived the Second Battle of Jachin Due and had personally witnessed Yang Hui's power couldn't help but think this way. If it were just numbers, they wouldn't be afraid—but the enemy not only had quantity, but every unit was a Gundam-type!
Whether in PLANT or the Earth Alliance, Gundams represented elite forces and aces. Ordinary pilots couldn't handle Gundam-type MS.
"Follow orders. Chairman Yang Hui has never been reckless—he must have a plan." Rey soothed the team's unease. Though he had never seen Yang Hui fight at full strength, he trusted him, just as he trusted Creuset.
By now, the Sword of the Heavens had aligned itself alongside the Minerva, while the Dawn Gundam, Gundam Exia, Gundam Cherudim, Gundam Virtue, Strike Freedom, Infinite Justice, and Providence Gundam had already engaged the enemy.
At the same time, Shinn and the others finally understood what it meant to be the world's strongest combat force—and what true disparity in power looked like.
...
Gundam Exia charged into the enemy formation at top speed, deploying its Sword-type GN Bits without hesitation. Like a nimble fish darting through water, it weaved through the dense web of gunfire alongside its mobile suit, arriving before the frontmost Mobile Armor units.
"Gundam Exia, commencing target elimination."
"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—"
Amid flashes of blade light—some thrusting, some slashing—the Mobile Armor units composed of Euclid and Zamza-zah were torn open, creating a massive breach. The absolute defensive line erected before the MS units and warships collapsed instantly. With the anti-beam shields shattered, Gundam Cherudim and Gundam Virtue could now unleash their full might.
"GN Burst, maximum output—fire."
"BOOM—!"
The moment the anti-beam shields were destroyed, an orange torrent of energy swept across the battlefield, clearing a vast area. Whether Gundams or Mobile Armors, nothing could escape being utterly consumed by Gundam Virtue's Triple Charge Heavy Cannon.
"GN Burst, discharge complete." Tieria's calm voice rang out as his eyes shimmered with iridescent light, a red streak flashing across them. The two massive cannons on Gundam Virtue's shoulders detached from its body, maintaining continuous suppressive fire alongside the twin cannons in its hands as it followed Gundam Exia's lead and plunged into the enemy ranks.
"Whoosh—"
A streak of orange light pierced through the cosmos, simultaneously impaling two Torrent Duel Gundams that had been stealthily approaching Gundam Virtue from behind, along with several enemy units along the same trajectory.
"Tsk~ That was quite flashy. Can't fall behind now, Haro!"
"Roger~ Roger~"
"Gun-Type Bits deploying, Gun-Type Bits deploying."
"Box-Type Bits deploying, Box-Type Bits deploying."
The shields on both sides of Gundam Cherudim separated into individual segments, detaching from its body one after another. Meanwhile, the central Gun-Type Bits emerged, encircling Gundam Cherudim, while the Box-Type Bits assembled into a specific formation before it, resembling an orderly array.
Simultaneously, inside Gundam Cherudim's cockpit, fine lines connected the locked enemy indicators like a spider's web.
"Shoot on sight!"