From the flagship, Zannald watched as the Dawn Gundam and the Flag Gundam once again charged into the formation of his MS units. He was determined to hold them back, even if it meant abandoning the retreat.
However, after breaking through the formation, they didn't engage in the same ruthless slaughter as before. Instead, they dropped something and quickly retreated, leaving Zannald momentarily confused.
But soon…
"Lord Zannald! It's a Plasma Bomb!"
"What!?" Zannald's pupils contracted as he saw the magnified image on the bridge screen. Sweat immediately drenched his back.
"Full speed retreat!"
The entire fleet began to turn, and the MS units scattered frantically, trying to escape the blast radius of the Plasma Bomb. But just as they started to move…
A pink beam found its way through the chaotic gaps, piercing the formation and striking the Plasma Bomb in mid-air.
"Boom! Boom! Boom…"
The Plasma Storm and flames erupted in an instant, the blinding light temporarily blinding everyone, and the deafening explosion left them momentarily deaf.
The world was filled with light, and for a moment, everything fell silent.
When the brilliance faded and their ears regained the ability to hear, both the Federal Army and VEGAN were stunned.
The once overwhelming VEGAN fleet had been almost completely wiped out, with only a few scattered remnants surviving the catastrophe.
"Oh~!"
"Long live the Lieutenant General!"
"Charge! Let's wipe out these damned VEGAN!"
"Pursue them relentlessly! Drive VEGAN out completely!"
Argreus's orders arrived like a bucket of fuel poured onto a raging fire. The morale of the troops soared like an erupting volcano, unstoppable and unbreakable.
In contrast, VEGAN had plummeted to its lowest point.
"Retreat… Retreat! Full retreat!" Zannald had lost all his arrogance and dominance. The explosion of the Plasma Bomb had not only devoured 90% of his forces but also shattered his confidence and rationality.
Regardless of whether that scene could be repeated, he was terrified of the Plasma Bomb falling on him. Now, his only thought was to escape this hell.
"Lord Zannald… the Federal Army is charging! Our MS units are being overwhelmed!"
"Contact Jehart! Have him come to our aid! Hurry!"
"Yes… yes!"
Zannald had already decided to abandon the MS units. He had never been one to care about his subordinates.
The only reason he asked Jehart to assist was that the remaining MS units couldn't hold off the Federal Army's pursuit for even a second. Once the MS units were annihilated, it would be his turn.
Meanwhile, Jehart's fleet was completely dumbfounded when they saw the scene. They hadn't expected their covert plan to be turned against them, resulting in the destruction of a large number of their allies.
"Damn it!" Jehart slammed the console in frustration, his lips already bitten bloody.
He had underestimated the Federal Army. He hadn't anticipated that they would so quickly discover the Plasma Bomb hidden in the mobile suits and use it against them.
Jehart, of course, knew how bold this plan was and how limited the conditions were.
First, they needed ace pilots like Yang Hui and Graham, who could single-handedly penetrate enemy lines and retreat unscathed.
Secondly, timing is crucial. If thrown too early, it won't cause significant damage, and if too late, it would result in self-destruction.
Thirdly, and as a supplement to the previous point, Yurin, the unparalleled super sniper, was the only one who could accurately hit the Plasma Bomb amidst the chaos of the MS swarm. Jehart couldn't think of anyone else capable of such a feat.
Fourthly... it was about trust. Without absolute trust, Argreus wouldn't have decided to assign this mission to Yang Hui and Graham, and Yang Hui and Graham wouldn't have accepted it either.
"Lord Jehart..." The communication from Dolph Frost and the other two arrived.
"All units, assist the Zannald Fleet!"
"Yes!"
After ending the communication, Jehart swiftly piloted the [Urozo R] back to the flagship. The [Urozo R] was a specialized aquatic unit, but its performance didn't meet his requirements. He needed to switch to a different unit.
However...
Just as the [Giraga] had launched not far away, the Gundam AGE-2 descended from the sky, blocking its path.
"Found you, Jehart!"
Although Jehart had already switched to a new unit, Asemu knew that on the battlefield, a red-painted warship was undoubtedly Jehart's, and a red-painted unit was certainly piloted by him.
"Gundam AGE-2? Asemu!"
The Gundam AGE-2 transformed into its MS form at high speed, crossing its two Beam Sabers for a strike.
The [Giraga] was not to be outdone, splitting its [Giraga Spear] into two short spears to meet the attack.
In an instant, the two units collided head-on, their speed abruptly dropping to zero.
"I've been looking for you for a long time, Jehart!"
"Are you going to obstruct me again, Asemu?"
"Of course! I'm a Federal Army soldier! This time for sure..."
"This time for sure..."
"I'll shoot you down!" X2
Blocked by the Gundam AGE-2, the [Giraga] couldn't break away to assist the retreating Zannald Fleet.
So, it was imperative to shoot down the Gundam AGE-2, whether for the greater good or personal vendetta.
"Lord Jehart!"
Dolph Frost and the other two immediately wanted to join the fray, supporting Jehart in surrounding the Gundam AGE-2.
In the hearts of Dolph Frost and the other two, Jehart's safety was paramount. Moreover, Zannald was already a stumbling block on their path; not kicking him while he was down was generous enough, let alone rescuing him.
But as they tried to join, someone disagreed.
Just as the three [Ghilsbain] (mass-produced versions of [Jedra]) were about to move, several pink beams forced them to halt in place.
"Oh no, can't let you disturb the Captain's personal vendetta time."
"Having a willful Captain is quite a hassle; we'll have to properly educate him later."
Gerard and Rena arrived just in time, blocking the path of the three bodyguards.
"Damn it!"
"Just some Earthlings..."
"Get out of my way!"
The three bodyguards were furious, piloting their units to engage the two G-Titans.
In terms of X-Rounder abilities, the five were evenly matched, and the lifelong camaraderie of the three bodyguards was no less than the close coordination of a married couple.
But they only had a slight advantage, unable to achieve a quick victory.
For a while, the two battle groups fought fiercely, with no clear winner in sight.
...
"Lord Jehart... Brother..." Fram Nara, who was temporarily in command on the bridge, was also anxious.
The operation to conquer Lost Loran had failed, and VEGAN was in full retreat. Now, it was crucial to ensure the safe withdrawal of as many allied forces as possible.
However, Jehart and his three elite guards, currently the strongest combatants, were being tightly held back by the enemy and couldn't break free.
Meanwhile, the enemy's strongest forces were wreaking havoc like lions among sheep, and the number of allied markers was decreasing at an alarming rate.
"Deploy all reserves! The fleet will slow down and retreat. Once the remnants of Zannald's fleet join us, we will withdraw at full speed to the occupied territories in North Africa," Fram Nara commanded.
"But what about Lord Jehart..."
"Send my orders to Lord Jehart as well. I believe he will choose the right moment to retreat."
"Yes!"
Fram Nara breathed a sigh of relief as her orders were relayed.
Although she had Jehart's support, her position was only that of his adjutant, and she had no authority to command the fleet.
Fortunately, in the heat of the moment, no one questioned her authority.
This was the best plan she could think of at the moment.
Rather than mobilizing a large force to help Jehart and his team break free, it was better to let them hold back the enemy's elite forces while sending more personnel to rescue the allies.
Her thinking was simple: save as many as possible. They were all VEGAN comrades, and whether she chose Jehart or Lord Ezelkanta in the future, these comrades would be a force in achieving the ultimate goal.
With Jehart's fleet sparing no effort to assist, the remnants of Zannald's fleet gradually joined up with the allies.
Zannald also contacted Fram Nara immediately.
"Lord Zannald, thank goodness you're safe."
"Enough talk! Full retreat!"
"But what about Lord Jehart and his team..."
"Let them cover our retreat! For the grand vision of Lord Ezelkanta, even death is worth it."
"But..."
"Silence! Execute the order! Don't forget your place, Fram Nara."
Without giving Fram Nara a chance to argue further, the communication was abruptly cut off.
As soon as the communication ended, Fram Nara felt the hostile gazes of everyone on the bridge, and some even had their hands on their gun hilts.
"Everyone, calm down! I won't abandon Lord Jehart! Let the allied fleet retreat first, and inform Lord Jehart that we will wait for them to withdraw together!"
Fram Nara quickly spoke up. She was well aware that the entire Jehart fleet was fiercely loyal to Jehart. If she executed Zannald's orders, those present would surely strip her of her authority, or even execute her on the spot.
"..."
No one responded to Fram Nara. In their eyes, she was no longer worthy of their trust.
But the message still had to be relayed to Jehart.
...
[Giraga] swung its tail blade, forcing Gundam AGE-2 back, and its chest-mounted Beam Disruptor Cannon swept across, dividing the battlefield.
"Dole, Orfa, Dit, we're retreating!"
"Yes!" x3
The four machines regrouped and withdrew without hesitation. Seeing this, Asemu immediately wanted to lead his team in pursuit, to end decades of enmity here and now.
But at that moment, the command from headquarters came through.
"All units, cease pursuit! I repeat, all units, cease pursuit!"
"Dammit, to think he'd escape at a time like this..." Asemu was filled with resentment as he once again watched Jehart slip away.
But he was no longer a child; he wouldn't disobey military orders out of impulse.
Moreover...
"Alright, alright, Captain. We've already won; there's no need to conti
nue the pursuit."
"That's right, Captain. Please take a look around."
Under the persuasion of the two, Asemu's feelings of resentment gradually subsided. He surveyed the battlefield, where countless beams of light shot skyward, and the communication channels were filled with chaotic yet jubilant cheers.
(End of Chapter)