Deep within the crevices of the ocean trenches, it was hard to imagine that a sizable base existed here, brimming with the cold, metallic aura of advanced technology.
Not far from the base, hidden among the rocky outcrops, dozens of MS units carefully concealed their presence.
"Major, we can't advance any further. We'll be detected."
"Is this the maximum range…?" Jane Houston frowned slightly as she observed the secret base still quite a distance away. But she quickly recalled the operation plan provided by Sumeragi. "Contact the surface fleet. Initiate vertical anti-submarine strikes. MS units, activate your Quasi-GN Drives and use the surface fleet's support to close in."
"Understood!"
Soon, the surface fleet received the order. Countless anti-submarine missiles launched, plunging vertically into the water, sending up massive sprays before descending rapidly toward the base.
"Assault! Begin GN Particle dispersal!"
"Understood!" xN
The moment the command was given, numerous Aquatic Specialization M1 Astrays emerged from the shadows. As orange starlight-like particles scattered, the entire sea was dyed with the color of life.
When the anti-submarine strikes hit, the secret base realized it was under attack. But perhaps it had been too secure for too long—their nerves, which should have been tense, were dulled. As a result, the base's defensive armaments failed to activate in time, giving the underwater MS units an opening.
"Fire torpedoes! Destroy the base's defensive armaments!"
"Understood!" xN
Following the order, countless torpedoes enveloped the base from all directions. Before the defensive weapons could even open their barrels, they were struck by torpedoes and blown to pieces.
Accuracy? With such dense torpedo coverage, accuracy was irrelevant. The entire perimeter of the base was engulfed, the explosions forming a perfect ring of steam and bubbles.
"Hurry! Move in! Don't give them a chance to recover! Seal all exits—anyone attempting to flee is to be shot on sight!" Jane Houston commanded.
"Understood!" xN
In the water, the Aquatic Specialization M1 Astrays were incredibly fast. Before the steam and bubbles could fully dissipate, they had already closed in on the base.
By this point, the base's personnel had stabilized and began activating various defensive measures to counter the underwater assault. But it was too late. Once the MS units got close, the base's defenses stood no chance. Large sonic cannons couldn't even fire a single shot before being impaled by tridents, and torpedo launch ports were struck prematurely, triggering chain explosions.
What surprised Jane Houston was that this base had an underwater MS unit—one not mentioned in their intelligence.
But it was only a minor surprise. The enemy's underwater MS were merely modified Daggers, and the modifications were minimal. In terms of mobility, firepower, and defense… they were completely outclassed by the Aquatic Specialization M1 Astrays. The scattered Daggers were wiped out the moment they appeared, and some didn't even get the chance to sortie before being trapped in their launch ports.
"Major, the main port has been secured!"
"Notify the landing forces to move in."
"Understood."
The outer perimeter of the base had been completely suppressed. Jane Houston's submarine unit waited leisurely for the transport submarines carrying the marine troops to arrive. After all, this base only had a port with no constructed pipeline escape routes. Now that the base was fully surrounded, anyone attempting to leave—whether by ship, escape pod, or otherwise—would be immediately spotted and destroyed.
...
In the desert of the Middle East region, viewed from high above, continuous flashes of firelight could be seen. Zooming in, one would spot a white Zaku Phantom wielding a double-edged beam axe, cutting through enemy MS units with ease. Behind it, a black Zaku Warrior and a blue Zaku Warrior provided crucial fire support.
It was precisely because these two units covered the Zaku Phantom's rear that it could harvest "the crops" so effortlessly.
"Hey hey, Yzak, don't charge ahead so recklessly! The rear units can't keep up!" Dearka complained irritably.
"Shut up! I'm the Captain here!"
"Tsk tsk~" Dearka shook his head with a wry smile. Yzak's tsundere syndrome was terminal—utterly incurable.
Despite his words, Yzak had already slowed his advance after Dearka's reminder, subtly falling back to regroup with the lagging rear units. Though he'd momentarily lost himself in the heat of battle, he'd never admit it—actions spoke louder than words.
"As expected of our Captain, amazing!" The blue Zaku Warrior unfolded the electromagnetic cannon at its waist and activated the beam cannons on its shoulders, taking out several enemy units in one sweep as it flattered him.
"Ahem." Yzak's face reddened slightly, but he maintained his tsundere act. "Of course it's nothing special. Shiho, don't fall behind!"
"Understood!"
"Tsk tsk, what a handful." Dearka sighed again. Their Captain was a tsundere, his little admirer was blindly devoted, and his role as the responsible adult grew ever more taxing.
"But Yzak's not wrong—this level of enemy..." Before he could finish, his beam cannon roared to life, sweeping across the battlefield and bisecting several Massacre Daggers, which crashed to the ground in explosions of sparks. "...really is nothing special."
With Yzak moderating the pace, the rear units soon caught up, and the secret base was swiftly suppressed.
"This is...!"
After confirming the area was secure, Yzak, Dearka, and Shiho disembarked and entered the base—only to be met with a horrifying sight.
"How awful!" Shiho, being the most sensitive of the three, covered her mouth in shock, her pupils trembling. The base interior was lined with countless incubation tanks, each containing a corpse. None of the bodies appeared older than ten—some were barely formed fetuses, others children of four or five.
Without exception, every single one was grotesquely deformed, not a single normal shape among them.
"These bastards..." Yzak clenched his fists so tightly his nails pierced his palms, drawing blood.
"Indeed. Every last one of them deserves to die." Dearka spoke with visceral hatred. Initially, when Sumeragi had ordered complete annihilation with no survivors, they'd all felt some reluctance. But now... it seemed they'd been naive.
Anyone with even a shred of conscience would see this scene and realize the researchers at this base shouldn't be treated as humans, but as beasts!
"Captain, the demolition of the base's core is complete."
"...Any survivors?" Yzak asked, clinging to the faint hope that even one child subjected to these experiments might have been spared by fortune.
"We've rescued 35 imprisoned children and moved them outside the base, but their physical and mental conditions are poor."
"Send them back to Gibraltar Base and report to Commander Noreiga. Request medical assistance from Orb if necessary."
"Understood!"
"Let's move, Dearka, Shiho. We're heading straight to the final coordinates. These people... must be exterminated without exception!"
"Right!" X2
(End of Chapter)