Preparations for the Kimeza Alliance's first offensive operation reached their climax. In the secret hangar, Mili Anveil and her team worked non-stop, loading every Mobile Suit unit with the most advanced weaponry, as if preparing a sacred pre-war ritual. The air was thick with the smell of machine oil, ozone from energy charging, and tangible tension.
The White Gundam stood in the center, like a statue of readiness. In its right hand, it now held a redesigned Beam Rifle for better energy efficiency. Tucked tightly into the unit's rear skirt was a high-powered Hyper Bazooka, which would be the primary weapon for striking power. Meanwhile, its left hand was armed with a Beam Machine Gun, ensuring the White Gundam had rapid-fire options to maintain distance. The shield mounted on the left shoulder was reinforced with the latest anti-bullet and anti-beam layers developed by Mili.
Zaki looked at the White Gundam's loadout on the cockpit screen, the weight of responsibility pressing on his shoulders. Next to him, Maki and AIRIS were completing the final synchronization.
"This Bazooka feels heavier, Zaki," Maki whispered through the mental link, her voice slightly anxious. "It feels like carrying the burden of the entire Alliance's hope. Do we really have to attack a Colonial base?"
Zaki sighed deeply. "This isn't about choice anymore, Maki. It's about survival. If the Garuda Base takes off, we'll be surrounded. We have to trust Mom and Mili's decision. And we have to trust ourselves. Besides, we have our new Ace, that high-powered Bazooka."
In another hangar, Augustina's Sunflower Gundam had also reached peak combat readiness. Its long Beam Sniper Rifle was neatly attached to its shoulder, ready to provide precise long-range support fire. For mid-range combat, Augustina chose Dual Beam Rifles stored on both hips of the unit, ensuring she had enough firepower to protect the White Gundam.
Augustina, inside her cockpit, observed Feres's Ibis Custom preparing. "Feres, you and the Pioneers need to move fast. As soon as the first shot is fired, we need to immediately escort Ans Silvet. We can't let the White Gundam stay on the front line for too long."
Feres nodded, checking the Beam Machine Gun in the Ibis Custom's left hand. On its right shoulder, the recently reloaded Double Barrel Cannon, loaded with high-explosive ammunition, was its main weapon against infantry and armored vehicles.
"I understand, Big Sister Augustina," Feres replied. "The Pioneers and I will act as shock troops to clear the ground path. We will be the shield for the Gundams."
Meanwhile, in the Lavender Gundam, Tasya felt a renewed fighting spirit. Her unit was fully recharged—not only its deadly funnel missiles but also the energy for its unique weaponry. The Beam Gun on her left arm was ready to spew concentrated energy, and in her right hand, the Beam Palm Cannon could unleash large beam shots equivalent to a Mobile Suit's cannon fire. Additionally, she ensured the Lavender Gundam's Beam Chakram was in prime condition.
"Zaki, Maki, I will protect your flanks," Tasya declared, her voice filled with determination. "I won't make any mistakes again. I will be your wall of defense."
The deployment began. The Alliance's Pioneer squadron, now reinforced with small, rechargeable Beam Rifles with five e-magazines stored on each unit's rear skirt, boarded special Mobile Suit transport aircraft—four units per aircraft. They launched first, carrying Feres in the Ibis Custom as the squadron leader.
Soon after, the three main Gundams followed. The White Gundam carrying Zaki, Maki, and AIRIS; the Sunflower Gundam piloted by Augustina; and the Lavender Gundam piloted by Tasya. They moved across the night sky, heading toward the borders of the Neptune Colonial base, which was hidden deep within the dense jungle on the island of Kalimantan (Borneo).
Upon reaching the operations zone, they met with Ans Silvet. The Dark Resistance's large, dark flagship was waiting, camouflaged amongst the clouds and jungle topography. Ans Silvet's Grai Gundam stood tall on the deck, its aura cold and mysterious.
"Welcome, Earth Alliance," Ans Silvet greeted them over the combined communication channel, his voice emotionless. "I'm glad you kept your promise. We have limited time. As soon as the sun rises, the Garuda Base will take off."
Among the Dark Resistance forces, Wars Stinger, the pilot of the Bishop Custom, clenched his fist inside the cockpit. He looked at the White Gundam, now his ally.
Damn the White Ghost! Wars thought, his anger still burning within him. He still harbored a grudge over his crushing defeat. I'm forced to work with the person who humiliated me! But Ans Silvet has promised more. I must restrain myself. I must prove that I am stronger than those twin pilots.
Beside Wars, Aya Rose, a skilled female pilot, turned her Bishop Custom toward Wars. "Wars, control your anger. This mission is bigger than your pride. Ans Silvet knows what he's doing. That flagship is the key to our victory."
Wars only snorted but refrained from replying. Ans Silvet had outlined the rule: total discipline.
Ans Silvet then gave the command. "Flagship Captain, prepare the main cannon. Fire the first salvo at their main hangar center. We must break their defenses before they can deploy Mobile Suits."
The Dark Resistance flagship shuddered, and the roar of a gigantic cannon broke the silence of the Kalimantan jungle. A large ball of energy struck the Colonial base in the distance, triggering an explosion that illuminated the night sky.
"Advance!" Ans Silvet shouted. "Kimeza Alliance, focus on protection on the right flank. Dark Resistance, focus on the left flank. We attack the base and seize the Garuda Base!"
The joint forces immediately moved forward. The White Gundam shot ahead, followed by the Sunflower and Lavender. Behind them, the Pioneer squadron and Dark Resistance Mobile Suits moved quickly through ground paths filled with debris.
However, the reaction from the Neptune Colonial base came faster and was far worse than they anticipated.
Instead of deploying a regular Mobile Suit squadron, a devastating tremor spread from the center of the base. The main hangar, which had just been hit by the cannon, opened wide, and from it, a giant shadow launched out.
ROAAARRR!
A massive Mobile Armor unit, which made the Gundams look small, appeared. It was the Titan, King Neptune's ultimate weapon. It was twice the height of a regular Mobile Suit, with shimmering, dominating armor.
Ans Silvet, who was leading from the Grai Gundam, was shocked. "What is that?! That's not a Mobile Suit! That's a Mobile Armor! New target! Retreat!"
But it was too late.
The Titan raised its mighty body. From the unit's abdomen, a massive opening glowed with a terrifying blue light. It was the Beam Spray Cannon.
FSSSSHHHHT!
A rapidly spreading beam stream swept the front lines of the Dark Resistance. The Bishop and Grunt Mobile Suits hit by the beam burst immediately melted, leaving nothing but vaporized metal. Shouts of panic filled the Dark Resistance communication channels.
Zaki, in the White Gundam, saw the horror and immediately took charge. "Augustina! Tasya! Shoot that giant unit! Stop its firing!"
Augustina's Sunflower Gundam was the first to react. She locked onto the target and released an accurate Beam Sniper Rifle shot, aiming straight for the Titan's head.
WHOOSH!
The beam shot hit the Titan's head armor. Bright light enveloped the impact area. However, instead of exploding or even scratching, the beam merely splashed like water on a hot rock.
"What?! It's not working!" Augustina exclaimed, disbelievingly.
Tasya's Lavender Gundam immediately countered, unleashing a large, concentrated Beam Palm Cannon shot. The giant beam struck the Titan's chest. Once again, the impact was completely dampened.
"Anti-beam field!" shouted AIRIS, her data analysis working at full speed in the White Gundam cockpit. "That unit has an Anti-Beam Field generator that blocks all high-energy beam attacks! Our weapons, Zaki, won't work!"
Horror enveloped Zaki and Maki. Their primary weapons, which had always been their advantage, were now useless.
The Titan raised its massive hands. From the tips of its long metallic fingers, ten firing ports lit up. It fired small beam shots that spread at high speed, destroying several newly arrived Alliance Pioneer units.
In the Titan's cockpit, a young woman with neat, short blue hair sat with a cold gaze and extreme focus. She wore a specialized pilot suit filled with neuro-link cables, connecting her consciousness directly to the Mobile Armor machine. She was Starsha Colombus, King Neptune's first daughter, and she smiled with satisfaction at the panic in the enemy ranks.
"They thought beams were still effective?" Starsha whispered, her voice calm but full of arrogance. "You are only small Mobile Suits. This Titan is the future, and you are the past that I will destroy!"
Ans Silvet, seeing the disaster, immediately gave an emergency order. "Earth Alliance! Dark Resistance! Retreat! All units without physical weapons, withdraw now! We are facing a big problem!"
Zaki, staring at the unscarred gigantic Mobile Armor in front of them, and seeing how the Beam Machine Gun in his left hand merely ricocheted uselessly, felt a chill run down his spine. The operation, which should have been their first strategic victory, had turned into a deadly trap. The threat of the Titan, invulnerable to their main weaponry, had changed the game. They were in very big trouble.
To be continued…