A Desperate Reunion

No matter how swift the pilot's reactions were, a brief upward thrust could not maneuver such a massive frame to evade a beam attack.

However, this still allowed Aina, acting as the test pilot, to find a glimmer of hope amidst the peril.

The Minovsky Particle Flight Unit functions by releasing a massive amount of Minovsky particles toward the underside, utilizing the I-field formed by their lattice structure to achieve a suspension effect similar to a hovercraft.

This technology is also utilized on the Federation's cutting-edge Pegasus-class warships.

But in this moment, that suddenly erupted, dense I-field happened to intercept the beam Eli had fired!

However, the Apsalus's Minovsky Particle Flight Unit seemed to be malfunctioning; theoretically, a unit of this size should have been able to disperse the beam entirely, rendering it unable to pose any further threat to the Apsalus.

The beam was indeed dispersed, but it did not lose its forward momentum, transforming into a spray of beam shrapnel that engulfed the lower left side of the Apsalus.

Several red spots caused by the searing heat of the metal immediately appeared, effectively acting as clearance lights for the Apsalus.

This also provided a guide for the others to launch their attacks.

"Avoid the underside and fire at will!"

Sanders's unit, bracing its 180mm Cannon, fired several shots without hesitation, the shells slamming into the side of the Apsalus and kicking up thick clouds of smoke!

With every hit, the Apsalus could be seen losing altitude.

"Go down, you reaper!"

Sanders roared, firing his cannon once more!

However, several rockets landed right at the feet of Sanders's unit.

It was an attack launched by the Dopp Fighters.

Yet, they soon found themselves overwhelmed, as Karen, wielding her 100mm Machine Gun, immediately unleashed a barrage and shot down a Dopp on the spot!

The other Dopp was forced to turn back, only to be relentlessly pursued by Karen.

"Hum!"

The sound of a beam weapon charging finally gave Eli a taste of the sci-fi works he had grown up with, amidst this relentless jungle warfare.

But constrained by the angle, this beam was actively blocked by Aina, who had grown wary and utilized the Minovsky Particle Flight Unit on the underside.

"Shiro, stay close to me!"

Seeing his attack neutralized, Eli did not persist with that angle of attack; instead, he maneuvered his unit into a half-squat, and the thrusters on his backpack instantly flared with light.

Amidst the erupting bright blue flames, two Gundam Ground Types soared upward, reaching the same altitude as the Apsalus!

Eli maneuvered his unit to grip the side handle with his left hand, steadied the Beam Rifle with both hands, and while the thrusters could still maintain a stable ascent, he locked the Apsalus into his sights.

Pink particles immediately began to converge at the muzzle.

Beside him, Shiro Amada's unit held a 100mm Machine Gun in its left hand and a Rocket Launcher in its right, firing continuously.

His attacks might not have caused substantial damage, but the explosions created plumes of black smoke that shrouded the Apsalus's rather comical Zaku-style control center, temporarily blinding those inside.

But the next moment, the smoke was pierced by a pink beam!

The beam punched straight through the armor on the left side of the Apsalus, triggering a terrifying, thunderous roar.

Already struggling to maintain altitude due to the anomalies during the test flight, the Apsalus plummeted another level from the impact, its underside now nearing the treetops.

"Board it!"

Seeing this, Eli made an immediate decision.

The thrusters on his back flared once more, pushing his unit toward the top of the Apsalus.

The Gundam Ground Type extended its legs, and with a "click," grappling claws popped out from the soles of its feet, using the gravitational potential energy of the descent to pierce the Apsalus's armor and anchor itself to the frame.

Following this, Eli maneuvered his unit to stand up from its slightly crouched, shock-absorbing posture.

Beside Eli, Shiro Amada followed suit, landing on the Apsalus.

Without exchanging a word, the two immediately opened fire with everything they had, even utilizing their Vulcan Cannons to strafe the surface.

Every shot from Eli's Beam Rifle caused the Apsalus to shudder with heart-stopping explosions.

"Good, just like that—bring it down!"

Seeing this, Eli couldn't help but press down harder on the trigger.

"Can you hear me, Federation pilots? If you don't leave now, I will self-destruct!"

Just as they were about to claim victory, the pilot of the Apsalus transmitted a message over the communication circuit.

"Does it not matter to you that the explosion from this unit will wipe out everything in the vicinity!"

The clear, melodic female voice sounded pleasant, even while making threats.

However, such sensory beauty on the battlefield could not stop the fighting between them.

But Eli and Shiro Amada did pause their actions.

No, to be precise, Eli immediately raised his arm and aimed his Beam Rifle at the Zaku-style chest.

"Before that happens, I will pierce your cockpit. For the safety of both sides, you had best abandon your resistance immediately."

Eli relied on his vague Newtype intuition to keep the pilot firmly locked in his sights.

It was the girl who seemed to be imprisoned within the Apsalus, Aina, bound by what is called fate.

Eli did not immediately fire to finish her off, worried that if the Apsalus were to explode, the force would be no less than that of a tactical nuclear warhead.

This was, after all, close to the front lines; if the Apsalus detonated here, the entire situation in the Southeast Asia theater might be completely altered.

"How could this be..."

The voice Aina transmitted again no longer held its previous feigned strength, revealing the fragility of a woman.

Aina had rarely experienced combat firsthand before, and looking at the pitch-black muzzle of the Gundam on her screen, panic could not help but rise within her heart.

What should I do? This is my brother's life's work; it must absolutely not fall into the hands of the Federation...

"Aina, is that you, Aina!"

While her mind was in turmoil, Aina suddenly heard her own name through the communications channel.

After listening closely, she confirmed the voice came from another mobile suit.

And it was a voice she had heard not long ago.

Back in space.

"This voice... is it Shiro?"

For a moment, Aina's chaotic heart unexpectedly settled down quite a bit.

"Yes, it's me! Aina, I can't believe it's you... Please, I beg you, surrender..."

This unexpected reunion caused Shiro Amada to lower the weapon his mobile suit was holding.

He then proceeded to urge Aina to surrender in a tone that was almost pleading.

It was true that Shiro Amada had only spent a few hours with Aina, but that time spent together had stirred some indescribable emotions within him.

It was by no means romantic love, yet Shiro Amada cherished it immensely.

He was also well aware of Eli's attitude toward Zeon; if Aina truly refused to surrender, he feared an endless, life-or-death battle would be inevitable.

"I'm begging you... Aina!"

Under this vast sky, Shiro Amada let out a sorrowful roar.