A Real Man

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The Gouf Flight Test Type had to shed some of its original weight to make room for the additional thermonuclear engine.

Most importantly, its outer armor had been lightened.

In other words, even 60mm bullets might penetrate if they hit directly.

And if the engines or fan blades were hit, it was only natural that they would stop working on the spot.

What's more, the Gouf Flight Test Type had blown an engine during a test flight in North America not long ago. Norris had already summoned tremendous willpower just to bring it into battle.

That was exactly what Eli was counting on: using the 60mm Vulcan Cannon, guided by his Newtype instincts, to cripple its ability to fly.

Unfortunately, Eli hadn't expected the Gouf Flight Test Type to climb far faster than he'd anticipated, and his opening attack struck empty air.

When his attack missed, Eli immediately abandoned the idea of continuing to fire the Vulcan Cannon.

The chest-mounted Vulcan Cannon had a limited firing arc. If he forced an anti-air shot under these circumstances, the airborne Gouf would likely exploit the blind spot and kill him with a single blow.

Just as expected, the flying Gouf held its Heat Saber across its chest. Its thermonuclear engines all shifted direction at once, blasting a torrent of air behind it.

With that thrust behind it, the Gouf charged at a speed that even Eli barely had time to react to!

Eli immediately raised his right hand and ignited the Beam Saber he'd prepared in advance. His mobile suit leaned forward and swung hard across!

The Gouf Flight Test Type was no less formidable. Its Heat Saber, glowing a searing orange-red, met the Beam Saber's path.

The moment the two weapons collided, a dazzling spherical flash burst from the point of impact.

"Not bad!"

Norris's voice came through the instant the blades met.

"I never expected the Federation to have a fighter like you. Impressive... The '06' marking. So you're that so-called 'demon'?"

Only at this distance could Norris make out the number on Eli's mobile suit.

Even Norris had heard plenty about that "06" marking.

"A demon? Compared to me, the Zeon Forces, who slaughtered an entire colony, are the real demons!"

Eli was now completely certain: Norris was piloting the flying Gouf.

Even though Eli had admired Norris's character in another world, that didn't give him any reason to hesitate now.

Just as he'd told Shiro Amada before, if there were truly good people in the Zeon Forces, they should leave.

Norris did possess admirable qualities, such as loyalty. By the standards of his position, he was unquestionably a good man.

But that didn't erase the fact that he stood alongside invaders and killers.

"A demon, huh... Even so, I can't let you hurt Miss Aina!"

The Gouf's mono-eye shone with a soul-piercing gleam.

To Eli's surprise, Norris didn't try to excuse Zeon's actions. He simply kept thinking of Aina.

In other words, Norris knew that what Zeon had done could hardly be called right.

The Gouf eased off slightly, letting the Beam Saber slide along the edge of its Heat Saber and sweep harmlessly past.

Then the Gouf ducked low and swung its Heat Saber horizontally, aiming to cut the Gundam Ground Type in half at the waist!

"Rat-a-tat-tat..."

At the critical moment, with the beam saber knocked aside and its defenses wide open, the Ground Type opened fire with its Vulcan Cannon again.

At this distance, the Gouf had no chance to dodge. The 60mm bullets tore through its head.

Even so, Norris pressed forward without hesitation and swung his Heat Saber!

Eli reacted just as quickly. Seeing the Gouf come at him in a desperate charge, he stopped firing and thrust his shield out with his left hand, placing it in the Heat Saber's path.

"Got you!"

The Heat Saber struck the shield and sank deep into it. At the same time, Norris's furious roar echoed through the cockpit.

But he hadn't actually hurt Eli...

"Vrrrm!"

While Eli was still wondering what was happening, the headless Gouf's thrusters all kicked into higher gear.

Its sudden surge in output blasted the Ground Type's feet loose from the ground, wrenching the entire mobile suit free and knocking it off the Apsalus!

Then the force of the Gouf's slash sent the Ground Type flying, leaving it unable to threaten the Apsalus.

"...As expected of the Tiger King."

Eli watched the Gouf lying motionless atop the Apsalus, smoke pouring from its engines, and immediately understood that Norris had been willing to risk his life just to drive him back.

"Norris, you're a real man."

Despite his hatred for Zeon, Eli couldn't help admiring Norris's resolve.

"Next time we meet, I'll defeat you."

That didn't diminish Eli's determination to fight.

He lowered his head and began the Gundam Ground Type's hard-landing procedure.

Its backpack thrusters fired in short bursts, gradually slowing it down.

Nearby, Sanders's and Karen's mobile suits were closing in. Farther away, Shiro's mobile suit was crouched in place.

"Now logistics is going to give me an earful..."

"Thud!"

Amid the violent shaking, Eli's Gundam Ground Type managed to land safely.

"Norris! Norris, are you all right?"

High above the clouds, Aina hurriedly called out to Norris.

The Gouf Flight Test Type had crashed during a test flight in North America not long ago when its engine malfunctioned, killing the pilot on the spot.

That was why Ginias had been able to acquire the results from another base so easily.

Now, seeing the state of Norris's Gouf Flight Test Type, Aina couldn't help worrying about him.

"I'm coming down now. Norris, get out as soon as you can."

As Aina spoke, the Apsalus began to descend.

"Please don't, Miss Aina. Don't worry about me. Just do your best to bring the Apsalus back."

Compared to the mobile suit, Norris himself was in stable condition.

As far as he was concerned, the only danger was a possible explosion. His life was nothing compared to Ginias's and Aina's efforts to build the Apsalus.

"No!"

Norris was about to try reasoning with her, but Aina's cry made him swallow every word.

"...Static."

At that moment, the wireless connection between the Apsalus and the Gouf Flight Test Type was restored, allowing Norris to see Aina's face.

The first thing he noticed was the tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes.

"I've lost so much today. I don't want to lose you too, Norris."

Norris stared, stunned, at Aina's face, heavy with grief. He could no longer bring himself to speak.