A Legacy

In space, Mobile Suits had thrusters of varying sizes distributed across their bodies so they could turn quickly and respond to attacks from any direction, enabling them to perform AMBAC maneuvers.

This feature was generally absent from ground-based Mobile Suits.

But the Gouf Flight Type before him could fly, allowing Ramba Ral, an ace renowned for his exploits in space, to use his combat experience to dodge Eli's attack, which he had been sure would hit.

"Looks like I really can't underestimate anyone."

Eli quickly pulled away from Ramba Ral. Ramba Ral made no attempt to pursue him, instead cautiously climbing higher to prepare for Eli's next possible attack.

"Click."

With a mechanical clack, the shield on the Gouf Flight Type's left arm opened slightly.

Two Gatling Gun barrels mounted side by side inside it poked forward, then aimed at the Gundam Ground Type Eli was piloting.

"Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat!"

A storm of bullets immediately blanketed the area around Eli.

"Damn it!"

Eli cursed and raised the small shield on his left arm to protect the front of the cockpit.

For the first time, he felt that the shield that had served him so well was holding him back.

In an open battlefield, this small shield could only cover vital areas. Meanwhile, the mobility it afforded him was useless against an enemy flying overhead.

"Vrrm! Vrrm!"

Eli fired two beams in quick succession, but Ramba Ral dodged them both.

The battle quickly reached a stalemate.

"Boom!"

Just as Eli began to feel the pressure, Sanders and Shiro Amada each took out the Zaku blocking their way and charged toward the Apsalus.

As they had the last time, the two leaped onto the Apsalus, using their weight to further hinder its takeoff while joining forces against Norris.

Strategically speaking, Eli was now the one keeping Ramba Ral occupied.

"The Apsalus is in danger!"

Seeing this, Ramba Ral immediately grew anxious.

He had indeed used the Apsalus as bait to draw out the White Fortress, but whether out of a sense of responsibility to Dozle and Ginias or concern for Aina, the pilot who was like a junior to him, he couldn't let the Apsalus fall.

The mono-eye of the experimental flying Gouf he piloted flashed, and then the Mobile Suit began diving.

If he simply turned and fled, Eli would be able to bring even more firepower to bear against him, putting Ramba Ral himself in danger.

If he could just damage the mass-produced Gundam in front of him and slow it down, he could rush to the Apsalus's aid!

As long as the Apsalus was safe, it wouldn't matter if it couldn't fly very high. Its Mega Particle Cannon was powerful enough to sink the approaching White Fortress in a single shot, turning the tide of battle!

"Not a chance!"

Eli leaned the Mobile Suit forward, angling its upper body and bracing for impact.

He was clearly planning to take the hit head-on!

The Gundam Ground Type didn't draw its Beam Saber to counter him. Instead, it kept the shield raised in front.

Just before they collided, the Gundam Ground Type ignited its backpack thrusters again. The sudden burst of acceleration sent it crashing head-on into the Gouf Flight Type.

Sparks burst where the heat sword struck the shield, lighting up both cockpits and making the pilots squint.

Neither dared shield their eyes, both wary of the other's next move.

But it wasn't either of them who broke the deadlock. A missile came hurtling down from above!

It struck the Gouf Flight Type's sword-wielding right arm with pinpoint accuracy, blasting it off at the shoulder.

"Is that Amuro?"

At the sudden turn of events, Eli looked up toward the sky on his right.

A familiar red-and-blue aircraft was speeding in from that direction. Another missile shot from its underside, streaking toward the Gouf Flight Type!

"Now that's a terrifying talent for combat."

Eli watched the Gouf Flight Type retreat to evade the missile and marveled that Amuro had managed such a result with nothing but a Core Fighter.

"Mr. Eli, can you hear me? The White Base will have the Apsalus in range soon. Bright wants us to keep it from moving!"

Amuro's voice came through the comms.

Eli immediately glanced behind him and saw a huge shadow slowly approaching along the horizon beneath the night sky.

"Understood. Amuro, you can fall back now. That aircraft is too much for you to handle."

After confirming the situation, Eli urged Amuro to retreat.

The situation here was mostly under control, and they didn't need Amuro's help.

"You're the one who told me to keep fighting as a pilot, and now you're saying that!"

To Eli's surprise, Amuro bristled at his well-meaning warning that flying a Core Fighter might be dangerous.

Newtypes fresh out of the gate always had a hard time controlling their overwhelming emotions.

Two more points of light appeared on the horizon, and a friendly identification signal popped up on Eli's screen.

It wasn't long before he could make out what the two points of light really were.

They were the Gundam's chest and leg components.

Amuro flew the Core Fighter between them.

There was no dazzling transformation mechanism. The Core Fighter simply folded away its wings and nose, and the parts joined together to form the legendary Mobile Suit: the Gundam!

"Watch me fight!"

The Gundam stood on the desert, its eyes lighting up as it locked onto the one-armed Gouf Flight Type, which was still retreating.

Then the thrusters on the Gundam's back flared bright blue, and it bounded forward at a speed far beyond the Gundam Ground Type's!

After watching Amuro's every move in stunned silence, Eli pressed forward as well.

But he didn't intend to help Amuro. Instead, he headed for Shiro Amada's position and joined him in attacking Norris's Gouf Flight Type.

Their goal was to seize control of the Apsalus and then capture it by holding it at gunpoint with the White Base's main cannon.

Out here in the middle of nowhere, the pilot could no longer threaten them by self-destructing.

"Miss Aina, climb immediately! Even if the Apsalus is wrecked, you must make it back safely!"

Norris was already at a disadvantage, and when he saw another Gundam Ground Type charging in from the opposite direction, he felt his heart sink. Still, he quietly steeled himself.

"I'll find a way to drive them off!"

The resolve in his voice made it clear that he was prepared to sacrifice himself to help Aina break through.

But just as Norris was about to put his plan into action, a transmission from Ramba Ral came through.

"Don't lose heart. We still have a chance."