In Australia, Earth, due to the emergence of the Zeon Republic, the Zeon Army occupying Australia had split into two factions. One was the staunch Zabi Family support faction, standing unyieldingly behind the Zabi Family to continue the war; the other was the faction that had long been dissatisfied with the Zabi Family's actions and had defected to the Zeon Republic.
Coupled with the Federal Army holding onto the last territory in Australia, the continent currently sat in a three-way deadlock.
"The Federal Army has begun to assemble their forces. What should we do?"
"Set up a defensive line and block their offensive."
"What about those traitors?"
"Once we defeat the Federation, we'll have plenty of time to deal with them."
"Hmph, those traitors think that by joining that turncoat Char, they can cling to the Federation's heels like dogs. A pack of cowards! Only victory is the correct path for Zeon!"
"Exactly! So we must block the Federation's advance and buy time to send 'Ashtaroth' into space to the Gihren. Stake everything on the honor of the 'Bear Demon Spirit'!"
"Sieg Zeon!"
"Sieg Zeon!" XN
Beep, beep, beep...
"What's happening? Is the Federation attacking?"
"How is that possible? The Federation front lines are 1,000 kilometers away. How could they break through our defenses so quickly..."
"It's not the Federation in Australia! It's an airborne unit! Anti-air preparations, now!"
...
One hour earlier, Luna and the White Base were stationed in Earth's orbit. Yang Hui was in the combat briefing room assigning tasks for the Twelfth Independent Technical Division.
"For this drop operation, we will split into two squads. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th teams will board the White Base and drop into the North America Theater to rendezvous with the main Federation forces and begin the reclamation of the North American continent. The 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 1st teams will deploy directly from our current coordinates via drop pods to launch an airstrike on the Zeon base and the Moon Ladder in eastern Australia."
"A direct orbital drop!" XN
Everyone was shocked. This was a dangerous operation they had never executed before. In particular, the members of the 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th teams looked solemn. Dropping directly from space without the cover of a warship meant they would be sitting ducks for ground-based anti-air fire before they even landed.
Under normal mission parameters, like the White Base, a warship fully loaded with MS would break through the atmosphere and enter Earth before deploying. With the warship's fire support, the success rate of an MS unit's drop would at least double.
But this time, they were dropping directly from space, indicating that the mission objective was extremely urgent.
Then, Yang Hui explained why they had to execute such a dangerous operation.
"According to intelligence intercepted by the Intelligence Department, an ace unit exists in the Australia Theater: the 'Bear Demon Spirit.' It is a secret unit under Kycilia Zabi, composed not only of carefully selected aces but also serving as an intelligence unit."
"An intelligence unit?" Everyone was stunned for a moment.
"Correct. Like us, they are a multi-functional combat unit with both combat and espionage capabilities. At the California Base, a conscientious Zeon scientist intended to destroy a certain technology, but was stopped by the 'Bear Demon Spirit,' who seized it. That technology... is a biological weapon."
"A biological weapon!" XN
The crowd was shocked, and their expressions turned grim. Among NBC weapons, the most terrifying was never a nuclear bomb that created an apocalyptic scene of mass destruction; it was biological weapons that killed silently and invisibly. They were also the most despised and despicable of weapons.
"Yes, a biological weapon. According to intelligence, the 'Bear Demon Spirit' unit has developed a bio-environmental weapon named 'Ashtaroth.' It is a virus harmless to humans that parasitizes plants, promoting the host's growth. Originally, Ashtaroth was not a weapon but a plant parasite born by chance during research into improving agricultural productivity for colonies.
Through genetic engineering, this plant parasite gained the ability to develop in harsh environments. It was meant to not only improve colony agriculture but also help stop the desertification of the desolate Earth.
However, every invention has a good and a bad side. The ability to develop in a desert also means that Ashtaroth can thrive in other environments, eventually covering all forested areas of Earth.
Once Earth's forests are destroyed, Ashtaroth will have no host and will also die out. Can you imagine the result?"
Gulp— XN
Everyone swallowed hard, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads.
The forest environment would be completely destroyed, and Ashtaroth would lose its host. In the end, all that would be left is the exhausted Ashtaroth rapidly dying out over time, and then... Earth's environment would be completely ruined. Earth would no longer be a planet suitable for human life.
"Kycilia Zabi is dead, but Gihren Zabi is still alive. Once this weapon falls into Gihren Zabi's hands, Earth will face yet another existential crisis. Therefore, our mission is to eliminate Ashtaroth and the Bear Demon Spirit while they are still in Australia—including all research data and every member of the Bear Demon Spirit. Leave no one alive."
"Understood!" XN
Given such critical information, the team no longer cared how dangerous the mission was. They now had only one thought: they had to complete this mission perfectly. If they failed, no one could bear the consequences.
"Brad, the commander in charge of the North America Theater is Rear Admiral Gao Yun. He will provide support in all aspects, but you do not need to follow anyone else's orders. You have full authority over combat missions and tactical command."
"Yes, Colonel."
"I look forward to your results. George, Travis, Athrun, Gai—stay behind. The rest of you, dismissed."
"Understood!" XN
As the others dispersed, the four remaining men focused intently on Yang Hui's next words.
"The drop operation is divided into two phases. Travis, Athrun, you will be equipped with Aerial Combat Packs as the first wave of the drop. My requirement is for you to seize air superiority and clear the landing zone within five minutes." Yang Hui opened the tactical map and assigned their tasks.
"Understood." X2
"The 5th, 10th, and 1st teams will be equipped with ground-combat specialized packs as the second wave. There will be a five-minute interval after the 6th and 9th teams. George, the 5th team's mission is to destroy all HLVs immediately. Gai's team will be responsible for providing cover for you."
"Understood!"
"Travis, Athrun, once everyone has completed the drop, begin wiping out the Principality of Zeon's airborne unit. George, Gai, after completing your primary objectives, disperse and eliminate the ground forces. This time, I want not a single living person left in that base."
"Understood." X4
"Dismissed. Go prepare."
After the meeting ended, Yang Hui did not stay in the briefing room. He headed to the bustling hangar with the others.
"Listen up, boys! Orders are in! 1st, 5th, and 10th teams, ground-specialized packs! 6th and 9th teams, Aerial Combat Packs!"
"What's the status of the drop pods? Check them again!"
"Unit 13 equipment swap complete. Lieutenant Banagher, please calibrate the system."
"Where's the equipment for Unit 21? Get it over here now!"
"Coming through! Get it down there quickly, we have the next machine to handle!"
"Are the magnetic coating devices finished? We can start the coating over here!"
"You idiot! Don't just connect pipes randomly! Do you want to kill your own teammates!?"
"Newbies, get out of the way! Don't waste our time!"
As the Twelfth Independent Technical Division grew, it wasn't just the MS units that expanded. The maintenance squad, bridge crew, logistics, and research departments had all increased their personnel.
The newcomers to the maintenance squad had never experienced such a high-pressure workload. They were scrambling and getting in the way, so the veterans simply shoved them aside. Initially indignant and feeling bullied, the rookies quickly shut their mouths and watched as the veterans completed the tasks they had been struggling with in less than half the time. They stood back quietly, acting as students observing and learning.
Yang Hui climbed into Unit 01, which had its equipment swapped, and began checking the mobile suit's status.
"Colonel, any issues?" the maintenance squad leader asked.
"No issues. All systems normal."
"Good. Good luck, Colonel."
"Mm. Unit 01, launching."
One by one, the prepared mobile suits moved onto the catapult deck and left Luna, heading toward their designated drop pods as instructed. Each drop pod held three machines. Once full, the pods sealed shut. The dim environment didn't make them nervous; instead, they calmly closed their eyes to enjoy their final moments of rest.
With all drop pods filled, Natarle Badgiruel's voice echoed over the channel: "All units secured. Drop operation preparations complete. T-minus three minutes until the first wave. 6th and 9th teams, get ready... 3, 2, 1, drop pods away! Drop operation begins!"
With the order given, the pods hanging from the racks detached. The thrusters atop the six pods ignited, sending them hurtling toward Earth.
"...1st, 5th, and 10th teams, get ready... 3, 2, 1, drop pods away! Drop operation begins!"
...
Returning to the present, the six glowing-red drop pods broke through the atmospheric barrier and entered Earth's skies.
"Aerodynamic control... initiated... Falcon 1 to all units, check ammunition load and perform comms test."
"Falcon 2..."
"Falcon 3..."
"Falcon 4..."
...
"All units, communications normal. Jettisoning second outer armor. Entering the troposphere. Decelerating to Mach 0.9. Cooling stopped. Attitude looks good. Let's go—clear the way for the Colonel and the others!"
"Understood!" XN
The final armor plates peeled away and the drop pods opened. The moment they met the sunlight, the eyes of the Astray Gundams lit up one after another. The wings folded on their backs unfurled, and the falling birds transformed into soaring eagles.
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