Chapter 342: Orb Defense Battle 2
Before long, the Archangel also arrived on the battlefield. Following Murrue's command: "Twin-mounted high-performance convergent fireline cannons, single-line linear cannons—lock onto the cruise missiles ahead and fire continuously!
All missile launch tubes, load ammunition! Anti-air defense missiles, target both flanks and fire!"
All long-range weapons aboard the Archangel opened fire on the Earth Alliance's cruise missile formations.
Four green beams, two yellow electromagnetic cannon shots, and a large number of anti-air defense missiles roared out one after another without pause.
At the same time, on the coastline, Dearka watched this scene. Under the influence of the neo DG cells, his heart was immediately filled with mixed emotions, leaving him unsure of where he should go or what he should do.
On the battlefield, Asagi, Juri, and Mayura piloted their M1 Astray Gundams equipped with the Tempest loadout to the coastline and immediately spread out.
Juri issued orders. "Asagi, the front is yours."
"No problem, leave it to me."
"Mayura, take the left side."
"OK, received!"
"Then the right side will be defended by me."
Asagi and Mayura replied in unison, "No problem!"
They immediately maneuvered their MS, combining the left- and right-hand weapons of the Tempest loadout into paired anti-armor dispersal cannons, firing rain-like dispersal shells simultaneously in three directions.
Then, to allow the anti-armor dispersal cannon barrels to cool, they recombined the left- and right-hand weapons into high-energy convergent fireline rifles and swept back and forth across the cruise missile formations.
In an instant, the sky was filled with countless fireballs from exploding cruise missiles, flames bursting everywhere.
The vast majority of this wave of cruise missiles was shot down by the three of them.
With their efforts and those of the other soldiers, not a single cruise missile had yet broken through Orb's coastal defensive line.
However, the Earth Alliance had abundant supplies. Their fleets continued advancing while launching massive numbers of cruise missiles toward Orb's territory.
And after approaching Orb's coastline, they immediately dispatched hundreds of Strike Daggers, charging straight toward Orb.
Seeing the Earth Alliance's Strike Daggers rushing in one after another, Asagi said nervously, "Juri, the Earth Alliance's MS units are pushing up."
Juri said grimly, "What? Even their MS units are coming up at a time like this—damn it!"
Mayura reminded them worriedly, "Asagi, Juri, our ammunition and energy are running low. What should we do?"
Juri checked her unit's remaining energy—about half left—and had no idea how long they could hold out.
She gritted her teeth and made a difficult decision. "Do one more combined attack to reduce the number of their cruise missiles as much as possible.
Then switch weapons to beam rifles to conserve energy, and activate the PX system to prepare for close-range MS combat."
Asagi and Mayura responded tensely, "Understood. Preparing for MS close combat!"
They once again fired a combined volley of anti-armor dispersal cannons and high-energy convergent fireline rifles at the cruise missile formations.
Immediately after, they switched their weapons to beam rifles and launched attacks on the incoming Strike Daggers.
At the same time, the command center also received reports of a frontal MS assault by the Earth Alliance. The radar operator reported urgently, "Earth Alliance MS units are landing at the Isano coastline."
Hearing this, Cagalli clenched her teeth in anger, but immediately forced herself to calm down and gave orders. "Immediately dispatch the Eighth Armored Battalion to provide support."
Just then, the radar operator reported again, "Large numbers of heat signatures from large transport aircraft have suddenly appeared over Orb's inland skies, and a large number of MS are deploying from them."
"What? Immediately check what units are nearby, and quickly notify nearby forces to intercept!"
At this moment, Tolle also saw the MS transport aircraft descending from high altitude. He immediately said to Lynn Minmay, "Minmay, have the Huayan immediately attack the MS units and transport aircraft attempting to break into Orb's airspace.
Reduce their numbers as much as possible and protect the inland areas. But be careful as well—don't get too close."
Lynn Minmay said confidently, "Don't worry. Leave these invaders to us."
Beside her, Zola, serving as helmsman, asked, "My dear master, do you want us to deploy MS to deal with them?"
Tolle shook his head in refusal. "Not for now. If you all sortie, wouldn't that expose the ship as unmanned? Let's forget it.
Besides, this battle looks like it's going to turn into a prolonged one. When my stamina runs out, we'll switch people then."
Ange, serving as the gunner, said proudly, "You're so noisy. What's there to be afraid of? I'll shoot them all down."
Coco and Miranda, serving as radar and communications officers, said in unison, "Mm-hmm, don't worry, Master. We'll keep a close eye on the main base and absolutely won't let it be breached."
"Don't worry, Tolle. I'll keep them in line." At this moment, Sophia, acting as Nami's clone and the vice-captain, finished her assurance to Tolle and then issued orders. "Huayan, change heading! Advance toward Orb's inland areas.
High-energy convergent fireline cannons, electromagnetic linear cannons, automatic anti-air multi-barrel laser cannons—all systems online! Prepare to fire!"
Ange, Zola, Coco, and Miranda replied in unison, "Roger!"
They immediately got busy with their operations. Although the Huayan could operate fully automatically, they wanted to experience the thrill of piloting a warship, and Tolle had no choice but to let them.
After the Huayan adjusted its heading, Lynn Minmay, worried that Sophia would steal her spotlight as captain, immediately commanded, "Weapons, lock onto enemy targets ahead! Aim—fire!"
Immediately, eight green beams, two yellow electromagnetic beams, and twenty-four intermittent blue laser beams blasted toward the Earth Alliance's landing forces.
The overwhelming firepower instantly threw the MS and transport aircraft still in the air into chaos, each one turning into fireworks across the sky.
However, a small number of Strike Daggers that had jumped earlier decisively cut away their parachutes and slammed down onto the ground.
They then used nearby fixed defensive emplacements as shields and began sneaking attacks against nearby defense facilities.
Seeing these MS using Orb's own facilities and soldiers as cover, preventing the Huayan from attacking for the moment, Lynn Minmay said angrily, "These Earth Alliance troops are too despicable! Using Orb's facilities as shields—what a bunch of bastards!"
Ange, unwilling to accept this, also said furiously, "Hmph, you trash. Just don't show your heads—otherwise I'll make sure you die ugly."
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