Under orders, multiple Nelson-class Heavy Firepower Battleships adjusted their positions. The three twin-barrel Beam Cannon Turrets and one single-barrel Beam Cannon Turret mounted on each ship rotated simultaneously, their barrels aimed at the Genesis Gundam.
"Fire!"
Following the captains' commands, four Nelson-class Heavy Firepower Battleships fired at once. From multiple directions—front, back, left, and right—twenty-eight thick beams surged toward the Genesis Gundam.
Simultaneously with the beam volleys, thirty-two missiles launched from the vertical launch systems equipped on the four Nelson-class battleships.
As the four Nelson-class ships opened fire, four Drake-class Space Frigates also launched dozens of missiles from the rear toward the Genesis Gundam.
Inside the cockpit of the Genesis Gundam, positioned at the center of the crossfire:
Felix watched the feedback on the screen, combining it with the moving trajectories forming in his mind. His feet tapped repeatedly on the four pedals, and the Genesis Gundam moved according to the corresponding commands.
As it moved, Felix used the control stick to fine-tune the angle and other aspects of the motion.
Through these maneuvers, the Genesis Gundam evaded the twenty-eight thick beam attacks.
His finger pulled the trigger, and the DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons, Fortissimo Beam Cannons, Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, Sailfish Railgun, and Beam Rifle fired simultaneously.
Powerful firepower poured out in all directions.
The incoming missiles from every direction exploded upon contact with the beams and projectiles.
Intense explosions created a wall of fire encircling the Genesis Gundam.
Outside the wall of fire:
"He blocked that kind of firepower?"
"Is that a human reaction?"
"Is he even human?"
Strike Dagger pilots watched the series of explosions in shock, murmuring under their breath.
As they muttered, one Strike Dagger pilot's gaze grew vacant, a tone of awed fear in his voice.
"Can someone like that really be defeated?"
"What are you all doing?!" At that moment, a sharp, commanding voice echoed in the cockpits of the Strike Daggers and Mobius units. "Attack, now!"
The order snapped the pilots back to attention. They looked ahead, determination flashing in their eyes, gripped the control sticks with both hands, pressed hard on the pedals, and charged forward in their MS or MA.
At the center of the encirclement:
Felix used the trajectories forming in his mind to make precise judgments despite the wall of fire.
His finger pulled the trigger.
The four Fortissimo Beam Cannons, Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, and Beam Rifle fired outward before the flames fully dissipated.
The fading flames were pierced by the beams, exposing the Strike Daggers and Mobius units behind them directly to the fire.
The moment the pilots saw the beams, terror instantly covered their faces, and they screamed in panic.
"Ah!"
Even as they screamed in fear, their hands fumbled frantically with the controls.
But by then, it was too late.
Before their mobile suits could fully respond to the commands, the beams pierced through the units.
Watching their comrades killed in a single encounter, the remaining soldiers felt more fear than anger, their desire to attack sharply diminishing in their hearts, yet their hands continued firing without pause.
While such emotions churned within them, Felix's mindset was entirely different. Under his control, the Genesis Gundam moved, deftly evading the incoming attacks.
Two Destiny Support Fighters, piloted by Felix, weaved through the encircling enemy forces.
Four Fortissimo Beam Cannons opened fire.
Beams reaped through the Strike Daggers and Mobius units.
Watching the explosions of these enemies, Felix's hands never ceased their operation.
The Genesis Gundam dodged missiles and beams alike.
The Beam Rifle fired, destroying incoming missiles.
The Sailfish Railgun deployed, and Felix pulled the trigger.
Two shells shot out rapidly.
The two targeted Mobius units ahead were instantly pierced.
"Out of ammunition."
After firing that shot, Felix murmured as he checked the display on the instrument panel.
As he spoke, the Genesis Gundam retracted the Sailfish Railgun and shifted forward-left to evade.
Dodging the attack, one Destiny Support Fighter, under Felix's control, slipped through layers of assaults and charged toward a Nelson-class Battleship.
Siren Beast Cannon activated!
A thick beam shot out, instantly piercing the bridge of the Nelson-class Battleship.
The entire command system was completely destroyed.
After that shot, the Destiny Support Fighter executed a barrel roll, evading the beam attacks from behind.
Two DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons moved into position, firing beams from their barrels.
The two ambushing Mobius units were instantly pierced by the beams.
After destroying these two Mobius units, the DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons returned to the Destiny Support Fighter for recharging.
While they recharged, the Destiny Support Fighter, under Felix's control, rotated its frame, and after completing the turn, the Fortissimo Beam Cannons fired again.
The firepower attack surged toward two Strike Daggers ahead.
One of the Strike Dagger pilots managed an extreme dodge, avoiding a fatal hit.
"Lucky…"
Before the word could fully leave the relieved MS pilot's mouth,
a beam pierced the cockpit from behind.
The shot came from the Genesis Gundam.
After that shot, the Genesis Gundam moved diagonally back-left, evading attacks from the left and front.
Raising the Beam Rifle, it fired once.
The enemy on the left exploded instantly.
After shooting down that Strike Dagger, Felix analyzed the current situation, and among the various trajectory paths in his mind, he found a breakthrough point.
"Continue advancing!"
Speaking calmly, Felix pressed the accelerator pedal firmly.
The Genesis Gundam responded to the command, surging forward rapidly.
The Destiny Support Fighters returned to the sides of the Genesis Gundam, under Felix's control, providing cover and protection.
During the charge, the Genesis Gundam evaded attacks from multiple directions one by one.
While dodging, it shot down several more enemy units.
"How is he doing this?"
Watching the Genesis Gundam maneuver effortlessly through beams, missiles, and multiple layers of fire, the Strike Dagger pilot was stunned into a daze, murmuring in disbelief.
As he murmured these words, the Genesis Gundam had already leaped out of the encirclement.
...
Aboard the flagship of the rear vanguard forces
"Commander, that ZAFT Forces MS has jumped out of our encirclement!"
"Fools! With so many of you and so many battleships, you couldn't even contain it?"
Hearing the report coming through the comms, the Vanguard Commander's expression turned grim as he cursed without restraint.
While being berated, another voice came through the comms.
"Commander, we lost two Nelson-class Battleships, dozens of Strike Daggers, and dozens of Mobius units during this encirclement operation."
"Are you trying to claim credit with me?"
Hearing this casualty report, the Vanguard Commander could clearly discern the underlying implication, but responded with sarcasm.
Upon hearing this, the ship captain quickly denied it.
"No, Commander."
"If not, then don't mention such things here."
Listening to the reply, the Vanguard Commander maintained a cold expression and responded icily. Then, his tone softened slightly as he continued.
"I'm aware of the casualties."
With that, the Vanguard Commander ended the communication.
After the call ended, the Vanguard Commander leaned back in his chair, watching the combat footage on the screen. He felt something was off, so he turned to his Adjutant and asked.
"How long has this MS been fighting?"
The Adjutant, upon hearing this, glanced down at his wristwatch and then looked up to report.
"Commander, according to the time display, this MS has been engaged in high-intensity combat for over two hours."
"Over two hours?" The Vanguard Commander murmured, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingers. After a moment, he looked up at the combat footage, observing the Genesis Gundam's firepower output, and suddenly realized what had been bothering him.
"So that's where the inconsistency lies!"
"Commander, what is it?"
Hearing the Commander's words, the Adjutant asked in confusion.
In response, the Vanguard Commander glanced at the Adjutant and said.
"Nothing, just noticed something inconsistent."
Saying this, he placed a call to the Commander-in-Chief of the Assault Force.
After two beeps, the call connected.
"What is it?"
"Commander, PLANT may be using nuclear energy!"
Hearing the Commander's voice, the Vanguard Commander immediately reported his findings to his superior. Upon hearing this report, the Commander-in-Chief's expression grew serious, and he responded in a grave and stern tone.
"Evidence!"
"Commander, the evidence is that special MS of the ZAFT Forces."
Replying verbally, he then transmitted the relevant combat footage. After sending it, the Vanguard Commander continued.
"This MS has been fighting continuously for over two hours, with extremely high combat intensity and ferocious firepower output.
Under such prolonged, high-intensity, and powerful firepower conditions, the battery energy packs equipped on an MS are completely insufficient to sustain such high-energy consumption combat.
Therefore, its ability to fight for so long must be due to the use of nuclear energy!"
Hearing this analysis, the Commander-in-Chief of the Assault Force relaxed his expression slightly and stated a fact to his subordinate.
"This speculation has existed before, but it has only been discussed among high-level officials without public deliberation."
Upon hearing his superior's words, the Vanguard Commander was momentarily stunned before quickly understanding. He thought to himself:
'This guy has participated in many battles. It's no surprise such discussions exist among the upper echelons.'
As this thought crossed his mind, another voice came through the communication.
"Any other points of concern?"
"None, Commander." Hearing the inquiry, the Vanguard Commander shook his head.
"Report immediately if there are new discoveries!"
Upon hearing the Commander's words, the Vanguard Commander responded with a serious expression.
"Yes!"
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