Near-Earth orbit above Victoria Spaceport
The ZAFT Forces, having received the response, began their operation. Drop pods carrying ground forces were launched toward the surface.
One after another, the drop pods accelerated under Earth's gravity, their speed increasing rapidly. Friction with the atmosphere intensified, generating accumulating heat that raised the external temperature of the drop pods.
Fortunately, the drop pods' rational design ensured minimal impact on the interior.
Above Victoria Spaceport
Under Felix's arrangement, the forces were divided into three groups.
One group maintained low-altitude alert and defense over Victoria Spaceport, another stood by on alert at 10,000 meters above the spaceport, and a third remained on standby at 30,000 meters.
With this three-part deployment, Felix positioned himself in the middle, ready to provide support upward or downward as needed.
"Captain Griffith, we have successfully rendezvoused with the drop pods!"
A ZAFT soldier's report came through the comms.
Felix gave a slight nod and responded with a quiet "Mm."
"Follow the drop pods downward."
"Understood!"
With those two words, the communication ended.
About one or two minutes passed, and the drop pods reached the 10,000-meter altitude. Chasing behind them was the group on standby at 30,000 meters.
By the time they reached 10,000 meters, the drop pods had decelerated to six times the speed of sound, though this was still extremely fast.
Felix led his forces, maneuvering downward alongside the drop pods.
"Leave three people to patrol and maintain alert at 10,000 meters!"
Felix ordered through the comms.
The command was promptly acknowledged by three Mobile Suit Pilots, who were left behind for patrol and alert duties. The remaining forces continued descending with Felix.
By the time they descended to 5,000 meters, the drop pods had slowed to four times the speed of sound.
Felix again assigned three people to patrol and maintain alert at this altitude.
The drop pods continued their descent. At 2,000 meters, the reverse thrust system activated once more, reducing their speed to below twice the speed of sound.
Descending to 1,000 meters, the reverse thrust system slowed the drop pods to subsonic speeds.
Finally, at just over ten meters above the ground, the reverse thrust system continued operating, allowing the drop pods to land steadily.
The drop pods opened, and three Prototype Ground Combat Mobile Suit BuCUEs charged out under the control of their pilots. From the other drop pods emerged hastily retrofitted ground vehicles and ZAFT soldiers armed with light weapons.
"Captain Griffith, the energy supply equipment for replenishing your energy has also been dropped. Please take turns replenishing your energy promptly!"
A voice sounded over the comms.
Learning that the energy storage equipment for their resupply had also been air-dropped, Felix felt some of his worries ease. He acknowledged with a quiet "Mm" over the comms.
After ending the communication with him, he began arranging troop rotations for energy and ammunition resupply, ensuring the MS remained in optimal condition.
"Captain, why don't you resupply first?"
Heine's voice came through the comms. Felix shook his head upon hearing this and replied to Heine.
"You go first! I'll resupply after all of you have finished."
"Yes, Captain!"
With that response, Heine stopped insisting.
He piloted his GINN downward to descend.
While one part of the unit was resupplying, Felix led another part to follow above the ground forces, coordinating with their movements.
Three experimental BuCUEs cleared the path ahead!
The thirteen-tube missile launchers mounted on their backs fired all their missiles in one go.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!!
Explosions erupted one after another, shattering the ground defenses built by Victoria Spaceport into disarray.
While the BuCUEs cleared the way on the ground, Felix and the others piloted their MS in the air, eliminating obstacles for the ground forces.
The ground combat vehicles equipped by Victoria Spaceport were destroyed by Felix and his team before they could even fire.
With this coordinated effort, Victoria Spaceport's ground defenses were quickly breached, and the ground forces successfully advanced into the interior of the spaceport.
...
Around 8:55 a.m.,
With the final gunshot inside Victoria Spaceport, the first phase of the operation to capture the spaceport, from start to finish, was concluded.
On the ground,
Inside a temporary command post,
"Captain Griffith, the operation concluded so swiftly thanks to your team's rapid elimination of Victoria Spaceport's anti-air and air force capabilities."
Hearing the voice, Felix looked up.
He saw a very familiar person walking in, accompanied by a woman around his age.
Looking at him, Felix waved his hand modestly.
"You're too kind, Captain Barthfeld. The swift completion of this operation is largely thanks to the Neutron Jammer.
If it hadn't interfered with communications and radar, severely hampering the enemy's command and counterattacks, we wouldn't have been able to end the battle so quickly."
"No need to be modest. The Neutron Jammer played its part, but your team's speed and ferocity in combat were just as crucial.
The two aren't mutually exclusive!"
Andrew walked over to Felix, casually slinging an arm around his neck with a cheerful grin as he spoke.
Felix smiled faintly at him, then turned his gaze to the table, his smile fading as his voice grew serious.
"Our current victory is only a phase. The key now is how to hold Victoria Spaceport against the Earth Alliance Forces' fierce assaults.
Otherwise, we won't be able to secure the fruits of our present success."
Hearing this, Andrew's playful expression sobered. He looked seriously at the map on the table and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Holding the spaceport is the most critical part now. If we can't defend it, our victory will be for nothing."
At this, Andrew turned to Felix and asked,
"What are your plans?"
"I've just contacted the Ministry of Defense to explain our situation and requested additional troops to ensure we can hold Victoria Spaceport."
Felix glanced at Andrew and replied.
After listening, Andrew nodded and turned to Felix to ask.
"Is there anything you need me to help with?"
"There are many areas where we'll need Captain Barthfeld's assistance. We certainly won't let you rest idle."
Looking at him, Felix smiled faintly and said playfully. Upon hearing this, Andrew patted his chest and laughed.
"Just assign me whatever needs to be done when the time comes. I'll spare no effort to accomplish whatever I can."