"Are you all unharmed?" Felix inquired again through the communications channel.
Replies came through the comm system.
"We're fine. The strength and velocity of these steel needles aren't sufficient to completely penetrate the armor near the cockpit."
"That's good to hear!" Felix felt the tension in his heart ease upon confirming everyone's safety. With relief, he issued new orders through the comm: "All damaged MS return to the mothership for repairs to affected sections. Undamaged MS continue holding the front lines!"
"Understood!"
After hearing the acknowledgment, Felix watched as nearly half of the MS in his sector returned to the mothership. To compensate for the reduced numbers, he urgently redeployed units from other directions to prevent critical weak points in the defensive line.
...
Aboard the flagship of the Earth Alliance Forces fleet
"How effective was this assault?" Lieutenant General Damon, commander of the joint fleet, turned to his adjutant for the assessment. After receiving relevant feedback, the adjutant reported the situation to General Damon.
"Commander, our attack has inflicted approximately one-third casualties on the ZAFT forces in that sector."
"Only that much damage after launching hundreds of missiles?" Damon frowned, visibly displeased with the attrition rate. Noticing the commander's dissatisfaction, Adjutant Jarvis explained:
"Sir, about half of our missiles were intercepted by the ZAFT warships' defensive fire, significantly reducing their impact. Additionally, the ZAFT MS possess substantial firepower and high mobility, which greatly diminished our missile hit rate. The fact that we achieved one-third attrition is largely due to the effectiveness of our steel needle missiles. Their unexpected nature caused considerable damage to ZAFT forces."
Turning to face Adjutant Jarvis, Damon calmly stated, "In that case, we'll launch a second attack with tactical modifications."
Upon hearing about tactical changes, Jarvis looked at General Damon without speaking, quietly awaiting the new strategy.
"This time, we'll divide the Mobius units into two teams. One team will advance the launch point by 100 kilometers, while the other will descend to low altitude, skimming the lunar surface to use it as cover for ambush."
"Understood!"
Jarvis acknowledged and turned to relay Damon's orders.
In the Hangar
The Mobius units, having completed missile reloading, lined up orderly before the catapult tracks, awaiting deployment.
"Launch authorized!"
The three-word command echoed through the cockpit comm systems.
Pilots guided their Mobius units as they catapulted forward at high speed via electromagnetic catapults.
One after another, the Mobius units surged from the warships, assembling before the fleet formation.
"All units execute the Commander's tactical plan!" Jarvis's voice transmitted through the Mobius cockpits.
The Mobius pilots voiced their acknowledgments, and the assembled formation quickly split into designated teams according to the new tactical arrangement.
Once the Mobius units had completed their squadron formation, they flew at varying altitudes directly toward the designated coordinates ahead.
...
Above Lorentz Crater
The Dawn remained quietly on standby in this airspace. Inside the cockpit, Felix calmly observed the changes on the screen.
"Captain, the Earth Alliance Forces have launched another attack."
Aric's report came through the comms.
Hearing this, Felix asked, "What's the situation?"
"The Earth Alliance Forces have split into two groups, flying at different altitudes."
In response to Felix's inquiry, Aric briefly outlined the situation. Upon hearing Aric's words, Felix immediately grasped what these guys were up to.
"Alright, understood."
After replying, Felix ended the communication with Aric. He then opened a channel to inform the others about the enemy's renewed assault.
"Captain, you don't think the Earth Alliance Forces will pull the same trick as the first attack, do you?"
"Hard to say."
Shaking his head as he looked at Heine on the comms screen, Felix gave his response. After speaking, he switched the channel and continued, "Everyone, stay sharp and be careful of those Earth Alliance missiles armed with steel needles."
"Roger!"
Following this acknowledgment, the radar and optoelectronic detection system promptly provided corresponding feedback. Observing the situation displayed on the screen, Felix issued the order.
"Open fire!"
With those two words, the warship's firepower was the first to activate, followed by the MS units unleashing their own barrage.
Multiple layers of firepower converged, heading straight for the incoming missiles.
Under such a dense network of fire, the missiles exploded one after another. Those that narrowly escaped destruction continued their forward flight.
The distance between them and Felix's unit grew shorter.
Seeing this, Felix piloted the Dawn to move ahead of the other MS units. His finger pulled the trigger, rounds firing from the chamber.
Precise attacks instantly destroyed the missiles.
The exploding missiles released the steel needles from their warheads.
Propelled by the kinetic energy of the explosions, the steel needles shot outward at high speed.
Felix maneuvered the Dawn to evade the needles while simultaneously drawing the Heavy Sword from its waist mount.
The Heavy Sword swung in the Dawn's grasp.
With a single slash, it sent the incoming steel needles flying.
After deflecting the needles, Felix noticed the predicament of one of his subordinates. Controlling the Dawn, he turned it around, Heavy Assault Machine Gun in hand, and fired a shot.
The bullets knocked away two steel needles.
"Thanks, Captain!"
"No need. Just focus on the fight!"
After speaking, Felix shifted his attention to other directions.
Over ten minutes later, it was all over!
"How's everyone doing?"
No sooner had Felix asked than a reply came through the comms.
"Captain, this time we were prepared. The impact was much less severe compared to the first time we encountered this weapon."
"Damaged MS units, return to the carrier for repairs!"
Nodding, Felix issued the order and continued to gaze ahead, adjusting the comms.
"Aric, any reaction from the other wave of Earth Alliance Mobius units?"
"None observed so far."
Aric responded over the comms.
After listening, Felix grunted in acknowledgment. Ending the communication with Aric, Felix opened a channel with the person in charge of the transport ship.
"How are things on your end?"
"Everything's normal, no impact."
"Hurry it up!"
With that, Felix terminated the communication.
His gaze fell on the screen ahead, quietly awaiting the enemy's next attack.
Meanwhile, aboard the Earth Alliance Forces' combined fleet flagship...
"Commander, our tactics haven't been effective. Moreover, the results this time are significantly diminished compared to the first attempt."
Looking at the Commander, Jarvis faithfully reported the situation based on the feedback received. Damon frowned upon hearing this, his expression growing even darker as he spoke in a somewhat chilling tone.
"Understood."
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!