Chapter 177: The Alliance's Positron Cannon
Preparations moved swiftly. Before long, He Kui's modified Gaetzw, outfitted with a sub-flight system and infused with illusion particle field technology, was ready for its first test.
"Courtney, even though I've minimized the harmful radiation in the illusion particle field, make sure you maintain the cockpit's integrity. Exposure still has its risks," He Kui cautioned.
While his illusion particle shield wasn't as robust as the Alliance's cutting-edge version, it was far more stable. He shuddered at the memory of the Forbidden Gundam's shield, infamous for its brutal side effects; piloting it likely shaved years off a pilot's life with each deployment.
Not that the Alliance cared much about the fate of their "biological CPUs."
Thinking back on the Alliance's ruthless experiments, He Kui didn't have any grand vision of rescuing everyone. But if those soldiers were to become his opponents, it was time to start thinking about countermeasures.
"Understood, sir. Thank you," Courtney replied as he secured himself in the cockpit.
"For now, this is a controlled startup test. If the Alliance harasses Boaz again, you'll head out, but keep it low-risk. Our troops will provide cover."
"Got it," Courtney acknowledged, sealing the cockpit door.
The Mobile Suit lumbered forward, its footsteps causing the metal floor to tremble as it moved toward the catapult.
Watching from the observation deck, Su Lei and He Kui, along with a group of research staff, monitored the data feed from the Gaetzw.
"We've already completed the extreme tests remotely. For now, you'll be getting familiar with the system," He Kui advised.
"Roger," Courtney replied, running checks on various systems from the cockpit.
Soon, the PS armor activated. Unlike the standard orange weapon test model, this Gaetzw had been modified with a striking red hue, resembling the Justice Gundam in appearance, though it couldn't quite match the Justice's capabilities.
"Systems all clear," Courtney reported, just as an alert sounded within the base.
"Level-three combat readiness. An Alliance ship is approaching."
Su Lei quickly pulled up a projection of the situation on the secondary screen. Outside Boaz, dimly lit by scattered starlight, an Alliance Nelson-class battleship appeared, flanked by several Drake-class frigates.
"Are they shifting back to a fleet-heavy strategy?" He Kui mused as he watched the Alliance ships spread into a fan-shaped formation, reminiscent of battles from before the emergence of mobile suits.
In an almost synchronized response, both sides raised their light shields. Boaz's own Nelson-class and three Laurasia-class ships formed a defensive line.
"Something's off..."
As the Nelson-class ship drew closer, He Kui noticed the distinct shape of a massive cannon protruding from its bow, resembling the main gun of the Archangel-class.
"That's a positron cannon. Courtney, get back here."
Before he could even inform the base commander, the Nelson-class cannon began to glow, a brilliant red beam surging forth with blinding intensity. The strongest spear in the Alliance clashed with ZAFT's strongest shield.
Two Laurasia-class ships disintegrated instantly under the positron beam's anti-matter annihilation, reduced to cosmic dust. Meanwhile, the light shield shuddered but held firm, its electromagnetic field visibly straining as it worked overtime to counteract the massive energy assault.
As the positron cannon's fire waned, the shield, though shaken, remained intact.
"Commander, status report?" He Kui asked over comms.
"Two Laurasia-class ships and their mobile squads... gone."
The commander's face was drawn and grim, a stark contrast to his earlier appearance.
"We can't let them pin us down here."
Boaz wasn't the only military outpost in the area; several shipping lanes were nearby. A prolonged blockade would impact PLANT's supply lines, forcing detours that would disrupt day-to-day operations.
And if the Alliance kept pressing at the doorstep, it could be a major blow to ZAFT's morale.
Perhaps due to their confidence in the positron cannon, the Alliance's Nelson-class had now withdrawn to a safe distance, lowering its shield.
"They're a combined force from the Eurasian and Atlantic Federations," Su Lei observed. "So they would have access to shield technology."
He Kui considered their configuration. "Your illusion particle field can't cloak us."
"Using the Lightning Pack might be faster," Su Lei suggested, catching on to He Kui's idea to have Courtney engage.
"They're prepared for that too. Those Drakes are likely serving as radar extensions."
The fan-shaped formation around the Nelson-class wasn't just for show; it likely acted as a radar net. Attempting a direct assault with the Lightning Pack would alert the Alliance in advance, forcing them to activate their shields.
"Those Drakes don't have light shields," Su Lei said with a frown. They were essentially using the frigates as sacrificial pawns.
"It's possible someone from the Atlantic Federation didn't tell the Drake crews about our long-range weapons," He Kui speculated.
"Let's leave it to the commander," Su Lei sighed.
"No. We could use the illusion particle beam's ability to curve, sneaking an attack around to the Nelson's rear," He Kui proposed, fingers dancing over the keyboard as he ran simulations.
On the screen, he plotted a course for a curved beam, arcing around the Drake-class vessels to strike the shield generator at the rear of the Nelson.
"Their power distribution prioritizes the bow, so the rear shield generator would deploy slower."
It made sense; most would assume that attacks would come from a straight line, not anticipating a beam that could curve.
"The calculation is feasible. It could work," Su Lei noted, studying the projections. "But this trick will only work once."
"Next time, ZAFT might just install a positron cannon here."
"True," He Kui said with a nod.
Without delay, he inform
ed the base commander of the potential tactic.
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