Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 7: The Guerilla's Defiance

"Boom!"

A surge of explosive air erupted around Eli's Ground Type Gundam.

The pressure forced Eli to abandon his crouched firing position against the enemy and stand upright, stepping back. During this maneuver, Eli noticed that he wasn't the only one targeted by artillery fire—every one of the four Gundams was under heavy bombardment. Even the hover truck beside them had taken a direct hit.

As Eli retreated, he maneuvered his machine to shield the hover truck with his shield.

"Where is this fire coming from?!"

Amada Shiro, already familiar with MS combat in gravitational environments and having just scored a downed enemy, quickly questioned the situation.

Eledore had been calculating the data since the first moment of attack. Ignoring the deafening damage from the continuous barrage, he pinpointed the origin of the artillery fire—a hilltop where a relentless stream of fire pinned the team down.

Eli spotted Zaku units advancing from that artillery position, closing in.

Although the current barrage hadn't caused substantial damage, engaging well-maintained Zaku units under these conditions would put even Ground Type Gundams under severe pressure.

"Scatter! Withdraw immediately!"

Eli and Amada Shiro issued orders consecutively. The four Gundams and the hover truck turned and began retreating beyond the range of fire.

A direct assault was impossible against such heavy artillery.

Unfortunately, the artillery position overlooked a critical road—one of the Federation's most vital supply lines. Eliminating this threat was non-negotiable.

As the special squad regrouped to devise a plan, Eli turned his head toward a specific direction.

According to his memory, there was a waterfall in that area.

Because of Eli's intervention, Amada Shiro had not separated from the team and encountered guerrilla member Kiki.

Though Eli had fought for three months and nearly forgotten the original plot, this scene still stood out to him.

After all, a scene where someone brazenly spies on a girl bathing tends to leave a lasting impression.

More importantly, this route was the key to executing a pincer attack—and confronting the guerrillas was unavoidable.

Once they regrouped and disembarked to discuss their tactics, Eli proposed his idea.

"There are two cannons on the front of this position. A frontal assault is out of the question. We'll split into two teams for a pincer attack. Shiro and I will take a flanking route to overwhelm them."

Eli traced the map and presented the original strategy Amada Shiro would have used. However, this time, Eli decided to accompany Shiro—getting captured because guerrillas accessed emergency cockpit levers was not something he wanted to risk.

"That area is guerrilla territory. Will that be a problem?"

Karen had no objection to the overall plan but expressed concern about the guerrillas interfering, which could alert Zeon forces.

"No problem. This is Federation land. If they obstruct our mission to reclaim it, they can't blame us for acting harshly."

To be frank, Eli had little regard for the guerrilla forces.

Although they operated under the banner of "protecting their homeland," they often relied on Federation aid while actively hindering the Federation's actions. Yet, when it came to fighting Zeon, they contributed little of substance.

Eli understood the locals' desire to protect themselves, but sabotaging the Federation's efforts was unacceptable.

Without further delay, Eli and Amada Shiro's Ground Type Gundams set out lightly equipped, each carrying a 100mm machine gun as they advanced along their designated route.

The two Ground Type Gundams moved swiftly and without pause, following the river until they spotted the waterfall.

This area, far from conflict, offered beautiful scenery.

If not for the mission, Eli would have been content to linger and enjoy it.

For now, Eli used his Gundam's cameras to scan the area. Once he confirmed no signs of life, he moved on.

"It's beautiful... Eli, is Earth all this lovely?"

Seeing such natural beauty for the first time, Amada Shiro couldn't help but express his awe.

"More or less. This planet was always beautiful," Eli replied, though his tone lacked deep sentiment.

Before coming here, Eli had never seen anything beyond Earth. To him, this scenery was unremarkable.

In contrast, the artificial structures of space colonies fascinated him far more. When he first arrived in this world, the colonies' breathtaking sights had exceeded his imagination.

"It's amazing. I wish my family could come see Earth too... Ah, sorry."

Shiro, feeling cheerful at the scenery, accidentally brought up his family. He quickly realized Eli's family likely...

"It's fine. I'm sure they would have wanted to see this beautiful world too."

Although Eli was a transmigrator and had never personally known this body's family, the physical shell remembered their loss deeply.

The grief of losing loved ones remained etched in his heart.

The fact that Zeon forces had smashed their bodies to Earth—onto Sydney, Australia—was an unforgivable pain for Eli.

How could he not feel sorrow?

"That's why Zeon's actions are undoubtedly wrong. What we must do is drive them out and end their impractical ambitions."

To Amada Shiro, Eli's response seemed resolute and admirable.

Yet, for some reason, the image of Aina flashed in Shiro's mind—Aina, the woman he had spent only a few fleeting hours with.

"If... if there are good people within Zeon, Eli, would you—"

"Quiet!"

Eli interrupted Shiro sharply.

"What is it?"

Shiro's training kicked in immediately. He maneuvered his machine into a defensive stance.

"Up ahead—guerrillas."

Eli did the same, readying for combat.

At that moment, the leaves of a large tree in front of them rustled, and figures emerged.

Standing at the forefront was a girl with orange hair, her expression openly hostile as she glared at the two Gundams.

"Federation forces—what are you doing here?!"