Build Gundams Ch 34

Kran, leader of the Storm Mercenary Group, immediately contacted Mike, leader of the Shadow Ghost, via a secure channel.

"Mike, have you received the intel about the target?" Kran asked, his voice laced with urgency.

Mike, his face gaunt and shadowed, replied grimly, "Yeah, Kran, I got it. Fulin of the Killer Whale and Meilin of the White Rose probably did too, right?"

"That's my guess," Kran confirmed.

Moments later, the four mercenary leaders were connected in a clandestine video conference, their faces displayed on a heavily encrypted channel.

Kran cut to the chase. "Alright, has everyone contacted their clients? Any instructions from above?"

Meilin, a striking woman with fiery red hair and a prominent scar bisecting her left cheek, spoke with impatience. "Kran, why bother asking? Whether it's Guder or Taiga pulling the strings, the order is the same: capture Ryuuichi Kaneshiro alive."

Kran nodded, a dark expression on his face. "So, a death warrant then. Capture Kaneshiro, or face the consequences. Our clients aren't known for their forgiving nature."

Fulin, the overweight, dark-skinned leader of the Killer Whale, voiced his concerns. "Antares has those Gundam MS. I've heard they're capable of taking on entire squadrons single-handedly. If Kaneshiro is protected by one of those, our MS and fighters might not be enough."

Mike scoffed, his sunken eyes flashing with disdain. "Fulin, if you're already scared, just bow out. Tell Guder you're quitting. Stop hyping up the enemy. A Gundam taking on a hundred units? That's just the excuse losers use. Sure, the Gundams are advanced, but there's no way they can live up to that kind of hype."

Fulin bristled. "Have you even seen the combat footage, Mike?"

"Yeah, I have," Mike retorted, "but the Gundams were fighting modified construction suits and black market junk. And those pirate pilots? They're just a bunch of amateurs. They can't even begin to compare to our pilots!"

Kran interrupted, his voice firm. "Alright, enough squabbling. We need to be clear with Antares before this turns into a slaughter. Everyone, prepare your forces for battle."

On the Albion, the communications officer announced, "Commander Kenji, the Storm Mercenary Group has sent a communication request."

"Accept the request," Kenji replied, his expression hardening.

The bridge comm screen flickered to life, displaying the image of Mike, leader of the Shadow Ghost. "Hello, Commander Kenji Takeshi."

"Hello, Leader Mike, to what do we owe the pleasure?" Kenji asked, his tone carefully neutral.

"We would like to extend an invitation to your boss, Ryuuichi Kaneshiro, to come aboard our vessel. There's a VIP who wishes to meet with him," Mike stated, his voice smooth but with an undercurrent of threat.

"I regret to inform you that our boss will not be joining you," Kenji responded, his gaze unwavering.

"Is that so?" Mike's smile vanished. "Then it seems we'll have to resort to more persuasive methods. I trust you'll understand, my friend." With that, the screen went blank as Mike terminated the connection.

Kenji turned to the bridge crew. "Alert all Gundam pilots under Sakura Fujimoto to prepare for battle. Order all GM Custom units to sortie immediately."

From the Albion and its escorting frigates and destroyers, a swarm of GM Custom Mobile Suits launched into the void. The GM Custom units represented a significant upgrade over the standard GM, boasting enhanced weaponry and improved performance capabilities. The thruster backpack was noticeably larger, providing increased mobility. The head camera was redesigned with a visor-like appearance, and an additional antenna was mounted behind the head, enhancing sensor range and data-gathering capabilities.

These GM Custom units were specifically tailored for squad leaders and elite pilots within the Antares Mercenary Group.

All the MS pilots in Ryuuichi's fleet were elite and ace pilots.

Each GM Custom was armed with a rail cannon mounted on its left shoulder, a beam saber affixed to the upper right of its thruster backpack, two missile launchers concealed within its shield capable of firing four small armor-piercing missiles, a grenade launcher mounted on its rear waist, and a beam rifle.

The mobile suits and fighter jets deployed by the four mercenary groups varied in make and model, but were all commercially available designs, sold to various nations and private entities.

The Antares Mercenary Group fielded just over one hundred GM Custom units.

Facing them, the combined forces of the Storm, Shadow Ghost, Killer Whale, and White Rose numbered over five hundred MS and one hundred twenty fighter jets.

"Commander, the enemy has deployed over six times our number of mobile suits and fighters," the tactical officer reported, his voice strained.

Kenji's expression remained calm. "Hmph, such numbers are already the full military might of many small countries. Order Sakura, Reika, Avina, and Pani to sortie. They know what to do."

Meanwhile, aboard a luxurious space yacht escorted by eight heavily armed frigates, Isamu, Taiga, and Guder were enjoying a relaxed gathering.

"Gentlemen, I am delighted that we could finalize such an exceptional arrangement," Isamu said, raising his glass. "Once our objectives are met, I assure you that not only will the remaining funds be transferred promptly, but we can also explore future collaborative ventures."

"The honor is ours, Young Master Kaneshiro," Taiga replied with a polite smile. "It is a privilege to be of service to such a discerning patron."

"Not at all," Isamu chuckled. "It's truly embarrassing to have you two assist me in retrieving my wayward cousin. Such a small effort."

At that moment, an aide approached Isamu, his face grim. "Young Master, a battle has commenced in the vicinity."

Isamu, Taiga, and Guder turned their attention to the large display screen, where the unfolding conflict was broadcast in real-time.

Reika Fujimoto, piloting the RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4, calmly assessed the battlefield. "Hmm, these guys are a step up from the usual pirates. Their maneuvers are sharper, and they're not just flying in straight lines."

The Gundam Unit 4 unleashed a volley of beam rifle shots. Of the targeted enemy fighters, a model known as the "Harrier," only one was caught in the beam's path and exploded. The others skillfully evaded, weaving through space with surprising agility.

Reika wasn't fazed. A grin spread across her face as the thrill of the fight ignited within her. Finally, a little bit of fun.

With a quick roll of her shoulders, she declared, "Alright, time to get serious. Warming up is over."

The RX-78-4 Gundam Unit 4 accelerated, its targeting systems locking onto the enemy. Beams of destruction lanced out.

"Crap, is that a Gundam?" one of the Harrier pilots exclaimed in a panic.

"The speed, the reflexes! It's too damn fast!" another cried.

"Those fighter jets are hard to hit, yet the Gundam is vaporizing them," a third voice lamented.

The Harrier pilots watched in horror as the Gundam Unit 4 effortlessly eliminated three Harrier fighter jets and two Harrier MS in quick succession.

"Someone help me!"

"I don't want to die out here!"

"That Gundam's like a damn ghost, impossible to get a bead on!"

Reika's skill was evident as, in less than two minutes, she had single-handedly shot down five fighter jets and eight mobile suits.

Sakura, Avina, and Pani also contributed to the slaughter from different angles, cutting down enemy units with efficiency and precision.

The Antares Mercenary Group's GM Custom units, piloted by elite soldiers, lived up to their reputation, providing fire support and suppressing the enemy's advance. The GM Customs proved to be more than a match for the pirates' diverse arsenal.

Despite the overwhelming numerical disadvantage, Ryuuichi's forces were holding their ground, their advanced technology and superior piloting skills proving to be a deadly combination.