0085.08 – Confeito Vicinity – Shoal Zone

Eliard and the others of the Murphy Team were on a patrol mission. Recently, anti-Earth Federation government movements were steadily becoming more active and Zeon remnants were back around to act in concert with it.

The was a high probability that the Zeon would target Confeito. Formerly a Zeon space fortress called Solomon, many men were killed in action in a fierce battle surrounding this place. Afterwards, the Federation Forces established a naval base here. It came under nuclear attack by Anavel Gato during the Delaz Dispute.

For the Zeon, it has symbolic meaning.

In the shoal zone nearby in particular, it is easy for guerrilla’s to hide. A place of balance between the gravitational pull of the Moon and Earth, in other words a Lagrange point, is a region where rocks, fragments produced from combat, and garbage collect, following an orbit around the moon.

The Aswan entered into the same orbit as Confeito, positioning itself outside the shoal zone. From there, the Murphy Team took off.

Taking off first was the Gundam Hazel, piloted by Commander Murphy. Following him on his left wing was Eliard in a GM Kai and on his right wing was Carl in a Hi-Zack. Carl’s GM Sniper III was currently being converted to its normal form.

“Feels as though the rocks and ship remains are standing still.” came Murphy’s voice, “They’re moving at high speed have been drawn in by the gravitational pull of the Moon and Earth. If you hit one, your mobile suit is done for.”

“Yes, sir.” Eliard replied automatically.

This was completely different from a normal patrol mission. This place was a dangerous shoal zone.

“A Zaku.”

Carl’s abrubt outburst caused Eliard to survey his surroundings.

“An enemy attack?”

“Ah, sorry. It was just some bombed out remains.”

“Don’t scare him.” Came Murphy’s voice. It was the moment Eliard breathed a sigh of relief. A streak of light crossed in front of him. A large calibur beam cannon.

The light immediately swelled up on his right side.

“Carl!” Eliard yelled out without thinking.

The beam pierced Carl’s Hi-Zack.

The enemy.

They were hiding somewhere out there.

“Spread out.” ordered Murphy.

Eliard fired his main thrusters and distanced himself from the Hazel.

“Carl, you still with us?” Murphy called out.

“I’m fine. A little closer and it would’ve been a direct hit on my cockpit.”

“Cut your sustems and hide behind the rocks. You’ll cause an explosion if you move.”

“Roger that.” replied Carl as he withdrew from the front.

How many enemy units are there? The rocks and combat wreckage were an obstacle so radar was ineffective. Using his thrusters, Eliard took a roundabout path to the other side of a large rock. He located the enemy.

“Enemy sighted. It’s a Gelgoog.”

“I’ve got a Rick Dom on my end. I’ll leave the Gelgoog to you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Eliard closed in on the Gelgoog to get a jump on it and fired his rifle. The Gelgoog hid itself behind a chunk of ice, away from the rocks.

He’d have to shoot through the ice.

He fired his rifle towards the lump of ice. The mass and heat of the beam scattered the ice in all directions. But, the Gelgoog wasn’t behind it.”

“Above?”

Eliard unconsciously fired his thrusters. The enemy’s beam passing close to him. He thought about returning fire but the enemy was too fast to lock on to.

“I shouldn’t lose to mobility.”

Eliard moved rapidly.

He could see brief, firing lines in the distance. Murphy’s Hazel and the Rick Dom were fighting between the ginormous rocks.

“Dammit. Hit already!”

Eliard fired his rifle. He was gradually gaining ground but the enemy’s movements were too skillful.

But just then, the enemy’s movements became sluggish.

Eliard noticed it.

A beam fired from the Hazel’s rifle blew off the right arm of the Rick Dom. The pilot of the Gelgoog noticed it. He expected them to be keeping in contact on their wireless.

“I can do this…” muttered Eliard. He was certain it was his chance to counterattack.

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