Editing KSGU:Volume 7 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 17===

The “Galluss K” got up to stand in front of the new Federation machines to protect the ‘Geara Zulu” with its arm cut off, but the “Giant Bass” in its hands seemed to have run out of ammunition. The retractable arm was swung out, and as the Federation machine was unable to raise its guard, the “Galluss” fired the beam cannon on its shoulder to create a chance to attack. However, 3 new generation machines surrounded it, and a thrown grenade created an explosion of fire behind. Kirks sensed that the “Galluss K” was being surrounded as it was being rattle, he squeezed the trigger on the control stick even after knowing that the power was not completely changed. The “Zaku I” shot out mega particles from the sniper rifle, and the pink beam reached towards Torrington Base 30km in front.

The beam was supposed to graze past the Federation units, but dissipated due to a lack of power output, and the “Galluss K” ended up attacked by the 3 machines. The Federation machines clashed with it, and its arms were severed, and the machine, with the pilot inside, was dealt a fatal blow as it knelt down on the ground; the sights of the precision scope could see the light from the fireball caused by the explosion of the “Galluss K”. Kirks could not help but close his eyes, and heard a soft dull sound that came a beat later through the armor. ''This is the second unit to bite the dust after Holum’s “Dwadge”. The only ones left are Yasu’s “Dom Tropen” and the two “Geara Zulus” of the “Garencieres”, but they’re running out of ammunition, and they’re losing effectiveness in being distractions. I can’t tell how many of the machines are still around.''

''Is it time to stop?'' Kirks muttered and looked at the battlefield of giants again. ''We wore down less enemy forces than we predicted; it’s a pity, but the “Unicorn” can already move on its own, and the sniping had already slowed the enemy ship down. It’s necessary that we retreat before the Federation transformable units appear in the sky. This “Zaku I” sub generator is going to be at its limit. Considering that I have to remain until the end and stop all pursuing forces, I can’t use up all the battery power here. Looks like it’s time to close shop.''

''It’s good to retreat like a defeated dog at this moment now, isn’t it?'' Kirks convinced himself, and as he was about to let a signal flare to indicate a retreat, the silence of the wireless communicator was filled with noise. (Can you hear me, commander?) Zinnerman’s voice was mixed in, and Kirks instinctively reached his hand for the helmet.

(Her Highness Mineva’s in that transport craft that’s about to leave! Please shoot the bottom to prevent it from leaving if you can aim at it!)

Kirks did not understand the meaning behind these words immediately. Upon hearing this voice that made his heart race, “Her Highness’s on it!? What’s going on!?) he hollered back, (I’ll tell you the details later! Leaving it to you, please!) Zinnerman shout was drowned out by the noise, and the wireless communicator was suddenly cut off. Kirks did not waste time on adjusting the wireless communicator as he turned his eyes to the scope again, and spotted the Medea-type transport carrier beside the “Ra Cailum”. The old C-85 was not equipped with a VTOL function, and its large body was slowly accelerating as it glided down the runway, surrounded by the lights of beams and explosions.

He never thought that Her Highness Mineva—the sole heir to the Zabi family would be on it. He could still aim at the Medea’s landing gear now. At this current speed, even if it loses its legs, it would ignite into flames. ''This can work,'' Kirks considered as a sniper, and put his finger at the rifle trigger again. It seemed that Kandle too heard the content of the transmission, (Leader, this is…!?) on hearing this doubtful question, “It’s just like what you heard” he merely answered as he aimed the crosshair at the Medea’s landing gear.

“In the end, the stage is still all set for us. Don’t let anyone else approach. We’re saving Her Highness for sure.”

(Un…understood!) Kandle’s voice came through the wireless communicator. It was because of such moments that a human life was not something a human could easily part with. ''Just think that we stayed on Earth just for this moment, and all the tragedy and downs we had for 17 years would be affirmed.'' Kirks let out a warm sigh, felt that he managed to curb his own enthusiasm, and squeezed the trigger with the usual power. The sniper rifle muzzle let out a flare of mega particles, and an arrow of light reached out, absorbed by the Medea.

A small amount of light came from the rear wheel, causing the asphalt on the runway to be chipped off. ''Did I make a mistake with the acceleration? Calm down.''  He thought in his heart silent as he waited for the charge to end. The “Medea” got out from behind the “Ra Cailum”, and was turning horizontally on the scope. There was still 5 seconds until it finished charging, 3 second, 1 second. He gritted his teeth, and was about to squeeze the trigger with his relaxed finger, but a light that was different from a rifle shot entered his eyes, and the “Zaku I” took a tremendous jolt.

''I got hit by a beam.'' The moment he understood this, the ground at his feet collapsed, and the rusted steel frame and rubble rained down on the “Zaku I”. The sight of the precision scope was lifted up, and the machine, as it tumbled, fell together with the collapsed ground. ''This isn’t an ordinary beam. Has the “Ra Cailum” main cannons regained functionality?'' He let the machine grab the side of the structure and land upon some ground that had yet to collapse, and aimed his rifle at the scorching hot wall collapsing outside. The blocks of rubble landed like icicles, and as he tried to catch sight of the Medea in the scope, he spotted a black machine racing through, whipping up a large amount of dust.

The black machine was wielding a beam rifle with both hands, and sped through the wilderness like it was sprinting. The enemy unit with the shining lone golden horn was charging right at the debris of the colony. Kirks spotted Kandle’s “Zaku Cannon” leave its standby position as it landed on the ground. “Come back, Kandle!” He shouted at the wireless communicator, but the “Zaku Cannon showed no signs of turning back as it closed in on the enemy unit—the black “Unicorn”, and fired a screen of shots at it.

The 180mm cannons on its shoulders opened fire together with the big guns on the sides of its waist. The cannon fire of the physical ammunition created a swirl of smoke, and the empty shells continued to pile beside the “Zaku Cannon” . Kirks could hear Kandle’s roar in the middle of the cannon fire, but the black “Unicorn” dodged the shot that rained down like a storm, and crossed by the “Zaku Cannon”. It crossed the “Zaku Cannon”, their beam sabers clashed, and the black machine immediately disappeared from their sights.

(Captain, I’ll leave Princess Mineva…!) Kandle’s shout was drowned out by the noise, and the “Zaku Cannon” was sliced in half at the waist, and surrounded by an explosion of light. Kirks gritted his teeth as he hear the voice and the explosion ring on his skullcap, and widened his eyes to look at the scope as he focused thoroughly on aiming at the Medea.

The craft was faster than before and was leaving the runway. ''It can work.'' Kirks caught sight of the landing gear in the middle of his crosshair, and put his finger at the trigger, where he placed all his agony and hatred into. However, before he could squeeze the trigger, his sight was blocked by a black shadow, shocking him beyond words.

The black “Unicorn” immediately leapt up the debris that stood 600m above the wilderness, and opened its body wide. A golden glow was radiated from its machine, and the expanding armor was gradually changing in figure as the two eyes gave a mysterious light, looking down at Kirks. The horn on the forehead became a V-sigh, and the symbol of Zeon’s defeat was etched in Kirks’ eyes as his body started to tremble with the premonition that he was about to be killed.

“You’re going to get in our way again, “GUNDAM”…!?”

He yelled and squeezed the trigger. At the same time—no, a millisecond before, the fingertip of the black “Unicorn” squeezed the trigger, and exploding mega-particles expanded as it covered the “Zaku I”. The cockpit was immediately burned, and the rampaging high heat particles caused the body to boil. That was the last light Kirks saw.

The Beam Magnum released a shot that had 4 times the energy of an ordinary beam rifle, and the “Zaku I” was annihilated in absolute light, piercing through the debris of the colony. A hole was blasted through the wall on the other side, and the heat that melted the metal scraps surged about with the shockwaves as the debris, tilted into the ground, trembled, and the gravel and peeled exteriors fell to the ground. The colony debris was surrounded by brown dust, and the large building appearance started to collapse. The dust reached the cloud together with the air flow, and a signal fire indicating the end of something appeared in the corner of the wilderness.