Post by finus on Dec 25, 2009 2:59:06 GMT -5
Second Sortie
Personal Log, Ankoku, Zeon Intelligence, September 15th, 0079
I have begun my investigation into the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079. It is the high command's belief that there are too many things left unexplained in the official report. Due to the highly unusual circumstances of this incident and significant missing elements in the report I have been ordered to fill in these gaps. However, I can read between the lines. I would be a pretty pathetic intelligence officer if I couldn't. I'm looking for a spy. There's just no way the Feddies would have retreated and the higher ups know it.
My primary suspect is Unt. Finus Yamamoto. The story behind him seems a bit too perfect for my liking. He's just a bit too good looking, and his way of speaking just a bit too perfect. From my first impression of the man, he seems like a born actor. If I were the Feddies, I'd send someone like him in, have him ascend to a command role, then have him defect with a sizable chunk of our military. But, I have more pressing matters than idle doomsday speculations, the Antarctic Treaty provides enough as is. Tomorrow, I will be interrogating, er asking a few questions of Unt. Yamamoto. I'll see what sort of man he really is.
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Odessa Base, September 16th, 0079
Yamamoto Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Unterscharfurher
Finus Yamamoto, 8th Mobile Suit Team
I will now read a summary of the official report of the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079.
The 6th, 8th, and 14th MS Teams escorting a supply shipment to Odessa attacked by enemy mobile suits, believed to consist of 5 Gms and 1 Gundam. 14th MS Team eliminated, 6th MS Team, two MS destroyed, other MS heavy damage. 8th team, none destroyed, all light damage. Supply convoy, no damage. Dobday, medium damage.
Do you wish to correct any information about this report?
Nothing except “Gundam defeated by Unterscharfurher Yamamoto”. (Yamamoto grins widely.)
Yes... of course. Please explain for the inquiry board what happened on September 14th, 0079.
There's no board here, just you.
Everything said here will be reviewed by Intelligence High Command's Board of Inquiry. Please answer the question.
Well then that's different, where should I begin... as in that official report I was escorting the supply shipment to Odessa when I said...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Finus Yamamoto POV
“...man its hot in these Zakus.” whined Finus as he attempted to fan himself with his shirt in an unsuccessful attempt of simulating air conditioning. Finus never could take heat, his only other experience on Earth being an 8-month “vacation” in Northern Japan. He didn't exactly enjoy the extreme cold of those mountains... His chills at those memories also failed to cool him.
Finus sighed as he watched the slow-moving convoy. This was a special assignment from high command. Their mission was to escort this convoy carrying secret components for an awesome superhero MS that would end the war with one shot of its humongous cannon, or so he told his squad mates.
It worked like a charm for them, as they gave their status reports eagerly and the Zaku's mono-eye could be seen going back and forth rapidly, a sign of their constant vigilance. Of course Finus knew the truth, this was just a routine resupply for Odessa base. He wished he could be like his squad mates, believing his own ridiculous stories.
Just then, a report came in from his left flank. “Minovsky density rising... its coming from..” The transmission was cut off by a loud explosion. Another soon joined it. Two Zakus dead within seconds. “Report!” Finus shouted. “14th all down, 6th is engaging.” reported the commander of 6th team.
Finus deliberated for what seemed like an eternity on what to do. Should he run, or should he fight? How should he attack? Should he dart this way or that? Which of his squad mates should he send to die so he could live? Wait... Eternity? Finus? Not a chance. He acted on the first impulse that came to mind. “Charge!! Sieg Zeon!! he bellowed as he charged the enemy mobile suits. His training kicked in as he took aim with his machinegun and...
Odessa Base, September 16th, 0079
Yamamoto Questioning – Continued
...I gave that Feddie mobile suit a smashing he won't forget. He then ran off, fearing the wrath that I was about to give him for the deaths of Privates Jericho and Benoit of the 14th team.
So, let me get this straight. You hit the advanced ESF mobile suit with the backside of your heat hawk!?
Yeah, it dodged my first strike, so when it dodged to my right I gave him a vicious smash to the cockpit with the blunt end. No doubt the pilot was knocked out, so the enemy suits autopilot kicked in and he fled.
Combat recordings show that the enemy mobile suit destroyed another Zaku with his beam rifle between the time you hit him and his retreat. Care to explain that?
Obviously, his autopilot system analyzed my piloting ability and knew I'd just dodge if he fired at me. That beam weapon of his is powerful, but can only fire so many times before it runs out of ammo. He knew it would be wasted on a pilot of my ability.
(The questioner seeming to have an intense headache rubs his face with his palm.)
Thank you for your time, Unterscharfurher.
Glad to be of service!
Interview Commentary
Unt. Yamamoto appears to simply be a very lucky man. His team charged into a group of 6 Mobile Suits with Yamamoto himself engaging the Gundam. It appears his quick thinking, however stupid saved him from instant death in his encounter with the Gundam. However, his testimony is completely unreliable. The stress of combat along with his sudden promotion has clearly scrambled his brains. His confidence is so high I believe it endangers the entire base to let him near a cockpit.
However, as long as the current Odessa Base Commander, Standartenfuhrer Romanov owes his life to Unt. Yamamoto, its only a matter of time before Unt. Yamamoto's overconfidence dooms us all. I will continue my investigation tomorrow by interviewing his squad mates. Maybe they can help explain why the Fed's MS Team retreated after destroying 5 Zakus and disabling a 6th. By all accounts they had superior firepower, numbers, and tactics. Unt. Yamamoto's combat recording also shows that the damage he inflicted on the enemy Gundam while significant was not enough to merit withdrawal. Something fishy occurred here and I'm going to find out what it was.
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Odessa Base, September 17th, 0079
08th Team Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Private Blah 08th Mobile Suit Team. Private Something-Something, 08th Mobile Suit Team
Excuse me? Yeah, we get killed off next week so our names aren't really important. (Their names are Private James Anderson and Private Daniel Burns, for the record.)
Right, then... I will now read a summary of the official report of the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079.
The 6th, 8th, and 14th MS Teams escorting a supply shipment to Odessa attacked by enemy mobile suits, believed to consist of 5 Gms and 1 Gundam. 14th MS Team eliminated, 6th MS Team, two MS destroyed, other MS heavy damage. 8th team, none destroyed, all light damage. Supply convoy no damage. Dobday, medium damage.
Do you wish to correct any information about this report?
Just that we helped destroyed 2 enemy GM mobile suits, the only kills in the battle.
Funny how the pilots with the actual kills in the engagement don't get promoted... Anyway, please explain what happened on September 14th, 0079 in your own words.
I suppose I'll begin. Unterscharfurher Yamamoto had just ordered Private Burns and myself to charge the enemy. We turned towards the oncoming units to see that a...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Private Anderson POV
“...beam rifle is trying to get a lock on us.” said Private Burns trying his best to keep his fear from overwhelming him. “Move faster and stay sharp! 06th Team needs our help. You two take out the GMs that are engaged with 06th team. I'll engage the white mobile suit. Go!” said Finus sounding unusually confident and sure of himself as he dodged the incoming fire.
“Roger that.” said Anderson and Burns in unison as they dodged the Gundam's beam rifle fire as they sped off towards their two targets. The GMs they targeted were slashing mercilessly at the 06th Team's units. They opened fire at the distracted GMs giving them a shower of bullets with their 105mm machineguns. One of the GMs turned to face Anderson and Burns, but completely forgot about his melee opponent.
The 06th team's Zaku 1-Bs might be ancient compared with the newer model Zaku's but their heat hawks slice just as good. One slice to the chest cut completely through the GMs torso and the enemy unit fell lifeless to the ground before it exploded.
“Thanks for the save, 08th team! Now look sharp, we have company!” said the commander of 06th team as the 4 remaining Zakus took on 5 GMs. From their vantage point they had a clear view of both the convoy, and the incoming GMs. More importantly they could see the Gundam lining up another shot at the Dobday. Smoke could be seen rising from the Dobday its main turret was now a useless pile of metal. The Gundam had disabled the large battleship and was preparing to finish it off.
“Take this, Feddie swine!” shouted Finus as he fired at the Gundam's rifle arm with his 120mm machinegun. The majority of the shots tinged off the Gundam's luna titanium armor but one of the rounds struck the Gundam's elbow joint right before its beam rifle fired sending the shot high, just missing the Dobday. Anderson and Burns simply watched in amazement until Finus slammed reality back into them. “What are you idiots doing, take out those GMs! Leave the white mobile suit to me!”
With that Anderson and Burns along with the two 06th team Zakus engaged the remaining four GMs. By concentrating their firepower on the lead suit, the 105mm machine guns gradually did their work and GM exploded in a ball of flame. Unfortunately, the other GMs fired at the Zakus as well. The weaker Zaku armor was no match for the combined firepower of the GMs machineguns and the remaining 06th Team MS fell to the ground dead.
As Anderson and Burns drew their heat hawks and prepared to fight to the death against the other three GM, the federal mobile suits suddenly fell back in retreat.
“A wise decision indeed.” said Finus over the comm, sounding incredibly pleased with himself. Anderson and Burns then heard comm static as they turned to face Finus. They were just in time to see the Gundam rotating around to aim its beam rifle at Finus.
Finus was frozen in shock, he had thought his enemy too psychologically beaten, and damaged to continue to fight. The Gundam's pilot pulled the trigger sending a blast of beam energy whizzing toward Finus who could do nothing to stop it. He closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable explosion.
It never came, at least not for him. A few seconds later he heard a loud...
Odessa Base, September 17th, 0079
08th team Questioning – Continued
BOOM. The reactor of Private Charlie Engel, 14th MS Team went critical. Charlie who was only disabled had managed to get to a kneeling position, and was about to shoot the enemy Gundam with its bazooka but that Gundam had eyes in the back of its head or something. It turned and fired perfectly, killing Private Engel instantly.
Eyes in the back of its head you say. Interesting. So, 06th and 14th MS teams seem to have been targeted exclusively by the enemy mobile suits. What damage did your suits take?
The enemy GMs weren't armed with the beam weaponry of the Gundam, if they had we'd have been goners. Also, as we said they focused their fire on the 06th team. However, we did take some machinegun fire to our legs, head, and arm.
Legs, head, and arm only? Your torso was untouched?
Yes, sir. However, we did follow Unt. Yamamoto's orders to “keep moving” so they couldn't get a clear lock on our cockpit.
I see, do you have anything else to add, Privates?
No sir. However, put in a good word for us with Standartenfuhrer Romanov please, sir!
I'll do what I can. Dismissed.
Interview Commentary
At last I'm getting somewhere. It appears that enemy Gundam either has an extremely sophisticated targeting computer, or got its targeting telemetry from the 14th MS suits themselves. This would also explain how quickly they were defeated. Even with beam weaponry, the fight between the Gundam and three Zakus of the 14th MS team should have taken minutes, not seconds. Also, it appears Unt. Yamamoto's boasts about his shooting were accurate. The Gundam didn't miss on purpose, he was forced to miss.
From this we can rule out anyone aboard the Dobday as a potential suspect. Also, I must grudgingly give Unt. Yamamoto respect for saving the supply convoy and Base Commander Romanov's life. His actions were hasty and stupid, but one second more delay would have doomed everyone. I will have to watch him carefully in the future. However, I think I have an idea what happened. If my suspicions are correct the answer should be in the shipment records. While Base Commander Romanov was in overall command, he didn't oversee the transfer of material. That was done by Lt. Jones. I'll see if my suspicions were correct tomorrow.
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Odessa Base, September 18th, 0079
Lt. Jones, Head of Odessa Maintenance Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Lieutenant David Jones.
I will now skip the summary of the official report that occurred on September 14th, 0079 since I am tired of repeating it. Do you want to add anything?
No, let's get this over with. I have MS that need repairing.
As you wish, Lieutenant. So what was your role in the battle. Where were you and what did you do?
Me? Nothing. I was in the lead Samson when our convoy was attacked. I had someone ready at the gun, but it never needed to be fired. Our MS did a great job of repelling the attack!
That they did. No doubt you had a good vantage point with which to see the epic battle between Unt. Yamamoto and the enemy Gundam. I heard it was quite a show.
It was indeed. Unt. Yamamoto saved all our lives with his defeat of the Gundam. You should have been there. While the other Zakus engaged the GMs, Unt. Yamamoto charged at the enemy with his machinegun...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Finus Yamamoto POV
“....out of ammo already!?” exclaimed Finus as the machinegun made an empty clicking sound. After Finus had left his squad mates to tangle with the GMs, he had successfully forced the Gundam to miss with a well-placed (and/or lucky) shot to its elbow. Finus realized after the Gundam turned to face him that he was no match for the advanced Feddie monster, er mobile suit and changed tactics. He used his machinegun to kick up dust around the area and fired blindly into the general vicinity of the Gundam. Naturally, this did nothing to the enemy Gundam except let him know exactly where he was and waste all of his machinegun ammo.
Wanting to conserve its beam energy to finish the Dobday, the MPT Gundam fired its chest vulcans, catching Finus's Zaku in the right side and upper right leg. Having heard the clank of shell against armor, the Gundam fired a grenade from its multi-launcher. The Zaku avoided a direct hit, but the shrapnel of the grenade dug into the already weakened armor, exposing circuitry to the open air. Finus was only saved by his constant, shifting pattern of movement.
The Gundam tired of playing with the Zaku aimed its beam rifle in its direction but was surprised by a...
Odessa Base, September 18th, 0079
Lt. Jones, Head of Odessa Maintenance Questioning Continued
CRACKER GRENADE! It missed the Gundam but distracted it long enough for Unt. Yamamoto to close to melee range. I didn't see myself what happened next but I got to take a look at Unt. Yamamoto's combat data. He hit the Gundam with the back of the heat hawk to stun it, and then made slashes to its right arm and shoulder before it retreated.
So you spent a good amount of time watching the fight I see.
Of course, how can you not be entranced by the majesty of mobile suit combat?
Perhaps if my life was on the line. Your Samson was in the lead position yet took an entire 30 seconds to start to move to get behind the Dobday after it ordered you to do so. Your faith in our pilots must be quite high.
Y-yes. Q-quite high in fact. What? Why are you staring at me like that!?
You know exactly why, Lieutenant. I have your cargo manifest right here. Your Samson was allegedly carrying food and medical supplies to the base.
B-but it did, sir. I delivered them myself.
So you did, but that wasn't all was it. You were carrying a short-range transceiver so you could send orders to the Gundam. You almost got away with it too, but you just had to make sure your Gundam took out every last tracer that you installed in the 06th and 14th MS teams. Once I knew what to look for, I simply scanned your quarters for the metal unique to your transceiver, this transceiver in fact. (Pulls a small transceiver from his pocket.)
Clever to disguise your message as comm static but ultimately not clever enough. Guards, get in here and take him away.
No, please I'm innocent you must believe me! W-wait! Let me go! Alright I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything! Just don't kill meeee.
I'll deal with you later, scumbag. Get him out my sight.
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Personal Log, Ankoku, Zeon Intelligence, September 20th, 0079
Today I completed my investigation of the Romanian Convoy attack that occurred 6 days ago. Analysis of the GM wreckage confirmed my suspicions on what happened on Sep 14th, 0079. The traitor Lt. David Jones installed tracers in the 14th team's mobile suits during their precombat maintenance check. He transmitted the coordinates to the Gundam who then synced his targeting computer with the tracer's frequency to quickly eradicate the 14th team. While the GMs distracted the Zakus, the Gundam was to annihilate the Dobday. However Unt. Yamamoto stopped the Gundam and saved the Dobday.
The only question I have yet to answer is why the Gundam and 3 remaining GMs fled from the 3 remaining Zakus. The traitor did not have any more information to offer when subjected to further Intelligence questioning. He did not survive this interrogation. The only explanation that fits is Unt. Yamamoto's that he knocked the pilot out so Lt. Jones was forced to transmit a command to the Gundam.
Allegedly, this command auto-triggered the Gundam's targeting computer which auto-fired the beam rifle which killed Private Engel. Then, the Gundam retreated having eliminated all targets that Lt. Jones sabotaged. How utterly ridiculous. While Unt. Yamamoto was exonerated in this case, I have a feeling that I will be seeing much more of this fool in the future. Intelligence will no doubt want me to keep tabs on him even with this incident resolved. How troublesome. End log.
Encrypt code 42IS DAN5 W3R... Accepted. File encrypted.
Personal Log, Ankoku, Zeon Intelligence, September 15th, 0079
I have begun my investigation into the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079. It is the high command's belief that there are too many things left unexplained in the official report. Due to the highly unusual circumstances of this incident and significant missing elements in the report I have been ordered to fill in these gaps. However, I can read between the lines. I would be a pretty pathetic intelligence officer if I couldn't. I'm looking for a spy. There's just no way the Feddies would have retreated and the higher ups know it.
My primary suspect is Unt. Finus Yamamoto. The story behind him seems a bit too perfect for my liking. He's just a bit too good looking, and his way of speaking just a bit too perfect. From my first impression of the man, he seems like a born actor. If I were the Feddies, I'd send someone like him in, have him ascend to a command role, then have him defect with a sizable chunk of our military. But, I have more pressing matters than idle doomsday speculations, the Antarctic Treaty provides enough as is. Tomorrow, I will be interrogating, er asking a few questions of Unt. Yamamoto. I'll see what sort of man he really is.
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Odessa Base, September 16th, 0079
Yamamoto Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Unterscharfurher
Finus Yamamoto, 8th Mobile Suit Team
I will now read a summary of the official report of the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079.
The 6th, 8th, and 14th MS Teams escorting a supply shipment to Odessa attacked by enemy mobile suits, believed to consist of 5 Gms and 1 Gundam. 14th MS Team eliminated, 6th MS Team, two MS destroyed, other MS heavy damage. 8th team, none destroyed, all light damage. Supply convoy, no damage. Dobday, medium damage.
Do you wish to correct any information about this report?
Nothing except “Gundam defeated by Unterscharfurher Yamamoto”. (Yamamoto grins widely.)
Yes... of course. Please explain for the inquiry board what happened on September 14th, 0079.
There's no board here, just you.
Everything said here will be reviewed by Intelligence High Command's Board of Inquiry. Please answer the question.
Well then that's different, where should I begin... as in that official report I was escorting the supply shipment to Odessa when I said...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Finus Yamamoto POV
“...man its hot in these Zakus.” whined Finus as he attempted to fan himself with his shirt in an unsuccessful attempt of simulating air conditioning. Finus never could take heat, his only other experience on Earth being an 8-month “vacation” in Northern Japan. He didn't exactly enjoy the extreme cold of those mountains... His chills at those memories also failed to cool him.
Finus sighed as he watched the slow-moving convoy. This was a special assignment from high command. Their mission was to escort this convoy carrying secret components for an awesome superhero MS that would end the war with one shot of its humongous cannon, or so he told his squad mates.
It worked like a charm for them, as they gave their status reports eagerly and the Zaku's mono-eye could be seen going back and forth rapidly, a sign of their constant vigilance. Of course Finus knew the truth, this was just a routine resupply for Odessa base. He wished he could be like his squad mates, believing his own ridiculous stories.
Just then, a report came in from his left flank. “Minovsky density rising... its coming from..” The transmission was cut off by a loud explosion. Another soon joined it. Two Zakus dead within seconds. “Report!” Finus shouted. “14th all down, 6th is engaging.” reported the commander of 6th team.
Finus deliberated for what seemed like an eternity on what to do. Should he run, or should he fight? How should he attack? Should he dart this way or that? Which of his squad mates should he send to die so he could live? Wait... Eternity? Finus? Not a chance. He acted on the first impulse that came to mind. “Charge!! Sieg Zeon!! he bellowed as he charged the enemy mobile suits. His training kicked in as he took aim with his machinegun and...
Odessa Base, September 16th, 0079
Yamamoto Questioning – Continued
...I gave that Feddie mobile suit a smashing he won't forget. He then ran off, fearing the wrath that I was about to give him for the deaths of Privates Jericho and Benoit of the 14th team.
So, let me get this straight. You hit the advanced ESF mobile suit with the backside of your heat hawk!?
Yeah, it dodged my first strike, so when it dodged to my right I gave him a vicious smash to the cockpit with the blunt end. No doubt the pilot was knocked out, so the enemy suits autopilot kicked in and he fled.
Combat recordings show that the enemy mobile suit destroyed another Zaku with his beam rifle between the time you hit him and his retreat. Care to explain that?
Obviously, his autopilot system analyzed my piloting ability and knew I'd just dodge if he fired at me. That beam weapon of his is powerful, but can only fire so many times before it runs out of ammo. He knew it would be wasted on a pilot of my ability.
(The questioner seeming to have an intense headache rubs his face with his palm.)
Thank you for your time, Unterscharfurher.
Glad to be of service!
Interview Commentary
Unt. Yamamoto appears to simply be a very lucky man. His team charged into a group of 6 Mobile Suits with Yamamoto himself engaging the Gundam. It appears his quick thinking, however stupid saved him from instant death in his encounter with the Gundam. However, his testimony is completely unreliable. The stress of combat along with his sudden promotion has clearly scrambled his brains. His confidence is so high I believe it endangers the entire base to let him near a cockpit.
However, as long as the current Odessa Base Commander, Standartenfuhrer Romanov owes his life to Unt. Yamamoto, its only a matter of time before Unt. Yamamoto's overconfidence dooms us all. I will continue my investigation tomorrow by interviewing his squad mates. Maybe they can help explain why the Fed's MS Team retreated after destroying 5 Zakus and disabling a 6th. By all accounts they had superior firepower, numbers, and tactics. Unt. Yamamoto's combat recording also shows that the damage he inflicted on the enemy Gundam while significant was not enough to merit withdrawal. Something fishy occurred here and I'm going to find out what it was.
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Odessa Base, September 17th, 0079
08th Team Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Private Blah 08th Mobile Suit Team. Private Something-Something, 08th Mobile Suit Team
Excuse me? Yeah, we get killed off next week so our names aren't really important. (Their names are Private James Anderson and Private Daniel Burns, for the record.)
Right, then... I will now read a summary of the official report of the incident that occurred on September 14th, 0079.
The 6th, 8th, and 14th MS Teams escorting a supply shipment to Odessa attacked by enemy mobile suits, believed to consist of 5 Gms and 1 Gundam. 14th MS Team eliminated, 6th MS Team, two MS destroyed, other MS heavy damage. 8th team, none destroyed, all light damage. Supply convoy no damage. Dobday, medium damage.
Do you wish to correct any information about this report?
Just that we helped destroyed 2 enemy GM mobile suits, the only kills in the battle.
Funny how the pilots with the actual kills in the engagement don't get promoted... Anyway, please explain what happened on September 14th, 0079 in your own words.
I suppose I'll begin. Unterscharfurher Yamamoto had just ordered Private Burns and myself to charge the enemy. We turned towards the oncoming units to see that a...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Private Anderson POV
“...beam rifle is trying to get a lock on us.” said Private Burns trying his best to keep his fear from overwhelming him. “Move faster and stay sharp! 06th Team needs our help. You two take out the GMs that are engaged with 06th team. I'll engage the white mobile suit. Go!” said Finus sounding unusually confident and sure of himself as he dodged the incoming fire.
“Roger that.” said Anderson and Burns in unison as they dodged the Gundam's beam rifle fire as they sped off towards their two targets. The GMs they targeted were slashing mercilessly at the 06th Team's units. They opened fire at the distracted GMs giving them a shower of bullets with their 105mm machineguns. One of the GMs turned to face Anderson and Burns, but completely forgot about his melee opponent.
The 06th team's Zaku 1-Bs might be ancient compared with the newer model Zaku's but their heat hawks slice just as good. One slice to the chest cut completely through the GMs torso and the enemy unit fell lifeless to the ground before it exploded.
“Thanks for the save, 08th team! Now look sharp, we have company!” said the commander of 06th team as the 4 remaining Zakus took on 5 GMs. From their vantage point they had a clear view of both the convoy, and the incoming GMs. More importantly they could see the Gundam lining up another shot at the Dobday. Smoke could be seen rising from the Dobday its main turret was now a useless pile of metal. The Gundam had disabled the large battleship and was preparing to finish it off.
“Take this, Feddie swine!” shouted Finus as he fired at the Gundam's rifle arm with his 120mm machinegun. The majority of the shots tinged off the Gundam's luna titanium armor but one of the rounds struck the Gundam's elbow joint right before its beam rifle fired sending the shot high, just missing the Dobday. Anderson and Burns simply watched in amazement until Finus slammed reality back into them. “What are you idiots doing, take out those GMs! Leave the white mobile suit to me!”
With that Anderson and Burns along with the two 06th team Zakus engaged the remaining four GMs. By concentrating their firepower on the lead suit, the 105mm machine guns gradually did their work and GM exploded in a ball of flame. Unfortunately, the other GMs fired at the Zakus as well. The weaker Zaku armor was no match for the combined firepower of the GMs machineguns and the remaining 06th Team MS fell to the ground dead.
As Anderson and Burns drew their heat hawks and prepared to fight to the death against the other three GM, the federal mobile suits suddenly fell back in retreat.
“A wise decision indeed.” said Finus over the comm, sounding incredibly pleased with himself. Anderson and Burns then heard comm static as they turned to face Finus. They were just in time to see the Gundam rotating around to aim its beam rifle at Finus.
Finus was frozen in shock, he had thought his enemy too psychologically beaten, and damaged to continue to fight. The Gundam's pilot pulled the trigger sending a blast of beam energy whizzing toward Finus who could do nothing to stop it. He closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable explosion.
It never came, at least not for him. A few seconds later he heard a loud...
Odessa Base, September 17th, 0079
08th team Questioning – Continued
BOOM. The reactor of Private Charlie Engel, 14th MS Team went critical. Charlie who was only disabled had managed to get to a kneeling position, and was about to shoot the enemy Gundam with its bazooka but that Gundam had eyes in the back of its head or something. It turned and fired perfectly, killing Private Engel instantly.
Eyes in the back of its head you say. Interesting. So, 06th and 14th MS teams seem to have been targeted exclusively by the enemy mobile suits. What damage did your suits take?
The enemy GMs weren't armed with the beam weaponry of the Gundam, if they had we'd have been goners. Also, as we said they focused their fire on the 06th team. However, we did take some machinegun fire to our legs, head, and arm.
Legs, head, and arm only? Your torso was untouched?
Yes, sir. However, we did follow Unt. Yamamoto's orders to “keep moving” so they couldn't get a clear lock on our cockpit.
I see, do you have anything else to add, Privates?
No sir. However, put in a good word for us with Standartenfuhrer Romanov please, sir!
I'll do what I can. Dismissed.
Interview Commentary
At last I'm getting somewhere. It appears that enemy Gundam either has an extremely sophisticated targeting computer, or got its targeting telemetry from the 14th MS suits themselves. This would also explain how quickly they were defeated. Even with beam weaponry, the fight between the Gundam and three Zakus of the 14th MS team should have taken minutes, not seconds. Also, it appears Unt. Yamamoto's boasts about his shooting were accurate. The Gundam didn't miss on purpose, he was forced to miss.
From this we can rule out anyone aboard the Dobday as a potential suspect. Also, I must grudgingly give Unt. Yamamoto respect for saving the supply convoy and Base Commander Romanov's life. His actions were hasty and stupid, but one second more delay would have doomed everyone. I will have to watch him carefully in the future. However, I think I have an idea what happened. If my suspicions are correct the answer should be in the shipment records. While Base Commander Romanov was in overall command, he didn't oversee the transfer of material. That was done by Lt. Jones. I'll see if my suspicions were correct tomorrow.
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Odessa Base, September 18th, 0079
Lt. Jones, Head of Odessa Maintenance Questioning
Please state your name and rank. Lieutenant David Jones.
I will now skip the summary of the official report that occurred on September 14th, 0079 since I am tired of repeating it. Do you want to add anything?
No, let's get this over with. I have MS that need repairing.
As you wish, Lieutenant. So what was your role in the battle. Where were you and what did you do?
Me? Nothing. I was in the lead Samson when our convoy was attacked. I had someone ready at the gun, but it never needed to be fired. Our MS did a great job of repelling the attack!
That they did. No doubt you had a good vantage point with which to see the epic battle between Unt. Yamamoto and the enemy Gundam. I heard it was quite a show.
It was indeed. Unt. Yamamoto saved all our lives with his defeat of the Gundam. You should have been there. While the other Zakus engaged the GMs, Unt. Yamamoto charged at the enemy with his machinegun...
Romania, September 14th, 0079
Finus Yamamoto POV
“....out of ammo already!?” exclaimed Finus as the machinegun made an empty clicking sound. After Finus had left his squad mates to tangle with the GMs, he had successfully forced the Gundam to miss with a well-placed (and/or lucky) shot to its elbow. Finus realized after the Gundam turned to face him that he was no match for the advanced Feddie monster, er mobile suit and changed tactics. He used his machinegun to kick up dust around the area and fired blindly into the general vicinity of the Gundam. Naturally, this did nothing to the enemy Gundam except let him know exactly where he was and waste all of his machinegun ammo.
Wanting to conserve its beam energy to finish the Dobday, the MPT Gundam fired its chest vulcans, catching Finus's Zaku in the right side and upper right leg. Having heard the clank of shell against armor, the Gundam fired a grenade from its multi-launcher. The Zaku avoided a direct hit, but the shrapnel of the grenade dug into the already weakened armor, exposing circuitry to the open air. Finus was only saved by his constant, shifting pattern of movement.
The Gundam tired of playing with the Zaku aimed its beam rifle in its direction but was surprised by a...
Odessa Base, September 18th, 0079
Lt. Jones, Head of Odessa Maintenance Questioning Continued
CRACKER GRENADE! It missed the Gundam but distracted it long enough for Unt. Yamamoto to close to melee range. I didn't see myself what happened next but I got to take a look at Unt. Yamamoto's combat data. He hit the Gundam with the back of the heat hawk to stun it, and then made slashes to its right arm and shoulder before it retreated.
So you spent a good amount of time watching the fight I see.
Of course, how can you not be entranced by the majesty of mobile suit combat?
Perhaps if my life was on the line. Your Samson was in the lead position yet took an entire 30 seconds to start to move to get behind the Dobday after it ordered you to do so. Your faith in our pilots must be quite high.
Y-yes. Q-quite high in fact. What? Why are you staring at me like that!?
You know exactly why, Lieutenant. I have your cargo manifest right here. Your Samson was allegedly carrying food and medical supplies to the base.
B-but it did, sir. I delivered them myself.
So you did, but that wasn't all was it. You were carrying a short-range transceiver so you could send orders to the Gundam. You almost got away with it too, but you just had to make sure your Gundam took out every last tracer that you installed in the 06th and 14th MS teams. Once I knew what to look for, I simply scanned your quarters for the metal unique to your transceiver, this transceiver in fact. (Pulls a small transceiver from his pocket.)
Clever to disguise your message as comm static but ultimately not clever enough. Guards, get in here and take him away.
No, please I'm innocent you must believe me! W-wait! Let me go! Alright I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything! Just don't kill meeee.
I'll deal with you later, scumbag. Get him out my sight.
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Personal Log, Ankoku, Zeon Intelligence, September 20th, 0079
Today I completed my investigation of the Romanian Convoy attack that occurred 6 days ago. Analysis of the GM wreckage confirmed my suspicions on what happened on Sep 14th, 0079. The traitor Lt. David Jones installed tracers in the 14th team's mobile suits during their precombat maintenance check. He transmitted the coordinates to the Gundam who then synced his targeting computer with the tracer's frequency to quickly eradicate the 14th team. While the GMs distracted the Zakus, the Gundam was to annihilate the Dobday. However Unt. Yamamoto stopped the Gundam and saved the Dobday.
The only question I have yet to answer is why the Gundam and 3 remaining GMs fled from the 3 remaining Zakus. The traitor did not have any more information to offer when subjected to further Intelligence questioning. He did not survive this interrogation. The only explanation that fits is Unt. Yamamoto's that he knocked the pilot out so Lt. Jones was forced to transmit a command to the Gundam.
Allegedly, this command auto-triggered the Gundam's targeting computer which auto-fired the beam rifle which killed Private Engel. Then, the Gundam retreated having eliminated all targets that Lt. Jones sabotaged. How utterly ridiculous. While Unt. Yamamoto was exonerated in this case, I have a feeling that I will be seeing much more of this fool in the future. Intelligence will no doubt want me to keep tabs on him even with this incident resolved. How troublesome. End log.
Encrypt code 42IS DAN5 W3R... Accepted. File encrypted.