On the ground, BuCUE pilot Ba-01 maneuvered the mobile suit at high speed, fingers resting on the trigger while the twin electromagnetic cannons on its back targeted the sky.
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, a strong shockwave rattled the cockpit, followed immediately by urgent alarm warnings. Checking the alerts, pilot Ba-01 instantly realized they were under attack from another direction.
"Everyone be careful! It might be those Desert Dawn insects!" Ba-01 warned his comrades over the comms while scanning the surroundings with his sensors.
"Received, Ba-01!" came the prompt response from his teammates through the communication channel.
Meanwhile, in the air, Mu watched the ground situation with confusion. "Who's helping us?" he muttered to himself.
Another surface-to-air missile launched toward the BuCUE, but this time the attack lacked the element of surprise. The BuCUE's agile mobility allowed it to easily evade the incoming projectile, its electromagnetic cannons swiveling toward the firing direction.
Seeing this, Mu dove his Skygrasper downward, opening fire on the BuCUE. The aerial assault forced pilot Ba-01 to abort his attack and maneuver for evasion. The electromagnetic cannons redirected skyward and returned fire.
Mu jerked the control stick left, then pulled back while pressing hard on the pedals. The Skygrasper executed a barrel roll to avoid the ground fire before pitching up and rapidly gaining altitude with increased thrust.
"Damn it!" Ba-01 cursed in frustration as his attack failed.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Multiple surface-to-air missiles streaked in from the distance.
"These maggots are so annoying!" the pilot grumbled while monitoring his screens. Simultaneously, he transformed the BuCUE into tank mode, rapidly changing position using its treads.
BOOM!!!
A violent explosion sent sand spraying across his display.
"Thanks!"
"No need, just doing my job."
"Ba-03, watch out! Indigo, Alpha!" Ba-01 warned a comrade while observing their situation through his screen. His hands never stopped moving as he squeezed the trigger, both electromagnetic cannons firing at the Skygrasper.
BOOM!
The cannon roared as electromagnetic shells shot skyward.
"Damn it!"
Mu, seeing the situation, let out a low growl and swiftly maneuvered the Skygrasper, barely evading the attack through aerial maneuvers.
After dodging this assault, Mu hadn't even caught his breath when the ground coalition's firepower targeted him again. With no time to spare, he manipulated the Skygrasper into another evasive maneuver.
Having avoided this attack, Mu now confirmed one thing.
The ZAFT forces here were completely different from the majority of ZAFT troops. Their coordination was seamless, and their execution of combined tactics was remarkably sophisticated—so much so that it reminded him of ZAFT's most elite unit.
"BuCUE Three, Yellow, marking Zero Two, Charlie!"
"Received!"
The pilot of BuCUE Three, having received the attack coordinates, adjusted the two electromagnetic cannons on the BuCUE's back, aiming the barrels toward the designated position.
Boom!
A roar of cannon fire echoed.
The electromagnetic cannon shell shot out at high speed.
Bang!
A loud explosion sounded from the target area, sending sand flying over ten meters into the air.
"BuCUE Four, Indigo, marking Fifteen, Alpha! Maneuver left and open fire simultaneously."
"Received!"
BuCUE Four's pilot acknowledged the command from his teammate. He maneuvered the BuCUE to the left, firing both electromagnetic cannons toward the specified position overhead.
Boom!
The cannon fire roared.
The electromagnetic cannon shell raced straight toward the Skygrasper.
Seeing the attack miss and then another one coming his way, Mu hurriedly rolled the Skygrasper in mid-air to evade the incoming shots.
On the Archangel's bridge
——
Murrue watched the battle unfold on the screen, her expression extremely grave.
"Badgiruel, these ZAFT forces are very different."
"Yes! They closely resemble that elite ZAFT unit we encountered before. Their coordination is flawless, and their use of combined tactics is highly refined."
Badgiruel, hearing this, wore an equally solemn expression as she replied to Murrue. After speaking, she once again directed the fire control department to launch an attack.
Out in the desert—
"BuCUE One, I've exhausted my firepower here."
BuCUE Two checked his ammunition reserves and communicated with his comrade BuCUE One over the comms.
BuCUE One, upon hearing this, also checked his own ammunition situation.
"Same here, BuCUE Two."As he spoke, BuCUE One controlled the BuCUE to transform from tank mode to beast mode, leaping up from the ground to evade—the attacks fired by the Skygrasper."
"If only we were equipped with beam weapons too."
BuCUE One said enviously, gazing at the Skygrasper's beam weapon. After speaking, he reported to the squad leader over the comms.
"Leader, this is BuCUE One! BuCUE One! Please respond if you copy!"
"Copy, go ahead!"
Andrew's voice came through the comms immediately after BuCUE One's call.
BuCUE One quickly reported.
"Leader, we're running low on ammunition."
"Retreat!"
Andrew, without hesitation, immediately ordered a retreat!
"BuCUE One, copy!"
"BuCUE Two, copy!"
"BuCUE Three, copy!"
"BuCUE Thirteen, copy!"
One after another, replies echoed over the comms. Andrew looked at the Strike Gundam before him and said with a smile,
"Looks like we'll have to continue our fight another time."
With that, Andrew pulled the trigger.
The electromagnetic cannon fired at the Strike Gundam.
Kira, seeing this, controlled the Strike Gundam to evade the attack.
The Beam Rifle fired accordingly.
Under Aisha's control, the specialized BuCUE dodged the attacks from the Beam Rifle.
Transforming into tank mode, it quickly retreated backward.
Andrew manipulated the Electromagnetic Cannon on its back, rotating it to fire at the pursuing Strike Gundam.
The continuous barrage left Kira with no opportunity to pursue, forcing him to counterattack using the Strike Gundam's Beam Rifle.
Several shots were fired, but all missed due to the specialized BuCUE's agile maneuvering, making accurate targeting impossible.
"Kira, the enemy has withdrawn."
Mu's voice came through the cockpit comms.
Hearing this, Kira ceased firing with the Strike Gundam.
Not far away, on a sand dune, a figure emerged from the sand, propping themselves up and shaking their head. Sand hidden within the golden hair scattered, falling back onto the dune.
"Qisaka, are you alright?"
Looking ahead, an anxious and worried voice called out.