Chapter 253: Fishing Fire Sets Sail 4
At the same time, the external cargo hatch of the shuttle opened.
Barbatos raised its smoothbore cannon and fired directly at the cockpit of the space-type Graze above, crushing the cockpit with one clean shot.
Right after, Tolle launched in the Heavy Firepower-Type Bael Gundam, bursting out of the cargo hold. He lifted both Gatling cannons and unleashed a rapid storm of bullets at the Graze units on both sides.
In an instant, the two Grazes' right arms and heads were blown apart.
Seeing their allies destroyed in seconds, the surrounding Gjallarhorn space Grazes surged forward all at once.
They raised their assault rifles and opened fire on the shuttle without hesitation.
Even the armored assault-class Gjallarhorn warships began firing missiles and main cannons aggressively.
Tolle immediately focused and synchronized with the Alaya-Vijnana system. He raised both Gatling guns and swept the incoming projectiles.
But there were too many incoming missiles—so he pushed the Heavy Firepower-Type Bael Gundam into a high-speed spin, performing multiple 360-degree intercept rotations.
Explosions erupted in every direction, like a whirlwind scattering sparks across space. All the incoming missiles and shells were intercepted and detonated mid-flight under the barrage.
Once the defensive rotation was complete, Tolle cut off the Alaya-Vijnana link and exhaled heavily.
The shuttle used the opening to accelerate and escape in another direction.
Tolle briefly used the comm system to contact Spark No.1 for rendezvous arrangements.
Fishing Fire should already be departing the civilian orbital harbor under Orga's secret orders. They would meet directly in space.
This was Mikazuki's first battle in space. He stayed near his starting point in Barbatos, firing the smoothbore cannon to suppress the pursuing Grazes.
But he quickly adapted to space maneuvering—making subtle thruster bursts, dodging left and right while firing the smoothbore cannon to control the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Tolle continued firing Gatling rounds and shoulder-fired armor-piercing rounds at the Grazes closing from both flanks.
More than twenty Gjallarhorn Grazes were locked down by just two Gundams.
Of course, they had come prepared—because Tolle was present, Gjallarhorn had deployed five to six times more troops for this interception.
But even that was naïve.
This amount is nothing.
Tolle had once faced hundreds of unmanned units alone.
The only complication now was protecting the shuttle.
If beam weapons actually worked here, he could finish the battle in under a minute.
Tolle soon spotted the Grazes piloted by Crank, Ein, and Kujan.
He had long wanted to tear Kujan apart with his own hands. The moment chaos broke loose, Kujan was marked for execution.
As for Crank and Ein? They could drift in space for a while.
Without hesitation, Tolle charged toward the three.
He opened fire on Crank and Ein first. Ein went down instantly—Barbatos blew apart the head, limbs, and torso.
Crank barely dodged the incoming barrage.
But it didn't matter—Tolle had already locked onto Kujan's Graze cockpit with the shoulder armor-piercing round.
The shot landed perfectly.
The Graze split in half. The new DG cells activated, sealing Kujan inside his crushed cockpit—leaving the machine unstable and seconds from exploding.
He would sit there and wait for death.
Tolle didn't bother following up. He broke off pursuit and chased Crank to prevent rescue.
After several Gatling sweeps, Crank soon became another drifting chunk of twisted metal in space.
Meanwhile, Kujan's Graze finally detonated—becoming a brief firework in the void.
Elsewhere, with assistance from Akihiro and Dante Moguro, the assault warship Fishing Fire finally arrived.
They quickly retrieved Orga's shuttle into the warship.
Moments later, Spark No.1 also arrived and immediately opened fire on the Gjallarhorn assault ships ahead.
At that moment, the DG cells Tolle implanted into McGillis and Gaelio finally activated—pulling their warship into the battlefield.
A customized Graze wielding a knight-style lance rushed straight toward Tolle.
One look was enough—only Gaelio would pilot something so dramatic.
Tolle still remembered the terrible impression from last time. If not for the fact he had a cute little sister, Tolle wouldn't have bothered saving him in the first place.
But seeing that lance reminded Tolle of the Psycho Frame Zimmond Gundam. He hadn't retrieved it last time he was on Earth—but this time, he wouldn't miss it. He would claim it.
Without hesitation, Tolle lifted both Gatling cannons and fired relentlessly at the charging Gaelio.
Gaelio was forced into evasive maneuvers, gradually being pushed farther back.
Seeing the situation worsening, McGillis launched in his own space-type Graze and opened fire from afar, covering Gaelio with rifle support.
At the same time, Mikazuki—having cleared the rear threat—joined the fight. He raised the mace-halberd and charged at Gaelio.
With the Alaya-Vijnana system assisting, Barbatos' fluid attacks overwhelmed Gaelio and forced him into constant defense.
Meanwhile, Tolle kept up pressure—firing at McGillis while closing the distance.
But McGillis's evasive abilities were excellent—every burst narrowly missed him.