The launch of the Royalty Gundam at the Mars Colony Combat Fleet sent shockwaves across the entire Colonial system, although its technical details were kept highly secret. At the Earth Rebels' hidden base, Zaki, Maki, and Augustina could only rely on vague intelligence reports and bombastic Colonian media. They knew they were now facing an elite, Gundam-equivalent Mobile Suit, specially designed to annihilate The White Ghost, but they did not know exactly how deadly the unit was.
King Grisel Nova, driven by ambition and the need to justify the massive investment in Project Grai, did not want to waste any time. He needed a resounding victory to test the Royalty Gundam under real combat pressure, before hunting the mysterious White Gundam.
That opportunity came three days after the launch.
Colonian intelligence reports (widely publicized to bait the enemy) indicated that a remnant group of the Old Federation Rebel fleet was organizing a surprise attack on the Colonian Mars Main Logistics Dock in North America. This dock was a vital point for the transfer of Mobile Suits and supplies to Mars. The Old Federation forces planned to seize the dock to secure a foothold and capture a large Colonian transport ship.
"This is your chance, Felisio!" King Grisel Nova boomed to his son in the luxurious control room. "Destroy these lowly Rebels. Show the world, especially that cowardly White Ghost, who deserves to rule. Make them bow to the Royalty!"
Felisio Nova sneered arrogantly in the Royalty Gundam's cockpit. Beside him, the calm and cold Yukina Asfort checked the funnel system with trained fingers.
"The Royalty Gundam was not created to hunt old Mobile Suits, Father. But we will make this a spectacular display," Felisio replied, his voice filled with excessive confidence. "We will tear through their ranks and make them know that their resistance is just a pitiful joke."
The Royalty Gundam was launched at high speed from its aircraft carrier. Its gold frame and black armor glittered conspicuously under the sunlight. Its speed surpassed any Colonian unit that had ever existed; it moved like a lightning bolt in the atmosphere.
At the dock, the Old Federation Rebel Forces—consisting of repaired old Pioneer Mobile Suits, several modified tanks, and heavily armed infantry units—had already begun their attack. They were firing at the supply warehouses and trying to seize the control tower, striving to capture the vital dock.
The Royalty Gundam arrived at the attack site in a blink, much faster than any standard Colonian Mobile Suit. Its sudden arrival created momentary panic.
"Yukina, target 9 o'clock. Focus the Knife Funnel fire to clear out those Pioneer Mobile Suits. Don't let anything get close!" Felisio commanded, his voice calm yet tinged with excitement.
"Understood, Prince Felisio. Activating Funnel Wings," Yukina replied with emotionless efficiency.
From the Royalty Gundam's back, the unique wings attached to the unit's backpack began to separate. These small sections floated and spun in the air, functioning as autonomous drone-shooter units called Knife Funnels. They fired a barrage of small, highly precise beams, disabling the Pioneer Mobile Suits one by one with attacks coming from multiple directions. The Old Federation Rebel pilots were shocked and confused; they had never faced autonomous weapons that fast and accurate, especially from a unit that looked like a large melee-fighter.
"This is the art of Mars Colony warfare! The ability to suppress the enemy without needing to get close!" Felisio exclaimed. He aimed his Combined Beam Rifle-Sword. The Rifle spewed a thick beam, destroying the remaining tanks and infantry units trying to hide behind the dock buildings. Felisio was not using full power; he was toying with his enemies, showcasing the immense power gap.
A remaining Pioneer Mobile Suit pilot, driven by desperation, tried to attack the Royalty Gundam from behind, launching an old missile. Felisio did not need to look.
"Yukina, activate the rear Knife Funnels and launch counter-fire," he ordered casually.
One Knife Funnel quickly turned, disabling the Pioneer with a beam shot precisely into its knee and shoulder joints, causing the Pioneer to fall heavily.
Felisio then sped forward, a maneuver that looked like a dance of gold and black. He approached the leading Pioneer Mobile Suit. He did not shoot. He swung the Steel Sword embedded in his Beam Rifle. The sword, made of strong gold alloyed with hard Colonian material, was capable of slicing through the Pioneer's armor as if it were paper. Felisio used the sword to cleave the remaining Pioneer units, demonstrating his dominance in close-quarters combat.
The action lasted no more than five minutes.
The Royalty Gundam stood tall in the middle of the dock, now littered with damaged Pioneer Mobile Suits and fire. Not a single Old Federation Rebel Mobile Suit managed to approach the dock. The force was completely crippled.
"Report to Father," Felisio said, dusting debris from his armor. "The trash forces have been suppressed. They have bowed. Now, we will hunt for the real target: that White Phantom."
News of the Royalty Gundam's absolute victory was immediately broadcast throughout the Colonies and Earth. This success boosted Colonian morale and cemented King Grisel Nova's position. For the Earth Rebels under Augustina and the Kimeza family, this was a clear message: Project Grai had matured, and they now had to face a Mobile Suit designed to kill them—a Mobile Suit whose power they could only imagine from afar.
At the secret base, Zaki watched the news report showing only flashes of the gold and black unit moving at incredible speed. "Royalty Gundam... fast, with highly effective aerial weapons, and a deadly sword. We have to rely on AIRIS and the White Gundam's speed. We must not let them lock onto us with those long-range weapons."
Feres Mcgraven, in her new IBIS dock, merely smiled faintly, stroking her Mobile Suit's blade claws. "Let them control the land and air. I will be the surprise that makes the Royalty fear the depths of the sea."
The threat of the Royalty Gundam was now the top priority. The White Gundam had to immediately prepare for its first Royal confrontation.
To be continued....