Chapter 89: You’re the Nightmare?

Chapter 89: You're the Nightmare?

The reason Eli remained outside was certainly not due to any fear of engaging in combat within Solomon.

In fact, in a close-quarters battle within a confined space, Eli's Newtype abilities would give him an absolute preemptive advantage.

No matter how well-hidden the enemy was, they would be vividly marked in Eli's vision, allowing him to predict their actions in advance.

Yet, Eli still chose to stay outside instead of entering with Amuro to expand their victories.

The reason was simple.

He had to protect General Tianem—General Revil's prized protégé and most satisfactory successor.

To put it pessimistically, even if Eli couldn't change General Revil's fate, as long as General Tianem survived, there would still be someone to inherit Revil's legacy. This would prevent the Revil faction from collapsing and being replaced by the conservative faction favored by the civilian government, which would ultimately be manipulated by Jamitov.

In short, General Tianem was one of Eli's greatest opportunities to alter the future since his decision to go to space.

At the same time, Eli had complete faith that Amuro could preserve himself and achieve a great victory within Solomon Fortress.

Thus, Eli remained outside and began deploying the railgun mounted on the right shoulder of the EZ-SR.

For the sake of mobility in standard operations, the railgun was installed in a folded state.

Now, as the barrel extended and the ammunition chamber was engaged, the energy storage unit started charging from the nuclear reactor.

Railguns required an immense instantaneous electrical output, and if powered solely by the mobile suit, it could potentially cause a brief shutdown.

To address this, Yashima Heavy Industries had specially added an energy storage device, which slowly charged under normal circumstances and then discharged the stored power through the capacitor when firing.

However, this setup slightly reduced the mobile suit's overall power output in regular conditions.

But in Eli's eyes, this was a non-issue.

"Vmm!"

Even though deploying the railgun required additional maneuvering considerations for the EZ-SR, Eli didn't slow down his rate of fire.

On the contrary, he even executed a full-scale weapon deployment—besides the railgun—eliminating a small enemy squad of three mobile suits nearby, ensuring that the reinforcements could advance more swiftly toward Solomon.

At this moment, General Tianem's main forces had pushed forward completely.

Not only was Amuro making progress, but troops from other directions had also broken through the defense lines and successfully landed.

"People always talk about how 'bad' the GMs are, but in reality, they truly are the Federation's key to victory."

Watching waves of GM units rushing past him toward Solomon Fortress, Eli realized that even if he could secure an advantage, he still needed manpower to capitalize on it.

War was a game of numbers.

Eli sighed inwardly and continued covering his allies, preventing the enemy from blocking their advance.

"The Hawken fleet's direction—there's a Big Zam charging in!"

At that moment, multiple GM pilots relayed the same warning through the allied communication channel.

The approaching Big Zam seemed to be a terrifying presence for them.

"What's going on?"

After eliminating the enemies in front of him, Eli secured a temporary lull in combat with the help of his allies.

"It seems that thing just took down several Salamis-class ships in succession and is now charging forward! They're saying—it's 'Solomon's Nightmare'!"

Eli frowned.

Solomon's Nightmare… Anavel Gato?

His brows furrowed further.

Gato had already earned the title of "Solomon's Nightmare," but in this battle, his name would truly be solidified—when he decimated the Federation's pursuing forces during their retreat.

It seemed that Gato was already active on the battlefield.

"Send me that guy's coordinates—I'll handle him!"

Upon receiving the target marker from his allies, Eli immediately piloted his mobile suit, momentarily charging up before accelerating into a sprint!

Wreckage was marked by his system, and Eli skillfully adjusted his foot pedals and control sticks to maneuver past them in a zigzag pattern, cutting across space in the opposite direction of Solomon Fortress.

During this process, Eli caught glimpses of soldiers from both sides, floating helplessly in the void, waving at any passing mobile suits in desperation.

He saw a Zeon soldier standing atop a shattered Zaku wreck, waving toward a nearby Ball mobile pod.

It was only a fleeting sight, but it left a deep impression on Eli.

However, he had no time to dwell on that Zeon soldier's fate.

Because now, appearing on his system's display, was the blue-and-gray Rick Dom.

"Gato, huh…"

Eli's expression twisted slightly with disdain.

Other Zeon soldiers—he might accept their surrender.

But Gato, a die-hard militarist, was someone Eli would never believe capable of repenting.

"Vmm!"

Without any words or warnings, a pink beam shot out from the beam rifle in the EZ-SR's right hand!

"The White one? No… Gray?"

Inside his Rick Dom, Gato instinctively dodged the beam with his sharp reflexes.

But before he could retort or analyze the situation, three missiles came at him from different angles!

After taking down multiple warships just moments ago, Gato had no immediate means to deal with these incoming missiles.

Fortunately, there was plenty of debris nearby.

He instantly ignited his thrusters, ducking into the shadow of a wrecked Musai cruiser.

As expected, the missiles exploded against the Musai's remains.

"There's no doubt about it—even though it's gray… that's still a Gundam!"

Gato could feel his blood boiling.

Destroying a Gundam had always been one of his greatest desires!

Eliminating the biggest enemy of Zeon's ideals—that was his conviction.

He drew his heat saber and switched it to his left hand.

Then, he checked his rocket launcher's ammo.

Only three rounds left.

Even so!

Gato let the flames in his heart burn freely as he prepared to burst out from the wreckage and use the Rick Dom's superior straight-line acceleration to close the distance.

However, suddenly—he caught sight of a shadow darting above him!

Gato immediately looked up, raising his rocket launcher high.

"Boom!"

The next moment, an explosion erupted behind the Musai wreck!

But this was not from Gato firing his rocket.

Instead, a beam from below had scraped past his Rick Dom, directly striking his rocket launcher—triggering a premature detonation!