Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 1: Battle in the Jungle

The reticle framed a forest green mechanical giant within its crosshairs.

That mechanical giant was treading through a dense jungle, its iconic mono-eye monitor scanning left and right. Amidst the fine drizzle falling over Southeast Asia, the red glow of its mono-eye spread ominously, enough to make one's heart quiver. Behind it, two identical giants followed in a triangular formation.

These were enemy forces: mobile weapons known as Mobile Suits (MS), developed by the Principality of Zeon to counter their disadvantage in military strength. Replacing tanks on gravity-bound frontlines, they had become armored units capable of shifting the tides of battle.

"Three Zaku units moving northwest. How lucky. Karen, data is transmitted!"

Although its official model name was Zaku II, everyone simply referred to it as Zaku. Eli Lee didn't rush to pull the trigger on the controls. Instead, he confirmed the data transmission on the comms screen beside him.

It's worth noting that, under normal circumstances, wireless communication was near-impossible on this terrain. The presence of a special particle—Minovsky Particles—heavily interfered with electromagnetic waves, reducing long-distance transmissions to static. When particle concentration reached extreme levels, losing contact on the battlefield was all too common. This rendered guided weapons like missiles and anti-air artillery ineffective.

For a time, the war that engulfed the human world—and even triggered the fall of colony satellites—seemed to regress to World War II combat methods.

Just like now, Eli was piloting the Earth Federation's latest combat weapon, yet relying on optical scopes for aiming. For communication with Karen, they used a physical land cable stretched across the ground, enabling wired data transfer.

"Data received. Ready to fire at any time!"

A firm, rugged voice came through the comms.

The woman named Karen had a rough and unpolished tone—perhaps a product of the war's influence on people.

After confirming that the Zaku squad hadn't changed its path, Eli quietly adjusted his crosshairs, aiming at the center Zaku of the trio.

The Earth Federation, engaged in a struggle against Zeon, naturally had its own MS to match—though it appeared on the battlefield nearly six months late. Eli was piloting one of these new machines: the Ground Type Gundam.

The name "Gundam" originated from another legendary machine, but that story could wait.

Now, the Ground Type Gundam, with the number "06" emblazoned on its left shoulder armor, crouched low. Under jungle cover, Eli carefully raised his weapon—a massive 180mm cannon—stabilizing it on a shield planted into the ground as support. This cannon possessed immense firepower, capable of destroying an enemy with a single shot.

Boom!

The roar of cannon fire shattered the rainforest's silence!

However, it wasn't Eli's Gundam that had fired. On a nearby western hill, another Ground Type Gundam stood with smoke still trailing from its 180mm cannon. This was Karen's machine.

Unfortunately, the shot only carved a massive crater into the ground, causing no casualties.

Karen's target—the Zaku at the rear of the trio—had stopped abruptly due to a fallen tree, allowing her shell to miss, skimming just in front of it. The Zaku pilot could practically see the rippling shockwaves as the shell sliced through the air.

"Enemy attack!"

A panicked cry erupted across the Zakus' comms.

Though the shot had missed, the three Zakus wasted no time. Their thrusters flared as they scattered in different directions. True to form, another cannon shot screamed through the air moments later—Karen had adjusted her aim using Eli's data. This time, her shell struck true.

While it didn't directly hit the cockpit, it impacted the Zaku's left side. Even so, the sheer kinetic force of the explosion hurled the machine to the ground. Judging by the scattered parts and severed mechanical arm, it was unlikely the Zaku could continue fighting.

Faint, desperate cries of a man echoed in Eli's ears, though the words were unclear—like the droning hum of insects in the rainforest night, present but elusive.

Meanwhile, a startled flock of birds burst from Karen's position, giving away her location.

"You can retreat, Karen. Leave the rest to me!"

Eli watched as the center Zaku raised its Magella Cannon and, under orders from the team leader, aimed at Karen's direction. The Magella Cannon—a field weapon cobbled together from the Magella Tank's turret and a Zaku machine gun—still packed considerable punch with its 175mm caliber.

To play it safe, Eli ordered his ally to withdraw. Once he confirmed Karen had retreated through the wired comms, Eli revealed himself.

The 180mm cannon in his hands fired immediately.

The Zaku, which had paused to aim, was locked in Eli's sights. The shell punched through its chest armor, obliterating the cockpit. The pilot inside never even had time for last words.

Another anguished cry echoed in Eli's ears. He was used to it. Without hesitation, Eli's Ground Type Gundam stood up amidst the jungle. The camo netting draped over it tore away, and the land cable was severed with a yank.

By then, the 180mm cannon had reloaded. Eli aimed for the final Zaku, but its veteran pilot was ready. The Zaku dodged instinctively and fired its rocket launcher mid-maneuver.

Eli's shot missed, but he remained calm. He turned his Gundam to face the incoming rocket. The vulcan guns in the Gundam's chest blazed, detonating the rocket in midair.

Without pause, Eli advanced. Dropping the spent 180mm cannon, he bent down to retrieve the shield planted in the ground, reattaching it to his left arm. In his right hand, he grabbed the nearby 100mm machine gun.

The Gundam's thrusters roared, propelling Eli forward as he charged toward the final Zaku.