Chapter 273: Suez Support (Part 6)

The Suez defense battle over the next few days proceeded exactly as Li Boyong had anticipated: the ZAFT forces adopted a combat style focused on dragging out the conflict and attrition.

In general, it meant the BuCUEs would go up to serve as bait, then retreat to be covered by ship-based artillery; once the shelling ceased, the BuCUEs would charge in alongside other MS, a style quite reminiscent of the era of line infantry firing squads.

If the Suez side deployed aerial units, ZAFT's air force would arrive right on cue.

Thus, under several days of attrition, the Alliance side gradually fell into a disadvantage on both the ground and in the air. If not for the powerful support of Li Boyong's elite unit, the situation would inevitably have worsened.

Even so, the Alliance's defensive line had been pushed back to the confluence of two river valleys.

Compared to defending the two narrow valleys separately, defending just one now proved even more arduous, as the area requiring defense was significantly wider than before.

As the battle entered its fifth day, Li Boyong felt that the allied forces were nearing their breaking point.

In that case, ZAFT should also be about ready to launch their general offensive.

Over the past few days, he had held back much of his strength while providing support, waiting to seize a tactical opportunity during ZAFT's main assault. The target he intended to strike was, naturally, the ZAFT carrier fleet that had been hunkered down in the rear since the beginning of this defense battle.

Sure enough, after the routine probing and skirmishing, ZAFT's second wave of the day hit with exceptional ferocity. The previously cautious BuCUEs suddenly became unstoppable.

Behind the BuCUEs were a significant number of GuAIZ R units and a small quantity of ZAKU Warriors. Under the cover of GOUF Ignited fire, these units followed the BuCUEs in a charge.

For a moment, the Alliance's defensive line appeared precarious, but gaps also began to appear in the ZAFT formation.

Li Boyong spotted several opportunities; if he could lead his own Gundams to launch an attack, they would surely achieve excellent results.

"MS team, prepare..."

Just as Li Boyong was about to lead the charge, the radar operator's surprised shout rang out: "ZAFT signatures detected at three o'clock—three BaCUEs and five DINNs, currently flying toward Port Said."

"Port Said?" Li Boyong clicked his tongue. "Archangel, fall back. We're returning to defend Port Said."

This was a clever move. It seemed the enemy commander hadn't forgotten about his unit and had played a card that forced a rescue at a critical moment.

It appeared that his conservative tactics over the past few days had revealed to the enemy that he wouldn't risk his life for the Suez garrison.

"But, what about the stronghold?"

The Archangel's captain hesitated.

"It's fine. My unit has independent command authority; we must prioritize protecting the fleet at the port," Li Boyong replied. "Since ZAFT's air force has gone to the port, the freed-up Dagger L units can help stabilize the defensive line for a while."

"Yes!" The captain acknowledged the order and began issuing specific instructions.

Soon, the Archangel turned and left the front line.

"What? The Archangel is withdrawing from the front?"

The Archangel's movements were naturally observed by the Suez stronghold command. The commander was furious. "Those damn Phantom Pain, they only know how to look out for themselves."

"Commander, calm down. This isn't necessarily a bad thing for us. Since ZAFT's air force has gone to the port, we can deploy the Dagger L units here to stabilize the situation." The adjutant hurriedly reminded his commander; managing the battle was the priority, and assigning blame could wait until after the war.

However, since the other party was Phantom Pain, if headquarters was willing to reprimand them with a light slap on the wrist, it would be considered giving the commander immense face.

"Very well. Deploy our aerial units and suppress the enemy's offensive," the commander ordered, regaining his composure.

Soon, the hidden launch tunnels in the mountains were opened, and the Dagger L units sortied one after another.

With the support of the Dagger L units, the Alliance barely managed to stabilize the defensive line.

At Port Said, the returning Archangel arrived just in time before the ZAFT forces reached the port.

Facing a Port Said that was strictly on guard, the ZAFT aerial MS team chose not to launch a full-scale assault, opting instead to circle the perimeter. Clearly, their goal was to pin Li Boyong's unit down here.

In truth, considering their combat power, it was somewhat unjustifiable for so much of Li Boyong's strength to be tied down here.

But he treasured this direct subordinate unit of his; having already lost one destroyer and seven MS, he would feel a pang of pain if they suffered further losses.

Besides, the system hadn't issued a mission, and Li Boyong's mindset was as steady as an old dog; he had zero motivation.

Moreover, this stronghold would eventually be taken by the Minerva anyway, so even if he didn't hold it this time, it was no big deal.

Holding this mindset, Li Boyong was perfectly willing to be pinned down at the port.

However, he still managed to pull a fast one on the ZAFT forces, ordering the Abyss and Forbidden Blue to submerge and approach in silence.

Then, several aerial units began to voluntarily let the ZAFT forces "walk them like dogs." When the time was right, the two underwater Gundams suddenly surfaced, and a barrage of fire pinned the ZAFT forces down.

Li Boyong then led his aerial units in a swarm, cleanly taking out this ZAFT force. He didn't lose out on this exchange, anyway.

By this time, the battle on the main front had also drawn to a close.

ZAFT's general offensive ultimately failed to break the Alliance's final defensive line.

At the critical moment, the stronghold's positron blaster cannon was successfully brought online, repelling the ZAFT offensive with a single shot.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the ZAFT forces voluntarily retreated, leaving the stronghold commander feeling quite miserable.

Although he successfully held the stronghold and waited for the positron cannon platform to be successfully built and operational, no ZAFT forces would ever be able to pass through this river valley from now on.

he had been bled dry by the ZAFT forces over the past few days. As the defender, he had suffered an ugly casualty ratio, and he felt depressed even in victory.

Looking at the ZAFT side, they actually still had the strength to launch another attack, but the commander wisely chose to hold back for now.

The reason he could remain so calm despite failing to take the Suez stronghold was that this white-uniformed commander had received new information: the Minerva, having departed from Carpentaria Base, had completed resupply at Mahmur Naval Port and had been dispatched by military headquarters to support the Suez offensive.

He could easily wait for the Minerva to arrive before launching another offensive.

Until then, all that was needed was for his subordinates to get proper resupply and rest.

As for Li Boyong, after obtaining sufficient supplies, he led his fleet out of Port Said and entered the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, in a city in Western Europe.

Wang Liumei's private jet landed slowly at an airport. Dressed in a striking cheongsam, she boarded a motorcade under the protection of a group of bodyguards and headed straight for a hotel in the city. ===== CHAPTER 274 =====