After dealing with the Ground Combat Type Zaku II, the NT-1 Gundam's sensors detected the thermal signatures of three ground combat type Gundams closing in from all sides.
Reid knew this was likely the 08th MS Team—the protagonist's squad—moving in, given that only three ground combat type Gundams had appeared in this battle. (The Ez8 Gundam reused the frame of the ground combat type, so its thermal signature remained unchanged.)
However, Reid wasn't planning to confront the protagonist team head-on just yet. Although the NT-1 Gundam's performance far surpassed that of the ground combat type Gundams, all three units in the 08th Team were equipped with beam weapons.
Reid's ultimate target was the Apsalus III, and it wouldn't do to have his mobile suit damaged by the well-coordinated protagonist team. Besides, the town was large enough—Reid decided to use his speed to lead the 08th Team on a chase, letting them clash with the Zeon forces in the town while he picked off stragglers.
So Reid immediately piloted the NT-1 Gundam toward the city center. The three ground combat type Gundams couldn't hope to match the NT-1's speed and agility, left to eat dust in his wake.
Moreover, relying on the NT-1's superior sensors compared to all other MS on the field, Reid deliberately led the 08th Team toward the Zeon mobile suits. The town was heavily garrisoned by Zeon forces, including several Doms—more than enough to pose a threat to the ground combat type Gundams.
Thus, Reid single-handedly threw the urban warfare in this mining town into chaos. Originally, it should have been a straightforward battle: the 08th Team defending the Guntank as it bombarded Zeon forces, while Zeon's ground MS tried to take out the Guntank.
Now, Reid fired on both sides. The Zeon forces, seeing a Gundam, naturally assumed Reid was part of the 08th Team. Unable to catch him, they vented their fury on the 08th Team instead.
Before Reid had even circled twice, the 08th Team found themselves tangled up with a battle-scarred Dom and four Ground Combat Type Zaku IIs, exchanging heated fire in a narrow street. The skirmish was intense.
However, Reid—who had planned to observe and finish off weakened enemies—was suddenly ambushed by a Gouf B3 Type (Tiger).
Just as Reid was maneuvering his way back toward the firefight between the 08th Team and Zeon, hugging the buildings for cover, his mobile suit's lock-on alarm sounded again.
Here, the panoramic cockpit proved invaluable. Following the direction of the alert, Reid tilted his head slightly and spotted the Gouf B3 Type perched atop a building, its 75mm Gatling Gun embedded in the Gatling Shield already trained on him and opening fire.
Fortunately, the NT-1 Gundam's agility was exceptional. Under Reid's control, the mobile suit twisted sideways, leaning back while the thrusters maintained hover propulsion—almost as if it had mastered some kind of evasive footwork—and narrowly avoided the barrage. Reid even managed to counter by grabbing the bazooka mounted on his back.
However, Reid didn't aim directly at the Gouf B3 Type. He knew its pilot was no ordinary grunt—a direct hit was unlikely.
Instead, Reid targeted the building beneath the Gouf B3 Type, intending to force it to reposition. After all, the Gouf B3 Type's main thrusters couldn't sustain rapid bursts of acceleration in quick succession. Once it was forced to move, Reid could exploit the NT-1 Gundam's superior mobility to launch a proper counterattack.
This was an open scheme—the opposing pilot couldn't possibly allow the building's collapse to bury his mobile suit in the rubble. So after Reid fired the bazooka, the enemy had no choice but to reposition.
However, to buy time and delay Reid's counterattack, the pilot of the B3 Gouf opted for psychological warfare, initiating a laser communication with Reid:
"Gundam pilot on the other side, I am Norris Packard. Why are you attacking both the Earth Federation and Zeon? What is your goal?"
Reid was a seasoned veteran of the battlefield. He didn't have the bad habit of exchanging taunts mid-life-or-death combat, slowing his own reactions.
So he ignored the words of the man fans dubbed the "Tiger King," Norris, and instead switched to his beam rifle, taking a direct shot at the B3 Gouf's cockpit.
But his opponent was one of Zeon's ace pilots (though not system-certified). Even while mid-air with limited mobility, realizing that dodging the cockpit shot would still cripple his machine, he decisively threw his Gatling Shield to block the beam.
Thus, Reid's shot only destroyed the Gatling Shield and the B3 Gouf's primary ranged weapon, but failed to disable the enemy.
Moreover, the pilot clearly hadn't lost his fighting spirit despite losing his weapon. The DⅢ Type Heat Saber in his right hand glowed with a crimson-yellow light, signaling his intent to engage in close combat.
But Reid had no intention of fighting the "Tiger King" up close. With his ranged advantage and superior speed, why would he discard his strengths for a disadvantageous melee?
So Reid maxed his thrusters, executing a massive leap to create distance.
Of course, he didn't forget to fire a few beams at the B3 Gouf mid-jump, ensuring the enemy couldn't recklessly charge at him.
Honestly, Reid's choice was sound. Even against a Zeon ace, the performance gap between their mobile suits was undeniable, and Reid himself wasn't necessarily weaker than Norris Packard.
With its ranged weapon gone, the Gouf was forced into a defensive stance by the beam rifle, unable to close the gap as Reid retreated.
However, the moment Reid ascended, his suit's alarm blared—a cannon shot was already streaking toward him.
In that split second, evasion was impossible; the shell was practically upon him. All he could do was raise his shield to block.
Fortunately, Reid's shield was reinforced with Chobham Armor, excelling against physical projectiles.
He barely felt the impact before using the explosion's smoke to conceal his position, landing back among the buildings.
Still, this served as a warning. He recalled that Terry Sanders Jr. from the 08th MS Team was an exceptional sniper, capable of using a cannon like a precision rifle. Coupled with Eledore Massis—whose hearing rivaled that of a human-shaped legendary listening beast—providing targeting data from complex soundscapes, it was best not to give them a clear sniper angle by flying too high before dealing with them.
Since Reid wanted to avoid being flanked and preferred to pick off enemies with minimal effort, he didn't circle back to re-engage the B3 Gouf. Instead, he headed straight for a Guntank at the edge, planning to eliminate all potential long-range support units first.
Eledore Massis immediately recognized Reid's target, and Shiro Amada also recalled his squad's mission. With three of the Zeon's Mobile Suits already destroyed, the enemy fire had thinned significantly. Shiro Amada quickly ordered his squad to disengage from the Zeon forces and piloted the Ez8 Gundam to rush to the Guntank's aid.
However, just because Norris Packard had dealt with Reid didn't mean he would stop attacking the Earth Federation. He didn't know why Reid wanted to destroy the Earth Federation's Guntank, but this action clearly aligned with their side's interests.
So Norris Packard commanded the remaining two Ground Combat Type Zaku IIs to pin down the two ground combat type Gundams while he personally blocked the path of the Ez8 Gundam.
(End of Chapter)