- Chapter 1: The Capture of Zenebas!
- The Strategy To Encircle The Empire's Capital
(Top) Border (Right) Republican Capital (Bottom) Imperial Capital |
But this was the largest city in the Zenebas Empire, the marble city once known as White City, the Imperial Capital, reduced to rubble after days of artillery and bombardment.
A black shadow roared as it flew over Helic's head. It was a squadron of Salamanders returning to base after completing the morning bombardment nicknamed "The Newspaper Delivery."
"Colonel Ericsson!"
A man approached from the large Republican force standing behind President Helic.
"Ericsson, you must capture Emperor Zenebas alive, with your own hands. If we want to build a peaceful country after this war is over, we absolutely require my brother Zenebas's power."
Colonel Ericsson saluted enthusiastically and ran back to the Royal Palace Assault Force that he'd been commanding.
The entire Republican army, which was surrounding the Imperial Capital was waiting eagerly for Helic's order to attack. As he surveyed the large army he was leading, Helic raised his voice.
"Soldiers, it's been a long and hard battle, but today marks the end. We'll now attack the Imperial Capital. Today will be the final day of this battle."
"Leave it to us, President—"
One soldier answered loudly.
"Because I've promised my kids we'd go camping tomorrow!"
Inspired by the soldier's cheerful words, waves of laughter swept through the troops.
Chuckling, President Helic raised his right hand high.
The "final battle" eagerly awaited by tens of thousands of soldiers — the attack on the Imperial Capital — began.
The roads of the Imperial capital were buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. The large Imperial Zoid facing the Republican forces, the Redhorn, was unable to move. In response, the Republic Assault Team, composed of smaller Zoids, climbed over the piles of rubble and took down enemy positions one after another. The Godos were used to spot the enemy while Cannontortoises fired their assaults and Guysacks mowed down fleeing enemy soldiers.
"Our target is the royal palace, where Emperor Zenebas is holed up!"
Colonel Ericsson, leading the troops, shouted at the top of his lungs, urging his subordinates on.
Finally, the Republican Army reached the royal palace. Ericsson's troops evaded the counterattack of the Imperial garrison and entered the palace. The second and third assault teams then broke through the garrison, and at that moment, the giant bronze statue of an Ironkong in front of the palace roared to life and attacked the Republic troops. |
Battle of the Royal Palace
The bronze statue of Kong, known as Bronze Kong, was a powerful combat mech that'd automatically activate when the royal palace was threatened. The Bronze Kong continued to advance, fending off the swarming Republican troops. Finally, it attacked the Ultrasaurus serving as the command center. The Kong's thick arms clamped down on the Ultra's neck like a vice.
"The commander's in danger!"
The Gojulas MK-II, rushing to the scene, fired its 2-barrelled cannons at close range. Even the Bronze Kong was pierced through the chest and crashed to the ground. Each unit contacted the command center, which had just barely survived.
"We've defeated all enemies in the city."
Helic nodded silently. The only remaining enemy forces were those of the Royal Guards holed up in the palace.
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Formidable Imperial Guard troops were waiting in every room of the maze-like palace. Furthermore, the thick barriers made radio communication useless, making communication with allied forces almost impossible. It was equally impossible to tell whether the force operating in the next room was a powerful enemy guard or an allied force already occupying it.
"This makes us just like postmen or telegram carriers."
Ericsson's subordinate joked loudly as they dodged enemy fire.
"We're knocking on each door, asking, 'Is Zenebas here?'"
Ericsson felt a growing sense of impatience.
— Where was Zenebas? Would they really be able to finish the battle today? What if the Emperor escaped...?
But Colonel Ericsson's target, Emperor Zenebas, was issuing orders to a young pilot in a room just a few dozen meters away.
"Second Lieutenant Duncan, take a Storch and deliver a package to the base on the northern coast that your brother's been protecting."
"I understand, Emperor. Where is the package?"
Zenebas, never losing his sense of humor even in peril, closed one eye and flashed a fearless smile.
"It's standing right in front of you. Me, I'm the package."
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Colonel Ericsson finally reached the courtyard deep within the royal palace.
"Where's Zenebas disappeared to?"
The Republican soldiers wondered in confusion. At that moment, the ground of the courtyard rose with a thunderous roar, and a bright red flying Zoid leapt out. It was the Storch ridden by Emperor Zenebas.
"Remember, Lieutenant Duncan,"
Zenebas muttered quietly in the cockpit.
"Today is the first day of a new battle."
- Current Navigation
- Notes
- This book contains occasional English paragraphs. I sometimes change how these are written to better fit the writing style used on the site, or correct names. For example, the book uses spellings like Heric, Zenevas and Zenebus. I err towards Zenebas and Helic because those have been the standard spellings that the fandom has used for decades and even this one specific book doesn't keep the names consistent.
Some of these paragraphs also spoil scenes coming up in the story, so if they don't have anything unique to say (more or less just paraphrasing the upcoming scenes) they're excluded to avoid spoilers.
