- A Blue Shadow Rushes By

- The Birth of the Ultra High-Speed Combat Unit, the Shieldliger  (ZAC 2042)



 The Sabretiger's exploits during the fight to escape Valecia Base had left unforgettable memories in the hearts of the Republican soldiers who'd fought on the battlefield. Their unyielding battle against the Salamander Squadron, the "King of the Skies", and their unyielding defiance of the large Ultrasaurus force had been passed down from soldier to soldier.

 It wasn't just ordinary soldiers who'd taken notice of the Sabretiger, either. The Republican Army Command, which had captured a large number of Sabretigers at Valecia Base, was once again astonished by their superior performance. A research team was immediately formed, and development of a high-speed attack Zoid surpassing the Sabretiger began.

 Col. Ericsson was at the center of this research team.

 He'd thoroughly analyzed the Sabretiger, and all of his research findings were poured into the development of a new Zoid. Finally, the result was the high-speed blue lion Zoid, the Shieldliger.

 As he sat in the cockpit of Unit 01, which he'd built himself, Col. Ericsson recalled the battle at Valecia Base.

 About how the swarm of Sabretigers had faced the Republic's massive army, knowing that they'd lose. Also, he recalled General "Tiger" Duncan, who'd sacrificed his life by throwing himself in front of Ericsson's cannons in order to help Zenebas escape...

 "Grant me their courage."

 Col. Ericsson whispered a prayer, then started the Shieldliger's engine. The Imperial Army had crossed the border and was closing in on the Republic's defensive line. The Shieldliger's first battle was just beginning.






 A formation of Sinkers massive enough to blot out the sky rained hundreds of tons of bombs onto a corner of the Republic's defensive line. The plan was to blow a hole in the line, allowing ground forces to flood through it all at once. Their 20 meter high, 5 meter thick stone wall had finally begun to crumble.






 The Imperial Army's heavy tank, the Black Rhimos, was charging through the falling rubble. The Rhimos's horn sunk into a Godos's body, its hooves trampling their position. Following just behind it was a fast-moving force of Sabres and Helcats, advancing like an avalanche.

 The Imperial Army advanced deep into Republican territory. However, the republic forces that were supposed to intercept them were nowhere to be seen.

 "Watch out. This might be a trap."






 The commander piloting a Sabretiger warned, and at that very moment a white wolf-type Zoid suddenly attacked the Helcat. It was a Command Wolf, a mecha of the Republic that'd been lying in wait for the Imperial Army.

 The Command Wolf's surprise attack started derailing the Imperial Army's offensive strategy.

 Originally, this operation had been divided into four stages.

 1) Sinker bombings to create a hole in the Republic's defensive line.
 2) Using the Black Rhimos to defend the gap.
 3) A high-speed force of Sabres and Helcats would charge deep into the Republic through that opening.
 4) Large Zoids like the Redhorn and Ironkong would be the next to enter, protecting the rear of the high-speed force.

 However, Col. Ericsson had planned a huge trap specifically waiting for the imperial forces to break through.

 He'd deliberately create a 'gap' in the Republic's defensive line to allow the Imperial forces to charge in. Then he'd send large armies from the north and south to plug the hole in their defensive line. This would trap the Imperial forces that'd already entered the Republic like rats in a bag. The rest was up to him to deal with. In addition, at the heart of his strategy was the Shieldliger, an ultra-fast Zoid developed specifically for use against the Sabretiger.

 After it'd given the Helcat a terrible thrashing, the Command Wolf quickly retreated.

 "Damn you! I won't let you get away!"

 Burning with rage, the Sabretiger pursued it at full speed, but at that moment, an unidentified object appeared on the radar, approaching the Sabretiger at ultra-high speed.

 "Is there an enemy that's faster than the Sabretiger?"






 As the Sabretiger turned in surprise, Col. Ericsson's Shieldliger appeared and effortlessly sprang over its head.

 The Sabretiger frantically fired its beam gun. However, the Shieldliger easily dodged the attacks.

 "What speed! It looks like the Sabretiger's standing still."

 Col. Ericsson exclaimed in amazement. Then, he easily got behind the Sabretiger and fired all the guns at his disposable, blowing it away. The cutting-edge mecha, the Shieldliger, had proven its strength just as expected.



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