[MINI-NOVEL] SF91 CH.03 BLOCKADE

　"You're so naive, thinking you're a full-fledged pilot with that!" Lieutenant Shelf Sheffield's Berga-Barus closely trailed behind the RXF-91.
　The Crossbone Vanguard's model number was assigned by the Federation Forces arbitrarily, similar to the NATO codes used for identifying old Soviet weapons in the 20th century. This Berga-Barus was later registered as "XM-05B" based on Braywood's report, as it was determined to be an upgraded version of the Berga-Giros.
　At the time of its encounter with the RXF-91, the Berga-Barus was equipped with a prototype high-mobility unit called the "shelf nozzle," which was intended to be used by the Vigna-Ghina, a new model undergoing development and testing. Depending on the results of its operation, the Berga-Barus was planned to become Lieutenant Sheffield's personal unit. Additionally, a similar mobile suit called the Vigna-Zirah, based on a different concept, was undergoing development and would soon be rolled out and deployed to the Dark Tiger team.
　Let's compare the performance specifications of the Berga-Barus and the Berga-Giros.

[ XM-05 BERGA-GIROS ]

Head Height: 15.7m
Base Weight: 9.1t
Full Weight: 22.7t
Armor Material: titanium alloy ceramic composite
Generator Output: 4,790kW
Thruster Propulsion: 21,820kg x 2, 8,950kg x 2, 3,460kg x 2
Apogee Motors: 73
Armaments: shot lancer x 1, heavy machine gun x 4, beam shield x 1, beam saber x 2

[ XM-05B BERGA-BARUS ]

Head Height: 15.6m
Base Weight: 9.7t
Full Weight: 27.6t
Armor Material: titanium alloy ceramic composite
Generator Output: 5,410kW
Thruster Propulsion: 16,580kg x 2, 9,580 x 4, 8,950kg x 3, 3,180kg x 8
Apogee Motors: 87
Armaments: shot lancer x 1, heavy machine gun x 4, beam shield x 1, beam saber x 2

　Although the dimensions and armament were almost the same as the previous model, it was clear that the generator output, thruster power, and the number of apogee motors were far superior. However, Lieutenant Shelf Sheffield was the top ace pilot of the Crossbone Vanguard forces, on par with the Black Vanguard's commander Zabine Chareux. Despite piloting the state-of-the-art RXF-91, the newbie Tokio Randall was no match for him.
　"What the hell, this guy is on my ass! Shit, is he trying to avenge the other guy or something? If he wants to take me down, he's got plenty of opportunity!"
　It was evident at a glance that there was a difference in skill between the two suits' movements.
　"Ice Doll, is there anything we can do?"
　Karl Spitz shouted.
　"Yeah, stop calling me that! I'm thinking... That's it. Maybe if we use those trim tabs..."
　Fortunately, Iris's communication reached the RXF-91 because it wasn't far from Braywood.
　"Tokio, listen to me! Can you see the small knobs when you open the lower right box cover?"
　"Copy that, Iris. These things?"
　"It's a trim tab for balance adjustment and data collection. If you adjust it, the balance will be off, but the output will increase."
　"So I can take down that red guy?"
　"However, I cannot guarantee it for a long time. The structural material of the aircraft is only as strong as that of a Heavygun. It probably cannot withstand excessive output for more than a minute." Chief Engineer Eisner intervened.
　"If we have one minute, he can return to Braywood easily. Match the trim tab to the numbers I'm about to read out now... OMS723986... IW..."

　The operation proved successful.
　The Dark Tiger Squadron was caught off guard by RXF-91's revived movements and was temporarily forced to retreat. The Braywood, who recovered RXF-91, RGM-111, and F71B, went into hiding in the "Zebra Zone."
　Although it was called the Zebra Zone, it was a hazardous sector for ships to traverse. Even now, thirty years after the "Char's Rebellion," remnants of battleships and mobile suits were still floating in large numbers, posing a risk of grounding. However, it was also a perfect place for political prisoners to hide...
　"There's so many hulks of Geara Doga and old Jegan here..." Kevin exclaimed, trailing off in amazement.
　"Hey Karl, that's a colony, isn't it?"
　A huge, hulking cylinder could be seen hoving into view from the bridge.
　"That's an Island 1 type. I can't believe there's a colony from so early in the Universal Century here. Are there people living on it?"
　The Island 1 type colony was the first of the early model colonies proposed by Dr. Gerald K. O'Neill, consisting of a spherical living block with a diameter of 510m (a circumference of about 1.6 km) connected to a cylindrical agricultural block about 300m long. Although it is considered a small colony compared to the typical 40 km long cylindrical ones, it is still over five times larger than the Braywood.
　The Braywood docked in the colony's port block. Kevin piloted his RGM-111 for reconnaissance outside of the colony, which had been abandoned and left to ruin.
　"Oh, I see lights in the residential area on the opposite side," Kevin's communication came in just as an emergency alarm sounded on the bridge, alerting the crew to a crisis. The crew members became tense.
　"Shit, did those space pirates follow us all the way here?" Carl asked as a mobile suit attached to the ship's hull.
　Tokio, who was watching on the monitor, said, "It's a Geara Doga. It belonged to the Neo Zeon during the time of Char's Rebellion."
　When he heard the term "Neo Zeon," Karl Spitz reacted immediately. That was because his previous job before being hired by Anaheim was as a mobile suit pilot for Neo Zeon.
　"Who are you?! People are living in this colony. Unauthorized docking is not allowed," a surprisingly young girl's voice came from the cockpit of the mobile suit.
　"We're employees with Anaheim. We apologize, but we would like to request permission to stay for approximately two hours for repairs," the Admiral responded to the girl's hail.
　"Fine. However, entry into the residential area is not permitted. If you enter, we will open fire," the girl said, pointing an old Zaku machine gun at the bridge. To the eyes of someone accustomed to small mobile suits, the mobile suit from Char's Rebellion era looked massive. The Geara Doga, painted inconspicuously black, warned them again to leave the colony as soon as possible before moving back towards the residential area.
　Following Karl's orders, Kevin returned to the ship, and Tokio followed the mobile suit. They needed to report to the Federation Forces in case it was the headquarters of the Oldsmobile.
　"The air is polluted... it's almost like there's a fog. The air filter must be broken," Kevin said.
　"Shh, Kevin! Cut comms!" but it was too late. A 9mm round grazed Kevin's head.
　"Why did you follow me?" A girl holding an automatic appeared from the valley of a crumbling building.
"You're the one who was on the Geara Doga, right?"
　"That's right. This is where we, refugees from Sweetwater, live peacefully. This is not a place for people from the military-industrial complex like you. Or do you want to buy scraps of mobile suits at a high price?"
　"Uh..."
　Tokio absent-mindedly looked in the direction of the building where the girl had appeared and was captivated by what he saw. There, old-generation mobile suits such as the Geara Doga and Jagd Doga were lined up, haggard as could be.