Yeah, I see where you're going... it's tough to rely on just one thing for everything.

Okay, time for solutions! I'm sure the Gundams mk II won't mind if we borrow one of their beam rifles for a backup weapon. As for the shield... I bet I can reroute the power system, so its weapons won't give up all at once when it gets severely damaged. Even when it's beaten up, something should still be working!

And perhaps a grappling cable or something along these lines. So if you lose it, you can retrieve it quickly.