The Twelfth Independent Technical Division broke through Zeon's layered blockade and finally arrived at the East Asia Theater, where they received a warm welcome upon arrival.
"We are grateful for your arrival, Major Yang Hui." The commander in charge of the East Asia Theater was Colonel Ethan Rhea, an opponent of Revil. However, he was not a member of the conservative faction; he was simply arrogant and refused to submit to Revil. He had always believed that Revil was inextricably linked to the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Loum, and he was resentful that Revil could still become the commander-in-chief of the Federal Army after returning to the Federation.
Ethan Rhea spoke in a light and gentle tone, giving the initial impression of a friendly person. He had a habit of closing his eyes to rest his mind, but he wasn't one of those characters who always kept their eyes narrowed.
But Yang Hui knew that Ethan Rhea was, in fact, a man who would stop at nothing to achieve victory. When he discovered an enemy military base but couldn't find its entrance, Ethan Rhea considered leveling the entire mountain, intending to deliberately trigger an MS nuclear explosion to destroy the enemy base. When the Zeon Army requested a temporary truce to launch a spacecraft carrying civilians into space, Ethan Rhea's response was to dispatch a GM Sniper to shoot it down.
Therefore...
"As a soldier, my priority is naturally to follow orders, Colonel Rhea," Yang Hui said politely, extending his hand to shake Ethan's.
He's an old fox. Well, whatever, I'll play along with you, he thought to himself.
"Major, you've come a long way. I have already prepared a welcome banquet for you all. Shall we?"
"That's very kind of you, Colonel Rhea, but..."
Seeing Yang Hui pause, Ethan Rhea's gaze sharpened, but he quickly reverted to his affable demeanor.
"...please don't forget the real-time battle situation reports. Otherwise, I won't be able to formulate an operational plan," Yang Hui continued.
"Haha, of course, Major Yang Hui. The reports will be delivered to you later, along with my tactical deployments. But for now, please, Major, and all you heroes, enjoy the welcome banquet."
"You flatter us, Colonel Rhea. Every Federal Army soldier who participates in battle is a hero."
"Yes, you're right. Please."
"After you."
It was clear that Ethan Rhea had put a lot of effort into this welcome banquet. The standard was absolutely top-tier. In attendance were not only officers of all ranks from the East Asia Theater but also socialites, high-ranking government officials, and more.
During the introductions, Ethan Rhea made a point of detailing the circumstances of Yang Hui and his team, letting everyone present know of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's glorious deeds. In an instant, they were treated as heroes.
However... while heroes attract respect and admiration, they naturally also induce envy and jealousy.
"Major, has our intelligence been declassified?" Amuro asked. As his aide, he was the only one who had accompanied Yang Hui to the banquet. After greeting numerous people, Yang Hui had taken him to a corner to rest.
"Yes. The Federation's Intelligence Department found out that our intelligence has already been compromised by Zeon. Since we can't hide it anymore, they decided to release all our prior intelligence to boost the morale of the various theaters."
"I see. The prior intelligence..."
"Yes."
"But I have a feeling... something is off about this Colonel Rhea," Amuro said.
"Oh? Tell me, what's off about him?" Yang Hui asked Amuro with great interest, curious to see what kind of answer he would get. This answer would also determine when Amuro could shed his status as an aide.
"I can't quite put my finger on it. It's just a feeling."
Alright, it was still too naive to expect a sixteen-year-old kid to see through an old fox's schemes.
"Sigh, we're probably in for a tough time," Yang Hui sighed.
"Major, what's wrong?" Amuro asked, puzzled.
"This old fox is trying to ruin us with praise," Yang Hui said, swirling the crystal-clear liquid in his wine glass. "Amuro, take a look at the gazes of our comrades."
"Huh?" Amuro was taken aback. He scanned the room and noticed something was wrong. "They're hostile toward us? Why?"
Indeed. When the banquet began, the officers present had still put on a good act, spouting praises like "To become a major at such a young age, your future is limitless," and "The Federation has MS units now, we're sure to win." But now?
They didn't even bother to pretend anymore, openly revealing hostile glares. They looked at Yang Hui and Amuro as if they were mortal enemies.
"Cutting off someone's path to wealth is like murdering their parents," Yang Hui explained. "What do soldiers rely on for promotion and fortune? Merits. With our capabilities... how many merits will be left for them to claim?"
"But... we're in the middle of a war!" Amuro asked, not understanding. "If we can end the war sooner, won't fewer people die?"
"Well, this is the world of adults, Amuro," Yang Hui said, taking a sip of red wine.
"I... I don't understand..."
"It's best that a child doesn't understand," Yang Hui said, patting Amuro's head comfortingly. "The moment you understand all this, you'll have stepped into the world of adults, and the life you have now will be gone forever."
"Major..."
"Right, there's also a second point."
"A second point?"
"Just as I said, ruining us with praise." Yang Hui discreetly pointed at the wealthy businessmen and socialites present and explained to Amuro, "The rich and famous don't care who gets the credit. They only care who has the ability to protect their interests. Colonel Rhea has already praised us to the heavens, so naturally, they're more eager for our protection."
"We can do that."
"But what if we fail to do so?"
"How is that possible? Major, are you saying we... will lose?"
"That's impossible. I don't even see those Zeon punks as a threat."
"Then how could we fail to deliver?"
"For example... by keeping us in the rear and giving us no opportunity to go to the battlefield. The higher we stand now, the harder we'll fall later. And they... will be standing in the position that should have been ours."
"How could they?"
"Just watch, Amuro. The battle report Colonel Rhea sends over will surely show the situation is excellent, so much so that there's no need for our intervention. And his deployments won't have any room for us either."
Yang Hui's speculation was soon verified. Right after the banquet ended, Yang Hui returned with Amuro to their assigned quarters, only to find they were at least 50 kilometers from the front line. Even if they were to reinforce the front, they wouldn't be able to make it in time. At the same time, Amuro looked at the battle report in his hand. Just as Yang Hui had predicted, the situation was excellent. The Zeon forces attacking from the Philippines were completely unable to breach the first line of defense. There was simply no need for the Twelfth Independent Technical Division to act.
"Major, this battle report... is it real?" Amuro asked.
"Of course it's real. No matter how much Rhea and Revil are at odds, he wouldn't joke about a battle report. That would land him in a military tribunal," Yang Hui said calmly.
"Then why did General Revil transfer us here? We're not needed here at all," Amuro said in confusion. The battlefields the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was sent to were supposed to be extremely grim. If the situation wasn't critical, were they sent here to be spectators?
"Amuro, do you know what the most truthful lie in the world is?"
"What is it?"
"A lie where the contents are all true..."
"Huh?"
"...but only half the story is told."
"Uh... Major, I don't understand what you mean," Amuro asked humbly for guidance.
"The reason the first line of defense is impregnable is that Zeon is doing it on purpose. They aren't even trying. Look at this report. Besides sending aquatic MS to harass the patrolling navy from time to time and their air formations making token runs at the front, their major offensives were just for show at the very beginning. Otherwise, how could they have retreated after losing only a pile of Dopp Fighters and Magella Attack Tanks, without a single MS loss?"
"Major, you mean..."
"Australia has been completely occupied by Zeon. Once they stabilize their position, the main army in Australia will move north to join forces with the troops in the Philippines and tear through the East Asia Theater's defensive lines with overwhelming force... Hey? Where are you going?" Yang Hui noticed Amuro turn and run without a word and quickly grabbed him.
"To tell Colonel Rhea, so he can prepare!"
"Who would believe you? Where's the proof? They're not on our side, you know."
"Uh... but we can't just stand by and watch, can we?"
"Don't worry, I'll make arrangements in advance. We are General Revil's direct subordinates; we don't have to follow Rhea's orders and deployments."
"That's a relief," Amuro sighed.
"However, although this is just analysis and speculation... this tactical arrangement... feels like it's targeting us," Yang Hui said with a frown.
"Huh? Is it?" Amuro thought for a moment and understood the key point. "That's right! If they just wanted to break through the Federation's defensive line, they could have just launched a massive attack directly. There's no need to wait for reinforcements from Australia. If the main forces from the Philippines and Australia join up, even we would have a hard time dealing with it. Large-scale army group combat is the greatest nemesis for a small, ace unit like ours."
"Exactly. That's what I was thinking too," Yang Hui nodded in satisfaction, then pressed on, "So tell me, our mission is still classified. How would the enemy know we've come to the East Asia Theater and plan ahead for it?"
"Hmm... the news of our departure from the North America Theater isn't a secret. Zeon's third Drop Operation had three targets: South Africa, Australia, and the Philippines. The conflicts in South Africa and Australia were quickly settled. The only place left where a major battle could occur is the East Asia Theater, which is adjacent to the Philippines."
"Not bad, you're making progress. Worthy of praise," Yang Hui commended Amuro. His growth rate was truly fast. In such a short time, he had grown from a boy who knew nothing into someone with a degree of tactical insight. And his piloting skills weren't weak either. "And... I'm willing to bet that Kycilia Zabi is in the Philippines right now."
"Kycilia Zabi!"
"Yes, our old rival from North America. This time... we'll have to change our tactics, or we're going to capsize, Amuro."
"Sir!"
"Have everyone get a good night's rest. Starting tomorrow, everyone will begin familiarizing themselves with the Aquatic Specialized Backpack and the Aerial Combat Pack."
"Understood!" Amuro immediately ran out to relay the orders.
"Heh heh, you purple old hag. I'm not throwing any curveballs this time. How are you going to handle a fastball?" Yang Hui chuckled sinisterly.