Several more days passed. No large-scale battles had broken out in the East Asia Theater, but minor skirmishes were constant. Zeon's guerrilla units would occasionally launch hit-and-run raids on the Federation's front lines, and the Federation didn't dare to pursue, only able to grit their teeth in frustration as they watched the enemy machines leisurely depart.
"Heh heh, what damn Ace Unit? It's just a gimmick cooked up by Revil. Colonel, I believe we can take the initiative and attack, defeating Zeon!" a staff officer said with arrogant self-confidence after receiving a report that the front lines had once again repelled a Zeon attack.
"A full-scale attack?" Ethan Rhea had not been carried away by the seemingly favorable situation and viewed it all rationally. "Has your brain turned to water? Apart from the first time, has Zeon ever launched a large-scale offensive?"
"This... doesn't this mean Zeon's forces are stretched thin? Zeon has a small population to begin with, and they've opened up so many fronts on Earth. This is perfectly normal, isn't it?" the staff officer argued.
"So? Because Zeon has a small population, they'd be stupid enough to keep dividing their forces and send a bunch of scattered stragglers to the East Asia Theater to serve as cannon fodder?"
"Colonel, that's also normal, isn't it? The One Week War, the Battle of Loum, the Odessa Campaign... when has Zeon not easily broken through our defensive lines? In that situation, it's not a problem for them to be arrogant, right?"
"Hmph! You also know that Zeon has easily broken through our defensive lines. Why can't they do it now?"
"Isn't that because the Colonel wasn't in those theaters? Otherwise..."
"Enough! Get the hell out!"
"Colonel?" The staff officer was in disbelief. His sycophantic flattery had completely backfired.
"I really don't know how you became a staff officer. Take off your epaulets and get out of my unit. Immediately, right now!"
"Colonel! I..."
"Guards!" Without waiting for the incompetent staff officer to argue, he called for the guards at the door and had them forcibly rip off the man's epaulets. "Throw him out for me!"
"Yes, sir."
"Colonel! Spare me! Colonel! I'm begging you, let me go! Colonel..."
Ignoring the miserable pleas, Ethan Rhea stared at the operational map, lost in thought, contemplating Zeon's intentions and how to counter them.
"Colonel, about Staff Officer Okamoto..."
"Hm?"
"Never mind!"
"Hmph! A guy who only knows how to bow his head and suck up. How many of our soldiers would his incompetence get killed?"
All the officers present lowered their heads in fear. They were considered Ethan Rhea's confidants and knew his personality well. He would stop at nothing for victory and to surpass Revil. The fate of Staff Officer Okamoto, who had just been dragged away, could very well be a glimpse into their own futures.
"By the way, what is the Twelfth Independent Technical Division doing?" Ethan Rhea suddenly asked.
There's no smoke without fire. Ethan Rhea wasn't foolish enough to think Yang Hui and his team were just a gimmick created by Revil. For one, your greatest enemy is the one who knows you best. He and Revil had been rivals for most of their lives, and he knew very well that Revil was not one for creating gimmicks.
Secondly, the reputation of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was forged in the fires of real battle. Setting aside their two massive contributions of "turning the tide of the Middle Eastern Front" and "creating massive destruction behind enemy lines in the North America Theater, creating an opportunity for the Federation to retake lost territory," one could see a lot just by looking at the kill counts of the nine Mobile Suit pilots led by Yang Hui.
Kill counts weren't something you could just make up. They were recorded by the MS's system and then reported to the Federation's high command, undergoing multiple reviews in the process. They were impossible to fake.
Therefore, although he was at odds with Yang Hui, he would not underestimate him. He hoped to find some clue from his actions.
"They are training in the rear."
"Training?" Ethan Rhea asked, puzzled by the answer.
"Yes, training. The MS units of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division are conducting flight training and aquatic training."
"Flight training and aquatic training?"
"Yes. Not long ago, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division developed a specialized Flight Pack and Aquatic Specialized Backpack for the Astray, giving our army's MS the ability to engage in aerial and underwater combat. However, these two sets of equipment have not yet been used on the battlefield. I suppose... they must be familiarizing themselves with the new equipment."
"What about our army's request for MS from Jaburo Base?"
When the Gundam Astray Squad was demonstrating its might on the battlefield, all Federal Army bases simultaneously sent requests to Jaburo Base to be equipped with MS, including Ethan Rhea. However, Revil rejected them one by one. So until now, apart from a small number of MS units dispatched during the recapture of lost territory in the North America Theater, the major theaters still had no MS units of their own.
"Jaburo Base replied that it's already on the schedule. General Revil has ordered us to step up the training of Mobile Suit pilots to ensure they are combat-ready the moment the MS arrive. But..."
"But what?"
"Given the relationship between Revil and us, if we want to get MS... it will probably be a very long wait."
"Impossible," Ethan Rhea interrupted directly. "That old fox Revil wouldn't be muddled on a matter like this. Right now, the only ones still at war with Zeon are the North America Theater and us. Even if Revil wants to suppress me, he wouldn't use the Federation's territory and soldiers as bargaining chips."
"Yes, sir..."
"Let's go. To the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's base." After some thought, Ethan Rhea decided to see this famous Ace Unit with his own eyes. At the same time, he wanted to make contact with Yang Hui and see if he could learn anything from him.
"What are we going there for?"
"To see the quality of this Ace Unit."
"Understood."
...
When Ethan Rhea arrived at the base of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division with his Adjutant and a few guards, he couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"There's a reason they became legends."
The reason for this sigh was that before Ethan Rhea even entered the base, he was stopped by the guards. Only after several checks and interrogations were they allowed in. Ethan Rhea could see the unyielding, iron-willed look in the guards' eyes; they were not swayed by his rank.
The Twelfth Independent Technical Division, from top to bottom, could be considered classified. Such checks and interrogations were standard procedure. Moreover, it was a unit under direct command, so it was the same even for Ethan Rhea, the supreme commander of the East Asia Theater.
Upon entering the camp, he saw a scene of fiery training. Even those who weren't Mobile Suit pilots, even just logistics and technical personnel, had not neglected their military subjects and physical training.
As for the MS units... Ethan Rhea didn't see them, because they were either high in the sky or deep in the water.
And then... there was the huge warship docked on the ground. Its beautiful curves and menacing gun barrels made Ethan Rhea's eyes burn with envy.
"Colonel Rhea, thank you for waiting. I am Lieutenant Bright Noah, trainee vice-captain of the Luna. I will be guiding you on your tour." Bright Noah, the future legendary captain affectionately nicknamed "Bright Slap," had been identified by Natarle Badgiruel for his talent in warship command after being transferred to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. After a month's internship as a regular crew member on the Luna, he was promoted to trainee vice-captain.
"Becoming a vice-captain at such a young age? The young people these days are truly incredible," Ethan Rhea praised.
"You're too kind, sir. It's all thanks to the recognition of Major Yang Hui and Captain Natarle Badgiruel. I still have much to learn."
"Mm, keep up the good work. The future of the Federation rests on your shoulders." Ethan Rhea wasn't being insincere or trying to win him over; he said it from the heart. Ethan Rhea and Revil had one thing in common: they never held back praise and appreciation for outstanding young people.
"Yes, sir. Colonel Rhea, however, I must first remind you that the Luna is a military secret of the Federation, and internal tours are not permitted. The same goes for all data on the Astray Gundam. Please forgive me."
"Mm, I understand."
There was a huge gap between predictive analysis and real data. Although the identities of Yang Hui and the others had been exposed, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was still a classified unit. The specific data for the Luna and the Astray Gundam were of the utmost importance. Before they were declassified, even Ethan Rhea had no authority to view them.
"Please follow me, everyone..."
"Wait, before that, I'd like to meet Major Yang Hui first."
"I'm very sorry, but the Major is currently commanding the MS units' exercises and may not have time to receive you."
"Exercises? Can we observe?"
"You may." Bright's expression was calm, but inwardly he was shocked—not because of Ethan Rhea, but because Yang Hui had predicted that Ethan Rhea would bring people for a tour and that he would ask to observe the training exercises. He had told Bright in advance that he could take him to watch, but not to disturb him.
This was no longer just foresight; this was practically precognition!
"Mm, lead the way."
"Yes, Colonel. Everyone, this way, please."
Led by Bright, the group arrived at the command center in the middle of the base. Before they entered, Bright reminded them, "Please remain quiet after entering. During training, the Major does not permit any interruptions."
"Lieutenant, watch your..." The accompanying Adjutant and guards were already displeased. With their status, they had to undergo checks and interrogations just to enter the base, and the one who came to greet them was just a lowly lieutenant. It was a complete loss of face for them.
"Enough," Ethan Rhea snapped, cutting him off. He glanced sideways at his Adjutant. "A guest should act like a guest!"
"But Colonel..."
"No buts. Don't forget that the ground you're standing on is a military secret."
"Yes, sir..."
"Thank you for waiting, Lieutenant Noah."
Bright maintained his smile, as if the previous exchange hadn't happened at all. "You're too kind, Colonel. Please."
"Please."
As soon as they walked into the command center, the group heard Yang Hui's furious shouting, and they couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Falcon 7, are you spinning like a top on the spot!?"
"Falcon 8, did you forget the spiral maneuver I just taught you yesterday!? Are you trying to be a sitting duck by flying in a straight line!?"
"Shark 4, are you a coward? I told you to play hide-and-seek in the water, not to hide until you rust! Can't you see your teammates are almost all dead!?"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!