Ethan Rhea left with his men. Brad, standing to the side, asked worriedly, "Major, will you be alright doing this?"
Brad wasn't worried about the other things, only about Yang Hui's last sentence. It had clearly told Ethan Rhea that he couldn't command the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. Although this was true according to regulations, saying it so seriously to his face was a blatant slap in the face.
"Colonel Rhea is well aware of the priorities. Although he and General Revil are rivals, he doesn't mess around when it comes to war. He knows what to do."
"Alright then."
"Go tell Natarle Badgiruel that the Luna will participate in a joint exercise with the Airborne Unit tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
"Brad."
"Major, do you have any other orders?"
"Study hard under Natarle and strive to graduate from her tutelage as soon as possible. The second Qilin-class warship assigned to us is already under construction."
"What! Major, isn't that too soon? I'm still..."
"It's not my call. If Natarle says you're qualified, then you're qualified."
"...Yes, sir!"
Brad was thrilled and deeply moved. If not for the high regard Yang Hui and Natarle Badgiruel held for him, he would still be a nobody who had just graduated from the officer academy. But now, he had the opportunity to become the captain of one of the Federation's newest and most advanced warships. This was both an opportunity and a test, one that concerned his entire future.
...
In the car on his way back, Ethan Rhea contemplated everything Yang Hui had said, but his Adjutant was the first to burst out in dissatisfaction.
"Colonel, that Major is too much! It's one thing not to give you face, but he even provoked you publicly. And what he said about Zeon waiting for reinforcements to deal with them is utter nonsense! Who does he think he is?"
"Enough!" Ethan Rhea's sharp rebuke cut off his Adjutant's complaints. He glared at him with displeasure.
"Co... Colonel..."
"Arrogant, conceited, and condescending. Before you say all that, first think about what qualifications you have. Is it just because you're my subordinate? Or is it the rank on your shoulder?"
"Colonel..."
"Ask yourself honestly, are you a match for him?"
"..." The Adjutant fell silent. Ask himself honestly... He didn't even need to ask to know the answer. While he was still sucking up to his superior and throwing his weight around using his superior's name, the other man was already discussing strategy and tactics with his superior on equal footing. Was there even a need for comparison?
"Hmph, don't think I don't know what you all do in your daily lives. I don't care about that, but this is wartime. All of you had better put away your petty schemes. If anyone messes up and causes us to lose the war, Zeon will take your heads before I even have to lift a finger!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ethan Rhea glanced at his cold-sweating Adjutant before turning to look out the window, not wanting to spare him another glance.
"Revil is so lucky to have such a subordinate. Sigh."
If Revil knew Ethan Rhea was envious of him, he would probably give him a huge slap across the face. You think he's my subordinate? That's my ancestor! I can't afford to offend him and have to put him on a pedestal!
...
At the Zeon Commander-in-Chief's headquarters in Australia, the battle in the Australian theater had already concluded. Although the Federal Army had not been completely driven out, they could only cower in a corner on the edge of Western Australia, trembling under Zeon's powerful offensive.
Just as Yang Hui had predicted, Kycilia Zabi was in the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters, awaiting battle reports.
"Lady Kycilia."
"Any movement from the Federal Army in Western Australia?"
"None. They're holed up in their fortress, not daring to come out."
"Hmm... Order the troops to move out tomorrow. Head north to the Philippines."
"Yes, Lady Kycilia."
The Adjutant went to relay the order. Kycilia Zabi once again took out the intelligence file on the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, flipping to the first page, which was marked as important. A ferocious smile appeared on her face.
"Heh heh, I never thought that reclusive little brat from back then would become my greatest enemy. This time, I won't let you escape again, you little brat Yang Hui. I will thoroughly enjoy the feeling of crushing you with my own hands."
...
Three days later, Yang Hui received intelligence from Ethan Rhea. The main Zeon force from Australia had indeed moved north and was gathering in the Philippines, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
"Is it finally starting?" The corner of Yang Hui's mouth curled up. He immediately gathered everyone for a mission briefing.
"Jung, Yu, George, Russ, lead the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th squads. Equip the Aerial Combat Packs, board the Luna, and rendezvous with our army's aerial strike group."
"Understood!" x4
"The 1st, 7th, 8th, and 9th squads will equip the Aquatic Specialized Backpacks and join me to intercept the enemy's Underwater Unit."
"Understood!" x4
"Amuro, you'll join my team."
"Understood!" Amuro stood up and replied excitedly. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Every time, he could only watch his comrades sortie for battle while he waited at the rear. The feeling of itchy anticipation and immense worry was too much to bear.
"Major, what about me?" Fort pointed at himself timidly.
"Huh? What are you doing here? Get your ass back to the Maintenance Squad!"
"Oh..." Amidst the schadenfreude-filled jeers of the others, Ford Romfellow walked out dejectedly. However, he didn't blame Yang Hui. He had made a mistake and deserved to be punished. Sneaking into a combat briefing was already a violation of regulations. He could only blame his own arrogance for breaking the unit's rules.
However, just as extreme sorrow gives way to joy and misfortune turns to fortune, as he was about to leave the briefing room, he heard Yang Hui's voice from behind him: "Equip your Mobile Suit with an Aquatic Specialized Backpack, get it ready, and be on standby at the base."
"Understood!"
Watching Ford Romfellow scamper away joyfully, everyone chuckled and shook their heads.
"Alright, everyone, go and prepare. Colonel Rhea is already assembling his troops. We will sortie alongside the friendly forces."
"Understood!" xN
Ten minutes later, all the Astray Gundams were ready. The Luna had already departed with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th squads and would soon rendezvous with the aerial strike group. At the same time, Yang Hui led the others into the water, heading to the front lines from underwater to rendezvous with the naval fleet.
"All units, listen up. According to Colonel Rhea's battle plan, the naval fleet will deploy a minefield 100 nautical miles off the coast of Hong Kong and then retreat. Our mission is to protect the naval fleet from Zeon's underwater MS units until they have finished laying the minefield and have safely withdrawn."
"Understood." xN
"Amuro, stick with me after the battle starts," Christina Mackenzie said to Amuro. On the communication screen, she could see that Amuro, on his first time in battle, was already starting to sweat.
"Ensign Mackenzie, you don't have to worry about me..."
"Don't be arrogant, Amuro," South Burning chided. "No matter how good your training scores are, the battlefield and training are completely different."
"But I don't want to hold you all back." Amuro indeed had no combat experience. He was nervous and scared, but he was more concerned about the unit's combat effectiveness than his personal feelings.
"If you stick close to me, you won't hold us back," Christina Mackenzie said with a smile.
"Ensign Mackenzie..."
"If you don't want to hold us back, then protect Chris," Cima added. "Chris is our rear guard, the entire team's fire support. We can't let anything happen to her."
"I... I understand."
"Geez, Cima, don't scare Amuro," Christina Mackenzie complained good-naturedly, then comforted Amuro, "You don't have to be so nervous. With the Major leading the charge, the enemy won't get near me. You just follow me and provide fire support for the others. The most important thing is to experience the feeling of the battlefield."
"I understand, Ensign Mackenzie."
"All units, the naval fleet is ahead. Spread out, tactical formation S01."
"Understood!" xN
The four squads spread out, protecting the naval fleet in the center from all directions.
"Commander, sonar contact. It's our MS units."
"They're here?" The naval fleet's Commander nodded, then ordered the fleet to advance at full speed to reach the target location as quickly as possible and begin laying the minefield.
"Commander, new sonar contacts... this sound... it's Zeon's MS units!"
"Tch, they've made it this far already. Contact Major Yang Hui. Ask him to ensure the fleet's safety at all costs!"
"Understood!"
The naval fleet on the surface had detected the approach of Zeon's underwater MS units, and naturally, Yang Hui, who was underwater, had detected them as well.
"7th Squad, cover the left flank. 8th Squad, cover the right flank. 9th Squad and 1st Squad, join me to intercept the enemy."
"Understood!" xN
The 7th and 8th squads remained on the left and right flanks of the fleet. The 9th Squad, positioned at the rear, quickly moved forward to join Yang Hui's 1st Squad. They went to full power and charged toward the enemy head-on.
"What's that!"
"MS? Damn Federation, they even have underwater MS now?"
"Spread out! Engage the enemy..."
"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM..."
Before Zeon's underwater force of Z'Goks and Acguys could disperse, the Astray unit's torpedoes arrived, setting off countless explosions in the water. Steam and bubbles completely obscured the Zeon formation.
"Swoosh!"
Yang Hui, piloting Shark One (his callsign), took the lead and charged into the misty fog of bubbles and steam. With a thrust of his Trident, he accurately skewered an Acguy.
Just then, another Acguy broke through the bubble screen and came up behind Shark One, its sharp giant claws raised high.
"Pop~"
The Acguy's sharp claws were shattered by an invisible projectile. Shark One pulled out its Trident, spun around, and thrust behind it without even looking, impaling the ambushing Acguy.
At the same time, on Shark One's left and right, two Z'Goks that had already locked onto it were blasted with large holes by Sonic Cannons. Cima, piloting Shark Three, was not far behind Yang Hui.
"Major, three o'clock, torpedoes approaching."
"Don't worry, we still have Chris."
The torpedoes had already broken through the bubbles and were rapidly approaching Shark One. Just then, an invisible sonic wave swept past, intercepting all the torpedoes. At the very back, Shark Six, the Astray Gundam piloted by Christina Mackenzie, was holding a massive Sonic Cannon with both hands.
"Ensign, eleven o'clock, 16 torpedoes, distance 800."
"Understood."
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