The battle ended, leaving behind fields of wreckage and debris—some from the Principality of Zeon, some from the Zeon Republic, and some from the Federation. In such a chaotic frontal confrontation, it was impossible to escape without casualties; even a minor stray bullet could be fatal.
"How many casualties?" Yang Hui asked Natarle Badgiruel upon returning to the Luna.
"11 lightly wounded, 5 seriously wounded, and 4 killed in action. This is the list," Natarle Badgiruel reported truthfully.
Yang Hui took the list and glanced at it, his brow furrowing slightly before quickly smoothing over. The four who died were all newcomers from the 9th and 10th squads. Even among the five seriously wounded, three were newcomers, and they made up the majority of the lightly wounded as well.
"As expected, a large-scale frontal confrontation is still too difficult for newcomers." Yang Hui sighed. The newcomers lacked combat experience, and their first real battle was in the combat style the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was least proficient in. This led to casualties right from the start. Including the seriously wounded, the two squads had lost over half their strength.
However, Yang Hui was not overly sentimental, only regretful.
It was normal for people to sacrifice their lives in war. Under Yang Hui's leadership, from the founding of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division until now, the total number of sacrifices, including those today, was only close to ten. In the eyes of others, to have participated in several major battles and paid such a small price was an absolute miracle.
But Yang Hui knew that anyone who could join the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was a future elite of the Federation. Under his conditions, every member would be an absolute ace in any other unit.
To create an ace, rigorous training alone was not enough.
As the saying goes, success is ninety-nine percent hard work and one percent talent.
Hard work was naturally very important, but without that one percent of talent, one could never reach a full one hundred percent.
Therefore, to become an absolute ace, one had to have the potential. This was not something that could be acquired through post-natal training. Every time a future ace with such potential fell prematurely, it was a matter of great regret.
"Where is the fleet from Luna II?" Yang Hui asked.
"They have entered the L4 Sector. They are expected to arrive at the Zeon Republic at 0900 Earth time tomorrow."
"Send the same message to the Zeon Republic."
"Understood."
"What is the situation on Earth?"
"According to news from Luna II, serious rebellions have broken out within the Zeon Army on Earth. Many Zeon forces have broken away from the Principality of Zeon's command and announced they are joining the Zeon Republic. General Revil is adopting a strategy of steady advancement and is reclaiming lost territory step by step."
"It seems Creuset's work in the Assembly is going well."
With major chaos in Zeon, it was unusual for the Federal Assembly not to impeach General Revil for not launching a fierce offensive to completely drive Zeon off Earth before the chaos ended. Instead, he was allowed to proceed steadily.
Furthermore, the high-ranking members of the Federal Assembly knew the Zeon Republic held the original Universal Century Charter—a devastating weapon that posed a massive threat to their status and power. They certainly wouldn't just sit by.
Yet, the Federal Assembly had not impeached Revil's decision. Someone must have convinced them. Gopp couldn't shed his identity as a Federal Army General yet, so that person could only be Creuset.
"By the way, the Intelligence Department reported that Kycilia Zabi has returned to space. Power over the Earth Attack Force has been handed over to Mark Be."
"Hmm? Mark Be?"
"Yes."
"He's a ruthless one. What has the Zeon Army been doing lately?"
"Contracting their defenses. They've abandoned most unimportant lost territories and have transitioned entirely to a defensive state."
"Hmm..." There was no problem with this move. After all, with massive internal rebellions, they couldn't launch an offensive in such chaos. Abandoning unimportant territory and concentrating all effective combat power at major strongpoints to resist the Federation's advance was the best choice.
But... Yang Hui felt something was off.
Natarle Badgiruel stood quietly to the side, not interrupting, waiting for Yang Hui to finish his thoughts.
"...Remind Revil to be careful when reclaiming lost territory. Mark Be is a ruthless man; he won't let them take it back easily."
"Do I need to send word to Creuset?"
"No need. Let him act freely."
"I'll see to it immediately."
"Colonel, Captain, a call from General Tiam. He orders us to return to Luna II immediately. Defense work for the Zeon Republic will be taken over by the 10th, 11th, and 12th Fleets, along with the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Fleets as subsequent reinforcements."
"Eight full-strength fleets?" Yang Hui frowned at the news. Eight full-strength fleets to help the Zeon Republic defend against the Principality of Zeon's retaliation? Wasn't that a bit much? Given the current number of the Federation's space fleets, they were sending nearly half their strength.
But soon, Yang Hui realized the truth. The Federation's intentions were not what they seemed. It was called defense assistance, but in reality, it was surveillance, wasn't it?
However, Yang Hui didn't care much. Among the eight space fleets being sent, the first three were all Revil's and Tiam's people. The subsequent five fleets would likely be Revil's people as well. With Revil at the top, the people below wouldn't act recklessly.
"Yes, sir."
"Did General Tiam say what he wants us back at Luna II for?" Yang Hui asked. This was what concerned him. The Principality of Zeon's retaliation against the Zeon Republic hadn't fully ended yet, and the fleet from Solomon Fortress would arrive in the L4 Sector before long.
Why call them back now?
"General Tiam said it's a classified mission."
"Classified mission?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... I understand. Have everyone get ready. We're heading back immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
For Tiam to call him back in such a hurry and emphasize a "classified mission" meant the situation was urgent and his help was greatly needed.
In that case, Yang Hui would go back and see exactly what Tiam had up his sleeve.
As for the defense of the Zeon Republic, if eight full-strength fleets plus the forces in Char's hands couldn't repel the Solomon fleet's attack, then so be it. Char would just be out of luck.
...
"You're leaving?" Char was stunned for a moment when Yang Hui came to bid him farewell.
"Yeah, Tiam is in a bit of a hurry."
"Hmm... I see."
"You don't have to worry about the Federation fleets. Whether they're our people or not, they won't dare move against you right now. But be careful; there might be some people with ulterior motives mixed in. Protect yourselves and protect the original Universal Century Charter, and there shouldn't be any problems."
"Don't worry, leave this side to me. By the way, the Federal Assembly sent us a transmission. They're sending a team of diplomats to negotiate matters related to an alliance."
"Regarding the Assembly, use the communicator I gave you to contact a man named Rau Le Creuset. He will handle everything."
"Hmm? Rau Le Creuset? That's quite a surprise." Char blinked, his lips curling into a meaningful arc.
"What? You know him?"
"No, but the head of the diplomatic team sent by the Federal Assembly is named Rau Le Creuset."
"Ho?" Yang Hui laughed too, his smile appearing mysterious and carrying a hint of anticipation. "Now that is interesting."
In the history of Gundam, a meeting between the two most impressive and most insidious masked men would surely be fascinating. It was just a pity he wouldn't be there to see it.
...
The shuttle carrying Creuset broke through the atmosphere. Looking at the massive fleet before him, the corners of Creuset's mouth ticked up as he imagined the amusing expressions that would surely appear on the faces of those swine in the Federal Assembly.
"As expected, the older people get, the more they learn the value of things."
Eight full-strength fleets, just to keep a tiny, newly restored country in check. It showed just how much they feared the Zeon Republic—no, rather, the existence of the original Universal Century Charter.
Click—
Right then, a gun was suddenly pressed against the back of Creuset's head. But Creuset remained as calm as still water, as if he had anticipated this long ago.
"To be honest, I'm surprised. I gave you many opportunities along the way. Why wait until now to act?" Creuset asked the person behind him without turning his head.
"..."
"Silent? Hmm... you should hold the gun a bit steadier. It's very dangerous for an assassin to reveal their state of mind." Saying this, Creuset slowly turned his head, looking at the person behind him with a smile.
This person was Creuset's secretary, who had been with him since before he entered the Federal Assembly. Before choosing him as a secretary, Creuset had investigated him thoroughly; his background was clean, and he was a very ordinary person.
And now, he was pointing a gun at Creuset. Just as Creuset thought, the secretary was trembling all over, sweat pouring down his face.
"I'm... I'm sorry... Lord Creuset, I... I..."
"Was it a bribe? Or a threat?"
Creuset noticed the secretary flinch visibly at the word "threat." Having found his answer, he continued, "Yourself? Or your family?"
At the mention of "family," the man became even more flustered. Creuset confirmed the answer and knew the reason.
"How many years have you been with me?" Creuset didn't act like a man in danger at all; he was incredibly calm.
"Five years..." The secretary turned his head away in shame, unable to look at Creuset. He was indeed guilt-ridden. Originally, he was just an ordinary man, the kind you wouldn't notice in a crowd. It was Creuset who gave him the opportunity and the life he had now.
But it was this very move that ended his chances. Creuset's hand shot out like lightning, snatching the gun from the secretary's hand, and then...
Bang!
A bullet pierced the secretary's head, leaving a gruesome bloody hole in the center of his forehead.
The gunshot caught the attention of the guards. Several large men in suits and sunglasses immediately rushed into the cabin, guns in hand. However, seeing Creuset unharmed, they relaxed and waited for his instructions.
"Dispose of it, and check on his family. Also, find out who gave the order."
"Yes, sir."
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