"Salute!" xN
When the eight Astray Gundams dragged Yang Hui back to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's base, everyone rushed out to welcome them.
At first, seeing only eight Astray Gundams return, their hearts were in their throats, fearing that someone hadn't made it back. Looking closer, the missing unit was Yang Hui's personal Unit 01, which made them feel as if the sky had fallen.
Only when they saw Yang Hui on the palm of Unit 02 did they breathe a sigh of relief, erupting into cheers and salutes. Unit 01 was gone, and the other eight Mobile Suits were battered and bruised, with several missing pieces of armor and the remaining plating densely covered in bullet holes and scorch marks.
"At ease," Yang Hui waved them off after landing.
After so many days apart, he scanned the crowd and noticed a few missing faces. But those who survived had changed—they carried an almost tangible aura of ferocity, the bearing of seasoned veterans, and the eyes of wolves hidden deep within.
"Major, did you accomplish another great feat this time?" someone asked eagerly.
"Not really. We ran into a tough opponent this time..." Yang Hui feigned frustration and regret.
"What? Even the Major found them tough? Who was it?"
"It's fine, Major. As long as you all returned safely, there'll be plenty of opportunities!"
"...That person was Kycilia Zabi. Quite troublesome. She only let us take out the NY base, the DC base, several observation posts, and about a tenth of their forces. Oh, right, we also wiped out a few elite squads—what were they called... the [Magatsiya]Squadron? And a few [Midnight Fenrir]Squads? Or was it [Bloodthirsty Hound]Squads?"
"..."
Seeing Yang Hui's dejected expression, everyone had been ready to comfort him, thinking they'd encountered major obstacles in the North American theater and achieved little. But then...
The humblebrag came too late and too suddenly. The noisy scene fell silent as everyone stared at Yang Hui with dead-fish eyes.
"Major!" xN
They howled in resentment. They'd worried Yang Hui might be disheartened by falling from the peak to the ground, only to realize he was just humblebragging to mess with them!
"Hahahaha..." Jung and the others behind him clutched their stomachs, laughing uproariously. They knew Yang Hui's mischievous side had surfaced and had been holding back their laughter. Now, seeing the newcomers' shock and resentment, they couldn't hold it in any longer.
Natarle Badgiruel, Cima, and South Burning also hid in the back, snickering. They, too, were familiar with Yang Hui's playful antics.
"Alright, quiet down!" Yang Hui raised a fist, and everyone fell silent, their eyes blazing as they looked at him. Though they'd been tricked by his mischief, Yang Hui and his team's achievements were enough to excite them. Not to mention, each of them had piloted MS in battle, taken down numerous enemy units, and collaborated with the Luna to recapture the recently fallen Orlando base.
Before this, such feats were things they hadn't dared to imagine.
"Although I haven't seen the detailed battle report yet, I've noticed the change in all of you. I'm satisfied and proud of you. You kept your promise and returned with honor!"
"Yes!" xN
"But! I noticed... a few comrades didn't make it back."
The atmosphere instantly shifted, visibly sinking at a rapid pace. Yes, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had suffered casualties. Compared to the achievements they had accomplished, the sacrifice of a few individuals was worth it. Their victory could undoubtedly be called a great triumph. But for each person, the comrades they had lived and worked alongside just days ago were now gone. No matter how great the achievement, it felt hollow and could not replace the sorrow in their hearts.
"Everyone, raise your heads!" A sharp command rang out, and everyone looked up at Yang Hui. "Our fallen comrades are the driving force behind our progress! Because we must continue fighting for their sake as well! We must also claim the honor and medals that belong to them!"
"Yes, sir!" XN
"Dismissed. Await further orders!"
"Yes, sir!" XN
After everyone dispersed, Yang Hui found Natarle Badgiruel to inquire about the detailed situation, understand the current progress of the Federal Army, and learn what further orders they had to carry out.
"The Zeon defense line has retreated 50 kilometers. The Federal Army has fully advanced and reclaimed a significant amount of lost territory. However, starting yesterday, the Zeon Army suddenly launched a counterattack. For the sake of caution, General Revil ordered the main forces to halt and consolidate their positions, reinforcing the reclaimed areas. We have not yet received new orders, so we are stationed here awaiting further instructions," Natarle Badgiruel reported.
"It seems Kycilia Zabi truly harbors a deep hatred for me," Yang Hui chuckled. Zeon's sudden retreat was certainly related to them. It was only because they hadn't managed to catch up to him that they regained their senses and resumed their offensive to reclaim the territory taken by the Federation. "How is the frontline situation?"
"Temporarily stable. General Revil has played all his cards this time, even hastily assembled MS units have been deployed. Their combat effectiveness is decent, enough to hold their ground against Zeon."
"Hmm... Contact Revil and have him send someone to take over our defense sector. We are to return to Jaburo Base for rest and reorganization," Yang Hui said.
"You should handle that yourself. I wouldn't dare speak to General Revil like that," Natarle Badgiruel remained her usual self—a traditional, iron-willed soldier with a firm sense of hierarchy. Even in another world, even as Yang Hui's lover, she would adhere to the Federal Army's regulations and rules. For Natarle Badgiruel, this was ingrained in her bones.
However, there were changes. She no longer opposed Yang Hui's actions and would prioritize his instructions above all else. But she couldn't bring herself to communicate with generals like Revil on equal footing as Yang Hui did—unless she held the same rank as Revil.
"Alright, I might as well ask him if his objective has been achieved," Yang Hui said, taking the communicator from the communications officer and giving them a look to leave.
Once the communications room was empty except for Yang Hui, he contacted Revil, who was aboard the Big Tray overseeing the rear of the Federal Army.
"This is the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, Major Yang Hui. Please connect me to General Revil."
"Please hold." Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for a major to directly contact Revil. To speak with him directly, one needed to be at least a senior colonel. However, the communications officer also knew that Major Yang Hui was different. The Twelfth Independent Technical Division was Revil's direct unit, so without further questions, the officer transferred the call to Revil.
"This is Revil. Speak."
"First squad has safely returned. Our unit has completed its mission. Please dispatch troops to take over our defensive sector, General Revil, and allow our unit to return to Jaburo Base for rest and reorganization."
"Request denied. I will send troops to take over your sector, but you are not to return to Jaburo Base. Instead, proceed directly to East Asia."
"East Asia?" Yang Hui's brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly understood the reason.
"Yes, East Asia. While you were operating deep behind enemy lines, Zeon launched their third drop operation, deploying large forces to invade South Africa, the Philippines, and Australia. Australia and South Africa have now been completely occupied by Zeon. Only the East Asian theater is still holding out through hard struggle. Your next assignment is to proceed to the East Asian theater to provide support and eliminate the Zeon forces that dropped into the Philippines."
"But our unit urgently needs resupply, especially MS. The demand is extremely high. Even I currently have no usable Mobile Suit." Yang Hui understood Revil's thinking, but although the Twelfth Independent Technical Division appeared formidable and undefeated, they were already at the end of their strength.
As the strongest combatant, Yang Hui had lost his Mobile Suit. The eight members of the first squad, after prolonged high-intensity combat, also needed time to rest and allow their constantly strained nerves to relax.
Then there were the newcomers. They were still using mass-production model Mobile Suits. The Astray Gundam and full equipment set that Revil had promised him hadn't arrived yet. He wasn't prepared to take them back into battle just yet.
"Your Mobile Suit?" Revil asked in surprise. Although he knew Yang Hui's mission had been extremely dangerous, he hadn't expected him to leave his Mobile Suit on the battlefield.
"I encountered Kycilia Zabi. She surrounded me. To complete the mission and break through, my Mobile Suit sustained excessive damage and became unusable. I had to leave it in Zeon territory. Though I destroyed it before abandoning it. Zeon probably only managed to collect some fragments."
"You actually encountered that woman Kycilia? You're fortunate to be alive."
"She is indeed a troublesome opponent."
"I understand your situation, but you cannot return to Jaburo Base. Regarding Mobile Suits, a transport unit will deliver them directly to the East Asian theater. You can receive them there."
"Oh? General Revil, mass-production models can't support my piloting skills."
"What we're sending you aren't mass-production models."
"Oh? They're all completed?"
"Yes. I've kept my promise. Gopp has been nagging me about it for a long time because of this."
"I understand. What about the results on the other side?" Yang Hui asked. This was what concerned him. Unless all those old fellows on the Military Committee were brought down, no matter how favorable the conditions, he wouldn't participate in Revil's plan.
"The results will come out in the next few days. Even if they aren't traitors, they'll be kicked out. Don't worry, none will escape."
"That's good. Our backs are finally clean."
"Don't let your guard down, Major Yang Hui. Our enemies... there are still many."
"Naturally, I'll be careful."
"Good. Depart once the sector handover is complete. Although the East Asian theater is still in a stalemate, if the Zeon forces in Australia free up their hands, we won't be able to hold them back."
"Yes, General Revil. May I ask, how is the situation in California?"
If the NY base and DC base are symbols of North America, then the California base is the most important strategic base in all of North America. It was only after capturing the California base that Zeon gained its own submarine fleet, rapidly expanding its advantage in the water and making it the largest and most crucial strategic base in North America.
"The California base is temporarily unable to dispatch reinforcements for support. To preserve our strength, I ordered the personnel at the base to retreat when the opportunity arose. Fortunately, you bought us time—otherwise, they wouldn't even have had a chance to retreat."
"Have them destroy the base before leaving. Since we're abandoning it, let's leave nothing for Zeon."
"Naturally. Any other questions, Major Yang Hui?"
"None."
"May you continue to create legends, Major Yang Hui. Once the situation stabilizes, I will personally award you the medals."
(End of Chapter)