January UC0079, outskirts of Granada lunar city. The surface appeared as nothing more than the pockmarked face of the Moon, yet deep beneath lay an enormous and complex research facility.
"Fifteen years... finally completed." Yang Hui gazed at the experimental base before him, covering his face in resignation.
"What? Shouldn't you be happy? For a research base of this scale with such secrecy requirements, finishing in fifteen years is beyond expectations." The man standing beside Yang Hui wasn't Creuset—though both had blond hair, this man's was shorter. While he exuded a dangerous aura, it was noticeably milder and more relaxed than Creuset's. The only oddity was why he insisted on wearing sunglasses indoors.
"Hmph." Yang Hui rolled his eyes with a cold laugh. For a research base of this scale with equivalent secrecy demands, whether in the Gundam 00, Gundam AGE, or Gundam SEED worlds, the construction period could have been shortened to under ten years!
"Hmph." The man returned the cold laugh, mocking Yang Hui's insatiable greed.
"You turned down invitations from all those socialites and noble ladies just to rush here after the celebration banquet. Surely you didn't come just to mock me?"
"I merely came to check on your progress. As a partner."
"A partner, huh?" Yang Hui smiled, leading the man to his private office. "Take off those damn sunglasses already. No one enters here without my permission."
The man sat across from Yang Hui, hesitated briefly, then removed his sunglasses, revealing striking azure-blue eyes.
"Necessary precautions. You know my situation."
"So... should I call you Char? Or Casval?"
"Just Char."
"Not planning to reclaim your identity yet?"
"It's not the right time."
"Worried I might slip up? Don't trust me that much?"
"If I didn't trust you, you'd already be dead."
"Tell me that after you succeed just once."
Their complicated relationship traced back to childhood. As the third young master of Anaheim Electronics, Yang Hui had accompanied his elders to an Earthside social event where he encountered Char and Sayla (Artesia Deikun), who—though for different reasons—both displayed maturity beyond their years.
Perhaps recognizing kindred spirits amidst the alienating atmosphere, the two misfits crossed paths, and thus...
Their tangled fate began. Yang Hui had repeatedly rescued Char and Sayla from peril, and through these encounters, Char eventually formed a cooperative relationship with Yang Hui—now his sole trusted confidant.
Char raised an eyebrow but didn't pursue the topic further. To say he trusted Yang Hui would be inaccurate—it was more a matter of forced compromise. After Yang Hui exposed his true identity, Char had attempted to eliminate him covertly, but without exception, every attempt failed.
Moreover, Char found Yang Hui profoundly enigmatic—an unfathomable depth that made further attempts too risky. He feared Yang Hui might expose him to the Zabi family, which would spell doom not just for his revenge plans, but his very survival.
"You're falling behind on your end," Char changed the subject to their collaboration.
"As you can see, the research base is complete. The rest will proceed quickly."
"That's just the foundation, isn't it? Shouldn't the research take more time?"
Yang Hui chuckled. "I've already acquired MS technology long ago."
"You mean those Iron Cavalry? That violates our agreement."
"Drowning men? Don't insult me with that comparison," Yang Hui rolled his eyes. He would never acknowledge those diesel-powered humanoid machines as proper MS units.
"So you've completed it too? The miniaturization of the Minovsky Reactor!"
The recent Battle of Loum had ended in the Federation's crushing defeat precisely because MS units had fundamentally altered warfare.
When Minovsky Particles were dispersed, they disrupted low-frequency electromagnetic radiation like microwaves and radio waves.
The high charge of Minovsky Particles acted like continuous electromagnetic pulses on metallic objects, interfering with electronic circuits and damaging unprotected systems.
Due to how Minovsky Particles interacted with other radiation types, radar systems and long-range wireless communications became useless. Infrared signals were diminished with reduced accuracy, while visible light became fogged.
This became known as the [Minovsky Effect]. Its discovery rendered traditional military equipment obsolete - targeting systems became ineffective, forcing a regression to visual reconnaissance. The loss of communications proved particularly devastating in warfare.
The Federation's proud battleship artillery tactics were neutralized. Their mighty Space Fleet lost over 70% combat effectiveness, leaving them vulnerable to sneak attacks by Zeon's newly established MS units - attacks delivered at point-blank range.
Beyond the Minovsky Effect crippling warship radars and communications, the miniaturization of Minovsky Reactors proved equally critical to MS combat effectiveness.
Without reactor output, MS units would be like drowning men - devoid of mobility or agility. The Federation's anti-air defenses wouldn't be mere decorations. Only the reactors' power enabled MS units' superior maneuverability; otherwise they'd be mere toys - target practice for anti-air guns.
"Can't you have some faith in me?" Yang Hui gave Char another eyeroll. In this era, miniaturizing the reactor was indeed a challenge few could solve beyond Dr. Minovsky himself and his star pupil Tim Ray.
But to Yang Hui, this was trivial. He'd mastered far more complex technologies like GN Drives and GN Particles within years, even making improvements. The reactor was child's play - just grasp the fundamentals and the miniaturization hurdle would be cleared effortlessly.
"Impressive indeed!" Char's lips curled. Yang Hui independently solving reactor miniaturization demonstrated his formidable capabilities once more. The Federation was currently in disarray - they'd hoped Dr. Minovsky's defection would solve this very problem, but Char's faction had intercepted and eliminated the scientist.
"I heard it's now being handled by Dr. Minovsky's student Tim Ray, but progress is still very slow."
"It's my honor, Lieutenant Char Aznable, the 'Red Comet.'"
"Seems your intel is outdated. I've been promoted to Major now."
"Congratulations then." Yang Hui shrugged with a smile. Char's military rank held no real significance—no matter how high he rose, he couldn't afford to stand out too much. As just an MS pilot, he remained a warrior in name only.
Calling him a warrior was even flattering. Given the Vist Foundation's methods, so-called warriors were merely pawns, disposable at any moment.
"So, what about your preparations?" Char suddenly dropped his smile, turning serious as he questioned Yang Hui.
"Almost everything's ready. Just missing one thing."
"Does that thing really exist?"
"Of course. It's the Vist Foundation's greatest treasure."
"But I doubt anyone would care about it."
"True. It's just a stone slab. Those people wouldn't care—no, wait, they would care, but only to destroy it."
"Then why—"
"But in your hands, it becomes different. At least it gives you legitimacy, doesn't it?"
"..." Char fell silent, unable to refute Yang Hui's logic. He had his identity, but he lacked the legitimacy. Without it, his plans would remain mere personal vengeance, unable to fulfill his late father's will.
This shift had occurred after meeting Yang Hui. Killing the Vist family would be the simplest revenge—easy for both Char and the Vists. But to truly inherit his father's will, to rebuild the Republic of Zeon, to make the Vists watch helplessly as everything they built crumbled before dying in despair—that was the ultimate revenge.
To reach that point, Char needed legitimacy—not just his own identity, but also the thing Yang Hui offered. His identity could split Zeon, while that artifact would deter the Federation from acting rashly against him.
Then, to ensure the Republic of Zeon's longevity, one more crucial element was needed: formidable military strength. And that was another part of his collaboration with Yang Hui.
"Not enough."
"My people have already achieved significant results within the Federation. When the time comes, they'll provide support."
"Still not enough. The Battle of Loum shattered the Federation's proud fleet. They may have MS development plans, but progress is too slow—especially since I've heard the Federation's will to fight is fading. Zeon will soon send envoys to Earth for negotiations."
"And what if... the Federation's fighting spirit reignites?"
"..."
"Counting the days..." Yang Hui glanced at the calendar, his lips curling slightly. "...the pillar is about to return, strong enough to hold up the Federation's collapsing sky."
"You mean him!"
"Exactly."
"You have people inside Zeon too?"
"You think I spent these 15 years just guarding an unfinished research base?"
"Fine. But it's still not enough."
"Then take a look at this. Is it enough now?"
Yang Hui turned off all the lights, plunging the room into darkness. The next second, the center of the table between them suddenly lit up as a holographic screen rose, displaying information that left Char utterly stunned.
"This is—!"
"Well? Is this enough?"
"..." Char fell deep into thought. What Yang Hui had shown him were the detailed schematics of the M1 Astray. Though it was just the data for a single MS, combined with his connections inside both the Federation and Zeon, and the fact that he would also be brought back to the Federation... the entire picture began to connect.
"How can you be so sure he'll accept your proposal?"
"Because he is the Federation's last backbone."
"I see. I'll await your good news."
"No problem, Char."
(End of Chapter)