After deducing Yang Hui's plan, Char had obtained a satisfactory answer and was content to leave Granada and return to SIDE3's Zeon homeland. Dozle had just sent a message asking where he was, and if he didn't return quickly, it would raise suspicions.
"How is Artesia?" Char asked Yang Hui before leaving. Even Yang Hui was now merely a collaborator to him—a transactional relationship. The only remaining warmth in his heart was for his younger sister (Lalah hasn't appeared yet, don't rush!).
"Of course. Would you like to meet her?"
"Better not. Can you tell me more about her? I still have a little time."
"She's currently an intern at Granada Central Hospital. Her supervisor thinks very highly of her, and she'll become a full employee within the year. Then she'll have achieved her dream."
"Is that so?" Char rarely showed a gentle smile. Because of what he was doing now, he had seen his sister multiple times but couldn't meet her. This pained Char deeply, but it was for her safety. Kycilia's black organization—Kycilia's Agency—had never stopped searching for them.
"By the way, she and Lacus are close friends. She's also Lacus's devoted fan."
"Lacus, the Diva of Peace. What an ironic title." Char shook his head. Knowing Yang Hui naturally meant knowing Lacus, who had been engaged to Yang Hui since childhood and married him a few years ago. The daughter of Earth Federation nobility, she was now the world's most popular celebrity. Her singing was beloved by both Federation and Zeon people alike, with evaluations claiming her voice possessed a mysterious power to calm restless hearts.
Precisely because of her popularity, even though she consistently promoted ideals of peace and was called the Diva of Peace, Gihren Zabi—who opposed her statements—couldn't openly move against Lacus. Kycilia's Agency had attempted it, but after suffering continuous losses without any results, they had recently quieted down.
But in Char's view, in this chaotic era, the word "peace" carried heavy irony.
"Honestly, I'm surprised you feel secure letting her continue public activities."
"That was Lacus's own choice. I respect her."
"Aren't you afraid something might happen to her?"
"Heh, I've already chopped off many hands. I don't mind chopping off more." Yang Hui's expression suddenly turned frosty, a murderous aura wrapping around him like a substantial coat that would make even the avenging Asura tremble in fear.
"I can't figure you out."
"If I were that easy to read, how many times would I be dead by now?"
"True enough. I should be going."
"I suggest you make a stop at Von Braun City before returning to SIDE3."
"Is that so... Very well."
Watching Char drive away from the research base, Yang Hui didn't turn to leave immediately. Instead, he waited for certain people to arrive. The research base was completed, marking the end of the preparation phase. They could now officially enter the first stage. The members he had painstakingly recruited needed to take their positions.
Cars arrived intermittently. Half an hour later, looking at the assembled crowd before him, Yang Hui felt a surge of heroic spirit.
Former Zeon Cyclops Team: Hardie Steiner, Andy Strauss, Mikhail Kaminsky, Gabriel Garcia.
Cima Garahau, the scapegoat for Zeon's dirty work.
Tenneth A. Jung, the future top ace of the Federation.
South Burning, the veteran who remained active until UC 0083.
Kajima Yuu, who began with the Blue Destiny and would later become Amuro's comrade and a member of Londo Bell.
This was Yang Hui's preparation. Over more than a decade, Yang Hui traveled extensively, not only building relationships with certain high-ranking officials and corporations in the Federation and Zeon but also with the goal of assembling his own super team to gain greater influence in the war. He was essentially poaching talent from all sides.
Among them, the four members of the Cyclops Team were the easiest to recruit. When Yang Hui found them, they were still mercenaries and had not yet been conscripted by Zeon. So he spent some money to hire them as his personal guards. Over time, they became familiar with each other, and Yang Hui continuously persuaded them while improving their benefits. Years later, when Zeon's conscription notice arrived as expected, they were not tempted to leave and chose to remain by Yang Hui's side.
South Burning was a veteran soldier. Before the outbreak of the One Year War, his commanding officer was a typical parasite—corrupt, unscrupulous, and constantly harassing and sidelining honest veterans. This led South Burning to consider retiring and leaving the military. Seizing this opportunity, Yang Hui successfully recruited him.
Kajima Yuu and Tenneth A. Jung were intercepted before they enlisted in the military. Yang Hui offered them generous terms and successfully recruited them.
Cima Garahau was the only one recruited after the One Year War began. Unknowingly, she carried out an inhumane order and was later framed as a scapegoat by her commanding officer, leaving her disheartened. Before she could become a space pirate, Yang Hui approached her. To her, the hand he extended was like a ray of light above an endless abyss, giving her hope.
Of course, Yang Hui's list was not limited to these few individuals. With his knowledge of the UC world, his list of aces was quite extensive. However, he first excluded those with incompatible personalities and styles, followed by those who were impossible to recruit at the time. For instance, Ramba Ral, the "Blue Giant," though disillusioned with the military leadership and temporarily away from the army, remained unwilling to abandon Zeon in his disheartened state. Similarly, Norris Packard from the 08th MS Team storyline was a servant of the Sahalin family and fiercely loyal to his master.
Yang Hui visited all the remaining people on his list, but for various reasons, they declined his invitations.
But it didn't matter. Those he had invited were likely already participating in the One Year War, and based on his understanding of them, they wouldn't align themselves with the hopeless parasites. There would always be opportunities, right?
"Whoa~ This is truly impressive." While touring the research base, which would also be their home for the foreseeable future, Gabriel Garcia whistled in awe at the grandeur of the facility.
"A base of this scale, young Yang Hui, it seems your ambitions are quite substantial." As a veteran, he had noticed the unusual nature of this research base the moment he arrived. Its sheer size surpassed what any ordinary civilian company would require, not to mention its concealment and potential defensive armaments.
"Having an experienced elder is like having a treasure, Uncle Burning. Any suggestions?"
"Is Anaheim planning to join the war?"
"Anaheim has already joined the war. Isn't the Iron Cavalry Squadron proof of that?"
When war breaks out, who can truly remain neutral? Though Anaheim was merely a civilian company and its current scale couldn't rank among the military-industrial enterprises of either the Federation or Zeon, it had still entered the war.
By providing the Federation with their company-produced early-type Guncannons, it appeared on the surface to be just an ordinary transaction—normal business conduct. But from the perspective of national leadership, wasn't this essentially choosing sides? It clearly indicated that Anaheim Company stood with the Federation in this war.
"True enough." Burning didn't dwell on it too much. As a veteran, while politically aware, he possessed the tact characteristic of old soldiers. Moreover, since Anaheim Company sided with the Federation, working for them meant he was still serving the Federation.
"But Yang Hui, what are your plans? Continue developing MS on your own?" Jung asked.
"If it's still those toys like the Iron Cavalry, I think it's better to give up early," Kajima Yuu remarked.
They hadn't served in the Federal Army, so their sense of belonging to the Federation wasn't as strong as in the original timeline. But as Earthnoids, they still felt anger toward Zeon and Gihren Zabi's actions, furious about the tragedy that befell Sydney.
"Why does everyone keep using those toys to insult me?" Yang Hui covered his face in frustration. Was his performance really that inadequate? Did he share any resemblance with those incompetent fools who just occupied positions without doing anything?
"Uh... isn't it?"
"Of course not!"
As they chatted, the group arrived at the conference room. After turning off the lights, they activated the central holographic projector.
"Whoa~ This is high-tech!"
Currently, neither the Federal Army nor the Zeon forces had widely adopted holographic projection technology. Some still used projector screens, and even worse, some relied on paper document transfers.
"Impressive, right? This technology has already secured a major order from the Federal Army, personally authorized by General Gopp himself."
"That's really remarkable." Everyone nodded in agreement. The key wasn't the size of the order, but the fact that it came from General Gopp, the highest-ranking official in the Federal Army, indicating Yang Hui had good connections with him.
"But what you're showing us isn't this, is it?" Hardie Steiner asked. He was around the same age as Burning, both being experienced veterans.
"Alright, seems everyone's quite eager. Well then, everyone, say hello to your future rides."
As soon as he finished speaking, detailed schematics of the M1 Astray were projected again, drawing exclamations of surprise from the group.
"This is an MS!"
"The miniaturized Minovsky Reactor—finally completed?"
"Glad to see it's not a toy."
"Hmm... just looking at the specs, it appears significantly superior to Zeon's Zaku."
"Modular construction, allowing for different backpacks to be swapped based on various environments to maximize combat effectiveness—this design is brilliant!"
"Hmm?" While the young recruits were cheering over the excellence of their future mobile suits, veterans Barninger and Stutner noticed issues the youngsters had missed.
"Young master, what are these positions for?" Stutner zoomed in on the M1 Astray's image, pointing out several locations that showed obvious inconsistencies and gaps.
"Boss, these positions are clearly for additional armaments!" said the lively Andy Strauss.
"No, they're not for additional armaments." As deputy captain, the equally experienced Mikhail Kaminsky also spotted the problem—these positions weren't suitable for adding weapons due to their orientation and placement.
"If Misha says so, then there must be an issue." Andy chuckled. When all three veteran seniors in the team sensed something wrong, it meant his own perception was lacking. "So boss, what can you tell us?"
Seeing everyone's eyes focused on him, Yang Hui smirked inwardly, impressed that these individuals were truly elites—especially the three veterans who could identify problems without ever having piloted an MS.
"Reserved slots for unfinished components."
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!