"Oh? It seems the boss has prepared Christmas gifts for us as usual," Andy said with a cheerful laugh.
"Of course, but this year's Christmas will come early. Be prepared—I'll complete this thing as soon as possible." As he spoke, Yang Hui's face showed excitement, yet carried a hint of danger.
"Anything that makes you show that expression must be something extraordinary," Banagher remarked with a grin. Having followed Yang Hui for years, the veteran had come to understand this young man well—exceptionally kind to his allies, presenting the image of a refined noble to the outside world, yet hiding a dangerous and ruthless side ordinary people couldn't fathom.
"Absolutely," Yang Hui declared proudly, though he left half the thought unspoken: with the completion of the Quasi-GN Drive and the emergence of GN Particles in this world, the status of Mobile Suits would be elevated once again, the form of warfare would undergo another transformation, and the importance of Minovsky Particles would significantly diminish.
"When will the Mobile Suits be ready?" Shutana asked. They were all excellent, but what good were they if not built?
"Within two months, all your units will be prepared."
"So we get two months off? Spare me! My body's practically rusting!" Gabriel complained.
While the others were fine, the Cyclops Team—formerly mercenaries now mostly serving as bodyguards after being recruited by Yang Hui—found the lack of combat missions unbearable for those accustomed to battlefields.
"I pay you such high salaries, and all you think about is vacation? Dream on," Yang Hui retorted with a laugh.
"But boss, you never give us interesting missions—it's either guard duty or time off," Gabriel shrugged.
"Don't worry, I won't let you stay idle. Although the Mobile Suits aren't ready, the Simulation Training System is complete."
"Oh? Looks like we can get a bit of excitement after all," Gabriel said, and the others smiled in satisfaction as well. As warriors, they were naturally drawn to powerful weapons like MS—it was frustrating to only look but not touch. Though it was just simulation training, it could at least relieve their pent-up excitement.
Observing their expressions, Yang Hui smiled without comment. He hoped their enthusiasm would last, especially since he had prepared an excellent instructor for them—Kira. He wondered if they would maintain their composure without breaking down.
After the meeting, everyone headed to the simulation training room while Yang Hui returned to his quarters to organize his next plans.
"Once I have it, we'll return to Earth together and attend Cardeas's birthday banquet. That shrew—who knows if she'll show up? What a nuisance. But... I hope the old man hands that thing over to me. Otherwise..."
A ruthless glint flashed in Yang Hui's eyes. Truth be told, if not for his cooperative relationship with Char, the original text of the Universal Century Charter wasn't that important in his view—at least not enough to overthrow the Federation. What would happen if it were made public? New Humans were still a minority; even if they held some important positions, weren't they still working for ordinary humans?
As for surpassing ordinary people... that was never stipulated in the first place. Even if someone overinterprets it, how could a small number of New Humans possibly defeat ordinary people who outnumber them by dozens of times?
Moreover, the current Federal government doesn't recognize it, so what could be achieved by making it public? If they control public opinion and declare it fake, how many people would believe in the authenticity of the original Universal Century Charter? Or rather, how many people would be willing to believe it? It's important to remember that the relationship between Naturals and Coordinators in the Gundam SEED world mirrors that between New Humans and ordinary humans.
Inevitably, it would lead to another war.
However, while it may not be enough to overthrow the Federation, it holds greater value for Char to exploit.
During peacetime, anyone daring to publicly reveal the original Universal Century Charter would become an enemy of the Federation, only to be annihilated before the Federal Army's massive forces.
But now is wartime!
If Char were to revive the Zeon Republic during the war using the original Universal Century Charter and his identity, it would inevitably cause a split within Zeon—a scenario the Federation would welcome. As long as the revived Zeon Republic doesn't assist the Principality of Zeon in fighting the Federation, the Federation would support its revival.
As for the threat posed by the Zeon Republic... after eliminating the Principality of Zeon, dealing with this nation revived with Federation support would be effortless!
Of course, Yang Hui and Char have certainly considered this threat. Therefore, Yang Hui will continue to assist Char, helping the Principality of Zeon acquire sufficient military strength for self-defense. Due to the limited scale of space colonies, it's impossible to surpass the Federal Army.
But it only needs to make the Federal Army wary, to let them know that eliminating the Zeon Republic would cost the Federation dearly—that's enough.
Moreover, Yang Hui isn't just providing military support to the Zeon Republic. Creuset, along with Athrun and Gai Murakumo, has already established roots on Earth. Creuset is now a member of the Federal Parliament and has rallied many civilian and moderate factions, forming a considerable force within the Federation.
Yet this alone isn't enough. To control the Federation from within and purge the ambitious radicals and corrupt nobles without causing governmental instability requires more assistance.
For example... General Gopp and General Revill!
"Hmm... I also need to establish some status and reputation myself. When would be the right time to intervene... the Odessa Operation? Or the V Project?"
"Beep beep beep..."
At that moment, Yang Hui's PAD rang. He answered the call—it was from his nominal older brother.
"Where are you?"
"Somewhere safe."
"...Never mind, as long as you're safe." A weary and exhausted voice came from the other end.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"When are you coming back?"
"In a day or two. I won't be late."
"Not coming together?"
"No, I still have some matters to attend to here."
"Alright."
...
At the top floor of Anaheim Electronics' headquarters in Granada's city center, Cardeas rubbed his throbbing temples after hanging up the phone.
"Master, are you feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?" The energetic young man asked with concern. Jair Zhang was Cardeas Vist's secretary and bodyguard. Not yet weathered by time, he still appeared somewhat youthful with a lighter beard and a full head of thick hair.
"No need. I just can't figure out what Yang Hui is thinking."
Yang Hui's identity was indeed the third young master of the Vist Foundation, though he was Cardeas' half-brother from a different mother. While he carried the Vist surname, he also used his maternal family name. Having been called Yang Hui since childhood, he wasn't referred to as Hui Vist.
"Master, the third young master is still young. It's normal for him to enjoy having fun..."
"Young?" Cardeas was taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile. "That kid has nothing to do with being young."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Nothing. That kid probably has his own ideas."
"The third young master is indeed very independent."
"Yes, he's been like that since childhood. We'll talk when we return to Earth. Jair, have you booked the tickets?"
"Already done. Since I wasn't sure if the third young master would return to Earth with us, I only booked two tickets."
"Good thinking. He won't be returning with us."
"I understand."
"Any unusual activity from the board of directors recently?"
"Nothing unusual. Since the Iron Cavalry scandal, all the directors have been keeping their heads down."
"Hah, a bunch of incompetent fools occupying positions without doing any real work. They don't even know how to be discreet about their greed." Cardeas sneered.
Anaheim Electronics' pride and joy had been completely crushed by Zeon's Zaku, resulting in a zero to twelve combat record that humiliated both the Federation and Anaheim Company.
Most crucially, the poor performance of the early Guncannon model indirectly led to Dr. Minovsky's death, which was the fundamental reason for the Federation's fury.
Since then, Anaheim's standing within the Federation had been declining rapidly. Several directors who had advocated for mass production of the early Guncannon model and their subordinates were all sacrificed to the Federation as scapegoats. To restore Anaheim's status and reputation while protecting the Vist Foundation's interests, Cardeas had no choice but to step up and take over the precarious company.
"We've collected most of the evidence. Should we replace them?" Jair Zhang inquired.
"No need. Evidence is more useful when held in reserve than when used."
"Uh..."
"Anaheim belongs to the Vist Foundation. What we need are obedient people, Jair. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Master." Jair Zhang bowed in response, his tone filled with loyalty. As an orphan raised by the Vist Foundation since childhood and trained to be Cardeas' right-hand man, he was utterly devoted to Cardeas.
"Good, you may leave. I'll call you if I need anything."
"Yes, Master."
After Jair Zhang left, Cardeas took a disk from his drawer and toyed with it. He had already reviewed its contents, which was precisely why he found it so astonishing.
These were some technologies Yang Hui had given him - all civilian technologies, but just applicable to military use as well. For instance, General Gopp's order included Holographic Projection Technology as one of them.
It was precisely the technology on this disk that allowed Cardeas to easily stabilize the teetering Anaheim Electronics and regain trust within the Federation.
"Yang Hui, how many more secrets are you hiding?"
...
Across the sea (or rather, the cosmic sea - no issue with that, right?), at the Federation Council headquarters in Geneva, Creuset had just returned home after an unusual meeting.
"Truly... a bunch of hopeless incompetents." Creuset mocked his colleagues from the earlier meeting. Despite sitting on Earth's vast treasure trove and with the Federation's foundations largely intact, some had been terrified by the outcomes of Operation British and the Battle of Loum, clamoring to compromise with Zeon.
Gai Murakumo and Athrun stood silently behind Creuset, perfectly fulfilling their duties as bodyguards.
"Athrun, Gai, what are your thoughts?" Their silence didn't mean Creuset wouldn't ask. While bodyguards typically wouldn't participate in such discussions, both he and Yang Hui believed these individuals' potential extended beyond combat. Pushing them in other areas might yield unexpected results.
(End of Chapter)