"...Utterly rotten. These people must be purged," Gai Murakumo commented.
"An accurate assessment," Creuset said, then turned to Athrun. "What about you, Athrun?"
"..." Athrun hesitated, unsure whether to answer Creuset's question given his current role as a bodyguard.
"Heh." Creuset chuckled softly at Athrun's restrained hesitation. "Relax, Athrun. There are no outsiders here. You don't need to worry about your bodyguard identity."
"Yes..." Athrun sighed and finally answered Creuset's question. "Gai's perspective is half right and half wrong. Actually, choosing surrender isn't just about cowardice. Without the protection of the Space Fleet, space becomes Zabi's backyard. Gihren Zabi truly is a madman, and I worry there might be a second Colony dropping from above our heads."
"Oh?" Creuset expressed surprise, marveling at whether this was the Zala family bloodline showing - able to see deeper truths beyond surface appearances. "Continue."
"During the meeting, although the nobles advocated surrender, neither the moderates nor the civilians stood up to oppose it. The moderates have always operated with reconciliation as their primary approach, while the civilians' considerations are understandable - after all, Sydney... most of the casualties were civilians. The radicals who opposed surrender appear tough on the surface but are actually weak and lack conviction inside. Perhaps... they've placed their final hopes on the [V Project]."
"Excellent." Creuset applauded Athrun. Gai Murakumo's assessment was indeed accurate, but it came from the perspective of a warrior or soldier - firstly, warriors shouldn't show fear before battle, and secondly, the nobles advocating surrender were indeed only considering their own interests.
But Athrun's analysis was more comprehensive. Shedding the warrior identity, he analyzed each faction's considerations and thoughts from a global perspective - this is the foundation of command.
"You flatter me. These are just superficial observations, not entirely correct," Athrun said modestly.
"No, no, it's already outstanding, Athrun."
"Captain..."
"Now, Athrun, I'm not your captain anymore. Our shared captain is Yang Hui."
"Yes..."
"However, you missed one point, Athrun."
"What is it?"
"Us."
"Us?"
"Correct, us. Our existence is the Federation's anomaly. The moderates and civilians are already showing signs of alliance through our efforts, especially the civilians. They represent the common people, and this world has the most common people. No matter which faction holds power, they must consider the civilians' stance.
So while the civilians appear to have the lowest status, they actually hold the highest position. Therefore, our existence ensures the civilians' will stands with us, forming a new faction."
"But the civilians don't have military power..."
"First, every soldier has their own family. In the military structure, the largest numbers are the basic soldiers and low-to-mid-level officers - they aren't much different from civilians. Add their families to the equation, and they essentially carry the civilians' label. This is a powerful force.
Moreover, don't forget - General Revil is also from the civilians' faction."
"General Revil... wasn't he captured?"
"He'll be back soon."
"Understood."
"This is where we come in. Although he suffered a major defeat, Revil's capabilities remain impressive. He simply fell victim to intelligence gaps and technological disadvantages. Once Revil undergoes his rebirth and takes command of the Federal Army, defeating Zeon becomes an inevitability, even with their current overwhelming advantage."
Athrun and Gai Murakumo nodded in agreement with Creuset's assessment. Despite the devastating defeat at the Battle of Loum and Revil's capture by Zeon, none could deny his competence. Intelligence failures and technological disparities were enough to determine the outcome of any large-scale battle.
Having experienced this crushing defeat, Revil had now recognized the new form warfare had taken and understood how future battles should be fought. It would be impossible for Zeon to inflict another major defeat upon him.
"By rescuing Revil and returning him to the Federation, we can deepen our relationship with him and solidify our cooperation with the civilian faction. This also provides us an opportunity to join this war. With collaborators already in place, we'll only accelerate Zeon's downfall."
"But Revil is a defeated general. His failure nearly cost the Federation control over space. Can he still obtain military authority?" Gai Murakumo expressed concern.
"Absolutely. That fatso Gopp is no simple character - a crafty old fox with nine tails, shrewd through and through."
"I heard General Gopp has struck a deal with Anaheim?"
"You see, just the scraps that fell through Yang Hui's fingers were enough for Gopp to prop up the nearly collapsed Anaheim company. If he opens his fingers just a little wider..."
"Either the V Project gets completed ahead of schedule or gets terminated entirely."
"Regardless of the outcome, the Federation will quickly possess its own MS units. Given the Federation's scale... I can only feel sorry for Zeon."
"What about pilot issues? Mobile Suits can be mass-produced quickly, but training pilots isn't so easy," Athrun asked.
"Yang Hui's fingers."
"...Understood."
Having reached this point in the discussion, both Athrun and Gai Murakumo understood - Yang Hui had already prepared everything for the Federal Army.
Outdated basic military technology? I have it, cheap and affordable!
No MS? I'll help you develop them, any type you want!
Not enough time to train pilots? Minor issue, simulation training systems arranged in advance!
A complete package service, just waiting for five-star reviews.
"Beep beep..."
Creuset picked up his PAD and glanced at it, a smirk forming on his lips.
"Gai, rearrange my schedule. Cardeas Vist's birthday banquet is in ten days - clear all appointments for that day."
"Understood."
"Yang Hui is coming to Earth. Things are about to get interesting."
...
At the research base, Yang Hui waited for someone until a car approached. He knew the person he was waiting for had arrived. Straightening his clothes, he stood with a warm smile as the vehicle stopped before him. An elderly man stepped out, appearing weathered and tired but with intensely sharp eyes.
"Pleasure to meet you, General Revil. It appears your journey went smoothly."
The visitor was indeed General Revil. Though his captivity had aged him, Yang Hui could see the fire in his eyes - the flames of someone determined to wash away disgrace and seek revenge.
"Heh, took a nasty fall and almost couldn't get back up. Would you call that going smoothly?" Revil examined Yang Hui while speaking with self-deprecation.
"Falls help us grow. No one's journey is completely smooth, isn't that right?"
"Heh, true enough."
"Let me introduce myself - Yang Hui. You can also call me Hui Vist, the third son of the Vist Foundation."
"Johann Abraham Revil. So you're the rumored third child of the Vist family?"
"Oh? I'm surprised General Revil has heard of an insignificant person like me. What an honor."
"Ahem, being from the Vist Foundation, it's normal to attract attention."
Revil felt quite awkward at this moment. He had indeed heard of Yang Hui before, but... all the rumors were negative - playboy, incompetent wastrel, extravagant spender, arrogant and overbearing, and so on.
He never expected that the mastermind behind his rescue from Zeon would be this Yang Hui who left such a poor impression. And... Revil was quite skilled at reading people. Just from their brief exchange, he could tell Yang Hui was extraordinary.
Moreover, how did he manage to plant operatives in Zeon's capital at SIDE 3 - people who could easily enter and exit prisons and safely extract him?
If it was the Vist Foundation's power... possibly, but he felt that wasn't the case. The people who brought him here showed Yang Hui a level of respect that even his own veteran subordinates who had followed him for over a decade couldn't match.
This forced Revil to take the young man seriously. All the previous rumors about him were false - the reality was completely opposite. This was a highly capable and formidable person.
Because those negative rumors were likely spread by Yang Hui himself.
Yang Hui knew exactly what kind of rumors Revil had heard about him, but didn't expose them, merely smiling instead.
Revil's guess wasn't entirely correct. The negative rumors about him weren't spread by Yang Hui himself, but by his extremely hostile second sister. However, after learning about them, Yang Hui had simply gone along with it. After all, as a member of the Vist family, he would inevitably attract the Federation's attention.
Playing along with the negative rumors helped reduce the Federation's focus on him. Thanks to his second sister's malicious intentions accidentally working in his favor, his plans had been able to progress smoothly until now.
"Please come with me, General Revil. The shuttle has been arranged and will depart for Earth at 0800. I'll take you directly to Jaburo Base - General Gopp is also waiting for your return."
"...Understood." Revil maintained perfect control over his expression, hiding his inner surprise. Because Yang Hui could also connect with Gopp - something many of the Federation's major families couldn't accomplish.
Following Yang Hui into the research base, he took the opportunity to briefly tour the entire facility. Everything he saw only deepened his astonishment.
First was the scale of this base - it could completely be considered a fortress.
Second was the complete production line. Though there were no finished products yet, from the components it wasn't hard to tell this was an MS production line.
Third were two massive spaces. Based on their capacity, the equipment layout, and the frameworks under construction, Revil guessed these were some new type of warship he hadn't seen before.
Fortress, warships, MS - all three essential elements of modern warfare were present here.
"What's wrong, General Revil?" Seeing Revil stop and stare at him, Yang Hui asked with a smile.
"..." Revil remained silent, unsure how to begin. He had started to suspect that Yang Hui harbored some terrifying ambition, and that saving him was merely part of a plan to use him to fulfill that ambition.
"Heh." Yang Hui guessed what Revil was thinking. He waved his hand, dismissing all the attendants. Ignoring Revil's gaze, he looked toward the vast space and the warships under construction.
"There are no outsiders here, General Revil. Ask whatever you wish. I'll answer whatever I can."
"..."
"Rest assured, General Revil. Our goals don't conflict. Being open with each other will only benefit our cooperation, won't it?"
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