In the asteroid belt of the L3 Space Zone, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division and the 11th and 12th Fleets had been waiting for over ten days. They weren't just idly passing the time. Apart from a very small number of individuals with space piloting experience, the MS units of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division were composed entirely of rookies. Many were even in space for the first time and were experiencing negative physical reactions to the zero-gravity environment, all of which required acclimatization.
Furthermore, the warships of the 11th and 12th Fleets were all newly modified vessels with MS-carrying capabilities, equipped with simple hangars on both sides capable of housing two MS each.
Therefore, the MS units of both fleets also needed to adapt to the space environment. Yang Hui simply arranged for everyone to train together, adapting to the space environment and their Space Specialized Packs under the guidance of Jung and the others.
"How are things?" Yang Hui asked as he arrived on the bridge.
"No word from General Tianem yet, but judging by the time, it should be within the next few days."
"Hmm, Tianem's deployment this time is quite interesting. Is he using that old fox Revil as a case study?" Yang Hui stroked his chin as he looked at Tianem's operational deployment, teasingly.
Tianem's deployment was indeed interesting. The main defensive line was solid, but the intriguing part was that Tianem had dispatched Swordfish Reconnaissance Aircraft, equipped with new radar, to leave the space zone where Luna II was located. They were to cover the surrounding 360-degree space in their reconnaissance range. Each Swordfish was also equipped with a special communication device to maintain contact with Luna II. If the signal was lost, it meant the Zeon fleet had arrived.
Not only that, but he had also scattered a large number of small detectors in an even wider outer ring, expanding the search area. These small detectors did not use technology resistant to Minovsky Particles, meaning they would immediately fail upon entering an environment with Minovsky Particles.
"...This tactic seems so familiar..." Seeing this, the corner of Yang Hui's mouth twitched as he was reminded of a certain formidable bear.
That's right, this tactic was just like the one Sergei had used to find the Ptolemaios back then—spending a huge amount of resources to scatter a dense network of detectors across a vast expanse of space, not to detect something, but to register their failure.
"So extravagant." What other word could Yang Hui use to describe such a lavish act?
However, the tactic was indeed very effective.
The reason Tianem had prepared so many detection methods was to guard against the Zeon fleet suddenly disappearing and reappearing, catching the Federation off guard, just as they had in the Battle of Loum.
"And them? Are they having fun?" Closing the operational plan sent by Tianem, Yang Hui turned his gaze to the training situation on the screen.
"They should be having a lot of fun," Natarle Badgiruel reported.
Since all the MS units from the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, the 11th Fleet, and the 12th Fleet were conducting space adaptation training together, they began mock battles once everyone had more or less gotten used to the environment. Although it couldn't replicate the intensity of real combat, it was sufficient for acclimatization.
Initially, the MS pilots from the 11th and 12th Fleets wanted to challenge the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. It wasn't out of arrogance, but a genuine desire to gauge the gap between them. And then...
Urged on and provoked by that fellow Ford Romfellow, a "great battle" broke out between the two sides. The newcomers were then savagely beaten, almost to the point of a complete mental breakdown.
Fortunately, Jung and the others were very reliable. They dragged Ford Romfellow to apologize to each of them and offered encouragement. In the subsequent adaptation training, they taught the new pilots a great deal, especially combat experience—things that could only be understood by those who had personally participated in MS combat.
Now, aware of the gap between them, the MS units of the 11th and 12th Fleets were conducting simulation training with one squad from the Twelfth Independent Technical Division at a time. Afterward, it would turn into everyone against the eight squad leaders.
And right now, Yang Hui could see Jung and the others, each leading a long trail of pursuers, playing hide-and-seek amidst the asteroid cluster.
"Notify them that the training content is changing."
As his words fell, Natarle Badgiruel saw Yang Hui turn to leave and shook her head with a wry smile.
"Notify everyone, the training content is changing. All personnel will form one side. The exercise objective is to shoot down Unit 01."
"Understood!" came the chorus of replies.
Everyone smiled. They were all well aware of Yang Hui's wicked sense of humor. The squad leaders were having so much fun; they couldn't be allowed to get too proud. They needed to be taken down a peg.
Besides, just watching was so boring, wasn't it? His hands were definitely itching.
...
All the MS engaged in the chaotic battle came to a halt in space.
"Oh boy, the Colonel's hands are itching," Ford Romfellow said with a mournful look on his face.
"Um... can we just surrender?" Amuro asked weakly. He, more than anyone, knew how ferocious Yang Hui was, as Yang Hui had personally overseen much of his training.
"You can..." Kajima Yuu said calmly.
At that moment, many were tempted to surrender immediately. It didn't matter that they had superior numbers while Yang Hui was alone, or that they could just surround him and overwhelm him with firepower, but...
This was an asteroid field! There were asteroids of all sizes everywhere, providing natural cover. In this environment, defeating Yang Hui? It wouldn't matter how many people they had!
But in the next second, the second half of Kajima Yuu's sentence made everyone dismiss the thought, even sending a shiver down their spines.
"...if you're not afraid of the Colonel settling scores with you later."
Gulp.
"I'll go send..."
"You think you can fool the Colonel?"
"Wuu wuu wuu..."
"Tactical formation A01! Rookies, whatever you do, don't get separated, or else..."
Beep beep beep...
Just then, the alarms of all the units blared in unison. A red dot on the radar detector was rapidly approaching them.
Then, visible to the naked eye, a meteor trailing a long tail flame weaved back and forth through the asteroid field, its speed increasing as it drew closer and closer.
"He's here! Spread out!"
At Jung's command, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division immediately dispersed, forming into squads to surround Unit 01 from all directions.
However...
"What are you all still doing? You want to die!?"
Seeing the MS from the 11th and 12th Fleets still frozen in place, Athrun immediately cursed at them, which finally snapped them back to their senses. They began to scatter, but...
It was complete chaos. Squads weren't squads, groups weren't groups; they were all a jumbled mess. Some even collided with each other or crashed directly into asteroids, nearly taking themselves out.
"Dammit!" Seeing this, Athrun immediately wanted to turn back and help them, but a word from Jung made him snap back to attention.
"Athrun, the Colonel is heading your way!"
"Wha—"
In the blink of an eye, several marker rounds shot through the narrow gaps between the asteroids, striking several Astray Gundams. Without exception, they all hit the chest area. A hit in this location meant elimination. Athrun's Squad 9 was now down to just three members.
"So... so fast!"
"Where is he? Where the hell is he!?"
Bang! Bang!
Two more Astray Gundams were hit in the chest by marker rounds. Squad 9 was now honorably represented by Athrun alone.
"There!"
Athrun's unit spun around abruptly and fired a shot behind him, but he only saw an afterimage flash past his eyes. The marker round painted a vibrant color on an asteroid.
But Athrun's unit didn't stay put. It immediately dodged to the left. Just then, a shot came from out of nowhere, almost grazing his MS.
"Gai! He's heading your way!" Athrun didn't get a clear look at Unit 01, but he saw the meteor with its tail flame speeding towards Gai Murakumo and Squad 10's position.
"Tactical formation B12, spread out!"
"Understood!" came eight replies.
The team members spread out in groups of three, forming a large triangle to guard their surroundings.
"Two o'clock!"
The order was given, and they opened fire immediately. A large number of marker rounds poured towards the two o'clock position, painting a thick, colorful stroke across a cluster of asteroids.
They all missed, but it wasn't a total loss, because Gai Murakumo had locked onto Yang Hui's position.
"Slowly fall back, wait for reinforcements!"
"Understood!" came eight replies.
"Heh, as expected of Gai. You've got some skills," Yang Hui, still moving at high speed, couldn't help but grin. He began to slow down and engage them. Gai Murakumo was an excellent hunter; once he locked onto your position, it was hard to shake him.
However... Yang Hui was not so easily pinned down. His fingers danced rapidly across the control panel, his feet tapping the pedals in an elegant, peculiar rhythm.
"His movements have changed! Be careful!"
If Unit 01 had been a phantom-like assassin before, it was now like an elusive dancer, spinning back and forth with strange steps, making it impossible to predict its next move.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With each elegant spin, a shot was fired as its only beat. Each beat could take a life, composing a dance of death.
"Tch." Seeing three of his teammates eliminated, Gai Murakumo didn't divert his attention. His eyes remained locked on Yang Hui, not letting him disappear from his sight. The rest of Squad 10 fired back, but none could hit Unit 01. However, Gai's objective was achieved: to pin down Unit 01 and control casualties until reinforcements arrived, preventing it from escaping.
Bang!
A marker round flew in from behind Unit 01, aimed straight at its back. But just as it was about to make contact, Unit 01 tilted slightly, raising its left arm to block the shot with its shield.
"Whoa! That was a nice sneak attack. Russ almost got me!" The shot was stunning; Yang Hui had almost failed to react. For that, Russ Kessel deserved a proper "reward."
But that stunning shot also caused a momentary pause in Yang Hui's movements. Reinforcements from Squads 1 through 8, as well as Athrun, had arrived.
"Now's our chance! Take down the Colonel!"
From all directions, guns blazed in unison as countless marker rounds flew towards Unit 01.
"Not bad, but... you're underestimating me. Time to get a little serious." A flash of electricity sparked across Yang Hui's forehead, and his eyes filled with a seven-colored glow.