"Long time no see, Murrue."
"Long time no see, Natarle."
No one could have imagined that the first meeting between the two sisters after months of separation would be as captains, each commanding a warship from an opposing faction, even wearing the military uniforms of their respective enemy camps.
The crew of the Gwadan was not surprised at all. They were Yang Hui's people to begin with and had been at the secret base in Granada before Natarle Badgiruel was brought to the Federation by Yang Hui. Arnold Neumann was even an old comrade of hers.
But the crew of the Luna was taken aback, staring at Natarle Badgiruel with their jaws agape.
"Cap... Captain?" Brad turned his head stiffly to look at Natarle Badgiruel, his eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.
"You'll find out later." Natarle Badgiruel smiled faintly, not giving a direct answer.
"Un... Understood." It was a good habit developed over the past few months: don't ask what you're not supposed to ask. Otherwise... If Yang Hui was the nightmare of all the MS unit pilots, then Natarle Badgiruel was the nightmare of all the ship's crew. A serious Natarle Badgiruel was a terrifying sight.
The two warships joined together, making Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, and Arnold Neumann feel as if they had returned to their own world, fighting side by side.
"Weapon systems online. 'Gottfried' Mega Particle Cannon, 'Valiant' Electromagnetic Cannon, activate. Lock on, Musai-class dead ahead. All missile launchers, load anti-ship missiles. 'CIWS Array' on standby, anti-air posture..." x2
Different warships, different captains, yet they issued the exact same commands. Both the Luna and the Gwadan bared their sharp claws, their gaping maws letting out a low wolf's howl, preparing to pounce on their locked prey.
"All weapons, fire!"
"All weapons, fire!"
...
The MS units, which had sortied from two different directions, gradually converged as they approached the Zeon Fleet.
"Yo, Char, long time no see."
"Yang Hui, I never thought there would be a time I'd fight alongside you."
"Haha, there are many things you never thought of. For example, me playing you like a fiddle?"
Char: Furious face
"Hahaha, how about it? Want to have a competition this time? My people against yours," Yang Hui provoked.
"That's not a very funny joke, Yang Hui," Char wisely objected. "You have far more people than I do."
"Then let's go by the average. How about that?"
"That's not a bad idea."
"How about a one-on-one duel between you and me?"
"...We're in the middle of a battle," Char said with a helpless, wry smile. He had been looking forward to this moment for many years. He had prepared for this battle with great seriousness, his excitement tinged with solemnity. He couldn't let his own emotions cause the plan to fail. Who would have thought...
Coming from Yang Hui's mouth, it sounded as easy as a game.
"So what?"
"...Heh, you're really one of a kind, Yang Hui. In that case, bring it on!" A rare, competitive, fiery smile appeared on Char's face.
"Haha, now that's how the 'Red Comet' should be! Listen up, everyone! Did you hear that? Don't embarrass yourselves in front of our allies!"
"Hahahaha..." Laughter echoed through the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's channel. At first, they were also confused as to why they had encountered Zakus, encountered Zeon's MS units, and not only did a fight not break out, but they were flying side-by-side.
However, in the hearts of the veterans, they were the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, Yang Hui's unit. They would execute any order from Yang Hui without question, even if it meant sending them to their deaths.
Although the new recruits were hesitant, they followed Yang Hui's orders under the reassurance of Athrun and Gai Murakumo. From the very beginning, Athrun and Gai Murakumo had told them about the existence of collaborators within the Zeon Army.
At the same time, the members of the Ghost Corps, with the exception of Kira, Hardie Steiner, Andy Strauss, Gabriel Garcia, and Mikhail Kaminsky, also found it difficult to accept. After all, they had been mortal enemies just a moment ago, and now they were comrades.
"Hey, Kira, is that really the boss?" Gabriel Garcia asked Kira.
"Yeah, it's Yang Hui," Kira replied affirmatively.
"The boss can really pilot an MS?" Gabriel Garcia exclaimed in amazement. Although he had heard of Yang Hui's glorious deeds long ago, he had never believed they were true.
"Yeah, Yang Hui taught me how to pilot an MS."
"For real!?" It wasn't just Gabriel Garcia, but also the other members of the Cyclops Team and all the pilots of the Ghost Corps. They knew all too well what a monster Kira was.
"Yeah, it's true."
"...What a monster!"
"Wasn't he our original target?"
"Good thing we're allies now."
"Haha, His Highness made a bet with that monster, the final kill count will be averaged. Don't let His Highness down!"
"Since you all heard, then give it your all. It'll be very embarrassing if we lose," Char interjected at the right moment, speaking to everyone.
"Hahaha, Your Highness, don't underestimate us!"
"That's right, we're aces too!"
"Let's fully unleash the power of our new mobile suits!"
"Let's go!"
"You want to beat us? You've got a long way to go!" At some point, the communication channels of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division and the Ghost Corps had been linked, forming an independent public channel.
"What did you say!?"
"Haha, remember me, I'm Jung, leader of Squad 2. To the former aces of Zeon, any interest in a one-on-one?"
"You're on. My name is Breniss Augus, my callsign is 'One-Shot Kill'."
"Ooh~ That sounds pretty impressive."
"You'll know if I'm impressive or not after we compete."
"I'm the 'Crimson Lightning,' Johnny Ridden. Who dares to challenge me?"
"Squad 3 Leader, Kajima Yuu. I accept your challenge."
"Squad 4 Leader, Russ Kessel. Where's my opponent?"
"I'll take you on. Nordit Bauer, no callsign."
"Banagher, how about us two old-timers have a go?"
"Steiner, you couldn't beat me before, don't think you can win this time either!"
...
"Heh." Char listened to the conversations on the communication channel. Should he say, as expected of soldiers trained by Yang Hui? They were all so sociable, instantly closing the distance with his own subordinates. However...
This was also good. He was worried that conflicts might arise between the two units during the battle. Although the leaders had a good relationship, when there were too many people below, there were times they couldn't be controlled.
"Beep beep beep..."
"It's starting."
The communication channel instantly fell silent. From behind them, countless thick beams shot towards the Zeon Fleet ahead. Following closely were innumerable anti-ship missiles, trailing long plumes of smoke as they passed over their heads.
"They're in sight, Char."
"Mm."
"All units, target the single-file fleet on the left!"
"All units, target the single-file fleet on the right!"
"All squads, disperse!" x2
"Understood!" xN
Yang Hui and Char were rivals, but also close friends. Their tacit understanding led them to issue the same commands simultaneously, just one to the left and one to the right. The two forces advanced rapidly in different directions, breaking through the blockade of fire and smoke after the bombardment from the Luna and the Gwadan fell upon the Zeon Fleet.
...
"Lieutenant General! The rear of the fleet is under attack!"
"What? Where did these units come from?"
"I... I don't know!"
"Bring up the video feed!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the image appeared, everyone fell silent.
"It's... them..."
"The... the Twelfth... Independent Technical Division!"
"How are they in space!? Weren't they supposed to be on Earth!?"
The Astray Gundam and the Mass-Production Astray had no difference in appearance, but the Luna following closely behind the MS units was an iconic presence. A lone warship with its own MS unit—in the current Federation, that could only be the Twelfth Independent Technical Division.
"What are those!?" Dozle Zabi pointed to the unknown warship that looked somewhat similar to a Gwazine-class and the MS that were almost identical to the Zaku II.
"Unknown, there's no match in the database!"
"...It's Char." As he spoke, Dozle Zabi broke off another section of the steel railing.
He didn't recognize the mobile suits, but he was all too familiar with the MS's movements. Red, with a horn, three times the speed, darting back and forth through the fleet like a meteor—it could only be the "Red Comet," Char.
And the other mobile suits, white, blood-red, blue... these special paint jobs immediately brought corresponding people to his mind.
"Lieutenant Commander Char! This... how is this possible!?" The people on the bridge couldn't believe it when they heard Dozle Zabi's whisper. Char and his Ghost Corps had once become a benchmark for Zeon, and he was one of Dozle Zabi's most trusted and relied-upon subordinates, as well as their final trump card to turn the tide of this battle.
And now... watching their own benchmark, their own lifeline, mercilessly reaping the lives of their own people, they couldn't believe it, nor did they dare to.
"Damn it!" Dozle Zabi cursed, the bulging veins on his head too numerous to count.
"Lieu... Lieutenant General, we..."
"Full speed ahead! Our only option is to push forward! We must break through the Federation fleet's blockade to have a sliver of hope! Order the MS units and the entire fleet, advance~!!!!"
"Yes, sir!" xN
...
From the left and right, two MS, one red and one white, had transformed into meteors, weaving wantonly through the Zeon fleet. Every fleeting pause and turn would claim a Musai-class Cruiser.
Their subordinates following behind were not to be outdone, a pack of wolves stampeding and hunting with abandon.
Athrun's unit leaped onto a cruiser, its Beam Saber unsheathed, slicing the bridge from top to bottom. He quickly retreated, and in the next second, the cruiser, sparking with fire, was engulfed by a swarm of micro-missiles.
An Astray Gundam and a Zaku Phantom stood back-to-back. Kira and Athrun smiled in unison, then advanced in the same direction, turning an elegant solo dance into a magnificent duet waltz.
Similar scenes unfolded all over the battlefield. The two forces that had charged into the battle from the flanks finally converged. You watch my back, and I'll cover yours. The tacit understanding and resonance unique to aces connected them all.
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