Time ticked by, second by second. The Zeon fleet had been reduced to a mere handful of ships. The MS units that had attempted a flanking assault had been forced back and were now guarding the surviving fleet.
They were surrounded by endless thick smoke, a dense field of wreckage and debris, and the drifting bodies of the fallen.
Further out, the Federation's MS units and countless warships had encircled them completely, leaving no escape route.
The flagship carrying Dozle Zabi was at the very center of the formation, but Dozle Zabi himself was not aboard. He was piloting his personal, military-green, high-mobility Zaku II, emblazoned with the Zabi family crest. It now drifted at the forefront, its four limbs and head gone, leaving only the torso.
Beside it, the red Zaku Phantom raised its gun, the barrel pressed against the cockpit.
"It's over, Dozle."
"Ch... Char... Why? Tell me why!?" Dozle Zabi's furious roar came through the intermittent communication channel.
"The man before you now is not Char Aznable. The man named Char Aznable is long dead, killed in Kycilia Zabi's bomb attack."
"What did you say?"
"The man before you now is named Casval. Casval Zym Deikun."
"You... You're Casval... How could you be..."
"Didn't expect that, did you, Dozle? I'm still alive."
"Is that so? You're still alive, heh, so it's true. Retribution... this is all retribution, hahahaha!"
Contrary to Char's expectations, there were no curses, no resentment, only a hearty laugh filled with a sense of release.
"Do it, Casval!"
"Aren't you afraid of death?"
"Heh, I am a man of the Zabi family. Besides, haven't you been waiting for this moment?"
"...Yes."
"Then do it. But I have one request. Do not harm Zenna and Mineva. They are innocent." After speaking, Dozle Zabi closed his eyes. He didn't know what kind of person Casval Zym Deikun was, but he knew Char Aznable. He knew the man would grant him this final request.
"..."
The man who sought revenge hesitated, unable to pull the trigger on his enemy, while the one who should have been furious, resentful, and unwilling to accept his fate now looked relieved, closing his eyes to enjoy his final moments of peace.
"...You get to keep your miserable life, Dozle." After a long pause, Char's Zaku Phantom retracted its Beam Rifle, sparing Dozle Zabi's life.
"Why!? Casval! Do it! Give me a dignified death!" Dozle Zabi roared in disbelief. To die on the battlefield was the fate he had accepted. His hands were already stained by the souls of the wronged; the sins he had committed could not be atoned for even if he died hundreds of times. Only by dying on the battlefield could he retain his final dignity, his final salvation.
"Someone asked me to spare your life, and I agreed," Char replied.
"Who? Tell me who it is!"
"You will find out. So live on, the last conscience of the Zabi family."
"The last... conscience..." Hearing these words, Dozle Zabi sat dejectedly in his cockpit. He removed his helmet and covered his face, sobbing bitterly.
The battle at Luna II was over, ending in a complete victory for the Federation. This was the Federation's first total victory in a space battle since the declaration of war. The remnants of the Zeon fleet, led by Dozle Zabi, surrendered and were received by Luna II.
As collaborators, the Phantom Corps also temporarily proceeded to Luna II to rest and resupply. Once resupplied, they would immediately head to the Republic of Reah in Side 6. Thanks to Ramba Ral's efforts, the neutral Republic of Reah had agreed to return its territory to Deikun's banner.
"You are Casval Zym Deikun?"
The Phantom Corps had indeed made a huge contribution to the victory in this battle, but the fact that they were originally from the Zeon Army was undeniable. Moreover, most of them were Zeon aces who had participated in the One Week War and the Battle of Loum. Their hands were also stained with the blood of Federation soldiers.
Therefore, upon their arrival at Luna II, no one gave them a warm welcome, including General Tianem, who had contacted General Revil in advance.
"A pleasure to meet you, General Tianem. I am Casval Zym Deikun."
"...You have a lot of nerve."
"How can one accomplish anything without nerve?"
"Heh, that tone... reminds me of a certain annoying person."
"Hey, hey, hey, General Tianem, it's very rude to talk behind someone's back."
Just then, Yang Hui arrived, accompanied by Natarle Badgiruel and Amuro.
At this, the onlookers perked up. Their looks of disgust and hatred turned to curiosity and anticipation. Both sides were ace units, the elite of the elite, and their performance in the previous battle could only be described as legendary. They were very curious to see the confrontation when the two great aces met, and they also looked forward to seeing Yang Hui teach Zeon's dogs of war a good lesson.
"Hmph, I'd say the same thing to your face," Tianem grumbled. He truly disliked Yang Hui. As a general who controlled the battlefield, the thing he hated most was people he couldn't see through. Now, he had two of them in front of him.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Yang Hui shrugged, unconcerned by Tianem's attitude, and turned his gaze to Char.
"Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
The two extended their hands in a seemingly friendly handshake, and then...
The crowd was initially disappointed that the anticipated confrontation didn't happen, but in the next second, they grew excited again. The two clasped hands squeezed with increasing force, veins bulging on their arms.
"So you're a circus ringmaster now? Your mobile suits are so colorful. Are you playing the clown?"
"Aren't you the same? All that fancy equipment. Putting on an acrobatics show?"
"Special equipment requires exceptional people to use it."
"And not just anyone can handle a special paint job."
"I agree. Green suits you very well."
"No, it suits you. After all, you have so many wives."
"Are you looking to die?"
"Right back at you."
"...Hahahaha."
"...Hahahaha."
Just as the onlookers were silently chanting "Fight! Fight!" and "Take him down! Take him down!" in their minds, the two men released their hands, laughing heartily as they gave each other a hug.
"General Tianem, let Casval's unit stay in my division's quarters. I'll take good care of them. General Revil approved it in advance," Yang Hui said to Tianem.
"Yes, General Revil told me. I'll leave them in your hands, Colonel Yang Hui."
Tianem knew very well that from both a political and military standpoint, placing the Phantom Corps with the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was the best choice.
Politically, the name Casval Zym Deikun—no, the surname Deikun—was too sensitive. It would strike a nerve with both the Federation and Zeon. It was related to certain secrets from the past, and if exposed, both the Federation's high command and the Zabi Family would be doomed. Therefore, until a final decision was made by the higher-ups, Tianem had to ensure his safety.
Militarily, the Phantom Corps was an ace unit, their strength not much inferior to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. Although they had fewer members, they were currently inside Luna II. If they launched a surprise attack, even if they could be eliminated, Luna II would be half-destroyed in the process.
Yang Hui nodded and led Char to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's designated area. They chatted and laughed along the way, not just looking like, but truly being old friends who had known each other for years.
Watching the two depart, Tianem's expression grew heavier. From their interaction alone, he could tell that Yang Hui must have known Char Aznable's true identity long ago. Everything that had happened up to this point had Yang Hui's involvement.
And those MS with performance rivaling the Astray Gundam, and warships no worse than the Kirin-class—all of these were major threats to the Federation.
"Yang Hui... what exactly are you planning?"
...
Yang Hui and Char returned to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's designated area. The ostracism and hostility Char had worried about did not occur. The two groups, who should have been mortal enemies, were mingling harmoniously.
"Dinis A. Jung?"
"Breniss Ogus?"
"7 warships, 36 MS."
"Haha, then you lose. 7 warships, 37 MS."
"I... damn it!"
"Hahahaha..."
"Kajima Yuu, 4 warships, 31 MS."
"You're Kajima Yuu? I'm Johnny Ridden. 3 warships, 33 MS. I guess it's a draw."
"The Colonel said 1 warship equals 10 MS, so you lose."
"But on our side, 1 warship only counts as 2 MS!"
"You're in our territory."
"I... damn it!"
"Hahaha..."
...
Those who had made bets before the battle found their opponents. There were winners and losers. The winners were smug, the losers were frustrated, and then they all slung their arms around each other's shoulders and started chatting.
It was at this moment that Breniss Ogus asked a soul-searching question: "We were originally your enemies and killed your comrades. Why are you accepting us?"
"..."
After a brief silence, Jung took a swig of water and answered on behalf of everyone in the Twelfth Independent Technical Division: "The Colonel taught us that whether a comrade or an opponent, as long as they are a true warrior, they deserve respect. We were enemies before, but that was just a matter of different standpoints. Those who kill will be killed. Since we chose to go to the battlefield, we shouldn't resent the one who kills us."
"The Colonel also said," Ford Romfellow added, "the best end for a warrior is to die on the battlefield. Even if we retire honorably, it doesn't change the fact that our hands are already stained with blood."
"..."
This time, it was the members of the Phantom Corps who fell silent. They all stood up quietly and saluted the members of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division.
"Your Colonel is a great man."
"Mhm, your men are very good with words. I like it. You can have them say more."
Just then, a flippant joke broke the solemn atmosphere. Everyone turned to the sound and saw Yang Hui and Char walking over.
"Colonel!"
"Your Highness!"