"What did you say? The Second Moon has been invaded?"
VEGAN had already learned that the Earth Federal Army was about to launch an operation to retake Artemis Base. Jehart, as the supreme commander of the Earth invasion operation, had led the fleet to the frontline base for the attack on Earth after capturing the Gundam AGE-3. However, he suddenly received the devastating news from the Second Moon.
"Yes, the [Three Archangels] personally led a small team to infiltrate the Second Moon, aiming to retrieve the Gundam AGE-3 and its pilot. Although we discovered them in time and attempted to surround and eliminate them before they could escape, they used a cunning trick, deceiving Lord Ezelcant with a fake asteroid, and ultimately managed to escape," Fram Nara reported.
"Is Lord Ezelkanta alright?" Jehart asked with concern. Despite their differing ideologies, Ezelkanta was both a mentor and a father figure to him.
"Lord Ezelkanta personally piloted the Gundam Legilis into battle and fought against the [Judgment Angel]. Although he managed to suppress the enemy for a time, he ultimately lost due to physical limitations. If it weren't for the timely rescue by the senior officers, I'm afraid…"
"Damn it!"
Jehart clenched his fist and slammed it against the armrest of his chair, cursing himself for not being there. If he had been present…
"Lord Jehart."
"I'm fine. By the way, what is the Gundam Legilis? A new mobile suit?" Jehart calmed himself and asked. As a commander, he couldn't let emotions cloud his judgment.
"Yes," Fram Nara pulled up the data on the Gundam Legilis and explained to Jehart, "The Gundam Legilis is a completely new mobile suit developed by analyzing the Gundam AGE-3 and integrating technology from the EXA-DB. Its performance in all aspects far surpasses current MS, even exceeding the [Judgment Angel]'s Dawn Gundam."
"A Gundam belonging to VEGAN?" Jehart carefully reviewed the data on the Gundam Legilis, as well as its combat records against the Dawn Gundam. "...It is indeed a powerful machine."
Jehart noticed in the records that the Dawn Gundam had been suppressed due to excessive consumption in the early stages of the battle and the fact that it hadn't fought at full strength. However, this didn't negate the excellence of the Gundam Legilis, especially since Ezelkanta's piloting skills weren't particularly outstanding.
"If we could equip you with such a machine, Lord Jehart, defeating the Gundam would be within reach," Fram Nara said with excitement.
"No, you're mistaken. A superior machine alone cannot defeat the Gundam," Jehart shook his head.
"How so?"
"VEGAN's true reaper has never been the Gundam, but rather Mr. Yang Hui and the other two. They not only possess excellent machines but also unparalleled piloting skills. This is the real reason why the Gundam is so difficult to deal with. Both the machine and the pilot are indispensable," Jehart explained.
"But your skills are not weak, Lord Jehart. It's just the machine…"
"You're still underestimating Mr. Yang Hui, Fram," Jehart interrupted Fram Nara's defense and continued to explain the terrifying aspects of Yang Hui. "The true terror of the Gundam lies in its ability to evolve infinitely. Although, apart from the latest Gundam AGE-3, none of the other Gundams are connected to the core of infinite evolution—the AGE System, Mr. Yang Hui himself is another AGE System."
"Another... AGE System?"
"Exactly. Look at the rapid development of the Federal Army's military power. Ever since Mr. Yang Hui joined the Federal Army, it has been skyrocketing, especially with the mass-produced general-purpose models and the enhanced backpacks designed for various combat situations. This has already achieved the function of the AGE System, even anticipating a wide range of scenarios, and..."
As he spoke, Jehart replayed the battle records of the Gundam Legilis and the Dawn Gundam, slowing down the footage so that Fram Nara could see clearly.
"Mr. Yang Hui wasn't using his full strength. You can tell from the movements of the Dawn Gundam that he was probing, or rather, testing."
"Testing? Testing the performance of the Gundam Legilis? In such a dangerous battle!?" Fram Nara was shocked, finding this notion almost unbelievable. Deep in enemy territory, surrounded by overwhelming forces, outnumbered, and caught off guard by a new machine, yet he still had the leisure to test the data of the enemy's new machine instead of focusing on retreating as quickly as possible?
But upon carefully reviewing the battle data, she could indeed spot many clues. There were several opportunities in the records to disengage from the Gundam Legilis, but the Dawn Gundam ignored them all, persistently engaging with the Gundam Legilis. Some of its movements... seemed almost as if they were deliberately giving the Gundam Legilis room to perform.
"Is... is this something a human can do?"
Fram Nara's voice trembled as she placed Yang Hui on an unreachable pedestal. She didn't even know if this was Yang Hui's limit, and she feared that if she assumed it was, it would only be shattered again.
"That's why he's Mr. Yang Hui, the man who turns the impossible into the possible."
Jehart wholeheartedly agreed with Fram Nara's assessment of Yang Hui. Since the man had appeared, he had been creating miracles.
Jehart had been striving to improve himself, all to catch up to Yang Hui, to surpass him. To achieve the future he envisioned, he had to overcome the mountain that was Yang Hui.
But... every time he climbed a little higher, thinking he was getting closer to the summit, he found that the peak was still far out of reach, even further than before.
Yang Hui was like a black hole. No one could see what lay at its center, or what kind of world existed within.
"Lord Jehart, then your goal... our shared dream... is there still a chance to achieve it?" Fram Nara asked shakily, unable to see any hope when she thought of Yang Hui's terrifying capabilities.
Jehart stood up and walked over to Fram Nara, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "There is hope. It's difficult, but precisely because it's difficult, it's worth our effort and dedication, isn't it?"
"...Yes!"
Jehart was right. It was because the path ahead was tough that they would press forward with determination. If the goal were easily attainable, would they still carry such a heavy burden?
No!
And... the more challenging the goal, the greater the sense of accomplishment when it was achieved.
"By the way, Fram, does Lord Ezelkanta have any new orders?" Jehart asked.
"Lord Ezelkanta is already aware of the Federal Army's movements. He has ordered us to prevent the Federation from retaking Artemis Base..."
"Hold the line at all costs?"
"No, Lord Ezelkanta has another order. If the situation becomes untenable, we are to retreat at the opportune moment and restart the 'Abyssal Maw' operation."
"What? Restart the 'Abyssal Maw' operation?"
Jehart was startled. The 'Abyssal Maw' operation was the plan used against the Lost Loran base, where a plasma bomb would be detonated from within the base, destroying both the base and the enemy forces.
"Yes, Lord Jehart... should we... proceed with it?"
"...Let me think about it. You may leave for now."
"Yes."
Jehart couldn't deny that Lord Ezelkanta's order was justified. Artemis Base was not only a major base for the Federal Army but also a crucial production facility in space. It housed complete production lines for battleships and MS. If it were to be recaptured, the Federal Army could quickly replenish their forces, posing a severe threat to VEGAN, which was already resource-scarce and had low productivity.
But...
If the 'Abyssal Maw' operation succeeded, it would indeed destroy this strategically important production base and deal a heavy blow to the Federal Army. However, it would also push the hatred between Earth and VEGAN to an irreparable level.
In that case, there would be no room for negotiation between the Earth Federation and VEGAN, which contradicted Jehart's ultimate goal.
Yet, if he didn't carry out the order, it would be an open defiance of Lord Ezelkanta's command. If mishandled, he could be branded a traitor to VEGAN, and all his years of effort would be ruined.
"Is it time... to confront Lord Ezelkanta? Or is this... a test from you, Lord Ezelkanta?"
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, Yang Hui and his team, after a long and covert journey, finally returned to Federal territory and arrived at the Tordia Colony Satellite.
"Kio! I'm so glad you're safe." Romary tightly hugged Kio, as if afraid he might disappear again the next second.
Ever since she received the news that Kio had been captured by VEGAN, she had been consumed by worry, unable to eat or sleep. Although she believed that Yang Hui and the others would surely rescue Kio, she couldn't rest easy until she saw him return.
Now... the heavy stone in her heart had finally been lifted.
"I'm sorry, Mom, for making you worry." Kio gently patted Romary's back to comfort her.
"As long as you're safe, that's all that matters..." Romary let go of Kio and wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry, Romary. I failed to protect Kio." Asemu also apologized to Romary. He had promised to protect their son, but he had broken that promise by going on another mission.
"Asemu, it's not your fault. Unoa told me everything. You and Uncle Yang Hui were on a more dangerous mission. I'm just glad you're safe."
"Romary..."
The couple embraced each other, releasing their worries and expressing their longing.
The warmth lasted only a few minutes before Asemu let go of Romary and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Romary, but I have to attend a military meeting. There's a major operation coming up..."
"Alright, go. Just remember to come back safely."
"I promise."
After speaking, Asemu turned to Kio with a serious expression: "Kio, we will be fighting again soon. You... take this time to think carefully about whether you still want to continue piloting the Gundam in battle."
Asemu had learned about everything Kio had seen and experienced in VEGAN. To be honest... he was also somewhat shaken, but not enough to shake his beliefs. This was war, not a child's game. Only by ending the war as quickly as possible could more people be saved.
"I... I understand... I will think about it carefully," Kio replied, lowering his head.
"Alright, Romary, Unoa, I leave Kio in your care."
With that, Asemu left. The operation to retake Artemis Base was about to begin, and as the Captain of the Celestial Being squadron, he had to attend.
After Asemu left, Romary noticed that Kio seemed off and pulled him to sit down, asking, "Kio, did something happen?"
"Mom... I..."
"It's okay, Kio. If you have any doubts, you can tell me."
"Mom... am I... am I a traitor?"
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/TLGod
Thanks!