This was the difference between Gopp and Revil. Revil would always prioritize combat capability first, while Gopp, as the Federal Army's logistical patriarch, would inevitably focus first on the manufacturing cost of new weapons.
Although the Qilin-class could outperform the Magellan-class, its construction cost was exponentially higher—enough to build ten Magellan-class cruisers.
"The Qilin-class is positioned as a main carrier, not a cruiser."
"Hmm..."
In the current Federal Fleet, while the Magellan-class served as flagships, a single fleet contained not just one but over a dozen Magellan-class cruisers.
For main carriers, one per fleet as a flagship would suffice, perhaps supplemented by two or three additional vessels for combat reinforcement. The rest of the fleet would be composed of Magellan-class cruisers and Salamis-class light cruisers as escorts, forming a complete fleet with significantly greater combat strength than the current Space Fleet.
Most importantly, the Qilin-class was equipped with the Minovsky Craft System, enabling the main carrier to fly at low altitudes in gravity environments.
Additionally, a single Qilin-class could carry 24 MS units, combined with formidable firepower, making it capable of operating independently as a perfect amphibious warship.
"Heh, a plan proposed two years ago has been stalled until now with no results, yet you've brought it to fruition. It makes us feel like..."
"Worthless."
The concept of amphibious assault ships had actually been proposed in U.C. 0077, known as the SCV-X Project, with its construction proposal passing during the autumn plenary session. However, due to various reasons—primarily delays from upgrading the Magellan-class and Salamis-class—by the time renovations of existing Magellan-class and Salamis-class vessels were completed, the calendar had already turned to U.C. 0078 October. Just as the SCV-X Project was expected to commence that month, the simultaneous deployment of MEGA Particle Cannons overwhelmed manufacturing capacity, forcing the SCV-X Project to be shelved.
It wasn't until recently, when the Earth Federation's decade-long Space Fleet was nearly annihilated within a single month, that they recognized the critical importance of Minovsky Particles and MS. The SCV-X Project was revived, with unanimous agreement to complete it and the accompanying V Project at any cost.
But now, they realized that while the Federation had stagnated, not only had their opponents surpassed them, but even private enterprises had overtaken them. Cursing their subordinates as incompetent, they also lamented growing old and failing to keep pace with the world's progress.
"Moreover, Generals, the data and technologies contained in the Qilin-class main carrier extend beyond just the Qilin-class itself." Yang Hui noticed they had missed crucial details and proactively pointed it out.
"Huh?" The two generals paused, then carefully reviewed all the Qilin-class documentation line by line to avoid oversight. Soon, they identified the issue.
"Wait, the latest Graviton Radar System?"
"Correct. In an environment saturated with Minovsky Particles, electromagnetic conditions become chaotic. But I don't rely on electromagnetic waves—by directly scanning your gravitational signature, I can still pinpoint your location..."
"Wait! If that's the case... then wouldn't MS development become irrelevant?" Revil suddenly realized that the emergence of graviton radar could revert warfare to the pre-Minovsky Particle era. In that scenario, would MS still have a role when facing organized large fleets? They'd be blasted to pieces by cannons before even getting close, right?
"Graviton radar isn't omnipotent either, General Revil. While its emergence would restore the dominance of ship cannons, consider this: at ship cannon engagement ranges, MS are like mosquitoes. Using cannons to shoot mosquitoes—no matter how high your accuracy—is still inefficient.
Moreover, if a pilot's skills are exceptional, you'd need full-coverage, gap-free firepower to actually hit them, otherwise you'll miss."
This was fact. Not to mention Yang Hui, Creuset, and Athrun in their squad who could all achieve this, even among this world's native aces, there were plenty capable of breaking through fleet firewalls and closing in—like the triple-speed duck... ahem, Char Aznable for instance.
"Hmm... indeed. The existence of MS remains necessary, though not as crucial as initially thought," Gopp summarized. While the restoration of ship cannon effectiveness was welcome, MS were still essential. The painful lessons from the One Week War and the Battle of Loum had shown that once MS got close to a warship, it was effectively doomed.
Furthermore, MS could perform many missions that warships couldn't, such as suppression operations, guerrilla warfare, covert missions...
"And this missile optical tracking system is equally important. In Minovsky Particle environments, current missiles wander aimlessly like headless flies with pathetically low hit rates."
"So, do you still think the Qilin-class has low value?"
"Very high." Both men nodded simultaneously.
The value of the Qilin-class lay not only in its powerful design itself, but also in the various new technologies it incorporated—technologies that could be reverse-engineered and applied to current fleets.
Revil confidently believed that had they possessed these technologies during the Battle of Loum, they would never have lost!
"Now then, gentlemen, your answer..."
"Before responding, I'd like to ask something first." Gopp raised his hand to interrupt, asking, "The Qilin-class and M1 Astray—these completely new technologies were all developed by you, correct?"
Revil's eyebrow twitched. He remained silent, but his attitude supported Gopp's speculation. He'd begun suspecting this back at the lunar research base.
"Oh? That's quite a bold assumption, General Gopp. I'm just a wealthy young master, after all." Yang Hui spread his hands, neither admitting nor denying.
"It's deduction." Gopp's cheerful, amiable demeanor somehow made people wary. "If Anaheim Electronics could develop these technologies, they wouldn't have provided us with defective products like the Iron Cavalry."
"Couldn't they be from scientists under my employ?"
"Heh, please don't underestimate the Federation too much, Mr. Yang Hui." Gopp maintained his harmless appearance, but his gaze at Yang Hui resembled a fox eyeing its prey. "The Federation has records of all scientists with any capability, including those in space and Zeon. I believe in the existence of geniuses, but you're telling me that one or a group of unknown individuals suddenly developed new technology surpassing the Federation's? Do you really think I'd believe that? Reality isn't a novel, Mr. Yang Hui..."
Gopp paused briefly before continuing: "Oh, that's right, I almost forgot about you, Mr. Yang Hui. You're the genius we overlooked."
"So what?"
"Additional conditions: the [Qilin-class] will be integrated into the [SCV-X Project], and the M1 Astray will be incorporated into the [V Project]..."
"That's not a problem. They were originally compatible projects anyway..."
"...And you will be responsible for executing both projects."
"...I refuse."
Yang Hui cursed Gopp in his mind for not finishing his terms all at once. Me, responsible for the [SCV-X Project] and [V Project]? Wouldn't that make me your subordinate?
Moreover, if Yang Hui suddenly parachuted into these two crucial projects that concerned the Federal Army's survival, it would attract too much attention. Some people would develop inappropriate ideas. While not necessarily threatening, anyone who dared to move against Yang Hui would be someone he couldn't easily deal with at the moment, leading to endless troubles.
Before his own forces were fully formed and he possessed sufficient self-defense capabilities, Yang Hui preferred to maintain as low a profile as possible.
"Aren't you the one who wanted military status and high autonomy? From now on, you'll be the supreme commander of the 12th Independent Technical Unit, with the rank of Major, reporting directly to me. Unless I personally issue you orders, you'll have complete authority and won't need to answer to anyone else."
"So I've gone from collaborator to your subordinate?"
"The Zeon delegation is already on its way. These negotiations definitely won't yield good results, so war is inevitable. Revil will become the Supreme Commander of the Federal Army. If you join the Federal Army, you'll inevitably become his subordinate." Gopp provided timely support.
The Federal Army's future strategic direction had already been determined. Establishing MS units and transforming the fleet were essential. With the new technology Yang Hui provided, they only needed to adjust the allocation ratios. Additionally, they wouldn't hold Revil accountable for his defeat, but would instead promote him and entrust all military authority to him. Everyone else, including Gopp, would need to cooperate with Revil.
Therefore, if Yang Hui joined the Federal Army, he would definitely become Revil's subordinate, at best second only to one person.
"Heh, I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick here." Yang Hui chuckled wryly.
"What? Are you dissatisfied with being my direct subordinate?"
Revil's words weren't just teasing—they stated a fact. After Revil became Supreme Commander, he would control the entire Federal Army, reaching the highest possible position within it. Combined with his military authority, he would essentially become the uncrowned king of the world. Leading a highly autonomous independent unit under Revil's command would give Yang Hui a status higher than many generals.
"Additional condition: I have the right to choose under General Revil's orders," Yang Hui added. He respected the old general Revil, but until they became true comrades, he wouldn't foolishly entrust his life to the other's hands.
"Agreed."
Though it was said he would become his subordinate, that was more of a jest. Revil clearly understood that Yang Hui stood as an equal to both him and Gopp, so he didn't refuse the request.
"So, Generals, what is your answer?"
Gopp and Revil exchanged a smile and simultaneously said to Yang Hui: "Pleasure working with you."
"Pleasure working with you. Pity there's still some time before the banquet begins."
"Haha, we can't clink glasses - your profile is currently top secret."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"By the way, Yang Hui, there are several others who will likely be present, so..."
"I'll maintain appropriate distance."
"Speaking with intelligent people is always pleasant."
"Are you praising yourself there?"
"Aren't I? Hahaha..."