"After all, he's reached the end of his rope. Gihren Zabi won't accept defeat so easily," Yang Hui said disdainfully. He truly looked down on Gihren Zabi's behavior. "Gihren Zabi's thinking is simple: if he's going to die, what does he care about treaties? It acts as a deterrent and allows him to drag his enemies down with him at the very end—killing two birds with one stone."
"Hmph! A madman!"
"His condition is much more severe than madness; he's practically a lunatic."
"That's not what's important. What matters is... the countermeasure." Tianem felt restless at the thought of the catastrophe the Federation would face at the very moment they were about to defeat Zeon.
"Intelligence," Yang Hui said, slumping onto the sofa. Honestly, if Gihren Zabi went insane and dropped a dozen Colony Satellite Bombs on Earth, Yang Hui wouldn't really know how to deal with it. Even if they started building Genesis or Requiem now, it would be too late.
The best method, which was also the most dangerous, was to gather enough intelligence to find out exactly what trump cards Gihren Zabi had in his hand. Then, an Ace Unit would have to infiltrate secretly and destroy them in advance. They didn't need to destroy everything, but the number had to be controlled to within one or two. Otherwise, with the Federation fleet's current strength, they wouldn't be able to stop them.
Moreover, the Colony Satellite Bomb was just the one Yang Hui could openly mention; there was another that would definitely make an appearance.
The flashlight... cough, the [Solar Ray System]. This was another strategic weapon in the UC world besides the Colony Satellite Bomb, with enough power to destroy a Colony and a city in a single shot. In the original timeline, if the Solar Ray System's beam hadn't been blocked and had been able to strike Earth directly, the Federation would have had to pay a much higher price to win, and more people on Earth would have died.
"Understood. I will notify the head of the Intelligence Department and have him investigate this matter thoroughly. We will need your help when the time comes." Tianem used a requesting tone. To conduct sabotage behind enemy lines in the heart of the Principality of Zeon's capital—only Yang Hui's Twelfth Independent Technical Division was capable of such a dangerous mission.
"I'll send people to investigate on my end as well, but... there is one person who might be useful," Yang Hui said.
"Who?"
"Degwin Sodo Zabi."
"Him? That's impossible, right? He's the Sovereign of the Principality of Zeon."
"He's also a father, and the person who understands Gihren Zabi best."
"Hmm..."
What Tianem didn't know was that after Dozle Zabi went missing and Char restored the Zeon Republic, Degwin Sodo Zabi had already sent people to contact Yang Hui's intelligence organization. He hoped Yang Hui could act as a bridge to contact Revil and discuss the surrender of the Principality of Zeon.
It was just that Yang Hui had been dragging his feet and hadn't passed the word along. Firstly, it wasn't the optimal time for Zeon to surrender yet; secondly, Gihren Zabi's trump cards hadn't been revealed, and Yang Hui didn't dare act prematurely.
Most of the Principality of Zeon's power had to be eradicated. They were all members of Gihren Zabi's pro-war faction, following him like religious fanatics. Even if Gihren Zabi were assassinated, they would inherit his will and fight the Federation to the bitter end.
Currently, these people were out in the open. If the Principality of Zeon surrendered now, it wouldn't matter if Gihren Zabi lived or died; if these people went into hiding, it would be extremely troublesome to root them out later. Hadn't the original history seen the Delaz Rebellion four years later? And the First Neo-Zion War four years after that?
Until more than twenty years later, the Sleeve Clan appeared, repeatedly instigating wars and becoming an endless nuisance.
Yang Hui planned to wipe them out completely in this single war to prevent future troubles. This world was the largest reservoir of talent in his plan and one of the most vital rear bases that needed stability; he couldn't allow even a hint of chaos to arise.
And now, in order to find Gihren Zabi's hidden trump cards, the Degwin Sodo Zabi card had to be played.
"I'll discuss this matter directly with Revil when I go to Earth. Just make sure precautions are taken in space."
"I understand. Once you leave for Earth, I will begin the operation to capture Axis."
"Do you need me to leave a Squad for you?"
"No need, it's just Axis."
"Fair enough."
Axis was the Principality of Zeon military fortress closest to Luna II and the only Zeon fortress that escaped the Federation's hands during the One Year War.
However, because of Yang Hui's intervention, Zeon's defeat was arriving early, and Axis had no chance to relocate in advance. With very little of Zeon's Space Fleet remaining, it was the perfect time for the Luna II forces to strike Axis.
...
Returning to the base of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, the mission was immediately relayed.
"They really don't treat us like humans. We haven't even been in space that long, and we're heading back down to Earth already," Ford Romfellow complained.
"I still prefer Earth's gravity. This floating feeling in space makes me feel uneasy," Giorgio Miguel said.
"That's because you can't fire your shells in a parabolic arc in space, right?" Ford Romfellow teased. Giorgio Miguel's best skill was long-range fire support, especially when both sides couldn't see each other, yet the enemy would be struck by a rain of shells and perish in a sea of fire without knowing what hit them.
"You don't know the half of it, do you?" Russ Kessel put his arm around Ford Romfellow's shoulder and laughed. "George has swapped for a new big baby: a 300mm [Valiant] Super Electromagnetic Cannon. Theoretically, it can punch straight through a mountain. Who needs a parabolic arc?"
"For real?" Ford Romfellow asked in surprise. During the last battle in the Zeon Republic, Giorgio Miguel had still been using a 230mm Cannon. During the battle in the [Reef Starfield], everyone was mostly separated, so he hadn't noticed.
"It's true," Giorgio Miguel nodded proudly.
"Phew~ that really is a big baby. A new product from the technical department?"
"Yeah, a Prototype Unit. I'm using it while collecting data."
"What luck. Is there anything else?" Ford Romfellow asked. He was very interested in the new weapons developed by the technical department. They were not only squad leaders of the combat unit but also test pilots; all results related to MS would be given to them for testing.
Previously, others had already received new items for field testing. For instance, the 300mm [Valiant] Super Electromagnetic Cannon George received, the latest high-power MS specialized sensor system used by Travis Kirkland, and the new composite close-combat beam armament and high-frequency vibration physical blades obtained by Brock Lebre and Fred Reber.
"Russ, Fort."
"Present!"
Hearing Yang Hui's voice from behind, the two instinctively shuddered and snapped to attention.
"Report to the technical department."
"Huh?" X2
Because the stroke of luck came so suddenly, the two were momentarily stunned.
"What do you mean 'huh'? If you don't want to go, I'll let someone else—"
"Sir, yes sir!" X2
Before Yang Hui could finish, the two bolted. Who wouldn't love powerful new equipment? Most of their comrades already had their "new wives"; now it was their turn, and they'd fight anyone who tried to take it!
After instructing the others to prepare for the descent to Earth, Yang Hui also headed to the technical department.
"Director Ray! This thing is too incredible!"
"A new Mega Cannon with better rapid-fire performance and higher penetration, though its power and attack range have been slightly reduced..."
As soon as he arrived, he heard Tim Ray introducing the new equipment to Russ Kessel and Ford Romfellow. The two were frequently letting out cries of wonder, like children with new toys.
"Basic testing is complete. All that's left is field testing. I'll have someone equip them onto your Mobile Suits immediately. Try them out first and see if any fine-tuning is needed."
"Sir, yes sir!" X2
The two ran off excitedly, leaving Yang Hui and Tim Ray shaking their heads with wry smiles.
"You were the same when you first got those documents," Yang Hui teased Tim Ray. Back when he first received the design blueprints for the Astray series and Yang Hui's miniaturized Minovsky Reactor, he had been as excited as a child.
"A man is a boy until he dies," Tim Ray chuckled, admitting it directly.
"How is that thing coming along?"
At this, Tim Ray's expression turned serious. He took out a PAD and pulled up several files for Yang Hui to see. "I've skimmed through the [Flanagan Institute]'s research on the Psycommu System. It's not difficult; the only hurdle is the NTs themselves."
"The NTs themselves..."
"Yes. According to the Flanagan Institute's research, the Psycommu System is a system dedicated to NTs. Only an NT's Psychic Wave can reach the standard required for use. And even then, that's just reaching the standard. Depending on the intensity of the NT's Psychic Wave, the operational efficiency of the Psycommu System varies."
"Hmm... Build a detection device first. Let's see how many of us are NTs."
"I've already given the orders." Tim Ray certainly understood the importance of NTs. Just from looking at the research data, he knew the Psycommu System was a powerful force. If used correctly, it could multiply combat power several times over. If the final theory proposed by Dr. Flanagan could be realized, being a one-man army would be far from a fairy tale.
"We descend to Earth in three days. Is there enough time?"
"If it's just to detect if someone is an NT, no problem. But to test the intensity of the Psychic Wave and compatibility with the Psycommu System, there isn't enough time."
"Then finish the former first. Take personal charge of this matter; don't let anyone with ulterior motives slip through the cracks," Yang Hui instructed. It was enough for them to know how many NTs were in their own unit. If others found out, who knew what they might start plotting.
"Understood."
Beep beep beep...
At that moment, Yang Hui's communicator rang. Seeing it was a call from Natarle Badgiruel, he answered immediately.
"Yang Hui, that little girl wants to see you."
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