Swoosh—
The Beam Saber pierced through the cockpit of the last standing [Tiger]. As the [Tiger] collapsed with a hideous, charred hole in its torso, it signaled the end of the Australia theater and the total victory of the Federation.
"Ha... ha... they're all... freaking monsters." Maximilian Michael dropped his usual playful smirk, frustration and fear written all over his face.
He wasn't the only one who felt this way; every soldier of the Federal Army present shared the same thought.
The Astray Gundams of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division stood in a row atop a "mountain of corpses and a sea of wreckage," treading upon the remains of their enemies. The flames and thick smoke in the background cast their fronts into deep shadow, leaving only their emerald-green eyes shining brilliantly. They looked ruthless and sinister—like the eyes of Death Gods staring down at them.
Ace Units existed in every division. Aces existed in every division. However, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was known as the strongest Ace Unit in the Federal Army, and its MS pilots were called the strongest in the entire military.
Most aces scoffed at such rumors unless they had seen them with their own eyes. They were all aces, so why were these people considered the strongest? Why not compare them face-to-face?
The Federation's ace squad of the Australia theater, the [White Dingo] squad, had felt the same way.
But now... only after witnessing the battle of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division firsthand did they realize the staggering chasm that existed between one ace and another.
Whether it was individual skill or squad coordination, their confidence had been utterly crushed and ground into the dirt.
Unit 01 leapt down from the enemy wreckage and moved to the front of the Federation line. Yang Hui opened a public channel and addressed the gathered Federal Army soldiers: "I am Yang Hui, Commander of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. I wish to see the Commander-in-Chief of the Australia theater, Colonel Stan Lee Hawkins."
"I am Stan Lee Hawkins. Colonel Yang Hui, thank you for your support." At that moment, Commander-in-Chief Stan Lee Hawkins arrived at the front lines in a military jeep to speak with Yang Hui. "Please, move your unit to our base."
"Understood, Colonel Hawkins. The [Moon Ladder] in the rear has been completely destroyed by my unit, and the [Bear Demon Spirit] unit has been successfully eliminated. Please dispatch troops to secure the area."
"Understood, I will arrange it immediately."
With the simple handover complete, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division cordoned off an area within the Australian Federation base as their temporary camp. Once the Luna arrived, they would head to the next battlefield.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Yang Hui. I have heard much of your fame."
"You are too kind, Colonel Hawkins. You have worked hard to hold the Australia theater for so long."
"I simply did what I could."
"Mhm."
The professional pleasantries ended there as the conversation turned to business. "The [Moon Ladder] is completely destroyed. We ensured no one from the [Bear Demon Spirit] unit survived. You can rest assured that [Ashtaroth] will not be leaked."
"That is good. If not for your support, I might have become a sinner against Earth and humanity." Stan Lee Hawkins shook his head with a bitter smile.
"It wouldn't have come to that, Colonel Hawkins. Even if they reached space, they would have had to get past General Tiam before they could use it against Earth."
"It seems the situation in space is also proceeding smoothly."
"Not bad. However, ending the war on the Earth front is a matter of urgency; otherwise, General Revil wouldn't have recalled us so hastily."
"What are your next plans?"
"Per General Revil's orders, my unit will proceed directly to the North America Theater once the Luna arrives. We will rendezvous with the Second Squad to eliminate the remnants of the Principality of Zeon in North America and retake Zeon's largest base on Earth—California Base."
"I see. I was hoping to keep you here a bit longer, Colonel Yang Hui, so you could give those rascals of mine some pointers." Stan Lee Hawkins truly hoped the Twelfth Independent Technical Division could guide his subordinates. Even though he stayed in the rear and didn't understand MS piloting, seeing the performance of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had been breathtaking. He wondered if such power really existed.
They didn't need to become as powerful as the people from the Twelfth Independent Technical Division—that was impossible. As long as they could learn one or two life-saving techniques, it would be the best thing for them.
"We still have three days. The guys under my command would be happy to help."
"Then I'll leave it in your hands."
"I also ask for your assistance with our supplies over the next few days and the replenishment for the Luna."
"No problem."
The conversation concluded, and Yang Hui left the command center to return to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's camp. However, as he reached the entrance, his expression turned peculiar.
"What is this?" Seeing people crowding against the perimeter fence, peering curiously into the camp, Yang Hui found it amusing.
"Colonel, you're back. They are all friendly troops from the Australia theater. They said they wanted to see if our MS pilots have three heads and six arms," the guard on duty reported awkwardly.
Since they were all friendly forces, the guards didn't interfere as long as they didn't enter the camp or take photos and videos.
"I see." Yang Hui didn't mind. Everything about the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was classified, but now that the mass-production MS of the Gundam Astray Series were being distributed throughout the army, the MS technology had already been mostly exposed. The same went for their personal information. Except for their next mission parameters, the data on the Luna, and the technical department far away at Luna II, not much else was considered a secret anymore.
"Please, wait a moment." Just as the jeep was about to drive into the camp, several people stepped out from the crowd.
"Is something the matter?" Yang Hui asked with a smile, looking at the three men and one woman before him.
"Excuse us, Colonel Yang Hui. I am from the [White Dingo] squad, Captain Pierce P. Rell."
"White Dingo squad, Gao Liang."
"White Dingo squad, Maximilian Michael."
"White Dingo squad, Anida Julian."
"I've heard of you. The strongest hounds roaming the Australia theater, the [White Dingo] squad." Yang Hui stepped out of the jeep and extended his hand toward Pierce P. Rell.
"You flatter us, Colonel Yang Hui." Pierce P. Rell saluted and did not shake Yang Hui's hand. In his view, such an act would be an affront to Yang Hui, as the Federation's rank system was very strict.
"Haha." Yang Hui chuckled and withdrew his hand. He didn't mind and instead asked them, "Are you interested in joining my unit?"
"Huh?" X4
The four members of the White Dingo squad were dumbstruck. They had summoned quite a bit of courage to stop Yang Hui, not because they wanted anything, but simply to thank him for completing the mission they had failed and to express their respect. Yang Hui's direct offer had knocked them for a loop.
"Co... Colonel, are... are... are you joking?" Maximilian Michael asked, stammering.
"Of course not." Yang Hui smiled seriously. "To be honest, I've seen your records. I believe you are qualified to join the Twelfth Independent Technical Division."
"But... we..."
Seeing that the four didn't know how to answer, Yang Hui shrugged and gave Amuro a look. Understanding the gesture, Amuro tore off a piece of paper, wrote down the contact information for the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, and handed it to the White Dingo squad.
"This is?"
"When you've made up your minds, call this number. Someone will handle the transfer orders and procedures for you."
"Yes..."
While the four were still in a daze, Yang Hui and Amuro got back into the jeep and entered the camp.
"Is... is this for real?" Maximilian Michael looked at the contact info in Pierce P. Rell's hand, feeling as if happiness had come too quickly to be real.
"It's real." Pierce P. Rell immediately tucked the contact info into his breast pocket and gave his teammates a look, signaling them to leave quickly.
They didn't understand Pierce's behavior at first, but after sensing the envious and unkind glares from the surrounding crowd, the three quickened their pace to follow him. Yang Hui's sudden invitation had made them forget that they were surrounded by soldiers from the Australia theater. To be personally invited by Yang Hui, the commander of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, and given a direct contact—how could people not be jealous?
Fortunately, the White Dingo squad had a good reputation in Australia, and Stan Lee Hawkins managed his troops strictly. The others were only envious; no conflicts or disputes broke out.
Pierce P. Rell, as the party involved, returned to the command center immediately and sought out Stan Lee Hawkins with his teammates.
"Are you serious?" Stan Lee Hawkins was also stunned for a moment.
"Yes. This is the contact information." Pierce P. Rell did not hide anything; he told Stan Lee Hawkins the whole story and handed him the paper Yang Hui had given him.
Regardless of what their future held, they were currently Stan Lee Hawkins' subordinates. If something like this happened, they had to report it to their Military Commander.
"Hmm..." Stan Lee Hawkins pondered for a moment before asking, "What are your thoughts?"
"Sir, we will follow the arrangements of our superiors."
"Don't be so tense." Stan Lee Hawkins waved his hand, signaling the four to relax. "I want to hear your own thoughts. Do you want to go?"
"..." Pierce P. Rell gritted his teeth, agonizing over it for a long time before glancing at his teammates. Receiving their affirming gazes, he replied, "I want to go."
"I see. Understood."
"Colonel..."
"No need to explain, Pierce. We've known each other a long time; I know exactly what kind of people you are. Although I'm loath to see you go, the battle for the Australia theater is over. You are aces, and you are warriors. Over there, you will have a better stage to perform on, and you can grow to even higher positions."
To say he wasn't reluctant would be a lie. Even if the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had many aces, in other units, having even one or two aces was like having a priceless treasure. Who wouldn't want aces under their command? Who would be willing to give away their treasures?
But Stan Lee Hawkins also knew very well that if Yang Hui truly wanted to transfer the [White Dingo] squad, he couldn't stop it. Moreover... he was thinking of the White Dingo squad's future. Now that the battle in Australia was finished, he didn't know if he would be transferred to another theater, but aces like the White Dingo squad should not stagnate under his command.
"Go ahead. I will personally discuss this matter with Colonel Yang Hui."
"Yes, sir!"
"Go back and get some good rest. There are still three days before the Twelfth Independent Technical Division leaves. I've agreed with Colonel Yang Hui to have some exchange sessions; you can use this time to interact with them and think it over carefully."
"Yes, sir!"
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