"I'll remember you, Wang Hu! Just you wait—the next time we meet, I'll shoot you down with my own hands!"
The girl shouting loudly was Luna Maria Hawke, a redhead with a stray lock of hair and large, lively eyes. She's often called Luna for short.
By the way, she has a younger sister named Meiling.
That's right, these two are the beautiful sister duo from the legendary battleship Minerva, which belonged to the PLANT side during the Second War.
The elder sister failed to win Athrun's affection and was later officially paired with Shinn Asuka during the Third War in what felt like a forced match.
As for the younger sister, her fate wasn't much better.
She essentially eloped for love, boarding a Zaku with Athrun, only to be shot down into the sea by the red-eyed Shinn Asuka.
After going through life-and-death experiences with Athrun, she too ended up being used as a tool.
In the original timeline, the endings of these two beautiful sisters were rather ambiguous.
However, in this timeline where Wang Hu exists, their current situation appears even worse than in the original.
Now, let's rewind time a bit.
After Wang Hu escaped from Durandal's residence by pretending to be dead and wearing a ZAFT Forces Green Coat to break through the encirclement...
While casually strolling through the streets and contacting underground operatives from the East Asian Alliance to prepare for supporting Lelouch and his group...
Fate's gears turned in a way that was fortunate for him but unfortunate for the sisters.
By chance, Wang Hu encountered the sister duo.
Seeing these two girls who were essentially part of the main protagonist group, Wang Hu naturally wouldn't let the opportunity slip. Adhering to the philosophy of "whether there are dates on the tree or not, give it a couple of shakes first," he approached them.
With his friendly face and composed demeanor...
And most importantly, wearing glasses identical to those of Clark Kent and a certain elementary school student...
Perhaps this world also had the trope where wearing glasses makes people mistake you for someone else.
Luna and her sister completely failed to recognize that the man they were growing quite fond of...
Was actually the mortal enemy of the ZAFT Forces they wanted to join!
But this was understandable. The ZAFT Forces, or PLANT's local propaganda about Wang Hu, had always demonized him.
The photos released were somewhat artistically enhanced to emphasize his viciousness.
So it was normal that they didn't quite match the real Wang Hu, making it reasonable for Luna and her sister not to recognize him.
After some conversation, Luna casually mentioned that they were planning to attend the ZAFT Forces' public event day.
Wang Hu was very interested in this, extremely interested.
First, before coming to PLANT for his mission, he had reviewed relevant materials and remembered...
That during this public event, the Coordinator's ZAFT Forces would display a training model GINN—and it would be armed with live ammunition.
Second, due to the commotion caused by Lelouch within this satellite, while things hadn't descended into complete chaos...
The situation was quite tense. Despite this, the ZAFT Forces hadn't declared city-wide martial law and were still holding such a public event as scheduled?
Should it be said that Coordinators are incredibly thick-skinned?
Or are they trying to maintain an illusion of control to whitewash the situation?
Under the strict orders of Chairman Patrick, are they forcing themselves to act as if nothing's wrong?
Little did they know that Wang Hu's rather uncharitable thoughts had hit the bullseye.
The reason why various activities were still being held normally under such circumstances was indeed due to Chairman Patrick's strict directive.
After all, since our disaster-prone chairman took office, there truly hasn't been a single day that went smoothly for him!
So to demonstrate his authority and prevent all Coordinators from viewing him differently,
even though many people had advised him to conduct city-wide searches and suspend all unnecessary activities, Chairman Patrick still refused.
Thus, Wang Hu, who remained temporarily unaware of all this, naturally prepared to join the excitement.
This would help teach the Coordinators some awareness while indirectly lightening Lelouch's burden.
Although going alone could achieve significant results, what if...
The thought that he could bring a big guy along made Wang Hu secretly excited.
So excited that on the way to the open day event, the Luna sisters almost wondered if Wang Hu had some serious psychological issues.
Fortunately, after Wang Hu's smooth talking, they successfully believed he was just happy to participate in the activity.
Thus, the sisters became even more convinced that he was an enthusiastic civilian supporter of the ZAFT Forces!
When they arrived at the so-called ZAFT Forces Open Day event site,
an even bigger surprise awaited Wang Hu. Although security had been somewhat enhanced due to the commotion caused by Lelouch and others in the satellite,
because Lelouch's group had caused too much disturbance, many soldiers on duty weren't really focused on their posts.
Moreover, none of the ZAFT soldiers present expected that enemies from the East Asian Alliance who had infiltrated the satellite wouldn't be thinking about escaping,
but would actually have someone as audacious as Wang Hu daring to sneak into what should be considered relatively dangerous areas.
Therefore, after producing his genuine PLANT citizen card, Wang Hu openly queued up and sat inside
the cockpit of the Training Zaku used for the exhibition.
As for what happened next...
Compared to Creuset leading his team to steal four Gundams from the Allied Forces, Lacus helping Kira steal the Freedom Gundam, or Mu leading the theft of three Gundams from ZAFT Forces during the second war,
Wang Hu stealing one Training Zaku might not seem very impressive.
But considering he was acting alone without any preparation, just on a whim, and still managed to get himself a Gene right under the Coordinators' noses!
Even if it was just a Training Zaku, rounding it up, this could still be considered quite an achievement.
Furthermore, stealing enemy mobile suits is a tradition throughout the Gundam universe.
Wang Hu's move could be seen as paying homage to all his predecessors and successors.
It's just that due to practical circumstances, even if he wanted to steal a Gundam, there was nowhere to steal one from.
"Boom boom boom."
Piloting the Training Zaku under the horrified stares of Coordinator soldiers who finally realized something was wrong, Wang Hu smashed all the other Mobile Suits around him.
Just as Wang Hu prepared to fly away and make a triumphant return to Lelouch's side...
Only now did it belatedly dawn on him what kind of wolf in sheep's clothing with malicious intentions he had brought along.
Luna, the reserve ZAFT soldier whose feelings had been deceived and who hadn't yet formally enlisted, rushed before Wang Hu's Mobile Suit and cursed at him in the cockpit!
"Luna Maria Hawke, I await the day when you finally stand before me."
Watching on the screen as Luna was desperately dragged away by her younger sister, Wang Hu extended what could be considered a blessing and invitation to the girl.
"You just wait! Just you wait!"
Hearing that detestable Wang Hu's words, Luna flew into a rage. All the fondness she once held for the owner of that voice had now transformed into intense disgust!
"Sister, sister, let's go quickly, my dear sister."
Seeing her older sister's furious gesticulations, Meiling appeared to be the younger sibling. Though usually gentle and soft-spoken, she could make decisive moves at critical moments. Having been capable of eloping with Athrun, she certainly wouldn't waste time exchanging threats with Wang Hu who was piloting the training Gene here.
What if, just because of a few harsh words, that Wang Hu - portrayed in local propaganda as a blue-faced monster with fangs - were to suddenly give in to evil impulses and crush them both? That would be such a loss!
Although this Wang Hu seemed refined and scholarly, who could really guarantee his intentions?
"Meiling, let me go, let me go!"
Not yet having experienced many of life's hardships, no matter how unwilling Luna was, she ultimately couldn't overcome her younger sister's determination and was dragged away, disappearing from Wang Hu's view.
"Alright, time to attend to serious matters."
With a faint smile, Wang Hu glanced at the spot where the sisters had disappeared before withdrawing his gaze. He then established communication with the East Asian Alliance underground operatives who were with Lelouch and the others.
After cracking his neck and shaking his wrists, producing a series of popping sounds, Wang Hu heavily pressed down on the training Gene's accelerator.
"Boom, boom, boom."
The metal-made, size 43 large feet heavily stomped through the streets inside the Colony Satellite as Wang Hu's training Gene charged forward recklessly and exceptionally aggressively along the way.
"He's here."
When the vibrations from Wang Hu's training Gene reached the ears of Lelouch and the others who were still fleeing, the East Asian Alliance underground operative spoke words that made Zhang Peng smile proudly.
"Colonel Wang Hu has arrived."
Speak of the devil. Besides the booming footsteps, the muffled sounds of gunfire accompanied whistling shells flying over their heads before heavily crashing down on the pursuers chasing Lelouch's group.
With a "boom," the previously relentless pursuers were now transformed into roasted turkeys soaring through the sky.
"Haha, what did I tell you?"
Zhang Peng's expression overflowed with unmistakable smugness as he watched with a smile Wang Hu's divine intervention while piloting this world's unique Mobile Suit.
"You actually guessed right - it really is that guy Wang Hu."
Shielding his eyes with his hand, Mu observed the currently invincible Wang Hu, watching him wield his gun and wantonly spray gunfire at the pursuers behind them.
"Just knew that wherever this guy goes, he'll eventually create a grand spectacle."
Sighing, Mu wore the expression of someone thoroughly defeated by the other. "Wang Hu."
Gritting his teeth, Lelouch turned his head away. The shock of being rescued was no less jarring than having his plans disrupted by Lacus.
"Hey, Lelouch, what's the next move?"
Just then, Wang Hu's voice came through the communicator handed over by an East Asian Alliance underground operative.
"Huh?"
Snapping his head back instantly, Lelouch felt genuine astonishment at Wang Hu's words.
"Wasn't it agreed you'd be in charge of this mission? Now that things have gone sideways, you're not thinking of backing out, are you?"
"Impossible!"
A trademark smile reappeared on his face as Lelouch snatched the communicator, confidence surging through him once more.
"As long as you follow my lead, this mission will absolutely succeed!"
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