While VEGAN was embroiled in heated disputes, Lost Loran was bustling with activity.
In contrast to VEGAN's confrontations, Lost Loran was united, with everyone working together towards a common goal.
The lingering euphoria of victory continued to inspire them. Fueled by this joy and excitement, everyone felt an inexhaustible energy, doubling their efficiency. Tasks that were originally scheduled to be completed the next day were finished on the same day.
"If the Federal Army could always maintain this level of efficiency, VEGAN would have been defeated over a decade ago," Yang Hui remarked with a sigh.
"Maintaining this state all the time would be the death of us," Graham chuckled.
Many around him nodded in agreement. While they didn't feel it during the busy moments, now that the launch preparations were complete, a deep sense of exhaustion immediately spread through their bodies, leaving them weak and their eyelids heavy.
"Everyone, stay alert. We're about to lift off. You can sleep once we're in space."
"Yes, sir!" the group responded in unison.
There was no other choice—they really couldn't afford to sleep now. Otherwise, experiencing the ascent into space while asleep would undoubtedly be far more disorienting than staying awake.
"By the way, Captain, now that the Lieutenant General has returned, shouldn't you step down?"
"Yeah, yeah!"
"You bunch of jerks…" Asemu gritted his teeth in frustration. After going through life-and-death situations together for so long, was there really no sense of camaraderie?
"It seems you're not very popular, Asemu," Yang Hui teased.
"No…"
"Captain, no need to explain. If we weren't afraid of you, you'd have been ousted long ago."
"Exactly! You're always hogging the credit!"
"You make mistakes, but we're the ones who end up with extra training!"
"Your tactical commands are a mess—it's always just 'Charge!' or 'Retreat!' Nothing else."
"Well, at least your piloting skills are decent. Sigh."
"Lieutenant General, no offense, but your judgment in choosing a successor is really questionable.
Asemu: (▼皿▼#)
"He's getting mad!" The Captain's getting mad!"
"Captain! Stay calm! No matter what, you must remain composed! That's the first lesson you taught us!"
"I… you… I…" Asemu felt a surge of anger rising in his throat, but he couldn't let it out.
"Ha ha ha…"
Everyone burst into laughter at Asemu's exasperated expression.
Did they really have issues with Asemu?
Yes!
But it wasn't that they disliked him—it was a different kind of concern.
Everything Rena said was true. In every battle, Asemu charged at the forefront, taking on the most enemies and bearing the brunt of the responsibility.
To be honest, which pilot in the Celestial Being squadron hadn't been saved by Asemu at some point?
They were worried too, and they wanted to share the burden with him, but no matter how they tried to persuade him, he wouldn't listen. That's why they resorted to this method to let Yang Hui know that he needed to rein Asemu in.
As for hogging the credit…
Since its inception, the Celestial Being squadron's achievements had never been attributed to individuals but were shared equally among all members.
They were all brothers and sisters who had fought side by side, and in the Celestial Being squadron, they were one family, with no distinction between "you" and "me."
Asemu, as the successor, naturally carried on this tradition.
And the teasing of Asemu was also a cherished tradition within the Celestial Being squadron.
Living long-term under the high-pressure lifestyle of "either being on a mission or on the way to a mission," without a method to adjust one's mindset, it's easy for a person to break down.
Back in the day, Yang Hui was formidable, always able to retort when teased, while Asemu often ended up on the losing end.
"The launch sequence is ready. All personnel, please proceed to the designated areas and secure yourselves immediately. I repeat, the launch sequence..."
Everyone dispersed, heading to the designated areas to secure themselves to avoid bouncing around inside the ship during the ascent.
The ground of Lost Loran opened up, revealing dozens of ship launch ports.
Flames erupted, and the roar of engines filled the sky as thick smoke trailed behind the dozens of ships launching from the ground into the vast expanse of space.
This was the first fleet, though not large in number, all were elite forces.
Being the first fleet, they had no idea what the Earth's orbit was like, whether enemies were waiting for them, or how many obstacles they would face.
"Old Commander, Lieutenant General, may your fortunes be prosperous."
Under the leadership of Argreus, everyone remaining in Lost Loran stood up and solemnly saluted the fleet in the sky.
This was yet another counterattack operation. For the Federal Army to reclaim control of space and for the ultimate victory in this war, they advanced into the unknown.
...
The ascent took only a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity to everyone.
Gradually, the trembling ship stabilized, and everyone immediately released their restraints and headed to their stations. The bridge crew nervously observed their surroundings, with the radar and enemy detection systems fully operational, ready to prevent any incoming threats.
"We have exited the atmosphere. The boosters have detached. Maintaining the second cosmic velocity."
"No response from the radar and enemy detection systems. No enemy presence detected in the vicinity."
"Phew~ It seems we've passed the first hurdle."
Upon hearing the reports, all the ship captains breathed a sigh of relief. The most dangerous periods during the ascent were two.
The first was from the moment of ignition until reaching the first cosmic velocity. During this time, the ships were completely defenseless, and their speed hadn't yet increased, making them easy targets if attacked.
The second was from exiting the atmosphere to reaching the second cosmic velocity, the period of escaping Earth's gravity. During this time, although the ships could fight, the MS units couldn't be deployed, or they would be pulled back by Earth's gravity, burning up in the atmosphere.
Fortunately, the battle at Lost Loran had indeed destroyed many VEGAN fleets, and no enemies came to intercept them.
At this point, the Federal Fleet's mission was to hold this position, fend off any possible VEGAN fleet attacks, and ensure the safe ascent of the subsequent fleets.
The most conspicuous Diva and [Baize] would detach from the fleet to carry out other missions.
"The Diva will head to the lunar Artemis Base."
"[Baize] will proceed to Space Graveyard No. 1 to execute a classified mission."
"This ship will serve as the flagship, leading the fleet to control this sector. Captain Enaes, Captain Bilit, may your fortunes be prosperous."
"Same to you."
The [Celestial Being] squadron would naturally head to Space Graveyard No. 1 to search for traces of EXA-DB and Sidd.
The Diva's mission to directly head to the long-lost Artemis Base, detached from the fleet, was an extremely perilous task.
After the destruction of the Big Ring base, Artemis Base had lost contact with Earth. Just recently, a sudden message arrived, claiming to be an order from the Federal high command, demanding that the Diva transport the AGE System to Artemis Base for upgrades and modifications, and to hand over the Gundam AGE-3 to the base's ace pilot for operation.
As for the latter, Flit would absolutely never agree. The Gundam AGE was a symbol of the Asuno Family, and only members of the Asuno Family were qualified to pilot it.
As for the former...
Honestly, during Flit's tenure, he had repeatedly applied to the Federal high command for the development and improvement of the AGE System, but all requests were ignored due to the high command's "face."
Yang Hui also utilized the resources of Yang Corporation to conduct comprehensive research on the AGE System.
Naturally, the research was thorough, and mass production was feasible.
But the problem was... it was completely unnecessary!
The so-called ability of the AGE System to help the Gundam evolve infinitely... in essence, it was just about creating the most suitable equipment for the current situation based on the pilot's style and the battlefield and enemy conditions.
This behavior could hardly be called evolution.
Rather than mass-producing the AGE System, it would be better to directly design and produce tactical backpacks suitable for various environments, and simply switch them out in the relevant situations.
As for piloting styles... not to exaggerate, any pilot whose style exceeds the adaptability of conventional equipment and requires special adjustments to the machine could be considered an ace pilot.
And there are only so many ace pilots; they can adjust their machines themselves, so why would they need the AGE System specifically?
Only pilots of the caliber of Yang Hui, Graham, and Yurin might require the calculations and designs of the AGE System for their custom machines, but they would never engage in the foolish act of changing equipment mid-battle.
So... when Argreus saw the orders from Artemis Base, he immediately sensed something was wrong.
Currently, the Earth Federal Army has quite a few Gundams, with ace machines like the G-Titan and mass-produced models like the Claesia and Adele III all utilizing some Gundam technology, making the AGE System somewhat redundant.
So... who would be most eager to get their hands on the Gundam and the AGE System?
Thus, the Diva's ostensible mission was to transport the AGE System and the Gundam AGE-3 to Artemis Base, but in reality, it was to investigate the situation at Artemis Base.
The route to Artemis Base overlaps partially with that to Space Graveyard No. 1, allowing the Diva and the Baize to travel together for a while, providing more time for communication.
"Your mission might be more dangerous than ours," Yang Hui remarked.
"Yes... Artemis Base has most likely already defected."
Flit, Captain Natorunas, and Seric Abis nodded in agreement.
"Do a bit of reconnaissance and then find an excuse to leave. If they pursue you, it means there's a problem."
"Well... that's indeed a good method," Captain Natorunas said, sweating slightly. The method was indeed effective, but it just felt... a bit shameless.
"Indeed, that's the Lieutenant General's style," Seric Abis said with a bitter smile and a shake of his head. Although he had left the Celestial Being squadron long ago, he hadn't forgotten Yang Hui's ways at all.
On the battlefield, he was the Grim Reaper; off the battlefield, he was a rogue old man.
"We'll be careful. You should be the one
to watch out—don't let the past repeat itself," Flit reminded him.
Hearing this, Yang Hui's face darkened instantly, a dangerous sneer spreading across his features.
"I won't make the same mistake twice. This time, I've prepared a grand gift for them."
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