"That's truly spectacular."
"Major... will he be alright alone?"
Ford Romfellow and Blog Karl had just arrived at the rendezvous coordinates when they saw the towering flames from the relay station. The shockwave powerful enough to shake the earth was palpable even to them.
"The Major will definitely be fine." Ford Romfellow was Yang Hui's devoted admirer; in his eyes, Yang Hui was capable of anything.
"Alright, I'm the fool for asking you that question." Blog Karl also respected Yang Hui, but he wasn't blindly worshipful. Although their plan had drawn out numerous enemies for Yang Hui and the Super Mega Cannon attack had thrown the enemy into disarray, a solo assault on a heavily defended relay station was still too risky.
"What a coincidence, this time I share Ford's view." At that moment, Russ Kessel piloted Unit 4 before them, joining them in gazing at the distant flames.
"See? It's 2 against 1 now, Blog."
"I'm different from you, Ford. I actually used my brain." Russ Kessel teased, "The Major doesn't fight battles he isn't confident in winning. He wouldn't foolishly destroy every brick and tile either—he didn't carry enough ammunition for that. Besides, an explosion of this scale couldn't have been caused by the weapons we're equipped with. So the Major must have taken out the entire ammunition depot at once."
"Alright, you've convinced me." Blog Karl nodded in agreement.
"Wait, Russ! Are you saying I don't use my brain!?" Ford Romfellow demanded.
"Isn't that common knowledge?" To enhance the mocking effect, Russ Kessel's Unit 4 even shrugged its shoulders.
"You bastard! Let's duel..."
"Look! The Major's coming!"
Blog Karl's warning redirected their attention toward the relay station, where they indeed saw Yang Hui's Unit 1 rapidly approaching their position, illuminated by the blazing fires.
"Major! Are you alri..."
"Save the chatter! Move out immediately!"
"...Understood."
"Heh, trying to suck up and getting shot down, huh?"
"Shut up! Russ! After this operation ends, we're dueling!"
"Fine, I'll let you run 10 kilometers first."
"Why would I run? Wouldn't it be better to charge straight at you and slash you?"
"Oh ho? So you do have some brains after all?"
"Bastard! Russ! You're done for!"
Listening to Russ Kessel teasing Ford Romfellow over the comm channel, Yang Hui shook his head with a smile. What a tumultuous relationship—in the original history, these two were partners and frenemies who loved to hate each other. Even now, with more people in their unit, they still ended up becoming the same close friends from the original timeline.
Yang Hui and Blog Karl quietly listened without intervening in their mutual ribbing. Since they couldn't actually fight right now, it served as relaxation during the tense mission.
"Major, this direction is wrong, isn't it?" During their advance, Blog Karl noticed they were heading completely opposite from their final destination, Asbard.
"We're taking a detour to deliver a few more gifts to Zeon."
...
Half an hour later, Revil at the Earth Federation Forces' Jaburo Base also received the intelligence report.
"What!? Girstein's supply depot has been destroyed!? Is this intelligence confirmed?" Revil asked seriously. This supply depot was the lifeline of the Middle Eastern front. Destroying it would reduce the pressure on the defensive line to an incredible extent, even creating opportunities for counterattacks.
Revil had repeatedly dispatched special forces to secretly infiltrate and destroy this supply depot, but without exception, all attempts had failed.
Currently, the Middle Eastern front had seen some relief due to the outstanding achievements of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, but it was only partial relief. They still lacked the capability to decisively defeat or repel Zeon.
The Odessa front was even worse - the Federal Army had already retreated to their final defensive line, and judging by the current situation, Odessa would fall within half a month.
Just as Revil was overwhelmed with difficulties, this sudden good news nearly stunned him.
"It's confirmed. Intelligence has verified it multiple times. Furthermore, reports from the Middle Eastern front indicate that massive flames are visible from the defensive line in Zeon's rear areas. Based on location comparison, it should be Girstein's supply depot."
"Excellent! Which unit accomplished this?" Revil slapped the table in approval and immediately asked. The destruction of the supply depot had significantly eased Revil's burden - at least the Middle Eastern front wouldn't face collapse for some time, allowing him to focus on commanding the Odessa front.
"The Twelfth Independent Technical Division."
"Oh? Are you certain?" Revil expressed surprise. Yang Hui leading his squad to the Earth battlefield had indeed brought Revil many pleasant surprises, though these surprises might be considered shocks by other military personnel.
"Yes. Intelligence reports indicate the supply depot was attacked by our MS units. Currently, the only force deploying MS in actual combat is the Twelfth Independent Technical Division."
"Hahaha!" Revil laughed heartily. At this moment, he felt how wise his decision to cooperate with Yang Hui had been. "That brat did an outstanding job! Where are they now?"
"Unknown."
"Unknown?" Revil frowned.
"Yes. After completely annihilating the Zeon 38th Ground Fleet in the first ambush battle, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's Mobile Suit Squad split into two teams. The second squad conducted guerrilla operations along the western side of the defensive line before returning to base for resupply, but they sortied again soon after."
"Continuing guerrilla operations?"
"Apparently not. Based on their movement route analysis, their target... appears to be Asbard."
"Asbard?"
"Yes, that's the consensus conclusion from the staff department."
"What about the other squad?"
"Unknown. We cannot establish contact with them. However, according to analysis by both the staff and intelligence departments, they should still be operating behind enemy lines."
"Hmm..."
Revil studied the map, particularly focusing on Asbard, the second squad's target. If the supply depot was the lifeline of the Middle Eastern front, then Asbard was its brain and heart.
It was Zeon's fatal weakness, while simultaneously being their strongest military fortress. Serving as the general headquarters of the Middle Eastern front, its defensive measures were several times more stringent than the supply depot's. Unless assaulted by a large force, there was no chance of breaching it.
"Asbard... Asbard... behind enemy lines... supply transfer station..." Revil placed himself in Yang Hui's position, analyzing his intentions. It now appeared their target was Asbard, but Revil didn't believe just nine MS units could break through Asbard's defensive forces, nor did he think Yang Hui would recklessly seek glory without a plan.
So... if Yang Hui's true target was indeed Asbard... then what method would he use to breach Asbard Base's defenses and successfully paralyze the Zeon Army's Middle Eastern front command system.
"General, latest intelligence - a Zeon transport airfield in the deep rear of the Middle Eastern front has been destroyed."
"Hmm?" Revil paused momentarily, immediately locating the airfield's position. A flash of insight crossed his mind as his gaze shifted sideways to a small Zeon base near the airfield.
"General, what should we do now?"
"Wait."
"Wait?"
"Correct. I think I've guessed what that kid is planning, but it needs verification. If confirmed, victory on the Middle Eastern front will be within reach. Order the intelligence department: any intelligence regarding the Middle Eastern front and the Twelfth Independent Technical Division must be delivered to me immediately!"
"Yes..."
Half an hour later, Revil received another intelligence report. Reading its contents, he smiled broadly as he crossed out the small base on the map, then ordered: "Command all units on the Middle Eastern front to advance fifty kilometers and assume battle formation!"
"Yes!"
Though they didn't understand why Revil suddenly demanded decisive battle, and though Yang Hui's squad was causing unrest in the rear areas without directly affecting the Middle Eastern front's Zeon forces who still held significant advantages, as Revil's trusted subordinates, they wouldn't question his serious orders.
"Kid, I've set up the stage you wanted. If we fail, this old man will go down with you."
...
Night fell once more. In the dark wilderness, four Astray Gundams abandoned their rapid hover maneuvers, instead running step by step across the ground.
"Haha, Zeon must really hate us now."
"A transfer station, an airfield, plus a small base - they'd be crazy not to hate us!"
"But Major, why did we travel so far to destroy that airfield and small base? I can understand the airfield, but the small base... doesn't it have no impact on the frontline situation?" Blog Karl inquired.
"An airfield and a small base. If you were a Zeon officer, what would you think our next target is?" Yang Hui didn't answer directly, but instead questioned Blog Karl.
"If it were me... the surrounding bases would be likely targets, and we'd even need to watch Baikonur's security."
"If that's the case, Baikonur is Zeon's beachhead for invading Earth - they absolutely cannot lose it. So Zeon would likely recall some troops from both fronts to strengthen the beachhead's defenses..." Russ Kessel added.
"I understand!" X2
At this point, Blog Karl and Russ Kessel comprehended Yang Hui's plan.
"The Major intentionally created the illusion that we've been operating deep in the rear, even heading straight for Baikonur, to make Zeon recall their troops and relieve pressure on the front lines!"
"Meanwhile, Zeon will spare no effort searching for us in the rear areas, but we're doing the opposite - advancing toward Asbard. This will both shake off Zeon's pursuit and make Asbard's defensive forces even more depleted. Two birds with one stone!"
"Correct." Yang Hui was quite satisfied with their responses. After this battle, the 12th Technical Corps would definitely expand and split into several squads deployed to different battlefields. The current members would naturally become squad leaders later on. Without Yang Hui around, they needed to develop their own tactical and strategic vision to complete difficult missions while ensuring their comrades' survival.
Well, there was one exception - Ford Romfellow's eccentric personality probably meant he'd never become an officer in his lifetime, destined to remain as a regular soldier.
"Major, our next target is Asbard, right?"
"Exactly." Hearing this, Yang Hui's lips curled into a cruel, ferocious smile. "We've spent so much time building the stage. We shouldn't keep our audience waiting too long."
"Understood!" X3
(End of Chapter)