Char led the dark-skinned girl behind him to a secluded underground bar. Though it was peak business hours, the establishment stood completely empty - not even the bartender was present. Had the lights not been on and the place impeccably clean, one might have assumed the bar had gone out of business.
Seeing this, Char didn't question the situation. Instead, he walked behind the counter himself, retrieved three glasses, and deliberately selected a bottle of Ramba Ral's favorite liquor before heading toward a particular booth.
Out of courtesy and to avoid interrupting anything private, Char lightly coughed outside the booth's curtain to alert those inside of his presence.
"Who is it?"
"Long time no see, Captain Ramba Ral. It's me, Char Aznable."
The curtain drew back to reveal Ramba Ral holding a pistol aimed directly at Char, his expression grim. Seated beside him was an elegant golden-haired woman with her hair styled in an elaborate updo, her gaze equally serious as she watched Char.
"What are you doing here?"
"To share a drink with you." Char raised the glasses and bottle in his hands.
"Hmph, I don't think that's necessary, Char the 'Red Comet'."
"Don't say that, Captain Ral. Like you, I'm currently someone who's been sidelined." Paying little mind to the dark gun barrel pointed at him, Char took a seat opposite Ramba Ral with Lalah, uncorked the bottle, poured three glasses of liquor, and placed two before Ramba Ral and Crowley Hamon.
"Hmph, let's not joke about such things, Major Char." Ramba Ral gave Char a measuring look before lowering his gun and taking a sip from his glass. Having completed missions together, they were acquainted but not particularly close - or rather, Char had always maintained his distance.
"It's true, Captain Ral," Char explained. "Lieutenant General Dozle assigned me to investigate the Federation's MS Development Project. I'd just located their position when we suffered a major defeat and lost a Zaku. If Lieutenant General Dozle hadn't intervened on my behalf, I'd likely be in prison or facing execution rather than here drinking with you."
"Hmm... even you failed?" Ramba Ral shook his head. Though he had left the Zeon Army that had disappointed him, he still maintained his own channels for war intelligence - including news about the Federation's MS and the major defeat on the Eastern Front of the Earth battlefield.
"Indeed. The Federation's MS are truly monstrous - their energy weapons possess the firepower of cruiser cannons per shot, along with other specialized armaments."
"Is that so? What about the pilots?"
"That's the most terrifying part. Most performed like rookies, but the one I fought against... was better than me."
"Really?" Ramba Ral and Crowley Hamon expressed surprise. They knew perfectly well that Char was undoubtedly one of the top Mobile Suit pilots in the Zeon Army. If even he wasn't a match for this Federation pilot, that opponent must be truly formidable.
"Yes."
"Hmm... why are you telling me this? I'm no longer a soldier." Ramba Ral believed he had discerned Char's purpose - he had come to persuade him to return to the Zeon Army. Thus he offered this reason, telling Char that Zeon desperately needed its excellent "Blue Giant Star" to return.
But he refused. Although he was indeed very interested in the unknown Mobile Suit pilot and the Federation's MS units, Zeon was no longer the Zeon it once was. The Zabi Family's actions had completely chilled his heart.
"Captain Rahl, don't overthink it. I'm not Lieutenant General Dozle's messenger."
"Then why did you come looking for me?" Ramba Ral had indeed mistaken Char for Dozle Zabi's envoy, after all, Dozle Zabi had sent people to approach him not just once or twice.
"Nothing important, just bored and thought I'd chat with Captain Rahl. It's been a long time since we last met after you left the military."
"Hmm..." Char's attitude was sincere, but Ramba Ral still didn't trust him. When he was still in the Zeon Army, Char had always worn a mask, making it impossible to see his full face. Rumor had it this started from his military academy days. He had never been able to see through this young man.
"Speaking of which, Captain Rahl, are you really not planning to return to the military?" Char asked.
"..." Ramba Ral fell silent, his emotions complex. He deeply disliked the Zabi Family, but he still loved the nation of Zeon. Even though the Rahl family had completely fallen from grace, he remained one of those who genuinely followed Zeon Deikun's ideology, fighting for the nation of Zeon and for the people of space colonies.
Now, he had left the Zeon Army because of the Zabi Family's leadership, but when Zeon needed him, could he really continue wallowing in this state of decadence?
The answer was no.
"By the way, Captain Rahl, with business so slow in your shop, is it really okay?" Seeing Ramba Ral's silence, Char had gotten the answer he wanted and deliberately changed the subject.
"Hmph, as if you don't know who's responsible?" Ramba Ral snorted coldly.
Char smiled. Of course he knew. Before the Zabi Family seized control of Zeon, the Rahl family had been their biggest competitor. When Zeon Deikun passed away, both families had spared no effort in competing for custody of Zeon Deikun's family members—including Char himself.
Ultimately, under Ramba Ral's protection, they had gone to the Rahl family, leading to all the subsequent events.
Regardless of what the elder Rahl's intentions had been, Ramba Ral had genuinely cared for and protected them at the time, which was why Char had always respected him.
The reason this bar had no customers was due to interference from the Zabi Family, or more specifically, from Kycilia's Agency. Kycilia's Agency was Zeon's specialized organization for handling dark affairs, a trump card in Kycilia's hand.
Ramba Ral was from the Rahl family, the Zabi Family's former archrivals. Even though the Rahl family had completely collapsed and Ramba Ral had left the military to live in decadence, she still refused to let him go.
"Captain Rahl, have you ever considered leaving for a while?" Char asked.
"Leave? Hah! Where would I go?" Ramba Ral wore an expression of disdain. "As long as I stay here, those people outside won't dare touch me. But if I leave this place, leave Side 3... would I even survive?"
"What if... I told you I have a way for Captain Rahl to leave safely?"
"Hmm?" At that moment, Ramba Ral's expression suddenly turned serious. His guess had been correct - Char hadn't come just to chat. "What method?"
"I met a very reliable friend when I was young."
"Is that so? More reliable than those people?"
"Of course. After all... it was he who invited that person to come."
"Hmm!" Ramba Ral was momentarily stunned, then pondered who Char meant by "that person." It definitely couldn't be some nobody, and to prove the other party's capability to him, they must hold a high position of authority.
Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Ramba Ral's mind. He thought of an unbelievable answer and looked at Crowley Hamon, finding her looking back at him with the same expression. Then the two of them turned to look at Char in perfect sync.
Char didn't answer, only nodding silently.
"Hmm... It seems your friend is indeed impressive..."
"Then Captain Ral..."
"But I refuse."
"Why?"
Char was surprised that Ramba Ral would refuse him. Wasn't his daily drowning in alcohol at underground bars precisely because of Kycilia's Agency's pressure? Wouldn't escaping this cage be better?
"I can't afford to owe any favors now."
"...Captain Ral." Char smiled with relief. Ramba Ral was still the Uncle Ral he knew - that excellent, upright soldier.
"I understand, Captain Ral. In that case, I won't disturb you further."
"Hmm, Char. Although I don't know what you're thinking... I still love this country." Ramba Ral reminded Char before he left.
"What a coincidence, Captain Ral. So do I."
After leaving the bar, Lalah quietly followed behind him without saying a word, just as she had inside the bar.
"Aren't you going to ask?"
"No need. I believe the Major knows what to do." Lalah replied softly.
"Did your special ability tell you that?"
"No, it's my understanding of the Major."
"Heh, I don't even understand myself. You understand me? In such a short time?"
"Yes."
"...That's so like you, Lalah."
"You flatter me, Major. Actually, you're surprisingly simple to understand."
"Uh..." Char's mouth twitched. She was the second person to evaluate him like this - the first being that deeply entangled Yang Hui.
Returning to his residence, Char was about to rest when he suddenly noticed an envelope on the room's table that hadn't been there before. All sleepiness vanished instantly, and his first instinct was to leave immediately with Lalah. Having been constantly pursued before, he subconsciously thought it might be a bomb.
But...
"Major, there's no danger." Lalah stated confidently.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, my special ability tells me so."
"Good." Only after hearing Lalah's words did Char relax. When he first met Lalah, he had noticed her extraordinary nature. During their time together, he became even more certain of this, and after some investigation discovered that Lalah might very well be the legendary NT that only existed in rumors.
Char now completely trusted only two people - one was Yang Hui, the other was Lalah. Unlike the forced trust with Yang Hui, his trust in Lalah was given willingly.
After confirming there was no danger, Char opened the envelope and poured out an unfamiliar device along with a string of numbers and instructions.
"Hmm..."
"Should we contact them?"
"We need to know their intentions, after all."
"That's true."
Following the instructions, Char dialed the number. The call connected after just two rings.
"Char Aznable?" A woman's voice he had never heard before came through the communicator.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
"Yang Hui asked me to contact you."
"...Please wait a moment." Char paused briefly, then immediately began inspecting the room. He closed the windows, locked the door, drew the curtains, and finally blocked all signals. "Alright."
"Yang Hui asked me to tell you that Luna has prepared a gift for you. Please receive it as soon as possible."
"...Heh, perfect timing. There's something I'd like to ask you to help me with as well."
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