"Then I'll give it a try too.Despite Ramba Ral's daily drinking and disheveled appearance, his heart as a warrior hadn't diminished in the slightest, especially his passion for MS. Otherwise, he wouldn't have accepted Dozle Zabi's invitation to participate in the MS development combat tests and joined Dozle Zabi's forces from the beginning, fully aware that the Rahl family and Zabi Family were enemies.
Now, seeing the intense simulation training up close again, it would be strange if he could resist joining.
"Go ahead." Murrue nodded. Since Yang Hui had accepted them, she wouldn't question it further.
Char and Ramba Ral each entered a simulation pod, discovering that the control system differed from the Zaku II's cockpit but was superior. As veterans, they mastered the operation of this new control system with just a minute or two of basic explanation, and then...
"Well, Number 1 is mine, don't you grab it." Ramba Ral found the battle request option and noticed everyone was idle, guessing Murrue had deliberately stopped other matches to wait for them.
Based on the brief observation time, they hadn't discerned much about the pilots, but the numbering suggested rankings. Number 1, being at the top, must be the strongest.
"Quite enthusiastic, Captain Ral."
"Haven't touched an MS control stick in a long time, feeling a bit excited. You watch first, let me teach these youngsters a lesson!"
"Then I'll quietly observe Captain Ral's brilliant performance."
The simulation training included not only battle functions but also spectator mode. Char wasn't in a hurry, choosing to let Ramba Ral test the waters first.
And then...
Ramba Ral was correct - Number 1 was indeed the strongest. That was Kira's number. But as for teaching the youngsters a lesson... that remained questionable?
"How... is this possible..." Ramba Ral stared blankly at the darkened cockpit screen, his mind completely short-circuited. Ten seconds - his opponent had obliterated him in just ten seconds.
Ramba Ral was confident he wasn't the strongest, but he was definitely among the elite aces. Ten seconds? Annihilated me? Is that even possible? And I don't have the habit of being careless!
Not only Ramba Ral, but Char was also stunned, and Crowley Hamon watching from outside was shocked too. Murrue remained completely calm - she knew best just how powerful Kira was. Moreover, Ramba Ral had chosen the most foolish approach by engaging Kira in mid-range shooting combat, selecting Kira's strongest domain.
To say Ramba Ral was wrong wouldn't be entirely accurate either. When facing an unfamiliar opponent, maintaining medium distance for probing was normal - most people would do the same. But... his opponent was Kira.
Half of Kira's piloting skills were taught by Yang Hui, so his combat style closely resembled Yang Hui's - capable in close combat but specialized in mid-range shooting warfare.
"Ma'am, who is Yamato fighting against?" At this moment, the others who had witnessed this scene emerged from their simulation pods to inquire. Since Murrue had mentioned others wanting to spar with them, they naturally assumed new recruits had arrived. As future comrades, they needed to familiarize themselves.
However, only the four members of the Cyclops Team were present. Jung and Kashima Yuichi had long been taken to the Federation by Yang Hui. After consulting their wishes, Banagher and Cima were also willing to join the Federal Army. Banagher hoped to return to the Federation and serve his homeland, while Cima had lost all hope in Zeon. Since Yang Hui was her only remaining hope, she naturally wanted to follow him. As for the remaining Cyclops Team members, being mercenaries originally, they didn't care which side they were on. With half the team already heading to the Federation, they naturally stayed behind to leave opportunities for others.
"You should know him," Murrue replied with a smile.
"Huh? We know him?" Hardie Steiner led the group in showing confusion.
"The [Blue Giant Star]Ramba Ral."
"It's him!?" The four were astonished—this was indeed a famous figure.
"Well, and this one... you should know him too—the [Red Comet]Char Aznable."
"What!?" The four turned to look. The simulation battle had indeed restarted, and Kira's opponent had changed. Upon learning who it was, their minds struggled to process it. Two of Zeon's most famous ace pilots were here? Were they newcomers? Was their boss's recruitment methods really this impressive?
"Well... even so, that [Red Comet]probably won't last long against Kira, right?" Mikhail Kaminsky remarked while stroking his chin.
"Of course. Yamato may be a bastard, but he's truly skilled. But once I kill him, I'll be the strongest," Gabriel Garcia grinned, though despite his harsh words, he was actually the one who respected Kira the most among them.
"Ha, here goes Kabu again, even though he gets thoroughly beaten every time," Andy Strauss sighed with a shrug.
"Andy! You bastard, I'll kill you, believe me?"
"I believe you, of course I believe you."
"Alright, it's about to end," Hardie Steiner had just pulled out a cigarette but put his lighter away upon seeing the simulation battle conclude.
"17 seconds. Not bad for a first attempt," Mikhail Kaminsky said seriously—this wasn't sarcasm or teasing, but genuine acknowledgment.
Back when they first met Kira, South Burning and Hardie Steiner had lasted the longest at just 7 seconds, while the others hadn't exceeded 5 seconds.
"Ramba Ral probably scouted the path first, so he chose to charge straight into melee combat from the start."
"But unfortunately, Kira's close combat skills aren't weak either."
"To beat Kira, you'd need to surpass him in both melee and ranged combat, or snipe him from hundreds of kilometers away."
"Didn't Kabu try that? It didn't work either. Kira's combat awareness is extraordinary."
"The key is he's still so young!"
"That's why we call him a monster."
"Kabu, maybe you should give up. I don't think you'll ever manage it in this lifetime."
"Why are you saying that too, Misha? Can't I set a goal for myself?"
"Of course you can, Kabu. Keep it up. ( _ )"
At that moment, the three occupied simulation pods opened their hatches, and all three occupants stepped out simultaneously.
"So young!?" Char and Ramba Ral were stunned once again upon seeing Kira's face that appeared to be only around 20 years old. They found it hard to believe someone so young could possess such terrifying piloting skills.
"Hello, I'm Kira Yamato," Kira introduced himself politely, reasoning that anyone who could come here wouldn't be a bad person.
"Ahem, pleased to meet you. I'm Char Aznable."
"Ramba Ral. Kid, you're quite impressive."
"Not at all, you're both being too modest. Mr. Aznable and Mr. Ral are also very skilled," Kira said humbly.
Char & Ramba Ral: (╬￣皿￣)
"Is something wrong?""
"Ahem, kid Kira, are you sure that's praise and not an insult?" Hardie Steiner and the other three, who had been watching from the sidelines, felt awkward for Kira. Being humble was one thing, but praising others as "skilled" after defeating them in just over ten seconds - that was definitely not a compliment!
"Ah? Is... is that so?" Kira asked while scratching his head. Though he had grown considerably under Yang Hui's influence, he still couldn't shake off his somewhat airheaded nature.
"Haha, as expected, he's black inside when you cut him open," Gabriel Garcia teased.
"Hahaha..."
"Um, that... Mr. Aznable, Mr. Ral, I'm very sorry." Realizing he had said something wrong, Kira politely apologized.
"It's fine."
For a moment, Char and Ramba Ral had felt insulted, but Kira's sincere attitude was genuine, and they could tell he meant no harm, so they didn't dwell on it.
"Speaking of which, you're so young, and we've never heard of someone like you in the Zeon Army before. How did you become so skilled?" Ramba Ral asked.
"Ahaha, that... it just came naturally," Kira evaded. Though somewhat airheaded, he still knew what should and shouldn't be said.
"Hmm..." Ramba Ral could tell Kira was being evasive, but he didn't press further. After all, this was their first meeting, and everyone had secrets they couldn't share.
"Miss Murrue, is this the team Yang Hui prepared for me?" Char asked. Though he hadn't sparred with Hardie Steiner and the other three yet, Kira had already given him enough surprises. Moreover, from Hardie Steiner and his companions, Char could sense the capable demeanor of seasoned warriors - they were definitely veterans.
"Yes, we will assist you once you're ready."
"We?"
"Yes."
Murrue nodded, indicating to Char that the people Yang Hui had sent to assist him weren't just Kira and the other Mobile Suit pilots, but also herself, and many others.
"...I understand." Char didn't fully grasp Murrue's meaning yet. He only thought of Murrue herself, and the fact that Murrue, as Yang Hui's lover, was staying behind to assist him. On one hand, this showed trust in him, but on the other hand... it also indicated distrust.
"Then you three, please follow me." Murrue had Kira take Hardie Steiner and the others to continue training, while she led Char, Lalah Sune, Ramba Ral, and Crowley Hamon away from the training room to the quarters prepared for them. According to prior arrangements, Char and the other two would be staying here for several days.
"By the way, Mr. Char." Before leaving, Murrue said to Char, "Yang Hui asked me to tell you that cooperation requires sincerity between partners, while companionship requires genuineness between comrades. Mr. Rahl and Miss Hamon are trustworthy."
"...Thank you." Char remained silent for a moment before finally expressing his gratitude. To be honest, if anyone else had said this to him, he would have scoffed. Since childhood, he had witnessed too much darkness. To survive and seek revenge, he had developed the habit of trusting no one—until he met Yang Hui. When his complicated relationship with Yang Hui began, his list of trusted individuals gained its first name.
Then, on Earth, he encountered Lalah Sune, the girl who felt completely different to him, and Char's trust list welcomed its second entry. And now...
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