Ethan Rhea had not been having a good few days. After Zeon occupied the Indochinese Peninsula, they hadn't made any major moves. The East Asia Theater's defense line hadn't encountered any problems, but...
Ethan Rhea knew the reason for all this. If it weren't for Yang Hui's Twelfth Independent Technical Division attracting Zeon's attention from within their territory, if it weren't for Kycilia Zabi setting her sights on the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, the East Asia Theater's defense line would have likely been pushed back who knows how many kilometers by now.
But now, he had completely lost contact with the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. There was no news, not even from within Zeon. This left Ethan Rhea unable to eat or sleep in peace. He was terrified that news would suddenly emerge from Zeon announcing the annihilation of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division.
On one hand, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had become a symbol of morale for the Federal Army. If they were to be wiped out, the blow to the entire Federal Army's morale would be devastating.
On the other hand, the reason the East Asia Theater's defense line was so quiet was entirely thanks to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. Until the MS were delivered to his troops, he did not want this peace to be broken.
There was a third point as well. He genuinely hoped that the young people of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division were safe. They were all the future of the Federal Army.
Just then, his Adjutant rushed in frantically.
"Col... Colonel!"
"What is it? Why are you in such a panic..."
"The Twelfth Independent Technical Division is back!"
"What!?" Thankfully, he hadn't finished his scolding, or he would have eaten his words. Ethan Rhea shot to his feet, his hands gripping the Adjutant's arms tightly. "They're back? What's their status? How many casualties?"
"Hiss... N-No losses. They all returned safely." Ethan Rhea's grip was so strong that the Adjutant sucked in a sharp breath. But facing Ethan Rhea's tiger-like, devouring gaze, he obediently reported.
However, as he thought about the content of his report, the Adjutant forgot about the pain.
"Colonel, not only did they all come back, but they also captured a big shot!"
"A big shot? That doesn't matter, as long as they came back safe..."
"It's Kycilia Zabi!"
Slap. It was as if another loud slap had struck Ethan Rhea across the face. The worry he'd been feeling was instantly washed away by a tremendous shock.
"Who did you say?"
"Kycilia Zabi! The Commander-in-Chief of the Zeon Army's Earth Attack Force, Kycilia Zabi of the Zabi Family!"
"Get out of my way! I know who Kycilia Zabi is!" Ethan Rhea shoved the Adjutant aside and rushed out, just in time to run into Yang Hui and the squad leaders of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, who were walking toward him amidst cheers, escorting Kycilia Zabi and a group of prisoners.
"Colonel Rhea, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division has completed its mission and returned. We are now handing over the prisoners to you, a total of 25 Zeon officers, including the Commander-in-Chief of the Zeon Earth Attack Force, Kycilia Zabi."
Yang Hui finished his report, but Ethan Rhea still hadn't processed it. He kept staring at Kycilia Zabi behind Yang Hui, at the handcuffs on her wrists. He truly couldn't believe that the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had actually managed to capture Kycilia Zabi!
"Is... is that really Kycilia Zabi?" Ethan Rhea asked Yang Hui in a daze.
"Yes." Yang Hui understood Ethan Rhea's current state. To be honest, before this battle had concluded, Yang Hui himself hadn't imagined he would be able to capture Kycilia Zabi.
"Pfft— Ahem, my apologies."
Yang Hui could hold it in, but that didn't mean the others could. Jung and the others accidentally let out a laugh, then quickly apologized when they realized their gaffe.
"Ahem." Ethan Rhea also knew his current state was unbecoming of his rank. He coughed twice to ease the awkwardness. "You've worked hard, Major Yang Hui. And thank you, all of you, the young people of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. Capturing Kycilia Zabi is an unprecedented great victory for the Federation. I will report this to Jaburo headquarters exactly as it happened and request commendations for you all."
"It is our duty. For the Federation."
"For the Federation."
"For the Federation!" came the chorus from all the Federal Army soldiers around them.
Hearing the unified cry of all the Federal Army soldiers around them, Jung and the others felt an immense sense of honor.
However, to Kycilia Zabi's ears, it was nothing but supreme humiliation and irony. Being captured was one thing; she had lost because her skills were inferior. A loss was a loss, and she just needed to find a chance to win back her honor. But now, to be gawked at and scrutinized like a monkey in a zoo... as the great lady of the Zabi Family, when had she ever suffered such humiliation?
As for the Zeon officers behind her, they simply hung their heads and wept. There was humiliation, but more than that, there was fear for their uncertain fate. What kind of treatment would they receive? In any case, they didn't expect the Federation to adhere to humanitarian principles for prisoners of war.
"Men, take them away. Guard them strictly."
"Yes, sir!"
Ethan Rhea's security detail led the prisoners away. Yang Hui and the others also had to return to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's encampment. They didn't need cheers or awards right now; what they needed most was rest.
"Colonel Rhea, the prisoners have been handed over. We'll be returning to our post."
"Yes, of course." Ethan Rhea could see the exhaustion in the eyes of Yang Hui and his men, so he didn't try to keep them. But then he remembered something and said to Yang Hui with a smile, "Please get a good rest tonight. There will be a surprise waiting for you tomorrow. Be sure to come by before noon."
"Understood." Yang Hui didn't care what the surprise was. As long as he knew Ethan Rhea wouldn't harm him, he agreed. After all, he was too tired right now and just wanted to get back to the encampment and rest.
Upon returning to their post, Yang Hui went straight to his room, fell into Natarle Badgiruel's arms, and sank into a deep sleep. In the last moment before he drifted off, he vaguely thought he heard Mephis's voice.
[Side Quest complete...]
...
"Ngh..."
Yang Hui didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky. After a comfortable stretch, he looked beside him, but the spot where Natarle Badgiruel should have been was empty.
"You're awake?" Just then, Natarle Badgiruel walked into the room carrying a tray. Because Yang Hui had been so exhausted last night, they hadn't engaged in any "exercise," so Natarle Badgiruel was able to get up a step ahead of him.
"What time is it?" Yang Hui asked as he got dressed.
"10:15."
"Mm, still have time." After getting dressed, Yang Hui took the tray to eat his breakfast. "I wonder what surprise Ethan Rhea was talking about."
"You'll definitely like it," Natarle Badgiruel said with a knowing smile.
"Hm?" With his mouth still full of food, Yang Hui looked up at Natarle Badgiruel blankly.
"Hurry up and eat. Don't keep her waiting."
"Her? It's Lacus!"
Yang Hui remembered. Before arriving at the East Asia Theater, he had heard from Natarle Badgiruel that Lacus would be coming to the East Asia Theater to hold a concert. He had forgotten about it due to the combat mission, but now it came flooding back.
"Yes. She's already arrived at the East Asia Theater command headquarters. She just asked when we were coming over."
"Then let's go." Yang Hui wolfed down all the food, put on his military uniform, and headed for the door. The moment he opened it...
"...What are you all doing?" Yang Hui stared with dead fish eyes at Jung and the others crowded in front of his door. Everyone from the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, except for the R&D team still on Luna II, was looking at him with expressions full of anticipation and longing. It was so sickening it gave Yang Hui goosebumps.
"Major, you're awake?" Ford Romfellow stepped forward and asked with a fawning expression.
"Get lost!" Yang Hui mercilessly kicked Ford Romfellow aside. "Speak properly! If your brain is broken, I can fix it for you!"
"Ahem, Major, uh... now that you're up, should we be heading out?" Jung asked, stepping over Ford Romfellow on the ground.
"Head out? To where?"
"To the Commander-in-Chief's headquarters, of course!"
"..." Yang Hui narrowed his eyes, and his cold expression scared everyone into taking a step back in unison.
"Ma... Major?"
"You want to see the star?"
"Yes!" they all shouted.
"Hmm... Assemble in formation!"
No matter what they were expecting, whether in wartime or during rest, the men trained by Yang Hui would immediately execute his orders upon hearing them. Their bodies moved without even thinking.
Looking at the neat formation before him, Yang Hui nodded in satisfaction. He walked up to Ford Romfellow, who was in the first row, first column. "Very good. Now, starting with you, count to 60. When you're done, it's Banagher's turn. No one is to be skipped. After you've all finished counting, you can set out..."
"ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE!..."
Before Yang Hui could even finish his order, Ford Romfellow started shouting at the top of his lungs, the sudden volume startling Yang Hui.
And then...
In the corner of everyone's eyes, they saw Yang Hui coolly get into a military jeep with Natarle Badgiruel and leave the encampment. As for their direction...
"Holy crap! The Major's making a run for it!"
"Brothers! Let's go!"
"What about the Major's orders?"
"To hell with his orders! The Major's having one of his sadistic fits!"
"Go, go, go! Or we won't make it!"
"Doesn't the concert start in the afternoon?"
"Idiot! We have to go early to get autographs! I'm Miss Clyne's biggest fan!"
"Mizu no naka ni yoru ga yureteru, kanashii hodo shizuka ni tatazumu..."
"Shut the hell up, you bastard! Don't insult Miss Clyne's songs with your tone-deaf voice!"
Although Yang Hui had a head start, a long line of jeeps, troop transports, and armored vehicles soon followed. Apart from the marines on guard duty who tearfully waved goodbye, begging the others to get an autograph for them, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's base was practically empty.
"These little brats," Yang Hui's lips curled up, enjoying the pleasure of his successful prank.
"Oh, you," Natarle Badgiruel said, shaking her head with a helpless, wry smile.
"Life needs a little joy, you know."
"And your joy is playing sadistic pranks?"
"No, it's also being with you all... Hiss! Ouch! I was wrong!"