"The first piece of good news is that Dr. Mosuke Han from the Technology Headquarters has developed a technology that can make MS movements more agile and swift. It's called [Magnetic Coating Technology]."
"Oh? Can you tell me the specifics?" Yang Hui asked, feigning ignorance.
In Yang Hui's eyes, [Magnetic Coating Technology] was an extremely important technology, as it was known as the lubricant for MS.
Magnetic Coating was a technology developed to further enhance the response efficiency of the Federation's MS Field Motors (Zeon's MS, on the other hand, mostly used Fluid Pulse Drives).
Unlike the electromagnetism used in older Magnetic Levitation Technology, this was a derivative application of Minovsky Physics. It used a Monopole Magnetic Coating made of stable Magnetic Monopole Particles, which was applied to the movable parts of mechanical joints. By leveraging the principle of magnetic repulsion between like poles, it eliminated friction between components, thereby making the MS's movements more agile and swift.
Magnetic Coating, along with the Field Motors used for joint propulsion, belonged to the MAWS (Minovsky-theory Applied Weapon System).
This technology was originally supposed to be developed only in the final stages of the One Year War, but due to Yang Hui's intervention, the Federation's military development schedule had also been moved up considerably.
But that made sense. War was the greatest stimulus for an arms race, especially in the current situation where it was a constant chase, where whoever possessed superior weapons could break the balance and gain an advantage in the war.
Take the Twelfth Independent Technical Division for example. Without the superior performance of the Astray Gundam and its various excellent armaments and packs, they absolutely could not have achieved a record that could be called "legendary."
If you asked Yang Hui to lead a team in fighter jets or Type 61 Tanks to wreak havoc behind Zeon lines, what would he say? He would definitely reply with two words—"Moron!"
"Can I speak with Dr. Han?"
"You can. He's at Jaburo Base."
"Good. What's the next piece of good news?"
"This one, you'll have to wait until you get to Jaburo to find out."
"Hmm?"
"I'll introduce you to someone then."
"...Alright, I understand."
Yang Hui had already guessed who Revil and Gopp planned to introduce him to. For Revil to call it good news and deliberately keep it a secret until he reached Jaburo Base, it certainly wouldn't be an internal matter of the Federal Army. The Federal Army was already held firmly in Revil and Gopp's grasp. Even if the conservative faction led by Kin Koneman still existed, they couldn't make any waves.
The only thing besides the war with Zeon that could make Revil and Gopp so serious was the Federal Assembly.
"It seems Creuset and I have quite the talent for acting," Yang Hui smiled, marveling at how well the two of them had performed.
...
The next day, the holiday ended. The faint light of dawn slowly lifted the veil of night, awakening all things from their slumber.
Before the sun's brilliance completely covered the earth, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had already assembled. The members of the eight squads were lined up neatly on all four sides, facing the center. Their iron-blooded and unyielding aura erupted at full force, their wolf-like eyes staring unblinkingly at the queue of new recruits in the middle.
Yang Hui stood at the very front of the new recruits' line. Behind him were Natarle Badgiruel and the other officers. Behind the officers were all the members of the first squad, their presence particularly terrifying, like a thousand-jin cauldron pressing down on the new recruits' shoulders, as if about to crush them.
Among the new recruits for this expansion were many battle-hardened veterans who had survived Zeon's fierce onslaught. A normal display of pressure wouldn't intimidate them, but...
At this moment, with the exception of Athrun and Gai Murakumo, who were already familiar with Yang Hui, every single person, veteran or rookie, was trembling all over, their legs shaking. Those who couldn't hold on had already collapsed to the ground, drenched in sweat.
Yang Hui merely shot a cold glance at these people before ignoring them. However, those who met his gaze felt as if they were in hell, a hideous and terrifying demon right before them, looking at them like ants—insignificant and easily crushed.
This was the true welcoming ceremony of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. Under the gazes of a pack of bloodthirsty wolves, they welcomed the arrival of new wolf cubs.
"I am very disappointed in you." Yang Hui's first sentence made everyone except Athrun and Gai Murakumo lower their heads in shame, indignation, and fear.
"General Revil told me that you are all elites, that there are even battle-hardened aces among you. But in my eyes... you... are like newborn babies."
Someone's anger flared, and he unwillingly raised his head to retort, but the moment his eyes met Yang Hui's, he lowered his head again. The indignation and anger were gone, replaced by only fear and terror.
"I see... there are even two or three field officers here. Heh, with this kind of mental fortitude, I really don't know how you became field officers. But... I don't care. Let me tell you, here, it doesn't matter what your rank is, what background you have, or what achievements you've made. None of it counts. Until you truly become a member of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, you are just rookies. No one will look up to you, no one will go easy on you. Everything starts from zero. Learn the rules of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division for me!"
"Yes... sir..." came the scattered replies.
"Haven't you eaten? A bunch of weaklings!"
"Yes, sir!" they roared in unison.
"At the same time, congratulations. You are able to stand here and get the chance to join us. Listen up, it's a chance! Standing here doesn't mean you're qualified to join the Twelfth Independent Technical Division! Although there's no rigid elimination system, if your performance continues to be disappointing, you will be sent right back where you came from. Do you hear me!?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Now for the first order: pack your things, follow the guides to board the aircraft, and proceed immediately to Jaburo Base."
"Yes, sir!"
Some people were confused, even annoyed. They had just arrived at the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's station, and some had even come from Jaburo. Now they had to go back, wasn't that a wasted trip?
But they dared not voice their anger. Setting aside Yang Hui's soul-freezing gaze, the surrounding "wolf pack" was more than they could handle.
"Dismissed!"
With the order given, all members of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division quickly dispersed, returning to their posts to carry out transport operations without the slightest delay.
After the oppressive aura was withdrawn, most of the new recruits collapsed to the ground, and a few who looked particularly pampered even vomited.
"Are you alright?" Athrun and Gai Murakumo were in relatively good shape and began to help those around them.
"I'm... I'm fine..."
"That was terrifying... Is this... the legend?"
"I... I want to go home..."
"Heh, you're probably too late for that. Didn't the person who sent you here ask if you were sure you wanted to join this expansion?"
"They... they did. What's wrong?"
"Looking at you, you must be a young master from a prominent family, right? Heh, when I came here, my former commanding officer told me that everything about the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, even the ground we're standing on, is a military secret. Once you join, there's no chance of quitting."
"How... how can that be... That colonel just now said..."
"The last person who was sent back to his original unit is still lying in a hospital bed. I hear he'll never get out of it."
Gulp.
The faces of several young men who clearly came from prominent families instantly turned pale.
"Alright, stop scaring them," Athrun stepped forward in time to intervene. This was no longer just explaining things; it was the grassroots intimidating and ostracizing the precious young masters.
This kind of situation was very normal. Commoner soldiers had no background. It was difficult for them to climb to positions that those of noble birth could reach with ease in their entire lifetime, and they would often be looked down upon, mocked, and humiliated by them.
Under normal circumstances, Athrun wouldn't meddle in such matters. This kind of thing existed in every world. But now was not the time for ostracism and factionalism. They were about to transfer to Jaburo Base immediately. If they were delayed because of this, the consequences would be dire for everyone.
Moreover, Athrun and Gai Murakumo knew that in Yang Hui's unit, the concept of factions had never existed. In fact, it was a situation he detested, because factions and ostracism only led to vicious competition. Yang Hui wasn't against competition, but it had to be fair and square. He absolutely could not tolerate people who played dirty tricks behind the scenes.
"Hmph, and who are you?"
"Just an ordinary soldier. We should hurry back and pack our things. Otherwise... I don't know what Colonel Yang Hui will do, but he definitely won't make it easy for us."
"...Tch!"
The man who had intended to humiliate the young masters from prominent families turned and walked away disdainfully, completely ignoring the others. He had come here to change his destiny, so he had to be number one and achieve great merits. Everyone else was a stumbling block to him.
Meanwhile, Athrun pulled the young master who was sitting on the ground to his feet and said to everyone, "Let's all help each other. From now on, we'll be comrades fighting side by side."
Some scoffed and left, following the first man's example. Others thought about it seriously, accepted Athrun's suggestion, and began to help those who couldn't stand up.
What they didn't know was that this entire scene was witnessed by Yang Hui. After the dismissal, Yang Hui hadn't left immediately. Instead, he had gone to the command center with Natarle Badgiruel, Amuro, Jung, and the first group of people who had followed him, to observe the actions and choices of these new recruits.
"For those who left on their own, go a little harder on them," Yang Hui said directly.
"Yes, sir." Amuro highlighted the names of these individuals without a shred of sympathy. Having been in the Twelfth Independent Technical Division for so long, Amuro was no longer the brat he was when he first arrived. He had come to see this unit as his home, and he had no good attitude towards newcomers who didn't treat this place as home or their comrades as family.
"But these two guys are not bad. They held steady even under our pressure," Ford Romfellow praised, looking at Athrun and Gai Murakumo on the screen.
"Nonsense. They were personally brought in by the Colonel," Jung rolled his eyes.
"Huh? Why didn't I know that?" came two voices in unison.
Ford Romfellow and Russ Kessel froze, looking around at their brothers in a daze, only to be met with playful teasing.
"Because you two were busy trying to become the Colonel's brothers-in-law."
"Uh... ahem, well... this..."
"Fort, Russ."
"Sir!" they both snapped to attention.
"The brothers' socks for next month are in your hands."
"No! Colonel! You might as well just shoot us!"
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