"Colonel, isn't the unit already at full capacity?" At the station of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, Amuro asked Yang Hui. Their combat organization was already full; if they wanted more people... they would likely need to apply for an expansion.
"It's just four people. Squeeze one person into each of the three squads, and that little girl can go to either Natarle or Brad."
"But... if I remember correctly, the [White Wild Dog] squad is Colonel Hawkins' ace, right? He probably won't let them go."
"Then why not just poach them all together?"
"Eh?" Amuro was dumbfounded. Yang Hui's move was simply too flashy. It was one thing to poach the aces of the Australia Theater, but he even wanted to poach the Commander-in-Chief of the Australia Theater along with them?
"Hehe." Yang Hui didn't explain much, letting Amuro figure it out for himself.
To be honest, wasn't Amuro a bit of a problem child in the original story? He had committed plenty of acts that violated military discipline.
But under his guidance, how had he turned into such a well-behaved student?
Amuro had been taught personally by Yang Hui. Whether it was MS piloting skills, tactics and strategy, or knowledge of mechanical physics and technology, Amuro learned very quickly. However, there was one thing he could never seem to learn: Yang Hui's style of doing things.
Perhaps it was because he joined the military early and had proper guidance, but he was now a typical law-abiding soldier. He wasn't flexible at all and followed regulations to the letter.
The next day, Stan Lee Hawkins came to visit, speaking with Yang Hui alone in his office.
"Colonel Yang Hui, Pierce has already told me about the [White Wild Dog] squad. If they are willing themselves, I will approve their transfer orders."
"Thank you very much, Colonel Hawkins. I won't force them either," Yang Hui nodded, inwardly praising himself for not misjudging the man. "So, Colonel Hawkins, what about yourself?"
"Me?" Stan Lee Hawkins was stunned, not understanding Yang Hui's meaning.
"The fighting in the Australia Theater is coming to an end. The forces of the Zeon Republic should withdraw from Australia shortly and return the lost territory. By then, the Australia Theater will have nothing left to do. Doesn't Colonel Hawkins want to... move up a bit further?"
"...Colonel Yang Hui, please speak plainly."
Stan Lee Hawkins immediately caught Yang Hui's drift and signaled for him to continue. After all, he was only in his 40s and already a Colonel; he still had hope of climbing to a higher position. Moreover, it was currently wartime—the best opportunity to earn merit.
The credit for the Australia Theater had been cut by nearly half due to the appearance of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, but Stan Lee Hawkins didn't resent Yang Hui or his unit. If not for their airborne surprise attack, he might not have been able to complete the final mission at all.
However... there was certainly some dissatisfaction. After all, half of a cooked duck had suddenly been snatched away by someone else.
Furthermore, once the fighting in Australia ended, if he stayed there, he would lose many opportunities to earn merit.
Stan Lee Hawkins had always belonged to the neutral faction in the Federal Army—or rather, the "honest faction." He didn't participate in any factions or infighting, focusing solely on fulfilling his duties. Therefore, it was very difficult for him to move up further, as no one wanted such a person to join a rival faction or start their own.
Because Stan Lee Hawkins didn't know the inside story of the relationship between Yang Hui and Revil, he treated Yang Hui as part of General Revil's faction—currently the largest faction in the Federal Army.
Stan Lee Hawkins was visionary. He could see that the Reformists led by Revil had gained a comprehensive advantage; it was only a matter of time before they completely defeated the Conservatives. Furthermore, he personally held no ill will toward Revil and even respected him greatly.
But at a time like this, even if he wanted to pick a side, he hadn't had the opportunity.
Now, in his eyes, Yang Hui had placed a choice before him. It was an invitation to join the Reformists led by Revil.
Stan Lee Hawkins was happy because this was a rare opportunity. Joining a faction depended on how one entered. If one joined randomly, they would end up as just an anonymous member. But in his eyes, it was completely different for Yang Hui, as Revil's absolute confidant, to personally extend the invitation.
However, he didn't agree immediately. To gain is to give; he wanted to know what he would need to provide in return.
"On the current Earth front, the land battlefields still have Zeon remnants in the North America, Europe, and South Africa Theaters. General Revil is personally holding the fort in the Europe Theater, so there won't be any problems there. The person in charge of the South Africa Theater is General Vic Hancock; clearing out the Principality of Zeon forces there is only a matter of time. And the last one, the North America Theater... is under Major General John Kowen."
Hearing this, Stan Lee Hawkins understood. Yang Hui planned to send him to the North America Theater to succeed John Kowen and take charge of combat command there.
Stan Lee Hawkins had certainly heard of John Kowen. He knew that although Kowen was a Major General, he was a technical one who had made significant contributions by supporting the MS Development Project for Revil and Yang Hui.
But... that was as far as it went. John Kowen hadn't shown any outstanding performance in combat command, which was why the North America Theater under his charge had been the least effective on the Earth front.
"So, Colonel Yang Hui... what do I need to do?" Stan Lee Hawkins asked seriously. He didn't doubt that Yang Hui had the ability to send him to the North America Theater to take over John Kowen's job. As long as he agreed, combined with the merit he would earn in North America, his promotion to Brigadier General would be a certainty. Being only in his 40s, there was even more room for growth in the future.
But there was no such thing as a free lunch. He would receive benefits, so what price would he have to pay?
"Just do your job well. I hope the North America Theater is the first of the remaining three to finish its battles. As long as we retake California Base, the Zeon on Earth will have no chance of turning things around."
"Is that all?" Stan Lee Hawkins asked incredulously.
"That's all."
"...Colonel Yang Hui, I..."
Stan Lee Hawkins was about to say something else, but Yang Hui raised a hand to interrupt him: "You don't need to do anything else, Colonel Hawkins. Your abilities are obvious to all. Whether it's me, General Revil, or even the soldiers of the Federal Army, we all hope to end this absurd war as soon as possible."
"..." Although Stan Lee Hawkins didn't fully believe in Yang Hui's sincerity, he put on his military cap, stood up, and saluted.
Seeing the other party so serious, Yang Hui naturally responded in kind. He donned his cap and stood ramrod straight to return the salute.
"I will fulfill my duty."
"I will send a telegram to General Revil. Once the transfer orders arrive, you can set out."
"Good."
The two sat back down, and Stan Lee Hawkins began discussing exchange and learning programs between the two units with Yang Hui. Although he would be transferred soon, the Federal Army troops in the Australia Theater were still his subordinates. Even if he left, he wanted to secure more for them.
"No problem, Colonel Hawkins. You can select five battalions of men to enter our station for observation and learning. At the same time, every afternoon, various exchange activities can be held at your camp."
"No problem, I'll arrange it immediately. How about we start this afternoon?"
"That works."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"I won't see you out."
After Stan Lee Hawkins left, Yang Hui gathered everyone. The Twelfth Independent Technical Division had arrived as a bare-bones unit. Aside from the five front-line squads, they had no logistics department, maintenance squad, or guards; they were all using borrowed personnel from the Australia Theater.
"I've reached an agreement with Colonel Hawkins. Before Luna arrives, the Australia Theater will select five battalions to enter our station for observation and learning. You know what to do, right?"
"We know! Hehe!" Everyone chorused.
The group, lined up in formation, grinned mischievously. For observation and learning, one naturally had to join in to grasp the essence!
"Also, starting this afternoon, you will go to their station in batches for exchange and learning. Give those regular troops who weren't selected a few lessons."
"Report!" After waiting two or three seconds and seeing that Yang Hui hadn't continued, Ford Romfellow spoke up.
"Speak."
"What are we supposed to teach?" Ford Romfellow asked. Leading training was fine—they could just follow their own rules—but giving lessons... sorry, that was outside his area of expertise.
"Teach them how to stay alive on the battlefield. You can also teach them some of your special tricks. Just base it on their range of ability."
"Understood!"
"Dismissed. Discuss among yourselves who goes this afternoon."
After Yang Hui left, everyone crowded together. The four squad leaders and South Burning stepped forward to take Yang Hui's place. Yang Hui was indeed the leader of the 1st Squad, but he was also the commanding officer of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. He didn't need to be involved in such trivial discussions. South Burning was the Vice Captain, so he took over.
"Luna arrives the day after tomorrow. We have two afternoons. How about we split it down the middle?" South Burning suggested.
"Fine. The 1st Squad will split in half. My squad and Athrun's squad, plus half of your people, will go today."
"The remaining half, plus George and Gai's squads, will go tomorrow."
"What do you think... was the Colonel's purpose for agreeing to this exchange?" Gai Murakumo asked.
"What else could it be? Increasing the survival rate of allied units and improving their capabilities," Giorgio Miguel said with a shrug. Having followed Yang Hui for so long, he understood his style and habits well.
"There's one more thing," Athrun added. "That five-battalion observation group."
"Hehe, exactly." The five of them smiled at each other. This was classic Yang Hui style. "Keep your eyes sharp. If you find any good talent, report it immediately. The Colonel will handle the rest."
(End of Chapter)