Although John Kowen's strategic command ability wasn't particularly outstanding, he was a high-ranking general after all, so it was impossible for him to lack basic strategic vision. Upon learning that the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was going to attack Phoenix Fortress, he ordered the conventional forces to move north to recover lost territory while remaining ready to support the Twelfth Independent Technical Division at any moment.
Thus, not long after the battle at Phoenix Fortress ended, the conventional forces arrived at the... ruins of Phoenix Fortress?
"...Is there even a point in taking this over?" Seeing the tragic state of Phoenix Fortress, the conventional forces responsible for its occupation voiced the same doubt as Amuro.
"Just patch it up; it'll last another three years." Yang Hui patted the shoulder of the field commander and turned to leave.
"..."
The crowd stared with dead fish eyes, watching Yang Hui lead his people away at an increasing speed. They felt a surge of frustration in their hearts, wanting to vent but not daring to.
It wasn't until the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had completely left that they exploded: "What the hell!? It's rotten to this extent—is there really a point in taking it over!?"
"Tearing it down and rebuilding it wouldn't cost much more, would it?"
"Is it always this brutal? The left side looks like it was hacked by a giant blade; it's been completely leveled!"
"The scouts who went inside are back. No survivors, no prisoners, and very few corpses."
"How can there be almost no corpses?"
"There's a skylight opened in the ceiling with signs of melting. It was likely pierced from top to bottom by the Kirin-class main cannon."
"Hiss~! Isn't that too brutal? The Kirin-class main cannon can blast right through a Colony's outer wall! And both ships fired at once!?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. They were enemies, but I'll offer them a moment of silence."
"Yeah... I'll pity them for three seconds."
Naturally, this situation was reported to John Kowen. When he heard the news and saw the transmitted photos and video records, the corners of his mouth and eyes twitched incessantly. There was only more brutal, never the most brutal.
However, John Kowen did not blame Yang Hui. This fortress was originally an optional presence. If it were well-preserved, they would repair and use it; if it were truly beyond repair, abandoning it didn't matter. In any case, once the war ended, the North America Theater wouldn't need so many military fortresses. As a peacetime tourist attraction, one was enough.
"What is your next mission?" John Kowen asked Yang Hui.
"On standby in the rear."
"Standby? Hmm..." John Kowen was stunned for a moment, but he quickly understood Yang Hui's meaning.
The southern territories of the North America Theater had been fully reclaimed. As for the remaining areas, to the northwest lay California Base—a tough nut to crack and the primary objective of the North America Theater. It was best to wait for the new Commander-in-Chief to arrive before formulating an attack plan.
To the northeast were bases like NY and DC, which held more symbolic than practical significance. These bases had been repaired after being crippled by the Twelfth Independent Technical Division last time, but Major General Som, the Commander-in-Chief of the Principality of Zeon in the North America Theater, seemed to have abandoned the northeast. The garrison forces were very small, and their greatest purpose was to protect Karma Zabi, who had been stationed in NY.
Now, Karma Zabi had been taken to Odessa for protection by Mark Be. This meant places like NY and DC were essentially empty shells that conventional forces could easily take, requiring no action from the Twelfth Independent Technical Division.
Yang Hui was stepping back, yielding these achievements to the conventional forces.
"...I understand. I will order the conventional forces to advance steadily. If they encounter any difficulties, I'll trouble you to step in."
"No problem."
The tone of the war in the North America Theater was thus established. On one hand, a large army was sent toward California Base, but they would not rush to attack; this choice morsel would be left for the new Commander-in-Chief to handle. Meanwhile, a portion of the conventional forces was ordered to advance steadily in the northeast to recover lost ground.
The ace Twelfth Independent Technical Division remained on standby in the rear. They would step in when there were difficulties to reduce friendly casualties; when there were no difficulties, they would rest in the rear. Once Stan Lee Hawkins took over John Kowen's duties, they would launch the general offensive on California Base.
"Are we really not participating?" Natarle Badgiruel asked Yang Hui after some exercise.
"We have to leave some soup for the others."
"Hmm... but from what I know, although the northeast is an empty shell, it doesn't mean it will be easy to take. Som hasn't completely abandoned the northeast. Although no large units are stationed there, he has placed several elite squads in the area to conduct guerrilla warfare."
"Worried the conventional forces will suffer too many casualties?"
"Just avoiding unnecessary losses."
"It's good for them to run into some trouble, otherwise we'll pamper them into giant infants."
"I understand."
No matter how powerful the Twelfth Independent Technical Division was, it was only one unit—a speck of dust in the entire whirlpool of war. It was unrealistic to rely solely on the Twelfth Independent Technical Division to end the war.
The true mainstay of war was never a few ace or elite units, but the large conventional forces.
They weren't required to be incredibly powerful, but they at least needed basic combat capabilities to maintain the stability of the front lines.
Just like this time, letting them face the guerrilla warfare of the Principality of Zeon's elite squads was necessary. On the main battlefield, they might encounter breakthroughs by elite units or aces; even when guarding bases daily, they might face raids by elite squads. They would always face such situations.
Therefore, Yang Hui let them face it themselves. Any losses were none of his concern. Besides, war naturally involved casualties. How was an army of iron forged? It was forged through the intertwining of blood and tears.
...
Two days later, the shuttle carrying Stan Lee Hawkins landed, and he conducted the handover of duties with John Kowen.
"I can see you've been quite idle these past few days."
Stan Lee Hawkins arrived at the Twelfth Independent Technical Division's camp and saw Yang Hui lying leisurely on a lounge chair soaking up the sun. The others were training or working as they should, but they all radiated an inexhaustible energy; the entire camp was filled with an air of restlessness.
"If we did everything, what would we need you for?"
"Fair enough. Now, it's time for you to move."
"Let's go."
Hawkins' arrival meant that the conflict in the North America Theater should be brought to a close. Yang Hui ended his leisurely sunbathing and went to the command center with Hawkins to formulate the operational plan with the staff officers.
"My thoughts are as follows..." Although Hawkins had just arrived in the North America Theater today and had just taken over command from John Kowen, it didn't mean he hadn't done his homework. He had studied the general situation of the North America Theater on the shuttle and already had his own ideas for the operational plan for the North America Theater and California Base.
After hearing Hawkins' thoughts, everyone began to simulate the plan in their minds. The staff officers marveled that he was indeed the new Commander-in-Chief personally reassigned by Revil; he could produce a solid operational plan immediately upon taking office, making it difficult for them to offer effective suggestions.
Yang Hui, however, discovered areas that could be optimized.
"My unit will also split into three routes."
"Sea, Land, and Air?" Hawkins guessed Yang Hui's thoughts.
"Exactly." While explaining his ideas, Yang Hui zoomed in on California Base on the tactical map, highlighting the coastal ports and submarine bases. "California Base is the Principality of Zeon's largest base on Earth, and it is also the home base of their strongest force on Earth—the submarine units. One can imagine their power in the water.
"Furthermore, Som has arranged California Base's defensive perimeter perfectly; there are no exploitable loopholes. Therefore... we can only attack by force."
"...So, you're saying you want to be the vanguard this time?"
"Yes." Yang Hui nodded.
"But won't you be too spread out? After all, your numbers are limited."
"My plan is for Units 2 through 5 to launch an attack from the ground. Whether it's Russ' Super Mega Cannon or George's Super Electromagnetic Cannon, they can perform long-range fire strikes to eliminate a portion of the enemy forces in advance and tear a hole in their defensive perimeter.
"Then, the air will be struck by the Luna and the White Base, with Units 6 through 10 providing escort and pinning down the enemy's air forces. This will expand the chaos while buying time for the aerial strike force..."
"Wait! I remember the Twelfth Independent Technical Division only has 10 units. If nine units are responsible for land and air, what about the water?"
"I will personally lead Unit 1 to pin down the submarine units..."
"That's too dangerous. There are only nine of you. I'll send three more brigades to go with you..."
"No. Unit 1 will tear a hole in the submarine unit's underwater defense line. When the conventional Underwater Units find an opportunity, they should break through the line and conduct landing operations. Don't worry about us."
"At least let the submarines..."
"No need." Yang Hui interrupted Hawkins, rebutting seriously, "The Federation's submarines pose no threat to Zeon's submarine units; they would even hold us back. So, once the underwater MS units have all deployed, have the submarines retreat immediately."
"...How certain are you?" Hawkins asked.
"One hundred percent."
"...I leave it to you." Hawkins saw absolute confidence in Yang Hui's eyes, as well as absolute trust in his subordinates; it was not a conceited statement made just to complete a mission.
"Leave it to us."
Having confirmed his mission, Yang Hui turned and left the command center under the respectful gazes of everyone present.
Aces were the treasures of every unit, handled with extreme care. The Twelfth Independent Technical Division was the treasure of the entire Federal Army; while everyone expected them to produce more miracles, they also feared they would suffer heavy losses.
In this battle, the Ace Unit, which should have been the core force, took on the responsibilities of a feint and bait. They voluntarily yielded the role of the protagonist, risking their lives to open the path forward for the conventional forces.
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