It was still that same little tavern. The night remained deep and silent. It should have been filled with students, but there were only a few people present. The melodious, elegant music was accompanied only by the soft "clink" of wine glasses touching.
Creak~
The wooden door was pushed open, and Kinue Crossroad walked in cautiously. Having been in hiding, she had suddenly received a message from her superior who had disappeared a year ago, telling her to meet at the place where they first met. Having already developed the basic qualities of a secret agent, Kinue's first reaction was suspicion, and her second was surprise.
Initially, she thought it was a small trick to lure her out, but when she thought of Yang Hui, Wang Liu Mei, and the others who had vanished a year ago, she began to hope that they had truly returned. The situation of Celestial Being had been declining like a setting sun since their disappearance, and she was almost at the point where she couldn't hold on any longer. The return of Yang Hui and Wang Liu Mei was like a shot of adrenaline, reigniting her fighting spirit.
So she came, despite not having dispelled her suspicions.
However, the moment she saw Wang Liu Mei, Kinue felt at ease. Wang Liu Mei had indeed returned, but...
"Long time no see, Wang, it seems our companions have increased in number." Surveying the people in the other seats, Kinue did not sit down immediately.
She clearly remembered their last meeting; there were only four of them in the entire tavern: her, Wang Liu Mei, Yang Hui, and Wang Liu Mei's bodyguard, Hong Long. This sudden increase in people made her feel that something was amiss.
"Indeed, Ms. Crossroad. They are our newly found like-minded companions."
"Is that so?"
"Yes." Wang Liu Mei saw Kinue's suspicion and decided to give her a gift first to put her mind at ease. "Your brother is with us."
"Saji! You..." Kinue's pupils constricted. Although she was active all over the world as an agent for Celestial Being, she had not severed her normal interpersonal relationships and still kept in frequent contact with her brother, Saji Crossroad. However, just a week ago, Saji Crossroad had disappeared. She suspected he had been captured to be used as leverage against her, which was the primary reason her fighting spirit had wavered.
Now, with Wang Liu Mei mentioning Saji Crossroad right from the start, Kinue couldn't help but suspect it was a trap and question Wang Liu Mei's current status.
"Please don't misunderstand, Ms. Crossroad. Your brother was not captured by us. With a Level 2 Space Technician license, your brother was responsible for the daily maintenance of the outer walls of the colony, Proud. However, he didn't know that his closest colleague was actually a member of Katharon. When A-Laws arrested that colleague, your brother was arrested as an accomplice for speaking up for him. He was sent to work in a high-gravity industrial sector to clear meteorites that had recently blocked the sunlight-power satellites.
"However, now that the work is mostly finished, those laborers no longer have any utility. A-Laws used a large number of unmanned machines to conduct a 'cleanup' operation.
"Fortunately, before the cleanup was completed, Ms. Huang led the Gundam Meisters of Celestial Being to organize an intervention, rescuing your brother. He should be with Ms. Huang and the Gundam Meisters now; there's no need to worry about his safety."
"...Is there proof?" Kinue asked. Her years as an agent had taught her not to trust anyone, even a former superior who suddenly reappeared after a year. She wouldn't believe Wang Liu Mei based on words alone.
"Of course, Ms. Crossroad." Having said that, Wang Liu Mei took out her PAD. On it was a photo of Saji. He wasn't alone in the photo; Ms. Huang, Setsuna, and others were also in the shot.
Kinue knew of Ms. Huang and Setsuna. Although she was just an agent, she was one personally recruited by Yang Hui and Wang Liu Mei back then and had been granted basic clearance. She knew the members of Celestial Being's combat units, even if she didn't know their true identities.
Furthermore, Kinue was an agent and a journalist; she was very professional when it came to photo manipulation and could tell at a glance that the photo was genuine.
"Alright, it was my misunderstanding. I apologize, Wang."
"It's fine. I know the current situation of Celestial Being isn't good, but rest assured, we have returned. The reformation of the world will begin once more."
"...Is there going to be war again?" Kinue sighed and asked.
Over the past few years, she had traveled to countless places, and she knew the cruelty and pain brought by war all too well.
"Is there not a war going on right now?" Wang Liu Mei countered.
"...Fine. What do you need me to do?" Kinue didn't dwell on that meaningless question and instead asked for her assignment.
"These two people, you should recognize them."
Two photos were placed in front of Kinue, leaving her stunned. "Professor Rafael Eifman! Academician Wang Jianguo!"
"Yes. They are the Overseers of Celestial Being. After we left, they were placed under house arrest by the Federation's puppet government. Before we launch a full-scale offensive against the puppet government and A-Laws, we must rescue them. I need you to find their exact locations in the shortest time possible," Wang Liu Mei said seriously. Wang Liu Mei respected these two elders who had made great contributions to humanity. Under Yang Hui's influence, they had never compromised with the Innovators, which made them companions. Since they were companions, they had to be rescued.
Additionally, they were Yang Hui's teachers. Even without the previous two reasons, Wang Liu Mei would find a way to save them if they were in danger.
"I understand. But after you left, Celestial Being's intelligence network suffered a heavy blow. Many lines were cut. I can't guarantee a timeline."
"You don't need to worry about that. With our return, we've brought many reliable helpers. Someone is already working on rebuilding Celestial Being's intelligence network. It will be fully operational again soon."
"That helps a lot."
"By the way, for your safety, your previous bodyguards can't be used anymore. Gerald, Lena."
Upon being called, Gerald Spriggan and Lena Spriggan stood up and came to Wang Liu Mei's side, in front of Kinue.
"Gerald Spriggan, Lena Spriggan. From now on, they will be responsible for your safety."
"Spriggan?"
"We're husband and wife, not siblings," Gerald explained casually.
"Ah? Oh..." Kinue felt a bit awkward and nodded. She hadn't actually meant to ask that; she was just trying to recall the internal files of Celestial Being she had read, searching for information on the two of them.
Smack! Lena rolled her eyes at Gerald and slapped him on the back of the head. "Keep your personality in check!"
"Sorry, my mistake." Gerald, who had been a sunny young man just a moment ago, immediately looked as aggrieved as a small child, looking like he wanted to cry but didn't dare to.
This surprised Kinue, making her wonder... can these two really protect her?
"Hehehe." Wang Liu Mei covered her mouth and chuckled. Among the members of Prometheus Fortress, there were many couples and several married pairs, but Gerald and Lena were the most interesting. Despite Gerald's large stature, straightforward personality, and brave combat style, he was like a child in front of Lena, unable to hold his head up.
"Rest assured, Ms. Crossroad. Despite how Gerald looks, they are elites personally selected by Yang Hui. Their abilities are exceptional, and they are also ace Mobile Suit pilots."
"Yang Hui?" This was the first time Kinue had heard Yang Hui's real name, so she frowned in confusion.
"That would be Mr. Myer Stewart."
"I see..."
"The confidentiality agreement has been internally abolished. Yang Hui doesn't much like being called by other names."
"...Alright, I understand."
"By the way, your brother..."
"Just let him stay with Celestial Being." Kinue was very clear-headed. Regardless of whether Saji Crossroad was wrongly accused, he was already on A-Laws' blacklist. Even if he were sent back to Earth, he wouldn't be able to live a normal life until A-Laws was destroyed. Staying with Celestial Being was the safest option.
Even if he frequently encountered battle, it was better than leaving Celestial Being and risking being captured again at any moment. This time he was lucky to have been rescued by Celestial Being; there might not be anyone to save him next time.
"A wise decision."
"Um, Myer... Mr. Yang Hui has also returned?" Kinue asked.
"Yes. However, he has other tasks to perform and cannot come to meet you."
"That's fine. Knowing he's back puts my heart at ease." Kinue didn't have special feelings for Yang Hui; it was just that Yang Hui had always been the overall person in charge of Celestial Being's plan. Before he disappeared, all plans were arranged in an orderly fashion, including the final mutual destruction and scattered concealment, which truly allowed the Celestial Being forces to retreat safely.
After his departure, the Celestial Being organization had fragmented—contacts were cut, people fled, or defected. But with Yang Hui's return, those who were still holding on had a backbone again.
Wang Liu Mei smiled, also happy that the comrades of Celestial Being still regarded Yang Hui as their backbone and still trusted him.
After a few more minutes of casual small talk, Kinue left the tavern with Gerald and Lena. After Wang Liu Mei finished her glass of wine, she also left with Gai Murakumo, Cima, and Amuro.
"You should have sent me. I can sense the ill will of others," Amuro said. He was an NT, and an outstanding one among those who had currently awakened. In terms of NT perception, only Yang Hui's perception in the entire Prometheus Fortress exceeded his, with Lalah Sune being about equal to him.
"Gerald and Lena are X-Rounders and also users of Psychic Energy, Amuro."
"I know, but the abilities of an X-Rounder are more applied to combat. Their perception is quite a bit inferior."
"Hehe, they are your seniors, Amuro. Don't underestimate them."
"Uh... sorry." Amuro apologized. For a moment, he had indeed forgotten that this couple, Gerald and Lena, had been fighting alongside Yang Hui since the Gundam AGE World; their experience in all areas far exceeded his own.
"Yang Hui thinks highly of you, so don't let him down, Amuro." This was a warning. After Yang Hui's training, Amuro was much better than the conceited and unrestrained version of the original story, but this was his nature and could not be changed. He behaved well when Yang Hui was around, but when Yang Hui wasn't there, he became a bit difficult to manage.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Just remember that. It just so happens, Gai, Amuro, I have a task for you."
"What task?" the two asked in unison.
"Go to Ms. Halevy's side and protect her. At the same time, you will be her contact with me. Any communication between her and me must pass through you."
"Understood."
"Take your Mobile Suits with you. Ms. Halevy can handle the method of concealment."
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