"So there's such a backstory!"
Fram Nara found it hard to believe after hearing that Jehart had such a connection with Yang Hui.
Although Jehart didn't explain it clearly, Fram Nara could discern the key point: Jehart's current transformation was due to his interaction with Yang Hui. In fact, it seemed as if Yang Hui had intentionally guided Jehart onto this path.
This left Fram Nara somewhat puzzled. Logically, since Jehart was a VEGAN and Yang Hui's enemy, even if Yang Hui saw potential in him, he should have tried to turn him. If that failed, he should have eliminated him immediately. Why let him grow?
It was as if... he was deliberately nurturing him.
"Lord Jehart..."
"I know what you want to ask, Fram. I also can't understand why Mr. Yang Hui would do this, but I've never found an answer. Since I can't get an answer, I can only focus on the present. Perhaps... the answer will reveal itself once we achieve our ideals," Jehart said.
"Yes, I understand..."
Fram Nara nodded in acknowledgment. Although she hadn't fully accepted Jehart yet, she was now more curious about him, as well as Yang Hui and his intentions.
"Lord Jehart, what should we do now? Should we contact Zannald..."
"Order our fleet to slow down and let Zannald's fleet scout ahead for us," Jehart commanded.
"Understood."
They didn't enjoy scheming against their own kind or stirring up internal strife, but they weren't naive either. Zannald and his subordinates were not on the same path as them. Even if things were peaceful now, a life-and-death battle would inevitably break out later.
...
Meanwhile, at Lost Loran, the final defensive line had been deployed, ensuring that VEGAN forces could be trapped the moment they invaded. Now, they were conducting a final check for any oversights.
"Hmm..." Argreus looked over his deployment, feeling it was nearly perfect. But whether it was due to obsessive-compulsiveness or paranoia, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
"Summon the Vice Admiral and the Old Commander," Argreus ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Shortly after, Yang Hui and Flit arrived at the command center side by side.
"What's the matter?" Flit asked directly.
"Vice Admiral, Old Commander, you're here. I've completed the battle deployment, but I feel like something's missing. I was hoping you could take a look," Argreus respectfully requested.
"I've already retired. I'm just an ordinary man now, unqualified to advise you. Follow your own judgment."
With that, Flit turned and left without waiting for Argreus's response. However, as he turned, he secretly glanced at the strategic deployment—a gesture that Yang Hui noticed.
The old man was just being tsundere. Argreus was his proud protégé, and Flit had complete faith in his abilities. Moreover, after that worried glance, he found no issues, so he naturally said nothing.
Seeing this, Yang Hui shrugged at Argreus, offering no explanation for Flit's behavior. The master and disciple still shared a deep understanding.
However...
"Sigh, it's still a bit hot here at Lost Loran. I should find a chance to go play in the river."
To others, the words sounded like the playful antics of an old man with a youthful spirit, but to Argreus, it was entirely different.
"The Vice Admiral really..." Argreus was caught off guard by Yang Hui's jest and shook his head with a wry smile, but then a flash of insight struck him, freezing his movements and expression.
"The river! Playing in the water! Pull up the water flow map around Lost Loran, including the underground rivers!"
"Yes, sir."
Though everyone was clueless about what was happening, they complied without question.
The water flow map was overlaid on the holographic map, and Argreus was thrilled. He finally realized what he had overlooked.
"Notify the base's defense units to be on high alert here, here, and here."
"Yes, sir!"
The locations Argreus pointed out were all near the edges of the underground rivers, areas highly susceptible to enemy infiltration from the water.
"The Vice Admiral is truly remarkable, even considering places that are invisible to the eye. It's just a pity..."
Argreus felt a deep sense of regret because the Federal Army still lacked MS units specialized for underwater operations. Otherwise, they could have set up ambushes in the river, preventing VEGAN from even approaching the base.
...
Yang Hui's final words were not only understood by Argreus but also by Flit, who shot a displeased glance at Yang Hui, like a child who had lost a bet and refused to admit defeat.
"I say, old man, how old are you really?" Yang Hui smacked Flit on the back in exasperation and scolded.
"Hmph."
"You, I really don't know what you're trying to prove. Don't forget, I'm your older brother!"
"I just don't believe I can't surpass you."
"Believe it or not, your older brother will always be your older brother," Yang Hui said smugly.
"At least there's one thing you can't beat me at!"
"Is that so?"
"Of course! I already have grandchildren, and you have nothing!"Yang Hui: (▼皿▼#)
His fists clenched, he really wanted to hit someone."
Is it that I'm incapable?
Well, it's true. After joining Prometheus Fortress, his body underwent changes, making reproduction extremely difficult. Moreover, he didn't dare to have children now, as the responsibility was too great, and he had no time to care for them. Prometheus Fortress was still in its early stages, lacking the environment for a child's healthy growth.
Facing Yang Hui's expression of wanting to kill but being unable to, Flit burst into laughter.
"Flit, have you forgotten something?" Yang Hui asked with a dark expression.
"Wh...what?" Faced with the eerie and dangerous smile, Flit couldn't help but tremble and step back.
"You can't beat me."
"Wait..."
"No waiting!"
...
A day later, just as Argreus filled the last gap in the defense line deployment, the pristine sky was marred by flames. A large number of VEGAN forces, led by a blue flagship, broke through the atmosphere and descended from the sky, their target clearly Lost Loran.
"Hmph! Truly despicable Earthlings, all useless."
Seeing the simple defenses of Lost Loran and the panicked resistance of the garrison troops, it was as laughable as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
"Where is Jehart's fleet?" Zannald asked.
"Estimated to arrive at the battlefield in ten minutes."
"Hmph! A mere brat, daring to delay the battle plan, truly unfit for any important task... Forget it, with my fleet alone, we can conquer Lost Loran. Full force ahead! I will take Lost Loran before Jehart even joins the battle!"
"This..." The Adjutant hesitated. Lost Loran was the largest and most heavily fortified base of the Federal Army. With just their fleet... Even if they could take it, the losses would be devastating, leaving them unable to compete with Jehart's fleet.
"Are you disobeying my orders?"
Zannald's eyes flashed with a cold light, causing the Adjutant to tremble in fear. He was a tyrant who would not tolerate any dissent from his subordinates.
"I will relay the orders immediately."
The Adjutant quickly passed down the commands, but his mind was racing with thoughts.
"Zannald... It seems I need to prepare an escape route for myself..."
Zannald's fleet descended from Earth's orbit. Under his command, they formed no effective battle lines, nor did they detect any issues. They charged forward en masse, like a swarm of locusts, heading straight for Lost Loran.
The scattered defensive forces, faced with VEGAN's fierce assault, could only "frantically" retreat.
Seeing this, VEGAN's landing forces naturally pursued the retreating troops, chasing them relentlessly. Unbeknownst to them, they had already fallen into a deadly trap.
...
"Admiral, 73% of the enemy forces have entered the ambush zone!"
"Good! Notify all units, Operation Abyssal Maw begins now!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
"Hahaha! These Earthlings are truly useless!"
"Die! Give Eden back to us!"
"You don't deserve Earth! You..."
"Beep beep beep..."
Just as VEGAN forces were reveling in their triumph, alarm sirens suddenly blared. Before they could figure out what was happening, deadly beams from the rainforest pierced through them.
"Boom boom boom..."
Explosions erupted one after another, fireworks blooming in the sky. Federal MS units emerged like bamboo shoots after rain, appearing from directions they could never have anticipated. The radar screens were filled with red markers, tightly encircling them.
"How is this possible!?"
"Where did these Earthlings come from?"
"Damn it, we're surrounded..."
"It's a trap... Ah~!"
...
VEGAN's fierce offensive was abruptly cut short. The overwhelming tide of their forces seemed to crash against an invisible wall, their momentum halted, and instead, they began to crumble.
"Treacherous Earthlings! Where did so many enemies come from?" Zannald growled viciously.
"I don't know, they appeared out of nowhere!"
"Lord Zannald..."
"Send in the reserve forces immediately! Frontline units, retreat slowly and reorganize the battle lines!"
"Yes, sir!"
With commands and leadership, VEGAN was no longer a headless fly. They quickly stabilized their position within the encirclement, fighting while retreating, and if possible, covering their comrades. Scattered MS units did their best to regroup with the main force, forming a defensive line.
Although the surprise attack had turned into a skirmish, losing the advantage of the first strike, they managed to hold their ground and prevent a complete collapse.
However... That was how it should have been, but they could never have imagined that the death trap set for them was far from over.
"Gerard, Rena, it's our turn to step onto the stage."
"Understood, we've been waiting for this!"
"Roger that, Captain. But this time, you can't charge ahead so recklessly."
"Uh... I know! Gundam AGE-2, Barrett Hunter, launching!"
"G-Titan, Sky-Soaring Type, launching!" x2
...
The [Celestial Being] squadron made their entrance, slicing through the newly established frontlines like a hot knife through butter.
Even without Yang Hui and the other two, the [Celestial Being] squadron remained the benchmark for the Earth Federal
Army. The already resolute Federal troops, upon seeing the [Celestial Being] squadron's arrival, had their morale ignite like a spark falling into dry tinder. The impending disaster was ready to erupt, and the wildfire of their determination consumed the confidence that VEGAN had painstakingly built.
(End of Chapter)