Chapter 230: Become an Aerial Deployment Unit!
"Are we really just going to sit here?!"
On the bridge of the White Base in low Earth orbit, Amuro glared angrily at Captain Otto.
"No… if it's just a loss of communication, I don't think it's at the point where we need to take action."
Otto, fully suited in standard issue gear, was quietly relieved he'd put on his helmet—at least it would spare him a punch from the furious ace pilot standing in front of him.
"I understand your concern, Captain. But Captain Eli went to Jaburo—our Federation headquarters. I doubt anything dangerous would happen there."
As he spoke, Otto turned to glance at the crew members behind Amuro, hoping for some support.
However, most of them remained seated, their gazes fixed ahead with carefully blank expressions, clearly unwilling to get involved.
I should've never fully inherited my predecessor's bridge crew.
Sure, avoiding the need for crew integration was a plus. But in situations like this, it meant no one was likely to back him up.
Leaning against the backrest of the captain's chair, Otto wished he could just shut the viewshield and avoid facing this mess.
Even though Amuro still held the rank of captain, no one dared to underestimate him.
"If something really is happening, it'll be too late to act! You're the captain of the Argama, for crying out loud—why are you being such a coward?!"
No, you're just being too impulsive.
Otto retorted silently in his head.
Having always served in other fleets, Otto had never encountered such a bizarre military atmosphere.
Captain Eli was a strict enforcer of discipline, and his subordinates consciously followed regulations—one could argue this army alone had already bested 70% of the Federation's forces.
And yet, in this same army, Amuro's repeated breaches of protocol were oddly tolerated.
Otto couldn't make sense of it.
"Wait—multiple ship signals detected!"
Just as the tension between Amuro and Otto reached its peak, a CIC officer's shout broke the deadlock.
"Are those ships heading to Lunar Base Two? The orbital patrol fleet isn't supposed to be in this zone, right?"
Even as he was inwardly grumbling about the strange culture of the Argama crew, Otto instantly shifted into combat mode. With his intimate familiarity with daily sector maps, he immediately sensed that something was off about the incoming fleet.
The White Chaser was supposed to be the only active Federation warship in this region of space.
And the remnants of Zeon no longer had the strength to assemble a fleet of this scale.
Furthermore, any major fleet deployment should've been announced to all nearby units.
The only recent large-scale movement had been the escort fleet for the new Jupitris-class ship headed to Lunar Base Two.
"ID match complete—they're Titans!"
"What?!"
Otto leapt from his captain's chair, staring at the radar displaying over twenty ships. A sinking feeling gnawed at his gut.
There was no doubt—the Titans' actions were utterly beyond what the Federation would ever permit.
Even the Federation Council, which supported them behind the scenes, would never condone this.
"Incoming transmission!"
The CIC officer immediately followed up with an update on enemy movements.
"Surrender. Judging by your faces, you still don't know your commanding officer's already been arrested, huh?"
The moment the transmission connected, an irritating voice rang out.
Otto narrowed his eyes but restrained the urge to snap back, managing to salute stiffly.
"General Bask."
Identifying some generals required cross-checking with memory.
But this one was unmistakable—the man's signature bizarre eyewear made him instantly recognizable.
"Heh. At least you know your place. In that case, why not join my command?"
Though his eyes were obscured, the mockery and disdain in Bask's tone were impossible to miss.
"Respectfully, sir…"
"Please explain in detail—what do you mean the commander's been arrested?!"
Just as Otto was frantically trying to figure out a way to get the ship and crew out safely, another voice cut in.
Amuro was glaring furiously at the screen.
Right… I'd forgotten about him.
Bask squinted slightly—though, without visible eyebrows or lashes, all others saw was the faintest twitch of skin.
Seeing a mere captain address him in that interrogative tone instantly sparked his annoyance.
So what if he was a Federation hero? If Amuro were a lieutenant colonel, Bask would still treat him the same.
This was the Titans. Shoot first, report later. With parliamentary approval...
And soon, they wouldn't even need that.
"It means exactly what it sounds like. No more discussion—either surrender now or—"
"We're retreating immediately!"
Before Bask could finish, Otto cut in loudly with a clear choice.
"—or be shot down where you stand."
Bask completed his sentence with sadistic delight.
"Wha—?!"
"High-energy signature incoming—enemy has opened fire!"
"Evasive maneuvers! Maximum Minovsky particle dispersion!"
The White Chaser immediately shifted course, narrowly dodging the incoming beam shot.
At the same time, the ship began to flood the area with Minovsky particles, entering full battle readiness.
Otto might be cautious and reluctant—but he wasn't an idiot.
The enemy had opened fire without hesitation. Any hope of negotiating their way out had never existed.
In that case, it was better to cut comms and reduce the risk of taking damage.
"Change course, set heading to Side 1—"
"No! We can't turn away—Captain Eli is still on Earth!"
Amuro immediately opposed Otto's command.
"There's no way we can defeat the Titans on our own!"
"And no way we can escape either! They've got over twenty warships!"
Amuro's argument had merit. Otto gritted his teeth and decided to hear what the Federation hero had to say.
"We descend to Earth! Their ships don't have Minovsky flight systems—once we land, they can't pursue!"
Amuro's eyes burned with determination.
What lay before him was a situation both similar and utterly different from that of UC 0079.
"Besides, this way—we can rescue Eli!"
"What are you saying?! We're not an airborne transport unit!"
Otto had been nodding along when Amuro mentioned fleeing to Earth.
But that next line made his whole body jolt.
ZNNN!
A beam grazed the side of the bridge, prompting a chorus of gasps from the crew.
Otto clenched his jaw, sat back down in his chair, and his gaze turned sharper than ever before.
"White Chaser, initiate descent protocol! Destination: Jaburo!"