Yang Hui roared at the new recruits who were jogging sluggishly, startling them into a shiver. Why was this devil back again!? They quickly sped up their pace.
"Hmph, a bunch of cowards. They won't get moving unless they're scolded," Yang Hui cursed. This was an assessment, not regular training. Who were they trying to fool by slacking off? How could they achieve good results without pushing themselves to their limits? And how could Yang Hui design appropriate training plans for them without seeing their full potential?
"Travis, keep an eye on them. You know what to do if anyone's still slacking off."
"Understood."
Then, Yang Hui headed to the Simulation Training Room, where he found everyone inside the simulation training pods. Since the new recruits were still in the basic training phase, Jung and the other six veterans had all stepped in to provide hands-on instruction, accelerating their learning process.
"Want to give it a try?" Yang Hui asked Amuro.
"Huh? Me?"
"Who else?"
"Can I?" Amuro asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Any empty pod is available." Now that Amuro was under his wing, Yang Hui naturally wouldn't let his talent go to waste. It would be a shame to train him solely as a technician, like Tim Ray had planned.
The title of the Federation's strongest pilot wasn't just empty praise. During the One Year War, Amuro was the only pure rookie to pilot a Gundam into battle, achieving 142 MS kills and 9 warship kills, ranking second on the Kill Score Ranking. He was only seven MS kills behind Jung, the top scorer, but had six more warship kills!
Moreover, there was one crucial point: after Amuro made his debut, just look at the opponents he faced. How many of them were elite aces?
While some might attribute his success to being the director's or writer's favorite, his achievements were real, proving that Amuro had the potential.
So, Yang Hui planned to personally train Amuro, molding him into a super ace even more formidable than in the original storyline.
Due to Tim Ray's influence, Amuro harbored both aversion and fear toward MS. Yet, he was also a bundle of contradictions. As a boy, it was impossible for him not to be fascinated by humanoid weapons like MS. Hesitant but excited, he walked over to an empty simulation pod, paused for a moment, and finally mustered the courage to climb inside.
"Major, you intend to let Amuro..." Tim Ray grew concerned when he saw Yang Hui allowing Amuro to participate in the simulation training. He had brought Amuro to the Twelfth Independent Technical Division to toughen him up and to keep an eye on him.
But that didn't mean he agreed with Amuro joining the frontline MS units. Just look at the missions the Twelfth Independent Technical Division undertook—guerrilla warfare, support, behind-enemy-lines assaults... all among the most difficult and dangerous tasks. There had been no casualties on the Middle Eastern front, but what about the future? Who could guarantee anything?
"He has the potential."
"But he's still a child!"
"That's why we start from childhood," Yang Hui explained. "Don't worry, Tim. I know what you're concerned about. I won't let him pilot an MS into battle anytime soon."
"...Alright, I understand."
"How are things with the new equipment?" Yang Hui asked Tim Ray while observing everyone's simulation training. He hadn't forgotten that Tim Ray hadn't come down to Earth empty-handed.
"The maintenance department has already started installing it. Testing should begin soon."
"Go and get ready."
"Understood."
After Tim Ray left, Yang Hui connected to the simulation pods of Jung and Kajima Yuu, instructing them to pause their training and join him for the testing of the Aerial Combat Pack and Aquatic Specialized Backpack.
However, once Jung and Kajima Yuu stopped their training, the others also emerged from their simulation pods. Ford Romfellow and the rest expressed their desire to observe the testing as well, since these were the equipment they would be using in the future, and they wanted to see what they looked like as soon as possible.
As for the newcomers, aside from South Burning and Cima Garahau, they all looked at Yang Hui with eager eyes. They had never seen the Federation's MS in reality before. Were they exactly the same as the Mobile Suits in the simulation training, or were they even more powerful and impressive?
"Everyone, come along." In the end, Yang Hui decided to let everyone join, including those still undergoing assessment. "Blog, inform Travis that the assessment is temporarily suspended. All personnel are to assemble in the First Hangar."
"Understood."
The group arrived at the First Hangar. This time, the newcomers who had joined them learned their lesson and refrained from speaking out of turn. Instead, they stood in neat, orderly rows, waiting for Yang Hui to address them.
"First of all, congratulations on officially joining the Twelfth Independent Technical Division."
"Yes, Major!" XN
"Good. This is the spirit soldiers should have." The unified, resounding response, though tinged with exhaustion, was accompanied by bright eyes, upright postures, and a firm demeanor—this was the kind of attitude Yang Hui approved of.
"I know why you're excited. It boils down to two reasons: first, my unit is currently the only one in the Federation equipped with MS; second, serving in my unit offers ample opportunities to earn merits. I can confirm that both of these points are correct. It will take some time for the Federation's MS units to become fully combat-ready, and during this period, to avoid unnecessary casualties from rushing into action, only my unit is designated as an MS combat force. Moreover, following me will bring you countless opportunities to distinguish yourselves."
This explanation made all the newcomers, except for South Burning and Cima Garahau, light up with excitement. A soldier who doesn't aspire to become a general isn't a good soldier—who wouldn't want to earn merits and rise through the ranks?
"But!" After offering the carrot, it was time for the stick. "At the same time, I have some bad news for you. Since the Twelfth Independent Technical Division is currently the Federation's only MS combat unit, our missions will undoubtedly be the most difficult and dangerous in the entire military. To ensure you survive in the harshest of environments, I will subject you to a series of grueling training regimens. In one month, we will be deployed to the battlefield, where we may face enemies outnumbering us by several times or even dozens of times, or find ourselves hunted down by Zeon behind enemy lines... Are you afraid!?"
"No!" XN
The response was loud, but there was a slight tremor in their voices. Yang Hui didn't call them out on it—everyone fears death, but they still gave him a resolute answer, and that was enough.
"Good! That's more like it. Do you want to see MS in combat? I mean real combat, not the electronic data from simulation battles."
"Yes!" XN
"Let me introduce everyone to the head of the MS Development Department for the Twelfth Independent Technical Division. He oversees all MS development projects and, though he holds no military rank, he is second only to me in authority. Remember that!"
"Salute!" XN
"At ease, Director Rey. How much longer until the flight pack and aquatic specialized backpack adjustments are complete?"
"Thirty minutes."
"You now have twenty minutes to pack your belongings. Assemble here in twenty minutes, dismissed!"
The newcomers dispersed with mixed feelings—some anticipating a bright future, others worried about the hardships ahead.
"Hoho, as expected of you, Major Yang Hui. You've tamed these newcomers so easily." At that moment, Revil and Gopp, who had been hiding nearby, approached.
"General Revil, General Gopp." Yang Hui, along with Tim Ray and the others, saluted the two. This wasn't a private setting; the formalities had to be observed.
"At ease, Major Yang Hui. I heard Director Rey brought something interesting down from Luna II?"
"Yes, the MS universal flight pack and aquatic specialized backpack. Simulation tests are complete, and all data fall within acceptable parameters. Live testing will commence in thirty minutes."
"Good, go prepare. We'll be watching."
"Yes, sir!"
For the new equipment testing of the Astray Gundam, Revil and Gopp, who were most concerned with MS development progress, were sure to attend. Moreover, this test involved two critical pieces of equipment: the aerial combat pack and the aquatic specialized backpack, making it all the more important for them to observe.
Earth's air superiority currently remained in Earth's hands, but Zeon had developed a transport capable of carrying MS, making MS flight a possibility and putting the Federation's air superiority in jeopardy.
The arrival of the aerial combat pack was like timely aid, once again making the Federation's air superiority unshakable.
Similarly, the aquatic specialized backpack was a godsend. Zeon had already deployed aquatic mobile suits—the MSM-03 Gogg developed by Zimmad Company and the MSM-04 Acguy developed by Zeonic Company. In Yang Hui's eyes, both were garbage, and their numbers were limited, yet they had left the Federation's newly rebuilt naval forces in disarray. The painstakingly reestablished maritime defenses were torn apart almost instantly, and the Federation had no effective countermeasures.
Twenty minutes later, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division assembled. This time, no one was late or noisy. Everyone stood neatly in formation, awaiting Yang Hui's orders.
"Next, you will observe the live testing of the new equipment. Stay sharp! Including General Revil and General Gopp, high-ranking Federation officers will be attending this test. Don't embarrass me!"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused.
The newcomers hadn't expected that on their very first day with the unit, they would receive two pleasant surprises: the chance to witness live testing of new equipment and the opportunity to meet high-ranking Federation officers. This was a great chance to make an impression in front of senior officials! The highest rank among them was a captain, still a junior officer with no prior contact with high-ranking commanders.
Marching in orderly steps to the testing grounds, the formation took their places in the designated area. Meanwhile, in the command room on the other side, Revil and Gopp, accompanied by other Federation officers, were ready. Tim Ray was also there, tasked with monitoring the test progress and providing explanations to the generals.
"This test is divided into two parts. Major Yang Hui will lead Lieutenant Jung and Second Lieutenant Kashima in testing the Aerial Combat Pack, while Lieutenant Kakuland, Sergeant Miguel, and Sergeant Reibai will test the Aquatic Specialized Backpack. Both tests consist of two phases: basic testing and a combat exercise."
"Oh? There's also a combat exercise planned?" Revil asked in surprise.
"Yes, General Revil. The major said that no amount of testing can compare to actual combat. Whether equipment and weapons are qualified must be tested in real combat."
"Hmm, well said." Revil praised, agreeing with Yang Hui's perspective and looking forward to the upcoming tests. This was a good opportunity to observe Yang Hui firsthand. "Are you ready?"
"Everything is prepared."
"Begin."
"Yes, the test begins!"
(End of Chapter)