Now that Char could form an independent unit, he naturally couldn't use a Musai-class warship as its flagship anymore. After all, wasn't the flagship of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division the state-of-the-art Qilin-class?
The appearance of the Qilin-class didn't stop Zeon from developing and constructing new space warships. Just recently, a prototype of the three newest large-scale space carriers, the Dolos-class, was launched. Because its test results were excellent, Gihren Zabi changed his personal flagship to this Dolos-class, leaving his original Gwazine-class vacant. Dozle Zabi shamelessly asked for it and handed it over to Char.
As for MS... they were the space variant of the Dom—the Rick Dom. This was currently Zeon's best MS, so Char had to make do with it for now, with the promise that they would be requisitioned better MS when they became available.
To hone the combat capabilities of this ace squad, Dozle Zabi assigned them many dangerous missions. However, Char and his team completed them all with outstanding results. Several of the space fleets led by Jin Koneman were crippled by them, proving their value to Gihren Zabi and earning Dozle Zabi a great deal of prestige.
And now, Char's Ghost Corps had just annihilated an entire organized Federation Space Fleet in the L5 sector and was returning to the Fortress of Solomon.
"That was another dangerous battle, Captain Ramius. Thanks to your support, we would have been in trouble otherwise," Char said on the bridge, thanking Murrue.
"Not at all, Lieutenant Colonel Char, you flatter me. You would have successfully completed the mission even without us," Murrue replied politely.
"Heh heh."
Char chuckled lightly and glanced around at the bridge crew. All of them had been prepared for him by Yang Hui, including the legendary captain Murrue and the super-helmsman Arnold Neumann. The original members of the Cyclops Team, like Hardie Steiner, had also joined Char's unit and the Zeon Army.
It was worth mentioning that with Yang Hui's appearance, the Cyclops Team shouldn't have existed. But Char had somehow found Bernard Guzman, the man who beheaded a Gundam with a Thermal Blade, and brought him into the Ghost Corps. He even had him form a squad with Hardie Steiner and the others, naming it the Cyclops Team.
One could only say that fate worked in mysterious ways.
During their first mission, Char was stunned by the performance of Murrue and the others. Needless to say, Hardie Steiner and his group were exceptional. It was a case of "maintaining an army for a thousand days to use it for an hour." None of the elites Char had handpicked from Dozle Zabi's command could match their performance; they even saved others' lives during the battle.
Then there was Murrue. Her outstanding command of the warship incorporated her own unique style into conventional, by-the-book tactics, making her less rigid and far more flexible and mobile.
There was one other person who shocked Char the most: the god-tier helmsman, Arnold Neumann. In Char's memory, no helmsman could compare to him; it was impossible to even catch up.
Because Arnold Neumann had shown Char with his own actions that a warship could be flown like a fighter jet.
And then there was Kira... Needless to say, Char knew he was a monster ever since their time at the secret base in Granada. On his first sortie piloting a Rick Dom, he single-handedly sank nine Salamis-class and two Magellan-class warships.
However, Kira had a habit that gave Char a major headache and baffled his teammates. Kira disliked killing people. Even when sinking warships, he would only destroy vital parts like the engines and gun turrets, never wiping them out completely. This was also why Kira had never shot down a single Swordfish fighter.
Although it was perplexing, no one disliked Kira. No, it was more like it was impossible to dislike Kira. Outside of battle, Kira got along with everyone. His gentleness and kindness were recognized and accepted by all. In fact, several people who had survived such a dangerous mission for the first time were guided out of the shadow of life and death by Kira's comfort and counsel.
"Captain, we are about to reach the Solomon sector."
"Send a docking request to Lieutenant General Dozle."
"Understood."
"I'll be leaving then. I'll leave this to you, Captain Ramius."
"Understood."
Char left the bridge. As he passed the mess hall, he heard his subordinates talking and stopped in his tracks.
"Kira, have you ever kept track of how many times I owe you my life?" The voice belonged to Johnny Ridden, nicknamed the "Crimson Lightning."
"That... why would I keep track of something like that?" Kira replied awkwardly. He would never keep a record of such things. In his view, saving people required no reason, especially when they were his comrades.
"Sigh, you... you should at least take it a little seriously. I don't even know how to repay you."
"Hahaha, forget it, Johnny. That's just how Kira is." The hearty laughter belonged to Breniss Augus, one of the first Zeon MS training corps instructors, under whom Char had learned to pilot an MS.
"I don't know how His Highness found a monster like you. It's terrifying," said the tough-looking black man, Gureniss Eiscout.
"Yeah, looking at you, I always get the feeling that I'm getting old," Breniss Augus said, shaking his head.
"Hey! Augus, is it appropriate to talk about age in front of me?" Hardie Steiner joked.
"Er, of course I can't compare to you. I just feel like I'm getting old. You are old."
"Pfft—Hahaha, Boss, you're old. It's time for you to retire," Gabriel Garcia teased.
"Hmm?"
"Ahem, I didn't say anything."
"Hahahaha, Kabu chickened out again!"
"Chickened out again! Chickened out again!"
"Kabu, be a man! Didn't you always want to take out Uncle Hardie and become the boss?"
"And Kira! Kabu always said he wanted to take out Kira!"
"Is that even possible in this lifetime?"
"Of course not."
"Hahahaha..."
...
Listening to their cheerful laughter, the corner of Char's mouth curled up. He quietly walked past the doorway without disturbing them. Everyone on this ship supported his ideals and were like-minded individuals willing to rally and fight under the Deikun banner once more, so they all knew his identity.
On this ship, he was Casval Rem Deikun. To most of the people inside, he was their superior and the object of their loyalty. If he were present, they wouldn't be able to speak as freely as they were now.
Returning to his room, Lalah Sune was already waiting for him, sitting gracefully on a chair and looking at him.
"Welcome back, Lieutenant Colonel."
"I'm back. How did you feel participating in a battle for the first time?"
Lalah Sune had also participated in this battle. She had said that since she possessed this power, she should use it to repay Char, not waste it while enjoying his care.
"Not great." For a rare moment, Lalah Sune showed a girlish side, pouting as she complained, "The Lieutenant Colonel assigned me to the support unit. I didn't even encounter the enemy."
"Haha." Char laughed happily, taking off his mask to take a shower. Although everyone on the ship knew his identity, he was still accustomed to wearing the mask to avoid leaving any openings and to eliminate any possibility of exposure.
After a comfortable shower, Lalah Sune was already kneeling at the head of the bed. As if it were a daily routine, Char lay down directly on Lalah Sune's lap.
"The Lieutenant Colonel seems more and more spirited."
"It's probably because... I feel more at ease?"
"Yes."
"Heh heh, that bastard Yang Hui, he was right about everything."
"Hehehe, the Lieutenant Colonel and Mr. Yang Hui have such a good relationship."
"Not at all. I want to kill him more and more."
"Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Er... alright, I can't lie in front of you."
"Hehehe, Lieutenant Colonel, you didn't keep your promise again today."
"Er... a pilot suit, what's the use of wearing one? If you get hit, you'll die with or without it..."
"But you won't get yourself killed inside the cockpit. That's what Mr. Yang Hui said."
"..."
"Lieutenant Colonel?"
"Alright, I know. I'll wear my pilot suit next time."
"Mhm."
Just as Char was about to close his eyes and sleep for a while, the comm chimed again.
"Beep beep beep..."
"Captain Ramius, go ahead."
"This ship has received docking permission from the Fortress of Solomon. Lieutenant General Dozle orders you to see him immediately upon arrival at Solomon."
"I understand."
After ending the communication, Char reluctantly got up from Lalah Sune's lap and changed into a clean military uniform. Like a gentle mother, Lalah Sune helped Char straighten his attire (highlight this, it's on the test!).
"It's quite tough, isn't it, Major."
"It's alright, but it's almost over."
"Hehehe, Mr. Yang Hui said..."
"Why is it him again? When did you two get so close?" Char asked, a headache coming on.
"I'm not close with Mr. Yang Hui," Lalah Sune said with a smile. "I was just chatting with Captain Ramius."
"..." Fine. Char had nothing to say about Lalah Sune and Murrue getting along. Whether in battle or in daily life, Murrue maintained the aura of a mature older sister, strict yet gentle, gentle yet strict. For a young girl like Lalah Sune, she was an object of admiration and a role model.
"Alright, what did that bastard say this time?" Although Char was always stubborn, expressing strong opinions about Yang Hui both publicly and privately, Lalah Sune knew very well that Char already considered Yang Hui a dear friend and would seriously consider every word Yang Hui said.
"He who wears the crown must bear its weight."
"...Heh, only he could say such a grand, chuuni line." Hearing this, Char fell silent for a second or two, then shook his head and chuckled.
But that didn't mean he disagreed with the statement. Once he restored the Zeon Republic and led Zeon back to the path it was supposed to walk, the mission and responsibility he would have to bear would be even heavier.
After tidying his uniform, Char led Lalah Sune to the bridge. It was just in time for the warship's docking.
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