Three days later, Yang Hui took his Mobile Suit and departed for the territory of the Principality of Zeon aboard the Gwadan. A total of fifteen full-strength fleets of the Federal Army were deployed, advancing toward A Baoa Qu. The Commander-in-Chief was Lieutenant General Douglas Bader.
Douglas Bader, known by the title "Fighting General," was a spirited veteran. In the original history, he was the Commander of the Sixth Fleet of the Earth Federation Space Force.
During the Battle of A Baoa Qu, his flagship, a Magellan-class, broke through to the entrance of the fortress. When the warship lost its automated navigation capabilities, he ordered all soldiers to abandon ship after their ammunition was exhausted to preserve the current front line for following units. He then led his soldiers outside the ship, carrying anti-MS weapons to continue the fight and launch an assault into the interior of A Baoa Qu.
This operation was later discussed with great interest at military academies, becoming a subject for tactical teaching. After the One Year War, Douglas succeeded Commander Walker as the commander of Luna II and died in battle during the Gryps Conflict in 0087.
"Haha, young Yang Hui, I never thought the day would come when we'd fight side by side."
In private, Douglas Bader was different from the eccentric Revil; he was a straightforward and heroic old man.
He had long heard of the achievements of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division and had heard much about Yang Hui. He had always wanted to meet Yang Hui in person to see what kind of man he was, and he also wanted to fight alongside him once.
Unfortunately, he had been leading patrol fleets in space against the Principality of Zeon, and he had never had the chance to witness the battles of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division in space. It was only now that they finally had the opportunity to meet.
"I'll leave the front line to you, General Bader. Just pin down the defenders of A Baoa Qu so they have no time to fall back and defend," Yang Hui requested.
"Hmph, don't you worry, young Yang Hui. As long as I'm still breathing, those Zeon brats at A Baoa Qu won't even think about turning back to cause you trouble. However... you'd better move quickly," Douglas Bader urged.
"We will. Once our mission is complete, we will return to assist your fleet in the assault on A Baoa Qu."
"Good, I'll be waiting for you."
The communication ended. Yang Hui nodded to Murrue and left the bridge, heading to the Gwadan's briefing room, where he found an empty seat in the back row.
The mission for the Phantom Corps had been jointly formulated by Yang Hui and Char. However, since everyone here was Char's subordinate, the briefing was naturally handled by Char; Yang Hui would not overstep his bounds.
Seeing Yang Hui arrive, Char nodded to him and began the meeting.
"Everyone, our mission this time is to bypass A Baoa Qu, penetrate deep into the territory of the Principality of Zeon, and destroy the three Solar Ray Systems surrounding SIDE3. Once that is done, we will launch an attack on A Baoa Qu from the rear to assist the Federation fleet in breaking the fortress."
"Understood!"
Honestly, this was the most dangerous mission they had ever experienced. Before the restoration of the Zeon Republic, they had executed many missions behind enemy lines, but their largest target had only been a single Federation fleet.
Now, while they were still going deep behind enemy lines, the enemies they were about to face were not as simple as one or two fleets. They would face several fleets, and intelligence suggested the presence of tactical-level World Snake Mega Particle Cannons, along with many MA and MS units. It was essentially asking them to face the entire strength of a combat zone alone.
"Yang Hui, do you have any suggestions?" Char asked. Honestly, even he was a little nervous. The difficulty of this mission was immense, and he was uncertain. Since Yang Hui had led his Twelfth Independent Technical Division through various combat zones and every battle was as intense as this mission, Char felt Yang Hui could offer good advice.
"Two points. First, no matter what happens, do not slow down. Reach the target at maximum speed, complete the mission, and evacuate the area. Remember, that applies to any situation, even if a comrade dies right beside you," Yang Hui said seriously. It wasn't arrogance; the Phantom Corps was smaller in number than the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, and their strength followed suit. Although they were all aces, if Yang Hui were to select an equal number of people, they would certainly be stronger than the Phantom Corps.
If the Phantom Corps before him were replaced by the Twelfth Independent Technical Division, Yang Hui's requirements would be the same. However, the members of the Twelfth Independent Technical Division wouldn't need Yang Hui to say a word; their long-standing tacit understanding ensured they knew exactly what to do.
Gulp. Everyone swallowed hard, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"Second point... relax."
The oppressive atmosphere instantly became strange. The weight had been given to them by Yang Hui, but now he was telling them to relax. After that first suggestion, how could they possibly be relaxed?!
"Everyone, when you were still in the Principality of Zeon, you were all aces..."
Hearing this, everyone froze, waiting to hear what Yang Hui would say next.
"...When the very best of the Principality of Zeon are gathered together, the opponents are at most elites. Can they stop you?"
"That... but the numbers..."
"No matter how many ants there are, they can bite someone to death, but can they stop a volcanic eruption?"
"..."
"So, everyone, we aren't going there to perform some mission." Yang Hui spread his arms, a wild smile on his face. "We are going there to hunt! Does a great hunter fear his prey?"
"Heh, not a chance!"
Yang Hui's unique charisma infected everyone present. The oppression and weight slowly faded, replaced by ease and excitement. Many people unconsciously wore the same wild smile as Yang Hui.
Char smiled faintly, sighing that Yang Hui was indeed remarkable. A few words had calmed even his own tension. He also marveled at Yang Hui's leadership skills; this wolf-like spirit was exactly what powerful warriors needed.
"Alright, meeting adjourned. Get plenty of rest before the operation begins."
"Hehe, Your Highness, I feel like I'm bursting with energy right now. I don't think I need to rest."
"That is an order!"
"Understood!"
The crowd dispersed, leaving only Yang Hui and Char behind.
"They don't know yet that the truly hard part is still ahead," Char joked.
"Of course. You're all going to be working for me for a lifetime."
"Did I say I was going?"
"Heh."
"...This mission..."
"It will definitely be completed, and everyone will return," Yang Hui said confidently.
"...I'm counting on you."
"No problem."
...
Two days later, the Federation fleet entered the airspace where A Baoa Qu was located. Due to the iteration and updates of technology, the Federation had always been the one to sound the horn of battle.
But this time... it was different.
"High energy reaction detected from the direction of A Baoa Qu! Readings are climbing rapidly!"
"All ships decelerate! Escorts 1, 2, and 3, move forward! Activate the Umbrella system!"
As Douglas Barton issued the command, the fleet's forward speed slowed. Over a dozen Salamis-class cruisers moved to the front of the fleet, deploying several devices that linked together. A curtain of energy light rose in front of the fleet.
In the next second, several terrifying ultra-high temperature pulse beams slammed into the energy shield. The intense heat instantly dyed the Umbrella system a brighter, more vivid orange-red. The energy shield generators began to spark with electric arcs, nearing overload.
Fortunately, just as the devices of the Umbrella system were about to explode, the ultra-high temperature pulse beams gradually subsided and finally vanished.
"Phew~ thank goodness we blocked it." Everyone who saw this breathed a sigh of relief, a feeling of having survived a disaster washing over them.
"Hmm, the intelligence was correct. A Baoa Qu has indeed deployed the World Snake," Douglas Barton was the calmest person there, not worried at all about the Umbrella system being breached.
"According to intelligence, because pulse weapons are heavily affected by the Earth sphere's magnetic field, their actual effective range is severely impacted, and the hit rate is extremely low. They require observation aircraft for indirect aiming," the CIC immediately reported.
"Reconnaissance teams, launch! Find those observation planes and take them out."
"Understood!"
"All ships, maximum combat speed! Charge through behind the Umbrella!"
"Understood!"
"Radar contact! Two Gwana-class, six Chibe-class, Musai-class..."
"Fleet, advance in double column formation! Charge main cannons! In ten minutes, retract the Umbrella system and fire the main cannons simultaneously."
"Understood!"
"...Enemy fleet has entered the range of our main cannons!"
"All batteries, fire!"
The energy shields were retracted. In the next second, ten thousand cannons fired at once. Thick pink beams swept toward A Baoa Qu like a violent storm, followed closely by a storm of missiles, trailing long plumes of smoke as they flew toward the Principality of Zeon's fleet.
Boom, boom, boom, boom...
Countless fires bloomed in space. Missiles were hit before they could reach their targets, resulting in sympathetic detonations. Beams slammed into the armor of the warships...
"Enemy MS units inbound!"
"MS units, launch! Hold back the Principality of Zeon's MS units!"
"Yes!"
"10th and 11th Fleets, deploy to the flanks! All remaining ships, follow this ship and charge the enemy's main formation!"
"Understood!"
Douglas Bader lived up to his name as the "Fighting General." He fought with incomparable bravery. As the Commander-in-Chief, he sat on his flagship and led the charge along with the fleet. At the same time, a calm heart was hidden beneath his valor, as he issued orders in an orderly fashion, condensing the massive fleet into a precision instrument. Every warship and every MS was a small part keeping the instrument running at high speed.
"General, we have reached the designated position!"
"Good. Notify the Gwadan; they can leave now. I wish them luck in battle."
"Understood!"
The Gwadan received Douglas Bader's telegram. Murrue immediately ordered: "This ship will begin its independent mission. Detach from the fleet immediately. Adjust heading to S1 route to bypass A Baoa Qu and enter SIDE3 airspace!"
"Understood!"
"Send a message to General Bader. Wish them luck in battle."
"Understood!"
"It's started," Yang Hui sat on the bridge, watching the fierce battle ahead. A corner of his mouth quirked up as he muttered to himself.
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