The war room beneath Jaburo's fortified command bunker was drenched in light from holographic projections — blue for the Federation, red for Zeon. The air was heavy with the metallic scent of tension and fuel.
General Revil stood at the center, hands clasped behind his back, watching the simulation replay of the Jaburo assault. Zeon's forces had withdrawn two hours ago, but the echoes of battle still trembled in the halls.
Reports lay scattered across the command table — destroyed GMs, dead cadets, salvaged wreckage of Zaku parts. Every paper spoke of loss, but also of survival.
Across from him stood Gary Lin, the man whose rise in the Federation had been nothing short of meteoric. Though young, his insight had saved countless divisions during the siege. Yet right now, his eyes were distant — as though he were thinking beyond this war, beyond this world.
---
Revil broke the silence first. "Zeon's withdrawal from Jaburo… suspiciously neat, don't you think?"
Gary didn't immediately answer. His gaze flicked to the tactical feed — red dots fading into orbit, reorganizing. "It wasn't a retreat, sir," he said quietly. "It was a repositioning. They're moving to Solomon."
Revil frowned. "You're certain?"
"Positive. I intercepted their supply vectors. They're consolidating all surviving units. Zaku II, Gogg, Dom, Z'gok — everything is being redirected to Solomon. Even the elite units under Lelouch von Zehrtfeld's command."
Revil's expression darkened at the name. "Von Zehrtfeld again…"
Gary gave a curt nod. "He's dangerous, sir. His attack on Jaburo wasn't reckless — it was deliberate. He knew he couldn't win outright, but he learned how we move, how we react. He's building a model of our command structure."
The general said nothing, only studying the younger man's serious face. "You speak as though you know him."
Gary hesitated for a heartbeat too long. "I understand the type," he replied finally. "Calculated. Elegant. Always ten moves ahead."
Revil raised a brow. "You make him sound like a philosopher, not a soldier."
Gary exhaled slowly. "Maybe he is both."
Inside, though, his thoughts churned.
Lelouch von Zehrtfeld… the tactics, the voice, the poise — it's all the same. You can change the surname, but not the mind behind those eyes.
The faint tremor of memory stabbed through his chest. If that's really Lelouch vi Britannia… then Tanya von Zehrtfeld must be Tanya Degurechaff. And Jason Arkadi… he isn't native either.
This world wasn't just a battlefield anymore. It was a convergence.
He clenched his fist at his side.
The system that had brought him here — the same one that had summoned Grievous, Hachiman, Kaguya, and Tomoya — was silent now, its glowing interface buried deep in his mind. It hadn't summoned those others. Lelouch, Tanya, Jason… they were beyond the system's influence.
That means something — or someone — else is playing with the balance of this world.
---
"Commander Lin." Revil's voice pulled him back to the present. "What would you recommend?"
Gary composed himself. "We prepare an immediate counteroffensive, sir. Strike Solomon before Zeon can reorganize. Their morale's shaken — but it won't last."
Revil nodded. "Agreed. The Federation's ready to take the offensive."
The general's calm gaze turned toward the war table. "Issue the orders. Mobilize the 1st Earth Fleet, the Luna battalion, and the Jaburo reserves. Every remaining unit — elite, cadet, or otherwise — will participate."
Gary felt a chill. "That's nearly everything we have left, sir."
Revil didn't blink. "Then we'll end this in one decisive strike."
---
When the meeting adjourned, Gary lingered in the hall, the hum of fluorescent lights above echoing his thoughts.
He couldn't stop thinking about that name — Lelouch.
If it truly was the same man, then the Federation was walking into a lion's den.
Lelouch wasn't the kind to rely on brute force. Every failure of his enemies was a seed for his next victory.
Gary whispered under his breath, "Just what are you planning, Lelouch?"
He rubbed his temple, recalling the Jaburo battle reports. Zeon's losses were heavy — nearly eighty percent of their assault force destroyed. And yet, it didn't feel like a defeat. Every maneuver, every withdrawal, had been too… elegant.
No ordinary officer could pull that off. Even Revil's counter didn't break him completely.
---
Later that night, Revil stood alone in the main briefing chamber, gazing at the stars through the transparent dome above. Gary entered silently.
"General," he said softly. "About von Zehrtfeld…"
Revil turned. "You still worry about him?"
"I do. He's no ordinary commander. If we underestimate him, Solomon could become another Jaburo."
The older man sighed, resting his hand behind his back. "You make it sound as though he's invincible."
Gary forced a thin smile. "No one's invincible, sir. But he might be the closest Zeon has."
Revil gave a short chuckle, then straightened. "Then we'll test that theory."
Gary saluted, then turned to leave.
But as he walked down the hall, his mind whispered again:
He's not just Zeon's commander… he's a ghost from another world.
---
Outside, the vast hangar of Jaburo roared with life. Mechanics scrambled around Strike, Duel, Blitz, and Buster Gundams, repairing and refitting them for space deployment. Federation pilots — cadets, veterans, and volunteers — gathered under the cold floodlights, their faces drawn but determined.
Mikazuki Augus leaned against Duel Gundam's leg, eyes half-lidded. Hikigaya stood beside him, reading the mission briefing with the same deadpan face he used to read homework in another life.
Komachi waved at him from the far side, her trainee uniform slightly oversized. "Onii-chan! Don't overthink it, okay?"
He grunted, pretending not to smile.
---
Revil's voice thundered across the loudspeakers:
> "All units, prepare for launch.
Operation Silver Dawn begins at 0400 hours.
Our objective — destroy Solomon, and end Zeon's war machine!"
Applause erupted through the ranks. The metallic clang of boots echoed in unison.
Even through the exhaustion, hope flared — a desperate, fleeting spark in the long night of war.
Gary Lin watched from the command balcony, his eyes cold but resolute.
If Lelouch truly is who I think he is, he thought, then this will not be a victory… but a test.
Above, the Federation fleet engines ignited, their thrusters lighting the heavens.
The silent march toward Solomon had begun.