"Was Wang Hu's prediction really accurate?"
"Is this the strength of the East Asian Qilin? Possessing both the combat prowess to take on a thousand alone and such outstanding strategic capabilities?"
Following Wang Hu's instructions, Murrue, aboard the flagship Archangel, watched the screen.
The ZAFT Forces were being maneuvered like puppets on strings by Wang Hu, prompting her to openly express admiration in front of everyone.
"..." Natarle Badgiruel bit her lip lightly, her heart filled with frustration.
But circumstances were stronger than individuals. Watching the two enemy battleships on the screen—one heading toward Artemis Fortress and the other toward the Allied Forces' lunar base—she realized the gravity of the situation.
More importantly, Wang Hu had even predicted the movements of the enemy ships!
Creuset was indeed heading for Artemis, while the slower Laurasia-class battleship was advancing toward the lunar base.
This implicitly suggested that, in Creuset's eyes, their own ship was more likely to head toward the Eurasian Federation's fortress.
Had they followed her own plan, they would undoubtedly have been pursued by ZAFT's infamous Creuset!
Silent for a moment, Natarle quickly composed herself. Losing once meant nothing—as long as she could win at the crucial moment in the future!
"Captain Murrue, let's begin our operation," Natarle said, straightening her attitude as she addressed Murrue, who was still marveling at Wang Hu's brilliance.
"Oh, right, right." Murrue nodded repeatedly after being reminded.
She then glanced sheepishly at Li Chengzhi, who stood tall behind her as her deputy captain.
"Lieutenant Li, perhaps you should take command?" she tentatively suggested.
Having witnessed the caliber of their two elite allies, Murrue felt increasingly inadequate as the ship's captain.
"I have no objections to Wang Hu's decision. Since he appointed you as captain, I believe there must be a reason," Li Chengzhi said calmly, his hands clasped behind his back. "Captain, you may proceed."
"Ah, yes."
Under Li Chengzhi's commanding presence, Murrue lacked the authority befitting a captain, appearing more like a puppet in the eyes of those around her, who sighed at the sight.
Soon after, following Murrue's orders, the Archangel's main engines roared to life, blue flames erupting from its rear thrusters.
Their heading and destination?
Straight toward the lunar base of the Allied Forces, with their target locked on the Laurasia-class battleship that had set out ahead of them.
Meanwhile, inside the Archangel, Wang Hu led Kira and Mu toward the hangar.
"Brother Wang Hu, can we really do this?" Kira asked, still uneasy after hearing Wang Hu's plan on the bridge.
"What's there to worry about?" Wang Hu replied with a smile. "It's just one battleship—simple."
"No, that's not what I meant."
Kira feared his words might have implied doubt in Wang Hu's abilities.
"I mean, is this really the right move?" he clarified. "Aren't there many enemy ships along the route to the lunar base?"
"Even if we take out the Laurasia-class battleship, what do we do afterward?"
"Kira," Mu interjected.
"Trust Wang Hu. For now, we just need to focus on what we must do at this moment."
"Is that so?" Kira glanced at the confident Wang Hu, then at the unreliable Mu.
He pondered, trying in his own way to understand the intentions of his elder brother Wang Hu.
At that moment, Kira was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice the people approaching him.
It wasn't until they called out to him that he looked up and saw his classmates Tolle and the others, dressed in Atlantic Federation Army uniforms.
"What's this about?"
Kira couldn't hide his astonishment at seeing his classmates in Atlantic Federation military attire.
Why had they enlisted? And why the Atlantic Federation Army?
If they were going to join any military, shouldn't it have been the East Asian Army?
"We couldn't let you fight alone," Tolle answered on behalf of the group with a smile.
"We wanted to do our part to lighten your burden!"
"But..." Kira was about to ask why they hadn't joined the East Asian Army.
Fortunately, he caught himself before speaking, noticing Mu standing beside him.
Though Kira thought his glance was subtle, Mu didn't miss it—but completely misinterpreted it.
Seeing Tolle and the others wearing the same uniforms as himself, Mu felt a surge of camaraderie and inexplicable pride.
And so—
"Kira, they care about you. You should be happy to have such friends," Mu said with a smile, casting a glance at Wang Hu, who had been exceptionally impressive since his arrival.
It was as if he was saying, "See? These fine young men still chose our Atlantic Federation Army, didn't they?"
Wang Hu, however, utterly ignored Mu's pointed look.
"Don't worry, Kira," Katz, the most ordinary of the group, chimed in.
His presence was usually faint, but his words now struck deep.
"We joined the East Asian Army as volunteers. Captain Li Chengzhi is a good man."
"He said once we reach a safe location, he can arrange our discharge anytime, and we'll even receive a generous severance package!"
"And if we want to work in the East Asian Federation in the future, he can have the logistics department write us recommendation letters."
"Those letters could give us a significant advantage later!"
"What?!" Mu exclaimed, losing his composure after hearing Katz's words.
"But you're wearing Atlantic Federation uniforms, aren't you?"
The news was so shocking that Mu pressed further, disregarding his usual demeanor.
The way he stared at Katz seemed to say, "Are you out of your mind? I'll give you a chance to rephrase that—speak carefully."
"That's right," Katz replied, baffled by Mu's fierce, almost predatory glare. "Did I say something wrong?"
Even now, he had no idea what the problem was.
"Ah," sighed Sai, who couldn't bear to watch any longer. More socially adept, he stepped in to explain.
"It's like this—since there are no East Asian Army uniforms on this ship, Captain Li Chengzhi gave us a few Allied Forces uniforms instead."
"Aren't we all part of the Allied Forces? It doesn't matter whose uniforms we wear."
His flawless explanation left Mu speechless, mouth agape but unable to retort.
"Alright, time is limited."
Wang Hu finally stepped forward gracefully, cutting short their conversation.
He first addressed Tolle and the others.
"Be careful when working on the bridge, but I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"Don't worry, with me here, everyone will make it home safely."
Wang Hu then turned to Kira, who was stifling a laugh, and Mu, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.
"Don't waste time, get back to your respective mobile suits. We still have to give ZAFT a memory they'll never forget."
"Got it, Brother Wang Hu!" Kira replied cheerfully.
"Yeah, yeah, Captain Wang Hu of the East Asian Army, the Qilin," Mu muttered, completely devoid of energy.
Damn it, he had lost to this guy again in some way.
Staring at the back of Wang Hu's head as he walked ahead, Mu stewed in frustration.
Now he finally understood how Natarle Badgiruel must have felt.
"Brother Wang Hu," Kira called over the comm after boarding the Strike Gundam and equipping the Striker Packs.
"What is it?" Wang Hu responded from inside the Qilin, as if anticipating something.
"I want to volunteer for the East Asian Army. Can I?"
Kira made his request with solemn determination.
"Of course."
Wang Hu agreed immediately, his voice filled with expectation and trust.
"Kira, I look forward to seeing you fight—"
"As a soldier, and as a grown man!"
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