At the Human Reform League's orbital base, Sergei faced the inquiries from his superiors just as he had anticipated.
"I have reviewed your report. A squadron of the latest model, 'Into the Array,' along with your 'Beiwei,' suffered complete destruction, and we lost ten 'Into the Array' units. Yet, all we obtained were some data on the captured transformation machines and footage of the 'Celestial Being' armed transport ship, as well as the fat machine's external armor being removed... The manpower and resources expended were far too great for such meager results."
"I have no defense to offer and am willing to accept any punishment," Sergei admitted calmly.
"I do not intend to replace you, nor will I accept your resignation."
"Um..."
"This operation was indeed a failure, but my assessment of you remains unchanged, all because the performance of Gundam exceeded our expectations."
"With all due respect, the capabilities of Gundam are unfathomable. Although 'Into the Array' and 'Beiwei' are also quite excellent, they still fall at least one tier short compared to Gundam. If we continue capturing operations, it could be detrimental to our forces..."
"I understand that as well."
"Um?"
"The higher-ups have already begun secret negotiations with UNION."
"UNION? So that means..."
"That's right. The handling of the 'Celestial Being' organization has entered a new phase."
After ending the communication, Sergei returned to his room, reflecting on the conversation he had just had.
From the beginning, Sergei knew that the higher-ups would not replace him; those were merely formalities to give the military leadership a way out. Within the Human Reform League, Sergei was confident that no one was more suited for this position than he was, whether in MS piloting skills or command abilities.
However, the latter part of the conversation was worth deep contemplation. The high-ranking officials of the Human Reform League had already engaged in secret discussions with UNION, and the actions regarding 'Celestial Being' had entered a new stage. This sent a clear signal—Human Reform League was about to join forces with UNION to confront 'Celestial Being.'
"Is the first phase plan finally coming?" Sergei concluded. The turning point of the first phase plan for 'Celestial Being' was imminent. The objectives of the 'Celestial Being' forces had been achieved, and the pressure exerted had already made two of the three major nations realize that they could not handle 'Celestial Being' alone.
As for why it was only UNION and not AEU at this point... that arrogant nation had not yet suffered enough. They had only lost a bit of MS in Moralia and even incorporated Moralia's PMC, still feeling quite good about themselves.
Well, this indeed aligns with AEU's style of operation. A large portion of this nation's territory was acquired in such a manner, completely ignoring that most of their technology is a knockoff, believing themselves to be the leaders among the three major nations.
Only after AEU stumbles again will they start to wake up.
Sergei was indifferent to this; even if it was just the Human Reform League and UNION, it was still a significant step forward. Moreover, aside from population and territory, there was no real necessity to bring AEU into the alliance, and within AEU, the only talent that could be recognized by VEDA was Kati Mannequin.
"It seems I need to get in touch with Ah Hui. That brat really showed no mercy this time." Complaining to himself, Sergei opened the recorded footage of the recent battle, which showed Gundam Rasiel commanding its forces to annihilate the 'Dingwu' unit.
...
At UNION's 'Beyond the Flag' base, Graham had just finished his daily training and was chatting with two of his subordinates.
"Lieutenant, did the Human Reform League really engage in a battle with 'Celestial Being' in space?"
"Yes, based on the scattered debris, at least ten new model MS were destroyed, and over twenty were severely damaged."
"Eh? Is that the Human Reform League's Next Generation MS that caused such a stir before?" Howard and Darryl were astonished. When the higher-ups learned about the 'Into the Array' intelligence, it had caused quite a commotion, and it was said that they nearly overturned the highest research institute in the country.
"That's right."
"That's really terrifying. If I remember correctly, the performance of the Human Reform League's new MS far exceeds that of the 'Flag,'" Darryl exclaimed.
"I'm even a bit scared to fight Gundam now," Howard joked.
"The performance gap of MS doesn't solely determine the outcome, and didn't Professor Eifman also bring good news? Perhaps we will also be able to pilot excellent next-generation MS. I look forward to your performance, Flag Fighters."
Meanwhile, in the laboratory, Professor Eifman and Billy Katagiri were meticulously studying the design blueprints Yang Hui had handed to them through a secret channel.
"This is really..." Looking at the MS design blueprints, calculating and analyzing theoretical data, Billy Katagiri chuckled self-deprecatingly, a sense of powerlessness welling up within him.
He was also a proud person; there was a time when he believed he could catch up to Yang Hui, even surpass him. But seeing the design blueprints before him, Billy Katagiri felt a sense of loss, unable to see the other person's back.
"Don't be disheartened, Katagiri. That brat's advantage lies in his boundless imagination. Your excellence is not inferior to his; you are just constrained by tradition," Professor Eifman comforted.
Billy Katagiri shook his head with a bitter smile. As a researcher, isn't boundless imagination exactly what is needed? Otherwise, how could one create something entirely new?
"However, Professor, this design blueprint..." At this point, Billy Katagiri couldn't help but worry. If the MS depicted in the design blueprint were actually manufactured, it would undoubtedly rival Sergei's 'Beiwei,' and from the data, it was clear that this was custom-made for Graham.
Although the budget and theoretical data required to realize this design were equally daunting, a mass-produced version after extreme cuts would still far exceed the current 'Flag,' definitely comparable to 'Into the Array.'
If the higher-ups found out about this design blueprint, it would be troublesome.
"Let's modify it and submit it. This can't be hidden, and I don't think the three of us alone have the capability to build it. As for what impact it will have on the plan... let that brat worry about it," Professor Eifman decided.
"Alright."
They had learned about the entire process of the Human Reform League's capture operation from VEDA. Although Yang Hui had still swept through effortlessly, forcing the 'Celestial Being' forces to that extent and even briefly capturing Gundam Kyrios was already a significant victory.
This was just a small-scale 'Into the Array' unit. If 'Into the Array' achieved a full upgrade, combined with UNION's 'Flagbearer,' and finally equipped with GN Drive...
That scene, ah! Just thinking about it made one feel exhilarated!
"I fear even Myer would be flustered, right? Tsk tsk, I really look forward to that moment," Billy Katagiri thought with schadenfreude.
"Ding ding~"
At that moment, Professor Eifman's PAD rang. He picked it up and his pupils constricted, for it was a secret urgent communication from Human Reform League's Old Wang.
(End of Chapter)