Mobile Suit Wars: Starting with Gundam OO

With the successful completion of the third mission, the three major nations finally began to take the threat of Gundam seriously.

As soon as Sergei returned to the Commander's office, he was called in by the Commander.

"How was it? Your firsthand experience with Gundam," the Commander asked Sergei.

"Very strong. At this stage, no MS can match it," Sergei replied honestly.

"Not even the 'Into the Array'?" the Commander inquired.

"The 'Into the Array'? Isn't it still in the experimental phase?" Sergei was taken aback and countered. He knew that the first prototype of 'Into the Array' had been completed, but after that, there had been no further news. Mass production and deployment to regular troops seemed far off, and Sergei had even wondered if there had been issues with the experiments. He hadn't expected the Commander to bring it up now.

"The experimental phase has ended. The old men at the Academy say there are still a few minor flaws, but the data collected so far is sufficient for mass production. The production line is working overtime, and it should be ready for the next operation, though don't expect too many units," the Commander explained to Sergei.

"Is it really okay to tell me such a secret?" Sergei asked. Although he was aware of his high standing in the military, he was still just a lieutenant colonel and felt he shouldn't be privy to such classified information.

"That's exactly what I wanted to tell you. Congratulations, you're now a colonel."

"Hmm?" Sergei was momentarily stunned. He hadn't really accomplished anything recently, had he? In fact, he had even damaged an Iron Man and was easily defeated by Gundam. He thought it was good enough not to be punished, so how had he been promoted?

The Commander handed Sergei a confidential document and explained, "It states that a special task force dedicated to investigating Gundam is to be formed, named 'Dingwu (顶武 - roughly translates to 'Top Military')', directly under the command of the Commander's office, and you are to be the commander of this unit. Although you damaged an Iron Man, your performance has been fully recognized by the higher-ups, and it has been unanimously decided that no one else is qualified to lead this unit but you." The Commander said with a smile.

"Is that so?" Sergei skimmed through the document and accepted the orders.

"Yes, the higher-ups place great importance on this unit. The first batch of 'Into the Array' will be assigned to you, and you can choose your personnel freely. Your only mission is to capture Gundam before UNION and AEU do."

"Understood."

"But there's someone I hope you can take good care of. Come in."

The door behind the Commander opened, and a silver-haired girl in a green military uniform walked in.

"A child?" Sergei frowned.

"Reporting in, I am Super Soldier No. 1 from the Superhuman Institute, Second Lieutenant Soma Peries," the girl introduced herself.

"Superhuman Institute!" Sergei's expression darkened at the mention. "Commander, does that mean that plan…"

"It seems it has been secretly ongoing. The higher-ups believe this is the trump card against Gundam." Although the Commander said this, his demeanor suggested he had known all along.

"From today onward, I am assigned to the colonel's exclusive unit. Please give me your orders, sir," Soma Peries stepped forward and said.

Sergei sized up Soma Peries and sighed inwardly, "So young." He then looked at the Commander and asked, "Commander, do you remember why 'Young Tiger' left the military?"

"Ah, that was indeed a regrettable matter. But that was an order from the higher-ups, and I had no way to intervene."

"Tch…" Sergei cursed the Commander in his heart. The words he spoke and the expressions he showed were completely different. Back then, Yang Hui had applied for discharge after the Tianzhu defense battle because he couldn't stand some of the higher-ups' actions, and the catalyst for that was the soldier he saved, who was a child sent by the Superhuman Institute.

"Speaking of which, 'Young Tiger' has also left the Academy, right? I heard Old Wang used quite a few connections for that. Do you still keep in touch with him?" the Commander asked.

"No, I've only met that kid a couple of times, and it was he who contacted me. I have no way to reach him. He must be disappointed with the higher-ups, probably off enjoying life with his girlfriend."

"Is that so? That's really a pity."

When it came to Yang Hui, the Commander also felt it was a great loss. Although he didn't oppose some of the higher-ups' orders, as long as they could strengthen the country and help win the war, he didn't mind crossing his moral boundaries. But for Yang Hui, it was truly regrettable; one could say Yang Hui was still too young, possessing an innocence he shouldn't have.

"Well, I'll take my leave now." Sergei saluted and left directly.

Seeing this, Soma Peries also saluted and followed behind Sergei.

"Colonel, the 'Young Tiger' you mentioned to the Commander, is that the one?" Soma Peries asked.

"You've heard of him?"

"Yes, at the research institute, I used 'Young Tiger's' data as a template for my adjustments, and all my training targets were based on his data," Soma Peries replied.

"...Is that so?" Sergei instinctively clenched his fists.

"Yes, I heard the Commander say he is your brother?"

"Hmm, although we have different parents, I watched him grow up." Every time he spoke of Yang Hui, Sergei felt a deep sense of pride; his brother was truly exceptional.

"Is that so? I look forward to meeting him," Soma Peries said, her face showing a hint of admiration and longing.

"Is… is that so?" Sergei's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected that even in the organization Yang Hui despised the most, there would be a little fan of his.

And… if this girl knew that her idol was her enemy, would she be disillusioned?

But thinking of this, Sergei felt a heavy weight on this mission. He was finally going to confront Gundam directly, and although he didn't know Yang Hui's exact role in 'Celestial Being', this time… they should cross paths.

...

On the other side, UNION had also established an investigation team targeting Gundam. The official name hadn't been finalized yet, but the basic framework was already in place. Captain Graham was in charge, with Billy Katagiri as the technical advisor, and they had even invited Professor Eifman as the technical director. The current team members included Daryl Dodge and Howard Mason, both elite pilots brought in by Graham from the Mobile Suit Weapon Assault Division.

As soon as Professor Eifman arrived, Graham immediately presented some calibration requests.

"Disregarding the burden on the pilot? Can your body handle it?"

"No problem. If I don't do this, I won't be able to keep up with that guy."

"Looks like you've already met?"

"Yeah, I got taught a harsh lesson."

"Is that so? Hahaha, that's definitely his style. I really want to study that Gundam unit myself. That brat promised to bring something back, but so far, nothing. What a waste of my teaching."

"Uh…"

Seeing the disgruntled Professor Eifman, the aura of resentment he exuded made Graham and Billy Katagiri take several steps back.

"However…" Professor Eifman's tone shifted as he gazed intently at the 'Flag', no, he seemed to be looking through the 'Flag', through the hangar walls, staring into the unknown distance, "...the countries are finally starting to take this seriously. It seems the plan is going quite smoothly."

"Yes, Professor."

The three fell silent, looking in the same direction. Perhaps… they were all yearning for the future described in the 'Celestial Being' plan.

After a long while, the three simultaneously withdrew their gazes. Professor Eifman asked Graham, "Do you have any other requests?"

"Please complete it within a week, Professor."

"You really are asking for the impossible, kid. Katagiri, it's time to get busy."

"Yes, Professor."

...

Excluding the still ambiguous AEU, the intelligence about the Human Reform League and UNION forming special forces was quickly gathered by Wang Liu Mei and immediately reported to Yang Hui.

"The situation is as follows. There's also a piece of uncertain intelligence: the Human Reform League's 'Dingwu (顶武 - roughly translates to 'Top Military')' unit is suspected to have equipped new MS, but the specifics are still under investigation."

"Heh, they're really going all out," Yang Hui remarked after hearing Wang Liu Mei's report. "If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the 'Into the Array'. And it's Sergei as the commander. I just wonder if 'Beiwei' has managed to produce anything; also, UNION has even managed to get Professor Eifman involved. It seems our activities have been quite successful."

"The 'Into the Array'? 'Beiwei'? Are these new MS from the Human Reform League? Do you need me to send more personnel to investigate?" Wang Liu Mei asked.

"The MS I designed myself, what's there to investigate? It's all right here," Yang Hui said, pointing to his head.

"Uh… since it's your design, will the subsequent plans…"

"Don't worry, it'll be fine. Although both 'Into the Array' and 'Beiwei' belong to the next generation of MS, the units produced with the current technology of the Human Reform League won't pose a significant threat to Gundam with just a few units. As for the larger forces…"

"What about the larger forces?"

"Heh, regardless of whether there are new MS or not, a large force will be enough to threaten Gundam. Saturation wave-style long-range bombardment, lasting for over ten hours, will exhaust the Gundam Meisters. After that, we can deal with them however we want," Yang Hui said.

"Heh, indeed… but aren't you still around?" Wang Liu Mei smiled at Yang Hui's expression of having nothing to gain. After learning the truth last time, her understanding of Yang Hui had deepened. Aside from emotional matters, whether it was piloting skills, MS design, or acting as a behind-the-scenes commander, he always maintained a confidence that everything was under control.

"Don't treat me like I'm omnipotent. I'm human too, and I have my limits."

"Is that so?"

"Isn't it?"

"Of course not."

"Fine, as long as you're happy."

"By the way, Yang Hui, the fourth mission has been sent by Huang .it's your personal showcase," Wang Liu Mei said playfully.

Yang Hui had already given up on the way this little girl referred to him. He didn't know what she had discussed with Sumeragi, but since then, she had become increasingly flirtatious. However…

This girl, who had neither a chest nor a backside, really had no allure.

But thinking about the next mission, Yang Hui felt a surge of excitement. Finally, the opportunity for a grand debut had arrived. Let him and Gundam Rasiel create a spectacular scene together!

(End of Chapter)