After sleeping for 14 hours, Yang Hui finally woke up, feeling that his once hazy nerves had become clear.
"You're awake?" At that moment, Yurin emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel.
"Yeah."
"Go wash up."
"Okay."
As Yang Hui took off his clothes and passed by Yurin, he gently kissed her before entering the bathroom to freshen up.
Sometimes, it really doesn't require grand gestures or passionate declarations; just a few simple words can bring immense happiness. This has transcended love and turned into familial affection, and it is this kind of plain happiness that makes Yang Hui fearless in any battle.
After showering and changing into clean clothes, Yang Hui and Yurin went to the dining room to eat. Both felt extremely hungry after the intense battles and long sleep.
"Hey! You two are awake too."
As they entered the dining room, Yang Hui and Yurin saw Graham devouring his food.
"Looks like you slept well too." Yang Hui and Yurin sat down beside Graham and turned to the kitchen. "Old Firehead, hurry up and bring us some food!"
"I've been ready for you, Captain. This is my secret stash." The cook, known as Old Firehead, immediately brought several large plates to Yang Hui and Yurin.
Normally, cooking in space is impossible, and a ship wouldn't need a cook, but the Baize is an exception.
High-difficulty missions and intense battles naturally require better logistical support. The Baize not only has dedicated nutritionists but also boasts facilities like gyms and game rooms.
Old Firehead is a seasoned cook Yang Hui brought over from the army. Every time they resupplied, he would secretly prepare dishes that could only be found on Earth at the Colony or base and then bring them aboard the Baize.
"When I have some free time, I'll study the gravity system so you can cook in space too." Yang Hui said while eating.
"That won't do, Captain. You're already tired from fighting. If I add more work for you, the others will tear me apart." Old Firehead laughed.
"Who cares? If they have objections, let them come to me. These bastards will enjoy it once it's done, right?"
"Hehe, then I'll be waiting for your good news."
In just a few moments, they finished their food and headed to the bridge.
"Captain!"
"Yeah, continue, Angola. Report the situation."
"Yes! Our ship is en route to the XD37 Reef Zone, expected to arrive in two days and pass through in five."
"The Reef Zone?" Yang Hui looked at the route map Angola Zuo displayed, frowning slightly.
"Yes, I discussed it with Captain Mireille and concluded that VEGAN will definitely set an ambush again. Since we can't determine the exact ambush location, Captain Mireille and I agreed that abandoning the shortest route and diverting to the Reef Zone will allow us to avoid VEGAN's ambush and safely reach the Big Ring base." Angola Zuo reported.
"That's hard to say." Yang Hui replied. Logically, with the Celestial Being fleet escorting them, as long as the front line doesn't collapse, even if the Diva is ambushed on the shortest path, it shouldn't encounter danger. This was Yang Hui's original plan.
The Reef Zone is a belt of asteroids, filled with countless floating rocks, and the naturally chaotic magnetic field will greatly limit the performance of detection systems. Additionally, the various sizes of asteroids can hide MS, and the larger ones can even conceal warships, making it a natural ambush point. Even without enemies, a warship colliding with an asteroid would incur significant damage, so they must proceed with caution.
In the original storyline, Mireille decided to abandon the shortest route to bypass VEGAN's attack, but she didn't anticipate that Jehart had also deduced their plan and had already set up an ambush in the Reef Zone.
Yang Hui believed it would be the same now, but...
"Captain, are you saying VEGAN can guess that we've changed our route?" Angola Zuo asked.
"Only a possibility. Better safe than sorry. There's no need to turn back now; just inform the Diva to stay alert."
"Understood!"
Angola Zuo immediately contacted Mireille to inform her of the situation, while Yang Hui focused on the star map, pondering.
"How many troops will you send to ambush us this time, Jehart?"
...
In another star zone, the VEGAN fortress, the Daz, was heading towards the Reef Zone.
"Lord Jehart, we are about to arrive at the Reef Zone."
"Stop the fortress. The Elys fleet and the Bitter fleet will enter the Reef Zone and stand by." Jehart commanded.
"Yes!"
"Lord Jehart, are two fleets enough?" Daz Roden asked worriedly. Their opponents were not just the Diva but also the Celestial Being fleet, which was the biggest threat. He feared that two fleets might not be sufficient to eliminate the Celestial Being fleet.
"Is the machine adjusted?" Jehart asked. His X-Rounder ability was strong, and his piloting skills had reached B-. The combination could even reach B-level performance, but unfortunately, even the GenoaceR, which had been specifically modified based on his data, couldn't keep up with his movements.
He urgently needed a machine that could match his speed; this way, he would have the confidence to hold back one of the three Archangels and gain more advantages for the other troops.
"The debugging of the Jedra is in the final stages and will be completed soon. Also, here..." Daz Roden handed Jehart a mask.
"What is this?"
"This is a device to control Lord Jehart's X-Rounder ability."
"Control?"
"More accurately, it helps stabilize the ability and communicate with the machine. For you, Lord Jehart, if you maximize your ability, the machine itself won't be able to handle it." Daz Roden explained.
"The inconvenience of having power?" Jehart chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Short-term repeated wearing and removal won't allow it to function properly. During long campaigns, please wear it regularly."
"I understand." Jehart said, putting on the mask. He could feel an unknown force limiting his X-Rounder ability; although it was minimal, Daz Roden had mentioned the need for long-term wear, so Jehart didn't think much of it.
"Complete the machine's debugging as soon as possible; this time, I will also participate in the attack."
"But Lord Jehart, your current identity is that of a commander. For your safety..."
"Is there anyone else who can withstand the Celestial Being?" Jehart interrupted Daz Roden's objections directly.
"..." Daz Roden couldn't find the words. The combat power displayed by the Celestial Being fleet was astonishing. VEGAN had previously arranged elite troops to confront them, but even the excellent X-Rounder units had been eliminated. Jehart was VEGAN's best MS pilot, and only he piloting the new machine had a chance to withstand the Celestial Being.
But that was only a possibility, and the other side had three people while Jehart had only himself. One against three... it seemed there was no chance of winning.
"The space in the Reef Zone is limited. Deploying two fleets is already the maximum; any more would be detrimental to us. This is also the last place we can ambush them, and we absolutely cannot miss it. Even if we fail... as long as I'm here, I can ensure more people return alive." Jehart said.
In fact, he himself had no confidence in being able to eliminate the Celestial Being fleet, but this was an excellent opportunity. Jehart had carefully studied the combat records of Yang Hui, Graham, and Yurin. One was a melee attacker, one provided fire support, and one offered sniping assistance. The three worked together like a complete army. Because of Yang Hui's fire support, Graham could charge into the Array without worry, and because of Yurin's long-range sniping, Yang Hui and Graham didn't have to guard against enemy aircraft trying to ambush them. Moreover, with Graham in front, Yang Hui and Yurin didn't have to worry about enemies rushing at them from the front.
And... the strange floating cannons, which were also VEGAN's nightmare. Although they had collected a lot of data through countless battles, they still hadn't been able to create similar weaponry.
"Currently, the biggest threat to VEGAN, aside from the Celestial Being fleet, is the Gundam AGE series."
"The AGE System? Over the years, even the Federation has been unable to crack its technology. It is said that its creator, Flit Asuno, himself cannot replicate it. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is true. But the AGE System is no longer significant. Although it allows the Gundam AGE series to evolve endlessly, according to intelligence from the Federation's informants, Yang Hui has already been able to modify the AGE System for uses outside the Gundam AGE series. He is also an excellent MS designer, and because of his existence, the technological gap between the Federation and us is rapidly narrowing. So..." Jehart pulled up a photo of Yang Hui, "...this person is the biggest obstacle to our plans."
"I understand, but his personal strength..." Daz Roden fully grasped the threat posed by Yang Hui, but to be honest, he still didn't have high hopes for this operation. After all, Yang Hui had left too many shadows on VEGAN.
"That's why the Reef Zone is our greatest opportunity. The special magnetic field is advantageous for us to launch a surprise attack, and within this zone, the Moon Angel's sniping support will be restricted, while the Judgment Angel and Battle Angel's strange armaments will also be hindered. As long as their connections are severed, we will have a chance." Jehart said.
"I see. Then, Lord Jehart, I also..."
"You will stay behind to assist Medel Sant in managing the Daz fortress. If..." Jehart paused, "If I don't return, let Medel Sant take over as the overall Commander of the Earth Conquest Operation."
"Lord Jehart!"
"This is the best opportunity to eliminate Yang Hui. I cannot let it slip away. For Lord Ezelkanta's plan, for the Eden of our dreams, I... must take the risk." Jehart said, gazing at Daz Roden.
"...I understand."
With that, Jehart returned to his room, showing none of the previous recklessness, instead wearing a smile and appearing very relaxed.
During this time, he had frequently contacted informants within the Federation, gathering a lot of information about Yang Hui. From the data, he analyzed that Yang Hui was extremely ruthless towards enemies and would never show mercy, while his other side was very kind to his own people, serious in teaching, yet easygoing in private, completely lacking the demeanor of a "Grim Reaper."
Since Yang Hui had already discovered him and hadn't captured him as a spy, it indicated that Yang Hui did not see him as an enemy and had subtly taught him many principles he had never considered before.
Plus, there was his agreement with Asemu...
So Jehart concluded that even if the battle failed, Yang Hui would likely let him go.
This was also an excellent opportunity for him. As long as Yang Hui didn't go all out, he would have a chance to retreat with more subordinates, significantly reducing internal doubts about him.
And...
"Mr. Yang Hui, I look forward to our battle."
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