Chapter 170 – My Kid's So Much More Well-Behaved
Just as the Federation proposed a new colonial satellite reconstruction plan, the Zeon Republic's Parliament passed a new food production satellite initiative put forward by Sayla.
Given that the One Year War had genuinely threatened the Federation's control, the Federation Parliament, now intent on improving relations with space colonists to some extent, included both of these satellites in their first-phase plan.
The project was handed over to Yashima Heavy Industries for maintenance and relocation to the Side 3 region.
By now, the final preparations there should be underway, with the satellites expected to be operational by next year.
Eli didn't want to see the project Sayla had poured so much effort into go to waste because of the actions of Delaz and his crew—who by now were no different from terrorists.
So, Eli chose to personally lead a team ahead of schedule, at the very least to scout out the situation.
Or rather, this might have been another reason Revil entrusted Eli with the Cima line—only people like Undertaker's crew had the power and speed to respond immediately to the intel and conduct reconnaissance with a single ship.
The White Chaser still needed time to finish resupplying. During that window, Eli ordered Yashima employees aboard the Albion to deliver the GP04 and its spare parts to the White Chaser.
As for himself, he brought Kou Uraki into the inner section of La Vie en Rose.
The commanding officer of the Federation forces stationed near La Vie en Rose had also arrived.
He was Major Nakohha, commander of the Earth Federation Forces' 401st Security Squadron.
Though a member of the Gene Coliny faction, he was one of the rare few who hadn't joined the Titans.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
He saluted Eli the moment they met.
Unlike in the original events, he didn't interfere with the group's activities. On the contrary, he fully cooperated and assured them that his squadron would take on protective duties for the upcoming tests.
After all, Albion's mission to retrieve Units 2 and 3 had been authorized by both General Revil and General Ginias.
So, once again, Eli witnessed a tall woman latching onto Kou Uraki.
This was Lucette Auduvie, the lead designer of GP03.
Having already heard about Kou's performance with the GP01 and clearly troubled by the lack of progress in testing the GP03, she was naturally eager to secure his help.
"Come on, help me out—it's a Gundam too, you know! You'll be blown away, Lieutenant."
Lucette tugged on one of Kou's arms, trying to pull him toward the hangar.
"Lucette!"
Nina, now worried someone was about to steal her man, clung hastily to his other arm.
"Uraki's my test pilot!"
"What's the big deal? It's just testing. It's not like I'm stealing him!"
Watching the two women battle it out over Kou, Eli could only shake his head in resignation.
Kou would be staying behind to assist with the tests anyway—Eli hadn't planned to take him along.
Besides, with GP01's arm damaged, he'd likely be piloting GP03 next anyway…
"Captain! General Revil's official orders just came in!"
At that moment, Arcadia arrived with a small team—these were the same troops who'd been caught off guard by Cima's fleet in the first wave, and whose units were at minimum heavily damaged.
Arcadia himself brought Rita along and led her to Eli.
Eli planned to leave Arcadia stationed here as well. Rita, on the other hand, would remain aboard La Vie en Rose, awaiting Christina's arrival.
She would be delivering another Gundam unit for testing.
Eli brought Arcadia to a quiet, secluded spot and handed him a terminal.
"Listen closely. If this terminal receives any data upload, act according to your own judgment. If necessary, I authorize you to board a Gundam—or even destroy one."
The terminal contained Arthur's contacts for people tasked with monitoring Nick Orville.
"Especially the GP02. If anything goes wrong, it absolutely cannot fall into the hands of Zeon remnants."
The GP02's most critical component had just arrived.
There were two key points in the intelligence Eli had reported:
One was the movements of the Delaz Fleet.
The other was the "gift" Axis was supposedly sending to them.
There was no doubt—it referred to the Axis Fleet that had just arrived in the Earth Sphere.
But without solid evidence, Revil couldn't deploy a full force.
So only an elite unit with enough firepower could take on this kind of mission.
Without much hesitation, one ideal candidate came to Revil's mind.
And so, another Pegasus-class ship launched from Lunar Base II and sped toward the designated coordinates.
"In the end, it's solo ship operations again… Is that the White Base's fate or something?"
Sitting in the captain's seat, Bright mused aloud.
"Well, nothing wrong with that. Just do our best, like always."
Next to him, the squadron commander of the White Base's mobile suit team—aboard this second Pegasus-class ship—responded with a youthful tone.
"Amuro, don't get too cocky."
Just like old times, Bright said this to Amuro with a hint of admonishment.
But Amuro no longer reacted like he used to when faced with Bright's chiding.
He simply waved his hand, signaling that he understood.
"Don't worry. I'll fight together with my teammates properly."
"Good."
Bright loosened his collar, a relieved smile forming on his lips.
Back when Amuro first appeared on the White Base's reinforcement list, Bright had been worried he'd still have the temperament of a child—rebellious and hard to command.
But after several face-to-face meetings and missions together, Bright was deeply impressed by Amuro's growth.
If Amuro during the One Year War was a tiger that couldn't be caged, then the current Amuro was a well-tamed big cat.
As long as you knew how to stroke him the right way, you could draw out unbelievable combat performance.
"Well then, I'll go prep the mobile suit."
Amuro's current unit was a G-line—made available to elite pilots thanks to Eli.
The difference was that Amuro had access to all of G-line's optional equipment and could swap them out mid-battle as needed.
In contrast, the rest of the White Base pilots weren't so lucky. They were still piloting GM Kai units with Yashima backpacks—now standard gear for the Federation Forces.
"Oh, right, Bright—congratulations."
Just as he was about to leave the bridge, Amuro suddenly stopped, turned, and smiled at Bright.
"Another kid, huh? That's great news. Pass my congratulations to Mirai too."
That one sentence from Amuro caused a stir on the bridge, which had been rather tense due to the upcoming mission.
Bright could only rub his temples in frustration.
Seriously, Amuro still hadn't matured in that regard.
Compared to him, his own kid was so much more well-behaved.
Bright smiled as he thought of his son—and the newborn daughter who had just entered the world.
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