Chapter 130: A Secret Agreement
General Revil watched as a dark-colored GM Custom passed by in his field of vision, deep in thought.
"There's no need to worry. I trust the Titans soldiers can ensure our safety," said Admiral Jamitov, who had specifically requested to ride in the same vehicle as General Revil. He smiled as he glanced at the GM Custom, which was nominally under his direct command.
"Of course. I believe in every Federation soldier."
Revil straightened up and looked at Admiral Jamitov sitting across from him, knowing that he was about to say something significant.
During the One Year War, the two of them had carried out Operation Star One together.
But after the war, they found themselves in different factions, and such private conversations between them had become rare.
"I believe so too. But in the end, a battleship still provides the greatest sense of security."
Jamitov made this remark while gazing at the distant silhouette of the White Base.
"Enough small talk. Revil, I want your help in becoming the leader of the parliamentary faction."
At their level, pleasantries hardly mattered anymore, but Jamitov's bluntness was still surprising.
Even Revil was taken aback.
"What do you mean by that?"
Still, he didn't treat Jamitov's words as a joke just because they were unexpected. Instead, he adjusted his posture and prepared to listen carefully.
"The people in Parliament have seriously considered collaborating with Dozle," Jamitov said.
Revil nodded. He wasn't surprised by this statement.
"…Revil, your prestige is too great, and your actions are too obvious. The people in Parliament don't want to lose their power. They've even considered assassinating you, but I stopped them."
"Oh? Are you looking for gratitude?"
Revil quipped as he pulled out his pipe. After confirming that Jamitov didn't mind, he placed it in his mouth but didn't light it—just savoring the lingering taste of tobacco.
At this sight, Jamitov's hand twitched slightly, as if he wanted to reach for something in his own coat.
"Hah, forget it. I'll be direct. If I become the faction leader, our struggle will remain limited to political power plays, ensuring a stable Federation. Regardless of our political differences, I believe we both seek this stability."
Revil looked at Jamitov and gave a nod, acknowledging his reasoning.
Revil was well aware that Parliament had been fostering private military forces within the Federation Army. But there was little he could do about it.
The massive Federation Army had countless generals, and in the post-war period, much of the power Revil had gained under wartime directives had already been returned to Parliament.
"I understand. Let's discuss the details through this channel later."
Although they still had some distance to the meeting venue, neither of them was foolish enough to continue such a conversation here.
Jamitov wordlessly accepted the terminal Revil handed him, then turned to look out the window.
The divide between the military and Parliament was becoming increasingly evident.
What Jamitov didn't tell Revil was that Parliament was discussing expanding the Titans. They were no longer satisfied with merely maintaining private troops—they wanted to bring them into the open.
Anaheim was fully supportive of this initiative, even ensuring that the first batch of GM Customs used by the Titans was exclusively supplied by them.
As for how the expansion would be justified? That part was obvious.
—
"…Launching attacks on SIDE 1, 2, and 4, using NBC (nuclear, biological, and chemical) weapons to destroy colonies, and causing the death of nearly three billion people. Dozle Zabi, do you plead guilty to these crimes?"
Before this final charge, there had been a long list of war crimes. The elderly chief justice of the Federation nearly stumbled over his words while reading them.
Even so, he maintained his composure and solemnly struck his gavel.
His son had been the captain of a Magellan-class battleship, but had died in the Battle of Loum.
Upon learning that he would be presiding over Dozle Zabi's trial, the old judge had immediately jumped out of his hospital bed and begun his exhaustive preparations.
During the trials of other Zeon remnants, the judge had mostly sat in silence, resting his eyes.
For lower-ranking individuals like the Red Wolf, their sentences had been handed down by lower courts, and he had merely given the final verdict.
Incidentally, according to an investigation conducted with the cooperation of the Republic of Zeon, Red Wolf's child had disappeared due to Zeon's final modifications to the Solar Ray System.
Now, as his gavel fell, the judge could no longer suppress his emotions.
"There's no need to say more. I've long since accepted my fate."
For this trial, Dozle had been dressed in full Zeon general attire—signifying that he was standing trial not just as himself, but as a representative of the Principality of Zeon and the Zabi family.
"Can I take this as an admission of guilt?"
The judge asked.
"I admit that I have harmed my fellow Spacenoids, leaving their bodies to drift in the void."
"In that case, I hereby declare—"
"No! For the greater good of Spacenoids, these sacrifices were necessary and justified!"
As the press gallery erupted in an uproar and camera flashes exploded all around, Dozle's gaze locked onto a single figure in the jury box—Monaghan Bakharo, the representative of the Republic of Zeon.
"The Zabi family may have lost to the Federation, but Spacenoids have not! We will never abandon our fight!"
Boom!
As if in response to Dozle's sudden declaration, an explosion erupted from the hillside behind him.
Then, two more explosions followed in quick succession. The reporters on-site screamed in shock, their camera shutters clicking wildly.
Dozle didn't turn around to look at the Zeon remnants who had likely staged this rescue attempt.
Amid the chaos, he ignored Bakharo, who was scrambling to escape, and instead searched the jury box with his gaze.
Until he found him—General Revil, sitting motionless, unshaken even as the world crumbled around him.
Their eyes met amid the pandemonium—a silent clash of wills.
Dozle suddenly narrowed his eyes and lifted his head.
Hovering in the sky, casting its shadow over the courtroom, the White Base was descending, letting the sunlight shine down on him once more.
As the old judge's voice rang out—hoarse but resolute—announcing "Under Earth Federation law, I hereby sentence Dozle Zabi to death," Dozle's piercing gaze shifted to the descending mobile suit from the White Base.
A Gundam!
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