Yang Hui's machine and the LaGOWE were engaged in their own isolated battlefield, locked in a duel-like confrontation where no one dared interfere.
The LaGOWE maintained its sliding motion while continuously firing its twin-mounted beam cannons from its back. Green beams shot out at tricky angles, locking onto Yang Hui's mobile suit.
Without a shield or anti-beam coating, Yang Hui dared not take the beam cannon's fire head-on. His machine danced precariously across the desert sands, narrowly evading the lethal beams while returning fire with its heavy machine gun.
Yet the LaGOWE's mobility surpassed even the GINN's. All 76mm rounds landed harmlessly in the sand, kicking up small dust clouds.
"Impressive skills," Aisha Tyler remarked in admiration. To hold his own against a LaGOWE in a GINN—and against two opponents at that—while still managing counterattacks that posed genuine threats... Among all the pilots she knew, none possessed such technical mastery.
"Heh, are all youngsters these days monsters? If not for his machine's limitations, we might've been instantly wiped out," Andrew Waltfeld commented, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
"You seem quite happy about this, Andy."
"Of course! This is the kind of battle warriors dream of!"
Yang Hui wasn't Kira. Aisha didn't tease Andrew about this, nor did Andrew feel any anguish over the fight.
Kira had been confused and pained by combat, yet kind-hearted enough to bravely step forward when needed. That's why Andrew had liked Kira and never wanted to fight him.
But Yang Hui was different. Andrew could sense Yang Hui's resolve—the mindset a true warrior should possess. Both sides were staking everything, gambling with their lives.
When facing a true warrior, one must respond with full strength. Anything less would insult their opponent's conviction, even if that opponent was an enemy.
Just then, Yang Hui's machine suddenly paused, exposing its back to the LaGOWE.
"Reaching your machine's limits? Pity, kid!"
Seizing the opportunity, the LaGOWE executed an emergency stop before accelerating forward. Its wolf-like maw extended a beam saber, the glowing blade like a reaper's scythe aiming to bisect Yang Hui's machine at the waist.
But as the LaGOWE closed in, Yang Hui's machine abruptly pivoted—as if tripping—and toppled sideways. The heavy machine gun's barrel nearly pressed against the LaGOWE's head.
"Wha—?"
Human survival instincts made Andrew yank the control stick instinctively. The LaGOWE tumbled in the opposite direction.
"BAM BAM BAM BAM—!"
"SCREEE—!"
As both machines toppled past each other, the heavy machine gun unleashed its fury—every round slamming into the LaGOWE's twin-mounted beam cannons on its back, with some rounds even piercing its right rear leg.
Simultaneously, though the LaGOWE's angle had shifted, its beam saber still severed Yang Hui's machine's left arm and leg along with the heavy machine gun.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM—!"
"Ugh—!"
"Argh—!"
The exploding beam cannons sent violent tremors through the cockpit, where electrical arcs and thick smoke erupted. After several rolls across the yellow sands, the LaGOWE finally stabilized.
Yang Hui's machine fared no better. Earth wasn't space—losing one leg meant losing 90% of combat capability. Though it could barely stand on one leg, maintaining balance became nearly impossible.
But Yang Hui's machine hadn't given up the fight yet. His remaining right hand drew the Heavy Cutter Sword, aiming it at the [LaGOWE].
"Andy, we're going to lose."
The [LaGOWE] was in much better condition than the [GINN]. Though one leg was disabled and the Beam Cannon was gone, it could still maintain 70% of its mobility, and the Beam Saber on its mouth remained deadly.
Yet years of experience and combat instinct told Aisha Tyler they couldn't keep fighting—continuing would mean certain defeat.
"Yeah, we're going to lose."
With that, Andrew Waltfeld immediately contacted the Lesseps.
"Dakosta."
"Here."
"Issue the abandon ship order."
"Captain?"
"The battle's decided. Gather the remaining forces and retreat to Banadiya. Contact Gibraltar."
"Captain!..." Dakosta recognized the resolve in Andrew Waltfeld's voice and was about to protest when the communication cut off.
"You should escape too, Aisha. This is your last chance."
"Your memory's slipping, Andy. I told you before—I'd rather die here than escape alone."
"Is that so? You're a fool too."
Heh heh heh, and here you called me a good woman earlier."
"Ha ha ha, my mistake. Then... stay with me till the end!"
Andrew Waltfeld roared, his expression turning fervent as the [LaGOWE] charged fiercely toward Yang Hui's machine.
"You still want to fight? Then I'll respond with everything I've got, [Desert Tiger]."
All expression vanished from Yang Hui's face, his eyes filled with a prismatic glow. The world around him seemed to fall completely silent—no explosions, no gunfire, no shouts, no screams. In Yang Hui's vision, there was only the [LaGOWE].
The brilliance of the Beam Saber filled the cockpit screen. At the last possible moment, Yang Hui's machine pushed off with its remaining leg, leaping up as the Heavy Cutter Sword in its right hand came crashing down.
Thunk!
Screech!
Sparks flew, fragments scattered, and hydraulic fluid spilled like blood across the golden desert.
The Heavy Cutter Sword lodged in its back, the [LaGOWE] staggered forward before the glow of its Beam and main camera faded, collapsing limply onto the sand.
Yang Hui's machine crashed to the ground. Though the desert was as soft as a woman's touch, the moment its remaining upper half made contact, it shattered into scattered fragments.
Creak~
The [LaGOWE]'s cockpit hatch opened, and the couple staggered out, gazing dazedly in the direction of the [GINN].
"We won..."
"Yeah, we won. Never thought... ha ha, the kid lost again."
Andrew Waltfeld and Aisha Tyler both felt as if they were dreaming. They had been certain of their defeat, even their deaths. Yet against all odds, their desperate resolve had brought them back from the brink.
"No, I won. You lost."
"Wha—"
The two whirled around to see Yang Hui pointing a gun at them. Though battered, his left arm hanging limp, his eyes burned with the excitement and joy of victory.
"Wondering why I'm here instead of over there?" Unable to use his other hand, he jerked his chin toward the wreckage of the [GINN].
"You didn't eject mid-fight, did you?"
"How do you think my left arm got broken?"
That's right. Just as the two mobile suits passed each other, Yang Hui made a crazy decision—he leaped directly from the cockpit. Though the soft sand cushioned his fall, his left arm was still broken. Gritting through the pain, Yang Hui had already reached the LaGOWE before the two could exit their cockpit.
"Hahahaha... You really dare to do this!"
"So, are you convinced now?" Yang Hui asked.
"..." Andrew Waltfeld remained silent. Aisha Tyler held her lover's hand, a gentle smile on her face. They were one; they would bear everything together.
"Shoot," Andrew Waltfeld said seriously to Yang Hui. "A battle only ends when one side is destroyed."
"Alright."
Bang~!
Andrew Waltfeld stared dumbfounded as Aisha Tyler spread her arms to shield him, while Yang Hui raised his gun high, pointing it at the sky.
"Haha, looks like I scared you." Laughing, Yang Hui tossed the gun aside.
"You... what does this mean?" Andrew Waltfeld asked.
"Same question—are you convinced now?" Yang Hui repeated.
The couple froze, recalling what Yang Hui had told them at his home: "Personally, I prefer beating my opponents into submission. Once isn't enough? Then twice. The best outcome is making them submit and admire you at the same time."
And now, they had to admit—Yang Hui had done it. He kept his word.
"Hahaha, convinced! Completely convinced! You're really something, kid! Hahahaha..."
"So, you two—interested in switching sides?"
"Sorry, kid, but we'll have to disappoint you again."
Andrew Waltfeld refused outright. He knew Yang Hui was trying to help them. After all, the ambush had failed, losses were heavy, and losing in a LaGOWE to a GINN—any one of these would earn them severe reprimands from their superiors, possibly even a court-martial.
Now, with the LaGOWE destroyed, they could fake their deaths and accept Yang Hui's offer, assuming new identities to live in Orb. Under the leadership of someone like Yang Hui, they'd live comfortably without worry.
But he still refused. He wasn't a man who ran from consequences. He had failed; punishment was deserved. Even if it meant a court-martial, he would face it.
Moreover, PLANT was his country, his home. Betrayal was impossible.
"Alright, what a shame."
This was expected. If Andrew Waltfeld had agreed so easily, Yang Hui might have been a little disappointed.
But... not accepting his offer now didn't mean they couldn't fight side by side in the future. In time to come, the Tiger would become one of Lacus's top generals.
"Kid, I've always been curious—you keep interacting with both the Earth Forces and PLANT. What's your real goal?" Andrew Waltfeld asked.
"To protect Orb."
"Really?"
"Really."
"..." Looking into Yang Hui's firm and sincere eyes, Andrew Waltfeld judged it to be true.
"Heh, then I wish you success. If we meet again... though we might not."
"Who knows about the future? But you should go now."
"Yes," the couple replied. It was time for them to leave, as people from the Archangel and Desert Dawn were approaching in this direction. "Looking forward to our next meeting, young man."
"I look forward to it too."
They parted ways, heading in opposite directions. Though their paths diverged now, these were not separate threads—someday in the future, their winding roads would cross again.
Yang Hui walked slowly toward his waiting companions under the blazing sun, his shadow stretching endlessly across the desert sands until it reached the horizon.
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