After retrieving Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol, Creuset immediately returned to the Carpentaria Base. However, he only let the three disembark before setting sail again.
During the return journey, Creuset had already informed them that they would be transferred out of Team Creuset and reassigned to the Special Operations Force directly under the Defense Committee. They were to return to the homeland to receive the latest Mobile Suits and would also be awarded the Nebula Medal.
This outcome left the three somewhat bewildered—especially Nicol and Dearka. While Athrun deserved commendation for taking down the Strike, they hadn't achieved much. Nicol had been captured in Orb's waters, and Dearka had fared even worse, nearly dying at the hands of the Strike.
But Creuset understood exactly what Patrick Zala was scheming. Wasn't this just a ploy to win over the remaining council members and completely push Siegel Clyne out of the Supreme Council?
Nicol's father was a member of the moderate faction, while Dearka's father, though neutral, leaned toward the moderates. By promoting them under the pretext of safely bringing them home and transferring them to his direct command, Patrick was tightening his grip.
Here's a joke: among the original four Red Coats, only Yzak's mother was Patrick Zala's loyal follower. Thus, Patrick didn't need such tactics to win over or control Yzak Joule. That's why Yzak was left out.
"Congratulations, Yzak. You got a promotion," Dearka teased.
"Dearka! You bastard!" Yzak's feelings couldn't even be described as mere frustration. He'd been overjoyed to learn that all three were still alive, only for Creuset to soon inform him of his promotion to Captain.
At first, Yzak thought it was because the other three had the stain of being captured while he remained unscathed—that Athrun had been demoted while he soared. He was thrilled to finally have one over Athrun.
The next moment, he froze. Creuset told him Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol were all being transferred to the Defense Committee's direct forces, leaving Team Zala with only him as the lone survivor.
What was the point of a promotion when all three were gone!? He wanted to demand why Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol had abandoned him!
"Alright, Dearka, stop provoking Yzak," Nicol interjected. He didn't understand why the higher-ups had issued such orders, nor did he want to part with his close comrades. But as soldiers, they had to obey.
"Take care, Yzak."
"Hmph! Don't tell me what to do. Just don't embarrass yourselves without me around to keep you in line!"
"Pfft—" Watching Yzak now, Athrun, Dearka, and Nicol realized that the nickname Yang Hui had given him was absolutely perfect.
With the Defense Committee's transfer orders on a tight schedule, the three didn't linger. After packing lightly, they bid farewell to Yzak and boarded the transport plane bound for Kaohsiung Port.
"Just wait. I'll catch up soon! Next time, you'll be under my command—so don't go dying before then!" Watching the transport plane disappear into the sunset, Yzak steeled his resolve.
...
On the other side, Creuset's Vosgulov-class submarine carrier rendezvoused with the submarine fleet lurking in the deep sea, quietly advancing toward Alaska. Creuset himself was in the operations room briefing everyone on the battle plan.
"It's said that Alaska's Joshua Base has a structure capable of withstanding nuclear strikes. However, nuclear weapons can't be used now, and ZAFT doesn't intend to use them either. To carry out an attack, we must penetrate the interior space called the [Great Hollow], which is no easy feat. As a reconnaissance unit, we can't act recklessly. We must constantly stay updated on the latest intelligence from Alaska. This reconnaissance mission is special—we must operate in secrecy. Any adventurous stories will have to wait until after the war."
"Yes, sir!" came the unified response.
"After all, you never know where intelligence might leak from," Creuset muttered to himself with a dangerous smirk curling his lips.
"Yang Hui, I've made my move. What will you do?"
...
At Orb's Ministry of Defense, Yang Hui strode briskly into the central command.
"What's the situation?"
"The ZAFT Forces' space fleet has halted. Their current position is problematic." Sumeragi marked the location of ZAFT's space fleet on the tactical map.
"This position... It's about to begin." Yang Hui's gaze turned grave as he studied the markers on the map.
"Commander, Chief of Staff, analysis from Intelligence and Operations indicates ZAFT's target is indeed Panama," a staff officer reported to Yang Hui and Sumeragi.
"No, it's not Panama," Sumeragi shook her head in disagreement.
"What? How could it not be Panama?" All the officers present stared at Sumeragi in disbelief. The staff officer even highlighted the descent trajectory of ZAFT's fleet, showing their landing point as Panama Spaceport.
"You're all falling for preconceptions," Yang Hui interjected. "ZAFT has been sending signals from the start, making it obvious to everyone that they intend to launch a full-scale attack on Panama. So, just as ZAFT predicted, you've all fallen into their trap."
With that, Yang Hui drew another descent route over the existing markers, leaving every officer present stunned.
"ZAFT's real target is the Atlantic Federation's central command—Joshua Base in Alaska!"
"This is the brilliance of Patrick Zala. Until they strike, no one will know whether their target is Panama or Alaska."
As he spoke, Yang Hui pulled up a global tactical map, marking the deployment and movements of both Earth Forces and ZAFT Forces.
"Right now, Earth Forces' main fleet has headed to Panama. Aside from minimal garrison troops and defensive installations, Alaska's base has no other defenses," Sumeragi explained to the group. "So ZAFT won't miss this opportunity. There's a 90% chance their target is Joshua Base in Alaska."
"Commander, Chief of Staff, what should we do?" The officers looked intently at Yang Hui and Sumeragi. They were Orb citizens—they disliked war, but knowing Orb would inevitably be drawn into the conflict, they were unafraid to face it.
"All forces, intensify training, especially the coordination between MS units and other forces. The First, Second, and Third Fleets are to proceed to coordinates S41 and stand by to prevent retaliatory actions from ZAFT Forces at the Carpentaria Base. Vice Admiral Selta will command the fleet. The Fourth and Fifth Fleets will deploy laterally from A09 to E34, accompanied by the First MS Battalion, to prevent the conflict in Alaska from spilling into Orb territory. Vice Admiral Togao, you will command this fleet."
"Yes, sir!" x2
"Commander, any additional orders?" Sumeragi asked Yang Hui. Although Yang Hui had already handed over military command to her, his rank and status were above hers. Even as fiancés, formalities had to be maintained.
"The Special MS Squad will accompany the Fourth Fleet and await opportunities for covert operations. The First, Second, and Third Fleets will take the First Special MS Battalion and the Second MS Battalion with them. Vice Admiral Selta, if the opportunity arises, seize the Morehead Port and Papua New Guinea under the pretext of humanitarian aid."
"!"
Everyone except Sumeragi was stunned by the sheer audacity of Yang Hui's ambition.
"But Commander, that area is under ZAFT occupation and too close to the Carpentaria Base. What if ZAFT Forces turn their attention to attack us?" a staff officer questioned.
"I intend to pressure the Carpentaria Base, forcing them to hesitate before acting," Yang Hui replied with a ruthless expression.
This land near Orb had long been in Yang Hui's sights. Capturing Papua New Guinea would grant control over the Torres Strait, cutting off the Gibraltar Base's eastern advance and restricting ZAFT Forces' movements across the sea from Carpentaria.
Moreover, it was the largest landmass near Orb besides Australia. While Orb couldn't swallow Australia whole, a smaller target like Papua New Guinea was feasible. It would become Orb's third territory and a vital population center. For Orb to rise above the world, expansion was essential. If Australia was too large, other Oceanian Federation nations would suffice—starting with Papua New Guinea and stretching to Indonesia, all part of Yang Hui's grand plan.
Seizing Papua New Guinea now would also provide refuge for more Orb citizens. With Orb's mainland soon to be occupied by the Atlantic Federation, the Mass Driver alone couldn't accommodate all its people. Securing additional land was necessary to retain Orb's dwindling population.
The Oceanian Federation, now under ZAFT occupation with its government in disarray, presented the perfect opportunity. Orb could be seen as liberators rather than invaders if they moved swiftly to establish control before local leaders could react. With proper governance, these lands would seamlessly integrate into Orb.
Additionally, this territory's strategic position blocked all eastern advances by ZAFT Forces from Australia, becoming a buffer between them and the Atlantic Federation. Yang Hui was certain the Atlantic Federation wouldn't mind Orb playing this role as their shield.
As for what the high-ranking officials who fled the Oceania Federation thought, who cared?
"...Understood!" Major General Geatal accepted the order, feeling genuinely excited. Such a monumental achievement had just fallen into his lap.
"Proceed with execution immediately. The codename for this operation will be [Operation Restoration]."
"Yes, sir!" (Multiple voices)
After the strategy meeting concluded, Yang Hui and Sumeragi immediately went to see Uzumi. Not just Uzumi—the heads of Orb's Five Noble Families were all present. This matter concerned the nation's foundation and whether Orb could take its first step toward prominence beyond its isolated island status. Their approval was absolutely necessary.
However, completely as expected, when they presented [Operation Restoration] to the family heads, everyone except Old Sahaku opposed it.
"Have you lost your minds!?"
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