"Yes... yes, sir!"
The crew members saluted nervously before quickly returning to their duties. There was no helping it—Yang Hui's overwhelming presence was simply too much for them. The ship's complement consisted mostly of fresh recruits: Talia was a newly appointed captain, Arthur Trine a newly appointed executive officer, and the rest were mostly recent graduates from the military academy. None of them could withstand Yang Hui's commanding aura.
Durandal shot Yang Hui a surprised glance but quickly composed himself. This was the first time Durandal had experienced Yang Hui's battlefield presence up close, and frankly, even he had been momentarily stunned into compliance.
"My apologies for the poor showing," Durandal said sheepishly, watching the flustered crew.
"No need to apologize to me, Durandal," Yang Hui replied, shaking his head. "Truth be told, I consider myself more of a military commander than a political leader. I'm simply accustomed to the responsibilities of a soldier."
"Victory at all costs?"
"Only half right. Victory while ensuring as many of our comrades survive as possible."
"..." Durandal fell silent. His philosophy was the exact opposite—any sacrifice was justified if it led to victory.
Of course, he didn't voice this thought aloud. If Yang Hui heard it, he'd likely retort, "Then why don't you be the first to sacrifice yourself?"
...
"Impulse ready! Pilot Shinn Asuka, standing by!"
"Launch immediately!"
"Roger! Impulse, preparing for sortie. Pilot, board the Core Splendor and select the Sword Silhouette pack. Open Silhouette Flyer Bay No. 2. Silhouette Flyer, prepare for launch..."
"Launch platform set. Central catapult online. Airtight hatch closing..."
"Emergency team, stand by in the launch area..."
"Central catapult raised to launch position..."
"Core Splendor, all systems online. Commencing launch sequence..."
"Bay doors open. Catapult system connected. Thrust nominal. Path clear. Core Splendor, cleared for launch!"
"Shinn Asuka, Core Splendor, launching!"
The narrow central catapult deck of the Minerva slid open, and the red, blue, and white Core Splendor shot out, trailing a brilliant plume of exhaust.
"Catapult connected. Silhouette Flyer, cleared for launch!"
"Chest Flyer, cleared for launch!"
"Leg Flyer, cleared for launch!"
Following the Core Splendor, three modular components launched in rapid succession. Mid-flight, the Core Splendor folded and docked with the Chest and Leg Flyers, extending the Impulse Gundam's arms and legs to reveal its full form. Finally, the Silhouette Flyer attached to its back.
VPS Armor activated, transforming the gray exterior into a predominantly red frame with gold accents.
Still airborne, the Impulse Gundam drew its twin MMI-710 Armor Schneider anti-ship swords and brought them down in a devastating overhead slash.
The Gaia Gundam, its intended target, sensed the danger and leaped back just in time, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow as the massive blades struck the ground, sending debris flying.
Meanwhile, the Abyss Gundam and Chaos Gundam—still wreaking havoc in the armory—took notice of the Impulse Gundam's dramatic entrance. Instantly, they identified the unknown Mobile Suit, absent from any intelligence reports, as their primary threat.
...
"Huh? A three-stage docking system? That's interesting." The three-stage combination docking mode of the Impulse Gundam reminded Yang Hui of a child he didn't particularly like and that impulsive little brother of his.
"Your thoughts on this, Mr. Yang Hui?" Durandal asked proudly.
"Well, it's somewhat interesting..."
Hearing Yang Hui's positive remark, Durandal initially wore a smug smile, but it vanished instantly because...
"...but it's flashy and a complete mess. If it were me, he wouldn't even get the chance to combine. Flying low right in front of the enemy just to show off? That's suicidal."
"Uh..." Not only did Durandal's expression freeze, but everyone else on the Minerva also broke out in cold sweat.
No one doubted Yang Hui was deliberately nitpicking—he was the undisputed top expert in the MS field.
"This isn't the time for such discussions!" Talia suddenly turned to Durandal. "Chairman, we can now confirm that Gaia, Abyss, and Chaos have been stolen by the enemy. Since it's a Gundam Raider unit, there must be a mothership outside! We should notify—"
"Too late." Before Durandal could speak, Yang Hui shook his head. "It's been ten minutes since the three new Mobile Suits were stolen. The enemy's mothership is definitely in position by now. And... I don't believe the infiltration team consists of only three pilots for stealing Mobile Suits."
"Then—Chairman!" Talia urgently called out. If Yang Hui was right, the consequences would be disastrous.
"Contact headquarters immediately and have them—"
Beep beep beep... Before Durandal could finish his order, Yang Hui's PAD chimed. Seeing it was a communication request from Natarle Badgiruel, Yang Hui glanced at Durandal and, receiving a nod, answered directly.
"Speaking."
"Commander, are you unharmed?" Natarle asked with concern.
"Both Athrun and I are fine. We're taking refuge on the Minerva right now."
"The Minerva?"
"ZAFT's newest warship. Never mind that for now—the explosions inside were caused by the Gundam Raider unit. Three of ZAFT's new MS units have been stolen, and there's likely a mothership outside for extraction. The Sword of the Heavens and the escort fleet should be on high alert. Dispatch the MS units immediately."
"Understood... Do you need reinforcements inside?"
"Not necessary. Just keep an eye on the outside... If the ZAFT Forces are ambushed, you may provide appropriate support... That acceptable, Chairman Durandal?"
Durandal stiffened, his expression darkening. Yang Hui's question might have sounded like a request, but it was really a directive—Durandal had no choice in the matter.
"Agreed." Though displeased, Durandal accepted Yang Hui's proposal. The priority now was minimizing casualties, reclaiming the Gaia Gundam, Abyss Gundam, and Chaos Gundam, and eliminating the invading forces.
"You heard that?" Yang Hui asked Natarle through the PAD.
"Understood."
The call ended, and Yang Hui put away his PAD, ignoring Durandal's piercing gaze as he observed the unfolding battle.
"Tsk tsk, this won't do." Yang Hui shook his head as he observed the battle. Mayu had also sortied in a Zaku Warrior, joining a red Zaku Warrior and a white Zaku Phantom alongside the Impulse Gundam to surround the Gaia Gundam, Abyss Gundam, and Chaos Gundam. But… four against three, with special paint jobs indicating elite pilots—yet they could barely maintain the encirclement, let alone suppress the enemy.
The remaining ordinary defense forces couldn't even assist effectively, and were somewhat dragging them down.
"Mr. Yang Hui…" Durandal's expression darkened further. This time, his face had truly been humiliated. If things continued like this, the three stolen mobile suits might break through, and the armory would suffer even greater losses. Left with no other options, he could only make another request to Yang Hui. "If it were you… could you capture those three mobile suits?"
"Chairman!?" The bridge crew gasped again, shocked by Durandal's decision.
"I can."
"Then—"
"But the three pilots must be handed over to me." The Gaia Gundam, Abyss Gundam, and Chaos Gundam held little value for Yang Hui. Though they were ZAFT's newest model MS, frankly… without even checking the detailed specs, Yang Hui had already deduced most of their parameters from the battle. They couldn't even compare to Mu and Morgan Chevalier's Strike Gundam.
"Impossible." Durandal refused Yang Hui's demand. "The enemy's identity is still unknown. We need more intelligence."
"If it's intelligence you want, I can offer a substitute. How about handing over the mothership in space?" Yang Hui proposed a new bargaining chip.
"In that case… fine. But you must guarantee the capture of this operation's commander." Small fry wouldn't yield much valuable intel—after all, how much could low-ranking soldiers know? The operation's commander would be far more valuable than the three Gundam Raider pilots.
"Agreed." Yang Hui accepted. His need for intelligence wasn't high—he already knew this was the work of the Phantom Pain unit. He was just somewhat interested in the three potentially promising recruits.
"Shall we contact your ship to deliver your mobile suits?" Durandal asked.
"No need." Yang Hui shook his head and turned to Talia. "Does this ship have any spare units?"
"Yes… two Zaku Warriors remain… but—"
"That'll do. Let's go, Athrun. Time for some fun."
(End of Chapter)