The wreckage of Moebius units floated in the weightless void of space, with occasional collisions between still-active debris igniting bursts of flame.
Compared to past battles, where wreckage would scatter everywhere, this time the battlefield bore new remnants unseen before—the Mobile Suit GINN, the pride of the Coordinators!
Wang Hu's Exus Experimental, the culmination of the Earth Alliance's efforts, lived up to its reputation. Equipped with Beam Cannons, its threat level to the ZAFT Forces had exponentially increased compared to the Moebius Zero.
Just moments ago, relying on Amuro's spatial awareness and piloting skills—especially with the support of selfless comrades—the Coordinators on this battlefield had been completely annihilated. Against the Exus Experimental's fast-moving, heavily armed Beam Cannon Pods, even the elite green-uniformed Coordinator pilots stood no chance.
Most couldn't react before Wang Hu's Beam Cannons pierced their cockpits. A few veteran pilots might dodge the first wave, but against the coordinated assault of four Beam Cannon Pods, even the green-uniformed Coordinators could only meet their end in bitter defeat.
And the East Asian Army pilots in their Moebius units weren't just sitting idle either. With Wang Hu drawing enemy fire as the spearhead of their assault, these soldiers—who had once struggled to deal meaningful damage to the MS GINN—now fought with 200% of their usual fervor. Each of them had contributed to the victory in their own way.
"Did we... win?"
As the battle subsided and no new enemies appeared, the Moebius pilots stared in disbelief at the results they had achieved.
"We won! We won!" Many cheered ecstatically over the comms.
Their joy was understandable. Since the war began, the Coordinators' relentless advance had brought nothing but reports of lost territories and fallen cities. The constant defeats seemed to confirm the myth of Coordinator invincibility—a myth built upon the lives of fallen comrades. No matter how hard they fought, they could never turn the tide.
But now, at last...
Right before their eyes, the Coordinators had been defeated—by their own hands!
They had made history. They had changed history.
To be part of that moment filled every one of them with indescribable exhilaration.
"This is what you deserve. Savor the sweet wine of victory."
Inside the Exus, Wang Hu smiled as he listened to his comrades' excited voices over the comms. His heart swelled with unparalleled satisfaction.
In truth, during the battle, he had deliberately created opportunities for his allies. Many kills that could have been his alone, he had generously allowed others to claim.
Wherever comrades were in danger, there Wang Hu would appear.
Whenever a Coordinator stronghold was discovered, Wang Hu would rush to the scene first, transforming into an unstoppable hammer.
Crushing the Coordinators' resistance!
Wasn't all this effort for this very moment?
Now, a new myth was about to rise, replacing the old one.
With a faint smile, Wang Hu quickly prepared to leave this already cleared battlefield.
He had other places to go, for there were still more comrades who needed him.
"Qilin Child! Qilin Child!"
As Wang Hu departed, the soldiers emerged from their excitement.
True to the proud warriors of the East Asian Army that civilians admired, many, many soldiers regained their composure.
No longer lost in the glory they had just created.
Watching Wang Hu's retreating figure, numerous soldiers noticed the striking emblem on the purple Qilin's armor.
The qilin, the auspicious beast!
No one failed to recognize the qilin emblem, and to see such a symbol on that valiant Mobile Armor that had miraculously led them to victory.
As if by prior agreement, in unison.
The soldiers sincerely shouted the name "Qilin Child."
They expressed their gratitude and their hopes for Wang Hu's future.
Hoping that Wang Hu would bring them endless victories and glory, just like the qilin!
"I will. I will."
Leaving this battlefield, already seeing the fierce flames of the next battle ahead, Wang Hu's ears still echoed with his comrades' cries.
For the hopes they placed in him, Wang Hu silently vowed never to disappoint those wonderful people.
Later, carrying his comrades' trust, Wang Hu raced across various battlefields, never letting down the soldiers on any front.
As time passed and news spread.
When Wang Hu's purple Qilin appeared on the battlefield, both friend and foe understood.
For the East Asian Army, it meant victory. For the ZAFT Forces, it meant defeat.
Where Wang Hu appeared, the East Asian Army's morale soared unimaginably high, while ZAFT's morale plummeted.
As if Wang Hu carried his own buff—though for the East Asian Army, it was a boon, while for ZAFT, it was an aura of fear.
"Qilin Child?"
Gradually, Wang Hu's reputation finally reached the command centers of both sides.
At the same time, the nickname escaped the lips of commanders on both fronts.
Of course, for Wang Hu.
The East Asian Army's commander of the first wave of the attack fleet, responsible for this encirclement and reinforcement interception operation, was delighted.
According to General Zheng's pre-battle instructions, the key to this operation lay with the first wave of the attack fleet under his command.
If he could strike fear into the enemy, applying overwhelming pressure on the Coordinator's left flank fleet.
Ideally, swallowing the enemy before the friendly forces intercepting reinforcements could no longer hold out.
Then victory in this defensive battle would be assured.
For this, the Nova Resource Satellite Defense Command had spared no expense, assigning elite troops and fierce generals to his command.
"Adjutant, I think it's time to advance the main fleet."
Remembering General Zheng's earnest pre-battle instructions, the fleet commander approached the holographic tactical platform. After carefully observing the enemy's and his own forces' positions.
He made a slightly risky decision.
"We can't rely solely on the warriors aboard the Moebius. Our ship's cannons are the greatest threat to the enemy."
"The initial plan was to have the Mobile Armors coordinate with the fleet to advance steadily, using Mobile Suits and ship artillery to maximize the elimination of the Coordinators' Mobile Suits."
"Then, we would engage the enemy fleet in a decisive battle."
"But now, thanks to the efforts of that Qilin Child, the path ahead is opening up for us."
"I agree," his adjutant nodded.
"Our comrades fighting on the outer divided battlefield are struggling hard. The ZAFT Forces already hold a certain advantage. To secure victory in this battle..."
"Those Coordinators are fighting desperately. Our original tactics now seem a bit too conservative."
"Especially since we now have a glimmer of hope to turn the tide. Sticking to the old ways would be irresponsible to our allies."
"True." The commander fell silent at the mention of their comrades holding the line.
The fighting there was truly brutal. To block the advancing ZAFT reinforcements, they had shed blood for every inch of ground.
Heroic and tragic tales unfolded every second.
(End of Chapter)