Chapter 223: Rising Storm
Compared to everything else, what concerned Eli more was another matter… the approval from Federation Military Headquarters.
With General Revil—Admiral Revil—holding a key position there, he should never have allowed something like this to happen.
They called it "requisitioning," but Eli already understood what Titans were actually doing behind the scenes.
Now that the G3 gas had already been confiscated by the Federation, the Titans simply opened a few holes in the Konpei Colony Satellite.
They didn't even bother with a sale—just letting the air leak was enough to cause the entire population of the colony to die from suffocation.
Konpei was a rather unique colony satellite.
Its uniqueness didn't lie in its structure, but in its internal population.
After the One Year War, this colony had become the refuge for the vast majority of space refugees, as well as Zeon soldiers unwilling to return to the Republic of Zeon.
This demographic makeup naturally fostered intense anti-Federation sentiment within the colony. In the past, protests incited by AEUG had been happening continually.
There were even rumors that the colony was preparing to declare independence.
Of course, neither the Federation Parliament nor Eli took such talk seriously.
After all, what kind of colony would be foolish enough to try and go independent?
Any local garrison from the Federation could easily handle that.
But looking at things now, it was clear that the Titans had taken this as the starting point for their machinations.
"Monitor AEUG's movements closely. Send troops to scout Side 5. Increase patrols for all our garrisons, especially those at Side 3 and on the lunar surface. Tell them if they spot a Titans ship, they're to demand an inspection."
At the same time Eli submitted the finalized report to Jaburo, he issued further orders regarding Undertaker.
"If the Titans refuse, you're authorized to use force to board their ship. But under no circumstances are you to open fire first."
The report in his hands was addressed directly to General Revil—it was an official inquiry into this incident.
Eli didn't believe for a moment that Revil would casually approve the Titans' suppression of an entire colony.
After all, Konpei hadn't yet reached the point of full-scale protests or open declarations of independence.
Eli himself had visited the colony during discussions with the Side 5 Parliament regarding stationing troops.
So the only reason that could've led General Revil to authorize the Titans' actions simply didn't exist.
Rather than believe the Federation Military Headquarters approved it, Eli preferred to assume that the Federation Parliament had authorized the Titans instead.
"Get the White Chaser ready…"
"Report! Orders from Jaburo!"
Just as Eli was motioning for the White Chaser to deploy, he was interrupted by the arrival of a new order.
"Message from Jaburo: Colonel Eli Lee is to report to Jaburo immediately for discussions concerning the rebellion on Konpei!"
A heavy silence began to spread.
Had Jaburo just confirmed the very possibility that Eli had just rejected?
"Have the White Chaser prepare for departure. Destination: Jaburo."
This time, Eli's tone was devoid of the earlier anger.
Clearly, he had realized that something unknown had happened in Jaburo.
The contents of the message seemed perfectly routine, but the timing was far too coincidental.
So coincidental that it felt as though Jaburo had been watching the Titans' every move from the very beginning—and had prepared for this exact moment.
"Are you sure about this? Want me to go with you?"
"No. Stay here and coordinate the defense across the sides, especially Side 5. Go there yourself if necessary."
Though it felt a bit odd for Eli to be giving such orders to a mere Major and mobile suit pilot, he knew that Arcadia was someone he could trust wholeheartedly.
"I'll bring Amuro with me. Don't worry."
When Arcadia heard that the pilot who had always beaten him was accompanying Eli, he nodded in understanding.
"What about White Base?"
"It stays. Bright's leadership skills are far beyond that of a single ship. If anything happens, support his decisions in my name."
Eli continued working through some final paperwork as he spoke.
"And finally—if you come across something you absolutely can't decide on, contact General Jamitov immediately and let him make the call."
With that, Eli gave his final instructions.
Nominally, this unit belonged under General Jamitov's command. However, due to Jamitov's deliberate hands-off approach, Eli had effectively become its top commander.
Of course, this was also because General Jamitov had more than just Undertaker under his command.
---
"There's been a lot of these refugees out on the streets lately."
Kamille leaned forward, peering out the window as he muttered.
"Hey! Get your head back inside!"
From the driver's seat, Beltorchika reached out and tugged his jacket, pulling him back into the vehicle.
"That's dangerous!"
"You don't have to nag me—I'm not a kid!"
"Only kids say they're not kids. That's something Mr. Eli once said too."
Beltorchika waved her hand with practiced ease, instantly making Kamille's face flush red—not from embarrassment, but from anger.
"You—!"
"Hmph—!"
Just as Kamille was about to fire back, a fierce gust of wind blew by.
Beltorchika looked up and saw only the blaze from a mobile suit's thrusters.
"Seriously, why are they test flying in Green Noa? Isn't Gryps just on the other side?"
Beltorchika extended her middle finger toward the MS that had just soared over their heads.
"Well, well, the babysitter's out with her charge again?"
A grating voice came through the in-car communicator.
"Jerid, you picking a fight again?"
"Wouldn't dare, oh great ambassador of propaganda. Just relaying orders from HQ. You're to report to the Public Relations Division immediately."
"Got it."
Beltorchika cut the comm in a huff.
Then she turned to Kamille.
Sure enough, she saw displeasure and indignation written all over the boy's face.
"Beltorchika, are you seriously helping the Titans again? Even though that Jerid guy looks down on you?"
"No choice. That's adult life."
Beltorchika shrugged, her expression full of helpless resignation.
"Alright, your father should be over by Unit 0. Go find him yourself."
She stomped on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop in front of a hangar gate.
Watching Kamille angrily slam the door shut and storm inside, Beltorchika finally let her smile fade and dropped the farewell wave.
"Taking care of kids is exhausting, Quattro—Char…"