Upon receiving the order, Yang Hui and the other two ceased their pursuit.
No, it should be said that after sending a grand "firework display" to the VEGAN fleet, they didn't take the pursuit of VEGAN seriously anymore.
Otherwise, the remnants of Zannald's fleet would have had no chance to rendezvous with Jehart's fleet.
After returning to Lost Loran, the three of them headed straight to the command center to meet up with Argreus.
On the way, they encountered an indignant Asemu.
"Uncle, did you go easy on them?" Asemu asked directly.
"Oh? You could tell? You've improved a bit."
"Why?" Asemu asked.
He was undoubtedly one of the people who best understood the capabilities of Yang Hui and the other two. Although the Earth's environment limited Yang Hui and Yurin's strength, if they had been serious, Zannald's fleet would have had no chance to retreat. By keeping Jehart's fleet entangled and coordinating with the main force, they could have annihilated them completely.
"If you're not smart, ask less and do more. You should learn from Gerard in this regard," Yang Hui teased.
Gerard and Rena were also among the group, but neither of them voiced their doubts directly.
"Hehe, thank you, Lieutenant General... Wait! Lieutenant General, are you saying I'm not smart?" Gerard, who had been quite pleased with himself, quickly realized something was off.
"Hmm... seems like you're not completely hopeless."
"No! Lieutenant General, I admit I can't figure out the reason for your actions, but I absolutely trust you! That's why I didn't ask. But Rena didn't ask either, why didn't you say anything to her?" Gerard complained.
"Because she's smarter than you," Yang Hui smiled and looked at Rena. "So? Can you guess?"
"...I have some guesses, but with insufficient information, I can't be sure," Rena replied seriously.
"See?" Yang Hui spread his hands towards Gerard.
Gerard: (╥ω╥)
Amidst the casual conversation, the group arrived at the command center. After Argreus arranged the follow-up tasks, he led them to the war room, where Flit had been waiting.
"Thanks to the three Lieutenant Generals, we wouldn't have achieved such significant results otherwise," Argreus said excitedly.
"Enough with the meaningless flattery, Argreus. What's the outcome?" Flit scolded.
"Yes, my apologies, Old Commander. In this battle, we eliminated 70% of the invading forces. If the intelligence department's information is accurate, VEGAN's fleet in Earth's orbit is nearly wiped out. The objective of the plan has been accomplished," Argreus reported.
"Good. Then immediately arrange for the fleet to launch into space. Before VEGAN's reinforcement fleet arrives, get our fleet into orbit," Yang Hui said.
"Preparations are already underway. By tomorrow night at the latest, the first batch of the fleet, including the Diva and [Baize], will be launched into space."
"Good."
Everyone nodded. Argreus's arrangements were appropriate, leaving little room for criticism.
"However, Lieutenant Generals, I have a mission that requires your attention."
Hearing this, Yang Hui and the other two stood up, saluting Argreus with serious expressions.
"That thing has appeared again."
"Admiral, you mean...!" Asemu stood up excitedly.
"Yes. Recently, there have been several attacks on merchant ships near Graveyard One. The investigation teams sent later found no survivors."
"It's definitely them!" Asemu's expression alternated between anger and excitement. He had been searching for Sidd, not for the EXA-DB, but to avenge his fallen comrades.
"Sidd... Argreus, this isn't the right time," Yang Hui said.
Generally, Yang Hui wouldn't oppose orders. He also wanted to obtain the EXA-DB and kill Sidd to avenge his former subordinates.
But as he said, regaining control of Earth's orbit required a significant amount of manpower and firepower. Before fully securing Earth's orbit, as the strongest combatants, they were needed elsewhere.
"The Lieutenant General is right, but the issue is... the investigation team found remnants of VEGAN's warships near Graveyard One."
"VEGAN!"
"Yes. According to intelligence gathered by the department, Ezelcant has been secretly sending people to search for something, even at great cost, and hasn't stopped."
"I see. It seems we can't delay any longer."
Yang Hui and the others realized the severity of the situation. Even a small portion of the technology had allowed VEGAN to surpass the Federation in technology for decades. If VEGAN obtained the complete EXA-DB, the Federation would truly stand no chance.
"Therefore, Lieutenant General Yang Hui, Lieutenant General Graham, and Lieutenant General Yurin, accompany the [Celestial Being] unit to Graveyard One in space and seize the [Cursed Treasure]!"
"Yes!" X6
"As for the Old Commander..."
"I'll follow the Diva," Flit volunteered. Although he was also interested in the EXA-DB, with Yang Hui and the other two along with the [Celestial Being] unit going, it was more appropriate for him to stay with the Diva to bolster its strength.
"Understood. Then we'll leave it to the Old Commander."
"Good."
"Then that's settled. Everyone, go and prepare."
"Aren't you going to ask why I let that remnant fleet escape?" Yang Hui asked Argreus.
"The Lieutenant General must have his own considerations," Argreus replied without hesitation.
"Sigh, you understand. Why can't my nephew, whom I've watched grow up, see it?" Yang Hui shook his head in mock sadness.
"Huh?" Argreus was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha, that's truly a pity."
Everyone else laughed, except for Flit, who looked at Asemu with a mix of frustration and disappointment.
The official orders had been given, and the meeting was over. Now it was private time, and the atmosphere naturally became more relaxed.
"Uh... I just... ask when I don't understand?" Asemu said awkwardly.
"So... you explain it to him?"
"Then I'll make a fool of myself."
With that, Argreus pulled up some data—casualty statistics from VEGAN's large-scale Earth invasion operations.
"This is..."
"Just as I thought!"
Asemu and Gerard were still clueless, but Rena had figured it out, and the data confirmed her suspicions.
"What does it mean?" Asemu and Gerard asked like clueless children.
"The casualty results from VEGAN's invasion operations are completely polarized. On one side, cities and civilians suffered heavy casualties, while on the other side, there were almost none, with only military facilities damaged."
"This... what's the issue?"
"Sigh..." Rena was also frustrated. Her husband wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but why was her superior the same?
But the bigwigs present were looking at her expectantly, so she had no choice but to pull out her PAD, bring up the battle data from Lost Loran, and explain.
"In the defense of Lost Loran, VEGAN split into two fleets—one descending from Earth's orbit and the other attacking from the sea. But the timing of their attacks was clearly out of sync, and their coordination was minimal. So..."
Rena paused, then voiced her speculation.
"...I suspect there's internal conflict within VEGAN's forces."
"Go on."
"Yes. After the battle, I noticed from the records that both the Admiral's arrangements and the Lieutenant Generals' decisive strikes were targeting the fleet descending from Earth's orbit. Yet, in the end, they didn't wipe them out completely. So I suspect... the Lieutenant Generals and the Admiral intended to completely split VEGAN from within."
"Clap clap clap..."
Applause broke out. Rena's speculation was precise, and her analysis was spot-on.
"Excellent analysis and summary, though my arrangements weren't targeting anyone—they just happened to walk into the trap," Argreus praised.
"Asemu, you can step down for the worthy. With your brain, you can't lead the [Celestial Being] unit," Yang Hui teased.
"Uh... this... that..."
"I respectfully decline, Lieutenant General," Rena stood up and refused before Asemu could respond. "Captain Asuno is an excellent leader, perfectly suited to lead the [Celestial Being] unit."
"Rena..." Asemu was touched, but the next second, he was petrified.
"Captain Asuno may be impulsive, likes to take all the responsibility on himself, enjoys hogging others' opportunities for merit, isn't the sharpest, and his tactical command is lacking... but overall, he's a competent captain."
"Please stop," Asemu begged Rena to shut up.
"Rena, are you sure you're not refusing because you don't want to deal with such a subordinate?" Gerard asked timidly.
"Crack~"
"...You too!"
"Hahaha."
"Alright, everyone, go and prepare. Once we're in space, there won't be any easy days. Tell the kids to rest up and get ready for even fiercer battles."
"Yes!"
...
Graham took Gerard and Rena to the hangar to load their mobile suits onto the [Baize], while Yang Hui, Yurin, and Asemu stayed behind. There was something important they needed to discuss with Flit.
"Did Kio participate in the battle?" Yang Hui asked Flit.
"...Yes."
"Has he figured it out?"
"...No. He wants to find the answer in battle."
"I see... Haha, your family, three generations, are all the same," Yang Hui shook his head with a bitter smile.
Flit had been like this, Asemu was the same, and now Kio was also seeking answers in battle. It was truly a family trait.
"Bloodline inheritance," Flit and Asemu shrugged and admitted.
"Flit, stop imposing your ideals on the child."
"I know..."
"He's in your hands, Father. Once we complete our mission, we'll join you."
"Don't worry, that child is much more outstanding than you," Flit said, then glared at Asemu.
Asemu: (╥ω╥)
Definitely his biological father.
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