The battlefield had been divided into three distinct zones. The first was the area directly above Artemis Base, where Yang Hui and Graham were positioned. This zone was the most heavily fortified, with VEGAN and rebel forces deploying a significant number of troops and anti-aircraft fire concentrated here.
The second zone was the landing area five kilometers outside the base, which included the Gundam AGE-FX. This area had relatively sparse anti-aircraft fire and minimal military presence, making it ideal for airborne troops to land. However...
The progress of the airborne troops was far from smooth. While landing was easy, advancing proved to be an arduous task.
The five-kilometer stretch between the landing zone and Artemis Base was almost entirely devoid of cover. To flank the base, the troops would have to charge through a barrage of enemy fire. Even attempting to neutralize enemy firepoints was extremely difficult, as both base defenses and enemy mobile suits were well-concealed within fortified positions.
The third zone was the middle area, situated between the outskirts and the central part of the battlefield. Here, both enemy deployments and anti-aircraft fire were relatively balanced. For Yang Hui and his team, this zone posed no threat, but for the airborne troops, the pressure was immense. Thus, they had no choice but to...
"Lieutenant General, they truly haven't lost their edge. They managed to breach such a tightly-knit formation with such ease," Gerard remarked as his G-Titan sliced through a Dorados and shot down two Bacta-types, covering the advance of the rookies in his squad.
Just then, a Danazine approached Gerard's mobile suit from behind, its beam spike aimed directly at the cockpit.
A beam flashed, piercing through the Danazine. Rena's mobile suit stood back-to-back with Gerard's.
"Instead of flattering the Lieutenant General, you should worry about yourself. You almost got stabbed in the back," Rena scolded, clearly annoyed.
"Heh, I knew you'd have my back."
"I can't always be there to cover for you..."
Mid-sentence, both Gerard's and Rena's mobile suits turned, their guns aimed at each other, and fired without hesitation.
The beams narrowly missed each other's heads, striking down enemy units that were closing in.
"...But Captain, your son is just as troublesome as you are," Rena added.
The Gundam AGE-2 Barret Hunter soared overhead, its multi-barrel fire clearing the surrounding enemy units and leading three squads to gradually widen the breach in the enemy lines.
"We'll deal with him later. Rena, Gerard, take four squads and support the airborne troops."
"Understood." X4
"Kio..." Asemu naturally noticed Kio's actions. At first, it didn't seem like a big deal—choosing to disable enemy units rather than destroy them outright, sparing the pilots. That was perfectly fine.
But then he actively started protecting the enemy, which was beyond comprehension. This was hindering allied operations, and in the worst-case scenario, it could be considered treason and land him in a military court.
"Never mind, let's win this battle first... Huh? What's this!"
...
Argreus's eyes were fixed on the combat zone. The assault led by Yang Hui and his team had thrown the enemy into disarray. The Celestial Being squadron followed up, not only dividing the battlefield into three parts but also drawing a significant number of enemies, creating a valuable opportunity for the airborne troops.
The airborne troops did not disappoint Argreus, successfully seizing the opportunity and maintaining 80% of their effective combat strength as they landed on the ground.
However, he still underestimated the VEGAN commander. It seemed as though the enemy had already anticipated that the airborne troops would not land directly on the base's surface but would instead choose the peripheral areas. In a short amount of time, they had deployed a large amount of flat firepower around Artemis Base, even clearing all available cover, turning the five-kilometer radius around the base into a complete no-man's land.
"Tough opponent, their commander..." Argreus bit his nails, his brow deeply furrowed. "It seems we'll have to resort to the strategy proposed by the Lieutenant General."
With that thought, Argreus immediately issued an order: "Connect to the full battlefield channel. I'm going to make a speech."
"Huh?" The bridge crew of the flagship Amadeus were all stunned. The battle below was raging fiercely, with both sides locked in a life-and-death struggle. Why suddenly make a speech? Their own morale was already high; there was no need for further encouragement.
"Execute the order!"
"Yes... the channel is connected."
"Good."
Argreus nodded, picked up the communicator, and began his performance.
"Attention all personnel in the combat zone, this is Admiral Frederick Argreus of the Earth Federal Army!"
For a moment, the intense battlefield came to an eerie halt. Everyone instinctively stopped their actions, waiting for Argreus to continue.
In the command room of Artemis Base, Jehart's brow furrowed deeply, unable to comprehend the other side's intentions.
Surrender?
Unlikely. Although the Federal Army currently held the advantage, VEGAN's core—the airborne troops—were firmly suppressed five kilometers away. Yang Hui and the three others, along with the Celestial Being unit, were strong but tied down by sufficient enemy forces, unable to break free. VEGAN showed no signs of imminent defeat, so surrender was out of the question.
Boost morale?
Did the Federal Army's morale need boosting? And if it were about morale, it wouldn't be broadcast on the full channel.
Peace talks?
That was even more laughable. Argreus had learned under Flit, and while he wasn't as extreme as Flit, he would never engage in peace talks mid-battle. The Federal Army was determined to take Artemis Base, and VEGAN would never hand it over willingly. There was no common ground between their interests.
Demoralize the enemy?
Impossible. VEGAN's soldiers wouldn't be shaken by a mere speech. Even if...
Suddenly, Jehart's pupils contracted, and he immediately issued a command: "Cut off their broadcast! Now!"
"Huh? ...Yes!"
The crew's fingers danced rapidly across the keyboards, trying to forcibly sever the enemy's communication channel. However, Argreus, for the success of this plan, had already hacked into Artemis Base's system at the start of the battle. Although VEGAN had updated their firewall to prevent attacks on their command system, no one had anticipated that the Federal Army's target wasn't the command system but the communication system—and not to take control, but merely to quietly open a backdoor to ensure uninterrupted access.
"Commander Jehart! We can't immediately cut off their communication..."
"The cleanup procedure has begun, expected to be completed in 15 minutes..."
"Order all former Federal Army units to disarm immediately..."
"This communication is for the soldiers of the Federal Army who were forced to join VEGAN. In the name of the Admiral, I welcome you home and assure you that no charges will be brought against you for actions taken under duress!"
"...Disarm..."
A moment of hesitation allowed Argreus to act before the command could be announced.
Jehart was well aware that most of the Federal Army soldiers who had defected with the Base Commander were coerced. Fortunately, the Base Commander had been using the threat of "treason" to deter them from defecting again, and Jehart had been tempting them with benefits to stabilize their mindset.
But now, Argreus, as the highest-ranking commander of the current Federal Army, had pardoned all their crimes. This suppressed impulse was bound to break free and erupt once more.
Moreover...
"A divide-and-conquer strategy, how cunning!"
Not only were the former Federal Army soldiers shaken, but VEGAN soldiers would also start to be wary of their former Federal Army comrades, causing the fragile understanding between the two sides to crumble.
"Notify the entire army! Do not listen to the enemy's seduction! When you joined VEGAN, you became citizens of VEGAN! And as long as we repel the Federal fleet, you will be heroes of VEGAN! High positions and wealth will be within your grasp!
Moreover, your hands are already stained with the blood of the Federal Army! Even if one person guarantees your safety, what does it matter? The Earth Federation is not ruled by one person alone! You will still be branded as traitors and executed, nailed to the cross of shame!
Soldiers of VEGAN! Trust your comrades! Trust your fellow countrymen! Only by uniting together can we eliminate the demons that imprison Eden and reclaim our dreamland!"
Jehart immediately took countermeasures, using words to stabilize the wavering army.
It had some effect—for a moment, the cracks that had begun to form were glued back together. But... it was only for a moment. No matter how much they tried to mend it, the cracks that had appeared would not disappear.
And what Argreus needed to do was to make those cracks grow larger, to the point where they could no longer be repaired.
"Broadcast it," Argreus commanded the bridge crew.
"Yes!"
The voice that followed on the public frequency was no longer Argreus's or Jehart's, but that of a sweet young girl.
"Daddy, I don't know if you've received my letter. It's been three months since I last heard from you. Mom says you're busy with work, so that's why you haven't replied. I miss you, but I know you're protecting us, so I can be patient and wait for you to come home. Love you, Tuan Tuan."
The girl's sweet voice ended, followed by the gentle voice of an elderly man.
"Fester, I know the military has confidentiality rules. Maybe you're on some secret mission. It's been three months since we last heard from you, and your mother and I are a bit worried. If you receive this, try to send a reply when you can. Your mother is very worried about you. We all are."
"Husband, our child is born, a son, so adorable. I don't know when you'll return, but I'm waiting for you to come back safely, to see our son. Perhaps he'll grow up to be another outstanding Federal Army soldier."
...
Countless messages were broadcasted one after another on the public channel, from men and women, young and old. The content was ordinary, just simple letters.
But everyone could hear the concern and endless longing in each letter.
The worry and longing transformed into the gentlest of bullets, piercing the hearts of the former Federal Army soldiers, reopening a gap in their once cold hearts, wrapping them in warmth.
"My daughter... my daughter..."
"Dad... Mom... I... I miss you too..."
"What have I... what have I done!"
"I am a Federal Army soldier! I won't be a traitor!"
"Ah~!!!!"
...
For a moment, the Federal Army made no moves, but the sounds of gunfire and explosions still shattered the silence. The former Federal Army soldiers turned their guns towards the VEGANs beside them and pulled the triggers.
"Damn Federal Army!" Jehart knew it was all over; there was no way to stop the internal chaos within the troops.
"Lord Jehart!"
At that moment, Doll Frost and the other two immediately grabbed Jehart and Fram Nara, pulling them towards the exit of the command room.
"Doll! What are you..."
"Bang~!"
(End of Chapter)