During their journey to the debris zone, Yang Hui, Sumeragi, and Wang Liu Mei held a private discussion in their room.
"Have you made contact with Creuset?"
"Yes."
"Did it fail?"
"Not entirely. He wants to struggle one last time, but this will be his final opportunity."
"...If this really happens, many people will die." Sumeragi spoke with a heavy heart, turning to Yang Hui. "Are you... truly determined to go through with this?"
They had already grasped the general outline of Creuset's plan—to use the Neutron Jammer Canceller to reactivate nuclear weapons, ensuring both sides would employ them in the war, creating more tragedies, deepening hatred, and ultimately leading humanity to destroy itself.
Such a course of action would inevitably result in immense sacrifices, irreversible damage, and unending animosity. Even if it served their plans, Sumeragi couldn't bear to see it happen.
"That's why we must stop it beforehand," Yang Hui stated firmly. He understood the devastation this would bring, but there was no other choice. He needed to trigger this flashpoint to maximize his own role. As for the harm caused by nuclear weapons... it could still be prevented in advance. After all, all he needed was confirmation that both sides had deployed nuclear weapons—nothing more.
"Liumei, has there been any intelligence from within the Atlantic Federation yet?" Yang Hui asked.
"Not yet."
"How is Halberton doing now?" Duan Halberton wasn't one of their own, but he maintained a good relationship with them and was one of the few clear-headed individuals within the Atlantic Federation. With the Federation now consumed by madness, he would likely cooperate if approached.
"He's currently stationed at the lunar base with the Eighth Fleet. However... his situation isn't ideal," Wang Liu Mei reported. Thanks to their prior collaboration, she had secretly maintained contact with Duan Halberton, ensuring they wouldn't be left blind and deaf in critical moments.
"What happened?" Yang Hui frowned slightly. It was inevitable that Duan Halberton would clash with Blue Cosmos members, but he commanded a fully equipped fleet and held considerable prestige within the military. Logically, even if conflicts arose, he shouldn't be in such dire straits.
"After you descended to Earth, the Eighth Fleet was repeatedly ordered by the High Command to engage ZAFT forces. Though the losses in each battle weren't severe, they've received neither reinforcements nor supplies since then. So... the Eighth Fleet is practically a group of battered remnants now," Wang Liu Mei explained.
"...Can we reach him? We don't need him to join us or act from within—just to confirm one piece of intelligence for us."
"Whether the Atlantic Federation's fleet has already been equipped with nuclear weapons?"
"Exactly."
Despite being marginalized within the Atlantic Federation, as a high-ranking officer, Duan Halberton could easily obtain such intelligence. Once they confirmed that the Atlantic Federation had deployed nuclear-armed forces, the Three Ships Alliance would immediately head to Boaz Fortress to prevent the Federation's fleet from destroying it with nuclear weapons when the war began.
As for why it was Boaz Fortress and not another target, Boaz Fortress served as ZAFT's forward stronghold. Whether attacking Jachin Due or the PLANT homeland, this obstacle had to be overcome—there was no alternative.
"I understand."
Hearing this, Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei felt relieved. They had feared Yang Hui might become someone who would sacrifice anything and resort to any means to achieve his goals.
"Sumeragi, how much farther to the debris zone?"
"We'll arrive in one hour."
"Dispatch Gundam Cherudim to scout the surrounding area."
"Understood."
Lyle immediately launched in Gundam Exia upon receiving the order, while Gundam Exia and Gundam Virtue also deployed to guard the White Tiger. Barry Ho and other pilots entered their cockpits, awaiting launch orders.
Gundam Cherudim moved ahead, sweeping a wide perimeter around the designated coordinates but finding no hidden Earth Forces or ZAFT ambushes. Only then did the White Tiger leisurely proceed toward the location.
However, upon arrival, they were puzzled—the ship carrying Madok, who had requested this meeting, was nowhere to be seen.
"Sumeragi, time?"
"Five minutes until the scheduled meeting."
Beep beep beep—
"Radar contact detected. Thermal signature analysis: one small transport vessel, one MS—confirmed as P03!"
"Project optical feed."
"Understood."
The visual feed of the approaching vessel appeared, revealing a small civilian ship emerging from the shadow of a large debris field, escorted by the long-unseen Astray Gundam Blue Frame—specifically, the L-type variant, judging by its equipment.
"Oh? So this is why I couldn't reach Gai—he got hired by Madok." Seeing Gai Murakumo's Astray Gundam Blue Frame as an escort, Yang Hui smirked. No wonder he hadn't encountered Gai or the Serpent Tail crew at the standby base. Yang Hui had previously issued a contract for Serpent Tail to wait at Terminal's standby location, but when they didn't show, suspicions arose.
After all, Yang Hui paid Serpent Tail handsomely, and Gai rarely abandoned a contract midway.
Beep beep beep—
"Incoming communication request!"
"Patch it through."
"Understood."
As the call connected, both Gai Murakumo and Madok appeared on the White Tiger's screen.
"Long time no see, Gai. You've broken contract etiquette this time." Yang Hui ignored Madok entirely, speaking directly to Gai.
"Apologies. I judged that you wouldn't issue orders to us in the near future, so I left temporarily. Besides..." Gai's gaze shifted slightly—likely toward Madok's feed.
"Can we skip the pleasantries, Young Master Yang Hui?" Madok cut in impatiently, his expression tense from the start.
"Then let's get to the point. What's so urgent, Madok?"
"I heard you've been providing fixed bases for junk dealers on Earth?"
"Be aware, it's the Earth faction's junk dealers," Yang Hui reminded Madok. Based on Madok's questions and current demeanor, Yang Hui had already guessed what Madok was planning. However... he couldn't give this old fox a friendly reception. Keeping up appearances would also allow him to drive a harder bargain—opportunities to squeeze Madok were rare.
"It's all the same..."
"Madonna wouldn't agree."
"...Name your price. I need landing rights."
"That's not easy, Madok. Your Junk Dealers' Guild has strict internal rules about staying in your own territory and not encroaching on others. I'm an outsider—I can't break those rules. Besides, doesn't the space faction have its own bases and docks? Why go to Earth—"
"Yang Hui! Don't pretend you don't know our situation!" Madok roared through the screen.
"Know what?"
"Hmph! Just name your price, Yang Hui. I'll accept anything! If you agree to one condition, I'd even sell you the entire space faction!"
Seeing the growing fury and hatred on Madok's face, Yang Hui lost the urge to drag things out or mock him. It seemed the Atlantic Federation had indeed struck hard.
"How much did you lose?" Yang Hui asked directly.
"...68%. Our docks, warehouses—all gone."
"Understood. Merge the remaining personnel into Orb. They'll be under supervision for two years."
"Fine! I'll agree—as long as you promise to make the Atlantic Federation pay. I'll convince the rest of my people."
"Deal."
With the agreement settled and the call ended, Yang Hui smiled—pleased. He'd coveted the junk dealers' skilled personnel for a long time. Without the Atlantic Federation's perfect assist, he might never have tamed these freedom-loving hyenas.
As for their demand? Well, the Atlantic Federation was already Yang Hui's primary target. Fulfilling their request would just be a bonus.
"Gai, what are your plans now?" Madok's call was over, but Gai Murakumo remained.
"Escort him back, then meet up with you," Gai replied.
"No. We'll provide him a shuttle—he can go alone. You're coming with us." Gai was a crucial asset. There was no time for him to leisurely handle other assignments now.
"...Fine. But only me. The others aren't coming." Gai set his terms. He'd guessed Yang Hui's intentions. He wasn't afraid of danger—he could survive a large-scale battle—but his teammates couldn't. Their unarmed transport ship offered no protection, and Elijah's abilities weren't enough to keep him alive in a major conflict. For their safety, Gai wouldn't bring them along.
"Agreed." Yang Hui accepted immediately. He only needed Gai's combat prowess—the others were expendable. Even if Gai had insisted on bringing them, Yang Hui would've found an excuse to send them away.
Both parties reached an agreement, and Gai Murakumo ended the communication. This outcome represented a win-win-win situation for all three sides: Madok could board Serpent Tail's transport ship to Earth, Yang Hui would obtain the combat strength he desired, and Serpent Tail could simultaneously fulfill both commissions.
After giving a few instructions to his companions, Gai Murakumo parted ways with them and directly boarded the White Tiger, rendezvousing with the Archangel and Eternal at the rear before returning to their preliminary base together.
However, halfway through the journey, the Three Ships Alliance was forced to alter their course when Duan Halberton sent a message.
"Halberton has sent word. Nuclear weapon forces are continuously arriving on the Moon, designated as the Peacemaker unit, preparing for large-scale combat operations."
"Hah, 'Peacemaker'—what irony. Notify all ships to change course. New destination... the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty's Boaz Fortress!"
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