"Just moments ago, a massive energy surge was fired from near Jachin Due, directly striking Artemis." As she spoke, Sumeragi pulled up the complete visual record, showing a terrifying torrent of energy tearing through space and washing over Artemis' surface.
Artemis' [Umbrella], normally kept fully deployed to guard against ZAFT Forces' sneak attacks, shattered within less than a minute upon contact with the energy surge. What followed was the collapse of Artemis' surface, ultimately exploding into scattered cosmic debris.
"That bastard Patrick Zala finally made his move." Yang Hui's expression darkened. It was inevitable that Patrick Zala would use Genesis, especially after the Earth Forces had broken the seal first.
However, Yang Hui knew Patrick Zala wasn't as deranged as in the original timeline. He had assumed Zala would treat Genesis as a deterrent, choosing to demonstrate its power in an asteroid field or similar space sector. Yet, Artemis had been selected as the target.
At the same time, Yang Hui felt relieved—because he hadn't chosen the lunar crater base as the deterrent target.
If the lunar crater base had been destroyed by ZAFT, Eternal and Archangel would have lost their original objective, allowing them to join White Tiger in a direct assault on Genesis. Both success rate and safety would have improved. But in that case, Yang Hui wouldn't have been able to achieve his original goal.
If the lunar crater base fell to ZAFT rather than being forcefully suppressed by Archangel and Eternal, they wouldn't be able to demonstrate overwhelming strength. Consequently, they wouldn't secure greater benefits or reparations in post-war negotiations with the Earth Alliance.
Yang Hui was well aware that while Eternal and Archangel currently had the combat power to face up to three mobile fleets head-on, directly suppressing the lunar crater base was still impossible. That was why they needed Duan Halberton's internal support—he too didn't want to see Earth Forces soldiers pointlessly sacrificed.
"Have we analyzed what it was?" Yang Hui asked. Though he understood Genesis' mechanics, he had to feign ignorance—at least for the sake of Lowe, Gai Murakumo, and others native to this world.
"Still analyzing, but results will be ready soon... Wait, Patrick Zala has just delivered a speech."
"Play it!"
"We can no longer tolerate the arrogance of the Naturals as they continue their brutal tyranny! Their nuclear strike on PLANT proves this is no longer a war—it is slaughter! We will never again allow the Naturals to commit such atrocities with impunity! A new future dawns—the Genesis Light is with us! Today, bathed in this radiance, we Newtypes—Coordinators!—shall write the first chapter of our glorious history!"
Patrick Zala's speech ignited a fervent response within ZAFT. Chants of "For PLANT!" and "For ZAFT!" erupted without fail, instantly boosting the entire army's morale to its peak.
At the same time, Patrick Zala didn't forget to issue surrender demands to the Earth Forces. Otherwise, the next target would be the lunar crater base, followed by Earth itself.
Of course, Patrick Zala wasn't that insane. Attacking the lunar crater base was certain, but directly striking Earth with Genesis was impossible. He clearly understood that the Coordinators of PLANT couldn't abandon Earth and survive alone. After all, Colonies were still just Colonies. Unless they found a suitable habitable planet, they couldn't break free from Earth's support.
After listening to Patrick Zala's speech, everyone fell silent—including Murrue, Lacus, and others who had already established communication. Yang Hui wore an icy, dangerous smile: "Talking about Naturals being tyrannical? That single shot of yours killed plenty too."
"Yang Hui." Wang Liu Mei received the latest intelligence and reported, "New intel—Patrick Zala has demanded the Earth Forces surrender. He's ordered them to immediately disarm and await ZAFT's takeover, or he'll attack the lunar crater base, then Earth..."
"Earth is impossible. Patrick Zala isn't foolish enough to commit such suicidal acts. But..." Yang Hui trailed off because beside Patrick Zala stood Creuset. Creuset hadn't yet cooperated with them and hadn't abandoned his plan to destroy the world. So... Earth still faced the possibility of being struck by Genesis.
"We've analyzed that weapon's data." Sumeragi projected images of Genesis on the bridge along with the technicians' analysis. "ZAFT fired gamma rays, using nuclear explosions as the radiation source to directly manipulate the generated energy. In other words, it's a massive gamma-ray cannon. If fired at Earth, the intense radiation would scorch the entire surface, reducing all life to ashes."
"...Yang Hui."
"White Tiger, launch immediately! Target: ZAFT's giant gamma-ray cannon. We can't let ZAFT fire a second shot! Eternal and Archangel, set out too. Whether for retaliation or morale, the Earth Forces' fleet must already be mobilizing. Intercept them en route!"
"Understood!" x2
Though everyone remained worried about Yang Hui's safety, there was no time to waste. Patrick Zala had issued his surrender ultimatum without specifying a deadline. They didn't know how much time he'd left them to stop this madness. Every second counted.
The engines of all three ships ignited simultaneously. Eternal and Archangel headed for the lunar crater base, while White Tiger targeted Genesis.
"Yang Hui, course selection?" Sumeragi asked. They faced two options: charge straight through, breaking through layered defenses to strike Genesis directly, or bypass Boaz Fortress's defensive lines, silently navigating through PLANT territory to approach Genesis covertly.
Each had pros and cons. The first was too dangerous with low success odds; the second would consume too much time. Struggling to decide, Sumeragi left the final call to Yang Hui.
"First bypass the Boaz Fortress, then launch a full-speed assault on the giant Gamma-Ray Cannon." As he spoke, Yang Hui redrew a route on the tactical map—the shortest path to circumvent Boaz Fortress's defenses, followed by a straight line aimed directly at the heart of their target.
"We're highly likely to be detected along the way," Sumeragi cautioned.
"Being detected en route is still better than being blocked at Boaz Fortress. The White Tiger is a high-speed vessel—even Naska-class ships can't catch up. As long as we avoid encirclement, we can break through to the target zone. Reaching that zone means victory."
As he spoke, Yang Hui scanned the faces of everyone present. Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria were unwavering in their resolve. Lowe and Gai Murakumo wore solemn expressions but showed no hesitation. Only the rest of the bridge crew displayed fear in their eyes, though it was tempered by steely determination.
"Everyone, I can't guarantee your safety in this battle," Yang Hui addressed the ordinary bridge personnel.
"Commander..."
"But there's no chance for any of you to disembark now. So, will you die in fear, or will you rise above it?"
"...Rise!"
"Rise!"
"We've already prepared ourselves mentally!"
"Commander, give the order!"
...
Under Yang Hui's encouragement, the ordinary soldiers suppressed their doubts and fears, letting out a resolute roar.
"Good. May fortune favor you all in battle."
"Commander, may fortune favor you!"
...
"How's the replacement of the Mirror Module coming along?" Patrick Zala asked.
"About five more hours. Tell them to hurry. Once time's up, fire immediately."
"Understood!"
"What about the Earth Forces' movements?"
"Scout units report their fleet has departed from the lunar crater base and is approaching Boaz Fortress's defensive line. According to the projections of the General Staff, they're likely carrying nuclear warheads."
"Hmph. Arrogant Naturals. After witnessing the Genesis Light, they still dare to raise arms against us? Utter fools." Patrick Zala scoffed disdainfully. "What about those three ships?"
The Three Ships Alliance was his primary concern. Though he was grateful for Yang Hui's intervention in saving Boaz Fortress from the nuclear strike, this was war. Personal sentiments couldn't cloud judgment—the greatest threat had to be eliminated swiftly.
"No trace of Orb's new warship, but the Eternal and the Long Legs are heading toward the lunar crater base. They're expected to engage the Earth fleet in three hours."
"Oh? Only the Eternal and the Archangel?"
"Correct."
"...Order Boaz's forces to expand their defensive perimeter and intensify reconnaissance within PLANT territory."
"Chairman, are you suggesting they're coming for us?" Creuset asked, his tone and expression calm, though inwardly, ripples of surprise stirred.
Individual prowess was one thing, but what use was it against overwhelming numbers? He didn't believe Yang Hui would be so reckless as to march to his doom.
"Hmph, that's because you don't understand him, Creuset. That brat Yang Hui is both arrogant and greedy."
"I see. I stand corrected." Creuset grasped Patrick Zala's implication—Yang Hui intended to strike on both fronts, denying either side another chance to deploy nuclear weapons.
Patrick Zala continued, "The most terrifying thing is that this kid's arrogance is always backed by confidence. I've never seen his limits, so we must remain vigilant until they're completely wiped out!"
"Yes."
"Very well, you may go now. Join the Genesis defense forces. I authorize you to act at your discretion, but with one condition—stop Yang Hui by any means necessary."
"Yes."
Creuset felt indignant. Patrick Zala had ordered him to "stop" Yang Hui rather than "eliminate" him. Didn't this imply that in Patrick Zala's mind, Creuset was inferior to Yang Hui?
Though this was the truth, it still displeased him. So he decided to test it—to challenge this reality.
"Come quickly, Yang Hui. I'm eager to see if you can work miracles, or... heh heh."
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