In space, on the opposite side of the Librarian Works' operational zone, Orb's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Space Fleets launched a full-scale assault. Mina personally commanded the battle from the bridge of the Qilin, accompanied by elite pilots including Sven Cal Bayang, Emilio Broderick, Lowe, Gai Murakumo, Lily Savary, and several of her sisters.
This marked the complete mobilization of Orb's space forces. The first three fleets represented Orb's earliest established space combat units, boasting superior personnel, combat effectiveness, and equipment priority compared to later formations. Moreover, all of Orb's ace pilots were present, reinforced by two powerful allies—Lowe and Gai Murakumo.
After their capture, Sven Cal Bayang, Emilio Broderick, Lily Savary, and her sisters had been immediately transported to Ame No Minashira. Mina had unceremoniously conscripted them under the pretext that "the Space Forces lack top-tier combatants and require reinforcement." The justification held merit—the Earth Forces already fielded elite pilots like Mu La Flaga, Barry Ho, Jiang Kerry, Edward Harrelson, Morgan Chevalier, Rena Imelia, and Jane Houston, supported by the 1st and 2nd Special MS Squadrons as their vanguard.
But the Space Forces? Aside from Mina herself, they had nothing!
Thus, Yang Hui permitted Sven and the other defectors to remain with the space fleet. As for how to secure their loyalty... Yang Hui harbored no concerns. Given Mina's methods, subduing these individuals would be child's play. Moreover, Mina's personal combat prowess was formidable—especially when piloting the enhanced Outframe Gundam Purple Frame, she unequivocally qualified as ace material.
"Seriously, does Yang Hui always have to make such a grand spectacle?" Lowe scratched his head, struggling to recall an East Asian Republic saying. "What was it...?"
"Silent as a mouse until the roar of a tiger," Gai Murakumo supplied impassively.
"Right! That's the one!"
"Hmm... I'm curious—why did you come?" Gai inquired. As a mercenary, he accepted Yang Hui's contracts whenever the price was right and the mission didn't violate his principles.
But Lowe was different. The engineer had become a staunch pacifist. This operation risked triggering another global war—one would expect Lowe to either oppose Yang Hui or abstain entirely.
"Well... You heard what Yang Hui explained, right? About that matter." Lowe's tone abruptly turned grave.
"I did."
"That's why I'm here."
"I see. That's very like you."
"Doesn't Setsuna always say it? 'Sever the root of distortion.'"
"Indeed."
"You trust Yang Hui that much?" Mina's Purple Frame drew alongside the Red Frame and Blue Frame as she challenged Lowe. "What if he's deceiving you?"
"He wouldn't. Even when manipulating people, Yang Hui uses overt schemes—he lays everything bare and still makes you willing to play along." Lowe sighed in exasperation. He'd lost count of how many times Yang Hui had exploited him... with his full cooperation each time.
"True enough. Yang Hui... is a monster." Gai offered his assessment.
"Heh, calling me a monster? Quite fitting—a monster that can see through human hearts and nature."
As the idle chat continued, the fleet drew closer to the target sector. The Outframe Gundam Purple, Red Frame, and Blue Frame led the charge at the forefront of both the fleet and MS units.
By now, the Purple, Red, and Blue Frames had undergone significant upgrades. Beyond the installation of Quasi-GN Drives and their accompanying systems, the Blue Frame and Red Frame had already been equipped with GN Particle-enhanced D-Type and Red Dragon Packs, respectively. Meanwhile, the Purple Frame was evolving along the same path as the original Gold Frame Amatsu—boosting the [Yatagarasu] wing pack, armor resembling a king's knight, [Voiture Lumiere], and replacing the impractical metal ribbons with a chainsword named [Doji-kiri] (a purple version of Amatsu).
Following them were Sven Cal Bayang's Dark Strike Gundam (Quasi-GN Drive version), Emilio Broderick's Crimson Aegis Gundam (Quasi-GN Drive version), Lily Savary and her sisters' Nebula Lightning Gundam (Quasi-GN Drive version), and behind them, the M1 Astray units.
"Chairman Rondo, we've arrived at the target sector—no signs of the enemy!"
"..." Mina frowned as she scanned the empty expanse of space. "What about the tracking beacon from intel?"
"Functional, but the coordinates show nothing..."
"Open all gunports. Lock onto the coordinates and saturate the surrounding kilometer with firepower." If the beacon was operational but the coordinates showed nothing, only two possibilities remained.
First, the beacon had been discovered and discarded.
Second, the enemy was hiding themselves.
Out of caution, regardless of which scenario it was, a full bombardment would flush out any ambush.
"Understood!"
The rear fleet bared its fangs as countless gunports charged with energy, orange light flickering ominously. The next moment, thick beams of energy surged forth like a torrent, blanketing the target area, followed by a rain of missiles. Brilliant explosions erupted, painting the void with dazzling colors.
"Just as I thought!"
As the fireworks faded, the previously empty space revealed its true form—a massive space fortress concealed beneath a shimmering, multicolored barrier. Surrounding it were countless MS units: Dark Strike Gundams, Crimson Aegis Gundams, and other X Series [Phantom Pain] types; Gale Strike Gundams, Torrent Duel Gundams, and other X Series [Librarian Works] variants; along with modified mass-production models like [Daggers], [GINNs], and M1 Astrays. Behind them loomed an assortment of warships—Naska-class, Agamemnon-class, Archangel-class, and Garuda-class vessels.
"Whoa! They were hiding this many enemies!?" Lowe exclaimed at the sight.
"Expected," Gai Murakumo replied calmly. With the Orb Space Navy making such a conspicuous move, the enemy must have long since detected their intentions—preparing an appropriate counterforce was only natural.
"Heh... haha... HAHAHAHA..." Mina laughed maniacally in the cockpit. Facing such enemies, she showed no trace of worry—only excitement and exhilaration. "Gentlemen, ever since the establishment of the Space Force, we've never had a proper battle to fight. Watching our comrades on Earth rack up achievements one after another—doesn't it feel frustrating?"
"Yes!" xN
"Well now, our chance has come! Let our Earthbound comrades witness the might of the Space Force! Annihilate every last one of these enemies!"
"Understood!" xN
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!