In Vindel's office, we finalized our decision to rebel against the Federation, hashing out the path ahead.
"Even for a rebellion, we're short on firepower," I said. "You're not planning to take on the entire Federation with just Shadow-Mirror, are you?"
"Axel's right," Lemon added. "We'll need a covert buildup phase."
Vindel nodded. "Six months. That's our window to amass forces. Lemon, what's the status on the motherships?"
"The Trilobite-class Versatile Combat Motherships?" Lemon replied. "First ship, Gyanland, is ready in about two weeks. Second, Neverland, in a month. Third, Wonderland, in two months."
"That's plenty of time," Vindel said. "Axel, can you contact groups dissatisfied with the Federation or its government?"
Disgruntled factions ranged from major players like DC remnants and resistance groups to smaller ones like terrorist cells or mafias. Personally, I'd rather not deal with the latter.
"I can reach out to DC remnants or resistance groups," I said.
"Good enough," Vindel said. "Secure their cooperation if possible. Lemon, we'll need to ramp up W-Unit production."
"Understood," Lemon said.
Their talk of W-Units sparked a memory. In the original timeline, W15 was designed to counter Kyousuke by tracing Zengar Zombolt's personality. But with Kyousuke—or rather, Beowulf's—threat still unknown, W15's rollout was likely delayed. Even if completed, it needed adjustments from Sophia Nate at Earth Cradle, or rather, Maygas, to function fully. With Lemon's superior tech, bolstered by Tesla Labs and Timeflow Engine research, could she handle those adjustments?
"Lemon, about W15," I began.
"It's not ready," she said. "It's a blank slate, non-personality type. We need to trace someone's personality, and even then, it'll require heavy adjustments. Six months won't cut it."
"So we need to pick a personality to trace first," Vindel said.
Lemon nodded. "Exactly."
"Then how about Zengar Zombolt, formerly of the ATX Team?" Vindel suggested. "A master of close-combat with special mechs."
"Zengar Zombolt?" I echoed. "The old Aggressors instructor?"
"You know him?" Vindel asked.
"Yeah, former Aggressors," I confirmed, relieved he didn't press further. I couldn't exactly say it was for Beowulf.
"What about W17?" Vindel asked.
"W17 will roll out in a week," Lemon said. "Spec-wise, it's the best W-Number yet."
Smooth sailing there, though in the original timeline, W17—Lamia—suffered a language glitch after the world transfer, which ironically helped her develop a full sense of self.
"Vindel," I said, "even if we rally DC remnants or resistance groups, we'll need more mechs. Maybe not El Eins tier, but Gespenst Mk-IIs or Garlions at least."
"I know," Vindel said. "But supplies are tight—and they'll get tighter."
"Tighter than now?" I asked.
"Definitely," he said.
"How can you be so sure?" Lemon asked.
Vindel's gaze fell on the report Lemon had read—the one detailing Carl's crimes. "The answer's in there."
I froze. "No way."
As a colonel, Vindel had superiors. I'd never met them, but I recalled him mentioning forming Shadow-Mirror under their orders.
"Your boss's name is in there?" I asked.
"Clear as day," Vindel said.
Submitting the report to Federation brass would likely get it buried, and Vindel's superior would know their name was included.
"Then don't submit it," Lemon said. "Or redact the name."
"No," Vindel said. "If we're rallying against corruption, we can't pull stunts like that. It'd sow doubt among our allies."
"Then supply lines are our bottleneck," I said. Unlike old-school wars, PT-based combat demanded vast resources—spare parts, ammo, repairs.
"What about corporate backing?" I suggested. "They'd jump at the chance to field-test new weapons."
The image of Z Gundam's AEUG came to mind, backed by Anaheim Electronics for MS deals and prolonged conflict. Shady or not, supplies were supplies.
"Hm, that could work," Vindel said. "Isurugi Heavy Industries, Fremont Industry, Z&R—those are options."
No Mao Industries. Understandable. CEO Lin Mao wouldn't back wartime chaos in peacetime. Still, with Gespenst Mk-IIs and El Eins as mainline units, their support would've been nice.
"And there are still decent politicians out there," Vindel added. "We could get their backing."
"Anyone in mind?" I asked, surprised. The only "decent" politician I could think of was Brian Midcrid, but like Mao, he'd never join us.
Wait—Brian Midcrid sparked another name: the political wizard, Graien Grassman.
"Graien Grassman," Vindel said. "I've met him a few times. His goals may diverge from ours eventually, but our paths align for now. His political maneuvering is invaluable, and his hawkish military allies could ease supply issues."
As expected, Grassman's name came up. But his pet soldier—Kenneth Garrett? That prideful, barely third-rate "Grassantaco" was a tough sell.
"Is his soldier any good?" I asked.
"With Grassman's clout, they're likely competent," Vindel said. "It'll be a mutual use-and-be-used deal. No need to overthink it."
Unlike Carl, Garrett might interfere out of jealousy, but with no better options, we'd deal with it later. Speaking of Carl…
"What about Kirono and the Blackbird Squadron?" I asked. "If we're rebelling, can we integrate them?"
"I'll handle persuading them," Vindel said. "Axel, Lemon, convince your Special Ops and Tech Teams."
"Got it," Lemon said.
"Same here," I added.
Special Ops was full of misfit pilots who'd likely roll with it. The Tech Team, packed with research-obsessed types, might see some defections.
"What if some don't follow?" I asked.
Vindel paused. "We can't have them reporting us, but silencing comrades isn't an option. Soft confinement here at Ecuador base until the rebellion starts is best."
Lemon and I exhaled in relief. Killing loyal teammates for silence was a line we didn't want to cross.
"One more thing, Axel," Vindel said. "Supplies are coming, but more is better. Hit places that can't report theft publicly and seize their resources."
Mafia or terrorist groups, then—the ones I'd nixed earlier. A face flashed in my mind: Dr. Montague and Albert Gray. Gray's group dealt in PT and AM black-market trades. Hitting them would be poetic justice.
"Got it," I said. "I'll plan raids after the Trilobite-class is ready in two weeks. DC remnants and resistance contacts should yield intel on terrorist groups."
"Let's get to work for our eternal struggle," Lemon said. "I'll be busy too."
Raids aside, capturing mechs like the Blackbird Squadron's meant disabling them first, piling work on the Tech Team.
"If only they'd surrender intact," I muttered.