Chapter 256 – Doubts
In the original story, AEUG was able to rise in rebellion against the Titans thanks to support from lunar corporations, especially Anaheim Electronics, which provided mobile suits and warships.
But in the current situation, Anaheim appears to have far closer ties to the Titans.
This is because, unlike in the original timeline where it held a monopoly over the Federation's military equipment system, Anaheim no longer enjoys the luxury of playing both sides. Supporting two opposing factions during open conflict is no longer a sustainable strategy; Anaheim can't afford to put itself at risk like that anymore.
Even so, AEUG has still managed to acquire new mobile suits and warships. That means someone with mobile suit development capabilities must be helping them.
In today's world, those with the capability to design and produce mobile suits include: the Federation's own bases, corporations on the Moon, Axis, and the Jupitris still operating in Jupiter's orbit.
The last two are outside the Earth Sphere—pass. And Federation military bases with MS production and development capabilities would never help AEUG. That leaves only the lunar corporations.
With Anaheim already ruled out, the conclusion becomes rather clear.
"I originally helped the Yashima Group acquire Zeon's mobile suit company. My initial aim was to curb Anaheim's monopoly."
Hearing this, Jamitov raised his eyebrows and sat upright in surprise.
Back then, the Yashima Group had unexpectedly broken out of its decline and successfully acquired part of the former Principality of Zeon's assets. At the time, even Jamitov had been puzzled by it.
And now, Eli was claiming he had orchestrated the entire thing.
Back then, wasn't Eli just a mere captain?
But seeing that Eli had no intention of elaborating, no one pressed him further.
"It's just… it looks like Yashima has its own ambitions now. After all, it's a private capital enterprise outside the Federation. It's not surprising they'd act in their own interest."
What most people fail to realize is that lunar corporations don't support AEUG out of goodwill or to prevent the Federation's degeneration.
The biggest reason they would support an anti-Federation group is simple: profit.
In the original story, Anaheim was exposed during the GP Project, and the Federation slashed its mobile suit development orders. With no other choice, Anaheim invested in AEUG, using war and anti-Federation sentiment to generate new contracts for itself.
But now, thanks to its alliance with the Titans, Anaheim no longer has such concerns.
So if the one supporting AEUG behind the scenes is truly Yashima Heavy Industries, what are they really after?
Surely it isn't the welfare and rights of space colonists.
In any case, based on information from the original story, the Luio & Co. headquartered in Hong Kong was also one of the financial backers of both AEUG and Karaba.
Whichever enterprise is behind AEUG, the answer must lie there.
—
"Enemy mobile suits approaching from the direction of India!"
A shout came again from the bridge, bringing renewed urgency to the White Chaser, which had just altered course toward Hong Kong.
Although the Titans' Earth Defense Jurisdiction Act hadn't yet been implemented, they had already begun using Earth-based military facilities to track the White Chaser's movements. Once located, they would dispatch pilots from the nearest Federation base, launching local mobile suits directly into combat.
After all, Eli had taken both Galbaldia-class ships straight from Jaburo, and the remaining ones were difficult to mobilize.
This kind of operation had become the most practical and reliable approach.
However, the Titans troops sent out had already received orders not to fight to the death.
Forget the disgraced Amuro who'd spent years stagnating at Cheyenne Base—now standing before them was the greatest mobile suit pilot in history!
The fact that they hadn't been cut down in an instant was only because Amuro held back, seeing them as fellow Federation soldiers and not true enemies.
Bask, who frequently commanded battles at the front lines, knew well how someone like Amuro could turn the tide in a small-scale engagement.
That's why he wasn't in a rush. The goal of sending these units was simply to confirm the White Chaser's status.
Once the White Chaser began gaining altitude, the Titans fleet in orbit would immediately calculate its escape trajectory based on data relayed from the surface—and eliminate it with sheer numerical superiority.
To prevent the stationed forces at each Side from coming to the rescue, Bask also ordered other units to patrol the Earth-Moon space.
Even if a small team slipped through the patrol net, Bask believed a rescue operation was still unlikely to succeed under the blockade.
But Eli already had countermeasures prepared.
So he remained calm, seated firmly behind the captain's chair on the bridge.
By regulation, that was where the fleet commander should sit.
Eli's presence there now marked a shift in status.
"The Titans units are retreating."
This result no longer surprised anyone on the bridge.
Not far from the White Chaser, the sea was burning.
It was the wreckage of downed mobile suits—their unused propellant spilled across the water and ignited.
Amidst the flames stood the NT-X, poised atop a flight board.
"Incredible… At this rate, we can't even be of use."
Rem, also standing on a flight board, had done little more than intercept a few rockets fired toward the White Chaser.
"Don't be discouraged. There are still plenty of ways I'll need you. I can't oversee everything at once."
Amuro, piloting the NT-X back to the ship, spoke these words in response.
In the past, just managing his own emotions was hard enough for Amuro, let alone comforting others.
But now, he understood he was pursuing a grand cause that no one could accomplish through individual power alone.
"I always tend to rush out too far. When that happens, I'll be counting on your support."
After disembarking, Amuro held his helmet in his arms and addressed the other pilots aboard the White Base.
"Huh, even a Newtype captain needs help?"
The voice that asked this held no malice.
Amuro understood this clearly, but still felt the need to respond.
"Newtypes aren't omnipotent. Believing that kind of nonsense is what gets people killed on the battlefield."
His tone was grave.
"Whether you're a Newtype or not, we all stand on equal footing out there."
The pilots exchanged glances and then snapped to attention in unison.
Amuro had truly become someone worthy of leading others.
Eli felt that clearly, and a satisfied smile spread across his face where he sat.
"A communication is coming in! It's… from the Southeast Asia base!"