The Rainbow Ship, having escaped the combat zone of T.N.T. Cannon No. 1, had not encountered enemy reinforcements from three directions within the estimated time, allowing Sumeragi to feel a sense of relief.
"Ms. Huang, news from the General Revil! T.N.T. Cannon No. 2 has been successfully destroyed!"
"The Suìyuè and the Vigan also reported successful operations. The internal missiles in T.N.T. Cannon No. 1 reached their set time, and the detonation is confirmed. All four T.N.T. Cannons have been completely destroyed!"
"Oh~!!"
"Fantastic!"
Cheers erupted from the crew on the bridge. They had taken such huge risks, and now the operation was a complete success; all four T.N.T. Cannons were destroyed. Everything they had sacrificed was worth it.
"Ms. Huang, which direction are we retreating from?" Feldt asked.
"Retreat? No, we aren't retreating."
"Not retreating!?"
Hearing this, everyone on the bridge turned their heads in astonishment to look at Sumeragi, only to find a trace of a fanatical smile on her face.
"Is... is this still Ms. Huang?"
"That expression... it's practically..."
"Just like Mr. Yang Hui!"
"Signal the General Revil, the Suìyuè, and the Vigan. Intercept the A-Laws fleet returning for rescue. Setsuna, Tieria, Kira... head toward the location of T.N.T. Cannon No. 2. Neil, Lyle, Athrun... head toward the location of T.N.T. Cannon No. 3. Graham... head toward the location of T.N.T. Cannon No. 4. Pin them down from both sides and wipe out the A-Laws fleet!"
"This! Understood!"
The crew was shocked. The operation to neutralize the T.N.T. Cannons was already over, but they hadn't expected Sumeragi to still be unsatisfied. She wanted to seize this opportunity to eliminate all A-Laws fleets stationed around the three cannons. One had to understand that this represented 50% of A-Laws' forces in space. Once successful, space would become their backyard. Unless A-Laws completely abandoned Earth or the Innovators still held a very powerful trump card, there would be no force left in space capable of threatening Celestial Being units.
"Launch Decks 1, 2, 3, and 4, deploy..."
"MS units, please launch in sequence. Repeat, MS units, please launch in sequence..."
"Flag, Exia, Zabanya, and Raphael entering launch procedures. Linear Launcher voltage increasing from 230 to 520, handover control to..."
The MS units launched in sequence, splitting into three paths toward the other three T.N.T. Cannons according to Sumeragi's orders. As they launched, Setsuna's OO Gundam, Kira's Strike Freedom Gundam, and Athrun's Infinite Justice Gundam also successfully joined their respective squads.
At the same time, the Rainbow Ship's hangar, which could hold a total of 24 MS, saw 18 units depart with the three squads. The remaining six MS stayed behind to guard the Rainbow Ship.
Sumeragi could not be absolutely certain the Rainbow Ship was safe, so she kept a necessary defensive force to prevent any sneak attacks from the Innovators.
...
"Commander, a reply from Major Pierce. The T.N.T. Cannon has been completely destroyed. Requesting to return to base!" on the General Revil.
"Hmm, approve the request. Have them return to ship for resupply immediately. Ignite the General Revil's engines; proceed toward T.N.T. Cannon No. 2," Revil ordered.
"But Lieutenant General Noreiga's operation plan said we should retreat now..."
"Heh, who says we must follow the plan to the letter?" Revil smiled.
"This..."
"Mothership, advance. All weapon systems online. Enter Level 1 battle stations. Once the MS units finish resupplying, have them standby on the launch deck. The enemy fleet is coming back; wouldn't it be a waste not to devour them?" As he spoke, a cold and cruel smile appeared on Revil's face.
"Yes..."
"Commander, a message from the Rainbow Ship. Operation change: our ship is ordered to proceed immediately toward... the T.N.T. Cannon direction to eliminate all returning enemy reinforcements!" Hearing this, many on the bridge looked at Revil in shock.
"Hahaha! As expected of that brat Yang Hui's woman, she thinks just like this old man! Why are you still standing there? Depart immediately!"
"Yes!"
Revil had no intention of opposing Sumeragi; it was simply a case of a commander in the field not being bound by strict orders. His combat experience was equally vast. Seeing the opportunity, he naturally wouldn't let it pass just because of the original plan. And...
He felt that if Sumeragi saw this opportunity, she wouldn't let it pass either.
And look? Here it was.
Making the same judgment as Revil were Flit and Jehart. They were also excellent fleet commanders-in-chief, and seeing the opportunity, they both issued orders for their entire forces to advance even before Sumeragi's notification arrived, intending to devour the returning A-Laws reinforcements!
"Stay alert. Don't let the Innovators find an opening!"
"Understood!"
...
The battle in space was already a success; gaining more results was only a matter of time. On the ground, another part of the operation—one just as important as destroying the T.N.T. Cannons—was also underway.
Lowe, piloting the brand-new Red Dragon Gundam, led several people to raid an A-Laws base in Europe. Creuset, piloting the Providence Gundam, led others to the Far East to raid A-Laws bases while assisting Celestial Being agents in a rescue mission for Andrei Smirnov and Billy Katagiri, who were confined at the Far East base.
Not only that, even Gerard and Rena, who were protecting Kinue Crossroad, as well as Amuro and Gai Murakumo, who were protecting Louise, joined the fray. They raided different A-Laws bases, seizing the opportunity while A-Laws had moved most of its strength into space to strike at A-Laws' active forces as much as possible.
Before, they hadn't dared to act because of the threat of the T.N.T. Cannons overhead, fearing A-Laws would do something desperate. Now that the T.N.T. Cannons were all destroyed, they no longer had any reservations.
And as for the final leverage that could be used against Yang Hui...
The Dawn Gundam descended from the sky along with the Luna Gundam and others. The Beiwei II and anti-air defenses hidden in the deep mountains didn't even have a chance to show their heads before the Luna Gundam picked them off one by one.
"Anti-air fire completely destroyed. Threat cleared. Yang Hui, you can go in."
"All threats around the main building cleared."
"Understood!"
Several MS landed on the ground, firing mercilessly at their surroundings. Soldiers, armored vehicles, tanks, and heavy artillery were all reduced to fragments amidst rolling smoke and soaring flames.
"Marines, GO!"
At that moment, the large backpacks on the rear of two MS opened, and a large number of fully armed marines filed out. For a time, the sound of gunfire erupted within the main building, mixed with the sound of bullets tearing through flesh and agonizing screams.
Simultaneously, Yang Hui left his cockpit and headed to the ground with an assault rifle. Professor Eifman and Old Wang were both his teachers; he wouldn't feel at ease leaving this entirely to others. "Yurin, hold the position. Protect my Mobile Suit."
"Understood. Be safe."
Raising his rifle, he rushed into the building where Professor Eifman and Old Wang were being held. Following the path cleared by the marines, his boots stepped through blood and over lifeless corpses. He put two bullets into the chests of any enemies who weren't quite dead yet.
"Clear." Standing before the innermost room, a marine reported to Yang Hui.
Yang Hui nodded, ordering the marines and those outside to hold the perimeter and give him a moment. Then, he pushed the door open alone.
"Just in time, Mr. Myer... or rather, should I call you Mr. Yang Hui?"
Just as Yang Hui expected, Professor Eifman and Old Wang were sitting with their legs crossed, facing the door. Their movements and postures were identical. Their voices were also identical, and neither belonged to the original Professor Eifman or Old Wang. At the same time, both of their eyes were filled with shifting rainbow light.
"You came to see me in person, and you used such a boring method?" Yang Hui said coldly, sitting down opposite the two.
On the way, Yang Hui had received a report from the marines stating that Professor Eifman and Old Wang refused to leave with them and insisted Yang Hui come in person, alone. At that moment, Yang Hui guessed that Ribbons had used special means to control them.
It seemed that in the process of researching GN Particles, Professor Eifman and Old Wang had shown signs of awakening as Pure Innovators, and were subsequently controlled by Ribbons using nanomachines, just like Anew Returner in the original timeline.
"It couldn't be helped. Who told you to give me such a big surprise, Mr. Yang Hui?"
"Heh, what's wrong? Can't handle it? The high and mighty Innovator?"
"...Mr. Yang Hui, I came with sincerity, but I don't like your attitude at all," Ribbons said to Yang Hui, controlling the two.
Every word from Yang Hui was like a blade stabbing into Ribbons' conceited heart. He was an Innovator, the savior of humanity, the god meant to guide human progress... yet, because of wariness and fear, he didn't dare face Yang Hui in person and could only use Professor Eifman and Old Wang as puppets to meet him.
"And then?" Yang Hui asked flatly.
"The consequences of my dislike are quite severe. For example..."
Bang!
Old Wang suddenly moved, pulling a handgun from behind him and pressing it against his own temple. The moment before his finger pulled the trigger, Yang Hui raised his hand and fired a single shot, knocking the gun out of Old Wang's hand.
"Anything else?" Yang Hui asked in an icy tone. Even though Ribbons was thousands of miles away, he felt a sudden chill.
Yang Hui was truly angry. Professor Eifman and Old Wang were his teachers, people he respected. To use these two to threaten him and then try to kill one to intimidate him on a whim was like lighting a haystack of rage in Yang Hui's heart, then pouring a bucket of gasoline on it and tossing a lit match.
"Heh, as expected of Mr. Yang Hui. The power of a Pure Innovator is truly terrifying. But... please don't forget that I can control the nanomachines in their bodies at any time, including destroying their brains."
"You can try."
"Heh, truly cold and heartless, Mr. Yang Hui. But that's as it should be. You are also an Innovator, our compatriot. You shouldn't be influenced by boring emotions. So..."
"I said, let you try it, Ribbons."
"Mr. Yang Hui?"
"Time's up, Ribbons. I was going to give you a chance by letting you see me personally, but the choice you made has left me very disappointed."
"Yang Hui! You..."
"I know where you're hiding, Ribbons. Wait for me to find you. I hope you can make things fun for me."
"Bastard!"
Ribbons had intended to have a proper talk with Yang Hui and win him over to collaborate. However, he hadn't expected Yang Hui to give him no chance at all, shutting him down completely while constantly showing disdain, crushing Ribbons' most cherished pride to pieces.
In a fit of desperation and rage, Ribbons intended to go down fighting by controlling the nanomachines to destroy the brains of Professor Eifman and Old Wang.
But the next second, his expression changed. It became panicked, then furious.
"Why!? Why have I been disconnected!? Has something gone wrong with VEDA? No... impossible, VEDA is perfect, it can't have a problem... No, I need to check VEDA again."
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