After a journey filled with close calls, the Baize and the Diva finally arrived at the Federal Army's headquarters—the Big Ring base. For some aboard the Diva, it was their first time visiting the Big Ring and seeing the azure Earth, leaving them in awe.
Asemu was no exception, but what caught his attention more than the beautiful Earth was Flit approaching him.
"Fa... Commander!" Asemu, initially excited to call out "Father," quickly corrected himself, remembering his military status.
"Hmm, you've grown a lot, Asemu."
Knowing his son well, Flit had expected Asemu to forget military decorum after not seeing him for so long and was prepared to scold him. But the sudden correction pleased him.
"Yes!"
"Hmm, I've read your combat reports. Good job, but remember not to get complacent. You can do even better." Flit patted Asemu's head, offering guidance.
"Yes, Commander!" Asemu was thrilled; it was the first time Flit had publicly acknowledged him.
"Hmm."
"Long time no see, Commander Asuno." Asemu returned to the ranks, saluting Flit under Mireille's lead.
"Good work." Flit returned the salute. "It's been a while, Captain Mireille."
"The battleship Diva, along with the Celestial Being unit, has completed a classified transport mission and just arrived at the Big Ring base. We will report the details later with Lieutenant General Yang Hui."
"Hmm, the Diva and the Celestial Being unit were originally heading to Earth... Due to special circumstances, the plan has changed."
"Huh?" The Diva's crew was momentarily stunned, feeling a wave of tension.
"VEGAN is about to launch a massive attack on the Big Ring base. Intelligence has confirmed this. The Diva and the Celestial Being unit will participate in the defense of the Big Ring base."
"Yes!"
"Where are Lieutenant General Yang Hui and the Celestial Being unit?" Flit asked. Regarding the defense of the Big Ring base, he wanted to discuss some details with Yang Hui. Although the Celestial Being unit's role in large-scale battles had diminished, they still functioned as tactical weapons. Properly deployed, they could significantly influence the battle's outcome.
"The Lieutenant General is..."
"Commander."
Before Mireille could answer Flit, Yang Hui arrived with Graham, Yurin, and Angola Zuo.
"Good work. We've received intelligence that VEGAN is about to launch a large-scale attack on the Big Ring base. Everyone, take a short rest, then head to the war room." Flit addressed Yang Hui and the others.
"Yes."
The group dispersed. Woolf noticed Asemu seemed distracted and patted his shoulder. "What's wrong? Distracted? Haven't vented enough yet?"
"Captain? No... I just..." Asemu hesitated, then finally voiced his confusion. "Captain, have Uncle Yang Hui and the others always been like this with Father in the military?"
"Like this?" Woolf was momentarily puzzled but quickly understood. "You mean the respect?"
"Yeah..."
This was the first time Asemu had seen Yang Hui and the others interact with Flit in a military capacity. His previous memories were of Flit being bullied and embarrassed by Yang Hui, so he wasn't quite used to their changed attitude.
"Of course. In the military, Flit is no longer Yang Hui's younger brother but the Commander-in-Chief, the direct superior of the Celestial Being unit," Woolf explained.
"I see..."
"Absolutely. It's about doing what's appropriate for your role. That's one of Yang Hui's mottos."
"But Captain... you didn't salute earlier, did you?" Asemu eyed Woolf skeptically.
"Uh... don't always focus on such minor details. Come on, let's hurry and get some rest."
"..."
Asemu finally understood Albright's assessment of Woolf.
...
After a brief rest, Yang Hui, Graham, Yurin, and Angola Zuo arrived at the war room, which was already packed with people—captains urgently recalled, staff officers from the general staff, and more.
Seeing Yang Hui and the others arrive, everyone stood and saluted, not just out of military protocol but also out of respect for the heroes.
"Please, sit." Yang Hui and the others returned the salute and took their seats, waiting for Flit to begin the meeting.
"Now that everyone's here, let's begin. Everyone, look here." As the room's lights dimmed, a bright holographic image of the Big Ring base's defense forces appeared in the center. "Due to the intelligence we received, the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Fleets have been urgently recalled to join the First and Second Fleets in forming the defense forces. The Diva will be integrated into the First Fleet, deploying at the front of the Big Ring..."
"Yes!" XN
"...The Second and Third Fleets will deploy at the left flank A231, and the Fourth and Fifth Fleets at the right flank D945. The MS units will deploy as follows..."
"Yes!" XN
"Finally, the Celestial Being unit..." Flit looked at Yang Hui. "...Lieutenant General Yang Hui, do you have anything to add?"
Flit didn't immediately assign tasks to Yang Hui and the others. The Celestial Being unit's situation was unique. Deploying them on the front lines could still be effective, but it would be a waste. Not only would it restrict them from unleashing their full potential, but it would also deprive the fleet of its sharpest blade.
"No, Commander-in-Chief, your arrangements are perfect. The Celestial Being unit will follow orders."
Flit's defense deployment was already flawless. Others might wonder why there were gaps in the MS units' defense lines, but Yang Hui knew these were intentionally left for the enemy's X-Rounder units. Once they entered, escaping wouldn't be a problem, but they'd have to leave something behind.
Moreover, Flit was the Federal Army's Commander-in-Chief. Although Yang Hui's reputation in the Federal Army slightly surpassed Flit's, and their ranks were the same, at this moment, whether as a subordinate or a brother, Yang Hui wouldn't undermine Flit. He would help maintain the Commander-in-Chief's authority.
"Good. After the battle begins, the Celestial Being unit will move from the rear to F583. Half an hour into the battle, they will flank the battlefield, creating opportunities for the fleet's defensive counterattacks."
"Yes." X4
"Good. All units, immediately disseminate the battle plan and prepare for VEGAN's attack! Dismissed!"
"Yes!" XN
"Lieutenant General Yang Hui, Major General Graham, and Colonel Yurin, stay behind."
Seeing Flit keep Yang Hui and the others behind, no one thought much of it. The war meeting was over, and now it was personal time. Their relationship was no secret.
After receiving a glance from Yang Hui, Angola Zuo left alone to oversee the Baize's resupply and repairs.
Only Flit, Yang Hui, Graham, Yurin, and Argreus, whom Flit was grooming as his successor, remained in the room.
"Whew... I'm a bit tired." Once the others left, Flit sat down, rubbing his temples.
"What? Can't handle a little hard work, Savior?" Yang Hui teased.
"Why don't you try being the Commander-in-Chief?" Flit shot Yang Hui an annoyed glance. "I already have enough on my plate with military affairs, and I still have to secretly help you investigate traitors and spies. Can't you lighten my load?"
"Cut the crap. You want to root out those parasites as much as I do." Yang Hui rolled his eyes.
"Tch, what a hassle."
"Pfft—" Argreus, standing behind Flit, couldn't help but laugh, quickly stifling it when Flit glared at him. After all, seeing the Commander flustered was a rare sight.
As for gossip...
Argreus was smart and fiercely loyal to Flit, so he wouldn't spread rumors. Besides...
Wasn't it better to enjoy such amusing moments alone?
"You didn't keep us here just to complain, did you? What have you found?" Yang Hui asked.
"Hmm, take a look for yourself." Flit's expression turned serious again as he sent a classified intelligence report to Yang Hui and the others' PADs.
The three opened it, showing little emotional reaction, as if they had already guessed the contents.
"How's Grudick?" Yang Hui shifted the topic, not dwelling on the intelligence. The secret investigation had yielded results, and they trusted Flit had already made the necessary arrangements.
"He's been moved to a safe place. Thanks to Mr. Grudick, we obtained crucial evidence. But it was dangerous. If you hadn't warned me, he would have..."
Compared to the original timeline, Grudick had spent ten fewer years in prison. After his release, he rejoined the Federal Army. But by then, the Celestial Being unit and Flit had risen to prominence, unstoppable. To curb the Flit & Yang Hui faction's growth, the military, citing his age, denied Grudick's request to return to the front lines, assigning him to a rear position at Federal headquarters.
Naturally, Grudick wasn't satisfied. Shortly after rejoining the army, he applied for retirement and went underground, secretly providing Yang Hui and Flit with intelligence.
As in the original timeline, he uncovered evidence of corruption among the Federal higher-ups and was targeted for assassination. But with Yang Hui's forewarning, Flit arranged for a covert team to protect him, preventing his assassination.
"Then I'm relieved."
With the evidence of their betrayers in hand, Yang Hui and the others didn't waste any more of Flit's time. As the Commander-in-Chief, he wasn't just responsible for a major battle; he had to oversee the entire Federal Army.
"The Commander and the Lieutenant General have such a good relationship." After Yang Hui and the others left, Argreus remarked to Flit. He was the one in the military who best understood Flit and Yang Hui's relationship. He wasn't trying to sow discord but expressed admiration. He remembered Flit telling him more than once that he could trust no one in the Federal Army except Yang Hui, and Yang Hui had repeatedly proven this with his actions.
"After all, we're brothers." Flit's face showed a rare, gentle smile.
"Then, Commander, about the Federal side..."
"Just have people prepare. We'll deal with them after we've completely repelled VEGAN's attack."
"Yes!"