Mecha: Return of the Pioneers

Chapter 1991 Eight Hours!
After successfully rendezvousing with the fleet, He Ming and the others emerged from their respective mechs and saw Rebil leading Brad and the others to greet them.

"General."

He Ming led Amro, Hasavi, Christina and others forward to pay their respects.

"Yes! Thank you all for your hard work."

Rebil raised his hand in return, and after observing everyone's expressions, he gave his instructions.

"Food, bathing, and even the infirmary are all ready! Gentlemen, please take a good rest before the battle begins!"

"Yes! General!"

He Ming, representing everyone, agreed and then signaled Amuro, Hassavi, Christina, and the others to disperse and do their own thing, while he himself went to the captain's cabin with Rebil and Brad.

"If possible, I'd like to have Colonel Ming bring those two EVAs to space to lend a hand!"

As the captain's cabin door closed, Rebil's teasing words drifted over.

"General Reibill, I have also had this idea, and Asuka, the candidate of EVA Unit-02, also has the same desire to participate in the war. But unfortunately, the current maintenance level of EVA Unit-01 and Unit-02, as well as the relevant configuration and equipment, do not meet the minimum requirements for participating in space warfare."

He Ming understood what Rebil meant.

After learning about EVA's performance in numerous battles since joining the Punishment Army, Federation generals with clear strategic thinking would all have similar thoughts: to make EVA the backbone of the battlefield, to open up opportunities for their side, or to deliver the decisive blow and completely destroy the enemy's manpower.

Unfortunately, what EVA followed was not punishment, but name.

Apart from He Ming, no one within the Earth Federation Forces has the authority to mobilize EVA.

Even Gop and Rebil are not acceptable.

"That is a very regrettable thing."

Rebil sighed, but didn't seem too bothered.

He asked this question simply to increase his own military strength before the final battle began, thereby increasing his chances of victory.

"No, that's not a regret. Unit-01 and Unit-02 are currently clearing away the monster threat left behind by the United States of Hell on the ground battlefield."

After He Ming finished speaking, a smile appeared on his face.

"Moreover, in space battles, there is no need to force EVAs, which currently lack space combat equipment and relevant experience, to participate."

He Ming turned his gaze to Brad beside him.

"Captain Brad, the information on enemy and friendly forces has been released. Is that correct?"

"Yes, Colonel Ming. Based on reconnaissance, the enemy's combined fleet has approximately 90 to 110 ships, and we cannot rule out the possibility that there are hidden sub-fleets within Axis."

"A hundred ships? Can Neo Zeon and Death Vanguard really lift that many warships now?"

He Ming was quite surprised by this number.

How likely is it that it's an illusion created by an inflatable model?

As He Ming recalled the scene from the original timeline where Neo Zeon used inflatable models to deceive the Federation forces during peace talks, thus secretly launching an attack on Luna II, he casually asked, "We've already dispatched no fewer than ten reconnaissance teams to investigate from various angles. Furthermore, we've had the lunar city conduct tracking investigations using some observational technologies. Therefore, all the data we've obtained proves that these warships are real."

Brad nodded, responding earnestly to He Ming's question.

"Looks like they're all the real deal! I didn't expect Neo Zeon and Death Vanguard to have done so much during their time in hiding."

After pondering for a moment, He Ming had a rough idea of ​​why Neo Zeon and Death Vanguard were able to possess such a large fleet.

Presumably, the Ghost Face Clan played a significant role in this.

Otherwise, with the resources of Neo Zeon and Death Vanguard, it would be difficult to raise such a large fleet in a short period of time.

On the other hand, apart from Reibir's own Magellan battleship fleet and the original lunar fleet, the combined fleets of the Valley and the Titans consisted of less than twenty space warships.

Moreover, besides the Judgment, the Punishment side only had two or three Salamis-class space cruisers, which seemed particularly meager.

After all the calculations, Reibill's total number of warships barely exceeded seventy, which was quite a gap compared to the combined fleet of Neo Zeon and Death Vanguard.

But were the only warships present at the Punishment mission, along with only the Judgment and two or three Salamis-class space cruisers?

"Colonel Ming. At the current rate of Axis's advance, there should be a 50-hour window before the final impact. Therefore, we are currently planning a probing attack in 8 hours to see how Axis reacts."

Rebil then shared his idea.

"Yes. I agree. General Rebil. Probing is necessary. But have you all thoroughly investigated the situation on Grips' side?"

Given Djamitov's personality, even if he were to tolerate it temporarily, he wouldn't remain silent for so long.

"Yes, I sent a message to inquire before, but Djamitov didn't reply. I'm afraid he was held up by something."

Rebil's expression was slightly gloomy, as if he was very dissatisfied with Djamitov's attitude.

“I’m not worried about Djamitov being negligent; I’m only afraid that Djamitov will suddenly point the Colonial Satellite Cannon at our backs when the war is at its most intense.”

He Ming made no attempt to hide anything, directly expressing his distrust of Djamitov.

"Yes. I understand Colonel Ming's concerns. Don't worry! I will get a clear answer from Jamitov before the operation begins."

Rebil also knew that this was a situation that had to be dealt with.

"Thank you very much, General."

After a brief meeting, an impending battle began eight hours later.

During this period, all Federation warships that received Rebil's orders immediately entered a state of Level 2 combat readiness, preparing as much as possible for the upcoming battle, and providing all possible assistance to the pilots who would subsequently launch attacks, so that they could get sufficient rest and supplies during this time.

No one knows whether they will be able to see these pilots landing their mobile suits on the mothership after the eight hours are up.

Even more concerning, eight hours later, their spaceships, on which they depend for survival in this universe, might be blasted into non-combustible cosmic debris by a particle beam cannon, a particle beam sword, or several anti-ship missiles.

Eight hours, in peacetime, is merely the time it takes to clock in for a shift; at this moment, it becomes the boundary between life and death.

(End of this chapter)