Mecha: Return of the Pioneers

Chapter 1994: The "Mirror" on the Battlefield

The Axis from the future slowly advances, continuously shortening the distance between itself and Earth, until it is captured by Earth's gravity and the moment of collision arrives.

Ahead of the asteroid Axis, the Earth Federation Forces' space fleet had been deployed, releasing all available mobile suits and advancing towards Axis in assault formations.

For a moment, under the radiance of the distant sun, the Earth Federation Forces' space battleships and mobile suits shone exceptionally brightly.

"The Federation forces are attacking!"

Char (Neo Zeon), returning from Axis, stood on the bridge of the Ryura-class space battleship and spoke loudly.

"Lyle, Ilya, release all the mobile suits. Prevent the Earth Federation Forces' mobile suits from approaching Axis."

"Yes! Commander-in-Chief!"

As captains of Neo Zeon's only two Lyra-class space battleships, the two agreed in unison and immediately began deployment.

Moreover, compared to Captain Lyle, Ilya Pazom is also an experienced ace pilot with superb MS piloting skills, nicknamed "The Witch" and a NEWTYPE pilot.

(The original Gundam ZZ storyline doesn't seem to explain Ilya Pazum's whereabouts after the First Zeon War, so Wheels has made some secondary interpretations, allowing her to travel through time with Char (Neo Zeon).)
She quickly responded to Char's (Neo Zeon) orders and personally led the team to attack from the Lyura-class space battleship, but unexpectedly slowed down slightly when flying over Axis.

This unusual behavior surprised her subordinates, but they didn't investigate it further, assuming that Ilya Pazom was pondering how to deal with the Earth Federation Army's attack.

However, while everyone was focused on carrying out the orders given by Char (Neo Zeon), this NEWTYPE pilot frowned deeply and looked in a certain direction deep in the void.

"What a strange feeling. Could it be an enemy ambush?"

Ilya Pazom had a vague feeling that something was approaching from afar, but she didn’t sense any hostility; she just felt that the feeling was very familiar.

It was as if she were testing herself in front of a "mirror".

"What on earth is it?"

Ilya Pazum ultimately failed to delve deeper into this unusual sensation.

As she tried to explore this unusual sensation from afar, several beams of particle light suddenly appeared in front of her from Axis.

If it weren't for her quick reflexes and extensive experience, she would probably have been taken away instantly by those particle beams that seemed to come from nowhere.

"Ilya! How are things? Do you need backup?"

As Char (Neo Zeon) evaded stray bullets from the front lines in his Kira Doga, he seemed to notice Ilya Pazum's unusual behavior.

"No! Commander-in-Chief. I'm very sorry! I was just distracted by something for a moment."

"interference?!"

Ilya's answer immediately put Nanai, who was standing next to Char (Neo Zeon), on high alert.

"Lieutenant Colonel Ilya, please describe in detail the anomaly you just sensed."

"No. Director Nanai. I can't explain what happened in words, it just feels like looking in a mirror."

Ilya Pazom's Kira Doga rapidly approaches Axis, using the rugged terrain of Axis's outer walls to dodge increasing stray bullets, while also buying some time to respond to Nanai's inquiries.

"Mirror?"

Nana was taken aback, seemingly surprised by the answer.

"Is there a problem, Nana?"

Char (Neo Zeon) asked.

"I'm very sorry! I can't give a definite answer right now. I suggest that Lieutenant Colonel Ilya return to the mothership immediately for an inspection."

Nana thought about it and finally chose the safest suggestion.

"Please allow me to refuse, Director Nanai. My subordinates are currently engaged in battle with the Earth Federation Forces. I cannot abandon them on the battlefield and return to the mothership alone."

Ilya Pazom flatly rejected Nanai's suggestion.

"Can you hold on, Lieutenant Colonel Ilya?"

Char (Neo Zeon) asked in a deep voice. "Yes, Commander-in-Chief! I can complete the mission!"

"Then, please!"

Upon hearing Ilya Pazum's reply, Char (Neo Zeon) immediately granted his approval.

"Thank you so much, Commander! ZICK ZION!!"

After shouting the Neo Zeon slogan, Ilya Pazom immediately piloted her Kira Doga off the outer wall of Axis and charged toward the battlefield.

"Colonel. Perhaps..."

Nana moved her lips, but ultimately failed to express what was on her mind.

"Hehe. Nanai, don't be angry. I might be able to understand how Lieutenant Colonel Ilya feels."

Char (Neo Zeon) laughed heartily, then gazed intently into the distant void.

"Because I had a similar experience not long ago."

"A similar experience?!"

Nana was startled, seemingly having already understood.

Neo Zeon transcends the boundaries of time and space, returning to a past era. According to historical records, in addition to the civil war between the Titans and the Abyss, there was also a third-party force.

The remnants of Zeon from Axis, led by a certain individual, soon raised the banner of Neo Zeon, displaying the last vestiges of the Principality of Zeon to the Earth Federation.

Under the banner raised by that man, Ilya Pazom also participated in the First Neo Zeon War and witnessed his fall.

Thinking of this, Nana felt a surge of shock, reluctance, and jealousy.

Why does the man in front of me always become so perceptive in this time and space?

Before others can even react, he can see through the truth behind his subordinates' abnormal behavior.

"Commander-in-Chief! If that's the case, perhaps it's even more necessary to send Lieutenant Commander Ilya back to the mothership to command the warships in battle, so as to avoid a situation where she gets into a fight with her past self."

Nana quickly replied.

"Could it have been avoided? Nanai. If Ilya could have avoided it, could I have avoided it?"

Char (Neo Zeon) looked at Nanai meaningfully.

Nana's expression changed, and she fell silent.

She understood what Char (Neo Zeon) meant.

In this timeline, besides Amuro, whom Char (Neo Zeon) cares about, there also exists Char Aznable from the past.

These two are enemies that Char (Neo Zeon) absolutely does not want to miss.

The former is Char (Neo Zeon)'s lifelong enemy, while the latter is the future that Char (Neo Zeon) once imagined but could never reach.

Enemies and the future intertwine before Char's (Neo Zeon) eyes at this moment.

In such a scenario, Ilya Pazom, who might encounter her past self, seems to have lost all importance.

"Lyle, I'll leave this to you! I'm going to prepare for the attack now."

"Colonel!"

Nanai quickly followed Char (Neo Zeon).

"I'm here to help."

"Yeah, please!"

Char (Neo Zeon) and Nanai walked toward the hangar after Lyle and the others saluted them.

(End of this chapter)