Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 208 Time of Reckoning
"Prime Minister Darcia, our troops have been ordered to garrison Zim City. We request your full cooperation!"

"Of course, I have already issued a notice requiring all departments and agencies to prepare for the handover. In addition, this is Lieutenant General Henry Schlesell, Commander of the Zeon Defense Forces!"

"I have long admired your name, General!"

"Lieutenant Colonel, you're too kind!"

Schlesell gave a wry smile and saluted. He didn't think the other party had actually heard of him, especially since he hadn't even shown his face much on the front lines.

"I am but a nobody, while your name is probably known to everyone!"

"I only did a little bit of insignificant work, it doesn't count!"

"You're too modest!"

Schlesell and Darcia were five or six times the age of Makarius combined, yet they were behaving like grandsons. Schlesell, in particular, had excellent eyesight and immediately spotted the Zeon troops who had arrived with the Federation army, especially their leader, Ramball, who was whispering to Hamon beside him, his gaze constantly drifting in Schlesell's direction. General Schlesell immediately felt a sense of crisis. At such a crucial moment, being forced to withdraw his troops would be one thing, but being withdrawn and then purged would be disastrous!

"Then, shall we set off now?"

"sure, no problem!"

Then, Markarius took the military cap from Nagase Hotaru and tucked it into his arms before starting to walk towards the inner side of the starport.

At this moment, the band's national anthem of the Federation quickly switched to celebratory music to welcome guests from Zeon. Behind the cordon set up by the Zeon Capital Defense Force, there were many Zeon civilians waving Federation flags. Although they tried their best to appear joyful, their eyes were still filled with confusion, resentment, and unease. They were standing here mechanically waving their flags and shouting slogans only because the Zeon government would give them extra rations.

To prevent any accidents, the soldiers of the Capital Defense Battalion were not even allowed to load live ammunition; they could only wait on the sidelines with rifles fitted with bayonets.

Correspondingly, there were fully armed federal troops. Accompanying the 13th Independent Fleet were two armored divisions of the federal army. At this moment, Type 61 tanks and infantry fighting vehicles with various miscellaneous items and extra armor plates hanging on their turrets roared out of the transport ship. The coaxial machine guns of the tanks were already loaded, and on the leading tank, there were even words written: "Avenge the hero Johnson."

Looking at the menacing Federation Army troops, the Zeon military commanders felt a chill run down their spines, but what could they do? In order to ensure the stability of their subordinates, the officers of the defense battalion even had to drive armored vehicles themselves to clear the way for the convoy.

Soon, the convoy drove away from the port, leaving behind the indifferent welcoming crowd.

As artificial sunlight streamed in, the scene before Markarius gradually brightened, and then the interior architectural blocks of Zim City reappeared before him.

"Major Leigh, take your men and proceed according to the plan!"

"Captain Paul, the same goes for you!"

Following Makarius's order, the exit of the Starport seemed to connect to a black hole, with Federation vehicles continuously driving out under the guidance of the Zeon Defense Force's lead vehicle at the front of the column, and then turning around to enter the complex traffic lines below the Starport.

The destinations of these Federation forces were various important areas of Zeom, including the Zeon Ministry of Defense, the Zeon Headquarters of the Zeon Führer's Guard, the Zeon Intelligence Bureau, the Zeon National Assembly, and the Zeon Government Center Headquarters. In addition, outside the colony satellites, other ships of the fleet were also heading towards other satellites. Their targets were Zeon military industrial enterprises and military experimental satellites. Inside the satellites, heavy trucks loaded with troops sped along the empty roads, guided by the lead vehicle.

Upon arrival at their destination, the convoy proceeded directly into the aforementioned areas without hesitation. Before the vehicles had even come to a complete stop, large numbers of Federal soldiers filed out and began taking over everything according to the operation plan.

All personnel were herded into the yard for identification and verification, and everything in these facilities, including documents and other equipment, was subsequently sealed off and guarded by sentries.

Meanwhile, Makarius's convoy drove straight to Dekin's palace. Although Dekin himself had died in Abaoakong, his palace was still firmly guarded by the remaining members of his personal guard, and the palace staff continued to maintain everything there as always.

The tranquility was shattered by the roar of tank engines. The paving stones outside the palace were roughly crushed by the tanks, and then, amidst the exclamations of the attendants, a line of Federal Army vehicles came to a stop haphazardly in front of the palace's main gate.

"This old guy really knows how to enjoy life!"

Marcarius looked at the tall vaulted ceiling above the palace walls and then clicked his tongue in amazement.

"It must have cost a lot of money to build this palace, right?"

Makarius looked at Darcia beside him, who immediately replied.

“That’s natural, but Your Highness is the head of the duchy and should also enjoy such treatment…”

"Then use this money to build warships, maybe you'll win!"

Darcia was speechless, completely unsure how to respond. Fortunately, Markarius noticed his embarrassment and quickly changed the subject.

"Such a luxurious palace must be wonderful to live in!"

"How about the lieutenant colonel says something tonight..."

"No, I'm not interested. I need the detailed roster of the Prince's Palace. Eugene, take a battalion and check the roster one by one. I want to make sure that nothing is missing. Then seal this place off as well, and no one is allowed to enter or leave!"

"Also, Lieutenant General Schlesell, send a company from your Capital Defense Division and a company from Colonel Lambaral's troops. The three of you will supervise each other to ensure that the Prince's Palace is not damaged or lost in any way. What do you think?"

"I'm OK!"

Schlesell raised an eyebrow. He was a little surprised that the other party would refuse to move into the ducal palace directly. What surprised him and Darcia even more was that not only the ducal palace, but also the palace of Gihren, Kycilia and Dozru’s residence, were all ordered to be sealed off. All the items inside were to be registered and then supervised by the three parties.

However, if there is any abuse of public power for private gain, it is that this person likes to take photos in front of these buildings and even wrote "I was here" on the pillars of the Gilian Palace.

Actually, Makarius wanted to urinate; he had wanted to do it before, but there were too many people standing behind him, and he was too embarrassed to take off his pants. So he could only write a line of words with a pen. As for why he was targeting Gihren, it was naturally because that guy was the scum of the earth, the trash of trash.

After sealing off these key areas, Makarius's next stop was Darcia's official residence. However, he wasn't there for a photo op; he was there to announce orders from the Federation Army Headquarters. The swift deaths of the entire Zabi family exceeded the expectations of the Federation's high command, leaving the Federation government completely unprepared. Fortunately, although these key figures were dead, the Zeon government's operations remained largely intact, though the loyalty of former government members was clearly questionable.

However, the Federation is still forming a government team to replace the Zeon government, so the operation of Zeon society and all aspects still require members of the former Zeon government. But this is only temporary. In a few days, the Federation's follow-up troops will arrive. Therefore, these few days are a great opportunity for these former government members to show their abilities.

If he performs well, he will naturally have a place in the new government. But if there are any problems, former members will only receive a severance package and will not receive any subsidies or guarantees.

Meanwhile, Makarius read the order aloud to the hundreds of government officials attending the meeting at Darcia's official residence.

"Everyone, you don't have much time left. Whether you stay or leave is up to you!"

After reading out the order, Makarius went to the next room, where Lieutenant General Schlesell and the Chief of Police of the Principality of Zeon had been waiting for a long time. When Makarius entered, he did not stand on ceremony and directly and decisively gave his second task.

"Have you obtained the list of war criminals by now?"

"Yes, but, Lieutenant Colonel, many of the people up here have already escaped!"

"Did they all run away?"

Marcarius tilted his head and squinted at the police chief in front of him, who, in his eyes, had already been labeled as untrustworthy.

"I don't know either!"

"Then go and find out, Mr. Finn. I won't hold your previous poor performance in failing to blockade the space zone accountable, but now, you'd better obey orders one hundred percent. My troops will cooperate with you in carrying out all the capture missions. I hope there won't be any unexpected problems with this operation. What do you think?"

"I understand, I understand!"

Director Finn trembled as he took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. The intense killing intent that Makarius had just unleashed had given him quite a fright. Although he was the so-called top officer in the police department, in reality, Finn and his subordinate police department had been basically just figureheads in the past, because all their work had been taken over by the Führer's guard. Now, after hearing Makarius's order, he wanted to make some excuses, but the other party did not give him any chance at all.

Then, Director Finn rushed out of the conference room, followed by a whole battalion of armed military police. They would then use the Federation's list of war criminals to compare with the police system's records to arrest the Zeon war criminals who were still on Zeon's soil and had not yet escaped.

These war criminals will then be taken back to the Union mainland to await trial by a special court. The judge will determine the final punishment based on the crimes they committed and various pieces of evidence.

After giving the order, Makarius looked at Schlesell, who was standing to the side.

"Lieutenant General, the curfew in Zum City was previously the responsibility of the Capital Division, right?"

"Yes!"

"Then, please continue to maintain the status quo with your troops. At this critical juncture, I hope there won't be any problems. It would be better for all of us. What do you think?"

"Of course, I understand. Also, regarding the war criminals the Federation wants, I have a rather special case here. I think it would be better to hand it over to you in advance?"

"Well, who is it?"

“Cecilia Irene!”

"Kihlen's mistress?"

Makarius hadn't expected Schlesell to be so quick as to capture the other man.

"She didn't run away?"

"No, neither the Delaz fleet nor the Axis fleet will accept her, so she wants to run away, but she has nowhere to go!"

"Thank you for your assistance, Lieutenant General! I will record this accurately in my report!"

Makarius wouldn't take credit for the other party's work; in fact, it was a good opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of cooperating with the Federation Army. Makarius planned to write a report overnight and then immediately promote it throughout Zeon.

Upon receiving his report, Rebil immediately signed it, approving his actions.

Meanwhile, the Zeon police force also had a rough start. The Federation forces and police had been busy for more than a day, but had only caught a handful of war criminals. Zeon civilians were very resistant to the Federation forces and police, and often not only did they not provide useful clues, but they would also deliberately lead the arrest teams astray.

In response to this situation, Makarius quickly came up with a solution. The warehouses of the Zeon Führer's Guard, which had been seized by the Federation forces, were stockpiled with a huge amount of supplies. Makarius simply used these supplies as rewards to encourage Zeon civilians to report information about war criminals.

This tactic proved effective. Many Zeon civilians, fed up with the rationing system, readily betrayed the Zeon war criminals hiding among them. Some even set traps to lure the war criminals to their homes under the pretense of protecting them, only to then call in Federation forces to search for them.

As for these Zeon civilians, Makarius kept his promise and secretly distributed the necessary living supplies to them in full.

As for the other Zeon civilians, they still have to rely on ration coupons to receive meager living supplies.

Makarius was happy to see this happen, since happiness is relative, and naturally, the latter is more appealing than dry bread.

So, that night, when the Zeon civilians who were still awake heard someone knocking on the door next door and then issuing warnings such as "Don't move," their words changed from "These damned Federation soldiers" to "I really envy that bastard. He gets fifty pounds of meat for catching a Class B wanted criminal. Doesn't that bastard worry about getting sick?"

Those Zeon war criminals who failed to escape were in trouble, especially those who were ranked higher, such as A-class. To the Zeon civilians, they were like large, moving chops of meat and bags of butter and jam bread. Rather than protecting them and having everyone go to jail together, it was better to turn them into delicious food to fill the stomachs of their families.

As for whether betraying someone will lead to retribution, well then, the Federation's mobile suits are standing right here on the streets. If you're not afraid of death, then come and try!
(End of this chapter)