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

Chapter 255 The Peaceful Days Continue

For the Federal Army, this special military operation actually yielded many non-material gains, among which the tests of various weapon systems yielded particularly encouraging results.

The four prototype Gillette units performed well during hundreds of hours of operation without any abnormal problems, which is sufficient to demonstrate the success of the project.

Therefore, Gop approved the Naval Strategic Research Institute's follow-up production plan without hesitation. According to the Federation Forces Headquarters' white paper, the number of Gilai units they ultimately decided to purchase would be no less than three hundred.

This number is indeed small compared to the current massive number of mobile suits in the Federation Forces, but the Gilai is not assigned to ordinary mobile suit pilots. The excellent performance of this mobile suit makes it a waste to entrust it to ordinary pilots. Assigning it to elite pilots with outstanding abilities is a better choice.

Regular pilots should stick to flying GMs, especially now. In the Federation's mobile suit upgrade program, which is being handled by Anaheim Electronics, nearly a third of the various standard GM models are waiting to be upgraded to GM-C by Anaheim. So, there's plenty of room for them to fly!

As for those outstanding ace pilots, all they get are various models of Gundam mobile suits!
Of course, this number is not the final answer. Additional orders are not impossible as needed. After all, the federal economy is gradually improving, so it is natural for military spending to increase accordingly!
In addition, the Pegasus-class assault landing ships equipped with the Minovsky hover system also performed admirably. Although the Spartan was attacked during the final raid, resulting in damage to its port side and casualties among several crew members, it is undeniable that the combat capability of this type of warship was demonstrated from the initial raid to the later blockade and even the attack on Taal Island.

In fact, there are even voices within the Federation Forces calling for the retirement of all Salamis and Magellans and the replacement of them with new warships equipped with either the Minovsky hover system or the Minovsky flight system.

Of course, this statement is just talk. For the Federation, at least for the Federation at present, it is simply unrealistic. The Minovsky system is still the most complex technology used in Federation warships. It is impossible to fully deploy it in a short period of time.

In reality, what the Federation can do is to complete the replacement and upgrade of old and new warships within ten or twenty years, just like the military development plan of the 60s.

Of course, the Pegasus-class ships did have their drawbacks. Due to their unique design, the surface area exposed to bullets was significantly larger. If they had been replaced by the Salamis or Magellan-class ships, they certainly wouldn't have been hit like the Spartan.

In addition, the Pegasus-class mobile suit capacity was also felt by Federation commanders to be somewhat insufficient. After all, this type of warship was designed before the One Year War, when mobile suit combat theory had not yet emerged, and even the use of such weapons was still uncertain. Therefore, it was normal for the design to be conservative.

If it were today, Federation designers would love to cram a hundred mobile suits onto a single ship, but considering the overall combat effectiveness and the need for artillery warfare, this idea remains just a dream!

Unless the Federation really intends to build a super battleship like the Dolos-class, but that's impossible unless the Federation military leadership goes crazy, unless some designer can travel to the future and come up with the design for the General Reibill.

Then, the Federation Command would inevitably cheer like the high-ranking officials of the old Imperial Japanese Navy when they first saw the Yamato battleship.

"This is amazing! This is exactly what I wanted!"

However, such a thing is obviously unlikely. Although Makarius is quite familiar with the ship, he will not choose to make its technical specifications public now. After all, everyone has selfish motives. It is not too late to build it for himself after he is promoted to the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Federation Army!

After killing Ryvanhu, the strike fleet did not immediately withdraw from Taal Island. Commander Djamitov knew that the entire fleet had been quite tired during this period. Whether it was air traffic control, ship maintenance personnel, or even the marines and military police traveling on the ships, they were all busy with friendly and heartfelt education for the prisoners of war. Therefore, he kindly waved his hand.

The entire ship rested on the spot for five days. Anyway, the environment of the Nanyang Alliance's headquarters was really great, especially the hot spring pool that Macarius discovered. It was no longer his and Sera's secret little nest, but had become the bathhouse for all the officers and soldiers of the entire fleet!
However, one soak in the hot spring is enough. If you want to go on a date with Macarius, there are plenty of ways. The maintenance crew on the warship has taken his bribes, so even if Macarius secretly takes the flight pedal out for fun, it won't be a problem.

But this clandestine operation couldn't continue after just one attempt, because Sera shared it with her best friend. As a result, more and more people wanted to join in. Even Brad secretly approached Macarius, gave him a month's salary, and hoped that Macarius could choose a beautiful moment at sunset to take him and the eight continents of Miletus to see the sea.

Of course, the high-ranking officers didn't just sit on the ship doing nothing all day. Several older officers spent their days fishing at sea with Djamitov, while the rest took their crews to socialize with the navy, mainly to go on other ships and flirt with the female soldiers on board.

In short, after five comfortable days without patrol missions or the need to pull the trigger, the strike fleet finally began its return voyage.

"Hmm, where are we?"

As the warship trembled slightly, Sera awoke from her sleep. She pushed away the arm that was pressing down on her, put on her military uniform, and walked to the porthole. There she saw a lush green ocean below the spaceship.

The Spartan has already crossed the Australian continent and most of the Pacific Ocean, and returned to South America!
"Klini, we're almost there!"

"Hmm? Almost there?"

Makarius yawned. He had been really tired these past few days, in every sense of the word. So, on the way back, he simply used a cold as an excuse to avoid all social interaction and slept soundly in bed.

Now, seeing the South American rainforest is a relief.

"Are you going back to North America after this?"

"Yes, after all, I haven't graduated yet. You wouldn't want to see me just an ordinary colonel for the rest of my life, would you?"

"An ordinary colonel with outstanding achievements and remarkable combat record?"

"Then we probably won't see each other for a while!"

"Then come with me to North America?"

"No way! I submitted a report before coming here, and I'll have to deal with all sorts of exams when I get back!"

"What, you really want to be a head nurse at the Federal Army Logistics General Hospital?"

"I have not decided yet!"

"No rush, take your time thinking it over. Whatever you do, I'll support you!"

"Even if I want to go back to Zeon and become a queen?"

"If you really want it, I'll take care of everything!"

"real or fake?"

"Do you believe I could lie to you? Do you believe that with just one phone call, Ramball could immediately surround Darcia's residence and the Council of Zeon?"

Marcarius wasn't exaggerating. Ramball, the leader of the Deikun faction, dreamed of the Deikun bloodline returning to his loyal Zeon. And compared to that irresponsible Char, the sweet, soft, and adorable Artesia was much better. Whenever he thought of the cute way Sera looked when she asked him to find her lost kitten as a child, Ramball would get so excited he'd drop pearls!
Therefore, as long as Serra wants to do it, Ramball will definitely support him wholeheartedly. If anyone wants to oppose it, he will have a good talk with them until they can reach an agreement.

Of course, to Sera, this became a case of Macarius giving the order and Lambaral carrying it out, completely ignoring her poor old father's hopes for his daughter's success. But Macarius wouldn't correct him; what was the point of correcting something like this?
"Thank you, Clini!"

There's no need for thanks between us!

"Then I still want to thank you!"

Longing doesn't appear overnight. After emotions accumulate over time, all that's needed is an opportunity to erupt. And NT1, who appeared on the battlefield like a knight descending upon a princess in an old fairy tale and shielded Sera from all attacks, was the key to opening her heart.

"However, becoming a queen or something like that might not be realistic for me, so I think I can think about it carefully now. If I really decide, I will definitely tell you in person!"

"Okay, I'll wait, but aren't you going to ask me?"

"You, besides wanting to pilot a Gundam, do you have any other goals?"

"Then there really aren't any left!"

Soon, the warship arrived at the secret naval port of Gabro. To welcome the victorious heroes, the Gabro base held a grand welcoming ceremony with a military band playing music, creating a lively atmosphere.

However, it is much worse than the scene during the One Year War. This is understandable, since it was a true total war back then. Unlike now, the Federation Army actually mobilizes only about 10,000 people, which was not even enough for a single battle during the One Year War!

After disembarking, it was time for everyone to part ways. Serra was going to the Federal Military Medical Center in Europe, while Makarius was going to headquarters to complete his reporting for duty and then return to North America to continue his advanced studies.

"Oh, right, Ying said she'll be waiting for you in North America!"

"You told her? Wait, did you two actually start a competition together?"

Sera gave a victorious smile, turned around, and boarded the shuttle bus with her sisters.

Markarius was left alone, bewildered beside the car that had come to pick him up, carrying his luggage.

"Colonel, we should go. The General is still waiting for you!"

"I understand, let's go!"

Touching his cheek, which still smelled faintly of fragrance, Markarius fell asleep again in the car, only to be awakened once more by the voice of the major adjutant in the passenger seat.

More than a month had passed, and General Kinklini was still the same as before, even more gentle-looking than before. When he saw Makarius enter, he stared at him with a smile for a long time.

"What's wrong? Is something wrong with me?"

"I heard you kissed a young girl goodbye at the port?"

"Then shall I kiss the young man next time?"

"It's okay for you to kiss a dog!"

The general waved his hand dismissively, gesturing for Makarius to sit down.

"I'd like to hear some details about this operation!"

"You mean the new human type?"

"uh-huh!"

The general nodded. In the past, these high-ranking officers of the Federation Army had held the attitude that the new humans were somewhat interesting and that they needed to study them carefully. However, after the report on Lei Fanhu's performance was delivered...

Regarding matters concerning New Humans, the Federation Army needs to come up with some new regulations, especially those concerning New Human Research Institutes. Although it has been said in the past that the Federation Army's New Human research projects are Rebil's personal projects, in reality, Santa Claus doesn't have the time or energy for them. Otherwise, the mess of the enhanced humans at the Augusta Research Institute wouldn't have happened.

"If you're talking about replicating Lei Fanhu's heaven-defying abilities, my answer is no. His abilities are due to a series of coincidences. Lei Fanhu's ability to communicate mentally is largely due to his physical condition. You should know that because he has a brain problem and only has one year to live, the New Human Research Institute granted him the right to move freely, right?"

"Yes, the General Staff is ready to discuss this matter thoroughly with Lieutenant Colonel Monica!"

"There's no need to make things difficult for her. The lieutenant colonel is a responsible person. Whether from the perspective of his mother or the Federation Army, the main reason Revanhu survived is because he obtained information about Zeon regeneration equipment while cleaning up the battlefield. He used this information to create a machine that can suppress the growth of brain tumors, thus buying himself time!"

Marcarius recalled his battle with Revan Hu, and it was clear that the machine in the other's head had gone out of control back then!
"But his brainwashing ability is still terrifying, isn't it?"

"I feel that it's not as good as Commander-in-Chief Killian's brainwashing. It's nothing more than relying on the Newtypes' perception ability to understand a person's inner needs and thus persuade them. I've talked to him too. See, have I been brainwashed?"

"So, you weren't brainwashed because he couldn't meet your needs?"

"That sounds strange, but it's not wrong!"

"That's quite a pity!"

"What a pity? I don't think a brainwashed army can really be of any use. Those monk soldiers are indeed very fanatical, but apart from making us waste more bullets, they are of no use at all. Instead of building such an army, why not build a robot army!"

"So, how do you think we should define the New Humans?"

"How do you calculate it? What's the difference between new humans and old humans? One shot and they're all dead. They know to call for their mothers when they're sad or upset. They're all human. The idea that they're superior just because they're new humans is what we need to focus on!"

(End of this chapter)