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

Chapter 264 Char from the Stars

"Sizzle... New Year..."

In the pitch-black universe, inside a somewhat old and dusty transport ship, a faint radio voice suddenly came from the dimly lit bridge.

"Well?"

A rough-looking man wearing a tank top and slippers, busy on the bridge, rubbed his ears and then pressed his head against the control panel. He then heard the indistinct sound again.

"...increase income..."

"Oh my God!"

After confirming that he hadn't misheard, the burly man's previously muddled eyes suddenly cleared. Then, amidst the puzzled looks of his companions, he seemed to have a rocket mounted on his buttocks and sprang up, rushing towards the bridge gate. In his haste, one of his slippers even flew off.

Why is that guy running?

"It sounds like a broadcast..."

"broadcast?"

It was only then that everyone realized that being able to receive high-frequency broadcast signals meant that after several months of long voyage, they had finally approached the edge of the civilized world!

So, despite the still unclear signal, all the crew members except the essential operators gathered around the broadcast, eager to hear some news from the Earth Sphere.

Meanwhile, in the living quarters of the transport ship, Char Aznable, the commander of the Earth Sphere advance team, was still fast asleep with Lala in his arms. After all, there were no recreational activities during their space voyages, so they could only pass the time by sleeping.

"Colonel, Colonel!"

The rough-looking man frantically pounded on Char's door, and then Char, wearing a white shirt, opened the door with a helpless expression.

"What happened!"

"We're almost at the Earth Sphere, Colonel!"

"We can receive intermittent signals now!"

Xia Ya's narrowed eyes snapped open instantly, and his tone became excited.

"Earth Sphere, great! We're finally back. Have we notified them?"

"Not yet. Should I go and inform them now?"

"Go ahead, after all, we're allies!"

"Friendly forces?"

The rough-looking man immediately showed his dissatisfaction and then complained.

"Colonel, if I may be so bold, those guys don't consider us allies! They've even been saying behind our backs that you've actually been ostracized!"

"Being banished to the Earth Sphere is a good thing, isn't it, Apolly!"

Char waved his hand dismissively.

"Go and inform them quickly. Also, have the kitchen take stock of the inventory today. If there's enough, we can have a small banquet!"

"As ordered!"

The man called Apolly returned to the bridge and first announced Char's orders to the entire ship. After learning that the colonel had approved extra food for everyone, the crew was overjoyed. Apolly then contacted another transport ship that was not far away but was in much better condition and informed it of the news.

The Zeon soldiers on that ship also said a few words of thanks, which was rare for them, but then hung up the communication.

Apoli couldn't resist and turned around to give the middle finger to the person outside the window.

The reason why there were rumors that Char was exiled was actually due to the actions of Mark Bay. Taking advantage of his position, the latter approved a transport ship in the best condition for his own people in the advance team, while Char and his followers were given an old ship. Moreover, even the supplies delivered to the ship were of two different types. In addition, when selecting members for the advance team, all of Char's few followers in Axis were honored to be on the list.

Everyone already knew what the other party's attitude was, and along the way, they were even on guard against the friendly forces on another ship called the Mambo.

However, Char didn't care at all about this so-called exile. It was a good thing that Mark Bay sent all his people to a ship. After all, Axis was indeed very tough, and returning to Earth would be a relief!

Of course, although they have arrived at the edge of the civilized world, the transport ship is still a few days away from Earth. But that doesn't matter anymore, after all, they have survived for so many months, what's a few more days?

Following Char's orders, the entire ship held a small banquet. Although the food consisted of stews made of potatoes, a small amount of canned meat, and dehydrated vegetables, and the staple food was various potato pancakes and mashed potatoes, the crew members ate with great enjoyment.

Because what everyone is eating is no longer just potatoes, but all sorts of delicious food that you can't find in Aksis!

The ship's cook was also very happy because the stock of potatoes was rapidly decreasing. After years of cooking potatoes non-stop, even the cook was having nightmares. He had made up his mind that once they docked for supplies, he would fill every corner of the warehouse with all kinds of vegetables. As for potatoes, the ship's kitchen would never allow potatoes to enter again in this lifetime!

As the distance between the transport ship and the Earth sphere continued to shrink, they received more and more communication signals every day, and the quality became clearer and clearer. So much so that in the following days, every crew member who was not on duty gathered in public areas such as the canteen and meeting room, and listened to one channel with great joy.

It was at this moment that everyone suddenly realized that UC 0082 had turned the page, and now it was 0083!
"Time flies!"

"Yes, it's been three years since I left home. I wonder how my mother and sister are doing!"

"Me too, my wife was heavily pregnant when I left!"

After the initial joy of returning home gradually subsided, it was replaced by various feelings of bewilderment and confusion. Many of these veterans of Zeon did not have time to leave a message for their families when they fled. Now, thinking of their loved ones, they inevitably feel a pang of sadness.

"Then let's not rush to rendezvous with our allies!"

Char also overheard the conversation among his subordinates. After thinking for a moment, he connected the ship's broadcast system and announced the news.

“We don’t yet know the enemy and friendly situation in the Earth Sphere, so let’s all lie low for now and find out what’s going on. After all, we’re all on the Federation’s war criminal list. If we want to operate over there, we’ll at least need new identities!” “Besides, none of you have much money on you, do you?”

As soon as Xia finished speaking, the group, who had just been frowning, immediately started laughing embarrassedly.

Of course, having no money and being penniless are two different things. The advance team was actually quite well-off. In addition to personnel and supplies, their transport ship was also carrying a batch of high-quality minerals from the asteroid belt. They could easily sell them to any factory and get a large sum of money. In addition, they also had gold for use in an emergency.

Not to mention that Char also possesses something more precious than gold, something that could be considered enough to last a lifetime.

Therefore, Char wasn't worried about the livelihood of the entire crew at all. After all, in some respects, Axis had more wealth than the Federation, but it just didn't have any ability to convert it into cash.

Not only his ship, but even Mark Bay's confidants couldn't raise any objections to Char's arrangements. After all, they couldn't really sail this ship into the Earth Sphere and run all over the map shouting, "Commander Delaz, where are you? Lieutenant General Mark Bay and Regent Malahaja have brought you gifts, come out quickly!"
If they really did that, the veterans on the ship would probably be roasted to a pulp by the Federation forces in the next second, since they didn't bring a single mobile suit on board.

After all, the mobile suits produced by Axis are different from the Zeon mobile suits of the wartime era. They are too conspicuous, and once discovered, they are not easy to explain!

However, they did bring a lot of relevant technical data, including the Rick Dom II, which was most suitable for the Delaz fleet.

After building several Riku Dom IIs, Axis discovered that the machine's foundation was still too poor, so they abandoned production and prepared to continue improving it. The new improved model was the MS-09S Dowager.

Now that there are new mechs, the Great Demon becomes a convenient favor, used as a stepping stone to reach the Delaz fleet.

Of course, this is just the beginning. Axis already has a series of plans, including arming various anti-Federation organizations in the Earth Sphere to cause trouble for the Federation.

Arming the Delaz fleet was only the first step, but Mark Bay had thought of everything except that his subordinates' will was not firm enough.

After Char suggested that everyone should buy a new identity on the Von Braun black market on the moon to make it easier to move around, they could also take a break for a while. After all, everyone must be very tired after traveling around for so many days!
The veterans on the Mambo should have strongly opposed this statement, but when it came down to it, they said that everyone had indeed worked hard and deserved a few days of rest!
Moreover, Von Braun is well-informed; we might be able to find out some information there!

So, after entering the Earth Sphere, the two transport ships headed straight for von Braun. After finding a local company to handle their cargo, the Zeon veterans on the Mambo took their money and headed to the local entertainment district.

After that, a legend spread in Von Braun that a group of country bumpkins, who were of unknown origin, began to raid Von Braun's red-light district like bandits. They would first drink up the stock of a bar, then rush into the neighboring Kabukicho, book the whole place, have a massage, and then go back to the bar to raid the stock. This cycle continued for almost a week!
"Colonel, are we just going to ignore them?"

"How are we supposed to manage this? Are we supposed to go over there, kneel down, and beg them to stop?"

Char waved the card in his hand, which already contained a sum of money, and then spoke to his subordinates.

“I know you’ve all had a tough time lately, but this kind of venting will cause problems. Besides, many of you were thinking of going home. Now that you’ve caused trouble, what about the others?”

Upon hearing Xia's words, some veterans who had also been looking for fun immediately lowered their heads in shame.

"So, Colonel, what do we do now?"

"First, dispose of the transport ship we came from, then find a safe, secluded place to stay, and then check what has happened in the Earth Sphere during this time!"

"And Apoli!"

"Yes, Colonel!"

"Don't call me colonel anymore!"

Xia Ya produced a new identity ID and then spoke.

"Call me Captain Kovatro Bagina!"

"Understood, Colonel, no, Captain!"

"Okay, let's go. Don't be too sad, everyone. We can order takeout tonight!"

Using his purchased identity as a former Federation Army captain, Xia quickly found a disposal plant to sell the old transport ship he and his crew had brought for a good price. In any case, all information about their identities on board had been erased, and even the route map had been cleared. Of course, even if it had, it wouldn't matter. These middlemen living on the moon were the most fearless of all.

Afterwards, Xia and his men found a decent place to stay in the lower part of Von Braun. After all, it was the New Year period, and the entire lunar city was filled with countless guests from all over the universe, so there was nothing suspicious about them.

Afterwards, Xia directed his subordinates to begin collecting information about what happened after they left, in order to fill in the gaps of those three years.

What Xia found out was shocking. He realized that the Federation had clashed with anti-Federation forces several more times afterward, and what was most disheartening was that the one who had repeatedly made contributions in these conflicts was Makarius!

Char also saw his sister's information in an old newspaper. It showed Sera receiving a medal because she had saved two Federation medics and a Federation pilot from enemy fire, proving her fearless courage.
Looking at Sera, who was carrying the rank of second lieutenant, Xia felt a toothache. Was being a member of the Federation Army so easy? Why hadn't he taken off his Federation Army uniform yet?
Besides these, Char also saw the news that the Republic of Zeon defined the nature of Deikun's death, which also left him with mixed feelings.

Meanwhile, Xia's subordinates didn't have as many complicated emotions. They just kept saying "uh, ah, how is this possible?" Then, suddenly, one of the subordinates stood up while holding a data tablet.

"Captain, I've found out that the Federation Forces are building new warships!"

"I've already seen it, it's an Alexander-class, right!"

"No, no, it's a new battleship, called the Birmingham-class!"

After taking the data panel and glancing at the blurry photos taken by the media, Char suddenly had a slight doubt about Axis's plan. With the Federation Army in its current state, could Axis really find a way to deal with it?
At that moment, Lala tugged at Char's sleeve with a small mobile screen.

"what happened?"

"I found news about Artesia again, on the Federal Officers' website!"

Char looked down and saw that it was a news article from not long ago about the graduation ceremony of the Federal Military Medical Academy training course. The girl standing in the second row and third place in the photo, holding a military cap and smiling brightly, was none other than Artesia. Moreover, her rank had been changed to lieutenant!
"By the way, why did she change her hairstyle?"

Xia stared at the photo for a long time before suddenly realizing that Artesia used to have a neat, short bob, but now her hair was tied up in a big bun at the back of her head, making her look much more mature than before!
"Perhaps it's because I've left my family that I need to become more mature!"

Lala thought about Artesia's possible lonely path of studying, and then slapped Char in an annoyed manner.

"That guy is such an irresponsible older brother!"

(End of this chapter)