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

Chapter 281 New Job

"report!"

"Come in!"

"Please, take a seat. I'll finish reading this report first!"

Sitting behind his desk, Gao Yun glanced up at Markarius as he walked in, casually waved his hand, and then, while looking at the documents in his hand, picked up the cup of coffee on the table that had been cold for a long time and drank it all in one gulp.

After a short while, he closed the flexible screen, stretched his stiff limbs, and pressed the call button next to him.

"A coffee for me and the brigadier general, with milk and sugar!"

"I've been so exhausted lately!"

After instructing his secretary, Gao Yun got up and sat on the sofa next to Markarius, casually complaining.

"Still Project GP?"

"Yes, Anaheim suffered a significant loss, but fortunately the Pegasus Project was not delayed and can be delivered on schedule. However, having ships but no aircraft is a terrible situation!"

"The lunar merchants just want us to spend more money to help them share their losses; it's all about bargaining!"

"Yes, but you can bargain, but don't even think about me offering a lower price. I'm desperate to make every penny count. If they can complete their GP project, great; if not, we still have the Naval Strategic Research Institute!"

As Gao Yun spoke, he couldn't help but praise Makarius again. After all, without him, there would be no Naval Strategic Research Institute, and the Federation Army would now be waiting for the GP project and being hampered by Anaheim.

"Speaking of which, there's some good news from the Naval Strategic Research Institute!"

"Is the new Gundam almost ready?"

"It's almost done. We're currently conducting final testing, but the performance parameters of the mk2 seem a bit conservative. Why is that?"

"Because rather than calling it a new Gundam, I prefer to call it a technology demonstrator. The MK2 is the first mobile suit in our military to adopt a movable frame structure. It has a strong experimental nature. Once the technology matures, all the mobile suits in our military will usher in a new technological revolution. So, at this moment, performance is irrelevant!"

"You think the same way I do! Oh, right, there's also the important reason I called you here, but I think you already know that, right?"

"Yes, headquarters has already called to inform me!"

"Hmm, no objections, right?"

"No, on the contrary, I really enjoy this job!"

"That's good. Although I think you might prefer to lead troops in combat units, it's not impossible for you to lead troops here. You can do whatever you want with the mobile suit units of the entire Federation Army. That's much better than being a unit commander!"

"Besides, your position is capable of fighting wars, it's just that the name sounds rather ordinary!"

As Gao Yun spoke, he took out an appointment letter. Although Markarius already knew the contents of the letter, he still stood up according to procedure, straightened his military bearing, and listened to the appointment.

"With the approval of the Federal Army Command, Brigadier General Makarius Skriny is hereby transferred to the position of Director of the Federal Pezeng Tactical Research Center. The appointee is the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Army, John Abraham Reibell!"

"Congratulations, Brigadier General Makarius!"

"Your humble servant will certainly live up to everyone's expectations!"

Marcarius then straightened his back, raised his head, kicked his right foot, and gave a standard military salute with a snap.

"Alright, enough with the fancy stuff, let's get down to business!"

The Federation Command gave Makarius very little, but also a lot. It was little because the so-called Pezen Tactical Research Center currently only has one research base located on the asteroid Pezen, and this base was left behind by the Zeon forces.

In the past, Pei was an important research center for the Zeon Mobile Suit Project, its status even surpassing that of the lunar city of Grenada and the Zeon mainland. After the war, the Federation took over the site and organized and sealed the relevant data stored inside.

Therefore, when Makarius took office, he could only get one base, and at most some garrison troops. As for the rest, he got nothing.

The reason the Federation Command provides more is that, within the framework of the rules, everything that Markarius needs to make the base operational can be provided simply by asking.

"Since that's the case, then I won't stand on ceremony. Considering the needs of our military's equipment development, I think the Pei Zeng base should be relocated!"

"Change seats?"

Gao Yun had assumed that Markarius would ask for people and money, but to his surprise, the other party first proposed to move the base to a different location.

"Isn't L4 a good spot?"

"It's not that it's bad, it's that it's very bad. This base should be used as a secret research center, not a bridgehead and fortress. Side 2 and Side 6 are crowded and have been attacked not long ago. For the sake of secrecy, I think it would be better to move it to L3!"

"That's true. Moving it next to Side 7 will allow for better collaboration with the Naval Strategic Research Institute. However, this is no small project!"

"So, is that a problem for us?"

Marcarius picked up the coffee that had just been brought to him, took a sip, and then asked a question.

"Then you've asked the right person!"

Gao Yun burst into laughter.

The Federation is extremely familiar with the project of dragging asteroids around in the universe. The most famous example is Luna II, an asteroid with a diameter of 180 kilometers that was towed to its current location by the Federation adding a rocket engine to it. In addition, there is Luna V, which was designed to provide materials for the construction of colony satellites. Gao Yun is very familiar with these projects!

"So, you'll write the report?"

"I'll write it!"

"Okay, submit it and I'll approve it!"

"As for the selection, do you want me to choose for you, or do you want to do it yourself?"

"Let headquarters handle the base's logistics and defense; I'll take care of the main things!"

Marcarius didn't actually try to do everything himself. His energy was limited, and if he wanted to focus on military affairs and micromanage everything, what would be the point of assigning him deputies? Of course, the selection of his team members was still personally decided by him, especially now that he was a general, his status was different, and there was a sad, thick barrier separating him from his old comrades!

First, a personal secretary needs to be arranged, an adjutant needs to be there, a driver needs to be there, and then there are bodyguards and the like, of course, all of those are necessary! Especially the personal secretary, that's the most indispensable, after all, you can't expect a brigadier general to make the bed and make coffee himself!

As for the candidate, Makarius didn't need to pick one; someone volunteered immediately. The candidate was not only proficient in secretarial work but also had obtained a professional nursing and nutrition qualification certificate issued by the Federation Army Logistics Headquarters. In addition, the candidate had also obtained a mobile suit pilot's license.

Furthermore, the adjutant was in the same situation, which is why Makarius wanted to relocate the Pezen base. The living conditions at the asteroid base were really not good, so moving to be next to Side 7 would be more convenient.

Of course, there is an even more important reason, which is to take over the production line. As the Federation's combat technology research center, it must have all kinds of mobile suits. The production line at the Pezen base was destroyed by the Zeon army long ago, and the Federation has not repaired it. Makarius does not plan to repair it either. Otherwise, he is not sure what a self-sufficient secret base could do!
After Makarius had finished explaining the work, Gao Yun then spoke again.

“Marcarius, do you know why we established this combat technology research center?”

"Military reform!"

"Yes, military reforms. We have all the new equipment now, but we don't have a training syllabus adapted to the new era. Currently, the Federal Mobile Suit Academy is still using your book on mobile suits as a textbook. Our military's new warship tactics also need to keep pace with the times. You know, we old guys were incredibly surprised after watching the combat videos of the Birmingham-class! That's why this came about!"

"New equipment with new ideas—only then can military reform be considered a success; otherwise, it's just a change in name only!"

"Brilliant! You're quite something, kid! You even know such a philosophical ancient Eastern saying!"

"It's all thanks to the exemplary conduct of our predecessors!"

"Your flattery is just as good!"

"Alright, I've told you most of what I needed to say. By the way, since the Pei Zeng base can't be used right now, where do you plan to conduct the initial training and integration?"

"Trington Base, isn't that one of our army's mobile soldier training bases? We have ready-made equipment and facilities there! Besides, the Armored Academy is nearby, and I miss their training grounds!"

"You can also go back to school and cause some trouble for your old teachers, right? Now, apart from your school leaders, everyone else has to salute you first when they see you!"

"And I can also get our squad leader to run laps in the desert!"

Gao Yun laughed heartily after hearing this. After all, he was also a graduate of a military academy, and he knew all too well what kind of treatment he would receive from the instructors there. It was just a pity that by the time he was promoted, his instructors at the military academy would have long since retired and gone home to be with their grandchildren!
"Well then, young man, I wish you all the best!"

"Lend your auspicious words!"

Markarius saluted, shook hands, and then turned and left.

"Boss, where do we go next?"

When Makarius walked out of the building, Yudin had already parked a brand-new camouflage-painted SUV at the bottom of the steps, with a Federation Army flag and a Space Force flag on either side of the front of the vehicle to indicate Makarius's affiliation.

"Let's go to the archives first. We need to find out where our old friends have gone!"

Since a completely new training syllabus is being developed, Markarius isn't going to let the Federation's past aces slack off anymore. Forget opening bakeries, they're all here to be used as teaching materials! If they don't come, I'll bring 100,000 brothers to patronize their businesses!

Of course, if you're going to do something big, do it big. Macarius plans to bring over a few more ace pilots from Zeon. However, since he has killed most of the well-known ones, Macarius thinks it is necessary to recruit a certain captain. After all, that bastard still has what he wants.

In addition, Tiger King Norris also needs to come. The latter has solid close combat skills. If it weren't for the Newtype's powerful precognitive ability, Macarius wouldn't have been able to suppress the opponent in a short time. Furthermore, that guy from the Matsunaga family also needs to come. With other miscellaneous candidates, there are enough to start the Mobile Suit Fighting Tournament!

No, it's enough to make a mobile suit fighting show. But speaking of which, there really is a mobile suit battle program on Side 6. However, because the Federation strictly prohibits beam weapons and live ammunition, the mobile suit battles here are just pilots operating those salvaged second-hand mobile suits to throw punches until one side's mobile suit is knocked down. And there are quite a lot of viewers!

As Makarius began preparing to establish the Combat Technology Research Center, a spaceship from Earth arrived in the Zeon Republic space domain of Side 3.

"Hmm, so Side 3 has started building a brand new island-three colony satellite too?"

Looking out the window at the GM C patrols painted in the colors of the Republic of Zeon that occasionally flew by, and at a brand-new, unfinished open colony in the distance, Captain Kuvatobabagina was momentarily dazed. After all, the changes were too great, and he felt as if he had lived in another world.

Captain Bagina's men, like country bumpkins, practically shoved their faces out the windows just to catch a glimpse of the drastically changed Republic of Zeon. This act immediately drew the contempt of the other passengers.

"These guys must be some kind of country bumpkins from Earth!"

"Nonsense! They clearly have a Zeon accent; they're from your Zeon!"

"No, that's clearly a side 6 accent!"

A regional discrimination conflict vanished without a trace. After all, the nouveau riche from Side 6 were more annoying than Earth and Zeon. These guys, relying on their money, traveled around after the war, causing a significant increase in prices in tourist destinations!

Hearing her beloved captain being treated as a foreigner, Lalasin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

"Captain, you're being looked down upon!"

"It's okay, after all, I really am an outsider now!"

Char, now using the alias Kuvatolo, patted Lala's head without the slightest displeasure. He preferred the Zeon he had left with to its current state, which, though somewhat messy, was full of energy. Of course, it would be even better without those Jims!
"I bet that it was that bastard's idea to have the Self-Defense Forces shoot the Jim!"

"What can the captain do?"

"What can I do? I can only let them open it. After all, right now I'm just Captain Kuvatorobagina, nobody else!"

Xia stood with his hands on his hips, looking incredibly arrogant.

"Then why did you visit Mr. Ramball using the identity of Char Aznabul?"

"Isn't it because I'm afraid they won't see me?"

"But don't you have other identities?"

"That identity is too sensitive, and Ramball might not even want to see that person!"

"But who knows, he might be waiting for that person to come home too!"

"Is that so? It's just a pity that person's home is no longer here! Lala, home is where you are!"

(End of this chapter)