Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

Early spring of CE66, Atlantic Federation, Alaska.

The headquarters of the Earth Alliance stands as a massive military base on an ice-covered wasteland. Heavily guarded, it is surrounded by layers of fortifications, with fighter jet formations frequently roaring overhead. The annual International Military Technology Exchange Conference is held here, bringing together military representatives from various countries to showcase their latest equipment, exchange operational concepts, and probe each other's strengths and weaknesses.

As a neutral nation, Orb sends representatives to the event every year. In previous years, the delegation was led by high-ranking officers of the National Defense Force, a perfunctory formality. But this year is different—Uzumi decided to have Char lead the Orb delegation.

"This is an opportunity," Uzumi said to Char before setting off. "There are many people in the Earth Alliance's army who are dissatisfied with Blue Cosmos' extremism. They just haven't found a way out yet. Go and see if you can find like-minded people."

Char nodded. He understood his father's deeper meaning—Orb needed talent, and the Earth Alliance was fractured. Those soldiers who refused to be driven by hatred might become Orb's valuable asset for the future.

The delegation was small: Char Aznable served as the leader, accompanied by two officers from the National Defense Forces and two technicians from the Dawn Society. To avoid attracting attention, they deliberately kept a low profile, carrying no advanced equipment, only some publicly available technical documents and brochures about the orbital elevator.

"Lord Char, the main venue is just ahead," the accompanying officer whispered.

Char looked up and saw a huge conference center. Flags from various countries fluttered in the cold wind, including Orb's cherry blossom crest flag.

"Let's go." He straightened the collar of his military uniform and stepped inside.

On the third day of the exchange meeting, Char participated in a seminar on "future forms of warfare".

The venue was small, with only a few dozen attendees. The speakers came from various countries, discussing topics ranging from unmanned combat systems to the militarization of space, most of which were rather dry and tedious. Char sat in the back row, listening quietly, occasionally jotting down notes in his notebook.

During the break, he went to the coffee area outside the venue and poured himself a cup of black coffee.

"A representative of Orb?"

A woman's voice came from behind.

Char turned around and saw a female officer in the Earth Alliance warrant officer's uniform. She was about twenty years old, with long brown hair tied in a neat ponytail, and her features were soft yet strong. Her eyes were clear and focused, carrying the strictness unique to soldiers.

The nameplate on his chest reads: Maru Ramias.

"Yes." Char bowed slightly. "Char Langlad Asha, Chief Advisor for Orb's Defense."

A hint of surprise flashed in Maru's eyes: "Chief Advisor for Defense? You look... very young."

Xia smiled. "Many people say that."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't questioning your abilities," Maru quickly said. "I was just a little surprised."

"It's alright." Char picked up his coffee cup. "Which department is Warrant Officer Lamias in?"

"Technical Development Headquarters, Weapon Systems Evaluation Section," Maru replied.

"That's a very challenging job."

"Yes," Maru said, her tone tinged with complex emotions, "but it also often makes me think about some things."

"What's the problem?"

Maru hesitated for a moment, seemingly considering her words.

"Regarding the significance of weapons," she finally said, "the weapons we test are becoming increasingly powerful, but wars are not decreasing as a result. On the contrary, conflicts are becoming more frequent, and casualties are becoming increasingly heavy. I'm wondering... are we going in the wrong direction?"

Xia looked at her, a hint of approval flashing in his deep red eyes.

"What do you think is the right direction?"

"I don't know," Maru said honestly, "but I believe that the purpose of weapons should be to prevent war, not to create it. If a weapon only makes war easier to break out, then it has no value."

"You are an idealist, Warrant Officer Lamias."

"Perhaps," Maru said with a wry smile, "but in the Earth Alliance, idealism is a luxury."

The two talked for a long time.

From the significance of weapons to the mission of the military, from the roots of war to the conditions for peace, Maru discovered that this young Orb Defense Chief Advisor possessed insight and profound thinking far beyond his years. His aversion to war was not out of naiveté, but from a thorough understanding of its nature; his pursuit of peace was not out of escapism, but from a firm belief in the value of peace.

"Advisor Asha," Maru finally said, "your ideas remind me of Orb's founding principles. Non-aggression, non-intervention, and non-aggression by other countries—these are naive slogans to many, but in your words, they carry a different weight."

"Because they're not just slogans," Char said. "They're principles that everyone in Orb is striving to uphold. We may not be doing it well enough, but we're always trying."

Maru remained silent for a moment.

"If I have the chance," she said softly, "I'd like to go to Orb."

"Orb welcomes you anytime." Char smiled and handed her a business card. "If you do come, feel free to look for me."

Maru took the business card and carefully put it away.

Later that day, Char encountered Maru again at a technology exhibition area of ​​the conference.

This time, she had someone else by her side—another Earth Alliance warrant officer, blond with blue eyes, a stern face, and an upright posture, exuding the tough temperament of a soldier.

"Advisor Asha," Maru introduced, "this is my colleague, Warrant Officer Natal Bakiruru. She's also from headquarters, responsible for tactical planning and combat simulation."

"Warrant Lieutenant Bugiluru," Char said, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Natal squeezed his hand gently, looking directly into his eyes.

"Advisor Asha, I heard Maru mention your conversation." Her voice was calm and collected. "She said you're a very interesting person."

"I hope it's a compliment."

"It's a compliment." Natal's lips curled up slightly, but she quickly regained her seriousness. "Malyu is easily swayed by ideals, but I'm more concerned with practicality. So I wanted to talk to you in person."

"Speaking."

Natal looked directly into Char's eyes: "What do you think is the most important quality for an army?"

Char didn't answer immediately. He thought for a moment, then said, "Professionalism."

Natal's eyes lit up slightly.

"How so?"

"Ideals can inspire people, and beliefs can unite people, but on the battlefield, what determines victory or defeat is professional competence," Xia Ya said. "Discipline, training, tactical skills, equipment maintenance, and logistical support—these seemingly mundane things are the true backbone of an army. Without professional ideals, it's just empty talk."

Natal nodded, her expression visibly softening.

"You're very pragmatic," she said. "That's rare among the top brass of the Earth Alliance. They like to talk about strategy and the big picture, but they often overlook the execution capabilities at the grassroots level."

"Because the higher-ups don't need to pull the trigger," Xia said. "But the one who pulls the trigger is the one who truly decides the outcome of the war. An army that can't make every soldier a professional isn't an army; it's just a group of people with weapons."

Have you ever led troops?

"I didn't gloss over it directly," Xia said frankly. "But I've studied a lot of war history and military cases. Almost every defeat can be traced back to a lack of professionalism. Lax discipline, inadequate training, chaotic command, logistical collapse—these problems can never be solved by 'morale' alone."

Natal looked at him, a hint of approval in her eyes.

"Advisor Asha," she said, "if your army shares this philosophy, then Aub's defense capabilities won't be lacking."

"We're working hard," Char said. "But Orb is small and has limited resources. We can't win by quantity, so we must excel in quality. Professionalism is our only way out."

The two chatted for another ten minutes or so, their conversation ranging from military organization to military education, from tactical simulations to equipment development. Natal discovered that Char's understanding of military affairs far exceeded her expectations—he was not a theorist who only talked about military matters on paper, but a true professional who knew the stuff.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Advisor Ashar," Natal said as they parted. "I hope to have the opportunity to speak with you in a more formal setting if the opportunity arises."

"I'm looking forward to that day too," Xia said.

After taking a few steps, Natal suddenly turned back: "Advisor Ashar, I've remembered what you meant by 'professionalism'."

Char smiled and nodded.

On the last night of the exchange, Maru and Natal invited Char to have a drink at the base's officers' club.

The three men sat in a corner booth, a few beers on the table. Outside the window, the ice field shimmered silvery-white in the moonlight, silent and vast.

"Advisor Asha," Maru said, slightly tipsy, holding her wine glass, "do you really think peace is possible?"

"I have seen peace," Char said. "In Scandinavia, the Coordinators and Naturals have lived together peacefully for decades. Their institutions, education, and social welfare have left no fertile ground for hatred to grow."

"But that's just a small country," Natal said. "The conflict between regulators and natural persons has been building up for decades around the world. It's not something that can be resolved overnight."

"That's why we need someone to do it," Char said. "Orb's power is not enough to change the whole world, but we can be a beacon—to prove to the world that people of different races and backgrounds can coexist peacefully in the same country."

"Lighthouse..." Maru murmured, repeating the word, "What if the lighthouse isn't bright enough?"

"Then make it even brighter," Xia said. "If one isn't enough, build more. One day, someone will see that light and walk towards it."

Maru looked at Char, her deep red eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.

"I hope to see that scene someday," she said softly.

Natal didn't speak, just silently drank her beer. But her eyes were no longer as cold as when they first met.