Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

In the third simulation, Cagalli's loss rate dropped to 25%.

The fourth time, 20%.

The fifth time, 15 percent – ​​below the optimal solution.

When VEDA announced "Rating: A", Cagalli jumped up from her chair, nearly knocking over the control panel.

"I did it! Brother, did you see that?!"

Char smiled and nodded.

"I saw it. You learn very quickly."

Cagalli ran over and hugged Char's waist. The thirteen-year-old girl had grown up to his chest, her hair brushing against his chin.

"Thank you for teaching me, brother."

Xia gently patted her back.

"You're welcome. But you still have a lot to learn. Command isn't just about tactics; it also includes strategy, logistics, intelligence, diplomacy... and each of these requires time and practice."

"I'm not afraid." Cagalli raised her head, her amber eyes shining with determination. "I will become a commander like my brother."

Char paused for a moment.

"No," he said, "you must become a better commander than me."

That evening, Cagalli returned to the Asha mansion and went straight into Uzumi's study.

"Dad, I directed a simulated battle at my brother's place today."

Uzumi put down the documents in his hand and looked at his daughter. Cagalli's face showed fatigue, but even more so, excitement.

"How does it feel?"

"It's tough," Cagalli said, sitting across from her father. "I started off terribly. I lost sixty percent of my troops. My brother said that if it's like this every time, I'll be out of soldiers after three battles."

Uzmi nodded: "He's right."

"Later he taught me a lot of things. Reconnaissance, feints, retreat, preserving strength... I practiced it five times and finally got an A rating."

A slight smile appeared on Uzumi's lips.

"Your brother is a very good teacher."

"He is." Cagalli lowered her head. "Dad, I... I used to think that fighting a war was just about winning. But today I realized that's not how it is. Even if you win, if many people die, it's still a loss."

Uzmi remained silent for a moment.

"Cagali, do you know why I made you learn these things from your brother?"

"Because... I'm from the Asuka family?"

"It's not just because of your identity." Uzumi stood up and walked to the window. "It's because Orb needs you. Your brother is strong, but he can't support a country alone. If one day... I'm gone, your brother will need someone by his side to share the burden."

Cagalli's pupils contracted slightly: "Daddy, you wouldn't—"

"I was just saying if," Uzumi turned around and smiled, "but you need to be prepared. Not for 'what if,' but for 'of course.' You are the daughter of the Asuka family, the future of Orb, and they need you."

Cagalli stood up, walked to her father, and took his hand.

"I will try my best, Dad."

Late at night, Cagalli did not go back to her room to sleep.

She secretly slipped back to the Dawn Society's underground command center. The guard at the entrance recognized her, hesitated for a moment, and did not stop her.

The command center was empty, with only VEDA's indicator lights flashing in the darkness.

"Miss Cagalli, what do you need?" VEDA's voice rang out.

"VEDA, bring up that simulation scenario from today. I want to practice it again."

"Your sleep time—"

"I said, let's practice one more time."

VEDA was silent for a second.

Scene loaded.

Cagalli sat on the command console, her finger resting on the control panel. The holographic screen lit up, and the tactical map unfolded.

She took a deep breath.

"start."

The next morning, Char stood on the observation deck of the Dawn Society, holding a cup of coffee in his hand.

"VEDA, what did Cagalli do last night?"

"Miss Cagalli entered the command center at 12:17 AM and conducted seven simulation training sessions. The final session ended at 4:03 AM. Her loss rate has stabilized below 10%, and all ratings are A."

Char took a sip of coffee and said nothing.

"Should I remind her to rest?" VEDA asked.

"No need." Xia put down his coffee cup. "Let her practice. She wants to prove herself."

"She doesn't need to prove anything."

"She needs to." Xia looked up at the dawning eastern sky. "She needs to prove herself."

At seven o'clock in the morning, Cagalli walked out of the command center with obvious dark circles under her eyes.

Char stood at the end of the corridor, holding a rice ball in his hand.

Are you hungry?

Cagalli paused for a moment, then smiled and ran over to take the rice ball.

"Brother, how did you know I was down there?"

"VEDA told me."

"That big-mouthed AI..." Cagalli mumbled, taking a bite of her rice ball.

Xia looked at her, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Cagalli, do you know why I put you in charge today?"

"Because you want me to learn?"

"Not just," Char said, "but because I need you."

Cagalli stopped chewing and looked up at him.

"Orb is huge, I can't handle it all by myself. I need someone I can trust to be by my side and share the burden. You are my sister and my most important family member. I hope that one day you can stand by my side and protect Orb with me."

Cagalli's eyes reddened.

"elder brother……"

"So, study hard." Xia patted her head. "But you also need to get enough rest. Even the best commander will make mistakes if he doesn't get enough sleep."

"Mmm!" Cagalli nodded vigorously, finishing her rice ball in a few bites. "Brother, can I practice again today?"

"Let's do it tonight. You have school during the day."

"Ah... school..." Cagalli's face fell. "I've forgotten all about it."

Char laughed.

"Go ahead. The driver is waiting for you at the door."

Cagalli ran out, but stopped abruptly at the door and looked back at Char.

"Brother, I will be your right-hand man!"

After saying that, she turned and ran away.

Char stood in the corridor, watching his sister's departing figure, a slight smile appearing on his lips.

February CE68, Jupiter's orbit.

The Harlow "Builders" have completed the main structure of the base in orbit around Ganymede. Habitat, laboratories, warehouses, energy systems—all modules are in place, and the airtightness test of the connecting passages has passed. The base is ready to begin operations.

"Hello! Hello!" The builder emitted a series of excited electronic sounds that floated back and forth in the central control room of the base.

The explorer sent back a message from afar: it had discovered an asteroid rich in rare metals, located only three million kilometers from the base, making it suitable as a mining site.

The Guardians reported that the base's defense system was fully deployed and could withstand impacts from small meteorites and space debris.

The screens of all three Hello devices simultaneously lit up with a large green letter: "GO".

The trial production of TD Blanket is about to begin.

On Earth, hundreds of millions of kilometers away, Char received the message. He stood by his office window, gazing at the southeastern sky—a direction where Jupiter was below the horizon, but he knew it was there.

"VEDA," he said, "tell the haros—good job."

"Message sent. The responses from the Hellos are: 'Hello! Hello!'"

Char laughed.

"Could you translate this?"

"We're fine. Don't worry."

In February CE68, the fledgling eagle tested its wings, and the spark was passed on.

Cagalli took the first step in front of the command platform, and the Haros lit the first light in the Jupiter sphere.

Char is weaving star after star into the future sky of Orb.