Gundam 00: Rise of China

"Mr. Char, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Kati Manekin, leaning against the black SUV, looked at Wang Ye as he walked up to her, crossed her arms, and sized him up.

Finally, Manekin's gaze lingered on Wang Ye's strikingly excessive blond hair and the aviator sunglasses that almost covered half of his face for a full three seconds.

Then a meaningful, cold smile appeared on her lips.

His voice was crisp and clear, like a steel needle tempered with ice, and his first sentence was blunt and undisguised sarcasm.

"The way the People's Revolutionary Alliance operates is as hypocritical as ever. They put on so many fancy disguises to fool those stupid little countries."

"For the three major powers that know each other very well, once there is a move, there is no such thing as absolute secrecy."

After saying that, she took a step forward and moved closer to Wang Ye, the distance between them being less than half a meter.

With her head slightly tilted back and her chin facing Wang Ye, Manekin's sharp brown eyes looked down at the eyes behind her sunglasses.

Her voice was lowered, but it reached the ears of everyone present clearly.

"The situation in Taliban is something you know, I know, the top leadership of the People's Revolutionary Union knows, and the top leadership of the AEU also knows."

"Do you think Union will find out if we make a move?"

"We're all seasoned foxes, why play these ghost stories? It's better to be honest with our allies."

The sound was accompanied by a faint scent of cedar perfume, mixed with a hint of gunpowder, which perfectly suited Moralia.

Looking at the exquisite features and oppressive gaze so close to him, Wang Ye subconsciously took a half step back.

Who wouldn't like a beautiful and intelligent woman?

No wonder!

How dangerous is a tactical commander who is limited by hard power and therefore unable to deal with the Celestials!

But at this moment, I represent the People's Revolutionary Alliance...

Thinking of this, Wang Ye raised his hand to adjust his sunglasses and retorted with a light laugh.

"Therefore, our People's Revolutionary Alliance has experienced thousands of years of ups and downs, with both highs and lows, but without exception, it has always been able to quickly rise up and return to its peak."

"Unlike you, you can't even be bothered to come up with a decent excuse for doing things, and your shoddy work is outrageous."

"No wonder no one believes you when you wear a suit every day to show you're a civilized person."

"So-called civilization is not something that can be achieved by simply shouting slogans or by self-proclaiming itself the 'birthplace of modern civilization'."

"Furthermore, is it the same thing for someone in the know to know in their heart, or for the whole world to know?"

Wang Ye shrugged, his tone becoming increasingly irritating.

"Our tradition is to do it, but you have no proof."

"Or would you dare to stand up and criticize us if we stood right in front of you wearing masks and openly did it?"

Upon hearing this, Manekin's expression remained unchanged.

She glanced at the mint-green-haired girl and the bald, muscular man behind Wang Ye, and continued to sneer.

"That's true. We Westerners are straightforward, unlike you people who are full of ulterior motives."

"They're clearly selling offensive missiles, but they insist on calling them anti-aircraft rockets."

"It's clearly a hypersonic missile, but they insist on saying it grew out of the desert."

"Even weapons maintenance manuals secretly contain tutorials on how to disassemble and reassemble heavy blocks to increase the range of a weapon."

"Thank you for your concession."

Wang Ye, with a smile that didn't reveal his teeth, cupped his hands in a salute and retorted sharply.

"How can we compare to you, who rob other people's gold, diamonds, and antiques all over the world, and then call it 'spreading civilization'?"

"When they can't make it in someone else's territory, they deliberately draw a line and lay mines before leaving, leaving behind decades of war."

"After all, places with resources are prone to bacterial growth; this is a truth you invented."

"Thanks to your contrast, the word 'justice' is practically welded to the forehead of our People's Revolutionary Alliance in the international arena."

The two then went back and forth, each sentence more vehement than the last.

There seemed to be invisible sparks crackling in the air. In the normally noisy and chaotic airport exit, this area was the only one where no one set foot.

Silently gripping the pistol hidden under his trench coat, Piris's icy blue eyes warily stared at the SUV behind Manekin.

Influenced by the atmosphere, Anura also took half a step forward. His bald head reflected the sunlight, and his muscles were tense, as if he was ready to make a move at any moment.

Seemingly noticing Anura and Piris's actions, the door of the SUV behind Manekin was suddenly pushed open with a "bang".

A young officer with dazzling red hair jumped down aggressively and charged towards Wang Ye.

"Hey! How dare you talk to Colonel Manekin like that!"

The visitor was named Patrick Krasawa.

The youngest ace pilot in the AEU, nicknamed "Two Thousand Times Man," is also Manekin's suitor, and it's said that he fell in love at first sight and remained devoted to her until death.

He was already furious while sitting in the car, and it seemed like the people from the People's Revolutionary Alliance were about to make a move.

How could he possibly tolerate this?

I can't afford to lose my goddess!

So he sent Trike in three quick steps to rush to Wang Ye's side, shouting from afar.

"you!"

"stop."

Patrick had to protect Manekin, and Anura had to protect her superior just as much.

Anura stepped forward and blocked Patrick's path like an iron tower.

He was a head taller and much stronger than Patrick, and his bald head and the scar on his face added to his imposing presence.

Anura's fierce appearance was enough to frighten a child.

"Let's talk this out, don't resort to violence."

"So what if I used my fists!" Patrick shouted, his neck stiff. "Is this how you members of the People's Revolutionary Alliance talk to your allies?"

"Come on, let's fight one-on-one!"

"One-on-one it is, who's afraid of who?"

Upon hearing this, Anura laughed, stretched her wrists, and looked at Patrick, who resembled a greyhound.

I'll give you a handicap.

After exchanging a few words, the two were practically face to face, their noses almost touching.

The two sides were exchanging harsh words and were about to start a fight.

"Oh."

"snort."

Two soft laughs rang out at the same time.

Wang Ye and Manejin, who were originally at loggerheads, suddenly smiled at each other.

Then Wang Ye took the lead in extending his hand, his tone returning to calm.

"Human Revolutionary Alliance, Char Aznable."

Manekin also reached out and shook hands firmly with Wang Ye, a satisfied smile on his lips.

"AEU Tactical Commander, Katie Manekin."

The two hands clasped in the air for three seconds before releasing.

Just moments ago, the two people were so eager to devour each other, but in the blink of an eye, they were as harmonious as old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

Meanwhile, Patrick and Anura stood face to face, glaring at each other.

"???"

Upon seeing this, the two froze, staring at each other in a tense, confrontational posture.

The air seemed to be thick with awkwardness.

"Alright, Patrick, come back."

Manekin waved his hand and beckoned to his subordinates.

"Don't embarrass yourself here."

"Huh? Oh...yes!"

Scratching his head, Patrick retreated behind the other person with a blank expression, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Anura before leaving.

Anula touched his bald head, retreated to Wang Ye's side dejectedly, and muttered to himself.

"What's wrong with you two...?"

He smiled but didn't explain. Wang Ye cleared his throat and said...

"Alright, let's get down to business. What are your plans for the mission in Taliban?"

"It's very simple." Manekin opened the trunk of the SUV, took out a tablet computer, and handed it to Wang Ye.

"In this mission, both sides cooperated on an equal footing, and there was no question of one commanding the other. All actions were discussed and decided upon jointly."

"After all, we share the same goal: to keep Union bogged down in the quagmire of Taliban and prevent them from getting out for eight or ten years."

She paused after speaking, her eyes sharpening.

"As for the Celestials, let's see how they perform. But if they continue as before, only daring to bully the weak..."

"Then let's lend them a hand," Wang Ye said, taking the tablet computer interface.

"Heh, I'm starting to like you."