Only by revealing more of their trump cards before being defeated, only by achieving victory after suffering devastating losses, would the Earth Federation believe that Celestial Being had truly been destroyed. Before this, Xiao Ran had planned to reveal this Gundam's strongest capabilities to Miss Huang and the others only before the final battle. But who could have known that Main Mission Three did not require them to participate in combat directly? All those preparations had gone to waste.
As for the other preparation, Xiao Ran's strongest remaining trump card, it would have been enough to grant Celestial Being complete victory in the final battle and crush the Earth Federation's forces into total disarray. Even if the Earth Federation developed new mobile suits, it would make no difference. Yet now, it seemed this preparation would not be needed for the time being. That preparation was the drone swarm Xiao Ran had secretly had Aeolia manufacture. Not one or two, not ten or twenty—since shortly after Xiao Ran arrived in this world, drones had been continuously produced until their numbers had reached a terrifying level.
Compared to MS units, drones were much easier to manufacture. There was no need to consider safety, defensive performance, or armament levels. They were simply easier to make in every way.
Without anyone noticing, time had reached the day the Earth Federation's plan began. A grand reception was being held inside the Sky Ladder Orbit venue. Countless MS units had been hidden throughout the Sky Ladder Orbit, while six Earth Federation warships lay concealed along the edge of the orbital ring.
Three retired former AEU warships emerged from the depths of space under the protection of more than a dozen MS units, charging at maximum speed toward the upper level of the orbit where the reception