The Banquet

Even after night fell, the Southeast Asia Base showed no sign of settling down. Instead, it was ablaze with lights.

One after another, Tingxue and Swordfish fighters took off from the base, expanding the air-defense perimeter around it.

All of this was to welcome the Federation's latest battleship.

After enduring so many hardships, White Base would arrive at an allied base for the first time today. In every respect, it deserved a proper welcome.

Colonel Ethan had even arranged for his trusted subordinates to wear their dress uniforms. He had also done everything he could to find a chef on Southeast Asian soil capable of preparing a proper banquet—all to entertain the key members of White Base.

Even he knew that Bright, the captain, was only a lieutenant. But that did nothing to lessen his attentiveness.

The way General Revil treated him made that clear enough: Bright's future was surely limitless.

And let's not forget that Bright's greatest achievement wasn't bringing White Base and the Gundam here.

Under his command, White Base had successfully killed the Zeon North American forces' commander—the Federation's first time killing a member of the Zabi Family.

Though the exact circumstances had been beyond everyone's expectations.

That alone was more than enough reason for Colonel Ethan to give him a serious welcome.

"Sir, White Base has entered visual range."

"Good. Go and prepare to welcome them."

Even if he wanted to build a good relationship with Bright, it would be far too obvious for a colonel to go greet him personally.

So he merely stood before the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, watching the huge silhouette of a ship approach slowly from the east.

"Lucky bastard."

While the Federation base prepared to welcome its distinguished guest, Ginias too had paused his experiments on Apsalus to greet a visitor.

Ramba Ral.

If he were merely a captain who had gone years without a promotion, Ginias, as the head of the Southeast Asia military district, could have ignored him entirely.

But unfortunately, the mission Ramba Ral carried meant Ginias had no choice but to prepare a banquet for him.

Ramba Ral had been appointed directly by Dozle to lead the Garma Revenge Force.

Ginias could disregard Ramba Ral, but he had to show Dozle respect.

At a time when the rest of Zeon had little interest in Ginias's plans and even doubted them, Dozle alone was still willing to provide him with resources.

"Good evening, Lord Ginias."

Ramba Ral's voice reached Ginias, who was already waiting in the banquet hall.

"Please, there's no need for that, Uncle Ramba Ral. You looked after me when I was young."

Faced with such an honored guest, Ginias decided to treat him with greater warmth.

Still, Ginias wasn't simply trying to curry favor. When the Sahalin Family had suffered a great upheaval during the Deikun era, the Ral Family—then also a prestigious family—had sheltered them. That was what had allowed Ginias and his sister to make it this far.

But after Deikun was assassinated, the Ral Family had fallen into decline.

Looking at Ramba Ral before him, Ginias felt a pang of regret. At the same time, he became even more determined to complete Apsalus.

"Since that's the case, I'll dispense with the formalities too. Our first priority now is to shoot down that Trojan Horse."

Ginias nodded to show he understood.

"If there's anything you need me to do, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Then I won't hold back. There is something I need help with."

Ramba Ral wasn't one to fuss over formalities. So, as he enjoyed the banquet with Ginias, he stated what he wanted.

"When I fought the Trojan Horse over the Pacific Ocean, I lost two Zakus. If possible, I'd like you to replace them."

Ginias nodded.

Two Zakus were no important resource to him. Replacing Ramba Ral's losses would be no trouble.

For a while, the only sounds at the table were cutlery clinking against plates.

After a long pause, Ramba Ral spoke again.

"I recall that the Federation discovered the Apsalus tests not long ago, didn't they?"

Ginias paused with the food halfway to his mouth.

"It's fine. The Federation won't interfere with Apsalus's development. Apsalus will be completed."

"Mm. I believe that too. What I mean is, perhaps the Trojan Horse came here now because it was drawn to Apsalus."

Ramba Ral set down what he was holding and looked Ginias in the eye.

Ginias met his gaze, but a hint of anger had already begun to show deep in his eyes.

"Are you asking me to use Apsalus as bait to lure in the Trojan Horse?"

"No, no. I wouldn't put a junior's life's work in such a dangerous position. Just continue the tests as planned. I only hope to bring my unit along to observe."

Ramba Ral had phrased it very tactfully.

If all he wanted was to observe, he could have gone by himself. Yet he wanted to bring his unit too.

Ginias suppressed his anger.

Even if Ramba Ral had asked him to procure one of Zeon's newest mobile suits, a Dom, Ginias would have found that acceptable.

But wanting to lay a hand on Apsalus was something he simply couldn't tolerate.

"I..."

"Dong!"

Just as Ginias was about to politely refuse, a bell rang.

At the same time, someone pushed open the banquet hall doors.

"Brother, it's time to take your medicine."

Ginias looked up and saw Aina standing in the doorway. She gave Ramba Ral a slight bow.

The anger in Ginias's eyes eased a little.

When he noticed Aina's hand behind her back, he was even more moved.

Even a mass-produced Federation Gundam had put Aina in danger. If the genuine Gundam aboard the Trojan Horse joined the fight...

"Aina, do you still want to pilot Apsalus?"

At Ginias's question, Aina parted her lips.

She wanted to give her brother an immediate, unequivocal answer.

But when she thought of the life-and-death crisis she had faced that day, her brief reunion with Shiro, and the uncertainty in her heart, she hesitated.

Ginias took that hesitation as a sign of the lingering trauma left by her near-capture by the Federation.

He sighed.

"In that case..."

"No, I'm willing!"

Before Ginias could finish, Aina cut him off with an urgent reply.

Ginias fell silent and studied her face for a long while.

"Mr. Ramba Ral, the Blue Giant Star, I would of course welcome you observing the Apsalus tests. And I hope you'll put in a good word for me with Dozle afterward."

Ramba Ral looked between the siblings with a complicated expression, then stood up.

"Of course! You can count on it."