Banquet

Even as night fell, the Southeast Asia base showed no signs of settling down; instead, it remained brightly lit.

Within the base, Tingxue and Swordfish fighters took off one after another, expanding the air defense perimeter around the facility.

All of this was to welcome the arrival of the Federation's most cutting-edge warship.

Having endured great hardships, White Base would arrive at an allied base for the first time today, and it was only right and proper to host them well.

Colonel Yinsen even had his trusted aides don their dress uniforms and went to great lengths to find a head chef in this corner of Southeast Asia capable of handling a banquet, all to entertain the key members aboard White Base.

Even he knew that Captain Bright was only a lieutenant, yet he did not show the slightest bit of negligence.

One could tell from General Revil's attitude alone that Bright's future was bound to be limitless.

And one must not forget a single fact: Bright's greatest achievement was not bringing White Base and the Gundam here.

It was that under his command, White Base had successfully killed the commander of the Zeon North American military district, marking the first time the Federation had slain a member of the Zabi Family.

Although the specific circumstances were beyond everyone's expectations.

Based on this alone, it was enough for Colonel Yinsen to receive them with the utmost seriousness.

"Sir, White Base has entered visual range."

"Understood. Go and prepare the welcome."

Even with the intention of building a good relationship with Bright, it would be too overt for a colonel to go and greet them personally.

Thus, he merely stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, watching the massive silhouette of the ship flying slowly in from the east.

"What a lucky guy."

While the Federation base prepared to welcome their distinguished guests, Ginias, on the other side, had also halted his experiments on the Apsalus to greet a visitor of his own.

Ramba Ral.

If it were merely this lieutenant who had remained unpromoted for years, Ginias, as the head of the Southeast Asia military district, could have completely ignored him.

But unfortunately, the mission Ramba Ral carried forced Ginias to prepare a banquet to receive him.

Ramba Ral was the leader of the Garma Revenge Force, appointed directly by Dozle.

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

At a time when the rest of Zeon was indifferent to, or even pessimistic about, Ginias's plans, only Dozle was willing to provide him with resources.

"Good day, Lord Ginias."

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

"There is no need for such formalities, Uncle Ramba Ral. I was under your care when I was a child."

Facing such a guest, Ginias decided to adopt a more amicable attitude.

However, Ginias was not trying to curry favor; rather, when the Sahalin family suffered a great upheaval during the Deikun era, the Ral family—also a prestigious clan at the time—had looked after them, allowing the Sahalin siblings to develop as they had.

The Ral family, however, had fallen into decline after Deikun was assassinated.

As Ginias looked at Ramba Ral before him, he felt a deep sense of melancholy, yet he also steeled his resolve to complete the Apsalus.

"Since that is the case, I shall set aside the formalities. My top priority now is to shoot down that Trojan Horse."

Ginias nodded, indicating he was aware of the situation.

"If there is anything you need me to do, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony. There is indeed something I need help with."

Ramba Ral was not one to dwell on etiquette, so he stated his request while enjoying the banquet with Ginias.

"I lost two Zakus while fighting the Trojan Horse over the Pacific. If possible, I hope you can help me replace them."

Ginias nodded.

Two Zakus were not significant supplies to him, and replenishing them for Ramba Ral was no great matter.

For a time, only the sound of cutlery clinking against plates filled the room.

After a long while, Ramba Ral spoke again.

"I recall that the Apsalus experiments were discovered by the Federation not long ago, were they not?"

Ginias paused as he brought food to his mouth.

"It is fine. The Federation will not interfere with the development of the Apsalus. The Apsalus will certainly be completed."

"Yes, I believe that as well. What I mean to say is that the Trojan Horse coming here at this time may have been drawn by the Apsalus."

Ramba Ral set down his utensils and looked directly at Ginias.

Ginias met his gaze, though a hint of anger flickered deep within his eyes.

"Are you suggesting I use the Apsalus as bait to lure the Trojan Horse?"

"No, no. I would never put a junior's life's work in such a dangerous position. You should continue your tests according to plan; I only hope to bring my troops to observe from the sidelines."

Ramba Ral phrased his request quite tactfully.

If it were merely a matter of observation, he could have gone alone, yet he insisted on bringing his troops along.

Ginias forcibly suppressed his rising anger.

Even if Ramba Ral had demanded he provide the latest Zeon mobile suit, the Dom, Ginias would have found it acceptable.

But to have him covet the Apsalus was the one thing he could not tolerate.

"I..."

"Dong!"

Just as Ginias was about to open his mouth to politely refuse, a bell tolled.

At the same time, the doors to the banquet hall were pushed open.

"Brother, it is time for your medicine."

Ginias looked up to see Aina standing in the doorway, offering a slight bow to Ramba Ral.

The fire in his eyes was slightly dampened.

Seeing the hand Aina held behind her back, Ginias was moved even more.

If even a mass-produced Federation Gundam had put Aina in such mortal danger, then adding the original Gundam from the Trojan Horse to the equation...

"Aina, do you still wish to board the Apsalus?"

Faced with Ginias's inquiry, Aina opened her mouth.

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

But the memory of the life-or-death crisis she had faced that day, and her brief reunion with Shiro, caused her heart to waver.

Aina hesitated for a moment.

To Ginias, this hesitation was clearly the lingering shadow of her near-capture by the Federation.

Ginias sighed.

"In that case..."

"No, I am willing!"

Before Ginias could finish his sentence, Aina interrupted him with an eager reply.

Ginias closed his mouth and studied Aina's face for a long time.

"Mr. Ramba Ral, the Blue Giant Star, I would of course welcome you to observe the Apsalus tests. Naturally, I would ask that you put in a good word for me with Dozle afterward."

Ramba Ral looked between the siblings with a complex expression before standing up.

"Yes! That goes without saying."