Parting

The next day, Eli was at the frontline field base, maintaining his mobile suit.

The mission of the 86 Squad had been completed, and the designation would soon be decommissioned.

Furthermore, since Shiro Amada had decided to leave the front lines, perhaps Eli would become the team leader for Sanders and Karen.

"Do you think it's possible to mount the Beam Saber on the forearm or inside the shield? Having to crouch down to draw the blade every time is just too obvious."

Eli was sharing his thoughts with the maintenance crew.

The Gundam Ground Type did not store its Beam Sabers on the sides of the backpack like the Gundam did, a design choice made to adapt to jungle combat environments and reduce snagging on tree branches.

However, this meant that drawing the blade during combat required a significant preparatory motion, giving the enemy ample time to prepare for close-quarters combat.

"Spare us, please. Doing that would require adding energy conduits to the left arm's weapon mount. Besides, aren't you worried about a secondary explosion if the shield gets shattered? This isn't exactly a heavy-duty shield."

The maintenance crew member rubbed his head, speaking to Eli with utter helplessness.

"And given our current conditions, do you really expect me to perform these modifications with a welding torch?"

He pointed to the surroundings, and Eli followed his gaze.

All that met his eyes were scattered wrenches and similar tools.

The warehouse had somehow emptied out to this extent without him realizing it.

"Alright, I guess there's no helping it then..."

Eli could only sigh powerlessly.

"I was just wondering if I could modify the Ground Type to be more like the Gundam..."

"Gundam? What Gundam?"

At that moment, a third voice echoed through the warehouse.

Eli turned back to look and discovered it was none other than Amuro.

"I was just thinking about modifying my unit; it feels like a waste to leave a pile of parts unused."

Eli gestured toward the two Ground Type units from the 06th Team nearby.

Amuro looked at the two mobile suits, a flicker of genuine interest shining in his eyes.

"Mr. Eli, if it's alright with you, let me..."

"Amuro-kun, now is not the time for this."

At that moment, an unfamiliar female voice interrupted Amuro, who had clearly become intrigued.

"Ah, Miss Matilda, what brings you here?"

The person who arrived was a woman with orange-red hair, standing at the warehouse entrance with a crisp, professional posture.

Eli immediately greeted her.

While this woman might not have held a high military rank, as the actual commander of the Medea transport fleet, she held significant support throughout the Federation Forces worldwide.

She could be considered one of the most popular figures across all Federation bases globally.

"Urgent dispatch from Jaburo: The White Base is ordered to depart immediately and participate in the Odessa operation!"

Upon hearing "urgent dispatch from Jaburo," Eli immediately stood at attention.

However, the final part of the message wasn't about him, but rather an order for the White Base.

"Additionally, the former captain of the 86 Squad is to accompany the White Base to Jaburo to report on the Apsalus incident!"

"Yes... eh?"

The amount of information packed into that single sentence was immense.

First was the "former" 86 Squad.

That was understandable; the 86 Squad had been formed specifically for the Apsalus, and now that the mission was accomplished, they certainly wouldn't be kept on active duty to avoid putting excessive pressure on the Southeast Asia Front.

Next was the order for Eli to accompany the White Base.

Since it had just been stated that the White Base was to participate in the Odessa operation, this meant Eli was also being required to participate in the Odessa operation.

Finally, the report on the Apsalus incident.

There was absolutely no need to travel all the way to Jaburo just to report on such a matter.

For a moment, Eli couldn't fathom what the higher-ups were thinking.

"Understood... and my mobile suit?"

"Naturally, it will be brought along, along with another unit as spare parts. Jaburo seems quite interested in the actual combat performance of the Ground Type and is considering further development."

Matilda pursed her lips, signaling the maintenance crew to begin moving Eli's unit and one of the 06th Team's Ground Type Gundams.

Eli rubbed his head, clearly struggling to process the current situation.

Eli had believed that after resolving the Apsalus issue and seeing the White Base off, he would continue fighting on the Southeast Asia Front. After the Odessa operation, he would help finish off the Zeon Eurasian Front forces attempting to return to space, and as a member of the Federation Army, he could then begin the process of retiring after the One Year War.

Yet now, he was being summoned to Jaburo.

Eli took a deep breath.

"Understood. Please allow me to go and say goodbye to my teammates now."

Eli said this, then turned and left the hangar.

It completely disrupted my plans...

"I believe you have the ability to change this war, and perhaps even this world."

Shiro Amada's words echoed in his ears once again.

Eli shook his head and stepped outside.

What he saw was Sanders, Karen, Eledore, and Michel already standing in a row at the entrance.

They were saluting, watching him intently.

Eli paused for a moment, then returned the salute.

"Hey, kid, when you get to Jaburo, can you promote my songs over there?"

Eledore broke the silence, instantly shedding his earlier solemnity and draping an arm around Eli's shoulder with a grin.

Just like that, the "pathetic, thick barrier" he had tried to build couldn't even rise before Eledore shattered it.

"You guy, I recall your songs have already won awards, right? In that case, just focus on writing good music from now on. I look forward to hearing your songs on the radio."

Eli nudged Eledore's arm with his elbow to keep from being suffocated by his lack of restraint.

"Karen, Sanders, I won't say much to you two. As excellent pilots, I trust you'll be able to survive this war. If you can survive..."

Eli blinked, suddenly feeling that speaking like this was just setting a death flag.

"We'll talk about that when the time comes, Captain."

Karen immediately understood Eli's hesitation and flashed a bright, hearty smile.

Even Sanders, who was usually reticent, showed a smile that carried the rugged tenderness of a tough guy.

"You all need to treat the new members well."

"I believe I will lead the newcomers to survive."

Sanders, once known as the Reaper, could now puff out his chest and make such a promise.

"Waaaaaaaah!"

Just as the group had finished making their pacts and the sorrow of parting had completely vanished, a burst of wailing suddenly erupted.

It was Michel. He was currently using his sleeve to wipe away his tears.

"Michel..."

Eli was quite moved.

Even though he and Michel hadn't interacted much, was the other man's affection for him truly this deep?

It was truly...

"Captain, Captain, he just got dumped by his girlfriend, that girl named BB."

At that moment, Eledore leaned in with a wicked grin, sharing the news in a voice just loud enough for Michel to hear clearly.

"Hey, you guys over there, can I take a photo of you?"

Against the backdrop of Michel's intensifying sobs, a person dressed as a reporter pressed the shutter button toward them.

Click.