Comparing Combat Records

Though surprised, everyone quickly introduced themselves.

Except for Hal, who merely glanced at Xu De out of the corner of his eye, gave a disdainful snort, and looked away.

The moment grew a little awkward.

Xu De didn't take it to heart. He simply looked away and stood properly in his place again.

Halberton might be here.

Just as the information had indicated, Hal was indeed excessively arrogant and had violent tendencies.

Xu De didn't know why Halberton would arrange for him to be assessed despite knowing all that, but he had no intention of prying into the higher-ups' affairs.

All he needed was to pass.

Meanwhile, several people in the attic observation room had seen the entire exchange.

"Admiral, the simulators are ready."

"We can start at any time."

Maliu's beautiful eyes lingered on Xu De in surprise for a moment before she turned back to Halberton.

As the project's principal sponsor, Halberton was seated in the main chair, with Cook beside him.

In addition to the three of them, several technical officers from the Special Operations Division were recording data in front of an array of metallic instruments that looked thoroughly high-tech.

Although no official assessment had begun yet and this was supposed to be simulator training before they piloted Ginns for real, the assessment had clearly already started on the sly.

Over the past few days, the machines would faithfully record their every move.

"Let's begin."

Halberton looked over the ten people on the camera feeds, tapped the armrest of his chair with a finger, and gave the order.

At the admiral's command, all five simulators in front of them powered up at once.

"Pair up and take turns. Each of you gets twenty-four hours on the simulator."

"You're free to train however you like. You can fight each other or practice on your own. It's up to you."

"The final combat assessment begins in forty-eight hours."

Cook's voice came through the comms.

It was exactly as Bella had told Xu De.

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone answered.

Xu De quickly became a coveted partner.

More than half of them didn't know what he had done, and some of those thought teaming up with a corporal like him would be a good way to show off their own skills.

In any case, plenty of people were eager to partner with him.

"Xu, want to pair up with me?"

"Xu already said he'd pair up with me! Don't you fucking cut in line!"

Xu De showed little on his face, but inwardly he was at a loss for words.

"Enough. Xu De's pairing up with me."

A handsome young man with classic blond hair and blue eyes cut straight through the crowd. He announced it, then—before anyone else could react—grabbed Xu De and led him over to one of the simulators.

At that, everyone else fell silent. They took a step back, looking a little put out and regretting that they hadn't acted as quickly.

They'd missed out on an easy target.

"Second Lieutenant Moody."

Xu De addressed the young man before him with a polite, respectful air.

According to the information Bella had provided, Moody was part of an elite squad. His combat record included one Laurasia-class ship and three Ginns.

Of course, those victories had been achieved by the whole squad working together.

The squad's name had been crossed out with a black line.

"You know me?"

Moody asked with a smile that carried a hint of playfulness.

"You introduced yourself earlier."

"That's not what I mean. You know what I'm asking."

Moody regarded Xu De with interest.

According to his file, Xu De had no connections.

And yet, he was very capable. Moody wasn't like those idiots who had teamed up with Xu De because they thought he'd be an easy target.

"More or less."

Xu De didn't hide it.

He had his own reasons for thinking so.

Only Moody had come from that squad.

Most likely, besides the volunteers, they hadn't picked anyone too outstanding for this assessment.

The active combat forces would need to repel ZAFT's coming assault, so the pilots still in training were the ones who could be put through this program.

It made sense.

They weren't especially powerful combatants. Even if the MS project was canceled later, the training wouldn't go to waste; they could return to their units as elite pilots right away.

They'd then be ready for combat, which was probably how Halberton had convinced the higher-ups.

"Good. That makes things easier. Still, I didn't expect a corporal like you to make the cut, Xu De. Did you do something to earn it?"

Moody shrugged, a stark contrast to Xu De's serious, cautious demeanor.

His question caught everyone's attention, and the chatter about forming pairs quieted down.

The few who didn't know the story were curious too, but since Xu De was only a corporal, they hadn't expected any impressive combat record.

He'd probably just picked up a few victories alongside his squad.

"Was that deliberate?"

With everyone watching him, Xu De looked at Moody's harmless smile.

Moody knew the answer already. He was asking just to make him say it.

Was he giving Xu De a chance to show off, or trying to set a trap?

Most likely, he was testing Xu De's abilities.

"World Tree Garrison Force. I shot down one Ginn by myself and helped shoot down another."

Xu De answered simply.

"..."

The few who hadn't known the story fell silent.

A corporal with two Ginns to his name—and one of them shot down solo? Wasn't that a little unbelievable?

"Were you piloting a Moebius?"

Moody asked.

"No. My superiors thought highly of me, so I was lucky enough to get permission to pilot a Moebius."

Xu De explained.

"I see..."

As Xu De remained calm, some of the others looked toward the observation room on the second floor.

No one had come forward to contradict him. That meant it was true.

The others quickly put aside their disdain, and even the contemptuous looks faded.

They were quietly relieved that Moody, whose background they didn't know, had picked the "easy target" they'd been eyeing.

Xu De's record might seem comparable to theirs, but if they underestimated him, they could end up in a real mess.

Moody, for his part, warmly patted Xu De on the shoulder, feigning surprise and admiration.

"I had no idea you were this good."

"I'm not nearly as good as you, Second Lieutenant Moody."

Xu De replied.

"Right. I've shot down one Laurasia-class ship and three Ginns, though I had help."

Moody laughed.

"Hiss..."

The others drew in sharp breaths at that.

What kind of monsters were these guys?

A warship and Ginns. The Sharp Knife Special Forces, all right.

Still, with five spots available... they might have a chance, right?

Ignoring the looks from those around them, Moody continued.

"You're the newcomer, so you go first."

The young man sounded generous, but it was like the Moebius simulator earlier: this simulator was new to everyone.

They were both guaranteed twenty-four hours of training, but the person who went first would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Xu De answered readily and confidently.