The Power of a Second Lieutenant

In short, the conclusion reached was that even if the Neutron Jammer were deployed to Earth, it would only be used on a small scale during ZAFT landing operations.

It would not be spread on a global scale.

If he did not know the plot, Xu De would likely have held the same opinion at this moment.

However, the Coordinators here had a technological cheat.

"What if it's geothermal energy?"

Xu De's tone remained indifferent, yet his words caused Halberton to stand up abruptly, his brows furrowed tightly.

"Geothermal energy... impossible, they couldn't have researched that so quickly."

Halberton muttered to himself.

"But they already have the Neutron Jammer now. If I were them, I would definitely throw the Neutron Jammer at Earth."

"Otherwise, even if the World Tree has military merits, they cannot secure their own food and resources."

Xu De said earnestly.

Halberton remained silent for a long time after hearing this, then gave a bitter laugh.

"You have certainly given me a difficult problem."

"They won't be willing to listen to this matter."

Just as Halberton said, if this were to truly come to pass, let alone a counterattack, they would likely be beaten into the dirt.

Once nuclear energy was suppressed, their production capacity would inevitably plummet across the board.

Coupled with their disadvantage in space.

Just thinking about it made Halberton feel a chill run down his spine.

"We must guard against it."

Xu De replied.

"I know that, of course!"

Halberton said helplessly.

"But if it's as you say, how do we defend against it?"

"The coverage of our air defense systems is limited by the Earth's curvature; it simply cannot cover the entire world."

Hearing this, Xu De replied.

"At the very least, do your best to protect the nuclear power facilities."

In saying this, he did not actually expect to be able to save all of the Earth Alliance's power stations.

After all, time was too tight. The Earth Alliance currently had no contingency plans, and with ZAFT beginning their descent operation in about ten days, there was simply not enough time for them to do anything.

It was not enough time to deploy air defenses, let alone develop countermeasures.

Xu De only hoped to preserve as many power facilities as possible, so that more ordinary people might have a chance at survival.

"We will consider this, but it's not as if all power facilities have air defense..."

Halberton stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning stern as he continued.

"In any case, this matter still needs to be verified."

Xu De nodded in agreement; this was not a matter that could be influenced by his words alone.

Even at Halberton's level, that was the case.

Everything required a meeting.

They would likely have to send spies to test the authenticity of the information after the meeting.

As for what could ultimately be achieved, that would depend on Halberton.

Under these circumstances, he had done all he could.

Next, he had his own considerations.

"Admiral, will there be other competitors for the California Military Academy?"

Xu De stood up and asked before leaving.

"Five spots, ten people."

"However, it is not yet certain that this plan can be successfully implemented, but that is none of your concern."

Halberton shook his head and said.

"I understand."

After saying this, Xu De saluted and turned to leave the office.

"Cheers~!"

In a mid-range tavern-like restaurant within the base, Xu De and Hans and the others raised their glasses together.

"I told you Xu would definitely pull it off!"

Hans took a large gulp of beer and said heartily.

The environment was noisy, but Hans's loud voice still allowed everyone to hear him clearly.

At the table next to them, those who heard Hans's booming voice looked over with dissatisfaction.

Especially after seeing that Hans was only a corporal, they were just about to open their mouths to reprimand him.

Sometimes, when alcohol is involved, conflicts are just that simple; a person being a little too loud can become a reason for a confrontation.

However, when their disdainful gazes landed on Xu De, a man of a different skin tone, and saw the gleaming second lieutenant's rank insignia on his shoulders, their drunkenness faded a bit, and they quickly and tacitly withdrew their arrogance and looked away.

Such a young second lieutenant was either someone who had earned military merit or someone with connections.

Although it was highly likely he had earned his rank through merit to be eating here, he was still not someone they could afford to provoke.

As for Xu De, he saw it, but he didn't care.

Beyond tangible benefits, military rank also represented a promotion in status.

In this place, status sometimes represented a great many things.

Hans and his group were corporals, while those men were sergeants.

That alone was enough to create the conditions for bullying.

But with Xu De, a second lieutenant, sitting there, they were filled with awe and dared not make any untoward moves.

Commissioned officers were different from ordinary soldiers.

Don't let the simplicity of Xu De's promotion fool you; an average person could never achieve it.

Most corporals were unable to bridge that gap in rank.

"I don't know who it was that couldn't sit still or sleep well every day before this."

Facing Price's jab, Hans glared at him before turning his head to look at Xu De.

"When are you guys shipping out?"

"In about a week."

As Xu De spoke, he felt a slight headache; according to the original timeline, they might just happen to run into the ZAFT operation to attack Victoria Port in South Africa on Earth.

Of course, the operation would most likely fail.

But he didn't know the specific details.

In any case, it was best not to cross paths.

He still had to keep a close watch, and if things didn't look right, he would delay the departure.

He certainly didn't want to be on a space shuttle when ZAFT descended upon Earth.

These were all lessons learned in blood.

After all, if ZAFT were to descend, they would surely send forces to harass the Moon—aside from avoiding it—to ensure the operation went smoothly.

They would have to continue training during this period, which went without saying.

However, how to train was a question worth pondering.

The ability to use both hands independently was worth exploring; next, besides reaction speed, he needed to put effort into training the division of labor between his left and right hands.

If this ability could truly be strengthened, he would certainly never lose to an ordinary Coordinator on a fair, head-on battlefield in the future.

Thinking of this, Xu De's mood recovered from the anxiety of the war about to break out once again.

While Xu De was lost in thought, the others didn't notice that his expression was off, as Xu De rarely showed any expression to begin with.

At this moment, aside from appearing steady, no one could tell anything else.

"You've already decided to stay with the Eighth Fleet, right?"

Xu De asked to confirm once more.

"Yeah, we've decided."

Flint nodded and continued.

"Lieutenant Colonel Revil will also be transferring to the Eighth Fleet."

"And thanks to you, the higher-ups gave us a three-month intensive officer training course, and he is the instructor in charge."

Just as Xu De had said before, this was the way for a corporal to become an officer, aside from a direct commission.

Three months of high-intensity training, followed by interviews and written exams.

Perhaps Xu De had a hand in it, but in reality, the group's existing military merits were already sufficient.

Even if it was just a reward equivalent to a third-class merit, which wasn't enough for a direct promotion, the opportunity for key training was still within reach.

Especially now that the Moebius was beginning to see widespread use.

"Then once you become commissioned officers, you'll have to treat me to this meal in return."

Hearing that Revil, Hans, and the others were all going to the Eighth Fleet, a smile appeared on Xu De's face, and he cracked a rare joke.