In the staff office.
Instructor Natarle was sorting through some classified documents with two adjutants.
The saying that the teachers you might bump into at university could be the most powerful people you ever encountered in your life described Instructor Natarle perfectly.
At this special time, Instructor Natarle was not only a teacher at the academy but also one of the key officials in the National Defense Military Staff Department, reporting directly to Defense Committee Chairman Patrick Zala.
The first Victoria Battle on March 8 had been planned under Instructor Natarle's leadership.
Although the first Victoria Battle had failed strategically, it had also cost the Earth Alliance dearly.
It had also given rise to a new strategic plan—Operation Ouroboros (Operation Equatorial Blockade).
1. Secure military strongholds on Earth;
2. Suppress spaceports and mass-driver bases to keep the Earth Alliance Forces trapped on Earth;
3. Distribute "Neutron Jammers" that could suppress nuclear weapons and the supply of nuclear-fission energy.
This operation also laid a solid foundation for ZAFT to gain control of space.
Knock, knock~
A knock came from the staff office.
Instructor Natarle, who was sorting through documents, gathered them together and put them away. "Come in."
"Yes, sir!"
After speaking, Ino pushed open the door, entered, and saluted Instructor Natarle. "Academy command-track cadet Eno Kamal reporting!"
"You don't need to be so formal in here. What is it?"
Instructor Natarle was very pleased with Ino.
In particular, Ino's performance today had been deeply gratifying.
The old Ino had been a machine—a machine so precise it was almost frightening.
That was a very good thing for a low-ranking soldier, but not necessarily for a senior command and combat staff officer.
Low-ranking soldiers needed to carry out every task faithfully and precisely.
But senior command staff couldn't afford to be like that. They had to be flexible enough to go beyond the so-called data and records to achieve their goals.
"I have a request, and I hope you'll approve it, Instructor Natarle."
Ino spoke with some hesitation.
"This is the first time I've seen you show this kind of emotion."
Instructor Natarle picked up the teacup on his desk and smiled. "Go on. What's your request?"
"Could you agree to it first, and then I'll tell you what it is?"
Ino wasn't sure whether his request would be approved.
"Oh? Sounds like you've got quite a request."
Instructor Natarle couldn't help laughing.
"It's not really that big a deal. For you, it'd only take a word."
Ino smiled as he replied.
"Only a word?"
Instructor Natarle looked puzzled. There were plenty of things he could decide with a single word.
"Don't worry, Instructor Natarle. My request won't cause anyone any losses," Ino promised.
"All right. Since this is the first time you've asked me for help, I'll agree—as long as it doesn't violate military regulations."
Instructor Natarle thought it over, then agreed.
The two adjutants beside him couldn't help looking surprised.
But they quickly hid their expressions.
"Thank you, Instructor Natarle!"
Ino reached behind him, pulled out a partially concealed paper document, and handed it over. "Sorry for the trouble, but all you need to do is sign here."
"Is there really any need to make signing a document so myster—"
Instructor Natarle was about to complain, when he noticed the document's title and contents.
"You're going to the MS Training Class?!"
After reading the document, Instructor Natarle nearly hurled his water bottle at him.
"Yeah, so I need you to sign it."
Ino smiled and nodded.
Changing majors at this point was a real hassle.
But it was only a hassle. If someone with enough clout issued the order or recommendation, changing majors was still easy.
"I won't sign! There's no way I'm signing this!"
Instructor Natarle immediately refused. What kind of joke was this?
He'd finally found such a promising cadet and had been planning to train him as his successor.
And now he wanted to go to the front lines and get himself killed? This had to be a joke.
What was the MS Training Class, anyway?
In plain terms, it was the Earth Alliance's infantry class.
Sure, piloting a Mobile Suit sounded impressive, but it didn't change the fact that it was "front-line cannon fodder."
Mobile Suit pilots fought right on the front lines.
Although Mobile Suits had a considerable advantage over Mobile Armors in space combat, and the Mobile Suit-to-Mobile Armor loss ratio had reached five to one, that was only an advantage. It didn't mean they were invincible.
Did he really think the Earth Alliance's Moebius units and Mobile Armors couldn't kill anyone?
"But you just agreed!"
Ino panicked.
If he wanted to escape this cursed PLANT, he had to learn to pilot a Mobile Suit.
Only then would he have a chance to go to the front lines, "die gloriously," and fake his death to escape.
And even if he didn't leave, commanding a battleship from the rear in the future would still be dangerous.
Those overpowered monsters were all extremely good at tearing battleships apart. So, all in all, piloting a Mobile Suit was safer.
As for all that nonsense about becoming some invincible hero after crossing into another world—
It was all bullshit.
Crossing into another world changed your circumstances, not your intelligence or abilities.
I'm just an ordinary person. What makes me think I could become some invincible hero?
The people who would end the war were already there.
So were the ones who would start it.
Wouldn't it be better to stay an ordinary person and wait for the war to end? Why risk my life against a bunch of monsters?
"When did I agree? Don't go putting words in my mouth!"
Instructor Natarle set down his cup and retorted righteously.
"No, you can't go back on your word!"
Ino was at his wit's end. Was this really the same unsmiling instructor?
"Who's going back on my word? You should ask around about my reputation!"
Instructor Natarle hurriedly replied, "We can discuss anything else, but this is out of the question!"
Not long ago, he'd bragged to his colleagues about finding a prized student. Now that prized student was turning around and trying to run off. Did he think Natarle didn't care about his reputation?
"You're signing this today, whether you like it or not!"
Ino put his foot down.
There were only two months left until graduation. Every day he missed training meant another day in danger. Kira Yamato hadn't yet become known for his mercy with a gun.
If Ino didn't train hard, dying to some indiscriminate area-of-effect attack would be the most ridiculous thing ever.
The two adjutants, who were sorting through some supplementary documents, nearly tore the papers in their hands.
Was Ino Kamal really that bold?
"I... You, what did you say?"
Instructor Natarle was stunned. The Ino in his memory and the one standing before him seemed like two completely different people.
If they hadn't had the same face, he would have suspected he'd mistaken one for the other.
"Just sign it. It's only a few words, and it won't hurt you or ZAFT in any way. You'd even be helping me fulfill my dream of piloting a Mobile Suit."
Ino softened his tone. He was practically ready to get down on his knees.
"Don't try that nonsense with me. I said I'm not signing, and I mean it!"
Instructor Natarle was firm.
He truly believed in Ino's potential, and the way he'd turned things around today had only made him believe in him more.
He was capable, clever, resilient, hardworking, and shameless enough to boot.
A promising cadet like that couldn't be allowed to get himself killed on some stupid front line.
"Sign it! You have to!"
For the sake of his own life, Ino was ready to go all out.
"Hey, don't push your luck! I'm telling you, you're not transferring. Not a chance!"
Instructor Natarle finished speaking, turned his head, and presented Ino with the back of it.
"No, why won't you sign it? Aren't we allowed to transfer majors on our own?"
Instructor Natarle's answer gave Ino a headache.
If Natarle wouldn't budge, Ino couldn't officially enter the Mobile Suit piloting program. And without getting into that program, he wouldn't have enough time to get any practical Mobile Suit experience.
"What I want to know is, why are you so determined to pilot a Mobile Suit? Wouldn't it be better to become a brilliant strategist, winning battles from a thousand miles away?"
Instructor Natarle couldn't understand Ino's sudden change of heart.
"No. That would be terrible!"
Ino nodded emphatically.
With the Gundams' future combat power, any commander would be doomed.
Tactics and strategy were all based on the limits of human understanding.
Against a bunch of rule-breaking bugs, any tactics or strategy would be useless.
Besides, he wanted to fake his death and get out of there as soon as possible. Who wanted to be a commander?
Before you continue