Small maneuvers continued across the Wasteland battlefield. The Federation slowly built up its advantage, while District 25 suffered setback after setback, losing territory that should have belonged to it. It had even lost several Fourth-Generation Tactical Mechas, along with still more supplies and weapons, all seized by the Federation.
Although the haul was small, and the loss of these new Fourth-Generation Tactical Mechas would not decisively affect the battle, it still gave the Federation soldiers a much-needed boost. More than supplies, morale mattered.
"The attack begins in three hours. Make sure you're ready. This mission is far more important than we imagined. Every available Fourth-Generation Tactical Mecha and Psionic closest to this location has been mobilized. We must complete this mission!"
Someone in the camp was giving a prebattle speech. Standing on a platform crudely assembled from wood and stones was the captain of the squad that had gone into District 25 to rescue Noel. Every member of his squad had died during that rescue mission. He alone had survived.
The Federation offered no such humane treatment as several months of leave after completing a mission. Almost as soon as his wounds healed, he had obeyed his orders and rushed back to the battlefield. Once orders came down from above, they had to be carried out at any cost.
The Federation's efficiency lay in its inhumanity. Even someone who had just rescued an important figure and survived a near-suicidal mission received no special treatment. At most, it would satisfy their material needs. As for leave, the Federation generally worked people to death. Extended time off was certainly out of the question.
"This mission is extremely important. Let me stress this again: our objective is not to wipe out every enemy, nor do we need to support the ordinary soldiers' camps.