Why would I join the army if I can’t drive a Gundam!

Chapter 57 New Arrangements

The exchange of prisoners of war actually took place in front of the gate of the Zeon Military Academy in Guardian Land. The Federation Army had already withdrawn from the Zeon Military Academy in accordance with the agreement and returned all the assets seized during the operation. Of course, there was no need to think about compensating for the damage caused.

As for the soldiers who died in battle, Zeon also had to pay for their pensions. Prime Minister Darcia was so worried about paying pensions to residents of other sides that he couldn't eat. After all, the places were different. For the residents of Zeon, it was enough to issue Zeon marks and ration coupons. Although the former could not buy anything, at least civilians would accept it, and ration coupons were enough for their families to get food for a long time so as not to starve. In addition, the Zeon government could also compensate them by reducing air taxes and military service taxes.

But the outsiders couldn't handle it. They only recognized Federation Hite. Zeon Mark was like paper to wipe their butts, even a bit hard and prone to scratching. Everyone sympathized with Zeon, but no one wanted to live under Zeon's rule. Therefore, compensation to the families of the fallen could only be paid in gold! Fortunately, the donations from the colonies had quickly reached the Zeon government. Prime Minister Dalcia had already figured out how to spend the money: 65% would go to military production, 25% would be used to expand the military, and with the remaining 10%, there was still enough money to go around.

As for the civilians of Zim City, they can only suffer a little longer. Anyway, they are still able to survive now. If they really have no food to eat, they can still join the army!
However, at least the Prime Minister does not have to worry about the continued increase in unemployment rate, because the city of Zim was devastated by the Federation Army's artillery fire, and repairs require a large amount of manpower, at least in the hundreds of thousands. Therefore, within half a year, the unemployment rate in Zeon will not increase again. Moreover, because the city was not well planned during the construction, Gihren is not very fond of the appearance of Zim City. Now, hundreds of designers are working day and night to draw blueprints, preparing to give the head of state a favorite gift.

"Karma!"

When Dozle, who had been waiting at the school gate for a long time, saw his younger brother in tattered military uniform getting off the Federal Army vehicle, he burst into tears. He didn't even care about other people at the school gate, and directly hugged Karma, crying uncontrollably.

"Brother! Dozle-nii!"

Kalma was also a young man who had not yet graduated from school. Although he had enough food and warm clothes in the federal army, he was not beaten, and there was no bullying except for necessary interrogations, but he was still frightened, afraid that one day he would be taken away and shot.

But now, when he returned home, he expressed his true emotions and cried uncontrollably.

"Mr. Karma, Mr. Char, it's great to have you back!"

Sena was also crying. These days, she had been praying for her classmates and friends day and night. After all, if she had not stopped Dozle, she might have been one of the dead!

"Senna, it's so great to see you!"

"It's okay, you can see her every day from now on! Now you have to call her sister-in-law!"

Dozle patted Karma's shoulder, wiped away his tears, and smiled happily.

"Ugh!"

Karma's expression instantly twisted. Of course, he didn't have any improper thoughts about Senna. He was just so shocked by the news that he couldn't get over it for a while. The world is developing too fast!
Char raised his eyebrows. He realized that he still didn't know Dozle well enough!
After crying, Dozle went to comfort the other surviving students. They all looked well, the wounded were treated by the federal army, and there were no problems such as intentional amputation. Apart from being listless, they were almost the same as when they set out.

"Everyone, Zeon thanks you for your efforts. Although your operation failed, it is not your fault. So, there is no need to blame yourselves. Please raise your heads and let the whole school see the heroes who have returned safely!"

Dozle comforted him like this, and then, at the command, the students lined up on both sides of the school gate raised their arms in unison and saluted.

Kalma and the others quickly returned the greeting, and then the sound of cannons rang out. The cheering team organized by the lower grade girls quickly stepped forward and presented flowers to the people who had returned.

"By the way, Dozle-nii, I have something to tell you!"

Karma reluctantly pushed away the girl who was trying to get into her arms and pulled Dozle back.

"what happened?"

"I suspect there's a Federation spy among us!"

Dozle's expression quickly grew serious, and he spoke as he pulled Karma forward.

"Let's not talk about this right now. We'll talk after the ceremony everyone has prepared for you is over!"

"understand!"

What Karma wanted to say was, of course, the name that Macharius had talked about with him that day. Karma had been repeating it every day in prison and had memorized it deeply in his mind.

To be honest, Karma didn't think this guy was a spy. After all, who would really tell you the identity of a spy from their own camp?
Therefore, Kalma thought that maybe Anabelcardo had offended Macharius in some way, so the other party wanted to do this. Then, the enemy of my enemy is my friend!

Being cared about so much by the other party, maybe this guy is a rare talent!
But on the other hand, this could also be some kind of maze, a means for the other party to hide Cardo's identity as a spy. In short, Karma himself couldn't figure it out, so he had to tell Dozle.

After the celebration, in Dozle's office, after listening to Karma's account of what had happened, Dozle pondered for a moment and continued.

"Your idea is good, but it's unnecessary. Since this person has already been mentioned by the other party, no matter which side he is on, he is actually unreliable!"

"But we don't even know each other's identities!"

"It's okay, we'll know soon. Karma, pack up, we're going back to Zim City. Father wants to see you!"

"Understood!"

Karma suddenly realized, yes, in Zeon, the ones who have the strongest intelligence network are her elder brother Gihren and her sister Kycilia. With them taking action, anything can be handled!
"By the way, brother, what should we do after that?"

"Do you want to know where to go?"

"Yes, I'm probably not qualified to serve in the Zeon military in my current condition, right?"

"No, of course you can. In fact, I've already prepared your appointment!"

Dozle pulled a document from a drawer. It was an order granting Garmazabi the rank of Second Lieutenant and transferring him to the Zeon Assault Mobile Force.

"Then what about my comrades? They can come with me..."

Karma looked at Dozle shaking his head and then stopped talking.

"Someone must be held responsible for the failure of the uprising. Karma, you are the son of the Zeon leader, so they must be expelled!"

"Because I can't take responsibility for failure, right?"

"Yes!"

Dozle sighed.

“It’s not fair…”

"This is what Father meant!"

Karma stopped arguing and just clenched his fists silently.

Then, at the Guardian's dock, a massive crimson battleship emerged from the darkness of space and docked at the docking station. This massive warship, comparable in size to the Federation's Magellan battleship, was the Gwakin-class battleship developed by the Principality of Zeon. Built to counter the Federation's Magellan-class, the Gwakin was designed to possess greater combat capabilities than the Magellan.

However, such a powerful battleship is too expensive for Zeon. Therefore, so far, Zeon has only put two into service, which serve as the personal ships of Prince Dekin and President Gihren respectively.

And now, the one that has arrived at the Guardian Land is Dekin's flagship, the Dekin Emperor.

This ship usually performs training missions in deep space, but now, in order to welcome his son, Dekin sent it to the Guardian Land.

Arriving along with Gwakin were several Zeon Musai-class cruisers.

Normally, other spaceships could also pick up people, but for the purpose of demonstration, Zeon still dispatched a warship.

However, the Zeon people's show of force did not receive any response from the First Fleet in the same universe. The Federation Army seemed to be unable to see each other and each was doing its own thing. This made the commander of the Zeon fleet feel like he had punched cotton and felt very frustrated.

But because he had orders, he could only quietly pick up the person and return to Zim City.

After arriving in Zim City, Karma was greeted by a huge crowd of people.

More Zeon civilians took to the streets than in previous riots. Large banners were hung on the streets and fireworks were flying everywhere. In short, the cadets who returned safely were extremely honored. After all, Zeon's propaganda to the people was that the cadets launched an uprising because they could not stand the Federal Army's suppression of the citizens. Therefore, in the eyes of the citizens, these cadets were their heroes.

In addition to the returning students, photos of the fallen students were also brought out and viewed together with Kalma and the others.

"Alas, a group of children killed another group of children on the battlefield, what a thing!"

Rambaral and his fiancée Harmon were also in the crowd. Looking at those young faces in black and white, Rambaral sighed. He already knew the general process of the battle. In his opinion, the root cause of this matter still lay with the Zabi family, but at the moment he was still powerless!

"Caspar, where are you?"

Rambaral muttered this, but his eyes passed over Char who was beside Karma.

Char couldn't help but sneeze, and Karma brought him a handkerchief in time.

"You look like you have a lot on your mind, Karma!"

"I'm sorry, Char, I have something to tell you!"

Char looked at the cheering citizens around him and said without turning his head.

"If you mean where to go next, I'm already prepared!"

Char was not unhappy at all. Finally, he didn't have to serve the young master of the Zabi family. He needed to have a good rest for a while!
"Don't worry, Char, I will definitely find a way later!"

Karma mistook Char's magnanimity for a forced smile, and he immediately made a promise to the other party.

After the grand welcoming ceremony, Karma finally met his father in the magnificent palace!
"Karma, my child!"

Under the gaze of her two brothers and one sister, Karma was affectionately embraced by Dekin. Faced with such a touching scene, Dozle's eyes turned red again. Only Gillian and Kycilia looked at the ceiling and the carpet respectively.

"Promise me that you won't do this kind of thing again, okay?"

"I'm sorry, Father!"

Looking at his father with a pointed and shiny head, Kalma felt very sad. He didn't expect that his father had aged so much after only a few years of attending the military academy. He was really too ignorant!

"Next, you will serve in the Mobile Force and help your brother! The future of the Zabi family depends on you!"

"understand!"

"Then Father, can I take a few people with me?"

Karma then asked in a low voice.

"Who do you want to take? That Char Aznable?"

Dejin's face, which had just been cheerful, turned cold in an instant.

"If it wasn't him, how could you have become a prisoner!"

"Father, you?"

"Don't underestimate my intelligence network! Also, why are rumors circulating in the military academy that you and Char have an illicit relationship?"

"I……"

Karma now understood why his father was angry!

"We have no relationship, we are just close comrades. Father, Char is a pillar of my left hand!"

Karma tried to say a few more words for his close friend, but the more he spoke, the angrier Dekin became, and he said, "It's okay, it's okay, you can beg me like this!"
Karma is Dejin's son who was born in his old age, so he is naturally doted on. But because of this, Dejin regards him as his successor. Therefore, Karma's other half is very important. If it were any other son, Dejin would at most scold him a few words and then pretend not to see it, but not Karma!
So, in the end, Karma could only helplessly watch his father go back to rest.

"Don't be sad, I'll help you think of a solution!"

Seeing his brother so depressed, Dozle whispered to comfort him.

Dozle was equally reluctant to part with these twenty or so trainees. These were elites who had experienced the flames of war. With them as a foundation, they could quickly train a crack unit, especially now that the MS-05, the mobile suit named Zaku, had been officially finalized and entered production. The Zeon military was in dire need of elite personnel to develop its mobile suit force.

"Father will forget about this after a while, and then I can transfer them back!"

"That's great, Dozle-nii!"

"This is what I should do. If I let them suffer an unjust accusation, Sena will cry too!"

Karma's feeling of being touched disappeared in an instant!
(End of this chapter)