Gundam, Gravity Elegy

"Is it really that hard to get information on people in the intelligence agencies?"

“That’s right. After all, the rise of ‘side nationalism’ led by Deikun has been going on for quite some time. In order to strengthen its control over the various sides, the Federation will always do some… well, rather dirty things.”

Kuvatro thought he had used a rather euphemistic word, but upon closer reflection, it didn't seem so euphemistic after all.

"Anyway, it's something like espionage, and since this kind of thing needs to be kept completely secret, some files are so difficult to understand that no one can figure them out no matter how hard they try."

"That statement seems really irresponsible..."

"There's nothing we can do about it; that's just how the Federation is."

Kuvatro casually sat down on the sofa and, like a buffalo, picked up the cup of hot tea and drank it all in one gulp.

"Without the Zabi family and the Principality of Zeon, it would be the worst one."

His uninhibited remarks even made Gao Ren glance at the closed door, and he could only say that thankfully no one came in.

However, even if someone came in at this time, someone like Kuvatro wouldn't change his mind or his big mouth.

When Gao Ren turned his attention back, he found that his captain...

"However, some of his later actions can still be traced. For example, after becoming the commander of the African front, he rallied his troops to stabilize the front and launched a counter-offensive against Zeon more than a month ago. Although his achievements were not so impressive, he did something very interesting later."

"what?"

"He replaced a large number of personnel within the Africa Army, and all the colonel-level officers here were promoted by him."

So, what does this mean?

Although Cuvatro ultimately didn't expose all these things, it was just a matter of revealing the truth.

"If the previous matters could be described as clearly separating public and private matters, then things are harder to say now."

Military achievements – as a commander, it is not unreasonable to seek promotion opportunities for the soldiers under his command, but when all these are combined, it is inevitable that another word is needed to describe them.

"An ambitious officer, perhaps?"

"They might not be as easy to get along with as General Gao Yun. After all, we're not from this 'faction,' so things might not be easy from now on..."

"For example, a show of force or something?"

'thump'

Before the words had even finished, the door to the previously closed reception room opened.

Then, the stern-looking officer with the hooked nose walked in, his collar insignia clearly showing two bars and three stars, symbolizing the highest rank in the unit.

"Colonel Djamitov!"

As he walked towards the officer, Cuvatro burst into laughter:

"Lion Team, part of the Wide Area Special Response Force, reporting for duty!"

As if to prove his presence, Kuvatro's voice was particularly loud, but Jamitov's gaze completely ignored him.

They didn't even bother to look at him directly; their sharp gaze easily bypassed everyone else and landed on the youngest boy in the center of the room.

"Ok?"

Sensing something, Gao Ren frowned.

But before he could speak, he saw the old man reveal a smile of dubious meaning:

"Second Lieutenant Gao Ren?"

"...Yes, Colonel?"

Gao Ren instinctively saluted, and then he saw the colonel clap his hands:

"Basque, bring that thing out."

Then, a bald, burly man whom I had met once before walked in, carrying a huge gift box.

“We on the African front prepared a special gift for the ‘little hero’.”

The cover clearly depicts a sun symbol:

"SUN Corporation?"

Of course, many soldiers may not understand this, but Gao Ren is different.

"That guy who makes toys..."

On the exquisite box, a white spherical robot is waving.

Then, a large age tag was placed there:

"Suitable for children aged 8 and up and under 16..."

After quickly scanning the text, Gao Ren couldn't help but look at Djamitov.

“I think this is appropriate.”

The colonel's lips curled into a smile, but his already sinister expression made the smile seem less than friendly.

"After all, the lieutenant is just a kid, isn't he?"

Chapter 44: Making the Most of Everything?

About two months ago, SUN Corporation reportedly obtained a second license from the designer and launched the latest model of Haro, a companion robot with multiple functions, adding peripherals and more features.

At the same time, because of its exquisite workmanship and solid materials, the price is by no means cheap.

If you are visiting a family with young children, then choosing such a gift is perfectly acceptable.

But now...

"We're not visiting relatives or friends, and we don't even know him. So what does this guy mean?"

"Need I say more? Judging from the fact that your 'dear captain' was ignored, it's highly likely they're trying to give us a hard time?"

Of course, Cuvatro's statement lacks any substantial evidence, but the underlying logic is not entirely untenable:

“We are not part of the fighting order on the African front. SRT is a special case, almost independent of all command systems. So our arrival here means that there is a high possibility of a second voice emerging on the battlefield.”

"So it's all about protecting one's own power?"

"Perhaps there's a conflict between him and General Gao Yun?"

Of course, the rising tone and questioning in his voice proved that even Cuvatro himself wasn't entirely sure about the reason.

"But this kind of thing is not a big deal. As a senior officer, our dear Mr. Djamitov should have grander goals. People like us 'small fry' should not be of any interest to him."

At this point, the captain couldn't help but stretch:

"Besides, our Xiao Gao is now a 'rising star' in the Federal Propaganda Department. If Mr. Jamitov wants to advance his career, he won't try anything funny with us... So, Xiao Gao, what do you say?"

After analyzing the situation at length, Cuvatro turned his attention to the boy who had seemed somewhat distracted from the start.

Gao Ren—his gaze hadn't left that new white Hello ever since it was brought in.

And that look in his eyes was definitely not one of joy or happiness.

As for the reason...

"Do you feel like you're being looked down upon? That's perfectly normal."

Kuvatro reached out and ruffled the boy's hair, then grinned.

"After all, what our colonel said is true. Our Lieutenant Gao Ren is only fourteen years old, in the prime of his life. He has just entered puberty, so it is normal for him to be a little young."

"no……"

"In the end, it's wrong to join the army and get involved in this kind of thing. If you don't want others to look down on you, you should at least add some scars to your face or something. If that's not possible, wear sunglasses or a mask. It's said that Zeon's 'Red Comet' wore a mask."

Seeing that Kuvatro had rambled on about all sorts of things, Gao Ren, who had come to his senses, couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"What are you talking about? I'm just thinking about other things."

"what's up?"

"Wouldn't it be disgusting if Hello had hands and feet?"

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ms. Lutz slowly placed the white Haro on the ground.

"There are no extra devices installed externally, no external eavesdropping devices, and I will investigate the built-in software further."

Once activated, a pair of hands and feet extend from inside the sphere:

Hello.

Hello.

On the floor, the original black Haro was still rolling around, while the new white counterpart had already stretched out its arms and legs and walked in front of it, then gently touched it with its palm.

"I have a feeling that some kind of middle-aged man might pop out from inside?"

"...Your imagination is a bit too vivid."

…………

In short, putting aside all the other miscellaneous things, Gao Ren had no problem with the slightly expensive electronic toy 'Hello'.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that he actually quite liked it; otherwise, he wouldn't have pestered his mother to buy him one.

As for the other things—such as Colonel Djamitov's intention in gifting this bunch of 'children's toys'—he wasn't particularly concerned. Even if it meant he was being mocked as a 'child', he didn't care, since they had no intention of vying for the right to speak.

"To put it bluntly, as long as we give up, Colonel Djamitov can't do anything to us. As long as he doesn't go so far as to send us on some death mission, we'll just do whatever he says."

"Um……"

"Xiao Gao, you must remember, this is definitely not a bad thing for you."

"I know……"

Seeing Kuvatrona emphasizing this point several times with righteous indignation, Gao Ren felt somewhat helpless:

"You've emphasized this several times already."

"Isn't this because we're worried that our Lieutenant Gao might be too eager to make a name for himself and become dissatisfied with this?"

"...I've never paid attention to this kind of thing."

Meeting Kuvatro's unabashedly arrogant laughter, Gao Ren couldn't help but sigh:

"I don't care about honors or anything like that. I just hope this war can end as soon as possible."

"But unfortunately, not everyone's thoughts are as simple as yours."

Kuvatro shrugged:

"There are quite a few people within the Federation who hope this war can continue indefinitely."

That light, airy tone, yet it conveyed words that could easily ignite anger.

"Whether it's the Earth Federation or the Principality of Zeon, those 'elites' never deign to look at what they consider the 'dirty underclass,' yet they insist on making them pay the price for every decision they make."

But after that almost instinctive anger spread, a strange sense of powerlessness rose from within.

"Honestly, in a world like this, simply protecting yourself is the limit."

"..."

"But at least we're lucky."

Just as Gao Ren fell silent, a large hand covered his head:

"At least, we still have some degree of choice."

"Captain, all the aircraft and equipment from the Migratory Bird have been moved in."

As the maintenance crew reported, Cuvatro yawned:

"Alright, let's go adjust the machine."

Gradually, the tall figure disappeared into the shadow cast by the transport plane's wings.

The Migratory Bird—a Midia-class aircraft—was not a particularly large machine, but it truly provided shelter in this desert.

"An independent operational sequence, an independent maintenance and combat system..."

However, this protection is clearly not very strong, and ultimately one still has to depend on others.

…………

"Sir, what should we do next?"

Inside the command tower of the Sphinx base, the Basque cautiously approached the old man: