Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 193 – General, I'm With the Federation Forces

The 60% reserve of helium-3 was actually enough to sustain the Federation until the next helium-3 harvesting vessel returned to the Earth Sphere, perhaps even leaving a surplus.

But without a doubt, this meant the Federation's plan to rebuild its military forces would have to slow down significantly—if not come to a complete halt.

After all, even if the Federation didn't care much for the space-dwelling populace, helium-3 had to be prioritized for survival.

"What about the pursuit fleet?"

This time, Eli was truly incensed.

Not because of any deep love for the Federation, but out of anger at Axis's actions—dragging all of human civilization into war just to ignite conflict.

"They were dispatched before you even reached Kinmi Island. But I suggest you focus that energy on something more important. Come, let's continue analyzing Zeon's intentions."

Eli fell silent, flipping the document in his hand to the next page.

It was a photo—an image of an old mobile suit model. A Zaku II was shown breaking through the anti-air perimeter of a Salamis-class vessel, charging straight toward the bridge and destroying it with a rocket launcher.

Yes, this single photo captured the entire process of the Zaku's breach and subsequent destruction of the warship.

It was like one of those magical photos from Harry Potter, displaying dynamic movement in a paper-thin form.

But rather than a photo, it was more accurate to call it an ultra-thin screen playing a looped segment of footage.

"This move…"

It was far too familiar.

Not the combat style itself, but rather—the motion looked human.

Both the suits piloted by Gato and Daryl had displayed this same trait.

There was no doubt about it—this was the use of the Regeneration P-System.

Still puzzled, Eli flipped to the next image.

This time, the Zaku was facing a squad of GMs.

Relying on exceptionally agile movements, the Zaku evaded multiple rounds of fire. Ultimately, it was still destroyed—but only after the GM squad sacrificed one of their own.

Then, two more Zakus quickly arrived, wiping out the now-weakened squad.

This conveyed a clear message.

"Don't tell me… Axis is deploying the Regeneration P-System on a large scale."

The Regeneration P-System didn't require high aptitude from its pilots. Its only strict requirement was amputation to install the system.

"For those Zeon ghosts… that kind of price probably isn't even worth hesitating over."

Revil thought the same.

For Axis to dare attack the helium-3 storage base—such a blatant provocation—there had to be a trump card behind it.

The large-scale deployment of the Regeneration P-System was very likely one of those cards.

"From Axis's stance, and judging by the unusual crash site of the Delaz Fleet… their objective is becoming clearer."

Revil said this firmly.

"The Delaz Fleet's descent was meant to weaken the ties between the Federation and the space-born population. The Axis Fleet aims to stall the development of Federation military strength… In a few years, Axis may well return to the Earth Sphere."

That was Revil's conclusion.

"You understand the relationship between the Earth Federation and the Lunar Chamber of Commerce. If a colony were to land successfully on Von Braun, the Chamber would definitely support the Federation's military expansion."

Revil continued laying out his deductions.

"On the surface, this looks beneficial for the Federation Forces. But combined with the destruction of the helium-3 reserves, the enemy is clearly trying to force the Federation into a stance that favors the military over the livelihood of the populace—to provoke dissatisfaction among the space-dwellers."

If military expansion resumed, the helium-3 reserves—originally enough to meet needs—would become strained. At that point, they might have to divert resources meant for the colonies.

A decrease in resources for the colonies meant a decrease in means of production—leading to an inevitable and visible drop in quality of life for the residents.

"But if it only leads to dissatisfaction…"

Eli followed Revil's line of reasoning, still thinking that public sentiment among space residents would be hard to turn into real action.

But then, realization dawned on him.

"So you've figured it out too."

A glimmer of approval appeared in Revil's eyes.

"Public sentiment alone may not achieve much. But in recent years, anti-Federation factions—especially those led by AEUG—have been steadily growing. If this unrest stirs at just the right time, an anti-Federation force with grassroots support could become something the Federation truly has to worry about."

Eli quietly continued flipping through the documents in his hands, over and over.

And General Revil—the Federation's highest-ranking officer with real authority—waited patiently for Eli's thoughts to settle.

The outside world was no doubt in chaos by now. Revil certainly had no shortage of matters to handle.

"What should we do next?"

Eli felt uncertain.

In his original plan, the next steps were to use Revil's factional network and the support of the Yashima Financial Group to expand his own influence within the military, suppress the Titans' rise, decisively resolve the remnants of Zeon, and take a softer approach toward AEUG and other factions.

That way, at the very least, the Federation could avoid descending into full-scale civil war.

It was a strategy based on both current circumstances and how events had played out in the original timeline.

"I don't know either, Eli. It's the young who change the world. We old folks are already giving everything just to hold things together."

So said General Revil—not with defeat in his tone, but rather a quiet, stubborn resolve.

A man who held up the Federation as it teetered on collapse could hardly be called powerless to change its fate.

"Eli, there are some decisions I can't tell you directly. But once you're in a position to make them, I hope you'll think them through—truly think—before acting."

What decision?

Eli tilted his head slightly, puzzled by Revil's cryptic words.

Revil only smiled, motioning that Eli could leave.

He still had much to attend to.

"Eli—you're a soldier of the Federation, aren't you?"

Just as Eli reached the doorway, a voice called out from behind.

Turning around, Eli stood at attention without hesitation and saluted.

"I always have been, General."

Revil chuckled at the sudden formality, waving a hand to ease the mood.

As the doors to the room closed behind him, General Revil took the pipe from his mouth and placed it on the table.

"Eli Lee… the Federation you envision is very different from the Federation that actually exists. When you come to truly understand that—what will you do?"

Revil had always trusted his subordinates. Even Jamitov, whose views clashed with his own, was allowed to hold power within Revil's faction.

But when it came to Eli, he held a unique sense of concern.

Because Eli's ideals were fundamentally incompatible with the Federation's reality.

Eli had never clearly voiced his thoughts to the outside world, so Revil couldn't determine what those ideals truly meant for the Federation.

But… would he still be around to see those ideals realized?

Revil picked up a nearby terminal.

Displayed prominently was a notification.

A memorandum regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

Even in such dire times, the Federation Parliament was still playing power games.

He could no longer shield others as they grew.

If the Parliament was using this excuse to summon him for a hearing, they were clearly ready to bring him down.

Then his job now was to take precautions—while he still could.