Chapter 395 Duane Halbottom's Decision

Chapter 395 Duane Halbottom's Decision

On the Earth Union side, not only the lunar crater base, but even the Earth Union Conference on Earth was boiling after receiving the news.

"That bastard Aznael! If he hadn't forced the resolution to use nuclear bombs, how could ZAFT come up with such a thing!"

"He's dead! There's no point scolding him!"

"Where are the representatives of the Atlantic Federation? Why don't they come to the meeting?"

"Aznael is dead, and the Atlantic Federation is in chaos. Hehe, the bastards of [Blue Cosmos] are still thinking about how to fight for power and become the next leader."

"A bunch of idiots! Can't you see the threat above? Are you still fighting among yourself!?"

"We can't just let it go! Artemis can't be destroyed in vain!" The person who said this was the representative of the Eurasian Federation. The reason why the Eurasian Federation can sit firmly in the second seat in the Earth Union, in addition to being a loyal lackey of the Atlantic Federation, is that they own Artemis and are the only country in the Earth Union that owns a space fortress.

Now the master is in civil strife, Artemis is gone, and both of them are gone. The Eurasian Federation's position in the Earth Union has plummeted, and it is impossible to swallow this breath.

"Calm down, Representative Joseph, anger can't solve anything!"

"You tell me to calm down? How to calm down? Wait until ZAFT's artillery fire hits us, and it will be too late to worry!"

"PLANT has sent a request for peace talks..."

"Never agree to it! Never let the adjuster step on our heads!"

Although the people present did not have the people of [Blue Cosmos] and did not hate the adjuster so much, they would not allow the adjuster to step on their heads and treat natural people as slaves.

"So we must fight back! Immediately! Right now! There are still a large number of fleets in the Crater Base, send them out immediately!"

"General Sutherland, the supreme commander, has been killed..."

"Who is the highest-ranking person in the Crater Base now?"

"Duane Halbottom..."

When Duane Halbottom was mentioned, everyone was silent. If it was anyone else, they would just push him up, but Duane Halbottom was an exception. He had been suppressed within the Atlantic Federation. Although he was very capable, he was not reused. Pushing him up at this time would not only benefit the war situation, but also the Earth Union. After all, there were still a few people who liked [Blue Cosmos].

But they also had concerns, that is, would the Atlantic Federation settle accounts after settling down? The severely damaged Atlantic Federation would not scare other forces, but once a conflict occurred, both sides would suffer.

"Promote him and let him serve as the acting commander-in-chief of the Crater Base." The representative of the East Asian Republic suggested, "I know what everyone here is worried about, but the situation cannot wait. Even if the Atlantic Federation wants to settle accounts later, it should be after the victory of this war, right?"

"...Agree."

"Agree."

"Agree."

...

"Well, that's it. According to the previous report, the 3rd and 4th mobile fleets have already set off. Telegraph Halbottom and convey the appointment to him. At the same time, let him destroy the weapon of ZAFT at all costs!"

...

Duane Halbottom himself is in a semi-house arrest at the Crater Base. Although he still controls his own troops, he has not been replenished. Now there are only ten warships left, and there are no MS troops. They are still using [Mobius].

Moreover, around the 8th Fleet, there is always a fully equipped mobile fleet on standby not far away, being watched closely.

But at this time, Duane Halbottom suddenly received a telegram from the Earth Headquarters, telling him that he is now acting as the commander-in-chief of the Moon Crater Base, which makes him feel that he has finally waited for this day.

Duane Halberton immediately contacted the command center and after confirming the authenticity of the appointment, he immediately commanded the remaining fleet to return to the base. The warships could not be replenished for a while, but the MS troops could still be deployed.

"Quickly replenish! The 5th and 6th mobile fleets board the ship and wait for orders. When my fleet is finished replenishing, set sail immediately!"

"Understood!"

"Telegram the 3rd and 4th mobile fleets to disperse immediately and advance from the two directions of A98 and G25 to avoid being wiped out by the enemy's weapons!"

"Understood!"

"Gentlemen, this battle is related to the future of the earth. I don't care how you have seen me before, but I remind you not to have any bad ideas, otherwise, don't blame me for enforcing military law, understand!?"

"Understood!"

"Very good, speed up the supply, after we set off, everyone evacuates the crater base, and the 9th mobile fleet escorts!"

"General Halbottom! This..." Everyone in the command center was stunned. They didn't know why Duane Halbottom would issue a retreat order. This is the headquarters of the Earth United Space Army, which costs a lot of money and is so far away from the front line. Why give up this base?

"Follow orders! Follow the retreat procedure, or we will all die if ZAFT bombards us!"

"...Understood!" XN

Everyone was convinced. Duane Halbottom had already considered that they would not have enough time to destroy ZAFT's Genesis, and surrender was impossible. If the Genesis attack came to this base, they would all die. Duane Halbottom was saving their lives.

Just as Duane Halbottom was about to leave the headquarters and return to the flagship Menelaos to prepare for sailing, the CIC reported to him in a panic: "The 3rd and 4th mobile fleets encountered the Archangel at coordinates S05! There is also an unknown warship in the same group!"

"What!? Report the details!"

"The situation is unclear, but a battle has already occurred!"

"How could it be..." Duane Halbottom was distracted. When he mentioned the Archangel, he thought of Malu and others, his former proud students. He also heard about Alaska and the Archangel joining Orb. To be honest, he did not blame Malu for his idea. After all, in that situation, he would also defect.

And as for Orb, Duane Halbottom believed that everyone on the Archangel would be reused and live a better life. It was just a pity that they might not have the chance to see each other again in this life.

As a result, they met again as enemies, which made Duane Halbottom sigh.

While sighing, he also wondered why the Archangel came to hinder them? Couldn't Malu think of what kind of disaster it would be if Genesis opened fire on the moon and the earth?

Even if she couldn't think of it, Yang Hui couldn't think of it... Wait, Yang Hui! There are only two ships!

"Are you sure that the only ships blocking the 3rd and 4th mobile fleets are the Archangel and another unknown warship? There is no third ship?"

"Yes... yes."

"Can the identity of the other warship be confirmed?"

"No... can't be confirmed, but the database can confirm the existence of four mobile suits: Freedom, Justice, Rebirth, and Covenant."

"Freedom, Justice, Rebirth, and Covenant... That's right! It must be like this!"

Duane Halberton figured it out. Although he was in a semi-house arrest, he was not completely oblivious to what was happening outside. He had his own intelligence channels and had a certain understanding of the outside world's intelligence, not to mention that Wang Liumei still maintained a secret contact with him.

He knew that Yang Hui's special MS was called Dawn Gundam, and that his three companions' Gundams were called Exia, Cherubim, and Deus. He also knew that the four MSs of the ZAFT Army were Freedom Gundam, Justice Gundam, Rebirth Gundam, and Covenant Gundam.

Now, only two of the three warships appeared, and one was missing. With such a huge difference in numbers, Yang Hui, Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria and others were nowhere to be seen, so...

"They want to go deep into the territory of PLANT alone!"

After figuring this out, Duane Halberton immediately issued a new order: "The 3rd and 4th fleets maintain their formation and retreat, and the 5th and 6th mobile fleets set sail immediately and meet them at coordinates G11!"

"Ah? Retreat?" Everyone was stunned again.

"That's right! Retreat, save your strength, and after the 5th and 6th fleets arrive, rush through their blockade in one go!"

"Got it... Got it."

"Also, seal all nuclear bombs and don't allow them to be used again."

"This! General! This won't work! Without nuclear bombs, how can we compete with ZAFT!?"

"Were we afraid before we didn't have nuclear bombs?"

"This..."

"Or do you plan to let the tragedy of [Julius 7] or Artemis happen again?"

"But, ZAFT has nuclear weapons..."

"Believe me, it can't fire a second shot." Duane Halbottom said firmly to everyone.

"... Got it!"

The reason why Duane Halbottom ordered the nuclear bombs to be sealed and not allowed to be used was that he had no good feelings towards nuclear weapons. It was okay to lift the ban, but it could only be used as a deterrent. Once used, it would be a disaster for all mankind; secondly, he already knew what Yang Hui was going to do, and he was betting that Yang Hui could successfully destroy Genesis.

This was also a last resort. The Earth Army Fleet's target was too big. It was impossible to sneak into PLANT to destroy Genesis secretly. To attack PLANT from the moon, the large fleet had to cross the double defense of Boyatz Fortress and Yakin Duwei, which was difficult to complete in time and the manpower was even tighter.

Therefore, Duan Halbottom decided to cooperate with Yang Hui's actions and organize the fleet to attack Boyatz Fortress. On the one hand, using Boyatz Fortress as a cover, the ZAFT army dared not launch Genesis at the main fleet; on the other hand, it would gain more opportunities for Yang Hui's actions and contain the garrison of Boyatz Fortress, and even part of Yakin Duwei's defense force.

After issuing the order, Duan Halbottom returned to the Menelaos, returned to his room, locked the door, took out the secret communicator and sent a message to the other party, informing him of his thoughts.

As for whether the other party could receive it or what they would do if they received it, he didn't know, but he had done everything he could. Next, it was up to man.

"I hope it's in time, Yang Hui, the earth...humanity...depends on you."