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He appeared as a colonel in Unicorn and as a lieutenant during the One Year War.

Chapter 115: The Vanishing Life

"Unauthorized use of an immature mobile suit system and unauthorized bringing of unrelated personnel onto a classified mobile suit—our military police will pursue all of Lieutenant Leonard Jermey's crimes. However, we regret that, given the current morale and fighting spirit of the Federation, this cannot be fully disclosed. We also ask Lieutenant Gao Ren not to spread this information."

…………

Ultimately, the entire course of events has become very clear:

According to the impartial investigation by the Earth Federation Military Police, the commander of the Black Dog Squad, Leonard Jermey, was driven by greed and used private channels to add a prototype aircraft that should have been scrapped and destroyed to the squad and to find an unregistered pilot, which 'almost' caused a tragedy.

Just like a few months ago, including 'General Reibir's orders' and 'Judak being shot by a psychopath,' the federal government's answer was the final result.

Even if it looks so rough, even if you can tell at a glance that it's some people at the top shirking their responsibilities.

"But there's no way to investigate further now."

Shirley glanced at the report on the coffee table and simply yawned.

"But that's normal. The Federation has always been like this. Compared to the truth, they need an answer that meets their interests."

"In other words, we can also infer the number of people involved and their status from this answer."

Then, that carefree attitude disappeared from the woman's face.

"But speculation is just speculation. Since the Federation Army ultimately chose this explanation, it means there is no evidence pointing to them."

Body?

The origin of the machine itself has been revealed, and even the logistics routes and the machine's origins are crystal clear.

Pilot?

The pilot had no official registration whatsoever, and since he had already died from overexertion, no one knew his identity, let alone where he came from.

He should have just been an ordinary child in an orphanage, or perhaps a pitiful person who lost his family in this war, but now all of that has become an unknown.

The child completely trapped in EXAM Jim vanished like dust scattered in the air, leaving no place to begin even if one wanted to erect a grave for him, write a prayer, or simply burn some offerings.

"However, the military policeman named Markel didn't seem to have completely ruled out the possibility. The report he presented didn't reveal the young pilot's specific identity, which could be considered as the Federation Army leaving itself a way out."

"And then when things really can't be suppressed anymore, they just keep throwing out the next layer of scapegoats?"

"Well, there's no other way. If you can't find them all, you can only do it step by step like this."

Facing the cold wind that swept over her, unique to the large underground cavern, Shirley simply leaned against the sports car that had its autopilot function activated.

Along the highway leading directly to Gabriela, the almost unchanging scenery of the underground lake was reflected in her eyes:

"Actually, if you don't care so much, you can live a very easy life... After all, people can only live for a few decades in this world, and sometimes you just drift through life in a daze."

"But Shirley, do you really like that kind of lifestyle?"

"...None of your business."

Faced with the boy's pointed question, Shirley couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Slender fingers roamed over that youthful face, then pinched his cheek:

"I don't need you to worry about me."

But no matter how much she pulled, the boy didn't cry out in pain.

On the contrary, those eyes just stared at her, and their calmness made her feel uneasy.

"What are you doing? It's better for a child to act like a child."

After gently poking Gao Ren's cheek with her finger, Shirley's lips curled into a smile:

Cheer up, you're going back to your 'alma mater' soon.

Under that smiling gaze, Gao Ren finally turned his gaze straight ahead.

After completely leaving the highway above the underground lake, a huge military academy with a considerable area came into view—the Gabro Higher Military Academy.

"Cheer up, aren't we here to visit our old classmates?"

"...Yes, I came back to see them."

…………

Visiting relatives and friends – this should be a perfectly normal thing to do during holidays.

With war raging and travel becoming a luxury, it seems to be the only option, whether for relaxation or simply to change the environment.

Ironically, Gao Ren can't even visit his relatives now, and his family members even won the runner-up title in the Sydney Diving Competition.

As for why they were called runners-up, it's because they were eventually salvaged; the real champions are still underwater in Sydney.

So, only these people are left.

Or rather... these 'animals':

"Hey, our 'hero' is back!"

With the exaggerated tone of a certain 'young master,' Gao Ren felt that the emotions he had been cultivating were completely shattered.

“Io—”

"Haha, it's been a long time! But we've always seen you active here. The higher-ups even want to include you in textbooks as a teaching model for MS. Want to take a look?"

"Let's forget about this. I just came to see you all—"

Gao Ren casually handed him the bulk-purchased gifts and shrugged.

"However, that's what I said, but things might not be quite what I initially thought."

At this point, he turned his gaze to Io's back.

With his shout, many people in the theory classroom turned to look, and a quick glance revealed that most of them were unfamiliar faces:

"Really? Have most people already taken up their posts?"

"Yes, Captain Baninger and his team were originally from the Space Force, so they took Monsha and the new batch of Jims directly to space. Yong and the others are in the same team as you."

"how about you?"

"Me? Our fellow group's MS still needs some modifications. Until those modifications are completed, I'll stay here and act as an instructor with Matt and the others."

Although it may seem like they're just taking it easy, the training course itself only lasts for one quarter, and June is their 'graduation season'.

"Instructor Camp and the others have already returned to space, and our 'senior Christina' has also been recalled by the G4 unit, so the higher-ups have us 'graduates' continue to mentor the new recruits."

"But you don't look like you're in class."

At this point, Gao Ren couldn't help but look around the classroom—not only were they decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but various desks were also put together to form a large dining table, on which there were not only drinks but also various foods that were obviously brought from the cafeteria.

"Another party?"

"Yeah, after all, Matt is about to take up his new post."

Without a trace of shame, Io stood tall and proud:

"This time is different from yours, because the transfer order arrived two days ago, so we have plenty of time to prepare!"

Of course, Io's shamelessness doesn't mean that everyone else is like him.

When he was called out, Matt Healy covered his face.

"Trust me, I stopped him."

"...It's nothing much."

Since they can cause trouble here, it means they must have already received approval.

As for the rest...

Where is Matt going?

"It's the MS special forces—Delta Team."

“Isn’t that Albert’s team? Perfect, could you take these gifts over for me while you’re at it?”

Gao Ren casually pulled two gift boxes out of the bag:

"I woke up and we were already out of Africa; I didn't even have a chance to see him—"

But as he finished speaking, the echoing silence made his voice froze.

Gradually, a sense of unease began to surface in his heart:

"What's wrong?"

After exchanging a glance, Io took a step back, while Matt pursed his lips:

"I'm going to Delta to take over Lieutenant Albert's duties; he's no longer with Delta."

"...Did you get promoted?"

Without saying a word, Matt simply pointed upwards.

To be honest, in the Universal Century, this has become synonymous with heading to space, but another meaning has never faded away.

In the military, it's said like this:

"A promotion of two ranks, right here on the battlefield in Syria."

Epilogue: Change

"Very good, let the 'heroes' see your skills!"

On the military academy's dedicated training and testing grounds, several distinctively federal-style sunglasses-equipped drones were operating—though, of course, they were unlikely to be Jims.

Because the final production drawings for the machine designated RGM-79 were still not completed, and the modified and altered models from various factories had almost no overall applicability.

Furthermore, the so-called training machines are not worth setting up a separate production line for. What appears here must be the kind of cheap gadgets with a large stock of common parts, and which will not be scrapped by bumps or knocks.

Zaku from Zeon—or rather, Zani.

Those sunglasses-wearing mobile suits, a mix of old-fashioned and conventional Zaku, were arranged in standard groups of three, just like humans wielding various weapons and using paintballs as ammunition for training exercises.

"So, are you feeling a little nostalgic?"

Just as Gao Ren was staring blankly at the mechs on the screen, he felt someone pat him on the shoulder.

When I turned around, I saw Io grinning from ear to ear:

"We were in the same situation back then. The theory of the three-three system had only just come out, and we still had to verify the feasibility of those formations."

"Right, me, you, and... Albert?"

"No, Albert has always been in a group with Captain Barninger and his team. He has never been in a group with us, and he has never actually been our opponent."

Is that right?

When Io responded calmly, Gao Ren's expression turned strange.

The chaos he witnessed made Io shake his head.

"Are you still thinking about Albert?"

"Well, after all, I came back this time to visit you all... What do you think, Io?"

"Of course I didn't have any thoughts about it, after all, I'm not that familiar with him."

For a moment, Gao Ren didn't know how to respond.

Should we say that Io is more realistic?

Or is it that he is more temperamental?

"After all, we were only classmates for two or three months, and we didn't really communicate much during most of that time."

"But he also came when you were having a party."

"That's normal. After all, it's just a way to relax under the guise of saying goodbye. Everyone except those who have conflicts with you should be there... Oh right, Meng Xia didn't come either."

"Hmm? Meng Xia didn't come?"

"Yes, he was accidentally injured in the brawl. Someone kicked his little brother and he lay in the infirmary for a long time."