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

Chapter 27: The Banquet (Part 2)

"This... is also delicious!"

Amada Shiro had several plates of food in front of him and was devouring them with gusto.

Unlike the banquet on the Zeon side, which felt more like a family dinner, the welcome banquet hosted by Colonel Ethan resembled more of a networking event.

The bridge crew and MS team of the White Base were invited, along with the captain and vice-captain of Squad 86.

After all, in name, this banquet also served as a rallying event for the Apsaras suppression campaign.

"Shiro, watch your manners," Eli said, looking helplessly at Amada Shiro, who was thoroughly enjoying his meal. But seeing Shiro's head buried in his food, Eli realized it was a futile effort to pull him back.

Fortunately, the stereotype of MS pilots being rough and unrefined worked in their favor.

Next to Shiro, White Base members Ryu Jose, Kai Shiden, and Hayato Kobayashi were also eating in ways that couldn't exactly be called graceful.

Given the White Base's meager supply lines, just having enough to meet basic food needs was already fortunate—enjoying gourmet meals was out of the question.

Eli sighed and decided to look elsewhere.

Amuro, as expected, was also eating.

Unfortunately, he couldn't fully enjoy his meal as he was stuck conversing with Ethan, under Bright's direction.

A little farther away, Fraw Bow stood anxiously, watching Amuro while holding a piece of bread she hadn't taken a bite from in a long time.

Meanwhile, Mirai Yashima and Sayla Mass were elegantly savoring the delicacies before them.

Looking at the two girls and then back at his fellow pilots, Eli sighed deeply once again.

But it was understandable—those two were bona fide young ladies of privilege.

"Lieutenant Eli, could you come over for a moment?"

Ethan called out to Eli from the other side.

After taking a look at the situation, Eli put down his utensils, picked up a nearby wine glass, and tried to exude respect as he walked over.

Approaching Ethan, Eli raised his glass in greeting. After receiving a nod in return, he took a sip.

"Although you've already met, I'd like to introduce you again. This is our ace from the Southeast Asia base. In just three months of MS piloting, he has achieved 28 kills. He'll be in charge of operations against Apsaras. I hope you'll collaborate closely to eliminate that flying monstrosity."

With a warm smile, Ethan patted Eli on the shoulder and signaled for him to make a gesture.

Eli had no choice but to raise his glass again, signaling to Bright and Amuro before downing his drink in one go.

Throughout the process, Eli couldn't help but glance at Bright, who also smiled and drank, noticing just how young he looked.

Though Ethan had only spoken a single sentence, it placed Eli, representing the Southeast Asia base, in a leading role in the Apsaras(Apsalus) hunting mission.

Even though Eli and Bright held the same rank of lieutenant, Bright, as captain of the White Base, logically should have had more autonomy and command authority.

If the Apsaras were successfully captured, Ethan could use the achievement to boost his own career.

Sure enough, compared to this young captain, Ethan had a long way to go before reaching the caliber of Commander Londo Bell, who later dared to launch a surprise attack on Cheyenne Base.

"Captain Bright, I look forward to our collaboration. You too, Amuro."

Eli maintained a gentle smile, not pointing out Ethan's ulterior motives.

"Lieutenant Eli, why don't you show Ensign Amuro around? As pilots, it's good to get to know each other. Besides, the ensign is still a child and might not enjoy these kinds of conversations," Ethan said, clearly satisfied with the result as he dismissed Eli. Ethan then turned his attention back to Bright, hoping to make an impression and perhaps gather some intelligence.

Amuro let out a visible sigh of relief and walked over to Fraw Bow. Taking the drink she handed him, he downed it in one gulp.

"Feeling nervous?" Eli teased, following Amuro over and noticing his expression.

"I hate those kinds of conversations," Amuro muttered, wiping his mouth and glancing at Ethan.

"In just one sentence, he's plotting so much. Are all adults' conversations this complicated?"

Despite not having fully awakened to his Newtype abilities, the perceptive Amuro still displayed an acute sensitivity beyond ordinary people.

In this sense, Amuro might even be better suited for social diplomacy than Bright.

"Age doesn't always define complexity. Even children have their own intricate thoughts, don't they?"

Eli looked at Amuro, who still tended to bottle up his feelings, and smiled. He cut a piece of steak from his plate and placed it in front of Amuro.

"Enjoy the banquet while you can."

"What a lavish affair. Isn't the Federation supposed to be suffering from resource shortages?" Amuro grumbled, poking the steak with his fork without taking a bite.

Eli lifted his gaze and surveyed the grand hall.

In Southeast Asia, such an opulently decorated hall was indeed striking.

"...This is the sin of adults, Amuro," Eli said without elaborating, shifting his gaze toward Ethan, just as Amuro had done earlier.

It was a disheartening sight—people like Ethan, who represented the Federation's backbone, were solely focused on climbing the ladder.

This was why Eli wanted to leave the army and escape this quagmire.

But considering the constant rebellions over the next seventeen years, Eli felt even more inclined to flee far away.

Perhaps he should follow Zhu Zong's example and head to Mars?

Eli casually handed a sliced orange to Amuro.

Watching their interaction, Fraw Bow puffed up her cheeks in frustration, feeling as though her role was being replaced.

---

"Hey! Captain, leaving us behind while you enjoy the feast is so unfair!"

When Eli returned to the Squad 86 warehouse at the field base, two figures—one tall, one short—stood against the light in front of the entrance.

It was obvious they were Eledore and Michel, who had been left at the base because hover trucks weren't needed for their earlier sea mission.

"Don't overthink it; I brought something good for you," Eli replied, pointing to Amada Shiro, who was walking over with two plastic bags from the jeep.

"Yay!"

Eledore and Michel eagerly took the bags from Shiro and peeked inside.

Eledore's bag was filled with food, while Michel's contained the real prize.

"Alcohol? Eli, you really know how to treat us!"

Hearing Eledore drop the formal "Captain" and return to using his name, Eli knew the man's small grudge had vanished.

"Don't drink too much. We're setting out tomorrow."

"Already?"

Eledore had just grabbed a half-empty bottle of alcohol but could only wail in dismay as Captain Nika suddenly appeared out of nowhere and snatched it from him.