The Second Moon had come into view of the transport ship. Once again arriving at the familiar Second Moon, Yang Hui, Graham, and Yurin were filled with mixed emotions. This was the place where they had experienced the only mission in their careers that ended in a hasty retreat.
Especially for Graham and Yurin, they had never imagined they would return to the Second Moon, let alone through an infiltration mission.
Carefully avoiding VEGAN's detection systems and patrol units, they landed at an abandoned port.
"I, Graham, and Asemu will infiltrate the interior of the Second Moon. Yurin, you stay here with Gerard and Rena."
"Understood."
Everyone nodded. Yang Hui, along with Asemu and Graham, met with an inside contact who handed them a detailed map of the Second Moon.
Seeing the map, Yang Hui frowned slightly and asked, "How did you manage to obtain such a detailed map?"
The people planted within VEGAN were not in high-ranking positions, nor did they hold any significant roles. With such inconspicuous identities, how could they have obtained such a detailed map?
"Coincidentally, VEGAN captured a Gundam and its pilot. The pilot was just a child. Ezelcant not only didn't harm him but treated him well, even granting him considerable freedom. However, considering the child's unfamiliarity with the environment, I was assigned as his guide. It was through this opportunity that I managed to obtain such a detailed map.
The research and production areas are restricted zones, and I couldn't enter them. But one of our comrades spent three years working as a janitor there and thoroughly mapped out the entire research area. However, the X-Rounder research institute you mentioned is off-limits. Not even a fly can get in there," the spy calmly explained.
Those selected to be sent into VEGAN as spies were clever and cunning individuals. Otherwise, they wouldn't have survived in enemy territory for so long without being discovered. They also maintained their composure, immediately sensing a hint of distrust and concern in Yang Hui's questioning.
This was understandable, given their low status and the fact that their comrades hadn't penetrated the enemy's core. Naturally, it seemed impossible to obtain such a detailed map.
Given Yang Hui's personality, he would inevitably consider the possibility of betrayal—whether this map was bait to lure them into a trap.
However, those sent into VEGAN were familiar with Yang Hui. He would never let any traitor go unpunished, but he would also never wrong an innocent person. As long as they conducted themselves with integrity, there was no need to fear.
"I see... You've done well. Can you contact the others?"
"Yes, I can."
"Don't go back. Wait on the transport ship. Once the rescue is successful, return to Earth with us. Inform the others that their undercover mission is over. Withdraw as soon as possible."
"It's over, huh? Honestly, I never thought I'd see the day I'd return home," the spy sighed. Before setting out, everyone had written their wills, prepared to die in a foreign land.
Perhaps some had initially dreamed of accomplishing great feats and returning to Earth to live a life of luxury.
But since they arrived at VEGAN, all contact from above had been severed. The despair of being abandoned gradually consumed their hope.
No one could have imagined that after extreme adversity comes prosperity, and the once faint hope had become a reality.
"Don't worry, I have never forgotten you. It was for your safety that I cut off all contact. If it weren't for your efforts, we wouldn't have been able to enter the Second Moon so smoothly."
"Thank you, and I wish you success."
"Don't worry."
The spy boarded the ship, looked at the map, and Yang Hui began to assign tasks.
"Graham, Asemu, head to the Hangar, find the Gundam AGE-3, and wait for me and Kio."
"No problem."
After copying the map into a PAD, the three changed their clothes and split up. Yang Hui entered the city to start searching for Kio.
Finding a child in such a large city was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but the spy had prepared everything for him, including Kio's usual activity patterns.
From what he knew, Kio's activity patterns were quite monotonous, generally staying at Ezelcant's residence, and only going out to meet his new friends.
Yang Hui put away the map and headed towards the home of Rue and Deen marked on the map. Entering Ezelcant's residence was impossible for him, so he could only hope that Kio wasn't staying there at this time.
Sure enough, just as he arrived at the target location, he saw three children leaving their home to play. Seeing the lively and cheerful state of the little girl, Yang Hui matched the timeline; this was the point when Kio had obtained the special medicine for Rue, stabilizing her condition.
"Hmm... this is a bit troublesome..."
Yang Hui wasn't worried about Rue and Deen; the two children posed no threat to him. What he found tricky was that Rue was not dead yet but was on the verge of death. Given Kio's personality, he would definitely ask him to save her, and might even stubbornly interfere with the rescue operation.
Taking the two children away wasn't a big problem, but the issue was that he currently had no way to treat Martian diseases, so...
"Let's follow them first."
Putting the problem aside, Yang Hui quietly followed the three, not immediately meeting Kio. They were still in a crowded area, and it wasn't suitable to expose himself.
Yang Hui followed them all the way to a high platform overlooking the scenery. After confirming there were no surveillance personnel around, he finally met Kio.
"Found you, Kio."
"Who is it?" Deen shielded Rue behind him, a bit scared of the sudden stranger.
"Grandpa Yang Hui!"
Kio was shocked, never expecting to see his relative in VEGAN.
"Grandpa?" The siblings looked at Kio.
"Yes." Kio nodded, happily running up to Yang Hui and asking, "Grandpa Yang Hui, why are you here?"
"Of course, to rescue you. Come with me."
"Wait, I can't leave now!" Seeing Yang Hui reach out to grab him, Kio instinctively dodged and stepped back.
"You don't want to leave?" Yang Hui knew the reason Kio didn't want to leave but still asked with a stern face, "Give me a reason."
Kio knew Yang Hui was angry. He was happy that Yang Hui had risked coming to the enemy's stronghold to rescue him, but he... felt he couldn't just leave like this.
"Grandpa Yang Hui, during my days living in VEGAN, I've met many people. They... they aren't as you described. They... they are flesh-and-blood humans, and... and Mr. Ezelcant has taken good care of me, never harming me. I think... even if I have to leave... I should..."
"Did you tell him you're leaving, or did I come to pick you up?"
To be honest, Yang Hui understood Kio's feelings. After all, he was still an innocent child. Being in a foreign land, he had expected to live a miserable life, but instead, he had thrived, made new friends, and felt both moved and grateful.
But... Yang Hui almost couldn't resist slapping him.
"Yes... yes..."
"Do you think he'll let you go?"
"He... he will, right? I don't think Mr. Ezelcant is a bad person. He just... he just has things he must do, that's why... that's why... If we talk it out properly, he'll understand, and he'll understand you too, Grandpa Yang Hui..."
"...Nonsense!"
"Grandpa Yang Hui!"
"This isn't the place to talk." Although this area was remote, it was still a public space. If someone recognized Yang Hui, he would be in real danger, so they needed to move to a safer location.
And so...
"Child, may I have the honor of visiting your home?" Yang Hui's angry expression faded as he kindly asked Dean and Lu.
Although Yang Hui's tone was gentle, it didn't erase the fear from earlier. Dean didn't respond, shielding Lu as he stepped back, but Lu softly agreed to Yang Hui's request.
"O... okay, welcome to our home, Grandpa."
"Lu!"
"It's fine, Dean. I can feel that this Grandpa isn't a bad person."
"But..."
"It's alright, Dean. Since he's Kio's grandpa, I trust him."
"...Alright."
Unable to argue with his sister, Dean reluctantly agreed, but his gaze remained full of vigilance. If Yang Hui tried to harm Lu, he would immediately rush to protect her at all costs.
Yang Hui didn't mind Dean's wariness. It was understandable for a child. However, Lu's behavior caught his attention. Previously, he had only known her as a brief character from the anime—a pure, kind, and strong little girl who easily won people's affection.
But meeting her in person, Yang Hui saw a trace of Yurin's younger self in her, though Lu had endured more hardships and was even stronger than Yurin had been.
Yang Hui followed the three of them to Dean and Lu's home. Just as he remembered, as soon as they arrived, Lu weakly collapsed to the ground. She had enjoyed herself today, but it had drained her energy completely.
"Lu!"
"Are you okay?"
Dean and Kio immediately supported Lu, their voices filled with concern.
"I... I'm fine... just a little tired..." Lu forced a smile to ease their tension and worry.
"Child, go rest for a while. You've had a long day," Yang Hui suggested.
"Mmm... th... thank you, Grandpa. But I don't want to sleep yet... because... because I still want to ask you about Earth..."
"It's okay. When you wake up, Grandpa will tell you all about Earth, alright?"
"Mmm... okay, it's a promise then." Lu extended her slender little finger.
Yang Hui was momentarily stunned, then smiled gently and hooked his little finger with hers.
"Pinky promise, a hundred years no changing, whoever breaks it is a little puppy."
"Mmm, hehe, I knew Grandpa was a good person..."
After sealing the promise, Yang Hui picked up Lu and placed her on the bed, tucking her in and attaching the body monitoring device. But when he saw the device's feedback, his smile faded.
(End of Chapter)