"Grandpa Yang Hui, how is Lu?" Kio asked anxiously.
"She's asleep, but she's not doing well."
"How... how could that be..." Kio's face turned pale, and Dean rushed over, grabbing Yang Hui's collar with a terrifyingly fierce expression.
"What's wrong with Lu? Did you do something to her!?"
"Calm down! Do you want to wake her up?"
Yang Hui twisted Dean's arm, pinning his hands behind his back and pressing him to the ground, reprimanding him in a low voice.
"You..."
"I may be a Federal Army soldier, but I would never lay a hand on a child. That girl's body has reached its limit. If we don't act immediately, she won't last more than a week."
"How could this be..."
Upon hearing this, Dean's eyes lost their color. His sister was everything to him. His parents had passed away when he was very young, and only his sister had been by his side. Now, his sister was about to be lost to illness, and his world was about to lose all its color.
"It can't be! Grandpa Yang Hui, are you sure you're not mistaken? I got a special medicine from Mr. Ezelcant, and it seemed... it seemed to be working!" Kio asked frantically.
"I don't know about that medicine, but I doubt it can cure her completely. Otherwise, the diseases caused by Martian radiation wouldn't have plagued VEGAN for so long. Besides... I'm a researcher. Although I'm not a medical professional, I know how to read data," Yang Hui explained.
"How could this be... Wait! There's still Mr. Ezelcant! I'll go beg him! He will definitely..."
"Stop right there!"
"Grandpa Yang Hui..."
"What identity are you going to beg him with? Don't forget who you are!"
"But... Lu just needs help. Why should identity matter..."
"Because your name is Kio Asuno! Your grandfather was the former Commander-in-Chief of the Earth Federal Army! Your father is the current Captain of the Celestial Being squadron!"
"This... it's just a name..."
"This is war, Kio. Have you ever wondered why Ezelcant has been so kind to you?"
"He... he wants me to be a bridge between VEGAN and Earth..."
"Bullshit! Since when does a bridge between two nations need a child? What qualifications do you, a clueless kid, have to bear such a responsibility? Do you think the Federation hasn't sent peace proposals to Ezelcant? Why has he always refused?"
"This..."
"If you go beg him now, he'll agree to all your requests. But nothing in this world comes without a price. One day, when he uses the favors he's done for you to demand something in return, will you agree or not!? I'm telling you, Kio, if you agree to Ezelcant's demands, you'll be a traitor to the Federation! A traitor to Earth! Not only will you be a traitor, but you'll also implicate your parents, your aunt, your grandparents! You'll implicate the entire Asuno family!"
"I'm not! I just want to help Lu! I just... I just don't want to see both sides keep fighting... VEGAN are people too! They're not demons!"
"That's right! VEGAN are people, but so what?"
"Grandpa Yang Hui..."
"I've told you, Kio, this is war, not some savior game you fantasize about. There are no saviors in war, nor is there right or wrong—only killing and being killed! If you don't even have this resolve, why are you piloting a Gundam to fight?"
"I... I..."
"Kio, forget it..."
The argument between them continued, touching on Kio's identity, the truth of the war, and more. But Dean didn't care about any of that. All he cared about was his sister.
Moreover... Dean, who had shouldered the burden of his family since childhood, possessed a maturity that Kio lacked. He understood what Yang Hui was saying. Kio had gone to Ezelcant to ask for help for Lu, but Ezelcant had instead demanded that Kio do something against his will. What should he do?
As a brother, of course, he would do everything in his power to save his sister's life. But as a friend, he didn't want Kio to be caught in a dilemma because of them, or even to take the wrong path.
"Dean..."
"Forget it. This old man is right. You... don't become a traitor for our sake. It's not worth it."
"But... but you're my friends..."
"That's right, friends. So don't let us owe you any more."
"But..."
"No more 'buts'! Kio! You're a Federation pilot! You're an Earthling! And we... are VEGAN..."
Kio fell silent, unsure how to express the anxiety and frustration in his heart. He wanted to refute Yang Hui, but he couldn't find the words. Nothing came out.
Especially when Yang Hui mentioned that he would become a traitor—it was like a heavy hammer smashing his thoughts to pieces.
"Grandpa Yang Hui..." Knowing he couldn't refute and feeling powerless, Kio looked at Yang Hui with tearful eyes. This was his last hope. "...Please, please save Lu, okay? If you can save her, I'll agree to anything. Wuwuwu..."
"...Sigh." Seeing Kio cry, Yang Hui sighed and patted his head.
"I can't cure her illness..."
Hearing this, both Kio and Dean lowered their heads, tears streaming even more fiercely.
"...But I can keep her alive for now."
"Really?" The two looked up in surprise, a glimmer of hope breaking through the despair.
"Yes, the most advanced medical pod can keep her alive. But until we find a complete cure, she'll have to remain in a deep sleep. And..."
As he spoke, Yang Hui looked at Dean.
"...She'll have to come with us."
"This..." Dean was stunned, his expression turning complex. He harbored no hatred for the Earth Federation and even yearned for Earth. But... he was also a member of VEGAN.
Just as Yang Hui had admonished Kio earlier, if he agreed, he would be a traitor to VEGAN.
Yang Hui didn't rush him, waiting for his answer.
Dean's fists clenched and unclenched. In the end, between his identity and his sister's life, he chose the latter.
"I'm willing to go with you, but you must promise to cure Lu."
"...Alright, I promise."
Although Yang Hui wasn't a medical professional and didn't know how to cure diseases, he dared to make this promise because, in the original story, the illness caused by the Martian radiation was eventually overcome. Even if he couldn't do it, someone else would.
"Great!" Kio was overjoyed. He had been worried that Dean might refuse, but not only did Dean agree, both Dean and Lu's wishes were fulfilled. He didn't have to part with his friends either, making it a happy outcome for everyone.
"Alright, let's pack up and leave immediately."
"Okay."
"I'll go..."
"Stay right here!" Seeing Kio about to foolishly go bid farewell to Ezelcant, Yang Hui pulled him back.
"But..." Even though Yang Hui scolded him, Kio still felt he should say goodbye and thank Ezelcant for his care during this time.
"No buts! If Ezelcant finds out, not only will you not be able to leave, but I'll also die here, and their siblings will lose their last hope!"
"How could... Mr. Ezelcant wouldn't..."
"You're still young and can't see people's true nature. The adult world isn't that simple."
"..."
"Beep beep..."
At that moment, the PAD rang. Seeing it was Graham's call, Yang Hui answered directly.
"It's me. How's the situation?"
"We've reclaimed the Gundam AGE-3. How about your side?"
"Found Kio. We'll join you soon."
"Understood."
After hanging up, Yang Hui dialed Yurin's number.
"This is Yurin, go ahead."
"We're done here. Prepare for extraction."
"Understood."
After ending the call, Kio asked Yang Hui, "Grandpa Graham and Grandma Yurin are here too?"
"Yes, and your father. So... stop fooling around. Your every move affects all our lives." Yang Hui earnestly advised, hoping Kio wouldn't act recklessly anymore.
"Oh, I see..."
Just then, Dean came out of the room carrying Lu on his back. Their family was poor, so there wasn't much they needed to take. If anything, it was only Lu's favorite diary.
"Ready?"
"Yes." Dean nodded.
"Follow me."
With the three children in tow, Yang Hui found a hidden route on the map. They didn't encounter anyone along the way and reached the designated meeting point.
"Yang Hui! Kio!" Here, Yurin, piloting the Luna Gundam, greeted them. She was momentarily surprised upon seeing Dean and Lu. "Who are they?"
"Guests. This child is in poor condition. Take them back first and get her into the medical pod. I'll take Kio to receive the Gundam AGE-3."
"Alright."
Dean was startled by Yurin. He hadn't expected such a kind and gentle old lady to also be an MS pilot. But he understood the urgency of the situation and kept his questions to himself, waiting until Lu was safe, until they were all safe, to ask.
Meanwhile, Yang Hui took Kio to the hangar area, where Graham and Asemu were waiting for them.
"Finally, you're here. Any later and we would've been discovered," Graham joked.
"Kio, are you okay?" Asemu hugged Kio, checking him over for any injuries.
"Dad, I'm fine."
"That's good."
"Alright, let's board quickly. We need to evacuate," Graham reminded them. This wasn't the time for father-son sentimentality. Although they had knocked out all the VEGAN personnel in the vicinity, staying too long would inevitably lead to discovery, making a safe retreat much more difficult.
"Got it."
Kio boarded the Gundam AGE-3 but didn't start it immediately. He needed to wait for Yang Hui and the other two to safely return to the transport ship and pilot their own mobile suits to provide backup.
...
Upon returning to the transport ship, Yang Hui and the other two immediately boarded and ordered the ship to depart first, heading to the designated location to await their return.
"Master, do you really think this will fool the VEGAN forces?" the captain asked with concern.
"Absolutely. Just follow my instructions."
"Understood."
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/TLGod
Thanks!