"Never thought we'd come back to this country."
On the bridge of the Archangel, Mu gazed at the offshore waters of Orb where he had once been before.
Last time, they had been chased by Coordinator pursuit forces until they were covered in dust and grime.
This time, however, the ship he was on was part of a massive fleet.
To put it bluntly, it even carried a somewhat aggressive aura.
"I'd rather go to space, honestly."
Seeing that no one on the bridge was paying him any attention, Mu started making conversation again.
"Can't be helped. The Atlantic Federation really found us a fine job."
This time, Wang Hu responded to Mu, though his tone and the content weren't exactly pleasant.
"Hahaha." Hearing this, Mu scratched his head, feeling extremely awkward.
The reason why the Archangel and the East Asian Alliance fleet appeared in Orb's offshore waters was, as Wang Hu had said, entirely due to the Atlantic Federation's mischief.
At the most recent Allied Forces meeting, the Atlantic Federation representative confidently produced a document, repeatedly claiming that the Coordinators, in an attempt to reverse their declining fortunes, were preparing to launch a new offensive.
The target was directly aimed at the three remaining Space Mass Drivers in the Earth Sphere.
The spaceports of the East Asian Alliance and the Atlantic Federation were certainly foolproof.
However, the launch site in Orb might not be so secure. Therefore, to protect this treasure belonging to all humanity for exploring outer space, and as the guardians of the Naturals in the Earth Sphere, to prevent Orb from being harassed by the Coordinators, the Allied Forces had both the necessity and the responsibility to shoulder the corresponding duty.
They needed to provide sufficient security forces!
It would be even better if they could pull Orb into the warm, big family of the Allied Forces!
Listen, just listen.
How grand the opinions expressed by the Atlantic Federation representative were.
They made themselves sound like saints.
But regardless of the fact that the Coordinators had suffered significant losses in troops, where would they get the forces to attack the three space launch sites in the Earth Sphere?
After all, the current situation in the Earth Sphere isn't like that in the original timeline.
In the original timeline, aside from the Atlantic Federation's Panama Space Launch Site, which hadn't fallen, the other East Asian launch site and the Eurasian Federation's Victoria Port were in the hands of the Coordinators.
In other words, as long as they captured or destroyed the Panama Spaceport, the main forces of the Allied Forces couldn't go to space.
But now...
The East Asian Alliance's spaceport is still there, and so is the Atlantic Federation's.
Setting Orb aside, unless the Coordinators have the ability to capture or destroy both of these launch sites, destroying one would be utterly useless.
But there's one question.
Do the Coordinators have the capability to do so?
Let's not mention the Atlantic Federation's site, as the East Asian Alliance can't easily comment on their affairs.
But the East Asian representative can confidently say that their own launch site is definitely foolproof.
After all, there's factual evidence: the Coordinators have attacked several times, suffering heavy losses and failing to capture it every time.
Given that, how could the Coordinators possibly attack Orb?
There's simply no motive or benefit!
Right then, the East Asian representative wanted to raise an objection. In his view, this was nothing but a trick played by the Atlantic Federation.
Before the unexpected rise of their own East Asian Alliance, the momentum of East Asia's ascent had already become unstoppable.
The Atlantic Federation wanted to leverage the Allied Forces' authority to pressure Orb, while simultaneously tarnishing East Asia's reputation.
They even went so far as to consider using fabricated intelligence to give Orb—a nation with longstanding ties to them—a face-saving exit.
After all, Orb had been loudly proclaiming neutrality, but now, seeing the shifting tides, they might be tempted to jump ship to the Atlantic Federation's camp.
The possibility of jointly suppressing East Asia couldn't be entirely ruled out.
Given the questionable composition of members in any nation's leadership...
This was an open secret worldwide, extending even to the very founding of that country, which had been heavily backed by the Atlantic Federation.
But just as the East Asian representative was about to voice opposition, an unexpected turn occurred: the Atlantic Federation's representative unusually proposed that the responsibility of protecting Orb or bringing them into the Allied Forces fold should be handled by East Asia. Their own primary task, they claimed, was to focus entirely on defending the Panama Spaceport, leaving them stretched too thin.
Caught off guard and burdened by historical baggage—especially with the Atlantic Federation accusing East Asia of refusing to rescue an ally in need, thus putting them in a tight spot—the East Asian representative reluctantly agreed. This led to the redeployment of Wang Hu's unit, originally scheduled for space duty, to Orb.
"So, what's the stance from your higher-ups?" Mu broke the silence on the Archangel's bridge, sidling up to Wang Hu to make conversation.
The friction between East Asia and Orb was practically common knowledge. From a Western perspective, Mu thought, if East Asia didn't take this chance to decisively settle old scores, it would almost disappoint the spectators waiting for the drama to unfold.
"Orb's Three Nos—you're aware of them, right?" Wang Hu glanced at the sly-looking Mu and asked.
"Three Nos?" Mu nodded repeatedly, indicating everyone knew that.
"Then do you know where Orb's 'Lion' stole those Three Nos from?" Wang Hu asked with a faint smile.
"From...?" This was beyond Mu's knowledge, leaving him stumped.
"Seems your education system is filled with too much biased content." Not interested in explaining further, Wang Hu watched the so-called Self-Defense Force vessels emerging from Orb's port, his eyes glinting coldly. With his intellect, he had more or less guessed what the Atlantic Federation was truly aiming for.
And it wasn't just Wang Hu; even the cabinet elders saw through it clearly. Yet they had come anyway, purely because even Buddha has a limit to his patience. If an opportunity arose, they might just do the unthinkable.
Meanwhile, as Orb dispatched battleships to greet the East Asian delegates, in Orb's central government headquarters, days had passed since East Asia—representing the Allied Forces—had sent formal notice, and the top leaders still hadn't reached a consensus.
"Representative Asuha, we can't delay any longer," a representative spoke up in the spacious, ornate conference hall.
"This time, it's East Asia representing the Allied Forces. We all know who they are."
"If we give them any pretext, then our Orb, Orb will—!"
His words trailed off, but those who understood knew exactly what he meant.
Had it not been for the Atlantic Federation back then, the East Asian Alliance would have had no qualms about wiping them out completely.
Over the years, Orb's rapid development had not been without the Atlantic Federation's influence behind the scenes.
In truth, the real purpose of keeping Orb around was precisely for this moment!
What's the use of keeping a dog if it doesn't guard the house?
Just for show?
But clearly, over the years—especially since Representative Asuha came to power—
Orb's progress had been undeniable. With growing strength, they had also developed their own ambitions.
They tried to play both sides, seeking things they had no right to touch.
"Representative Asuha, we should do what we are supposed to do."
Of course, after being nurtured by the Atlantic Federation for so long, there were still a few loyalists among them.
Many were willing to leap blindly into a pit of fire for their masters, even knowing full well what awaited them.
After all, if things fell apart, they could always pack up and flee to the Atlantic Federation, where they would still enjoy a privileged status.
Watching the same old debates play out over the past few days, the Orb Lion Asuha, seated at the head of the table, remained silent.
Fighting—in his heart, he had no desire for it.
As for peace—though his family now bore the name Asuha—
A name might be mistaken, but a nickname was never given wrongly.
The moniker "Orb Lion" had already revealed his stance: deep down, he aspired to elevate Orb to the status of a major power.
To completely break free from the shadow of the East Asian Alliance and shake off the Atlantic Federation's restraints.
This had likely been his lifelong ambition, and the policies he had pursued since taking office were all aimed at this goal.
Domestically, he vigorously developed Dawn Company, transforming it into the world's fifth most advanced military-industrial entity.
With the resources of a single nation, he built a Mass Driver and established several Colony Satellites in space.
Just look—within the Earth Sphere, aside from the three major powers, who else had such capability?
Internationally, by leveraging three stolen units to steadily build prestige and engaging in arms trade without any attached conditions,
Orb had quietly become the leader of the Third World. Given time, it might very well unite these forces,
eventually becoming a power capable of standing against the Allied Forces and PLANT as an equal.
"Representative Asuha."
For days, the supreme leader at the head of the table had remained silent, and the representatives of the major families were growing impatient.
Yes, Orb was under your leadership now, but don't forget—
We also have a stake in this nation. When times are good and profits flow, we support you.
But when trouble comes, you cannot simply avoid taking responsibility.
"I—"
Just as Asuha was about to deliver an eloquent speech to gloss over the current crisis—
to buy time, no matter what—even if the East Asian Alliance arrived, or even the so-called "dear fathers" of some present showed up,
Asuha, for the sake of his lifelong ambition, would never join the Allied Forces.
But before Asuha could speak, the conference room door was abruptly pushed open from outside.
"What's happening? Has the East Asian Army attacked?"
Some representatives immediately grew restless and asked. In Orb, hierarchy and decorum were always strictly observed.
For the attendants outside to disregard etiquette and rush in so urgently, in the eyes of many, could only mean the East Asian Alliance had made a bold move.
"Stay calm."
However, Representative Asuha at the head of the table absolutely refused to believe that the East Asian Army would take action at this moment.
They had always been known for their insistence on having a justifiable cause for military operations.
"Representative Asuha, and all representatives present,"
The coordinator who had rushed in gasped for breath as he spoke.
"The Coordinators have launched a surprise attack on the Panama Spaceport and the East Asian Spaceport!"
"What?" Upon hearing this, everyone at the meeting ro
se to their feet.
Where did the Coordinators get the troops from? Were they truly going all-in?
If they failed, how would they manage to survive in the future?
Attacking the Atlantic Federation might be somewhat understandable, but attacking the East Asian Alliance?
Where did they find the courage!
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