Avalon and Mahalig on the Pandor Continent were separated by roughly 220 degrees of longitude.
Consequently, there was a 14.7-hour time difference between them.
At noon local time, the Operations Headquarters for the raid on the Revolutionary Party headquarters was relocated to Mahalig.
Serving as the Operations Headquarters Director was Northernon Quetos, leader of the Pandor Continent Squad. His adjutant, naturally, was Squad Vice-Captain Yumis Isle.
Deus Ex Machina attended as staff officer and advisor.
Simone was present as the Honorary Inspector General.
As a side note, an Inspector General—sometimes referred to as a military overseer—was an official tasked with supervising military affairs. In certain contexts, the term could also refer to a strategist.
Because Simone was serving as proxy for Chief Administrator Tomax Bartman, she had stepped into this role.
In addition, Elsa was stationed in Mahalig to provide medical backup. Arma 19 and 20, golems under Maquina's command, were assigned as her personal guards.
Of course, when it came to Elsa's safety, Laojun was already keeping close watch over her from Hourai Island via the Peeper.
"We will launch the surprise attack in two hours," Northernon Quetos declared.
"Mm," Deus Ex Machina nodded tersely.
"The operational procedure is as follows," Yumis Isle began. "First, at exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, we will irradiate the target area with the Weckener at maximum output."
This would free the farmers from their brainwashing.
"Since they will almost certainly all collapse, we would like Lord Maquina's forces... the Arma squad, to recover them."
Maquina nodded, posing a single question in return.
"That is entirely feasible, and I agree to it. However, are you certain? It will delay their involvement in suppressing the enemy."
"Yes. The primary objective of this operation is the rescue of the villagers believed to have been enslaved."
"Understood. We shall endeavor to complete the rescue as quickly as possible and return to the front line."
"We are counting on you."
Yumis Isle then continued her briefing.
"Given the Weckener's function, we anticipate that a portion of the Revolutionary Party members will also regain their senses. That will inevitably throw their ranks into confusion, so we intend to seize that opening to neutralize the bandits."
"Let us entrust the Weckener to Rei. That should allow for multiple irradiations."
"Ah, regarding that..."
Elsa raised her hand to interject.
"If it is fired at maximum output repeatedly, it will place a heavy strain on the magi-circuits and risk burning them out. Please limit its use to three times at most."
This was the inevitable compromise of crafting the device from standard-grade materials.
"Understood."
"We still do not know how many golems the bandits have at their disposal. That remains the primary unknown variable of this operation."
They would have preferred more time to prepare, but with the enslaved villagers' lives on the line, they could not afford to drag their feet.
"For that very reason, I shall see to it that my forces rejoin the front as swiftly as possible."
"Please do....On our side, we have prepared ten golems for this mission."
Hearing that, Maquina offered a suggestion.
"In that case, why not have the Aristotle on standby nearby and transport the rescued villagers aboard? It would be convenient whether for administering treatment or keeping them well clear of the danger zone."
"That sounds wonderful. However, there is one issue," Yumis Isle replied regretfully. "With only two hours left, even the Aristotle could not make the trip from Avalon in time."
"Ah..."
Covering a distance of 4,000 kilometers was impossible unless the craft could maintain speeds exceeding 2,000 kilometers per hour.
The fact that the Aristotle was capable of supersonic flight remained, for the time being, a closely guarded secret.
The same held true for the Konron 2, which Elsa had taken.
Just then, a ray of hope arrived.
"Pardon the interruption during your meeting."
A messenger stepped into the room to announce Jin's arrival.
"I see. So you're making your move to suppress them today."
On that same day—May 8th—Jin was still in Mahalig.
Having learned that the Revolutionary Party's headquarters lay west of the city, he had lingered in the area thinking he might be able to lend a hand.
Upon hearing that an Operations Headquarters had been set up to raid the facility, and that Maquina and Elsa were also present, he had decided to drop by.
Kachea, for the record, was resting back at the inn.
"Jin, I am glad you could make it."
Maquina stood from his chair to welcome him.
"Your Hurricane is here in Mahalig, is it not?"
"Yeah, it is."
Naturally, the magi-brain Mentor piloting Deus Ex Machina already knew this, but he made a point of asking aloud to confirm it in front of the others.
"Splendid."
Maquina turned back toward the assembly.
"We have Jin's Hurricane at our disposal. We can have it hold position in the sky until the operation commences, descend at the appointed time, and deploy my Arma units."
"Oh!"
Northernon Quetos let out an appreciative cheer.
"Then the rescued villagers can be brought aboard immediately as well!"
"Precisely."
Maquina then briefed Jin on the operation.
"Right, got it."
In truth, Jin already knew the broad strokes after hearing them from Laojun, but he played along, feigning as though he were hearing the details for the first time.
"Let's have Reiko provide backup too."
"Oh, that is exceedingly reassuring."
At Jin's offer, Maquina put on an appropriate show of delight.
With this development, the plan was revised so that medical care and nursing for the rescued villagers would take place entirely aboard the Hurricane.
Naturally, Elsa would remain on standby there as well. Thanks to that arrangement, Arma 19 and 20 could be freed up to participate in the assault.
Furthermore, with the Hurricane's medical facilities and Elsa present, the villagers' well-being was guaranteed, allowing the field medics to focus entirely on supporting the suppression force.
"With Jin's cooperation, this operation is certain to succeed."
At Maquina's words, the faces of everyone in the room visibly brightened.
Of course, what they were counting on was the participation of the Hurricane, not Reiko entering the fray.
Or rather, aside from Elsa, only Maquina and Simone truly grasped what Reiko providing "backup" actually entailed.
Following the briefing, Jin spoke privately with Elsa aboard the Hurricane.
"Sorry for leaving everything on your shoulders."
"No, it was actually pretty fun."
"I'm relieved to hear you say that....The Weckener and the anti-brainwashing hats turned out great, didn't they?"
"Mm. Rai-nii and Saki-nee worked really hard on them too."
"I'll have to make sure to thank them once we get back."
Exchanging quiet remarks like that, the remaining time slipped peacefully away.