In the base in Panama, his Red Uniform Squad was currently piloting a GAT-X along with two Shikushis and two GINNs, banding together to face the aerial assault from the Raider Striker.
Under Lin's command, the team was organized and disciplined, showing no signs of giving up despite the setbacks in battle.
As for these assaults, He Kui's Beam Rifle continued to fire at the Mobile Suits.
"Power remaining at 56%."
With no time to mourn for fallen comrades, Ailina spoke urgently.
"That's enough."
As soon as He Kui finished speaking, Lin, recognizing the signal from the identification code, asked in surprise, "Miss Aegis?"
"Hello there."
"He Kui has new orders; the identification code is SD54HRE."
This was He Kui's contingency plan, leaving a backdoor to directly mobilize the mercenaries under his command.
As for whether it would be leaked, he had merely entrusted it by chance.
Moreover, they were just joking with their own futures and financial prospects.
Given his reputation among them, there shouldn't be too many issues.
"Identification code correct."
Lin said in surprise, his eyes now reflecting a hint of trust.
Although the other party was Aegis, the orders from the financier were still orders.
Perhaps it was He Kui's contingency plan.
"What does Director He mean?"
"Destroy the mass driver if necessary, and that time is now."
Faced with Aegis's words, Lin hesitated.
"But they have already occupied the accelerator."
"We can't force our way through with just us."
"And even if we break through, we can't destroy it from there."
"Using Gungnir, we can annihilate the mass driver from a distance."
"Alright then!"
With a firm resolve, Lin agreed.
He had seen the strength of the other side; it was impossible for them to act without purpose.
Meanwhile, inside the control center, now occupied by the Atlantic Federation, the former Minister of Defense of the South American Confederation was gritting his teeth as he watched the Aegis Mobile Suit on the screen.
"Weren't you supposed to send someone to stop him from coming here?!"
The Minister shouted at the Atlantic Federation's staff officer.
"How we do things is not for you to dictate."
Although a bit flustered by the sudden situation, the staff officer retorted to the Minister's words.
"I am the future president of South America; how dare you speak to me like that?!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
"Then, future president, could you please have your soldiers cease fire? How about that?"
The staff officer said with irritation.
"…"
He was the Minister of Defense, equivalent to Patrick's position before becoming the Speaker.
That was why he had ambitions to replace the incompetent and cowardly president.
The main parts were fine, and the light shield's deactivation went smoothly.
Yet, they were defeated by the soldiers; none of them surrendered after hearing his unconditional surrender order.
Instead, the morale, which had plummeted due to the sudden attack, surged dramatically.
The countless wrecks of Mobile Suits around were left by those fierce individuals.
Thinking of the terrifying scene just now, the Minister still felt a lingering fear.
"Since you're incompetent, stop giving orders, future president."
As the Minister said, the Atlantic Federation would definitely offer him a presidential position.
After all, the Minister had actively defected; if they were to abandon him, how could they make other countries see clearly?
Thus, the Minister had to survive, but that was all.
They could not give him any real power, and naturally, the Pacific Fleet's chief of staff, as the overall commander of this battle, would not fear the other party's threats.
Hearing the staff officer's words, the Minister's anger could not be vented.
This was wrong; he had joined the Atlantic Federation to make South America better. With its vast market, once they broke free from the Atlantic Federation's trade blockade, they wouldn't have to suffer transporting food to those damned Coordinators. Moreover, with the existence of the Panama military base, other countries wouldn't dare to attack them.
There would be no need to waste a huge military budget on defense matters; the capital from the Atlantic Federation would be introduced, creating more jobs, and the people would become more prosperous.
And because of his defection, South America would integrate into the Atlantic Federation, becoming one of them, enjoying the benefits of those citizens, enjoying that Freedom.
It should have been like this.
But why didn't they understand? Even that staff officer looked at him with disdain.
Clearly, he should be the hero of South America.
The more he thought about it, the more confused the Minister became, recalling the last words of the president he had ousted.
"You will regret this."
He thought it was just a threat from the president, a warning that he would kill him, but now, reflecting on it, he quickly tasted the bitterness of those words.
If this continued, most of the military strength and MS that South America had painstakingly built up would be worn down, and relying solely on the Atlantic Federation's defense would eventually backfire on them. Would the Atlantic Federation really let them join?
Thinking of those worthless promises, the Minister looked at the screen showing countless compatriots killed by the machine guns of the MS.
He clenched his teeth tightly.
No, he would not regret it; their resistance was merely self-inflicted.
His path would be the correct one.
Coordinators were Coordinators, and natural people were natural people.
Once the army was gone, it was gone; relying on his political skills, he would personally build this country into a better place.
Beyond that, he had no other choice.
On the other side, as the orders were transmitted through the relay station, the pressure on He Kui increased significantly.
Many pilots, who had been crushing the ants beneath their Mobile Suits, abandoned their slaughtering behavior and turned to attack the Mobile Suit piloted by He Kui.
"According to my previous plan, I will attract their attention near the mass driver; you all head to the warehouse and quickly get Gungnir, then shoot from the designated position."
He Kui said to the small team of five in front of him.
"I understand!"
With gritted teeth, Lin agreed to the plan.
If they didn't destroy the mass driver and didn't create chaos, they wouldn't be able to leave.
They could only fight desperately.
Under the five Mobile Suits, the modified propulsion devices that He Kui had upgraded quickly overloaded and activated.
In an instant, the speed of the five Mobile Suits doubled.
"Aegis, why is it us?"
Upon seeing the hellish scene below, the metal ground littered with broken limbs and flesh, including many innocent people from the family area—children and women, perhaps even children who had once called them sister.
At this moment, Ailina had once again activated her SEED state without He Kui noticing.
"We just wanted to live well."
Now, Ailina took control of the assault aircraft, unleashing a torrent of ammunition.
With emotionless eyes, she aimed at the Dagger series that had just slaughtered her compatriots.
Suddenly, the ground before her was transformed into a sea of fire by high-performance cluster bombs.
"Ailina."
He Kui did not stop her; unable to protect what he wanted to safeguard, he watched as his cherished things were ruthle
ssly trampled and abused.
This feeling could push a person into the abyss.
"If I die, Aegis, no, He Kui, can you help me kill them all?"
Ailina bit her teeth tightly, even as her pale lips bled from the pressure, she felt nothing.
(End of Chapter)