Chapter 214 – Two Men in Similar Straits
"Let them in, but keep a close eye on their movements. If they show any sign of attacking us or the colonial satellite, authorize immediate fire to sink them."
Though Eli intended to let Apolly go on purpose, if they made the first move, he wouldn't hesitate to take them down by force and confront Blex directly afterward.
"Is GP04 operational?"
To be safe, Eli made a call to the hangar inside the base.
"Sorry, it's undergoing compatibility adjustments for the Emerald Finch series—we just took the thrusters off!"
Istha immediately explained the situation.
"Got it... then get Rem ready."
"Huh? Rem? But that unit just completed its basic tuning."
Istha sounded surprised.
Although the Gundam couldn't be deployed, there were still units like the G-line in the hangar—reliable machines with proven performance.
"Exactly. This makes it a perfect live-combat test."
"Poor Uraki's going to cry over this. Understood, preparing it now."
After hanging up, Eli quickly contacted the other side.
"Proceed with transferring Apolly. Move him toward the port."
As a vague yet undeniable sense of pressure took shape in his mind, Eli realized his old friend had entered this star sector.
He just hoped they wouldn't try to force their way into the colony satellite with Mobile Suits, like they did with the Argama.
Soon, a report of an attack came from the port district.
While Apolly and the other AEUG members were being transported onto the transfer vessel, a group of unidentified armed forces hijacked the ship.
They dismissed unrelated personnel and kept a single lieutenant to use as leverage to demand the port be opened.
What puzzled them was that Undertaker agreed to open the port immediately, with only one condition: do not harm the lieutenant.
"Unbelievable. Even elite forces like Undertaker fall into disarray when faced with this kind of situation."
Roberto said this after rushing to the frontlines near the port in his Gundam.
"Don't get cocky. It could all be part of their plan."
Quattro responded from inside his own Gundam.
"All right, Roberto, you escort Apolly and the others out. I'll intercept any pursuers."
"Pursuers?"
The port was still relatively quiet—what pursuers?
Just as Roberto was wondering that, a sudden flash erupted in the port area.
As expected of Lieutenant Quattro.
Roberto thought this as he fired several shots at the flash and then turned to escort Apolly's ship toward the Musai.
Under Roberto's suppressing fire, Quattro was able to accelerate his machine, heading straight for the incoming MS.
It was an unknown Mobile Suit not found in any database—undoubtedly a new unit developed by Undertaker.
Once the camera fully captured the machine's form, the three monitors on its head lit up one after another—clearly, it had also gained full visual of Quattro's unit.
This made Quattro instinctively tighten his grip on the control stick in discomfort.
His Gundam was also a recovered and refurbished Federation machine, with somewhat upgraded performance.
But whether it could go toe-to-toe with a cutting-edge MS remained to be seen.
Still, there was no turning back now.
He raised his shield to block a beam shot while extending his beam rifle and returned fire at the MS that resembled a GM.
Unlike Quattro, who had to use a shield to defend, the opposing machine simply adjusted its course slightly to dodge the beam.
Aside from that initial shot, the MS hadn't fired any beams—it only sprayed bullets from its Vulcan guns in continuous bursts.
Not only did it demonstrate extremely high mobility, but it also didn't seem intent on launching a direct attack, instead weaving evasively nonstop.
"What the hell! Are you using me as a performance test dummy, Eli?!"
Quattro roared in frustration, but then he suddenly caught himself.
"Wait... did I just say Eli?"
It wasn't until that name slipped out instinctively that Quattro fully realized the identity of his opponent.
"Took you long enough!"
As Quattro had that thought, Eli had already closed in with Rem!
Drawing a beam saber from the rear skirt weapon rack, Eli raised it high and slashed down toward the Gundam!
Quattro's reflexes were still sharp—his beam naginata came out just in time to block Rem's saber.
There was no power disadvantage...
"Am I fighting Char of Neo Zeon right now, or Char of the AEUG?"
The moment communication linked between the two, Eli fired off a direct question.
Bzzt!
No response. The opponent simply increased the arm engine output, trying to shove Rem away.
That refusal to even talk—it really was just like Char.
Still, Rem might not be a top-tier unit of its era, but it certainly wasn't one to be outclassed by a Gundam-type.
Its rear thrusters flared, and the triple-eye monitor on its head glowed brightly.
"Coward!"
"You're one to talk—clinging to your status in a stagnant Federation, too afraid to change!"
As if finally provoked by Eli's words, a voice rang out in the cockpit—a voice Eli had only heard a few times but now sounded painfully familiar.
Char's voice.
Or rather, Quattro's furious roar.
Quattro recalled what he saw and heard in the Argama.
Kamille's ideals, now shaped into weapons, lashed out from Quattro's mouth toward Eli.
The beam sabers clashed and separated in the next moment!
Eli prepared to launch another assault—but the Gundam suddenly dropped its shield, then clenched its left fist and charged forward, slamming it into Rem's head!
"At this rate, all the pressure falls on Artesia! Hiding behind a woman to hold onto your power—what kind of man are you?!"
The taste of blood filled Eli's mouth.
The sudden impact caused him to bite his tongue.
"That's... the last thing I want to hear from you…"
Gritting his teeth, Eli swung Rem's beam saber upward, cleaving off the Gundam's left hand.
"If you don't want to be seen that way, then act! Reignite this decaying Federation—if you really are a Newtype!"
Char shouted, pulling the Gundam back.
Eli didn't pursue him. He hovered in place, watching Char's retreat.
A decaying Federation, huh…