Chapter 97: SEED – A Temporary Calm 2
Actually, Tolle Koenig designed the Zero-Type Moebius backpack not only for himself but also for Mu La Flaga.
After all, Mu was the true expert in wired-guided linear cannons. Once he piloted the Strike Gundam, he would finally be able to use them and wouldn't end up being beaten into a "Strike Club" by Rau Le Creuset's Providence Gundam.
In the end, both the Wired-Guided Strike Gundam and the Full Armor Strike Gundam were developed.
Unfortunately, the Full Armor Strike consumed far too much energy and had poor endurance. The Wired-Guided Strike's wired linear cannons were usable only in space, and on Earth, they could only function as flight thrusters.
So for now, both models could only remain on the drawing board and couldn't be deployed in battle.
However, the Zero-Type Moebius backpack could still serve as a high-performance flight thruster for a Ginn.
…
Over at P.L.A.N.T., Tolle Koenig received news that the neo DG cells had been sent back and that Lacus had safely returned home.
The original reconnaissance Ginn pilot, Liza Kalman, had also smoothly become Lacus Clyne's personal bodyguard.
Athrun Zala had even visited Lacus at her residence once, and the two ended up talking about Kira Yamato.
Tolle Koenig thought Athrun had a big heart—his fiancée could casually chat with him about another man, and Athrun could still smile and laugh along.
Of course, the neo DG cells also transmitted quite a few "bonus" images, including ones of them bathing together, which Tolle immediately had Nami save for later private enjoyment.
Meanwhile, the four warships that had been assimilated earlier had already been fully repaired, their MS complements replenished, and—secretly—PS armor systems installed, waiting for his call.
Nicol Amalfi also returned with Athrun Zala, going back to his home in P.L.A.N.T.
From his father, Nicol learned that the elder Amalfi now strongly supported Patrick Zala's radical faction, insisting that ZAFT no longer had much time to drag out the war.
He also condemned Siegel Clyne's moderate faction, calling his "selling out the nation for survival" approach a disgraceful surrender.
New MS and new Gundam models were constantly being designed and manufactured by ZAFT, one after another.
By accident, Nicol learned from his father that the anti-neutron jammer device had already been successfully developed.
The first Gundam equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceller—the GuAIZ Gundam—was already under assembly and would be completed soon.
The Eternal battleship, as well as the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam, had also begun design, and their appearances were exactly the same as in the memories Tolle had shown him.
Because of Tolle's warnings, Nicol didn't dare share any of this with his parents, fearing they might be endangered.
Restless and uncertain every day, he could only hope to meet Tolle again soon, to learn what steps he should take next, how to alter that unsettling fate.
For now, Nicol could only ease his unease by playing his favorite piano pieces.
…
On the Archangel, Kira Yamato, worried about Sai Argyle, accompanied Kuzzey Buskirk to bring food and water to Sai, who was still confined.
At the detention room door, Kuzzey whispered to Kira:
"Kira, it's better if you don't show your face. Once the door opens, just stand behind me. I really don't want him going crazy again."
Kira was puzzled, but helplessly nodded in agreement.
When the door opened, Kuzzey spoke into the room:
"Sai, are you alright? A week is a long time, I know, but it's the rules. Just endure it."
Sai Argyle, crouched in the dark room with his back against the wall, calmly replied:
"I know. I'm fine now. I've thought things through."
"Alright then, Sai. Just a few more days. Hang in there. I'll head out now."
Standing at the doorway, Kira felt uncomfortable. He believed Sai's confinement was partly his responsibility.
If he hadn't gotten together with Flay Allster, and if he hadn't lost contact because the "Tiger" invited him out for coffee, Sai wouldn't have rushed to pilot the Strike Gundam.
But now, seeing Sai calm again, Kira also felt relieved, and left reassured.
In the Archangel's hangar, Miriallia Haw, Kuzzey Buskirk, and several bridge crew members were gathered around a training simulator.
They were watching Cagalli Yula Athha practicing in the Skygrasper flight simulator.
As expected of the sister of the Ultimate Coordinator, she quickly picked up the controls for the Mobile Armor, and her skills were impressive.
Cagalli's score was already about to surpass Tolle Koenig's record. Watching the onscreen Ginns being shot down one after another, she said excitedly:
"Just watch—I'll surpass you soon!"
At that moment, Tolle Koenig walked over, hugging Miriallia Haw, and asked: "What are you all up to?"
Nestled in Tolle's arms, Miriallia pointed toward Cagalli in the simulator and replied:
"Tolle, look. This girl is really good. She hasn't died once, and she's about to beat the top simulator score."
The helmsman beside them nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're Cagalli-chan, right? Do you have real aerial combat experience? You're flying the Skygrasper pretty well."
Cagalli just gave a silly grin and didn't answer. But within minutes, her training session ended.
Her final score stopped at over 23 million, reaching the highest rank of SSS—far above Tolle Koenig's previous SS rank of 19 million.
Cagalli proudly declared, "Not bad, huh? Only got hit twice that time."
Kuzzey Buskirk said enviously, "That's still amazing. I got shot down right after entering the battlefield."
Miriallia said a little dejectedly, "Same here—I got taken out right away."
Tolle Koenig put on a look of surprise and said:
"What? You guys have already tried it? Ah! I actually missed seeing Miriallia's first time in the simulator? How disappointing!"
Cagalli turned her head and smugly told Tolle:
"You people are disgraceful as soldiers. I heard you haven't even fired a gun yet, have you?
That kind of inexperience will just get you killed. Don't forget—we're at war."
She then stood up, cast Tolle a triumphant glance, and walked off.
Seeing Cagalli's arrogance, Miriallia muttered unhappily:
"What's so great about firing a gun? It's not something worth bragging about."
The helmsman joked:
"But being a soldier and never firing a gun—that's not exactly something to brag about either."
At that, Miriallia and Kuzzey both lowered their heads in embarrassment.
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