"Phew..."
After Mu and the others left for the negotiations with Orb, I returned to my quarters. On the way, I caught a glimpse of Cagalli, dressed up as a Princess of Orb. I was honestly surprised by how comfortable she looked in formal wear. I guess they don't call her "Princess" for nothing.
Chuckling at the thought, I lay down on my bed and shifted my focus to the future.
Ever since I arrived in this world, I've been formulating a plan, however vague. Simply put: I intend to make Orb a victor in this war. Then, I will establish an alliance between the Shadow Mirrors and Orb, setting up a Dimension Gate here. This would allow the technical staff currently stuck on the White Star to freely cross over to Orb.
It's easy to say, but executing it will be incredibly difficult. Still, in this Gundam SEED world, my knowledge of the "original story" should allow me to secure a foothold for the Shadow Mirrors.
If this were the Super Robot Wars OGs world, finding an organization willing to ally with the Shadow Mirrors would be nearly impossible due to our reputation. A temporary truce might work, but a permanent alliance? Out of the question. Maybe a cornered organization would join hands with us out of desperation, but I have no interest in being dragged down with a sinking ship.
In the Code Geass world, the rampant racism within Britannia makes it a poor candidate. The fact that our technical team includes a significant number of East Asians would be a major issue, especially right after the Black Rebellion.
Compared to those worlds, Orb has decent military power and, as a neutral nation, holds significant political sway. If the timeline follows DESTINY, the inexperienced Cagalli will take charge, allowing the Seiran family to run wild and ruin the country. But right now, while Uzumi is effectively in charge—regardless of his official title—if Orb can survive as a victor, its leadership won't be an issue.
The biggest threat is the Earth Alliance invading to seize the mass driver. However, if I can establish the gate to the White Star, we'll have access to the automated Megilot units (which should still be in production), the high-performance Mass Production W series, the Gespenst Mk-II M, and the Erl-Ein, among others. With the Shadow Mirrors' forces added to the mix, I honestly don't see us losing. Against the sheer numbers that threaten small nations like Orb, throwing waves of Megilots at the problem should solve it... I think.
The first step of this plan will take place over the next month, while the Archangel is being repaired. During this time, I need to assess Orb's military strength and technological capabilities, and determine if the Orb government is trustworthy.
I have a rough idea of how to test them. It's just a matter of when. To that end, when Kira is sent to Morgenroete, I definitely need to tag along.
"Axel, are you in?"
A knock came at the door, followed by Murrue's voice.
"Yeah, it's open."
"Sorry to intrude."
"Are the negotiations with Orb finished?"
"Yes. That's actually part of why I'm here... Here, take this."
She handed me a plastic bottle of green tea. She must have bought it while she was out for the talks.
I took it, and Murrue sat down in the room's chair with a familiarity that suggested she'd done this many times before.
"So, um... I know it's a lot to ask, but could you go with Kira to the Morgenroete mobile suit factory tomorrow? With the Blitz, of course."
...Hoh. So they want me and the Blitz, not just Kira and the Strike? Well, considering the Blitz possesses Mirage Colloid technology, it makes sense they'd want that combat data.
"Should I consider this 'technical cooperation'?"
"Yes. Even though you're a Natural, you handle a mobile suit effortlessly. They want to hear your insights. They also want the Blitz's combat data. In exchange, they've agreed to completely overhaul both the Blitz and the Strike at Morgenroete."
"Well, I imagine that's just an excuse to check the wear and tear on the parts while they dismantle them."
"Probably. I think so too. ...What do you say? Kira is officially military, so he doesn't really have the right to refuse. But you're a mercenary, and your contract is strictly for the Archangel's defense. I can't force you."
"It's fine. I'll cooperate."
"Are... are you sure? Just like that?"
"I don't mind your troubled face, Murrue, but I'd much rather see you smiling."
"Geez! ...Thank you."
She thanked me quietly, then stood up from the chair and sat on the bed, leaning her weight against me.
"I really thought today was the end. I'm just so glad you're safe."
"Yeah. We owe Orb for that one. ...Though I'm sure they have their own agenda."
"Yes. But, more than the ship being safe... I was just happy you were safe. ...Comparing the ship to the man I love—I might be disqualified as a captain for that."
"Maybe. But the crew trusts you because they know you're compassionate. Everyone makes mistakes once or twice. The important thing is not to repeat them."
"…Thank you."
Our lips met, and I gently pushed Murrue back onto the bed.
The next morning.
While the morning mist still clung to the air, Kira and I followed a lead car in the Blitz and Strike, heading toward the Morgenroete mobile suit factory. Moving under the cover of the mist was likely an attempt to minimize witnesses.
A camouflage door disguised as a cliff face opened, revealing a tunnel leading inside.
Orb certainly knows how to spend its budget... They use technology in odd places. Or maybe they'd just get along really well with the Shadow Mirrors' tech team.
We proceeded forward onto an elevator—more likely for cargo loading than MS transport—and descended underground.
"Axel, this is... certainly theatrical, isn't it?"
"Heh, yeah. I guess a secret weapons developer needs a few hidden docks and secret passages to maintain the mystique. ...Look, we're almost there."
The elevator reached the bottom level. As the doors opened, we were greeted by several engineers. Only the one at the front wore a red jacket, marking her as the person in charge.
Erica Simmons. The head of development for Orb's main battle mobile suit, the M1 Astray.
Following her instructions, we laid the Blitz and Strike onto maintenance beds and disembarked from the cockpits.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Erica Simmons, Chief Mobile Suit Design Engineer at Morgenroete."
"I'm Kira Yamato."
"Axel Almar."
"I've heard a lot about your exploits. The Coordinator Ensign Kira Yamato, and Axel Almar, the man who pilots a cutting-edge mobile suit effortlessly despite being a Natural. ...I apologize for the sudden request, but may I have a strand of your hair?"
"Hair?"
"Yes. We have reports stating you are a Natural, but there are some people here who won't be convinced until we verify it ourselves. Especially given that you pilot a mobile suit and have shot down numerous ZAFT machines."
I hesitated for a moment, but I had already undergone genetic testing on the Archangel. There was no reason to worry now. I plucked a hair and handed it over.
"This helps. Here, take this."
Erica handed the plastic bag containing my hair to a nearby technician. I had assumed the people around us were mechanics, but perhaps not.
"Now, if you two would follow me. There is something I want to show you."
"I'm here as a technical advisor. I don't mind."
"I don't mind either."
"This way, then."
We followed Erica through the facility.
"This place is..." I heard Kira mutter as he looked around.
"Here, we can perform perfect repairs and overhauls on the Strike and Blitz. Think of it as... bringing them home to their mother's house."
Considering the five Gundams were built by Morgenroete, the analogy wasn't wrong.
"What I want you two to see is this."
We passed through a door at the end of the corridor. Beyond it stood a mobile suit. No, not a mobile suit.
Dozens of them.
Rows of M1 Astrays, Orb's mass-production mobile suits, stood on maintenance beds.
"Is this...?"
"It shouldn't be that surprising, should it? Your Strike and Blitz were built at Heliopolis, after all."
"I see. So while building those five machines, you were absorbing the technology."
"That's right. Without a benefit like that, a neutral nation like Orb would never have cooperated with the Alliance."
Calculated, but understandable. If their collaboration with the Alliance had been exposed, they would have been targeted by ZAFT. ...Fortunately, the destruction of Heliopolis muddled the truth enough to save them, but it was still a diplomatic blunder.
"This is the true face of the neutral nation of Orb."
A voice called out from a short distance away. I turned to look.
Cagalli stood there. Gone was the dress from yesterday; she was back in the practical, lightweight clothes she wore on the Archangel. Her cheek was swollen and red—likely a souvenir from Uzumi—and she looked at us with dissatisfaction. ...No, her dissatisfaction was directed at the fact that Orb was developing mobile suits.
"Cagalli..."
Kira murmured her name, but Erica continued her explanation, ignoring him.
"This is the M1 Astray. An Orb military machine built by Morgenroete."
"What does Orb intend to do with these?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is for Orb's defense. You know the creed, don't you? Orb will not invade other nations, will not allow other nations to invade, and will not intervene in the conflicts of other nations. This power is to uphold that will. That is the kind of country Orb is... No, that is the kind of country it was supposed to be. Until Father betrayed it."
"Oh, are you still on about that? I have told you many times, Uzumi-sama did not know about the Earth Alliance's mobile suit development at Heliopolis—"
"Shut up! Do you think that excuse holds water?! Even if the head of state didn't know, that ignorance is still a crime!"
"That is why he is taking responsibility..."
At this rate, the argument was going to spiral into completely irrelevant territory.
I sighed, put strength into my leg, and stomped on the floor.
THOOM!
To me, it was a light tap. To a normal human, it was a display of monstrous strength. A dull, heavy sound echoed through the facility. Looking down, my foot was embedded several centimeters into the steel floor.
"Did you call Kira and me here to watch a farce? Because I've had my fill."
"Eh? ...Ah, I-I'm sorry. You're right. This isn't something to discuss in front of guests we invited. Cagalli-sama, we will set up a time to discuss this later."
"Uh, yeah..."
Cagalli nodded, looking away as if to escape my gaze. Perhaps she was remembering the killing intent I projected back at the Desert Dawn hideout.
"What I want to show you is over here. Please come."
Erica led the way, and Kira and I followed. ...And Cagalli, too. Her recklessness was unchanged, but you had to admire her nerve. Or maybe she just didn't know the meaning of fear.
We passed through the hangar of M1 Astrays and arrived at a command center. Dozens of researchers, mechanics, and engineers were busy checking monitors and exchanging reports.
At the back of the room was a wide, open space.
Standing there were three M1 Astrays.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 36
PP: 115
Stats:
Melee: 254
Shooting: 274
Skill: 264
Defense: 264
Evasion: 294
Accuracy: 314
SP: 446
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to increase slime performance) [Note: Keeping literal translation of "Slime" based on raw text provided, though likely refers to unit performance/quirk contextually].
Growth Type: Versatile / Special
Terrain Adaptation:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: S
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recover & Focus [Skill])
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Limit Break (Morale)
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kill Count: 278
-------------------------------
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