It had been about ten days since our assignment to Morgenroete began. While I had a relatively light schedule, Kira was swamped. Of course, "assignment" just meant working there during the day; we still returned to the Archangel at night to sleep, so it didn't feel too strange.
However, walking around the Morgenroete mobile suit factory in Earth Alliance uniforms was problematic for Orb's neutrality. As a result, we'd been wearing Morgenroete jumpsuits as our daily attire lately. Like me, Kira was clad in these work clothes as he toiled away on the OS development for the M1 Astray.
As the days passed, I decided it was finally time to execute the plan I had been formulating for a while.
"Erica, do you have a minute?"
I called out to Erica, who was overseeing the overhaul of the Strike and Blitz in the factory.
"What is it?"
"I have two favors to ask... if you don't mind."
"Well, I've been instructed to prioritize requests from you and Kira-kun. As long as it's within my power, I don't mind."
Hoh. It seems they are willing to accommodate us quite a bit, considering we are technical advisors for the mobile suits that will form the core of their national defense.
"First favor. I want an appointment with Uzumi Nara Athha as soon as possible."
"With Uzumi-sama?"
"Yeah... tell him I have information regarding the defense of Orb. That should get me in the door."
"...Can you wait a moment? I need to consult with my superiors."
"Sure, no problem."
She gave me a quick glance before picking up a nearby communicator. She seemed to be having an intense discussion, but she returned a few minutes later looking slightly worn out.
"He can meet you tomorrow night at 23:00, for about thirty minutes. Is that acceptable?"
"Yeah. Where?"
"Since we want to avoid drawing attention, he suggested the briefing room here in the MS factory... will that work?"
"Actually, that's convenient for me."
"Convenient?"
"Never mind that. Now for the second favor. I need an empty mobile suit container prepared by noon tomorrow."
Erica frowned suspiciously at my request.
"An empty container? May I ask what it's for?"
"A little surprise present for Uzumi."
"...Very well. I'll have it ready by noon tomorrow."
"Sorry for the trouble. But let me just say this: it won't be to Orb's detriment."
With that conversation concluded, I returned to the Archangel for the time being.
Incidentally, while Kira was buried in OS development work, I had almost nothing to do until that OS was finished. Initially, they had hoped I could lecture on piloting MS as a Natural, but it quickly became apparent that my piloting style—compensating for OS deficiencies with physical abilities surpassing even Coordinators—was utterly useless for normal Naturals. So, I was basically unemployed, though I still spent my time at the factory offering opinions on the M1 Astray as a test pilot and handling minor tasks.
"Oh? Axel, are you done for the day?"
When I entered the bridge to report my return, Murrue spotted me and asked.
Was it conceit to think the happiness in her tone was because she was glad to see me? I chuckled at the thought.
I had heard that Natarle found out about our relationship, but she hadn't lectured me about it. ...Probably because she had a thing going with Mu herself. What's more, despite our attempts to keep it low profile, my relationship with Murrue seemed to have become an open secret among the bridge crew. ...I suppose having conversations that hinted at it right there on the bridge didn't help.
"Yeah. It looks like Kira's OS development will take a little longer. And they didn't need my input on the M1 Astray today, so I came back. ...Though, looking around..."
I scanned the bridge. Usually, Sai and the other students would be here, but today it was just the original crew operating the ship.
"Sai-kun and the others are meeting their parents right now."
Murrue answered the unspoken question in my gaze.
Right, the parental visitation event. ...Hm? I recalled that the M1 Astray's OS was supposed to be finished either the day of that meeting or the day after. But the OS Kira was currently building wasn't done yet. Was this another result of my intervention?
"I see. Given the state Heliopolis was in, they must be relieved to see their families."
"Yes. Even knowing they were safe, they couldn't truly relax until they saw them with their own eyes."
...Ah, right. I need to tell her my schedule for tomorrow.
"Murrue, sorry, but I have some business tomorrow night. It's related to Morgenroete. Could I get permission to go out around 22:00?"
"...Morgenroete at 22:00, hmm?"
Murrue looked at me with half-lidded eyes. There was a distinct color of accusation in her gaze.
"I'm not up to anything shady, you know."
"Heh. ...I heard from Kira-kun. Chief Erica Simmons is quite a beauty, isn't she? Going to meet her late at night at her workplace... nothing shady, hmm?"
I processed her words... and realized exactly what she was thinking.
"Wait a minute! Erica is a married woman! I'm not that unprincipled!"
"...Even though you already have two other lovers besides me?"
Her retort was timed so perfectly I was left speechless.
Murrue sighed as she watched me struggle for a response.
"Well, fine. I'll trust you this time. But please refrain from actions that could cause misunderstandings in the future."
"My bad."
"Honestly... they say in love, the one who falls first loses, or that love is a weakness... It really is true."
"Then doesn't that make it my loss?"
"Wha—?! Axel, you... how can you say something like that with a straight face?"
Murrue blushed, flustered. But she said similar things herself, so why was I the only one getting scolded?
Anyway, I got permission for tomorrow night, so I decided to make a tactical retreat while I was ahead.
The next day. The time was just past 22:40.
I was alone in the briefing room at the Morgenroete MS factory, waiting for my meeting partner... no, my negotiation partner.
As for the MS container, I had already retrieved the Sea Lion from my dimensional storage and placed it inside during the lunch break. I locked it, so the other mechanics wouldn't have seen it.
Uzumi hadn't arrived yet, so I organized the objectives in my head.
First, suggest the possibility that the Alliance might attack Orb for the mass driver and Morgenroete. Then, reiterate the importance of amphibious mobile suits for the reasons I explained to Erica, and mention that I am transferring a certain machine to them for reference. Then, we head to the hangar, open the container, and hand over the Sea Lion.
Regarding the Sea Lion, I left the nuclear fusion generator—its power source—intact. Initially, I considered removing it, but doing that alone would have been tough. More importantly, the primary goal of transferring the Sea Lion is to verify if the Orb government is an organization worth trusting. In a world where nuclear fission is impossible due to N-Jammers, a nuclear fusion generator is something any organization would kill for. Even for Orb, which relies on geothermal energy and suffers less from the N-Jammers than other nations, this is true.
If they try to detain me to seize the Sea Lion's technology... well, sorry, but Orb will have to disappear right here and now. I've set the Sea Lion to self-destruct via remote control as insurance.
However, if they agree to all my terms... then I can acknowledge Orb as an organization worthy of an alliance with the Shadow Mirrors.
Even if it's impossible now, when the Archangel returns to Orb later, I intend to reveal my true identity and propose the alliance then.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
I must have been deep in thought; it was already past 23:00. The voice snapped me back to reality.
The man who entered was middle-aged, with a beard framing his mouth. Even in silence, his presence was commanding.
So this is the Lion of Orb, Uzumi Nara Athha.
"No, I just arrived too early. Don't worry about it. Please, have a seat. You don't have much time, do you?"
"Mm. Then let us get straight to the point. I heard you had something to discuss? Specifically regarding Orb's defense."
Uzumi sat in the seat opposite me. I confirmed his attention, then opened my mouth.
It's showtime.
"Right... I have two matters to discuss. First: there is a possibility that the Alliance will attack Orb in the near future."
"What? Where does this information come from?"
"I can't reveal my sources, but let's just say it comes from my mercenary network."
"But why would the Alliance need to attack Orb?"
True to his moniker, the Lion of Orb fixed me with an intense glare.
"Have you received intelligence that ZAFT is targeting Panama?"
"Mm. We have heard rumors of a large-scale operation being planned."
"My intel says the attack on Panama is a bluff. The real target is... Alaska."
"Alaska, not Panama?! They intend to take out the headquarters in one stroke?!"
Uzumi looked shocked, but the real surprise was yet to come.
"Naturally, the Alliance assumes the target is Panama, so they are concentrating their forces there. As a result, when Alaska is on the verge of falling, the Alliance will use the Cyclops system to self-destruct the base—along with their own defending forces."
"...Along with the defending forces? They would sacrifice their own allies?"
"Yes. However, the majority of the defense forces in Alaska are from the Eurasian Federation, not the Atlantic Federation. Even the Atlantic Federation units stationed there are ones the upper brass finds troublesome or wants to purge."
"That implies... the Atlantic Federation knows about ZAFT's plan?"
"Exactly. And with that, most of ZAFT's terrestrial forces will be wiped out in Alaska. But ZAFT won't take that lying down. They will likely use a certain special weapon to retaliate and capture Panama."
"Special weapon?"
"That's irrelevant for now, so let's put it aside. Now, here is the question. What will the Alliance do after losing Panama, the location of their last remaining mass driver? Build a new one? No, they won't do anything that slow. If they don't have one, they'll take one from somewhere else. ...Now, Representative Uzumi. Orb has a mass driver called 'Kaguya,' does it not? And a weapons manufacturer called Morgenroete that developed the Strike and the Blitz. ...Do you follow?"
Uzumi groaned and closed his eyes. He remained silent for several seconds before speaking.
"Indeed, if your story is true, the probability of an Alliance attack on Orb is high. But that is only if your story is true. Standing here as the representative of Orb, I cannot unconditionally believe you. Do you have any proof?"
"Nothing concrete I can show you right now. Just keep in the back of your mind that what I said might happen."
"...Very well. I cannot fully trust your story, but I will remain vigilant."
Seeing Uzumi nod gravely, I was certain that one-third of the negotiation was a success.
Now, let's move on to the next topic. The biggest turning point of this negotiation.
Be careful, Representative Uzumi. I don't want to destroy Orb just yet.
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 unit performance)
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)
???
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???
Kill Count: 278
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