Refitting a warship is no simple feat, especially when it involves cutting two major openings in the hull.
Rerouting various pipelines, modifying the external armor plating, positioning new armaments... Even though the Nahel Argama could handle many refit tasks self-sufficiently, a vast amount of materials was still required for the improvements.
To this end, Roz and Big Haro sought out a specialized dockyard for warship modifications, fully equipped with all kinds of engineering machinery.
In the vicinity of this refit dock, Roz even spotted a Ra Cailum-class vessel undergoing upgrades.
Concurrently with the warship's modification, the construction plan for three mobile suits was set into motion.
Graham and Lunamaria spent several days in the cockpit simulators of Christina's laboratory, undergoing rigorous training and high-intensity trials.
It wasn't until then that Christina finally handed the definitive test reports to Roz.
"They're basically both specialists in mid-to-close range combat..."
Taking the reports from Christina and scanning the data, Roz fell silent for a moment, contemplating the machines for Graham and Lunamaria.
First, Graham showed exceptionally high test scores with transformable units like the Over Flag and the ReZEL Type-C. However, his performance in non-transformable suits like the Jegan D-Type or the Jesta was slightly inferior by comparison.
Furthermore, when piloting, Graham had a subconscious tendency to engage in melee combat. He frequently utilized the high mobility of transformable craft to close the distance under the cover of beam rifle fire, initiating close-quarters strikes.
This piloting style was a double-edged sword. If the machine's performance and the pilot's skill were up to par, it was a surgical strike against enemy forces, acting as a sharp blade to open a breach. If either failed, it was no different from a suicide run.
But Roz didn't plan to forcibly overwrite Graham's piloting habits.
On the battlefield, unless one possessed overwhelming power, trying to "hide one's light" or "fix habits" was simply asking for death.
Since that was the case, he would simply build a machine perfectly suited to Graham. Roz had immense confidence in his mechanical expertise.
In contrast to Graham, Lunamaria—who had long occupied long-range artillery positions—had evolved her style.
Compared to her past melee specialization, she had added many mid-to-close range shooting sequences. Her transitions between shooting and melee were incredibly fluid, and she achieved excellent results using the Justice series machines from the SEED world.
Unlike Graham, Lunamaria voiced her own preference: she hoped to pilot a machine styled after the SEED universe.
"I want to always remember where I came from," Lunamaria told Roz after the test results were finalized.
For such a small request from his teammate, Roz naturally agreed. It also saved him the trouble of brainstorming what machine would suit her best; he planned to integrate and modify her new unit based on the Justice series.
"Anyway, let's get the blueprints done first..."
After a period of reflection, Roz settled on the design for the machine to be delivered to Graham.
Next, Roz turned to look at Christina beside him.
"Christina, has the GN Drive operating system I gave you finished its interface with our MS operating system?"
The Operating System (OS) is an unavoidable hurdle in MS manufacturing. Functional components from different worldviews might share a general logic, but vast details differ.
Combining them haphazardly could result in the inability to use weapons at best. In the case of internal devices like a GN Drive, it could lead to a system shutdown or even the danger of an explosion.
Therefore, software adaptation was crucial.
"Yes. Thanks to the OS you provided, the GN Drive interfaces perfectly with our operating system. It doesn't even interfere with the Minovsky Flight System or the normal thrusters," Christina replied.
Hearing Roz's question, Christina instinctively recalled the moment she received the GN Drive OS.
After receiving the code—which Roz had brainstormed for ten seconds with his head down before whipping it up for her—she had stared at the bizarre logic, taking two full days just to grasp Roz's programming style.
The code looked like it should be riddled with bugs, yet after several tests, the GN Drive using this OS actually synchronized with Roz's local MS system perfectly. It had even unlocked the "black box" technologies that Aeolia had originally software-locked.
"However, to use the GN Drive, GN Power Lines are indispensable. Otherwise, the GN Drive is just a single thruster and can't perform its full functions," Christina said, coming back to the requirements of using the GN Drive.
"Yeah, I already have some ideas regarding that aspect," Roz nodded.
-----------------------------------
Time flew by, and nearly twenty days later, the original silhouette of the Nahel Argama had undergone slight changes due to the refit. However, since the modifications weren't yet complete, the full effect was not yet visible.
The "retired old man Char" had applied in advance to adjust the time flow of the mission world, winning nearly three months for Roz. Otherwise, Roz might not have had such ample time for the warship's overhaul and the construction of the new machines.
At this moment, Graham was walking down the corridor of the Nahel Argama, wearing a blue-and-white military uniform modified from the Orb military attire.
Thanks to his physical constitution and the advanced medical technology aboard the Nahel Argama, Graham's recovery was progressing exceptionally well; he was now able to leave his wheelchair and move about normally.
Even during rehabilitation and data collection in Christina's lab, he could set the simulation realism back to display mode.
He even felt that he could still pilot that modified Flag from back then, using the "OverBooster"—no, it should be called the "Graham Booster"—to cut a path back and forth through enemy forces seven times over.
'It's decided. For the daily test later, I'll use the data from that modified Flag.'
As Graham hummed a little tune and walked familiarly toward Christina's lab, he raised an eyebrow.
"Yo, Shinn, waiting for Lunamaria here?"
Seeing the black-haired teenager standing nearby with Stellar, watching the footage of Lunamaria's tests while waiting for her, Graham raised his right hand, pressing his index and middle fingers together and giving a small flick near his temple in a casual salute to Shinn.
Graham harbored considerable curiosity toward this pilot who had once piloted the Destiny Gundam, suppressed the Alvatore and the GN-X units, and even eventually completely wiped out that ELS probe force alongside Roz in the Penelope.
Not long ago, Graham had challenged Shinn to a duel, requesting that Shinn use the data of his strongest machine in the simulator.
Shinn didn't "hide his light" or "show mercy to the injured." He didn't use the Banshee Norn data that he was only partially familiar with, but instead opted for the nuclear-powered Destiny.
Immediately afterward, Graham personally experienced the overwhelming power of the Destiny Gundam in Shinn's hands.
The heavy anti-ship sword felt weightless in the Destiny's grip, and the beam cannons in its palms made defense nearly impossible—not to mention the afterimages produced by the Voiture Lumiere wings.
Graham had felt completely numb seeing the panoramic monitor of the training pod filled with a dense swarm of target locks.
Ultimately, Graham was thoroughly beaten into submission by Shinn, gaining a true understanding of this teenager who looked like he shouldn't belong on a battlefield.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Graham."
Shinn blinked, seeing the Graham he had recently thrashed, and responded, "Big Brother Roz told me to take Lunamaria to the Hangar to prepare for the mobile suit tests."
As Shinn spoke, Stellar was still clinging to his arm, peering at the simulation combat logs of Lunamaria on the tablet in Shinn's hand.
Faced with this scene of "a delicate youth's balancing act," Graham—as a traditional "Pure Love War God" who believed in monogamy—had found it a bit hard to accept at first. But after gaining a deeper understanding of everything Roz and the others had gone through, he had come to accept it calmly.
In such a completely maddened and cruel war, any reserve was superfluous; no one knew if they would die in the next moment or be separated from their loved ones forever.
It's more accurate to say that Graham was somewhat surprised by how Roz and Shinn did their utmost to shoulder the affection from their loved ones, without falling into depravity like the individuals he had encountered during his own time in security warfare.
"Right, Mr. Graham."
As if remembering something, Shinn looked toward Graham. "Big Brother Roz asked me to inform you that your new machine is ready. You can set aside today's tests and head to the Hangar to begin the tuning for your new unit."
The new machine... it's finally coming? The new machine Roz promised...
Upon hearing this news, Graham's eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his mouth curled upward uncontrollably. He felt like he could practically leap out of Christina's laboratory right then and there.
After staying on the Nahel Argama for a while, he had long since heard of Roz's formidable craftsmanship in building machines.
Facing a brand-new unit that he was about to pilot personally, how could Graham not be excited?
'No, stay calm. Don't let these younger teenagers look down on you. Your dignity as an adult is still on the line!'
"Cough, cough... it seems today is my lucky day."
Graham balled his right hand into a fist and held it to his mouth, coughing twice to mask his inner excitement. "Well then, I shall head to the Hangar first, boys and girls."
Shinn watched Graham as he left Christina's laboratory with an air of feigned composure—even though his suppressed excitement was plain as day at a single glance.
A moment later, through the door where the soundproof mode had not been activated, the sound of Graham's urgent, sprinting footsteps echoed from the hallway.
"Shinn... Mr. Graham seems very happy."
Stellar leaned her head against Shinn's shoulder. With brainwaves as intense as his, even Stellar could easily read the emotions in Graham's heart.
"Yeah, after all, it's a machine built for us by Big Brother Roz..."
Shinn responded to Stellar. "That feeling... it's exactly the same as when I learned about the prosthetic technology that would allow you and Mayu to live normal lives in the world again."
-----------------------------------
If one were to ask which route on the Nahel Argama Graham was most familiar with, it would undoubtedly be the one leading from any given area to the Hangar.
When Graham arrived at the Hangar, the first thing he saw were three new machines: one in a blue-and-white color scheme, one in red, and one that appeared unfinished.
"Graham, you actually got here earlier than Shinn and the others?"
At that moment, Roz, who had just finished a maintenance check on the blue-and-white machine, spotted Graham entering the Hangar.
Tucking the Wrench he always kept on him when building machinery into his pocket, Roz used the elevator on the catwalk to descend to the Hangar floor.
"Shinn and Stellar are still waiting for Lunamaria to finish her tests, so I came ahead."
Graham scanned the three machines before him, his palms rapidly clenching and unclenching.
"I can tell you're beyond impatient."
Even without Newtype flash or brainwave induction, Roz could tell Graham's emotional state just by looking at him.
"Your new machine is this one."
With a smile, Roz turned slightly and pointed his right index finger toward the blue-and-white unit he had just finished inspecting, explaining to Graham.
"Her name is the MSN-001X Delta Gundam Kai, or you can just call her the Delta Kai."
"Delta Gundam Kai..."
Hearing that name containing the word "Gundam"—the title that haunted his dreams—Graham was momentarily dazed. "My... Graham Gundam..."
"Could you please fix that closet-freak habit of yours where you rename everything after yourself?"
Roz raised an eyebrow at Graham's murmur.
"You said she was mine, didn't you?"
Graham scrutinized the Delta Kai before him, speaking without turning his head. "In that case, what I choose to call her is my own freedom, isn't it?"
"Fine, whatever you want. It's just a name anyway."
Regarding Graham's insistence on branding the Delta Kai with his own name, Roz waved it off and began the technical briefing.
"In addition to our standard nuclear reactor, electric-ion thrusters, and the Psycho-Frame purchased from the Courtyard, we've also installed a GN Drive, which you should be quite familiar with."
Roz began a brief introduction of this Delta Kai. "As for the GN Power Lines, I've embedded them directly into the machine's internal frame."
When looking at the GN Power Lines, Roz had instinctively thought back to his experience installing LED kits into models while building Gunpla.
After all, the GN power lines are just strips similar to electrical wires. I figured they could be installed inside the internal frame; that way, even if the outer armor gets blown off, as long as the frame is intact, there won't be any impact.
"With the assistance of the GN Drive, the small Minovsky Flight System installed on the Delta Kai can achieve even greater performance."
Roz helped Graham identify the various armaments of the Delta Kai. "PS Armor, beam shields, long-range Mega Particle Cannon... you can learn about the various weapons yourself later when you're adjusting the machine's settings."
Compared to the Delta Kai in the original timeline, Roz had heavily modified its weaponry to better suit Graham's combat style—adding things like the leg beam blades from the Justice series and the heat daggers in the feet from the Crossbone series.
Now Roz was even wondering if he should add heat daggers to the feet of all mass-production plans, or perhaps swap them for beam daggers?
Snapping back from his brief brainstorming session, Roz dropped the relaxed tone he used for the weapon introduction and became serious.
"To adapt to your situation, this machine has a sub-system called the n_i_t_r_o System, in addition to our standard NT-D system."
Roz looked at Graham with a stern expression. "NT-D requires a Newtype to activate. As for n_i_t_r_o, besides allowing the use of Psycommu weapons, its function can temporarily turn you into a Newtype."
"But be warned: the n_i_t_r_o System will affect your emotions to a certain extent. You might become irritable or aggressive. I suggest you don't use it frequently."
At this point, Roz paused. "After all, there is no such thing as obtaining power without paying a price."
"A wild beauty—I like it."
Hearing the negative side effects Roz mentioned, Graham licked his lips, becoming even more excited instead. "However, it shouldn't be her controlling my emotions; it should be me conquering her heart!"
"...I've basically said everything I need to say. If you have any questions later, just ask me directly."
Seeing Graham's current state, there wasn't much more Roz could say. "Even if you are influenced by the n_i_t_r_o System, I will pull you back."
"After all, you are now a member of the Nahel Argama."
Roz reached out his right hand and patted Graham's shoulder. "Whether it's for your world or for the Nahel Argama, you are very important. You absolutely cannot die, understand?"
Roz didn't use much force, but for some reason, Graham felt a strange surge of emotion that left him somewhat stunned as he came down from his high.
'I see... have I already unknowingly become a member of this ship...?'
"I won't let you down, nor will I betray the trust of everyone on the Nahel Argama... General."
Graham wasn't sure what emotion to show at this moment, so he could only look at Roz, raise his right hand, and give him a salute.
"I will definitely survive and return to the Nahel Argama."
"Mm..."
Roz looked at Graham, moved his hand from Graham's shoulder, and returned the salute. "The Delta Kai is a transformable machine, after all. Go and perform the OS adjustments first. Even though she uses your test presets, you still need to go through them yourself and do another round of simulation training to get familiar."
"Yes, sir."
Graham lowered his hand and prepared to walk toward the Delta Kai.
He was already burning with impatience to begin his preliminary "acquaintance" with this beauty who was "stately on the outside, but wild within."
However, at that moment, he seemed to notice something different and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"General, your hair... why has it been dyed blonde?"
Graham considered his own memory to be quite excellent. In his recollection, Roz should have black, naturally curly hair. Yet now, Roz's hair had turned blonde, as if it had been dyed.
"Oh, this..."
Roz reached up and scratched his blonde hair before lifting a section, revealing the black curls beneath. "This is a wig prepared for the upcoming mission. When the time comes, I can just rip it off."
With that, Roz looked toward the one unfinished machine among the three new units.
Under the operation of the engineering machinery controlled by the Haros, the brilliant, red—one might even say magnificent—armor was gradually covering the white frame beneath.
.....................