"New mobile suit completed? But didn't I just give you new blueprints not long ago?!"
Inside the Narrative Gundam cockpit, Roz widened his eyes upon hearing Christina's words.
Although his previous design had replaced many technologies to create that mobile suit, producing all the parts and assembling them was not a simple task.
"I said it's the first version; a lot of things in the blueprint aren't finished yet."
Christina shook her head in the comms.
"The psycho-frame skeleton, enhanced frame, armor, and such… all have been installed."
"But…"
At this moment, Christina shifted her tone. "The psycho-frame skeleton in the Narrative Gundam cockpit, the NTD system data, and the skeleton's algorithm adjustments… these all need to be handled personally by you."
"Of course, including the laser nuclear fusion reactor from your blueprints."
Talking about this reactor made Christina feel a headache coming on.
"I have no idea what your blueprint is doing. The safety mechanisms engaged twice in succession, and it couldn't run stably at all."
If Roz hadn't instinctively stuffed a bunch of safety devices into the new reactor frame blueprint, it probably would have exploded immediately upon startup.
Christina spent a long time scrutinizing Roz's blueprint but couldn't figure out the problem, leaving it for Roz to handle in person.
"I remember that thing worked fine on the Archangel. The principle is the same…"
Roz scratched his head; he really hadn't expected this to happen.
"…Using the Archangel's reactor on a warship is no problem at all; you could even install several of them."
Seeing Roz's reaction, Christina sighed.
"Miniaturizing something made for a warship to fit on an MS is extremely difficult."
"And… you have talents we cannot match, Roz. Some things only you can do."
"…I understand. I'll see when it's best to go back."
Roz flipped through the map on the touchscreen nearby.
"What I've done recently is a big deal. The Earth Forces might be frantically looking for me."
"I see it already. Big Haro is giving us a live feed through optical telescopes."
Christina clearly understood what Roz meant by the "big deal."
"Also, those black mobile suits have appeared—two of them."
Honestly, seeing two Black Knights appear through the optical telescope feed made Christina's heart skip a beat.
After all, the last Orb operation record had already been seen by Big Haro. Even fighting a single Black Knight with the Narrative Gundam had been so difficult. Now, with two Black Knights plus a swarm of Dagger units and MAs, it looked like a disadvantage.
"I've roughly understood their mechanisms," Roz shook his head and casually sent the combat record to Christina. "From what I see, this version of the black mobile suits is about the level of the Earth Forces' second-generation G-series. Their armor can resist normal beam rifles, but high-powered beam attacks will disable them."
"High-powered beam weapons…"
Hearing this, Christina gave a strange glance at a weapon in the hangar.
"In any case, that's how it is. Once this stabilizes, I'll head back. After all, I'm probably wanted by the Earth Forces now…"
Estimating the situation on the Earth Forces side, Roz shook his head.
"You've worked hard recently, Christina."
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"Bro… are you really leaving?"
In the civilian port of Industrial 7, Mayu, now out of her damaged state and once again wearing a dress, looked at Shinn with a complicated expression.
"My actions are fine now, and for earning money…"
"You're still in your post-surgery recovery period. I absolutely will not allow you to work, Mayu."
Shinn, wearing that white coat, looked just like during the "Orb Great Evacuation."
"Although Mr. Roz hasn't urged us to repay our debts, I'll figure out the money myself."
Shinn didn't dwell on the complicated details. To ensure his thoughts wouldn't be influenced or skewed by ZAFT people, he wore this outfit on his way to the PLANT.
The pain of losing her parents, the suffering Mayu endured, his own purpose… these were things he would never allow himself to forget.
"But ZAFT…"
Mayu tried to say something, but Shinn stopped her with a hug.
"It's fine, Mayu…"
Feeling something in Mayu's body that was different from a normal human, noticing the connector on her neck, Shinn's eyes seemed to ignite with a kind of fire.
"I'm a Coordinator too; they'll accept me."
"This is the optimal solution now."
"…Idiot."
Mayu raised her hand, hugging Shinn's waist, as if she wanted to remember her idiot brother before they parted.
The strength of the hug kept increasing, as if refusing to let go… but, something seemed off?
"Mayu! Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa…"
Asuka's anguished cry echoed through the port, drawing the attention of many bystanders.
The enormous force, following the initial sense of "reliance," pressed down on Shinn's waist with such strength that he briefly wondered if his spine had cracked.
At this moment, Shinn finally realized in his body that "his little sister had become a super-strong girl." Tears from the pain mixed with complex emotions swirled in his eyes.
"Hmph… that should leave a deep impression."
Seeing this, Mayu gave a mischievous smile, having succeeded in her little prank, and released Shinn's waist.
"The world over there is so amazing, don't forget me."
In fact, Mayu hadn't intended to use such strength, but having just recovered from surgery, her control over her prosthetic limbs was still unrefined, occasionally resulting in excessive force.
"Phew… that was unforgettable."
Shinn wiped the tears he had just shed.
At this moment, the shuttle boarding announcement sounded. People waiting at the passenger port began moving toward the shuttle heading to the PLANT.
"Since you've made your decision, I won't stop you."
The noisy, emotional farewell had finally come to this point. Mayu took a deep breath, looking seriously at Shinn.
"Survive, Bro… you must survive."
"Mm… I promise you."
Shinn nodded. "I will survive… I absolutely won't abandon you."
-----------------------------------
As Asuka embarked on his journey to the PLANT, three new warships arrived at the military port.
To be honest, if Kira and Athrun hadn't sent a prior communication, those three warships in the dock would have likely launched when the Eternal and the two Nazca-class ships entered Industrial 7's radar range.
"Whoa… didn't expect this place to be so spacious."
Andrew, having just docked the Eternal and carrying Aisha on his back, drifted out of the warship and looked at the dock with admiration.
"And if the dock hadn't opened, we really wouldn't have noticed it from outside."
"Camouflaged docks have become a tradition in Orb."
At that moment, a familiar voice sounded, and Andrew instinctively turned his remaining right eye toward the speaker.
Seeing the slightly familiar figure wearing jeans and a flight jacket, Andrew couldn't help but smile.
"Yo, kid, you're still alive, huh."
Andrew scrutinized Roz, squinting, "Looks like you're still in one piece. Not bad."
"Aren't you alive too?"
Roz glanced at Andrew, and at Aisha, who had lost both legs and was lying on Andrew's back, waving at Roz. "Though missing some parts, at least we're still alive."
"Exactly, at least we're alive."
Andrew smiled and suddenly shouted, "Guys, let me introduce you. This is Roz Links, the former pilot of Phantom Beast!"
"Now, his mobile suit is the Phoenix!"
Roz's expression became somewhat strange at Andrew's introduction.
The codename "Phoenix," compared to the Narrative's original purpose, evoked a sense of absurdity.
What was this? The hunter became the bird?
"Phoenix… you mean the Narrative, right?"
Ignoring the curious gazes of the ZAFT green uniforms, Roz tentatively asked, "How did you determine that this mobile suit is also piloted by me?"
"Simple. Your suit emits red light, and sometimes it sprays red flames."
Andrew snapped his fingers. "Though it occasionally changes color, it matched in the end."
"Also… it doesn't seem right to leave a lady hanging."
Andrew used his remaining right eye to look at Murrue beside Roz.
Seeing that Murrue was still wearing an Earth Alliance uniform, Andrew seemed to understand.
"First meeting… maybe saying it like this is strange?"
Andrew gave a ZAFT salute with his remaining right hand. "I'm Andrew Waltfeld."
"Murrue Ramius."
Murrue returned an Earth Alliance salute.
"To be honest, your appearance here is truly unexpected."
"Whether Earth Alliance or ZAFT, there are people working for peace, Miss Murrue."
Andrew shook his head. "Just like you came here, we left ZAFT for the sake of peace."
"You can clearly feel it, can't you? This war has gotten out of control."
"Mm… the situation now is very complicated."
Recalling what she had seen in the Earth Alliance, Murrue sighed. "Anyway, to prepare for the next actions, we should go to the meeting room first and exchange information."
"I have no objections. What about you, Miss Lacus?"
Andrew squinted with interest, apparently intrigued by the "complicated situation" Murrue mentioned.
At that moment, a pink-haired figure floated over, right arm injured and in a sling around the neck—it was Athrun.
"Exchanging information is important too, Captain Andrew."
Lacus's gentle voice was as always, looking up at the figures before her with a smile.
"Long time no see, Miss Murrue, and Mr. Roz."
"Your aura has changed a bit… are you two seeing each other?"
Feeling the stronger brainwaves from Lacus, even stronger than Andrew and Aisha, Roz squinted.
"Lacus, you… have awakened as a NewType?"
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