With Luciano's arrival, there were a few more Knights of Round that followed after him. They were Dorothea Ernst and Monica Kruszewski with their Setanta models.
"I was working on their machines, but sadly, too much job for a single individual, so they got these instead," Rakshata said to Marrybell and Oldrin as they watched new arrivals in Alaska Forward Base.
"However, there is something I do want to show you two." The Mobile Suit developer smiled as she motioned for them to follow her.
There was one extra airship that flew over from the California base.
"You have something for us?" Oldrin hopefully asked.
"Indeed. Your data was quite valuable in developing the GOUF."
"Oh… is it finished?" She asked, the GOUF was supposed to be a mobile suit based on data they got from the Anaheim batteries and Zaku's Type I and Type II. The first proper machine to utilise Sakuradite-Lithium liquid batteries has an enormous amount of power compared to regular energy sources.
That means these GOUFs can pull out much more power and utilise more of Anaheim's technologies.
"It is. The first ever 2nd generation Britannian Mobile Suits."
"...Yes."
The new red mobile suits were lowered from the airship. Oldrin and Marrybell expected some different design choices, but what they saw were almost identical machines to the Zaku Type I and Type II.
But it had some differences.
"Try out." Rakshata swirled the USB stick that was a key and threw it at Oldrin.
The blonde knight caught it and checked it out.
"Alright!"
The girl walked over to the head and got into the machine.
When she got inside, she immediately noticed a lot of inspiration controls from Anaheim machines.
It felt… futuristic compared to Zaku models. Instead of three screens, it had a single large bend screen. Not a 360 one like the Anaheim models, but it was halfway there.
Once the systems booted, the mech stood up, and Oldrin noticed the difference already!
It was far faster and could respond with much greater precision.
"How is it?" Rakshata asked with a grin.
"The response… amazing!"
"This is the baseline power of Anaheim technologies. The neural interface is key. Those machines are so far ahead in this department that we would need at least 6 months of intense development and actual testing to make what they use in Knightmare Killer models.
You see… Princess…" the lady looked at Marrybell.
"Your brother had Anaheim Robotics, where he sold and handed out prosthetics, do you catch what I am saying?"
The princess had a look of realisation.
"He used that data to develop these interfaces!" Marrybell exclaimed with realisation.
"Indeed. He had millions of people to test his tech before he applied it to his mobile suits."
'Amazing. He was building towards this for years. No wonder we are so behind.' Oldrin, who was listening to them, could only control her nervousness towards this.
It was like trying to fight someone who was building towards this for years.
"While I started with prosthetics as well. I didn't have such ambitions." The Indian lady shook her head as she puffed from her kiseru pipe.
"I assume we are catching up to them to some extent?"
To Oldrin's question, the developer showed a strained smile.
"While… I can make something that can catch up to Setanta's technology, while advanced, it's nowhere near what their main custom machines can do.
These mass production models are simple shadows of Knightmare Killers. If it's true, what kind of power source do they have… those machines are tens, if not twenty times more capable.
If you want me to make something as powerful as those, I need leads… the best would be capturing one."
Oldrin's lips twitched when she heard that! Capture one of THOSE!?
She vividly recalled the power of Morrigan. That machine lived up to its development name! Like a Goddess of War dancing around the battlefield.
"...maybe with these GOUFs we can do something." The blonde girl hoped.
"Good luck… You will need it." Rakshata smiled, knowing quite well she would need it.
After showing one of the GOUF, several more were loaded off. These were for the Glinda Knights as they were painted red and ready for action against Anaheim.
~~~
"What's the hold up! It has been days! Is Anaheim not attacking!?" Luciano blasted into the control room, looking at the tactical personnel… among them was Prince Schneizel.
"Relax, Knight of Ten. Anaheim are holding their positions." He pointed at the world map.
Asia, Europe, Africa, and the South Pole were all Black and Purple, while only Britannian North and South America were pure Blue.
"...did they take Australia along the way?" Luciano noticed that Australia and New Zealand were among Anaheim!
"...It appears so. All I heard was that there was a coup in those territories as well." Schneizel said with a strained smile.
"...Coup…huh… figures." Luciana snorted. If not an invasion, then actual pro-Anaheim rebels. It was clearly a set-up. No one cares about Australia or New Zealand.
"Indeed. It was a purposely instigated. By all means, the Holy Britannian Empire is the last remaining country… well, there is Zilkhstan. From the looks of it, Anaheim ignored them." Schneizel said with a frown, wondering why it's like that.
"Regardless, Anaheim have stopped, and they are gathering forces for the last war with us.
We shall do the same; we will use whatever time we have to prepare, and we have regained around 40% of the manufacturing power previously destroyed. It's not the best, but we are getting there."
From manufacturing to recruiting, Britannia is in full combat mode; it has been a very long time since it faced such an existential crisis.
"The remaining Knights of Round have spread out to guard possible invasion points. Most of Knightmares have already been replaced with new Zaku models; the old Sutherlands were repurposed to be Railgun gunnery models that can destroy Setanta models."
The prince explained, without catching his breath, that they are doing whatever they can to resist a possible invasion.
"My Prince, do we know when Anaheim would invade?" Monica, Knight of Twelve, asked the blonde prince.
"I do not know Anaheim's variables to predict such a thing. So far, I do not know many of their methods to understand their movement.
This nation operates with different technology, much of which we don't know. That is why I can't say why they are holding their positions."
Schneizel explained to them. He hates this; he hates it a lot. Such variables are causing him sleepless nights as he doesn't understand the limitations of Anaheim technology.
He doesn't know how far Anaheim have spread in space; it could be one or three colonies they see, or it could be twenty. By this point, there could be people living on Mars, as his spies told him that people have already left Earth for Space, and it's not one or two but thousands.
"Tsk… this is annoying. I am leaving!" Luciano stormed out of the room. Many rolled their eyes at his behaviour.
Some of them found him… difficult, but he has talent in combat, which is why this man was a Knight of Round.
But apart from that, the Emperor keeps him as far away as possible, until they cannot, with the current situation. Well, he is far away from Charles, but others have to deal with him.
"So…we just wait." Dorothea sighed. This was… nerve-wracking… to stay on defence and not offence. That is not Britannia's usual mode of operation.
"We will dig in. Prepare as many defences as possible." Schneizel narrowed his eyes. He won't surrender without trying. He will do anything he can to protect HIS Empire.
"Understood, Your Highness." The officers nodded, and so did the two Knights of Round who were willing to listen to him.
Luciano should be listening to him, too. But that's beside the point.
"Monica and Dorothea, I will leave organising the defences as you say fit. Glinda Knights and the garrison should assist you."
"... But your Highness, should we focus so many of our best soldiers in this place? I understand that this place is the closest to Asia, but what about their carrier ships? They are everywhere, and Terrain is not an issue for them." One of the Officers asked, a bit nervous about how many of them were in this location.
"So far, we are keeping this location as we are responding to the bulk of the Anaheim fleet that is led by Cornelia," Schneizel replied as he understood how he was thinking.
"So far, Cornelia has three Carriers and nine smaller Destroyers. Other forces have only one carrier.
Even Lelouch has been seen using only one of those things." He explained to them, recalling reading that Lelouch is only using one Carrier and two smaller ships
"Depending on the situation, it could change, but for now we shall remain as it is."
"Understood!"
~~~
At the icy Bering Strait, Cornelia looked at what was on the other side of the strait. It was her Homeland. It has been a while since she was there.
"Princess, we received orders for refurbishment reorganisations. It would seem all of our Setantas and even Scathachs will be upgraded to newer models."
"Hnn, about time. It would seem my little brother took his sweet time. Instead of doing his job, he is impregnating girls." The Princess said with an eye roll.
Guilford grimaced a bit. It would seem the Princess is not in the best mood.
"His Highness has quite a bit on his plate."
Just thinking about how much he is doing makes his head hurt. That Prince is a machine in human flesh.
"I know. It was my attempt at making a joke." The Princess snorted as she shook her head before turning around and looking away. Just staring at all that snow is making her feel cold.
"We shall return to Solomon Base one Carrier at a time."
"Understood. The shipyards and mobile suit factories in orbit are open for us as well." The Knight reminded them that they can use space as well.
"...Right."
'Space… still need to get used to simply pulling back there when I need.' Internally, she shook her head. She still needs to get used to that!
"The ones that are moving to this position can leave for space. We have an enormous number of troops on the move.
Having two carriers protecting here is enough. Britannia won't attack; they simply lack the mobile suit to wage any sort of offence." She pondered as she walked to the map projected on the massive hologram on the floor.
The amount of land they control is simply mind-boggling. They have swallowed two superpowers and a bunch of smaller nations. Never before in the history of mankind has something like this existed!
The Princess's gaze went to the number of carriers that are on the move. There are groups that are moving to Hawaii, the Galapagos, Scotland, and Portugal. Those are staging areas for Assault on Britannia.
"We shall attack once the refurbishment work is complete."
"That is precisely what His Highness has said. By that point other two SWORD Stations should be online. We will have three stations that can assist with orbital bombardment in case something goes wrong." Guilford said to Cornelia.
'Hmm… it would seem things are coming together nicely.'
~~~
Meanwhile, Marcus and C.C. moved to space, in Lagrange 3, at the testing area of the most advanced Anaheim technology. The pair arrived aboard Tiranis as the mech flew into one of the hangars of the space station.
As they got out, they were greeted by Lloyd, Cecile and a group of developers and scientists.
These were the elites among elites, chosen by the group. These are guys that even Marcus trusts.
"Is it ready?" The Prince asked the group.
"Follow us." Lloyd grinned as he motioned for the pair to follow.
The group walked into the station, arriving towards a single huge metal door. A text was written on the sealed doors.
It was AGT-00 LUGH
When Marcus saw the text, he couldn't stop himself and began to grin from ear to ear. This was IT!
~~~
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