After careful inspection, there were quite a few usable spare parts in the ORB factory aside from the armor not being very compatible.
Since ORB itself didn't possess PS Armor technology, they had used Foam Armor as a substitute when designing the mobile suits.
However, parts for other components were relatively universal, such as joint connectors. Since the manufacturing specifications for these parts were basically the same, even if there were differences, they could still be used for the Assault Suit after simple adjustments and modifications.
The equipment left behind in the weapon crates was also plentiful—two Beam Sabers, two Beam Rifles, and two Beam Shields, seemingly corresponding to the weapon configurations of the two remaining units. There were also spare rounds for the Head Vulcan, making the supplies exceptionally abundant.
What surprised Lu Tianming the most was likely the sensor from one of the units... If he wasn't mistaken, this should be a component that would later be assembled into the Mirage Gundam in the side story.
According to the remaining operational documents nearby, this sensor was supposed to have the capability to detect Mirage Particles.
In simple terms... it could counter stealth.
"So this thing was designed with this function from the start? I thought it was added later during assembly."
Lu Tianming secretly rejoiced in his heart, never expecting this component to come with built-in anti-stealth capabilities—once installed on the Assault Suit, they wouldn't be caught off guard when encountering the stealth-capable Blitz Gundam.
Thinking about it, it made sense. Since ORB had stolen the data, there was no reason for them not to take precautions—it was like being given the exam questions in advance; who would only look at the question types without checking the answers?
"It's a pity the other three MS aren't here..."
Badgiruel glanced at the three storage racks that had been moved away, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes. It would have been great if they could have brought those MS back to the Archangel as well.
"Even if we brought them back, there's no one who could pilot them. Don't think too much about it."
Lu Tianming waved his hand dismissively. Even if they were brought back, there would be no one to operate them—if he had to name a potential pilot, Kira might be one, but the problem was that without the original plot forcing him onto the Assault Suit, he might not even know if he was capable himself.
Better to let him remain a tech geek for now.
After bringing this batch of supplies back to the Archangel, not only the maintenance crew but even Murrue and Mu were pleasantly surprised by the bountiful haul, all agreeing that they wouldn't have to worry about combat supplies for the time being.
As Lu Tianming parked the Assault Suit on a storage rack in the Archangel's hangar, he finally let out a sigh of relief—the relentless overtime had finally come to an end.
"Alright... Lieutenant Badgiruel, your supervisor duties are finished, right?"
Lu Tianming took a deep breath, pressed a button as he spoke, and opened the Assault Suit's hatch, preparing to let Badgiruel disembark.
The hydraulic rods of the hatch emitted two short bursts of exhaust, and the hatch slowly unfolded with the operation of the mechanical structure, like a blooming flower bud. A slide rope for descending from the cockpit to the ground also lowered.
"Aren't you coming down?"
Badgiruel moved to the hatch, stepped onto the slide rope, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, turned to look at Lu Tianming, who was still lying in the cockpit, somewhat puzzled.
"I can't go down, I'll rest in the cockpit for a while. After all, the battle could resume at any moment, and there's no time to leisurely disembark and rest."
Lu Tianming shook his head. With Creuset likely to launch an attack at any moment... it would be better for him to take a brief rest in the cockpit, as it would be more convenient for response.
Badgiruel watched Lu Tianming's slightly weary yet resolute posture at his station, recalling her previous harsh suspicions. A sense of guilt welled up in her heart.
Her lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent. Instead, she nodded respectfully toward Lu Tianming before descending to the ground via the cable extending from the cockpit.
"Where's Lu Tianming? Isn't he coming down?"
Seeing Badgiruel come down alone, Mu asked curiously.
"...He said that combat could break out at any time, so he's resting in the cockpit."
Badgiruel bit her lower lip lightly, the earlier guilt still lingering in her heart... her tone naturally less stern than usual.
"So now you're convinced he's not a spy, right?"
Murrue, noticing Badgiruel's downcast expression, smiled.
Badgiruel remained silent, clearly embarrassed by her previous rash and blind suspicions.
"But what about those civilians earlier? Should we send them back down?"
Seeing the atmosphere growing tense, Mu cleared his throat lightly and changed the subject.
"...That might not work. Right now, all the shelters are full, and we're about to continue fighting. Sending them down at this point would be no different from sending them to their deaths."
Murrue shook her head with a heavy tone, then sighed softly as if remembering something, adding:
"Oh, by the way, this was also Lu Tianming's view. He even said that if the Archangel is short-handed later, we might be able to train them as temporary crew."
This was what they discussed when Murrue was boarding the battleship—back when the question was whether to bring Kira and the others aboard the Archangel, Lu Tianming had given this answer to Murrue.
At the time, she thought he was joking—after all, since the battleship was equipped, it made no sense not to have the corresponding personnel. Normally, there shouldn't be a shortage of hands.
But after she came aboard and assessed the situation—most of the original crew had died, and with the current survivors, the numbers did seem somewhat tight.
"Was he guessing, or what? If not, then his considerations are almost too thorough."
Mu asked in surprise. He had initially thought Lu Tianming was just a skilled pilot; who would have guessed his strategic insight was so exceptional?
That made it even less likely he was a spy. What sensible faction would leave such a talent in their own ranks to shine, only to throw him into the enemy camp as a spy?
It would be such a waste.
——————————————
Meanwhile, aboard the ZAFT battleship Vesalius of the Nazca class, Creuset was reviewing the previous battle with his subordinates.
The combat footage recorded by Athrun of the Assault Suit defeating the GINN, along with the video Creuset personally recorded of his CGUE battling the aerial Assault Suit, were displayed on the screen before them.
"The performance of the mobile suits seized from the Earth Forces, I believe, requires no further explanation. You should already understand it in your hearts."
"Even after we adjusted the operating system, achieving human-like agility like this mobile suit remains an extremely difficult feat."
"Whether this level of maneuverability stems from the machine's unique capabilities or the pilot's exceptional skills remains unclear... But one thing is certain - such a dangerous weapon must never fall into the hands of Earth Forces."
Creuset's tone was grave. Having personally experienced the Assault Suit's performance, he understood better than anyone the threat this machine posed.
Such nimble performance, such versatile combat techniques...
This single machine weighed more heavily in his mind than all four captured G Series units combined.
If it cannot be obtained, it must be destroyed!