"Mr. Mu, what's happening outside?"
"Duel, Blitz and Blitz suddenly appeared and launched an attack on our side... It's strange, Aegis left alone, so why are these three Mobile Suits still sticking together?Mu clicked his tongue lightly, conveying the battle situation to Lu Tianming while still managing to complain, clearly thinking these three MS should learn from Aegis and bravely take on the challenge solo, rather than cowardly teaming up for a sneak attack...
Lu Tianming shrugged with some amusement. If Aegis hadn't been on a business trip, it would probably be a four-man sneak attack now.
"After launching, I'll go disrupt Blitz. Kira replaced Zero's Railgun with spare parts from the Beam Rifle to create a Beam Weapon, so its suppression capability should be stronger... Can you handle the remaining two machines?"
After thinking for a moment, Mu made this arrangement.
He wasn't clear about Blitz's style, but he would likely have difficulty dealing with Duel. The mid-range machine's balanced performance actually makes it quite suitable for engaging with Zero.
As for Blitz in the sniper position, he could try to disrupt it. As long as he could avoid its attacks, it shouldn't be a big problem.
Lu Tianming nodded. This arrangement was quite reasonable... or rather, it would be strange to have Zero fight Duel or Blitz.
"Hey—Tianming, what equipment should we load this time?"
Sergeant Murdoch's voice came from below the Mobile Suit. After getting familiar with Lu Tianming, he had started calling him by his first name.
After brief consideration, Lu Tianming responded to the maintenance team communication.
"Use air combat equipment, deploy with Manta Ray... Otherwise, I feel we might get targeted by power-draining tactics."
Lu Tianming answered after careful thought. Based on the previous battle, he reasonably suspected that ZAFT had made improvements to battery technology.
Otherwise, how could Aegis fight for so long last time without running out of power... That seemed somewhat unbelievable.
Also, in Lu Tianming's tactical thinking, the Launcher Pack was suitable for fighting battleships, the Sword Pack was suitable for 1v1 against elite machines, but when facing two or more enemy elite machines, air combat still offered the best value...
"Is that really necessary? Didn't they say we're very close to the Eighth Fleet and support will arrive soon?"
Sergeant Murdoch sounded puzzled but still followed Lu Tianming's request to install the backpack for Strike.
"That's exactly why I'm worried... The enemy will likely accelerate their pace because of this too."
Lu Tianming sighed lightly and closed the communication... However, it was replaced by Xia Chuan's lazy voice carrying a somewhat lewd complaint:
"The mechanical sensation when connecting the backpack is so stress-relieving.".."
Listening to Xia Chuan's murmuring sounds, Lu Tianming estimated that this guy's feeling when wearing the backpack was no different from normal people stretching.
"Buddy, your hobbies are getting weirder..."
"? What's wrong with that? Mere carbon-based lifeforms shouldn't use your limited imagination to judge your silicon-based daddy's life."
Xia Chuan instinctively assumed a superior, proud posture as he answered, his tone full of superiority.
Can that thing of yours really be considered silicon-based... Lu Tianming complained internally, while outwardly smiling nonchalantly:
"Alright, alright, then you'll have to protect this weak carbon-based lifeform and carry the whole game this round.""
Hearing Lu Tianming's flattery, Xia Chuan grew even more delighted:
"No doubt about it! Just a ten-minute interception battle - lie back and watch your daddy carry with the C role!"
——————————————————
In the space outside the Archangel, the Duel, Blitz, and Blitz Gundams had already approached the combat zone.
"The Archangel will definitely deploy the Strike soon... When that happens, Dearka and I will intercept the Strike. Nicol, you activate the Mirage Colloid System and directly ambush the Archangel!"
"We only have ten minutes... We must destroy this battleship in one strike!"
Yzak's tone was resolute. This sortie had been personally requested from the Captain, and they absolutely needed to complete the mission with maximum speed and efficiency!
"Understood, understood... But last time we couldn't defeat the Strike even with the Aegis. Are you sure we can do it this time...?"
Dearka sounded somewhat weary of hearing this, but after a moment's thought, he still expressed concern.
The previous flash grenade remained vivid in his memory... If that guy pulled the same trick again, it would be really annoying.
"...This time our Mobile Suits are equipped with anti-flash mechanisms. When brightness in the visual field suddenly exceeds safe limits, the system will automatically activate anti-flash measures and momentarily darken the screens."
Yzak shook his head slightly. The previous flash grenade still haunted him, which was why he had consulted with technicians after returning and developed this anti-flash system.
"Besides... our Mobile Suits have undergone further adjustments using ZAFT technology - they're completely different machines now!"
Their return to ZAFT wasn't just for rest and debriefing - they also had the captured Mobile Suits recalibrated to better suit Coordinator physiology.
After all, the combat performance records of the Strike... were truly extraordinary. Without enhancements, they would likely be at a disadvantage in future engagements.
During those days back at base, while technicians worked overnight to break through OS capabilities, they had been daily battling simulated Strikes in training... finally achieving some improvement in their Mobile Suits' mobility.
While they probably still couldn't match the Strike in raw power, it would be more than enough to catch the Strike off guard for this operation!
As for weaponry - his Duel now had additional equipment called 'Corpse Armor'!
"The Strike is deploying! Nicol, Dearka!"
Spotting a white mobile suit figure rapidly approaching in the distance, Yzak immediately charged forward, drawing his beam rifle and firing at the approaching Strike.
"I'll do my best!"
Nicol said nervously. This was his first time piloting the Blitz in combat against a Gundam... but he pressed the Mirage Colloid System button as planned.
The Blitz's black frame gradually became coated with a layer of particles, the entire Mobile Suit instantly seeming to disappear from space, leaving no trace either visually or on radar.
"This time we won't lose to the Strike again... Wait, what's that Mobile Armor?"
Dearka was skillfully combining his twin cannons to prepare for firing when he suddenly saw beam shots coming toward him. After dodging hastily, he realized... the source was an orange Mobile Armor?
"...Tch, has the Strike gotten stronger too?"
Upon seeing the appearance of the Moebius Zero, Yzak clicked his tongue lightly. He remembered this thing originally seemed to fire solid ammunition... Had it been specifically modified into a Beam Weapon to counter PS Armor?
At present, the battle against the Strike Suit... seemed like he could only rely on himself.
Or perhaps... entrust it to the slightly modified Blitz Gundam, which the Strike Suit was completely unfamiliar with.