Under Lu Tianming's control, Freedom decisively set down the Armor Schneider in its hand, forming a horizontal palm with its hand directed straight at Blitz's torso.
"Hand energy output mode switching complete. Default energy output mode set to Lightning Ball... Xia Chuan, let's end this with this move!"
Lu Tianming's hands flew across Freedom's control panel, instantly switching the hand energy output mode to weapon configuration.
During Freedom's modifications, to accommodate Lu Tianming and Xia Chuan's preferred hand-to-hand combat style, the hand energy conduits were equipped with a specialized 'Tactical Mode' for armament besides the standard modes for powering the Beam Saber and Beam Rifle.
In this mode, various forms of attacks could be switched through preset output patterns... including the Lightning Ball, while skills originally released through the hands would also gain enhanced power.
"Alright!"
Xia Chuan felt a sense of liberation in his hands, as if a pathway had opened directly from his hands to the nuclear reactor deep within his body.
It seemed the infinite energy generated by the nuclear reactor could now be fully released through this pathway.
But this wasn't enough.
As their offensive intentions synchronized with Lu Tianming's, their Resonance Level smoothly broke through 70%.
In that instant, another stream of energy infused his arm—this was the power generated through his connection with Lu Tianming.
The energy from their link, combined with the nuclear reactor's energy, was fully released through Freedom's arm and palm, rapidly spinning to envelop Freedom's fist and form a crimson, gauntlet-like energy construct.
"Take this—Broken Magnum!"
With Xia Chuan's loud shout, he violently threw forth the crimson right fist, directly meeting Blitz's massive claw. The spinning energy instantly shredded Blitz's claw to pieces.
Nicol was startled by this sight, sharply pulling back on the control stick and reversing thrusters to retreat—he had momentarily forgotten about Freedom's incredible hand armament!
"Trying to run? This move isn't finished yet!"
Xia Chuan maintained full power in his hand as Freedom's punch fully extended. The crimson energy spinning around the arm shot out like a missile, striking Blitz squarely at the waist and instantly severing the connection between its upper and lower body.
"...Damn, if Blitz had a Machine Spirit, it would probably be crying by now."
Lu Tianming clicked his tongue in amazement. That punch had hit exactly the right spot—it was hard to imagine how much pain Blitz would be in if it actually had consciousness.
Xia Chuan chuckled with some schadenfreude, about to raise his left arm to retrieve a weapon and deliver the final blow to Blitz—when Aegis's assistance suddenly arrived.
The Railguns mounted on the wings and the Scylla armed at the nose all fired at Freedom, blocking Xia Chuan's opportunity for further pursuit.
Though the main body remained undamaged... the prominently targeted Launcher Pack's high-impulse cannon was struck by Aegis's attack, its barrel pierced through.
"Tsk... So these two equipment sets really are a bit cumbersome after all."
Lu Tianming clicked his tongue lightly and without hesitation pressed the detachment button—the Launcher Pack and Sword Pack equipment fell away from the Flight Pack, completely abandoned on the beach.
He had originally thought that with ample nuclear power, more weapons would always be better... But after a few battles, he realized not only was there no expected versatility, but many weapons were practically useless in actual combat.
Far less smooth than directly equipping the Aile Pack.
"Ah well, there's only the Aegis left anyway, so whether we detach or not doesn't matter... Huh?"
Xia Chuan replied with a carefree laugh. Currently, the Duel was out of power, the Blitz was half-destroyed, and the Buster was probably still wriggling through the sea trying to reach shore... The only remaining combat capability was this Aegis.
Just as the Aegis instantly switched to MS mode and swung its Beam Saber to strike, Xia Chuan also drew his Shield and Armor Schneider, immediately preparing to meet the attack head-on.
However, at that very moment, alarm sirens simultaneously sounded in both Mobile Suits' radars.
"What?!"
All three of them were startled almost simultaneously as several beams cut through the waves in the distance, precisely targeting the moment they clashed together.
Faced with this sudden attack, Athrun, Lu Tianming, and Xia Chuan almost simultaneously canceled their attacks against each other, each raising their shields to block this wave of assaults. Xia Chuan even directly activated Protect Shade, enveloping both Mobile Suits within its protection.
Seeing the familiar rippling energy shield spreading before him, Athrun was momentarily stunned.
The Freedom's pilot... was protecting him?
While he was still bewildered, he saw Freedom's hand already resting on his Mobile Suit, and Lu Tianming's voice came through the contact circuit.
"The ones who just attacked are most likely MS developed by the Earth Alliance. Right now, if we fight separately, we'll both be at a disadvantage. We should temporarily set aside our differences and face the enemy together."
Lu Tianming spoke cautiously. He remembered that in the original story, the Earth Alliance's three elite pilots had the capability to give Freedom a tough fight. With the changed storyline, he couldn't blindly determine whether these three elites were stronger or weaker now, so he decided to temporarily ally with Athrun.
"...What's your plan?"
Athrun pondered for a long moment. He wasn't foolish and could clearly assess the current situation, eventually agreeing to Lu Tianming's proposal.
"You draw their fire for me first while I switch to this Mobile Suit's dedicated combat pack. After completing the equipment change, I'll return to support you."
"...What if you just run away?"
Hearing Lu Tianming's rather shameless tactical request, Athrun was momentarily stunned before asking.
"ORB is right behind us. Where could I possibly run to? It's not like the Alliance won't chase after us if I flee."
Lu Tianming sighed helplessly and explained.
"Besides... do you have any better options right now?"
Hearing Lu Tianming's counter-question, Athrun slightly lowered his head.
He was right. At this moment... he really didn't seem to have any other choice.
If he truly refused to cooperate, Freedom would most likely coordinate with the Earth Alliance to surround and eliminate him as a potential threat.
And trying to escape at full speed... was also a bit risky. Besides, even if he could really get away, he couldn't just leave Nicol lying there with a Gundam on the beach.
He clicked his tongue lightly, gritted his teeth, and finally replied:
"Alright... I'll do my best to buy you enough time. I hope you won't betray this temporary alliance."
Athrun clicked his tongue lightly. As the shield shattered—he instantly pushed the control stick, and the Aegis, under full thrust, shot straight up into the sky, transforming into its Mobile Armor form and charging directly toward the three elites.
Seeing the Aegis charge forward, Lu Tianming nodded silently... then turned and sped toward the skies over ORB.
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