After the two Strike Gundams returned, the maintenance team immediately began repairs on the Mobile Suits. Meanwhile, Yang Hui and Erica Simmons gathered feedback from Mu and Morgan Chevalier regarding their test experiences.
"So that's why the Mobile Suit felt off—the issue was here all along," Mu exclaimed after hearing Yang Hui and Erica Simmons' explanation.
"You noticed it earlier? Why didn't you report it!?" Erica Simmons was furious, suspecting that Mu had deliberately withheld the issue to ensure the Quasi-GN Drive test's success.
"You're misunderstanding me. I really didn't feel anything at first," Mu raised his hands defensively, realizing why she was angry. "It wasn't until the final stages of the limit test, when the Quasi-GN Drive output reached the Third Limit, that I sensed the Mobile Suit's imbalance."
"Same here. That's when I noticed a severe lack of coordination in the Mobile Suit. I intended to report it, but the speed was too intense—I couldn't afford to lose focus," Morgan Chevalier added in Mu's defense. Their Mobile Suits were identical except for color, and their piloting skills were nearly matched from simulated battles, so they had detected the issue around the same time.
"...I'm sorry. I overreacted."
"No, it's my fault."
Erica Simmons smiled faintly, not dwelling on the emotional exchange. They were all adults—there was no need for overly sentimental apologies.
"Aside from the Mobile Suit's imbalance, did you encounter any other issues?" Yang Hui asked. Test data was crucial, but it wasn't everything. A pilot's firsthand experience mattered just as much. While different pilots might have varying impressions of the same Mobile Suit due to individual habits, consistent feedback indicated a genuine problem.
"I think the Quasi-GN Drive's output needs a limiter. Otherwise, it could easily lead to accidents."
"Agreed. The Anti-Gravity Characteristic reduces the Mobile Suit's sense of weight, altering how it feels to pilot. Without realizing it, we might push the output too high. Experienced pilots like us might manage, but regular pilots could lose control."
"Understood. We'll note that for now. Anything else?" Yang Hui asked. This issue was relatively simple to address. Given that Quasi-GN Drives would be rolled out gradually, ordinary pilots wouldn't have immediate access to them. They could first adapt using GN Particle Storage Tanks.
"Nothing else for now."
"Alright, go rest for now. Director Simmons and I will prioritize fixing the transmission system so we can proceed with the next test as soon as possible."
"Roger." x2
"Director Simmons, go ahead first. I'll join you shortly," Yang Hui said as they parted ways. During their discussion, he had caught Mu's meaningful glance—he wanted to speak privately.
"Understood."
Once Erica Simmons had left, Yang Hui took a few turns before finding Mu waiting for him. He already had an idea of what Mu wanted to discuss.
"Yang Hui, Creuset is in Orb—and he's inside the Dawn Company!"
"Just as I thought." Yang Hui realized it must have been when he took Creuset to observe the activation and basic testing of the Quasi-GN Drive earlier.
To be honest, Yang Hui found the peculiar connection between Mu and Creuset truly troublesome. This connection was a passive ability—impossible to turn off or block. Whenever the two came within a certain distance, they would instinctively sense each other's presence.
Mu would undoubtedly learn that Creuset was still alive eventually, given that they were destined to become allies in the future. But not now—it was far too early. At the very least, it had to wait until Mu became aware of the existence of Prometheus Fortress.
"Creuset? Definitely not. I killed him with my own hands," Yang Hui replied with feigned seriousness, furrowing his brows.
"He must still be alive! Yang Hui, you know about the special connection between me and Creuset—it's never been wrong before. I'm certain he's here somewhere. We have to find him—he's too dangerous!"
Seeing Mu so agitated, Yang Hui concluded that the day he allowed Mu and Creuset to meet would have to be postponed even further.
"Could it be another clone left behind by your father? Maybe the connection you share with Creuset also extends to other clones?"
Yang Hui suddenly thought of Rey Za Burrel—Mu's other so-called "father"—with whom Mu also shared a psychic link. He quickly used this as an excuse to deflect.
"I don't know." Mu shook his head, his expression grim. The mere thought of his despicable father creating clones made his heart twist in pain. "But even if that's the case, we still need to find them. Leaving someone like that in Orb is too dangerous."
"Alright, I understand. I'll have people look into it."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
Mu was merely Orb's ace pilot. Though he had been promoted to lieutenant colonel after the Second Battle of Jachin Due, his authority was still limited. He didn't have the power to order searches within Dawn Company, let alone all of Orb. This matter could only be entrusted to Yang Hui.
"Sigh, the road ahead is long and arduous." Watching Mu disappear around the corner, Yang Hui sighed. The complicated relationship between the two men gave him a headache.
Mu had never gotten along with his father—he had despised the man since childhood. And now, Creuset, Mu's lifelong nemesis, had inherited all of Mu's resentment toward his father, bearing the weight of both old grudges and new.
Oh, right—Rey was also Mu's father... even though Rey was technically younger in terms of growth age.
The affairs of the Flaga family were truly tangled beyond unraveling.
At this thought, Yang Hui felt a wave of relief. Thankfully, Creuset had already left Orb the previous night to personally monitor Mentor Malchio around the Marshall Islands. If he had been brought along to observe today's tests, who knew what kind of chaos might have erupted?
"Enough overthinking. It's inevitable anyway. I'll just find an opportunity to let them sort it out themselves."
Having made his decision, Yang Hui relayed Mu's discovery of Creuset to Creuset himself, along with his own advice, before putting the matter aside. He had more pressing concerns—whether the Quasi-GN Drive's integration into Orb's forces could elevate their combat capabilities to the next level. That was the top priority.
Beep beep beep...
To Yang Hui's surprise, Creuset actually replied after receiving the message.
"Hmm? Mana? Heh... well hidden indeed. Never mind, this is actually a good opportunity..."
Beep beep beep...
Just as Yang Hui finished reading the latest intelligence report from Creuset, both Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei simultaneously sent communication requests, making him frown.
Connecting both calls, Yang Hui saw the serious expressions on the women's faces and immediately knew something had happened.
"What's going on?"
"Cagalli and Kisaka have gone missing. Kira almost left too, but we managed to stop him."
"What exactly happened? Give me a detailed report!"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!