The Grai Gundam emerged in the rocky valley with terrifying grace. The unit, with its angled dark armor and dense energy aura, stood proudly between the White Gundam and the Nova twin duo. It radiated a Neuro Link that felt cold and authoritative, contrasting with the White Gundam's wild and emotional Neuro Link.
In the cockpit of Nova Alpha, Prince Wiliam Solva felt a bad premonition. "The Grai Gundam's signal... it's unstable," he reported to his sister. "Mars and Mercury technology shouldn't be able to produce this strong an output, Olive. Something is wrong with that unit."
"I know, Brother," replied Princess Olive in Nova Beta, her voice tense. "The unit's aura feels suffocating. But more importantly, the White Ghost now has an ally. Two legendary units on the same field."
The Grai Gundam raised its left hand, letting a short, thick Beam Saber ignite, then activated the communication channel to the White Gundam.
"White Ghost. I am Ans Silvet," the voice on the comm channel sounded mature, calm, and had a resonance familiar to Airi in the control room, yet unfamiliar to Zaki and Maki. "Before we move forward, I want to know, who pilots that unit? I must know the name of the person who will fight by my side."
Inside the White Gundam's cockpit, Zaki took over the communication channel, supported by Maki's gaze. He felt compelled to show respect to the mysterious man piloting the powerful Mobile Suit.
"I am Zaki Kimeza, and this is my twin sister, Maki Kimeza," Zaki replied with a steady voice. "We are the White Bird. We came to stop this unnecessary fighting."
In the Grai Gundam's cockpit, Klaus Kimeza, a.k.a. Ans Silvet, smiled faintly. A smile that held deep pride and the pain of having to hide his identity.
My children... they have grown so much, Klaus thought, looking at the White Gundam's silhouette on his main screen. They are strong, Airi. They are amazing pilots. I know you must be so proud.
Klaus took a breath, reverting to the persona of Ans Silvet. "Zaki, Maki. I know you have no reason to trust me. We are the Dark Resistance, and you are the Alliance group. However, we share a common enemy: Colonial tyranny. I came to stop the Nova Solva, but my forces are surrounded. I need your help."
Maki, known to be more impulsive, immediately responded. "Why should we help? We don't know what your intentions are with that suspicious Grai unit!"
"This unit," Ans Silvet replied, his voice still calm and authoritative, "is the foundation for ending tyranny. My goal is the same as yours: to end this war and grant freedom to the Colonies and the people of Earth. If you refuse, we will be defeated, and those twin units will move toward Neo-Verdia. That will turn Neo-Verdia into a true 'Red Zone'."
Zaki looked at Maki. In his sister's eyes, he saw doubt, but also a strategic necessity. The White Gundam could not face the highly synchronized Nova Solva duo alone.
"We agree," Zaki finally said. "We will help you, Ans Silvet. But once the enemy retreats, we will talk further."
"Agreed," Ans Silvet replied, nodding.
Maki, now turning towards the Lavender Gundam. "Tasya! We need you to support Augustina and Feres! You must destroy the Colonial armada surrounding the Dark Resistance forces! Let the White Gundam and the mysterious Gundam unit handle the Colonial twin Gundams!"
Tasya, who had been waiting for instructions inside the Lavender Gundam, answered firmly. "Roger, Maki! I'll make them retreat!"
The Lavender Gundam immediately launched, followed by the Sunflower Gundam, Ibis Custom, and the Alliance Pioneers. They confronted the Colonial Mobile Suits' rear lines, which were still busy surrounding the Dark Resistance.
Now, on the main battlefield, only four Gundam units remained. The Grai Gundam and the White Gundam stood shoulder-to-shoulder, ready to fight the Nova Alpha and Nova Beta.
Ans Silvet activated the Grai Gundam's boosters. The unit, which had been secretly upgraded by the Dark Resistance, was now capable of gliding nimbly in the air, matching the White Gundam's speed.
"Solva Twins," Ans Silvet said, his voice now filled with cold determination. "You have made the choice to follow your father's tyranny. And today, you will face the consequences."
Wiliam Solva laughed in the Nova Alpha cockpit. "Ans Silvet! You are just a traitor! And White Ghost, you are merely a phantom we will bury! The Nova Gundam will finish both of you!"
"Olive, A-Beta formation!" Wiliam commanded.
Nova Alpha and Nova Beta immediately spread out, attacking with synchronized pincer movements. Nova Alpha unleashed a wave of high-energy Beam Rifle fire toward the White Gundam, while Nova Beta dashed quickly behind the Grai Gundam, ready to stab with the Beam Saber in its right hand.
"Zaki! They're trying to break our formation!" Maki shouted.
"I know, Maki! Take full control of the Bazooka!"
The White Gundam immediately took a defensive position. Zaki activated the shield, parrying Nova Alpha's barrage of Beam Rifle shots. As the shield withstood the attack, Maki aimed the new Bazooka.
BOOOM!
The bazooka projectile shot fast, not toward Nova Alpha, but toward the rock in front of the unit. The massive explosion created a large hole in the rocks and unleashed a pile of stones and smoke that disrupted Nova Alpha's stability. Wiliam had to struggle hard to withstand the shuddering of his Mobile Suit.
While Nova Alpha was busy with the shaking, the Grai Gundam moved. Klaus used his incredible Neuro Link speed. He activated the Beam Rifle in his right hand and fired a precision shot toward the Nova Beta, which was darting behind him. The shot did not hit the Nova Beta but cut its flight path, forcing Olive to drastically maneuver to evade.
"Damn! He's as fast as the White Ghost!" Olive shouted, frustrated.
"Don't let him lock down our movements, Olive!" Wiliam retorted, now focusing Nova Alpha's attack on the Grai Gundam.
The fight broke into a brutal and fast double duel. The Grai Gundam, with its accurate Beam Rifle and Beam Saber in its left hand, fought with an efficient, cold, and deadly style. Meanwhile, the White Gundam, with its explosive Bazooka attacks and movements driven by the AIRIS assistance system, fought with burning spirit.
The White Gundam utilized every opening. Zaki jumped, tilting the White Gundam's body to avoid Nova Alpha's continuous shots, while Maki immediately locked onto the target and fired the Bazooka. The White Gundam's attacks focused more on area denial and disruption, using the bazooka's explosive power to limit the Nova duo's movement space.
On the other side, the Grai Gundam faced Nova Beta directly. Olive, known for her skill in close combat, attacked the Grai Gundam with the Beam Saber in her Gundam's left hand.
CLANG!
The Grai Gundam's Beam Saber deflected the attack with surprising power. The Grai Gundam didn't just defend; it retaliated with minimal, yet deadly, movements. Klaus, as Ans Silvet, was a much more experienced and composed pilot, conserving energy while waiting for the right moment for a decisive strike.
In the control room, Airi Kimeza watched with fixed eyes. She saw her husband, who was still alive, fighting thousands of kilometers away, right beside their children. The feeling of terror and longing made it hard for her to breathe.
"Klaus... he is using 70% of the Grai unit's output," Airi whispered, her voice choked. "He is holding back. He doesn't want to kill the Solva King's children."
"Airi," Aurora said, holding Airi's hand. "Focus. The Grai Gundam and the White Gundam are working incredibly well together. They have an unexpected synchronization."
In the middle of the battlefield, Zaki felt the same thing. "Maki, do you feel it? The Grai Gundam... he reads our every move. He is always exactly where we need him."
"I know, Zaki," Maki replied. "It feels like... the three of us are in the same cockpit. But I can't let him outperform us!"
Maki, driven by her competitive spirit, activated the Beam Saber from the White Gundam's right shoulder into its left hand, launching it towards Nova Alpha. Wiliam was startled and barely managed to evade.
"What was that attack? He seems to know my move!" Wiliam roared, angry at being cornered.
Ans Silvet took advantage of the moment. The Grai Gundam launched a series of rapid Beam Rifle shots at Nova Alpha's shoulder joint, forcing it to cancel its attack and focus on defense.
"We must retreat, Brother!" Olive exclaimed. "The White Ghost and the Grai Gundam are working like a long-established team! We cannot win this fight now!"
Wiliam gritted his teeth. He saw the Colonial forces behind them were also beginning to be pressured by the aggressive attacks of the Lavender Gundam, Sunflower Gundam, and the Pioneer squadron. "Damn it! Retreat! We will report the Grai Gundam's true power to Father! We are not finished with you, White Ghost!"
Nova Alpha and Nova Beta released a thick smokescreen and rapidly retreated from the battlefield.
Ans Silvet did not pursue them. He allowed the Grai Gundam to hover, staring at the White Gundam.
"White Ghost. Excellent cooperation," Ans Silvet said, concluding the fight with cold praise. "But remember, this is not over. We will meet again. Do not let the Dark Resistance be defeated by those corrupt Colonials. You are the key."
Without waiting for a reply, the Grai Gundam immediately flew back to its flagship and disappeared into the horizon.
The White Gundam and the Kimeza Alliance had won the battle, but the encounter with the Grai Gundam had opened a much larger and more emotional Pandora's box. Their father, Klaus Kimeza, had now become an unexpected, yet secretive, ally in the increasingly complicated war. In the control room, Airi cried, caught between happiness and anxiety, over this unforeseen reunion.
To be continued….