All the way, the Archangel, along with the Kusanagi and Ame-no-Murakumo, had managed to reach Orb's Industrial 7 without incident after evading several ZAFT patrol fleets.
It must be said, the camouflage of Industrial 7 was actually more effective than what photos and videos suggested.
In the areas not close to Industrial 7, the asteroid belt surrounded by Industrial 1 through Industrial 6 looked no different from a normal asteroid mining field.
The dock primarily used for warships, even with three ships fully berthed, didn't feel crowded. There was even space to fit three more warships.
Unfortunately, Orb no longer had time to build more Izumo-class ships.
"What? ZAFT blew up Victoria's Mass Driver?"
Having just finished berthing the Archangel, Murrue heard this news from Ledonir.
"That's right. Both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance have reduced large-scale operations, currently focusing mostly on small-scale conflicts. The two sides are now in a standoff."
Over the communications, Ledonir's expression was somewhat serious.
"After the Earth Alliance failed to seize Orb's Mass Driver, they started building a new Mass Driver in Kaohsiung while attempting to reclaim Victoria's mass driver. In the end, Victoria's Mass Driver was destroyed."
"We don't know more specific details. After withdrawing from Earth, our contact with informants became very difficult."
"I understand."
Murrue sighed, feeling that the situation was becoming increasingly strange.
"Additionally, we now have two pieces of intelligence that are still unclear, only two names."
Finally, Ledonir sent Murrue a file.
"ZAFT's intelligence concerns the GENESIS Project…"
"And the Earth Alliance's intelligence is called the Gryps Plan."
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At this time on Earth, in the conference room of the new headquarters of the Atlantic Federation.
"Director Muruta, although Blue Cosmos' automated combat units performed averagely in the Orb conquest battle, they performed excellently in the operation to reclaim the Victoria Mass Driver."
"However, the performance of the Enhanced Human project still seems to require some iterations. Please accelerate the progress."
In the slightly dim conference room, the Atlantic Federation officers looked at the report on the screen, their expressions somewhat grim.
Director Muruta's expression was equally unpleasant. In the Orb conquest battle, three Enhanced Humans and three new G units participated; the remaining G was badly damaged and is now being repaired in a maintenance facility.
Not to mention that remaining Enhanced Human, who is now suffering from PTSD and maintaining mental stability with alcohol.
"As for the Gryps Plan, since the neutron jammers cannot be neutralized, we will use laser weapons."
The officer sitting in the central seat spoke with a firm expression.
"How is the Mass Driver in Kaohsiung progressing?"
"The construction is proceeding smoothly, but it requires a batch of Daggers and an Archangel-class for defense."
An officer spoke, pointing at the location on the map where the Mass Driver was being constructed.
"Hmm… the Archangel-class will go first for defense, but for mass transport of Daggers, our newly developed Garuda-class transport still needs some time."
Due to the Heliopolis incident, the Earth Alliance has now separated warship and MS production locations. To quickly transport MS units, the concept of the Garuda-class large transport was proposed.
Equipped with the same laser nuclear fusion reactor as the Archangel-class, the Garuda-class can safely transport large numbers of MS in airspace controlled by the Earth Alliance.
"In any case, next topic."
The officer in the central seat pressed a remote control beside him.
Images of the Narrative Gundam appeared on the screen, including pictures of its later NTD activation form.
"As for… this unit codenamed the White Devil…"
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"…What are your thoughts on this mobile suit codenamed Phoenix?"
In a PLANT homeland conference room, Rau Le Creuset calmly presented his observations.
"This color-changing armor… it really isn't the new PS armor, is it?"
A ZAFT technical officer frowned, unsure why Rau was bringing up this particular mobile suit.
"Normally, it appears gray-white, but when it enters the red state, its performance increases significantly."
"And in the yellow state… it most likely affects the pilot's mental state."
Rau pressed a button on the remote, and a clearly enlarged, blurry image appeared on the screen: the Narrative Gundam glowing yellow, wielding the Black Knight's massive slashing sword, brutally destroying the Black Knight as if chopping bones.
"Given my understanding of that pilot, he favors high-efficiency, one-hit kills."
"Pilot? Isn't this the first time there's footage of this unit. How do you know who the pilot is?"
A nearby officer asked, puzzled.
"Good question."
Rau pressed the remote twice more. Screenshots of a Jegan D Type and a Jesta in combat appeared alongside the Phoenix.
"See it? This Phoenix and the two Cub units… no, they should now be called Phantom Beasts."
Rau smiled, trying to pique the officers' interest. "What do they have in common?"
"…Red flames."
"Exactly. That's why I believe all of these units share the same pilot."
Rau waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, who else loves using forged rockets so much?"
"Back to the topic—finally, the green state."
Rau displayed the last image.
"A beautiful aurora, isn't it? But this Phoenix left the aurora behind while pushing the engine-damaged Long Leg into space."
Everyone froze at Rau's words.
Without a Mass Driver, with the positron interference channel gone, and one high-power engine damaged, no one could imagine how a warship could escape Earth's gravity.
And this Phoenix… literally pushed Long Leg out?!
After the brief meeting ended, Rau walked out and saw a familiar face.
"Well, our Mr. Durandal, what brings you here?"
Rau smiled and approached the figure. "Shouldn't you be following up on the GENESIS project?"
"The new GUNDAM unit has been launched. I also need to check on the clone soldiers and the new warship development."
Durandal looked at Rau calmly. "Just in time you returned; I wanted to review the briefing."
"So? Phoenix—are you interested in that unit?"
Rau skillfully teased his friend. "A completely new, unknown technology."
Durandal just glanced at Rau and immediately understood his friend's intentions.
"I'll leave the opportunity to others. My project schedule is full; there's no room for a new project."
Though he said that, both Durandal and Rau tacitly knew what each other was thinking.
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While the Earth Alliance and ZAFT were scheming over the Narrative Gundam, at the very center of the storm, our Mr. Roz was troubled in a guest room on Industrial 7.
Just after settling in on Industrial 7, Roz received a communication from Kuzzey and came to this meeting room.
He had assumed it was Sai bringing something to the Archangel—but how come there was someone else here?!
"Hey, Kuzzey, you—"
Looking at the young man in front of him, who had tidied himself slightly but still wore that all-white outfit, Roz felt a little shiver down his spine.
"Don't casually reveal my news!"
The young man in front of him held a bank card in both hands, giving off a "if you don't agree, I'll commit seppuku on the spot" aura.
Next to him, Kuzzey could only smile helplessly, awkwardly scratching his head.
"Can't help it… I got soft for a moment, and besides, haven't you been complaining about being short on cash lately…"
Before Kuzzey could finish, Roz's iron fist slammed onto Kuzzey's head.
"I have my own way to deal with money problems—I don't need to earn it from ordinary people's savings!"
Roz felt his blood pressure skyrocket. Taking ordinary people's requests could even cost more in materials. Last time he took George's request, a Jesta got blown up, and the profit wasn't even worth picking up junk in space.
"Please… save my sister!"
Seeing Roz was about to refuse, Shinn, already prepared, bowed expertly and handed Roz a bank card with both hands. "This is all the savings my family has!"
"I remember Orb's medical technology is good, but don't you think coming to me—a mechanic—is a bit odd if you want to save someone?"
Roz scratched his head, clearly puzzled why Shinn insisted on coming to him.
"…His sister was affected by an attack from Earth Alliance MS."
Kuzzey, seeing Roz's attitude soften slightly, continued explaining: "Both legs and right arm amputated, left arm severely damaged, large-scale facial disfigurement…"
"…Then how did he know I have prosthetic technology?"
Roz looked at Kuzzey. "Orb's prosthetic technology is good too. At least his sister can manage daily life."
"Uh… I used Miss Christina's case to encourage them."
Kuzzey looked a bit embarrassed at that.
The room fell silent. Shinn, still holding a 90-degree bow, felt his waist start to ache, but stubbornly stayed bent, refusing to rise.
At least until Roz took the bank card, Shinn would maintain this posture.
"Tch… one after another, really…"
Roz sighed, glanced at the young man who was wobbling from bowing so long, and reached out to take the bank card.
"Hey, kid, stand up. What's your name?"
"Shinn… Shinn Asuka."
Shinn felt the soreness in his waist and stood up.
"Alright… Shinn, you can call me Roz. Call this number in two days, and I'll check your sister out."
Roz casually put the bank card into his pocket.
"All my prosthetics are implant-type. I need to check your sister—if there's any rejection reaction, it could be serious."
"And, work hard, kid."
Roz walked toward the door of the meeting room, patting Shinn's shoulder as he passed.
"My work doesn't come cheap."
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"So… Roz really agreed?"
Shinn held his sore waist, gritting his teeth, but thinking that his sister could run and play like a normal person, he couldn't help smiling.
Seeing Shinn's face, a mix of tears and laughter, Kuzzey helplessly nodded.
"Yes. Since Roz accepted your money, it means he took on the request."
"That's good… that's really good…"
Even though all the savings had been wiped out, Shinn's heart was filled only with joy.
"Just a small debt! I'm a man determined to become a working warrior!"
.................