As the saying goes, if you don't want others to know, don't do it in the first place. No matter how perfect the disguise, persistent investigation will eventually reveal the cracks.
The "Gundam" units that appeared out of nowhere, the sudden emergence of entire squads, the devices on the machines functioning on unknown principles, and combat records filled with scenes that could only be described as "magical"... one strange occurrence after another centered around that unit, making it impossible not to harbor suspicions.
"As long as a person interacts with society, they inevitably leave behind traces of their life's trajectory."
On the rooftop, Billy Katagiri leaned against the railing and casually handed a tablet to Graham Aker. "But what's interesting is that when you look for the life trajectories of the people in that unit, they all abruptly cut off on a single day not too long ago."
"I even found that the names in the residential archives are just their code names. After cross-referencing the testimonies of the soldiers at the base they were previously stationed at, there are countless answers that differ by a hundred thousand miles..."
At this point, Billy smiled. "Clumsy concealment—or rather, they didn't care about concealing it at all. They're operating with identities that practically scream 'I have a problem.'"
Graham, meanwhile, flipped through the report, his brow furrowed. Clearly, even if someone offered an explanation to exonerate the Advanced European Union's Anti-Gundam squad, the evidence presented here was far from convincing.
"What about the psychological profiling reports?" Graham asked, wanting more data.
"Just keep scrolling down."
"Lack of empathy, paranoid delusions, viewing the world as a playground, extreme egoism, and anti-social tendencies?"
As he read the profiling report, Graham's expression turned quite grim. After all, if even one of his teammates displayed a single one of those traits, it would be a headache; yet these symptoms seemed to be standard issue for that AEU unit.
"Yeah, exactly..."
Billy spread his hands, feeling helpless that their "allies" included a unit that was essentially a group of "suicide trucks." "According to the psychological profiles, the people in that unit are a bunch of unmitigated danger zones... Even the Ravens or Celestial Being are safer than them."
"In any case, be careful when fighting alongside them." Billy turned his head to look at the troops performing daily drills below. "There's no telling when you might get a bullet in the back."
"If anything, getting shot in the back is to be expected."
After finishing the report, Graham silently operated the tablet, preparing to delete the file.
"Do they know you're helping me investigate them?"
"They only seem to know that you suspect them. Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Smirnov's actions have been very cautious, but your investigation has been too aggressive." Billy shook his head. "By the way, that file you have is the original. If you delete it, it's gone."
"I know. This is also to protect you and Professor Ralph Eifman." Graham didn't stop his hands. "Speaking of which, what has Professor Eifman been up to lately?"
"Supposedly, another Celestial Being defector has popped up and sent us their power source and related machines. Professor Eifman plans to shift all his focus there." Billy waved a hand dismissively. "He's probably organizing Aeolia Schenberg's data right now..."
The 27 machines equipped with the power source known as the "GN Drive" had already been handed over to the forces of the three superpowers.
Now, the provisional council of the three superpowers' alliance intended to integrate these machines into a rapid response force for anti-Gundam operations and regional peace maintenance.
Furthermore, since the machines were delivered, the three superpowers had begun researching the GN Drives and had started strengthening and designing new units to catch up with, or even surpass, the "Gundams."
"...I think the preliminary name for the rapid response force is A-Laws." Billy pondered for a moment before providing the name. "Those guys are acting like they've been injected with adrenaline; they've probably almost finished the machine analysis by now."
"Save one of the Celestial Being power sources for me." Graham handed the tablet back to Billy.
The matter of a "Celestial Being power source" was an allure that even Graham Aker could not resist.
"I already set one aside for your Flag. With all these years of friendship, do you think I don't know you?"
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Meanwhile, inside the AEU hangar.
Two figures, looking entirely out of place, appeared.
"I must say, I didn't expect you to actually have a Gundam. I thought you were lying just to squeeze out more subsidies," Alejandro Corner remarked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the Sengoku Astray resting on the floor.
Alejandro ignored Ribbons Almark behind him, who was busy observing the machine, and turned his attention to Black Flag, who was sitting in a wheelchair.
Due to the successive deaths of his team members, Black Flag looked significantly haggard. However, under the "Morphine" medic's accelerated recovery skills, his newly reattached legs—though still seeping a bit of blood—were functional enough for daily activities and combat.
"You... recovered quite quickly."
Seeing Black Flag in this state, Alejandro harbored many questions, but to achieve his goals, he suppressed his curiosity for the time being.
"What do you want this time?"
Black Flag could roughly guess Alejandro's intentions. His attitude softened slightly, though to an outsider, he still seemed quite abrasive. "Here for more tea?"
"I have come this time to strike a bargain with you." Alejandro clapped his hands. "And of course, I have brought a show of sincerity. The Corner family is never stingy toward those of excellence."
As the hangar gates operated, the "sincerity" Alejandro spoke of appeared before Black Flag and the others.
They were two strange-looking mobile suits with massive thruster structures split into upper and lower sections, extending from the sides of the machines to form a distinctive "X" shape.
"Two GN-X units to serve as your mobile suits, along with an additional GN Drive to enhance your existing machine," Alejandro explained. "I believe you're aware that the three superpowers have each received nine GN-X units; I managed to secure three for myself. Is this level of sincerity not enough to have you work for me?"
Alejandro was brimming with confidence, certain that he had Black Flag's squad cornered.
In various tests excluding the Gundams, Black Flag's performance while piloting the Sengoku Astray had been exceptional, which was why Alejandro wanted him in his pocket.
Truthfully, what Alejandro offered hit the mark perfectly. Black Flag's primary goal was to bolster the team's strength; only by being strong enough could they survive.
"You've read my mind. It seems I have no choice," Black Flag sighed, looking at the GN Drive not far away. "In that case, I shall swear my allegiance to you!"
Unfortunately, there were no crutches on hand, and Black Flag's current physical condition didn't allow him to snap a steel pipe, so the swearing-in ceremony felt a bit meager.
"Very good, very good..." Alejandro laughed, seemingly very satisfied with the result. "From now on, we are colleagues. This is Ribbons; you should get acquainted."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ribbons offered his usual corporate smile and greeted the group. Hearing that familiar voice, Black Flag and his teammates felt an instinctive chill. It was a voice they wouldn't forget even in death.
'If Ribbons has become an ally... does that mean the person currently piloting the Penelope is Amuro Ray?!'
"Let's pause the introductions here... Also, it seems someone has been tailing you lately," Alejandro interjected, cutting off any potentially awkward small talk. "Shall I have someone take care of him for you?"
"About that—it wouldn't be good for you to expose yourself. We'll handle it ourselves."
As Alejandro and Black Flag conversed, they failed to notice a flash of cold indifference in the depths of Ribbons' eyes.
....................