In the testing ground next to the hangar, the Strike and the three M1 Astray units, all equipped with training sabers, were facing off in a one-versus-three formation.
"Even though it's not fully debugged, the Strike's output is so much stronger than before..."
Even Mu, who was already quite familiar with the Strike, felt a sense of unfamiliarity, sensing the surge of power from the nuclear-powered Strike during his movements just now.
"After the preliminary calibration, it's fine to move the unit, but even with the Strike's reserved upgrade space, the original pipelines definitely cannot fully utilize the nuclear battery's energy output. Further optimization will certainly be needed later."
Roz Links' voice sounded over the communication. "Conducting a mock battle will also help you continue to debug the unit later. After all, you get more useful data from a battle than from self-speculation."
"Speaking of that... Aren't you joining us?" Mu felt a little unaccustomed to Roz Links not participating.
"This mock battle is primarily for gathering data for you; my participation wouldn't be of any substantial help."
Roz Links, wearing headphones, had already entered the observation room.
He nodded and greeted the people in the observation room before casually pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"Besides... I'm currently designing a new backpack for you."
As Roz Links spoke, he opened a file on his tablet.
On the tablet screen, the rough outline of a backpack was visible, and next to it was a picture of the Moebius Zero, which Mu used to pilot.
After observing Mu's battles several times, Roz Links felt that Mu couldn't fully exert his abilities in the fully equipped Strike. His past experience piloting the Moebius Zero provided almost no relevant reference, forcing him to start from scratch.
Although Mu could now operate the Strike smoothly, he still lacked a combat backpack that could fully utilize his capabilities. After the battle with the Library, Roz Links had some ideas about this.
With Cagalli, representing Orb, deciding to support this currently unnamed alliance, it was a good time for Roz Links to add some armaments to Mu's Strike.
"Oh, does that mean I'll have new equipment soon?" Mu's eyes widened with surprise in the cockpit as he heard Roz Links' words.
"Yes. Now that Orb has signed a cooperation agreement with Lacus, although Orb's economy has been hit hard, we can still afford to support you." Cagalli interjected over the comms.
"Whether it's Orb or everyone gathered here, we are all united by the idea of ending the war, because if the war doesn't end..."
Cagalli didn't finish her sentence, but everyone tacitly thought of various grim, worst-case scenarios.
"In any case, there's no time to waste. Let the mock battle begin." At this point, Erica spoke up.
"Here I come!" Mu grinned, maneuvering the Strike to raise its shield and charge toward the three M1 Astray units in front of him.
"Just because it has a new battery doesn't mean it's that much stronger."
Mayura, sitting in her M1 Astray, smiled confidently as she watched the Strike rush toward her and also raised her shield.
Since the footage of Roz Links consistently attacking the torso and cockpit area in every battle spread throughout Orb, the Orb forces implemented a mandatory requirement for all MS pilots: "Keep the enemy in sight and ensure the shield protects the cockpit."
Furthermore, after seeing Roz Links' creative use of the shield, Orb even compiled a specific manual for MS shield usage.
Since then, Orb soldiers developed the habit of "raise the shield first when in doubt." It is rumored that the MS Research Center is also attempting to add armaments to the shield.
"Clang..."
Mayura's M1 Astray training saber struck the Strike's shield. The other two M1 Astray units circled to the Strike's flanks, waving their training sabers.
If it were the Strike of old, its charge might have been halted, but now the Strike directly used its shield to push back the M1 Astray that struck it.
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"Roz, who do you think will win next?"
Just as Roz Links was intensely focused on drawing on his blueprints, Lacus's voice sounded in the observation room.
Roz Links stopped writing, raised his head, and glanced at the situation in the observation room. The other five people in the room were all looking at him, wanting to hear his opinion.
After all, apart from seeing Mu's movements being much bolder than before, the overall battle situation still looked like Mu was being suppressed.
"...Mu will win." Roz Links made his judgment after only two glances.
"Although he is still getting familiar with the reinforced capabilities of the mobile suit, he is clearly consciously preventing himself from being surrounded."
"Furthermore... when the piloting skills of both sides are comparable, the performance of the machine is one of the crucial factors determining victory."
After saying this, Roz Links looked at Kira and Athrun. "Kira and Athrun should have some firsthand experience regarding this."
"...Yes, if the Strike's performance hadn't been so superior back then, I might have died." Kira shook his head helplessly, recalling his past battles.
Although he now harbored a desire for strength, his heart still followed Roz Links' old advice: try not to attack the enemy's cockpit, but rather attack the limbs to incapacitate them.
But it seemed... that idea might be unrealistic now?
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In a conference room within the Kingdom of Foundation's palace, a figure sat calmly, sipping coffee delivered by the palace maid.
"It's not easy to catch you, the busy man."
At that moment, the conference room door opened, and Orphee Lam Tao, still dressed in his luxurious attire, walked in and closed the door.
"After all, you are on Earth, and we are in space."
Durandal set down his coffee cup, habitually smiled, and looked at Orphee. "Besides, ZAFT's influence on Earth has been completely driven out. You are now the only secret asset we have on Earth."
"Then, if you don't want your secret asset exposed, you need to keep a low profile lately."
Orphee's face darkened, recalling the meeting he just had with those Blue Cosmos members. "Although the attack by the Archangel and the Unicorn led to the abandonment of the Torrington port and the withdrawal of most of Blue Cosmos's investment, some factories remain, and now is the time for delivery."
Orphee had gone to great lengths to hide the Minerva right under the noses of the Earth Alliance and Blue Cosmos to cover its entry into the Kingdom of Foundation.
Durandal did not get angry at Orphee's seemingly treasonous admission of cooperation with Blue Cosmos in front of him. He simply nodded.
"Back to the main topic, I've found what you asked me to investigate."
Orphee recalled what Durandal wanted him to investigate. Or rather, no investigation was needed; the answer had been handed to him the moment they agreed to cooperate with Blue Cosmos and build the factory.
"LOGOS, the organization called the 'Merchants of Death'... they are the masterminds behind Blue Cosmos and the primary instigators of this war."
Orphee casually placed a folder on the table and pushed it toward Durandal. "After the large-scale MS manufacturing factory was built in the Kingdom of Foundation, a large number of instruments marked LOGOS were shipped in. Furthermore, these people are lobbying us to purchase the MS they produce, and the prices are ridiculously high; they clearly treat us like fools."
Durandal didn't speak. He opened the folder and raised an eyebrow as he read the information inside.
"It looks like... part of my conjecture has been confirmed."
Durandal closed the folder and looked at Orphee. "Your mission was carried out excellently. PLANT's aid to you will continue."
"If there's nothing else, I must leave now."
Picking up the folder, Durandal couldn't wait to turn the Minerva and its crew into his staunch supporters.
"Oh, and remember not to wander around and don't reveal your ZAFT identity." Orphee spoke up just as Durandal reached the conference room door.
"I wouldn't want you all to be discovered, leading Blue Cosmos to accuse us directly of harboring ZAFT forces."
At this, Orphee shook his head and sighed.
"Several smaller nations have already been purged for that very reason, without even leaving a name behind."
"We are well aware of your concerns." Durandal paused for a moment, then reached out, pushed open the conference room door, and left.
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