Meanwhile, at the MS Development Department in Industrial Seven.
Although the site was neither pristine nor formal, the sight of Lacus seriously explaining the potential consequences of the Neutron Jammer Canceller technology to Cagalli, and Kira solemnly handing over the file to Cagalli, gave Roz Links the distinct feeling that he was witnessing a "nuclear football" handover ceremony.
"It's just for the sense of ritual, probably to serve as a warning to Cagalli." Erica glanced at Lacus and then returned her attention to the mock battle.
Two M1 Astray units were already out of power, lying twisted on the ground, while the Strike was still executing very fluid movements, swinging its training saber to strike the shield of the last M1 Astray.
However, the movements of this final M1 Astray were visibly sluggish, clearly indicating low battery power.
Finally, after the Strike's last swing of the saber, the final M1 Astray also lost power and was knocked down onto the ground by the Strike.
"Phew... I'm exhausted! Good thing I have strong endurance!" Mu's panting voice came through the communication.
"If it were the old Strike, the battery would have died long ago." Roz Links glanced at the Strike, which had stopped moving but was still maintaining its Phase Shift armor, drew the final stroke on his design blueprint, and handed the tablet to Erica beside him.
"Hmm... I see. So this is the Strike's new armament? It's a backpack that is indeed very suitable for Mu." Erica raised an eyebrow, looking at the equipment that resembled a Moebius Zero cut in half and mounted onto the Strike.
"Each wire-guided pod has one railgun and a twin-barrel missile launcher... I moved the original Moebius Zero's cannons onto the Strike's shield."
Roz Links stretched, standing up from his chair. "However, controlling this backpack requires very strong spatial awareness... but since the operator is Mu... there certainly won't be a problem."
"I understand. I'll arrange for factory production immediately."
After a few more glances, Erica saved the design blueprint and prepared to schedule the factory to produce the backpack.
On one hand, Orb had decided to assist this current alliance, so producing some equipment was fine. On the other hand, the design blueprint provided by Roz Links could also be slightly modified by Erica for use on the M1 Astray.
After all, the M1 Astray was derived from the Strike's frame; with minor modifications to the interface, it could utilize the Strike's backpack system.
"Speaking of which, Kira, what are your plans next?" Roz Links asked Kira, who had finished handing the file over to Cagalli, after taking his tablet back.
"Ah, about that, we plan to transfer my teacher, who is living in seclusion on Earth, to Industrial Seven." Kira scratched his head at Roz Links' question. "He saved me before... given the current situation on Earth, it wouldn't be safe for him and the children he adopted to continue living in seclusion there..."
"I see. How do you plan to get there?" Roz Links nodded upon hearing Kira's words. "Setting aside that the Eternal is a space battleship... even if the Izumo-class can operate on Earth, its propulsion isn't enough to break through the atmosphere, is it?"
"We plan to use a cargo vessel. The cargo vessel we just modified can sail on the sea." Lacus turned to face Roz Links. "But to get back into space... we will need everyone's help."
Lacus smiled, revealing her plan. "Since our cargo vessel isn't registered and is carrying MS units, we definitely can't use the mass driver. To break through the atmosphere, we need a ship to pull us out. Can we ask the Nahel Argama to pull us up?"
Currently, the ship with the strongest propulsion was the Nahel Argama, followed by the Eternal. However, as a specialized high-speed warship, the Eternal could only carry two MS units. If a battle were to occur, facing a siege by numerous MS units, it certainly wouldn't be able to hold them off.
"...You were waiting here for me all along, weren't you?" Roz Links looked at Lacus, sighed after a long silence. "When?"
Lacus smiled and named a time.
"I understand... I happen to be receiving a new armament around that time." After calculating the timing, Roz Links nodded.
The "Shipyard" had sent an update on the progress of the new armament modification. If Roz Links hadn't altered some of the blueprints, this armament should have been completed earlier. After the modifications, the completion time was slightly earlier than the time Lacus requested, so it would be perfect to receive the new armament and then go pull them up.
-----------------------------------
Perhaps in anime, even in the most barren places, the protagonist can find branches to start a fire and warm themselves.
But Shinn couldn't find any branches now. In fact, it would be a miracle to find any burnable wood for warmth on this barren, cliff-encircled platform.
As the night sky deepened, the sea breeze became cold. Shinn could only hold the girl he rescued, who called herself "Stellar," tightly, relying on their combined body heat for warmth.
Although he had activated the emergency distress beacon, it would still take some time for rescue to arrive.
A little while ago, Shinn had finally managed to calm Stellar, who had been triggered into a state of shock by his previous words, and pull her ashore.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. I'll save you."
Shinn held Stellar tightly, his right hand stroking her back as if calming a stressed cat.
In other words, Shinn, who had little deep interaction with girls and was currently focused only on making money, was essentially treating Stellar like a stressed cat and trying to soothe her.
"By the way... did I see you somewhere before?"
Seeing that Stellar had calmed down considerably, Shinn tentatively asked.
"Up in space... how did you get there?"
Although he was prepared not to get any information from Stellar, he asked out of habit.
"I can't really remember..."
Perhaps because of the cold from the water, Stellar instinctively sought out the source of warmth. She hugged Shinn's arm even tighter.
"So cold..."
"Whoa... so tight, she's so strong!"
Feeling the immense force around his waist, as if she were about to snap his spine, Shinn instinctively cried out.
Not only was Stellar's bone density higher than average, but her strength was also incredibly great. This forced Shinn to wonder if he had some kind of force field that attracted strong women. His sweet and soft little devil of a sister was now a dark-hearted, powerful girl, and now Stellar, whom he rescued, was a mentally ill strong girl...
Thinking this, could Lunamaria also be a secretly strong girl? Her melee combat scores were very high.
Shinn was lost in thought, patting Stellar's back and comforting her, trying to get her to slightly loosen her grip.
"Relax, I'll protect you. You won't die..."
Stellar's arms relaxed slightly, but Shinn felt her press even closer to him, as if unwilling to let go of any source of heat that brought warmth.
Seemingly having recovered a little, Stellar leaned close to Shinn's ear and whispered the name of a logistics company.
Shinn frowned upon hearing the name.
"Commerce, huh... a completely neutral cargo organization..."
The Earth and ZAFT were currently in a state of war. Although many cargo organizations had canceled routes between the Earth Sphere and PLANT, some larger, completely neutral cargo organizations continued to maintain these routes.
However, judging by Stellar's appearance, she must be the family member of a cargo ship captain. Piloting an MS requires a clear mind, and someone with a mental illness like this girl couldn't possibly have stolen one.
Thinking this, Shinn sighed, glanced at the completely darkened scenery, and took out his waterproof flashlight from his pocket.
The cold light couldn't provide any warmth, but in the dark environment, it was the best indicator.
Not far away, a speedboat appeared from a blind spot, shining its light and heading toward them.
......................