The news of the regrouping quickly spread throughout the Nahel Argama.
Everyone was discussing potential locations for the break, but options involving cities were essentially ruled out. After all, if the Nahel Argama were to truly appear before the public, the first to launch a siege wouldn't be the Agents, but the military machines of the superpower nations.
After a period of discussion, Roz selected an uninhabited island. It featured dense forests and expansive beaches; even the nearest resort island was a thirty-minute boat ride away.
However, before the vacation could begin, supplies had to be calculated.
"Since we didn't account for this when we initially stocked up, we'll need to make a fresh purchase," Roz said. As this was a vacation for regrouping, he didn't want to dip into the Nahel Argama's strategic reserves. "For instance, various meats for the barbecue, clothes, miscellaneous goods..."
"But what about currency?"
Murrue frowned instinctively at Roz's suggestion. "The money from our own world is completely useless here, isn't it?"
"Before we set out, I applied for a fund from the Courtyard. It's not a huge amount, but it should be enough."
At that moment, Big Haro, who had been staying behind Murrue, spoke up. It was clearly well-versed in these matters.
"If it's not enough, I can just manipulate things a bit and double it."
"The Courtyard actually lets you apply for that kind of funding?"
Natarle Badgiruel, who was helping Roz look at the map, was somewhat surprised. "I thought we'd have to handle such trivial things ourselves."
"That's because applying for local currency is now a standard part of the operating procedure. There was once an Agent who forgot to prepare the relevant currency before departing and ended up having to play 'city survival' for nearly two weeks."
As Big Haro spoke, its eyes projected a bank balance interface in front of everyone.
The numbers were indeed insufficient for MS maintenance, but since the Nahel Argama could perform its own repairs, the money was more than plenty for purchasing vacation supplies.
"So, what was the end result for that Agent?"
"They worked a part-time job for two weeks—going to work in the morning and chasing targets at night."
Big Haro tilted its head back slightly, seemingly reminiscing. "That sort of thing seems to happen more often with those Kamen Riders and Ultramen."
At the mention of working for money, Murrue, Natarle, and the data-crunching Christina all looked at Roz at the same time. His previous "money-grubbing" phase had left a very deep impression on them.
"What? I was under massive economic pressure back then, okay?"
Feeling the three burning gazes, Roz instinctively defended himself. "MS, MA, battleships... so many things to build. I didn't have unlimited support from Orb at the time. It's a miracle I didn't go rob a bank!"
"This funding is only available after official employment. Based on Roz's previous situation, he was more of an... intern?"
Big Haro looked down at the group, offering what it considered a fitting title.
"Alright, the money issue is solved. Now, how do we get the goods?"
Murrue coughed twice, pulling the drifting conversation back on track.
"Prepare two waterproof shipping containers, find a deserted spot to drop them off, or just tag them with locators and dump them in the sea for a ReZEL to tow back," Christina suggested.
It was a crude plan, but it seemed feasible.
The ReZEL Type-C was capable of atmospheric flight, and its thrust was enough to transport an entire MS. Towing two containers wouldn't be a problem; as long as they flew at ultra-low altitudes, it would be safe enough.
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The Nahel Argama first dropped anchor at the selected uninhabited islet. Although the supplies hadn't arrived yet, everyone except those on duty had already sprinted onto the beach to let loose.
This procurement trip was to be handled by Roz, Murrue, and Christina, while Natarle Badgiruel remained in charge of watching the house.
Murrue and Christina changed into casual wear, but Roz remained in his usual pilot jacket and cargo pants.
Given that things like Haros didn't seem to exist in this world, Big Haro simply provided a bank card and did not accompany them.
When their plain, unremarkable speedboat pulled up to the shore, the reality of this world finally unfolded before Roz and the others.
"It feels quite similar to where we came from..."
Taking in the sights, Murrue instinctively adjusted her hat, suppressing the rush of adrenaline that came with her first close-range contact with another world.
"Don't be nervous. Our cover is just a family on vacation, stopping by to pick up some supplies."
Roz hoisted Christina onto the dock and stood before the two of them. "Let's make this quick; don't make the others wait too long."
Hearing Roz's words, Murrue let out a small sigh of relief and instinctively linked her arm with his.
"Then, let's head out."
As if her spirits had been lifted, Murrue leaned in and whispered into Roz's ear, "Honey."
"...Well, based on our cover story, am I supposed to call Roz 'Daddy'?"
Watching the two of them acting all lovey-dovey, Christina refused to be outdone and squeezed herself right between them.
Meanwhile, Natarle Badgiruel was still back on the bridge of the Nahel Argama, diligently standing her watch.
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"Found them already?"
Sumeragi's expression was one of surprise as she stared at the communication feed. On the screen was a young girl wearing a cheongsam, reclining on a sofa with a wine glass in hand.
"Weren't we unable to find even a trace of them before?"
"No matter who they are, as long as they exist in this world, they will leave a trail."
The girl in the cheongsam, her hair styled in twin tails, took a leisurely sip of champagne.
"Previously, they hadn't interacted with our society, so finding them was difficult. But this time, they made a purchase within our borders. Naturally, Veda caught them."
In the magnificent hall, the girl swirled the liquid in her glass. With just a slight tilt of her head, she could gaze out at a meticulously designed landscape.
"What did you find, Wang Liu Mei?"
Sumeragi's expression turned serious as she looked at the girl on the screen.
"The bank account was created two or three days ago. The funds came from transferring a single cent out of various dormant bank accounts. However, with Veda's help, we still managed to track a sliver of their movements."
The girl named Wang Liu Mei began to explain her discovery.
"One man and two women, appearing like a family with a child. Their cover story was that of tourists. They bought a truck and two shipping containers. They purchased food and a chaotic assortment of miscellaneous goods—massive quantities, very diverse types. It clearly wasn't for family use or commercial resale."
"Finally, under Veda's tracking, those containers were dumped into the sea."
"Dumped into the sea?"
Sumeragi began to ponder upon hearing this. "Are they planning to salvage them directly from the water?"
"Correct. They deployed two new types of mobile suits."
Wang Liu Mei smiled and showed Sumeragi two images. Though they were somewhat blurry, Sumeragi could still make out three machines she had never seen before.
Two were blurry waverider-type units, towing the two containers as they retreated. The third unit featured two cannon barrels that were abnormally long for its frame, clearly acting as a guard.
"And then? Did we lose them?"
Sumeragi frowned instinctively after seeing the pictures.
"No. Veda tagged their speedboat with nanomachines. Although they abandoned the boat halfway, we now have a general search area."
Wang Liu Mei set down her wine glass. "Coincidentally, within that search range, there is a resort island that happens to be my property."
"I've already started the search on my end. Results should be in shortly."
Seeing the pensive Sumeragi on the screen, Wang Liu Mei smiled. "Should we initiate contact?"
"You seem very invested in this."
Faced with Wang Liu Mei's proactive attitude, Sumeragi felt a slight sense of unease.
"Sumeragi, don't you think the world today has become a bit boring?"
Wang Liu Mei didn't hide her thoughts; she spoke them quite openly. "The three major powers are constantly checking and balancing each other. The world is like a stagnant pond. The wars from years ago are still being fought today without the slightest change. It's too dull."
"What I look forward to is change—whether for better or worse. Celestial Being can achieve that, which is why I joined."
Wang Liu Mei looked at Sumeragi, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Now, a brand-new, unknown force has appeared like a variable tossed into a calculation, bringing the unknown to all of this."
"I am very much looking forward to what kind of change you—and they—can bring to this world."
......................