The setting sun bathed the ocean, its shimmering light scattered across the waves like crushed gold.
"We've received intelligence from Celestial Being. They are preparing to launch an operation against the nation of Moralia—which is backed by the AEU—and its associated PMCs."
Having donned his pilot suit for the first time in a while, Roz Links stood on the bridge, gazing at the distant horizon.
Roz wasn't particularly worried about the Banshee Norn or the ReZELs being exposed—or rather, he wasn't worried yet. Before the three major powers officially united, each was obsessed with capturing a Gundam for themselves, so they naturally kept their data close to the chest.
However, even if the three powers cooperated before forming the "Earth Sphere Federation," they undoubtedly had their own hidden agendas.
"Backing a PMC... using them as a 'glove' to stir up wars in other countries for their own profit?" Murrue Ramius quickly grasped Roz's deduction, her brow furrowing slightly.
Thinking back to the SEED world, the Eurasian Federation had its own little schemes. Regarding the Coordinator issue, they weren't as black-and-white as the Atlantic Federation, often playing both sides and stabbing others in the back when it suited them.
"A population of 180,000, yet 20% of private companies are PMCs... this is clearly the result of deliberate manipulation," Natarle Badgiruel remarked, her expression sour as she reviewed the report.
"Yeah... 'Great Britain lacks great virtue.' It seems to be the same in every world," Roz sighed, recalling a phrase he had seen on the Courtyard's online forums. "It's like any organization or polity connected to the British region ends up doing these kinds of unscrupulous things. It's practically become a meme."
"Looking at you now, I take it you've already decided to sortie." Natarle turned her chair around to face Roz.
"Yes. According to Celestial Being, they'll initiate the operation tomorrow morning." Roz nodded. "I'll show up to see if I can pressure those Agents. It might be even better if I can use Celestial Being's Gundams as bait to lure one or two out so I can continue whittling down their strength."
The images of the classified hard-copy data obtained by the special ops team led by Inoue Takina were a huge help to VEDA in searching for those Agents. At the very least, they could pinpoint the identities of certain units.
However, likely because Nagisa Shiota had forcibly killed one of them, the AEU's protection of these Agents had become much tighter, and the group's activities had temporarily slowed down.
"During this time, I'll also try to calibrate the Penelope's Psycho-Frame. The frame and programs are identical to those on the Unicorn, yet for some reason, the NT-D refuses to activate."
Roz had intended to trigger the Penelope's NT-D during the atmospheric entry operation, but it had failed to engage. The sensation was as if the Psycho-Frame lacked a "soul"—or as if only "soul fragments" remained within—brimming with power but unable to be harnessed.
This issue had been gnawing at Roz. If he couldn't fix it, how could he live up to his title as a "Green-Skin Mechanic"?
"Understood... Miho, turn the ship toward Moralia. Full speed ahead." Murrue nodded and gave the order to the helmsman on duty.
"Roger that!"
The girl with short brown hair, a data cable connecting her right ear to the console, expertly steered the rudder with one hand. She gave a thumbs-up over her shoulder to Murrue and the others.
Compared to her older sister Maho Nishizumi's style—which was methodical, focused on frontal suppression, and occasionally featured stunt maneuvers—Miho Nishizumi was more proficient in the Nahel Argama's "Heat Spike" tactics and high-speed penetration.
In simulation training, she could always find the most unconventional angles to plunge into the enemy flagship's vicinity, even using thermal armor to ram straight into it.
It was as if both sisters had each inherited half of Arnold Neumann's skills; they had weaknesses when separate, but when combined and specialized, they exhibited a capability far greater than 1 + 1 = 2.
"The Penelope doesn't have much to worry about regarding operational range, but getting closer to the target area means you won't have to fly as long to get there, giving you more maintenance time," Murrue said, looking at Roz.
As she looked at his face, Murrue felt a sudden flash of memory—the "Miracle of the Aurora" during the Gryps War, and the image of the Psycho-Frame crystallizing and piercing into Roz's body to merge with him.
"You have to fix the Penelope..." After a long silence, Murrue finally spoke.
"Of course," Roz smiled and nodded. "I'm a genius mechanic, after all."
"I'll definitely fix my partner (Aibo)."
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Republic of Moralia, inside a certain PMC hangar.
A male officer in an AEU military uniform nodded as he saw a man with messy red curls and a scruffy beard walk into the hangar.
"I've heard the rumors. This job of yours isn't going to be easy. One way or another, you AEU folks are going to have to bleed a little more for this," the red-haired man said. He didn't change his casual, slovenly demeanor just because he was meeting an active-duty officer; he spoke with a flippant air, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together.
"I'm gonna need more money."
"Ali al-Saachez, the commission was negotiated long ago. It will not be changed." The officer pulled down the brim of his cap. "Of course, if you can capture a Gundam—or even the Raven—I can apply to the higher-ups for a bonus."
"Capture a Gundam, or the Raven?"
Saachez wasn't entirely sure what the "Raven" was, but since it was being ranked alongside the famous Gundams, he figured it must be a formidable opponent. "With the current MS available to this PMC? Are you serious?"
"That is exactly why I've come to see you today."
As he spoke, the officer switched on the hangar lights. A deep purple machine, currently in its flight mode configuration, appeared before them.
"An Enact Custom. It was developed only recently, and this specific unit is a lab-tuned reinforced version."
The officer introduced the machine, casting a glance at Saachez as he approached the Enact, but said nothing more. Since the machine was intended for Saachez anyway, there was no harm in letting him get a feel for it early.
"So, you want me to use this to capture a Gundam?"
Saachez ran a hand along the armor of the Enact, a twisted smile creeping onto his face.
"This is the best machine we can offer. This mission is vital." The officer's tone grew solemn. "There is no time limit. The objective is to capture a Gundam, or the giant MS, the Raven."
Hearing such lenient conditions, Saachez initially thought he was being mocked. But after a glance at the officer and seeing his deadly serious expression, Saachez narrowed his eyes.
"...This is getting more interesting by the second."
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