Inside the hangar of the Nahel Argama, within the cockpit of the Penelope.
Streams of data flickered incessantly across the touchscreens. Roz Links stared at the various numerical codes, his hands poised over an external keyboard, his brow furrowed in concentration.
After several rounds of checks and long periods of contemplation, Roz still couldn't find a single area that required modification.
"The machine's Psycho-Frame status is perfectly intact..."
Christina, holding a tablet, stepped into the cockpit and showed Roz the data on her screen. "It's exactly identical to the preset data. The power contained within hasn't changed at all, even after combat."
"It's practically like a Sleeping Beauty..."
At that moment, Cindy, clutching a wrench, appeared outside the hatch. Taking in the scene inside the cockpit, she raised an eyebrow.
"Did I come at a bad time?"
"What do you mean 'bad time'? Where is your mind wandering to?"
Roz, still nursing a headache over the Penelope's inability to trigger the NT-D system, looked toward Cindy with a look of pure confusion. However, he quickly realized why she had made that comment.
Christina was currently leaning slightly toward him, her slender waist resting against the console, as she tiredly placed her tablet next to the touchscreens.
Whether it was due to the sturdiness of the console or the fact that Christina was using her legs and internal electronic muscle fibers for support, the left-side control panel remained perfectly silent under her weight.
"We're discussing the Penelope's issues; don't overthink it."
Seeing Christina's posture and Cindy's teasing eyes, Roz shook his head. "Besides, you've arrived at the right time. Did you find anything?"
"Absolutely nothing. There are no changes to the exterior or interior of the Psycho-Frame. It's as if it just rolled off the factory line."
Hearing Roz's words, Cindy didn't waste time with pleasantries. She walked straight into the cockpit and sat down bluntly on Roz's lap.
Fortunately, Roz's current physical endurance was high; otherwise, that move would have sent him straight to the infirmary.
"Physics, programming, every aspect is fine—so why won't it start?"
Roz let out a frustrated sigh. Even with his "Green-Skin" brain, he couldn't think of a way to get the Penelope's NT-D to activate as it had in the past.
Should he create an external plug-in to force an override? But what if there really was a Machine Spirit involved?
Recalling the still-slumbering Unicorn, Roz abandoned that line of thought.
Feeling the friction against his thigh and under Christina's watchful gaze, Roz exasperatedly swatted the backside of the mischievous Cindy.
"I'm about to head out for a sortie; now isn't the time for this."
"Regarding the activation of the NT-D, I looked through the combat records before coming here and had a few thoughts." Cindy didn't blush after being swatted; instead, she found a comfortable position and raised her right index finger, making an "I have an idea" face. "Think back—whenever you activated the NT-D system, was there anything special about it?"
"...Special?"
Roz was a bit confused by Cindy's analysis. He didn't feel like anything particularly unique happened whenever he triggered the NT-D.
While Roz remained in a state of "the observer being blind to himself," Christina—who had always been concerned about Roz's physical condition—instantly caught Cindy's meaning.
"Are you talking about... a state of hyper-arousal?"
Christina began flipping through the database, comparing various data points. "Roz, every time you activate the NT-D system, you enter a somewhat hyper-excited state. The frequency and intensity of your brainwave activity are both very high."
"In other words... the problem isn't with the Psycho-Frame, but with me?"
Roz was no fool; without further explanation, he naturally understood what Christina and Cindy were implying. When he thought about it carefully, it was true—every battle where he triggered the NT-D involved circumstances that forced him into a state of "obsession."
I see. To wake up the Penelope, I don't need to 'light her up'; I have to 'burn' myself first?
"I don't know if it'll work... but I'll give it a try."
Roz wasn't sure exactly how intense his emotions needed to be to awaken the Penelope. But if he didn't try, nothing would change; the Psycho-Frame would remain dormant, and the Machine Spirit that might be sleeping inside would never wake.
Beep beep beep... beep beep beep...
At that moment, the Penelope's communicator chirped.
"Roz, Celestial Being's Gundams have already sorted."
Murrue, appearing on the comms, saw Christina and Cindy crowded around Roz and greeted them calmly.
"Understood. Then I'm heading out as well."
Hearing Murrue's update, Roz unplugged the external keyboard's data cable and handed it to Christina. Being sensible women, Cindy and Christina each gave Roz a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the cockpit.
Though it was unlikely anyone would see, Roz wiped his face just in case and picked up his helmet.
"Well, save a spot for Natarle and me; we'll collect ours when you get back," Murrue teased with a smile, seeing Roz put on his helmet and return to his familiar, professional self.
"Don't worry, I should be back soon."
As the Penelope was transported to the deck by the elevator platform, Roz snapped his visor shut. The deep blue sea appeared in the panoramic cockpit, and Roz instinctively tightened his grip on the control sticks.
"Roz Links, Penelope, launching!"
As he slammed the pedals down, the electromagnetic propulsion and the Minovsky Flight Craft roared to life. The Penelope retracted its landing gear and lifted off, letting out a monster-like shriek as it streaked toward Moralia.
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Celestial Being made no attempt to conceal their operation in Moralia. In fact, they welcomed the media's coverage, preferring that every corner of the world witness the situation unfolding there.
For this specific mission, Celestial Being had also deployed several new armaments, giving all four machines a noticeably different profile.
"Just as expected—the AEU has their hands in this," Lockon Stratos remarked with a chuckle, shaking his head as he spotted a squadron of Enacts sporting military-green liveries.
"By the way, where's Roz? Hasn't he arrived yet?"
"Supposedly he's already on his way, planning to cut into the battlefield from another vector," replied Allelujah, who had only recently been released from confinement. His expression was somewhat complicated.
Since his second personality, Hallelujah, had been pummeled by Shinn, that manic alter-ego had remained uncharacteristically quiet for a long time.
Knowing that a powerhouse like Shinn was willing to serve as Roz's right hand, Allelujah could only attempt to gauge Roz's true strength based on the massive, unconscious psychic pressure he had radiated during their first meeting—an estimate he knew was likely inaccurate.
"In that case, let's follow Miss Sumeragi's plan and split up," Lockon said. He noticed the odd tone in Allelujah's voice, but they had already entered the combat phase; there was no turning back now. "No problems on your end, right, Allelujah?"
"Yeah. No problem at all."
Allelujah took a deep breath, forcing himself to relax.
The four machines, trailing emerald GN particles, dispersed in different directions across Moralia.
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Meanwhile, at the PMC base, a deep purple Enact Custom was preparing for takeoff.
"Hmph... so you've come, Gundam."
Glancing at the battle reports flashing beside him—detailing how the Hellion squads were being torn to shreds the moment they made contact with the Gundams—Saachez, clad in his dark red pilot suit, pulled his lips back into a grin.
"Hey, you brats! Remember what I told you? If you want to live, stay hidden!"
For the mercenaries of the PMC, this was a business of blood; survival was the most important thing. Besides, unlike him, they weren't being paid extra, so why should they throw their lives away?
With that thought, Saachez slammed down the pedals. The Enact Custom taxied out of the hangar, gathered speed on the runway, and pulled its nose up into the sky.
"Static... Captain Saachez, we have an emergency."
Just then, the voice of one of his squad members came over the comms, sounding noticeably anxious.
"Speak."
Saachez's expression soured, his irritation rising. He was finally ready to enjoy the thrill of battle, and now there was a new complication?
"There's something unknown—it's massive—flying toward Moralia."
Staring at the data provided by the AEU military, the squad member swallowed hard. "This unknown object..."
"...is moving at Mach 2!"
Hearing his subordinate's exclamation, Saachez narrowed his eyes, recalling the explanation given by the AEU officer the day he received the Enact Custom.
"Raven."
At the mention of that name, Saachez's irritation vanished. Instead, he excitedly licked his lips.
"This is getting better and better."
............