Inside the AEU Anti-Gundam unit base, an uninvited guest arrived.
"I've never seen your lot in the AEU forces before... I hadn't realized you were a mobile suit experimental unit."
Alejandro Corner walked through the base, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the logistics teams transporting ammunition.
Currently appearing before him was the GAZuOOT—a Mobile Suit that looked like a tank with a humanoid upper torso grafted onto it. This "experimental" unit, which had already been reported to the AEU, was being loaded with munitions by the ground crew.
Since their previous beam weaponry had been entirely destroyed during the operation when the Penelope descended to Earth, the GAZuOOT was now equipped with various standard AEU linear armaments. Of course, the AEU currently looked down on this "relic" that was completely out of step with modern tactical doctrines.
"I wonder what brings the UN Solar Energy Ambassador here?"
Black-Flag looked at the man in the sharp suit beside him, his brow furrowing instinctively. "A busy man like you couldn't possibly be here just for a tour."
"...Heh, interesting. Truly an independent unit of the AEU."
Hearing Black-Flag's bluntness, Alejandro didn't take offense; instead, he let out a light laugh. "You should be aware of them by now, shouldn't you? Celestial Being."
"That's a redundant question. This unit was established specifically to deal with them," Black-Flag said irritably, offering Alejandro zero professional courtesy.
"Then you surely know they are nothing short of dangerous radicals who have disrupted the world order," Alejandro continued, ignoring Black-Flag's tone. "Against such an enemy, the three superpowers ought to unite to face them."
"Before long, the three nations will hold a joint military exercise. You must understand what that signifies."
The unification of the three superpowers was no secret. Discussions regarding the joint exercise were already being finalized at the conference tables, and an outcome was expected shortly. A monumental event like this naturally couldn't be hidden from the Corner Family's intelligence network.
Naturally, the intelligence regarding the "bait" used to lure Celestial Being was provided by the AEU.
"It is a perfect opportunity to deal with the Gundams."
Black-Flag understood exactly what Alejandro was getting at; his expression remained stoic.
"You are quite perceptive."
Alejandro nodded, clearly satisfied with the response. "The public within the AEU is quite resistant to frequent military sorties. I imagine your life here... hasn't been particularly easy?"
"What is your point, exactly?"
Looking at Alejandro, Black-Flag's brow furrowed once more.
"I find your group very interesting, so I intend to extend an invitation. I want you to work under me."
Alejandro snapped his fingers. "Whatever the AEU can give you, I can provide. And what they cannot give you, I can provide as well."
"As for your entrance exam... how does capturing a Gundam sound?"
To be honest, upon hearing Alejandro's proposal, Black-Flag's first instinct was to refuse. However, considering the data provided by the Lord God, he had to suppress his personal feelings.
"...You seem quite certain you've caught us?"
Black-Flag let out a sharp grin.
"I have looked into your records. Recruiting experts always requires paying a sufficient price."
Sensing a hint of wavering in Black-Flag's tone, Alejandro continued to raise the stakes. "If you agree, I can exercise my influence to transfer the Agrissa to you—the very machine that shone so brightly during the Fifth Solar Energy War."
"After all... fighting Gundams with those Hellions and that thing is a losing battle."
As he spoke, Alejandro glanced toward the GAZuOOT currently being rearmed.
Defeating the Gundams. This phrase struck a chord deep within Black-Flag's heart.
Every waking moment, he wanted to defeat the Penelope and Celestial Being so he could finally escape this wretched world. Now, Alejandro's offer was undoubtedly a "charcoal delivery in a snowstorm." Any custom, high-end machine would be a qualitative leap for his squad's combat power.
"You've convinced me."
Black-Flag's mind raced, incorporating the Agrissa into his tactical plans, attempting to analyze a better strategy for bringing down a Gundam.
"Then watch closely. I guarantee it will be worth the price."
Black-Flag smiled. "For us as well."
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On the other side of the comms link, Roz stood on the bridge of the Nahel Argama, speaking with Sumeragi.
"I see. Reverse psychology. They're using the fact that GN particles jam communications to triangulate your active zones?" Roz raised an eyebrow at the battle report Sumeragi had just shared. "The Human Reform League (HRL) has some sharp minds on their side."
"But when that sharp mind is your opponent, it's a massive headache," Sumeragi sighed helplessly. "The Ptolemaios was nearly sunk."
"Well, your Ptolemaios is essentially a transport ship. It's positioned differently from a battleship like the Nahel Argama," Natarle Badgiruel—the Nahel Argama's executive officer and former Archangel CIC chief—interjected. Armed with her expertise in naval fire support, she added, "The Ptolemaios lacks sufficient armament to act as a tactical pivot. In a fight, kiting at the edge or retreating immediately is your best bet."
"Besides, I imagine you didn't expect them to pull a move like that," Murrue said, closing an intel window. "The number of units the HRL deployed against you far exceeds the UN's definition of an Orbital Elevator defense force."
"Give us some credit," Sumeragi smiled weakly. "This is why I don't like chatting with people who are too clever. You see right through everything I'm thinking."
Talking to Murrue, Natarle, and Roz made Sumeragi feel like she was back in her student days, standing before Professor Eifman, with her inner thoughts laid bare.
This was exactly why she hadn't contacted the Professor once since joining Celestial Being; her only occasional contact was with her former classmate, Billy Katagiri.
"Let's skip that topic then. Not long ago, I saw your Gundam... the one called Exia, right? Piloted by that kid, Setsuna," Roz recalled. "He certainly made a scene in the Kingdom of Azadistan."
"We have to demonstrate our spirit and our ideals—our will to stop war," Sumeragi leaned back in her chair, her tone slightly somber. "Otherwise, this Sword of Damocles will never be forged."
"So, the next thing you're going to mention is an operation to display that spirit and will, right?" Roz's expression turned serious. "Speak plainly. Why did you contact us so suddenly?"
"There's no use hiding it." Sumeragi sat up straight as they reached the heart of the matter. "Intel shows a terrorist group is planning to attack the HRL's nuclear waste burial facility in the Taklamakan Desert."
"And five minutes ago, the three superpowers announced a joint military exercise. The location? The Taklamakan Desert."
"You'll be jumping straight into an enemy trap," Natarle concluded instantly. Both she and Murrue frowned. The scenario reminded them vividly of when the Archangel descended to Earth, drifted off course, and plunged right into the ZAFT-controlled African theater.
"But we have no choice. If we leave the terrorists alone, the facility will be destroyed, and the casualties will be immeasurable," Sumeragi admitted. "And the three superpowers have taken zero measures against these terrorists."
"It's bait. They've got you cornered," Murrue said. Having been used as bait herself at the JOSH-A base in Alaska, she could smell a trap from a mile away.
"That's exactly why I've come to you," Sumeragi nodded. "When the superpowers move, the 'Criminals' Roz mentioned will surely appear. I want you to intervene."
"To be perfectly honest... VEDA's prediction for Setsuna and the others is total annihilation. I have no way to bring them back safely right now. I'm asking you to help get them home."
As she spoke, Sumeragi's eyes flickered, unable to maintain eye contact with the screen. Even Natarle, who wasn't as sensitive as Murrue, could tell that Sumeragi was suffering from some past trauma or failure—a psychological block that made her want to deflect responsibility or flee when faced with such a crisis.
"You realize what you're facing, don't you?" Roz's tone became stern. "The wealth and resources of the three superpowers aren't like your usual targets. They'll likely carpet-bomb the area with artillery and missiles, suppressing you for hours—maybe even ten or twenty hours straight."
"Once Setsuna and the others are exhausted from dodging the bombardment, they'll send in the capture teams." Roz narrowed his eyes. "The moment the shelling stops, you'll face a charge from their MS forces. And those guys from the Lord God squad will be mixed right in with the AEU troops."
Roz's tactical prediction mirrored Sumeragi's own perfectly, which gave her a small sense of relief.
"To wipe them all out, I have to wait until you're at your limit and they finally commit their forces before I hit the battlefield," Roz said, pushing off the railing and looking intensely at Sumeragi. "This is a dangerous, grueling mission. Can your people hold out that long?"
"The pilots of Celestial Being do not know fear."
Before Sumeragi could respond, a familiar voice rang out behind her. Tieria Erde, in his civilian clothes, stepped into view and looked directly at Roz through the channel.
"We will carry out Sumeragi's orders, regardless of the difficulty."
"...I understand." Roz went silent for a moment, then nodded. "Until I get there, don't you dare die."
-----------------------------------
After the communication cut off, Tieria turned on the lights in the room.
Clearly, they were not aboard the Ptolemaios at this moment, but rather staying at Wang Liu Mei's luxurious resort villa.
"...I'm sorry. I truly don't have the confidence to guarantee you all come back alive from this mission."
Even though the call had ended, Sumeragi had not yet recovered from her fragile state. She instinctively reached out, wanting to grab a drink to numb her heart.
A cold bottle of beer was placed into her hand.
Tieria looked at her, his expression calm, his thoughts unreadable. Back when he had faced Shinn, his own inadequacies had been laid bare before his comrades; now, he was witnessing the vulnerabilities of his fellow companion. This subtle shift in dynamic tugged at his straightforward mind.
"I'm sorry... I really am a hopeless woman."
Sumeragi's voice drifted into Tieria's ears, bringing him back to the present.
"...You only need to focus on being yourself."
Tieria had intended to speak in his usual cold, clinical manner, but after a long silence, those were the only words he managed to force out. "Don't consume too much alcohol. Feldt and the others are waiting for you downstairs."
What is wrong with me? Tieria didn't know the answer. But he believed that with the passage of time, the clarity he sought would eventually present itself.
For now, however, the priority was simple: return alive with the Virtue from the suicide mission that lay ahead.
.....................