"How do you plan on getting the Zorin Soul back to Earth?"
Faced with Hathaway's question, Char's lips curled into a slight smirk, as if Hathaway had asked a question of the utmost simplicity.
"Isn't it simple? We do what we do best."
"...What we do best?"
Hathaway froze for a moment upon hearing Char's reply.
"Yeah. You haven't forgotten, have you? The Mafty specialty."
Char spoke while looking at a group of newly arrived engineers in the Hangar, who had begun to accelerate the machine's construction. "Mafty infiltrates the Moon and robs Anaheim—it has a nice ring to it."
"You take the next available flight back. The final assembly of the Zorin Soul will still take a little while."
It was an incredibly bold plan. If caught red-handed by the Federation Forces, they would likely be shot down right there on the Moon.
"Wouldn't that cause a bit too much of a stir?"
Hathaway remained silent for a moment before questioning Char. "This is a vital Federation colony, after all."
"When the time comes, I'll plant explosives in their reserved Hangar and detonate them the moment the cargo plane takes off."
Char looked toward Hathaway as he spoke. "By the time they start investigating, I'll already be back on Earth."
It was clearly an unreliable plan, yet for some reason—perhaps due to Char's tone and expression, or the brainwaves saturated with a feeling called "confidence"—Hathaway inexplicably felt that Char would definitely succeed in the operation he described.
"I'll coordinate the upcoming actions with Anaheim."
With that, Char gave Hathaway a thumbs-up. "Just wait on Earth for my good news."
After all, Char was a man capable of escaping with his life even from the hands of Amuro Ray.
-----------------------------------
While Char and Hathaway were coordinating with Anaheim, Roz Links, who had been cooped up in the Nahel Argama Hangar for several days, finally completed the upgrades for the Banshee Norn.
With the technology already fully realized, the only difficulty in upgrading the Banshee Norn lay in the production speed of the various components.
If the corresponding parts could be obtained the same day as the blueprints, Roz was confident he could complete the reinforcement in a single day and begin testing by the next.
At this stage, although the Banshee Norn's exterior hadn't changed drastically, it was now equipped with heat short-knives on the soles and foot blades similar to the Justice Gundam series.
The most obvious change, however, was the Armed Armor VN—a gauntlet-like weapon that was now a size larger than before, featuring several specially framed horizontal bars.
Those bars were the thermal fusion components of the Armed Armor VN.
Once activated, every punch would, at the very least, leave a brand on the enemy machine; in more severe cases, it could punch straight through the armor and internal structure, piercing the enemy completely.
It was a truly exceptional armor-breaking weapon.
"How does it feel, Shinn?"
Roz climbed out of the Sinanju cockpit and stretched his body slightly.
The armament drive matching for the Sinanju's internal systems was also complete.
One could say the Sinanju was now in its "Full Form," and any future additions would simply be stacking more power onto it.
At that moment, Shinn Asuka, having just finished an adaptation training session for the Banshee Norn, was leaning against the catwalk, being chased by Stellar Loussier, who was trying to get him to drink some water.
Though he couldn't speak because a straw was being shoved into his mouth, Shinn still gave Roz a thumbs-up.
"The boy is constantly haunted by the girl, isn't he..."
Graham Aker, wearing his mask and a white karate gi, walked up to Roz's side while holding a cup of coffee.
As Shinn and Stellar spent more time together, Stellar had become like adhesive tape, constantly stuck to Shinn's side.
Mayu Asuka had some slight objections to this, and even Roz sometimes wondered if Stellar's clinginess was getting a bit out of hand.
However, Stellar was now at least able to communicate fluently near Shinn, and her mental state was steadily improving. Shinn would just have to suffer through it for the greater good.
"But her mental state is getting better and better; that's a good thing." Roz glanced at Graham. "What about you? Any progress lately?"
"Communicating with the soul of a Gundam is a merging of spirits; it is no simple task." Graham downed his coffee in one go. "I shall use the flame-like emotions in my heart and my love for Gundams to move the Delta Gundam Kai."
Looking at the fanatical Graham, Roz suddenly felt two distinct waves of "disgust" emanating through the air. He instinctively looked toward the source of those emotional fluctuations.
One wave of "disgust" came from the Penelope, which had been on standby. AllMind hadn't slept a wink since her awakening; according to Big Haro, she had been constantly tethered to the network, binge-watching various movies and dramas.
But the other wave... came from behind?
Roz turned around and looked back at the slumbering crimson giant.
"Have you... awakened as well?"
"What are you mumbling about?"
Because Roz's voice was muffled by the mechanical roar of the Hangar, Graham only saw his lips moving without hearing the words.
"...It's nothing. You should hurry up and get to your synchronization training with the Delta Gundam Kai." Roz waved Graham off without looking back. "Don't let yourself be swallowed by the rage generated by the NITRO System."
"Alright... what should I do next?" Roz muttered, pondering his next move. "Should I go see Beltorchika Irma..."
Just as the thought crossed his mind, an emergency transmission pinged his comms.
Glancing at the noisy environment of the Hangar, Roz turned and climbed back into the Sinanju cockpit.
"This is Roz, go ahead."
Roz opened the video call mode, and the screen displayed Murrue Ramius on the bridge.
"Roz, we have a major incident." Murrue spoke while gesturing to the map behind her. "In the Palmerston North region of New Zealand, the local Man Hunter units have launched a large-scale sweep for Mafty, arresting a significant number of civilians. Currently, both sides are in an armed standoff."
"What happened?" Roz frowned deeply. "Why are the Man Hunters moving in such force?"
"It's likely because the Federation's new unit, the Penelope, has arrived at the Kimberley unit," Murrue explained at high speed. "Furthermore, Kimberley probably wants to secure more resources before being reassigned. They intend to search and arrest a group of Mafty in New Zealand, and have already deployed a small force and the Penelope there."
"New Zealand has been peaceful for a long time. According to network data, there haven't even been reports of Mafty or MS sightings."
As for whether those arrested were actually members of Mafty, both Roz and Murrue knew exactly how the Federation worked.
Given the Federation's current "special definition" of Earth, there was never a shortage of space migrants—or rather, former Earth residents—returning to the planet.
"But that's not the most critical part." Murrue dropped the bombshell. "The most important thing is that Mayu Asuka and Luna are currently in New Zealand."
"Why are they there?" Roz was stunned by the sudden turn in the conversation.
"Mayu said she wanted to see the scenery... she likely saw pictures online. Two days ago, she asked Luna to accompany her there." Murrue's expression was complicated. "And that area truly has been quiet for a long time. No one expected the Man Hunters to suddenly launch such a flamboyant operation..."
"Enough, let's get to business." Roz interrupted her. "Has the ship turned? I'll organize the MS teams immediately."
"The ship turned the moment we received the news," Murrue nodded. "We are entering Condition 2 battle stations. We are currently trying to establish contact with Luna."
Outside the cockpit, the alarm klaxons blared throughout the Hangar. The maintenance crew, who had been somewhat relaxed just moments ago, began to sprint into action.
Roz Links activated the Sinanju. Beneath its silent visor, a single green mono-eye suddenly flared to life, scanning the Hangar environment before locking its focus.
Immediately afterward, Roz leaped from the cockpit and sprinted toward the pilot changing room, opening a channel to Shinn Asuka as he ran.
"Captain!"
Shinn held his comms unit in his left hand, his clothes looking a bit disheveled from his earlier interaction with Stellar Loussier. "Is it time to sortie?"
"Yes, Shinn. This time, you, Stellar, and I will form a squad for the operation."
Roz issued the arrangements at a rapid pace. "Mayu Asuka and Luna went to New Zealand together two days ago—likely because the environment there makes it easier for her to relax... but the problem now is that the Man Hunter units are conducting operations in New Zealand. We need to bring them back."
"Graham Aker's Delta Gundam Kai and the ReZEL squad will head out to intercept reinforcements from the Kimberley unit's MS forces and deliver the Infinite Justice to Luna."
"We will likely encounter the Federation's new machine, the Penelope. When that happens..."
As he reached the Hangar exit, Roz glanced at his own Penelope parked not far away.
Judging by the aura and psychic fluctuations AllMind was projecting, she seemed to be harboring a sense of "anger" toward another machine sharing her name—as if she intended to show the Federation's Penelope exactly who was worthy of the title.
Roz withdrew his gaze and looked back at the comms screen. Shinn had fallen into a heavy silence, while Stellar, standing beside him, was clearly bristling with rage at the mention of the "Man Hunter units."
"Shinn, for Mayu's sake... use the Fire Punch."
"...Understood."
-----------------------------------
As the gantry cranes in the Hangar shifted continuously, each mobile suit prepared for sortie completed its armament mounting and entered standby for catapult launch.
"Listen up, everyone. New Zealand has historically had no record of Mafty or related MS activity. With both the Kimberley unit and the Man Hunter units currently stationed there, we will likely be the only MS force capable of engaging once we arrive."
Shinn Asuka, now clad in his familiar red pilot suit, calmly monitored his machine's various data readouts.
"In short, stick to the mission statement: prioritize self-preservation above all else, and bring Mayu and Luna back safely. Roz, out."
As Roz Links ended his briefing, Shinn took a deep breath.
The hatch before him slid open slowly, revealing the vast azure ocean and a cloudless sky.
The acceleration rails had finished extending and pre-heating, and the launch indicator screen beside him flipped to the "CLEARED FOR SORTIE" signal.
"Banshee, you are cleared for launch."
The launch order from the CIC crackled over the comms. Shinn reached forward, pushed the throttle to max, and slammed down on the foot pedals.
The thrusters of the Armed Armor DE and the backpack burst into life, spitting out blue flames and surging with green light particles.
"Shinn Asuka, Banshee Norn, taking off!"
Shinn shouted into the channel as he floored the thrusters.
The catapult system, synced with the machine's signal, worked in tandem with the boosters to hurl the suit down the rail.
The blue plumes from the various verniers grew thicker and more violent, propelling the machine off the deck and into a steep climb.
Shortly after, the Sinanju, Psycho Zaku, and Delta Gundam Kai launched in succession from the Nahel Argama's other three catapult bays.
While the Delta Gundam Kai circled above the ship to wait for the ReZEL squad to finish their launch, the Sinanju and Psycho Zaku quickly formed up with the Banshee, streaking toward the coordinates marked for New Zealand.
Shinn glanced at the newly modified Armed Armor VN on the Banshee's left arm.
"Mayu... wait for me."
.....................