Chapter 153: Running Ragged

"We understand the situation now, and we're sorry for the trouble, Director He," the officer said with a sheepish smile.

"It was indeed dangerous. What about the captured individuals?" He Kui asked.

"They're being interrogated. It seems they used individual diving devices to land. We've dispatched personnel to secure the perimeter."

"Good."

He Kui nodded. As the officer here, he didn't have much to add but advised strengthening the radar station's defense before returning to the radar room.

"What are you doing?" Sulei asked curiously, watching He Kui's actions at the computer.

"Captain Andrew plans to encircle the Alliance's new ships, so I'm upgrading the radar."

With the increase in quantum communication knowledge, He Kui had more theoretical understanding.

Even without specialized equipment, upgrading the radar signal was feasible.

"New ships, huh? I heard we're also planning to develop new ships as dedicated carriers for new mobile suits."

"Not surprising."

The new ship likely referred to the red Eternal from his memories, matching Lacus's style.

With He Kui's tech support, the Eternal they built now wouldn't be a regular one.

Beam shield systems were standard, and positron cannons would surely be installed.

With nuclear engine propulsion, the new Eternal might surpass the Archangel in performance.

Of course, the Atlantic Federation was also building new ships, possibly using beam shields.

In that case, the Eternal's advantage might be uncertain.

As they talked, the day passed.

Dearka, quite pleased, said his goodbyes before taking Yzak and other ZUOOTs on a transport to Tassil.

That night, under cover of darkness, He Kui used the eagle to redeploy the upgraded Haro near the Desert Dawn's previous camp.

Upon arrival, it seemed everyone was making final preparations.

Desert Dawn was determined to reclaim the eastern mining area, a private territory.

However, without defensive capabilities, even if they occupied it, they'd lose it again, especially with both sides having mobile suits. Desert Dawn's resistance was hardly effective.

Without basic military strength, what could they use to defend?

Only by mastering power could they control their fate.

Watching the machinery on screen, He Kui kept Haro busy.

"The Desert Tiger has launched reconnaissance drones."

Seeing the faint signals above, He Kui turned his attention to the Archangel.

Without air superiority, being detected was inevitable.

While pondering, He Kui saw a girl emerge from the Archangel, followed by two Haros.

"Tracking mode."

Despite interference, to avoid detection by the Archangel's radar, He Kui temporarily let Haro's system handle operations.

As for not reuniting with Cagalli, since Haro disappeared when the Desert Tiger showed up and only returned on its own, suspicion was natural.

Even if Cagalli was naive, Kisaka wasn't.

During the white flag incident, Kisaka seemed to suspect something.

Going back now would only raise more questions.

They seemed to be preparing for rest, with no plans for a night raid. He Kui set things up and logged off to discuss quantum communication with Sulei.

Meanwhile, having just finished a simulator session on the Archangel, Cagalli saw Kisaka approaching.

"Where do you think Little Round went?"

Looking at the two Haros behind her, Cagalli sighed.

From Orb to Earth, Cagalli had come to see Little Round as a friend.

"Miss Cagalli..."

Kisaka frowned at Cagalli's words.

Though Cagalli had asked, the Desert Tiger hadn't revealed who made the robots. But undoubtedly, the creator was from ZAFT.

"There are more than one Haro manufacturer. Maybe Orb researchers mimicked Lacus's taste?" Cagalli speculated.

"But it's too suspicious. Every time we're in danger, this Haro seems to become smarter."

"I understand!"

Cagalli knew Kisaka had a point.

"But now Little Round is missing, and these two Haros have protected us."

Especially one, with its shield just repaired by Kira.

It was battered and scarred.

"Alright then," Kisaka sighed, unable to argue further.

The next morning, He Kui arrived at the radar room early.

As the screen activated, he saw the Aile Strike Gundam launching from the Archangel.

What a coincidence?

Internally commenting, He Kui quickly located Haro's tracking target on the screen.

Cagalli sat atop a jeep, shouldering an RPG, looking both dashing and dangerous.

Of course, those military jeeps were mere toys for the Baku.

The battle quickly turned one-sided.

The Desert Tiger clearly disliked Cruzer's team.

He even left the tuned-up Buster and Duel on the ship.

Watching the Desert Tiger duel the Strike, He Kui accelerated his Haro towards the Archangel with Cagalli aboard.

Unexpectedly smooth, He Kui's Haro followed Cagalli, who knew the password, into the Archangel.

"Captain, unidentified signal on board!"

The radar operator reported swiftly.

"What!?"

"Can you locate the source?"

The captain, startled, also noticed her chest bouncing.

"Seems... in the hangar."

Before they could finish, a salvo from an ambushed battleship hit the hull, causing a jolt.

"Seal the hangar, deploy internal guards, ascend and escape!"

Murrue handled the successive crises, feeling overwhelmed.

"I want to, but something's holding us."

The helmsman struggled with the controls to no avail.

Meanwhile, before the hangar sealed, He Kui's Haro followed the oblivious Cagalli to a Skygrasper's rear seat.

The maintenance crew, having seen Cagalli's Haro before, ignored it, assuming it was with her.

Seeing the instrument panel, He Kui recalled the Skygrasper's data.

Thankfully, it seemed like an upgraded version.

Skillfully opening the rear panel, He Kui connected to the internal control lines.

"The signal... vanished? No, it's on Unit 2!"

"Unit 2 launched!"

Milie reported.

"What?!"

"Who's piloting Unit 2?"

"Pilot is Miss Cagalli."

"Contact her!"

Murrue urged.

"Communications completely disrupted!"

Unaware of the bridge commotion, He Kui shrugged at the battle outside.

Buster and Duel ignored orders amid the chaos.

Duel supported the Desert Tiger, while Buster headed towards him.

While pondering, Kisaka, in front of the Archangel, used the last missile to target the entangled Archangel.

With a loud explosion, the Archangel was free.

Simultaneously, the bow's beam cannon pierced a Peetrie-class battleship.

The situation grew complex, but He Kui's goal was merely to preserve Cagalli.

Considering whether to eject or fight Buster, He Kui fired two shots at Buster before flying the Skygrasper back to the Desert Dawn's base.

As for Cagalli upfront? He had already knocked her out with G-forces.

Though he withdrew, ZAFT didn't intend to let him go, with helicopters pursuing the Skygrasper.

Without counterattacking, He Kui's skills weren't for nothing, easily dodging the soldiers' attacks and speeding away.

Landing at the Desert Dawn's base, He Kui hid Haro again and exited the radar room.

"What's up, in there again?"

"Nothing."

Returning from the intense battlefield, He Kui felt the contrast with Gibraltar's calm.

"Let's have breakfast? And discuss quantum communication tech, aiming to start when we return."

Sulei suggested, blinking.

"Alright."

As they talked, two hours later, a frontline report arrived.

"Such an advantage, yet they couldn't take down the long legs."

Hearing the officer's words, He Kui smirked.

"At least the Desert Dawn surrendered."

According to the report, the Strike and Skygrasper covered the Archangel's sea escape.

The Skygrasper narrowly managed to swap the Strike's battery, and with a recharge, it forced a retreat with its Beam Rifle.

With the battleship damaged,

they couldn't pursue, watching them break through.

Kira's growth was rapid.

Even alone, under life-and-death pressure, he grew quickly.

Thus, he always escaped danger.

But with Desert Dawn's surrender, He Kui could visit.

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