Chapter 152: Alarm Sounds

Early in the morning, while He Kui and Sulei were still cozy in bed, the internal alarm suddenly went off. 

"What happened?" 

He Kui asked through the wall's intercom, connecting to the command center.

"The Eurasian Federation is attacking."

Since He Kui's line was directly linked to the command center, the staff there could see where the call originated and recognized He Kui's identity. The operator quickly explained.

"Would there be such a large-scale alarm for this?"

This was a Level 1 combat readiness alarm.

"The enemy's tanks and aircraft have equipped some beam weapons."

The operator's screen transmitted the information to He Kui.

Outside, there were still airplanes and tanks, but the weapons they carried were emitting beams.

"So they've finally come," He Kui sighed as he hung up.

Unlike the storyline he remembered, the Earth Alliance's beam weapon proliferation speed was much faster.

They were capable of equipping beam weapons even before the deployment of mobile suits.

"There aren't many yet; it should be manageable," Sulei reassured.

The blurred beam combat units on the screen were only about fifteen tanks and twenty aircraft. 

Though it was uncertain if these were all, they seemed to be test units.

He Kui nodded at Sulei's reassurance, but he grew more cautious.

Mass production was just a matter of time. Earth was larger than PLANT, so complete proliferation was inevitable.

In the storyline, the Alliance quickly produced numerous mobile suits.

At the current pace, continued conflict with the Atlantic and Eurasian Federations would only increase the likelihood of losing.

He wondered how far the gamma-ray cannon construction had progressed.

"Let's head to the GINN."

"Are you deploying?"

"No, it's just more reassuring there."

With two beam shields and two anti-beam shields, He Kui felt a sense of security. He had a feeling this attack was unusual.

Last time, the Eurasian Federation's attack was a cover for something else; perhaps this was similar.

Rather than seeking shelter underground, if given the choice, He Kui preferred to return to his machine.

Taking his gadgets, He Kui and Sulei headed down the corridor leading to the hangar.

"Director He, where are you going?"

In the midst of the repeated alarm wails, Dearka's voice sounded unusually relaxed.

"To the hangar."

"Director, are you deploying?"

Hearing they were going to the hangar, both Dearka and Yzak perked up.

Though there were no deployment orders, He Kui was now a gold-trimmed white, theoretically on par with Cruzer, so if he decided to deploy, the command wouldn't stop him.

As a militia, there weren't strict hierarchical constraints.

"Just checking things out."

Though seeking refuge, he had to phrase it elegantly.

"What about you two?"

"No deployment orders, just on standby. Why don't you lead us out, Director?"

Dearka's idea was simple: following He Kui meant no trouble for them.

"Sorry, I'm not military."

He Kui declined politely. How could he, in a GINN, lead two Gundams into battle?

That was Cruzer's privilege.

And he didn't have Cruzer's capabilities.

Moreover, as a deputy director of the design bureau, why would he take two Gundams to fight the Alliance?

The positions didn't match.

"Contact us if needed."

Though slightly disappointed, Dearka said.

"Yes, I will."

He Kui nodded and left with Sulei.

"Do you think she's his lover?"

Watching He Kui and Sulei leave, Dearka couldn't help but gossip.

"He plays around, huh?"

Despite the comment, Dearka wasn't surprised. He Kui wasn't the only Coordinator who knew how to enjoy life.

"Get ready."

Yzak gave Dearka a cold look.

". Can't deploy anyway."

Unaware of their discussion, He Kui and Sulei quickly reached the hidden hangar through the underground tunnel.

The secret hangar near the radar station was small, housing only He Kui's machine. 

Above was a launch catapult for immediate deployment if needed.

But He Kui had no intention of deploying.

At least not until the Alliance reached them.

So they settled into the cockpit.

"Your Haro is getting smarter," Sulei remarked, holding Haro in the copilot seat.

"Still far from autonomous."

"You want it autonomous?"

This wasn't like a PLANT maglev car, which followed lanes.

On a complex battlefield, autonomous operation was a different challenge.

While they talked, a few figures in black with masks and helmets appeared in the hangar.

They looked like special forces but clearly weren't ZAFT soldiers.

Since He Kui hadn't fully powered up the machine, they didn't notice him sheltering in the cockpit, focusing instead on the GINN.

"This is the GINN with beam shield tech? Didn't expect Director He not to deploy."

One remarked.

"Stop talking and start. The main force sacrificed a lot for us to get in."

"With the GINN here, let's take the tech, but the priority is blowing up the radar station! ZAFT's newest radar is too much of a threat."

"Why not kill the director?"

"You going to the shelter to kill?"

Hearing the captain's sarcasm, they fell silent.

From the cockpit, through the outside owl, He Kui and Sulei heard everything.

"What now?"

Though serious, Sulei's tone remained light, confident of their advantage.

"Capture them alive, ideally."

While MS could easily handle people, this MS lacked the Gatling from the assault shield, limiting non-lethal options.

Shooting a beam inside the base wasn't feasible.

Stomping could miss the narrow area, and contacting command would be too late.

Could the command change? It was too easy to infiltrate.

When Gibraltar fell, it wouldn't be surprising.

He Kui activated remote control on his wristband.

The two Screaming Hawks, on standby with the round owls, received instructions and swooped down.

"You really have everything prepared."

Watching He Kui, Sulei was impressed.

With neutron jammers present, controlling them from inside required He Kui's personal setup.

"Yes, don't look."

He Kui covered Sulei's eyes.

The hawks silently dived into the group.

After chaos and gunfire, some had tendons severed, others blinded, blood and cries filled the deck, making several disabled.

Of course, He Kui didn't come out unscathed.

Though caught off guard by these unheard-of weapons, the elite foes managed to destroy one hawk.

"Intruders in B55, subdued."

"Huh?"

The operator was taken aback by He Kui's report.

"Can you send someone over?"

After sending images of the scene, the operator finally responded.

Meanwhile, Sulei, who had been held by He Kui, couldn't sit still.

She pulled He Kui's hand away.

"You think I..."

Before finishing, her face paled at the scene

outside.

"That's why..."

She shouldn't have looked, but insisted.

"I'm fine; there was no other way."

Sulei steadied herself, avoiding the monitor.

"Yes."

Though harsh, being kind to enemies was more foolish.

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