Chapter 366: 366 Gundam Seed 7
In Gundam SEED, there were three major technologies worth acquiring related to Gundams. First was the PS armor first installed on the Strike Gundam. Second was the stealth and分身 (clone/splitting) function using the Blitz Gundam’s ’Mirage Colloid.’ And third was the ’Yata-no-Kagami armor’ of the ’Akatsuki Gundam,’ which Orb had poured its heart and soul into creating as their last bastion.
The Yata-no-Kagami armor was a mirror-surface armor made of nano-scale beam diffraction grating layers. It had the function of reflecting beams shot at its surface back at the opponent at the same angle they hit. Because of this, it was sometimes called the ’Rainbow Reflector Gundam’ in Korea.
However, it also had clear limits. It could only reflect beam shots. Close-combat beam weapons like beam sabers, which continuously emit beam particles, could not be reflected. Also, it did not provide significant defense against live ammunition or physical swords. This contrasted with PS armor, which had overwhelmingly high defense against live ammunition but wasn’t particularly strong against beams.
Nevertheless, the Yata-no-Kagami armor was very powerful. In the original, it even blocked the massive laser cannon ’Requiem,’ which could destroy an entire city. Of course, it was only once, but still.
For machines made of vibranium, PS armor could not be applied. The reason was that PS armor is based on a special metal that strengthens when an electric current is applied, and it simply couldn’t be used with vibranium. And it wasn’t as if PS armor had defensive power surpassing vibranium either. Vibranium was nearly indestructible, so there was no reason to forcibly apply the far inferior PS armor.
That was why I desperately needed the Yata-no-Kagami armor technology. Because it could be applied as a coating over vibranium. That way, I could complete an armor that could both reflect beam weapons and block live ammunition.
’Of course, Destiny has the upgraded version of PS armor, ’VPS armor,’ but I’ll only apply that to mass-production units anyway, so I can acquire it slowly.’
I arrived in Orb with stealth mode activated, stored my Gundam in my inventory, and began walking. Even while the entire world was engulfed in the turmoil of war, Orb was still calm and peaceful. The streets were vibrant, and people’s faces were filled with bright smiles. Seeing that, I could naturally feel that this country was also politically stable.
And perhaps because this was Earth, thanks to my [Jack Sparrow’s Compass] ability, finding things was much easier. The target location was underground near the coast, beside Morgenröte, Inc.
While manufacturing Earth Forces Mobile Suits, Orb had also accumulated a great deal of know-how and technical skill. Based on this, they began developing their own Mobile Suits to protect their nation. The result was the mass-production Astray Gundam series and the Akatsuki Gundam, built as their last bastion.
’Then why don’t they just make more Akatsuki Gundams?’ you might ask. The problem was the Yata-no-Kagami armor. Manufacturing just one such armor cost as much as producing twenty M1 Astrays. As a result, only one Akatsuki Gundam was ever completed, and mass production plans were frozen.
Using my [Stealth] and [Body Density Control] abilities, I passed through walls and headed toward the innermost part of the Mobile Suit production facility deep underground. Judging by the thick doors and sophisticated security systems, I immediately sensed this was my destination and passed through the wall to enter. Inside, the still-incomplete Akatsuki Gundam was on display, and from the assembly process, it seemed nearly finished.
According to the setting, by the time the Archangel docked at Orb, the main body of the unit was already complete. So the timing was right. But even though it was completed, it couldn’t be used immediately. The operating system (OS) needed for movement was incomplete, and various weapons were also unfinished, forcing actual deployment to be delayed—an unfortunate unit. The OS issue would later be finally resolved when Kira arrived at Orb and, based on his improvements to the Astray’s OS, completed it.
Anyway, after meticulously observing the Akatsuki Gundam and the Yata-no-Kagami armor with my [Naked Eye] ability, and storing even the blueprints that were nearby in Nano, I left. It felt a bit unsatisfying to just leave, so I playfully slapped Erica Simmons’s butt on my way out, which caused a minor incident where an innocent mechanic behind her took a slap to the face instead.
’Hmm... Fortunately, it can be applied even if it’s not gold-colored.’
I felt I had obtained everything I could at this time, so I used my [Teleportation] ability to return to the base. I still had the ’Mirage Colloid’ left, but Nicol and the Blitz’s episode was still upcoming, so I decided to acquire it later.
As soon as I arrived at the base, I applied the Yata-no-Kagami armor to all Mobile Suits except the mass-production units. Now, each machine was protected first by energy shields, second by GN Fields, and finally by vibranium and Yata-no-Kagami armor, so even if a nuclear bomb exploded right in front of them, they could withstand it. Of course, it wasn’t necessary to keep all defenses active at all times; operating them appropriately according to the situation would be most efficient.
I analyzed the N-Jammer and produced an N-Jammer Canceller, installing it in the base’s nuclear reactor and the battleship. Thanks to that, I could now freely use nuclear energy. However, I did not want to build Mobile Suits powered by nuclear engines. If something went wrong, a nuclear explosion could endanger even my allies. So I decided to be satisfied with using nuclear energy only for the ships.
During this time, I hadn’t been able to sortie even once. In space, there were no large-scale battles anymore. Occasionally there were small skirmishes, but nothing worth sortying for. 2B and A2 were getting bored because of that.
’Are they doing this on purpose? I’d like to try out the mass-production units too...’
Just then, the Odyssey AI brought me news.
[Currently, the Archangel is under attack by ZAFT and engaged in battle in the sea near Orb.]
"Just watch and let me know when the Archangel leaves Orb."
It seemed to be the episode where the Archangel docks at Orb. I decided to leave this alone too. Kira needed to go to Orb so that Orb’s Mobile Suit OS could be completed and show its true potential. If I prevented this, Orb would probably be destroyed.
[Understood, Master. Also, the battleship is complete.]
"Got it. Then the name..."
Since the General Revil ship was also named after the General ’Revil,’ I named it ’General Aznable’ in the hope that it would be three times faster. I painted it in a color scheme that matched red and gray well. Then I loaded the Mobile Suits and supplies. Of course, I would store the original in my inventory and use a copy for this ship as well. The front catapult of the Aznable would be used by named Mobile Suits, and the rear catapult by mass-production units.
"Aznable."
[Yes, Master.]
"Share information with the Odyssey."
[Understood, Master.]
Of course, the Aznable also had an AI installed. But since this battleship was for immediate use and didn’t have a very powerful AI installed, information sharing with the Odyssey was essential.
[Master, ZAFT ships are moving in large numbers. The target appears to be the Earth Forces’ 8th Corps.]
"Really? I thought there wouldn’t be any large-scale battles in space for a while. What’s this about?"
I thought this was good. This time, I would be able to use the ’General Aznable’ and the mass-production ’Advanced GN-X’ units as well. So I sortied the Aznable, loaded with Mobile Suits, along with 2B and A2. Since the General Aznable, like the Odyssey, had its interior decorated with care, there was no discomfort living aboard.
When we arrived at the battlefield, they were in the middle of combat, but something felt a bit strange. The two formations seemed to be fighting half-heartedly. Despite such large fleets facing each other, only a few Mobile Armors and Mobile Suits had been destroyed.
"What are these guys up to? Aznable, any information or anomalies about this?"
[There is only information that ZAFT has been building something, but no other known information.]
"Really?"
That meant ZAFT had hidden the information well enough that even the Odyssey AI couldn’t detect it, and they had prepared something in top secret. And judging by their actions, it seemed they had also come to an arrangement with the Earth Alliance high command.
"I’m curious, but nothing to be afraid of. Let’s sortie."
We boarded our respective Mobile Suits and launched. This time, that included one mass-production unit as well. And immediately, I issued a warning.
"This is Celestial Being. Immediately..."
At the moment I began the warning, ZAFT, as if they had been waiting, suddenly fired about five missiles from their ships. The missiles were quite large, as big as a Mobile Suit. What was interesting was that they weren’t aimed directly at us, but rather at points around us.
"Could it be, nukes? Everyone, deploy shields and brace for impact!"
—"Yes, sir!"
[Understood, Master.]
Bang! KABOOM! Bang!
I suspected they might be nukes, but the result was different. When the missiles exploded nearby, along with a blinding flash, an EMP wave swept through like a storm. At that moment, ZAFT and the Earth Alliance, seemingly convinced their operation had succeeded, began pouring numerous Mobile Armors and Mobile Suits from their ships.
Apparently judging that we had shut down, they began moving quickly from their respective formations to capture Celestial Being’s Mobile Suits. But they were greatly mistaken.
"EMP... How cute. EMP countermeasures are the most basic of basics."
When I said that over open broadcast, they became greatly flustered, stopped moving, and just looked at each other, unsure of what to do.
"Subdue them."
As soon as my order was given, 2B, A2, and the mass-production units equipped with AIs moved quickly, swiftly neutralizing the Mobile Armors and Mobile Suits of the Earth Alliance and ZAFT as they advanced. Of course, as long as they themselves weren’t in danger, the mass-production units also focused solely on neutralizing enemy machines.
Zing—! Swish! Bang! Swish!
Only then, as if coming to their senses, did both formations send recall signals. Accordingly, the Mobile Armors and Mobile Suits began retreating all at once. Finally admitting the operation had failed, they seemed to have issued an urgent withdrawal order.
Seeing that, I sent a transmission to our units to stop attacking.
"Don’t touch anyone moving to rescue."
—"Understood, Jin."
[Understood, Master.]
Once we stopped attacking, both formations began recovering their damaged machines and retreating. We watched them until the end. ZAFT would have no choice but to be frustrated by the collapse of this operation. They had even joined hands with the warring Earth Alliance to try to capture us, but all their plans had crumbled futilely. Moreover, considering that ZAFT, which had led this operation, would now have to endure the mockery and ridicule of the Earth Alliance, this would be extremely humiliating for them.
"I can almost hear Creuset slamming his desk from here."
[Return to base?]
"No. For the time being, we’ll operate on Earth."
[Understood, Master. Where would you like to descend?]
"An uninhabited island near the Cook Islands."
The Cook Islands were very close to Orb, and there were many uninhabited islands there. We planned to rest there for a while, wait for the Archangel to come out of Orb, and then acquire Nicol and the Blitz Gundam. Anyway, with that incident in space, I thought things would be quiet for a while.
Through numerous battles and experiences, Kira had even achieved the awakening of SEED. His Mobile Suit piloting skills had now reached a level far beyond ordinary human limits. Moreover, they had one more Mobile Armor added to their power, and the Archangel’s crew had also grown and greatly improved their skills. This power difference eventually became too much for Athrun’s group to handle, and as a result, Nicol—and the Blitz Gundam—were lost to the Strike Gundam.
Actually, I considered intervening to save Nicol, but I was worried it would delay Athrun’s awakening, so I just gave up on that. Instead, I decided to get the Blitz Gundam and use my [Resurrection] ability to bring him back. Anyway, since Athrun’s group would all become allies later, saving this guy probably wouldn’t hurt. Besides, in Gundam SEED, there were quite a few characters who came back to life. So even if one more person lived, it probably wouldn’t be very noticeable.
’I’ll have to put a mask on Nicol or something.’
We descended to Earth after stealth mode and entered the Cook Islands. While on a suitable uninhabited island, we improved the mass-production units that had experienced real combat, and since we were on Earth after a long time, I enjoyed swimming with 2B and A2. While doing that, the AI informed us that the Archangel had finally left Orb.
We immediately packed up, boarded the ship, and moved toward the Archangel. Because Orb was a neutral nation, I couldn’t easily intervene as it could become a diplomatic issue. But as expected, as soon as the Archangel left Orb, Athrun’s group immediately began their attack.
Bang! Bang! Zing—!
Just like in the original, the Strike Gundam and the ’Skygraspers’ built to support it were overwhelming Athrun’s group, with support from the Archangel. We watched this scene from a distance, hidden in stealth.
"Are we just going to watch?"
"Yes. I have something to obtain here."
"I see. But it’s a pity. They might have been good opponents."
2B and A2, perhaps because they hadn’t yet experienced a proper battle, didn’t hide their disappointment. But at this point, the performance gap between our machines and theirs was too large. Even if we did sortie, it would be difficult for them to experience the kind of fierce, meaningful battle they wanted.
Bang!
While we were having this conversation, the Buster Gundam took a hit from the Strike Gundam and fell into the sea, leaving the battlefield. Shortly after, the Duel Gundam, its ’Goohorn’ flight unit destroyed, could no longer hold on and fell into the ocean, also retiring.
’His skill has certainly improved.’
The Strike Gundam, supported by the Skygraspers, was flexibly switching its armaments according to the situation and engaging Athrun’s group. The flow of that battle was smooth and natural, and the initial awkwardness and floundering had already left not a trace.
