Akihiro turned around.
"Let's keep going. I'll take you to see the Gusion; it's not far from here."
"Okay," Mikazuki replied, following Akihiro as they left.
Back on the Archangel, a response had been given to Orb. They had agreed to the terms, as it was currently the only path forward.
As for secrets, the Archangel and the Gundams had been built on Orb's territory to begin with; what secrets were left to speak of? They only wanted battle data and information, not to seize the mobile suits. There was nothing to hesitate over.
After Natarle and Mu left, Murrue sat in her office sipping coffee, her thoughts drifting to Mikazuki.
"Finally reunited with a partner, Mika..."
But Murrue's expression suddenly dimmed. A reunion with a partner... did that mean Mikazuki would be leaving the Archangel? The mere thought of it left her feeling profoundly dejected.
"Sigh..."
Mikazuki followed Akihiro into a deserted tunnel on the island. After several twists and turns, they arrived before a massive gate concealed by earth and soil.
"We're here. This is it."
Akihiro walked over to a nearby boulder and tapped a few commands into an instrument hidden there. The gate groaned open, revealing Uzumi's private hangar.
Inside, numerous people in engineering jumpsuits were bustling back and forth.
"The output power of the Akatsuki's thrusters needs adjustment. The control system is still failing."
"Don't worry. Lord Uzumi has already spoken with the pilot of the Strike from the Archangel. He's going to design an OS for Naturals for the M1 Astrays. We can just port it to the Akatsuki when it's done. For now, let's focus on finishing the machine's construction."
"Yes, sir!"
A man who appeared to be the administrator of the hangar saw Akihiro and waved.
"Akihiro, you're here."
"Yes."
Akihiro nodded to the man. When the man caught sight of Mikazuki standing beside him, his pupils shrank and his expression became grave.
"He is..."
"Mikazuki Augus, my partner. Mr. Uzumi has given his permission."
The man scrutinized Mikazuki before speaking in a low voice.
"I see. But Akihiro, don't blame me for being blunt I have to give you fair warning. This is Lord Uzumi's secret development base. Everyone here was hand-picked by Lord Uzumi himself as his most trusted confidants to develop the Akatsuki.
Even our families don't know what we are doing here. You must absolutely ensure no outsiders find out."
Akihiro nodded and patted his chest. "Rest assured, Mr. Simmons. I know the gravity of the situation. He is a partner from Tekkadan I mentioned to you before. He isn't an outsider."
The gravity in the man's expression dissipated, and he nodded.
"Good. By the way, the weapons and equipment required for the Gusion have been adjusted for you. Go take a look."
"That is exactly why I brought Mikazuki here."
"Then I'll be going. There seems to be a problem with the thrusters over at the Akatsuki."
"Alright."
The man left with his subordinates, though he cast one more deep, lingering look at Mikazuki.
"He is..."
As the two of them continued walking deeper into the facility, Akihiro answered the unasked question.
"That was Erica Simmons, the development chief of the Akatsuki. I haven't told you the full story of this base yet, have I? Mr. Uzumi built this place specifically to develop a machine called the Akatsuki.
The plan for this mobile suit is known only to Mr. Uzumi; even the other high-ranking officials of Orb are kept in the dark. You could say it's the secret of secrets. Though it's a secret, work has only just begun. It seems they haven't even finished the frame yet."
"Oh," Mikazuki muttered.
His gaze swept across the surroundings before stopping behind a nearby gantry. There stood a machine of a dull white color, encased in heavy armor.
ASW-G-11 Gundam Gusion.
Beside the Gusion lay various heavy weapons: a long-range rifle, a 300mm Smoothbore Gun, a machete specialized for the Gusion, a combat sword...
Any one of these weapons would be impossible for other mobile suits in this world to use effectively. Every weapon here was considered "over-spec" for the MS of this era.
For example, if a ZAFT GINN tried to use that 300mm Smoothbore Gun, the entire machine would be shaken apart by the recoil of the first shot.
Mikazuki's eyes lit up when he saw the equipment.
"...Not bad."
"I saw the equipment Barbatos is using now on the screen. How should I put it... it doesn't look like it fits your style, does it?"
"I guess so."
The two walked up to the Gusion. Akihiro smiled. "Take all this equipment with you."
"Is it okay?"
"It's fine. the guys here helped me prepare plenty of spares."
The corner of Mikazuki's mouth quirked up slightly. "Thanks."
Akihiro shook his head, a trace of guilt in his expression.
"No need. After all, I can't walk with you and Orga on the road you have to take in the future. This is all I can do to help."
Mikazuki reached out and patted Akihiro on the back, smiling.
"It's enough. If Lafter and the others are really still alive, you're the one they need most."
"Yeah... I'll speak with Mr. Simmons. I'll ask him for a vehicle to transport this equipment to the Archangel."
"Okay."
A few days later, in the underground factory of the Morgenroete headquarters.
Kira had arrived here on the second day after the Archangel entered Orb, driving his Strike behind a vehicle sent by Morgenroete.
Indeed, this underground factory was the development base for Orb's mass-produced M1 Astray. Uzumi's condition was for Kira to create an OS for the M1 that would allow Naturals to pilot MS freely.
Finally, today, the Natural-compatible OS had been largely completed by Kira. Testing was now underway in the underground artificial testing grounds.
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