Chapitre 208: Chapter 208: Damage at Victoria Harbor
"So, it really contained data on the new mobile suits?"
Jason sighed from behind the thick, worn table as he finished reviewing the information He Kui had brought him.
"Yes, and due to the advanced reconnaissance equipment onboard that Baku unit, most of the suit's performance data has been recorded."
"What mission was the Baku team supposed to carry out?" He Kui asked.
"It's fine to tell you now. Our Special Operations Group received intelligence from a spy about a new mobile suit sighting near the edge of the South African desert."
"The area's practically a no-man's-land, so we went there expecting a straightforward capture, similar to our operation at Heliopolis," Jason explained, though with a tone of resignation.
However, things hadn't gone as smoothly as they did at Heliopolis, where they were able to seize the enemy's mobile suit.
"Earth Alliance has begun mass production of mobile suits," He Kui said.
"What? Director He, is that true?" Jason asked, his voice betraying his shock.
"It's true. Although they're still rudimentary in performance, they're genuine mobile suits," Andrew confirmed.
"So, they've finally reached that point…" Jason muttered, concerned. "This will likely affect our strategic operations."
"Yes, unless we deploy strategic weapons, it's only a matter of time before their numbers overwhelm us," Andrew replied, his tone as serious as Jason's. Both were veterans and understood the strategic implications. Even if the enemy's mobile suits were inferior, the sheer numbers would inevitably turn the tide against them.
Amidst the silence, He Kui spoke softly, "If our enemies remain limited to the Atlantic Federation, there's still a chance for us."
But he knew he was being overly optimistic. The Eurasian Federation, after all, continued to relentlessly pursue them.
"I'll compile a report and submit it. The rest will be up to Sarah to decide."
He Kui and Andrew nodded, knowing there was little more they could do here.
"By the way, why is Courtney here as well?" He Kui asked suddenly. By standard protocol, Courtney was technically supposed to be under his command and should have already returned to PLANT.
"We're short-staffed, especially after the entire Baku team perished. We don't have immediate replacements. We happened to have a test unit and an elite pilot, so…"
Jason looked slightly embarrassed, admitting that he had taken Courtney and the experimental unit without official approval.
"Initially, we only planned to temporarily requisition the unit, but the pilot insisted that others might not handle the controls as well."
"Fair enough," He Kui nodded. Not everyone was a natural like Kira. Courtney had logged countless hours in the simulator before operating the unit in real combat.
"We'll report this to the Design Bureau upon our return."
"No need; they've saved us, after all." He Kui inclined his head respectfully.
He brought up the issue not to criticize the urgent need to borrow a unit in combat but to address the potential risks of the Special Operations Group commandeering their equipment without proper authorization. If this set a precedent, it could lead to future cases where test units were seized mid-experiment, which might result in data leaks or operational mishaps.
With their conversation concluded, the Resseps set course for Victoria Harbor.
Upon arrival, He Kui and Shi He checked into the officers' quarters, where the temperature controls provided a welcome respite. Exhausted, the two merely washed the sand from their bodies and shared a quiet moment on the bed.
"This mission was a close call," Shi He murmured, clinging to He Kui. It had been a long time since she'd felt such fear, not since his first reconnaissance mission. She'd almost forgotten that, despite all precautions, they were both vulnerable to the dangers they faced.
"We're safe now," He Kui said, gently stroking her back to reassure her.
He knew he had let his guard down, growing too confident after using the Aegis to resolve a few problems. Perhaps he'd used the Aegis enough times that he no longer valued his own life as he should. It was something he needed to seriously reflect on. Moving forward, he'd ensure that he acted with greater caution, only venturing out when accompanied by a substantial force.
Of course, Kira and his Freedom Gundam were an exception, able to dispatch dozens of mobile suits in minutes. No one could withstand that level of firepower.
"Let's avoid such risks in the future," Shi He murmured.
"Alright," he replied.
Hearing his agreement, Shi He smiled, a calm happiness settling over her. She rested a hand on her flat abdomen, a faint hope in her voice as she asked, "When do you think we'll be able to have children?"
As second-generation Coordinators, their fertility was notoriously low. Although He Kui was a first-generation Coordinator, the difficulty of conceiving a child remained high, and his lack of compatibility with Su Lei made the chances even slimmer.
Still, there were ways it could change. His adaptability to space environments, advancements in gene technology, and even nanotechnology all offered possibilities.
"Don't worry—it'll happen," he reassured her. "And besides, you're still young."
He placed his hand over hers on her abdomen, his deep voice murmuring softly in her ear.
Despite the accelerated maturity of Coordinators, both he and Shi He were only sixteen.
"We still have time."
"Yes!" she replied, a smile brightening her face.
Under the Resseps' swift navigation, they arrived at Victoria Harbor in the early hours.
Although it wasn't his first visit, the sight of the surrounding landscape—so different from Gibraltar and the desert—made He Kui take a deep breath, feeling a momentary sense of relaxation as he joined Jason and Andrew.
The air at the port was thick with the scent of smoke and charred metal. Large trucks were hauling pieces of destroyed fighters and mobile suits to the scrapyard. Among the debris were not just Air Dominators and Vanguard fighters, but even remnants of Dagger units, still glowing faintly with red embers on the distant horizon.
Because they were near the heart of the base, close to the mass driver, the area hadn't suffered extensive damage.
As they disembarked, the staff officer of Victoria Harbor approached them, his eyes lighting up as he quickened his pace.
"Director He, Captain Andrew! You don't know how worried we were when we lost track of you. I sent three teams out to search along the way. We're so relieved you're back," he said, his relief palpable.
"Thank you. Have the two pilots been located? They should have ejected," He Kui inquired after shaking his hand.
"Not yet," the staff officer replied, shaking his head. "But we'll continue searching."
"Much appreciated."
"What about Victoria Harbor's damage?" He Kui asked, surveying the base.
"The integrity of the outer buildings has dropped to 43%."
The staff officer sighed. "The Naturals hit us harder than ever this time, and the Alliance deployed new mobile suits. If it weren't for the GaT-X units we have in operation, the entire base might have been overrun."
"And the mass driver?"
"No damage. We have guards stationed around the clock."
"The first wave of supplies is on the way, but the moon's orbit is currently near us, which has delayed the resupply fleet," the officer continued.
"Is the lunar base attacking us as well?"
"Yes," the staff officer replied, clearly frustrated. Many had assumed Victoria Harbor would be a safe haven, but the situation had proven otherwise.
"Speaking of which, Director He's presence here is to assist with the defense upgrades."
"I can oversee the repairs."
Handling the work from the rear posed little risk, though the continuous tasks were exhausting. However, with his improved physical conditioning, He Kui felt up to the challenge.
"Thank you, Director He."
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone