Capítulo 205: Chapter 205: Behind the Auction
As He Kui and the others continued their conversation, the heavy sound of a gavel signaled the official start of the auction.
"The first item is an engine from the latest Earth Alliance fighter jet—intact, with minor battle damage. Starting bid: 500,000 adus," the auctioneer announced.
"That's pretty cheap," He Kui remarked, nodding. The price was well below the production cost for such an engine—almost a bargain.
Of course, considering the item was likely scavenged, with only transport and labor costs to cover, the low price made sense. It also came with no warranty, and in the rare case the Alliance demanded it back, the buyer might end up losing money.
However, the risk of the Alliance tracing it back was low. If a buyer did face them in battle, it would be a matter of survival.
As expected, the engine quickly rose in price, reaching 700,000 before selling just above cost.
The next few items were smaller, less valuable parts. He Kui and Shi He moved further away from the Earth Alliance personnel in attendance, taking comfort in the knowledge that weapons were prohibited here, with six Ginns and two squadrons of Aegis fighter jets guarding the outside.
Still, He Kui couldn't help but worry. "Who's backing this auction?" he asked softly, eyeing a battered shield from the Aegis on display.
"To pull off such a heavily guarded operation in the middle of nowhere, the owner must be someone significant," he added.
"I heard it's someone from the East Asian Republic, though no one knows for sure," Andrew replied in a low tone.
"The East Asian Republic, huh?" He Kui mused. Although he'd largely ignored his homeland, focused instead on ZAFT and his research, he couldn't deny the East Asian Republic's careful neutrality in the conflict. They might hold the key to achieving peace someday.
But that wasn't something He Kui had the power to influence now.
"Just don't expose your identity," Andrew cautioned. "This place is crawling with people who'd love to recruit—or kidnap—you."
As a leading scientist in ZAFT, He Kui was a valuable target. In a setting with so many players, including Earth Alliance soldiers, the situation had become much more precarious.
"Understood."
Just as the auctioneer announced the next item, He Kui's wrist communicator received a signal. Someone was using laser communication, aiming it at his Owl drone circling overhead.
"No reconnaissance drones allowed here," a security guard warned.
"Apologies."
He Kui promptly redirected the Owl to land on Rau's mothership. Moments later, a Baku head went up for bid.
Starting price: 800,000 adus. Rau, barely containing his excitement, jumped into the bidding, matched swiftly by Actaeon Industries.
Although the currency wasn't Earth Alliance credits, it held comparable value to PLANT's currency, and Rau raised his bids in hundreds of thousands without hesitation, leaving even He Kui a bit speechless.
The Baku head was soon approaching the cost of his own Aegis, a staggering five million adus.
"Do you have the funds?" Andrew asked quietly.
"…I have some in PLANT currency," He Kui admitted.
"That's fine; they allow conversion here."
"…Alright."
Andrew assured him there would be reimbursements from ZAFT later. The data hidden in the Baku head was too valuable to leave behind.
"You're up against Actaeon, a major company, after all," He Kui grumbled. "They've got the Atlantic Federation backing them—outbidding them isn't easy."
"Don't worry," Andrew replied, smiling. "They probably can't pay in cash, and this place doesn't allow online transfers."
"Fair enough," He Kui replied, nodding. He contacted Rau, who excitedly placed a five-million-adus bid.
Andrew was momentarily taken aback. "You doubled it in one go?"
"A swift strike is best in cases like this," He Kui quipped, almost enjoying the chance to spend so freely.
"…"
Andrew stifled a laugh, imagining himself explaining the five-million-adus expenditure to Lacus later. She'd probably just nod with her usual serene smile.
Around the auction tent, a hush fell as Rau's bold bid shook the crowd. Even Actaeon, trying to counter with ten million, found themselves outdone when He Kui upped the bid to thirteen million—ten million from He Kui and an additional three million from Rau.
Actaeon finally conceded, and Rau, now in possession of the Baku head, was left basking in the stunned looks from around the room.
They wasted no time and quickly returned to Rau's mothership, where He Kui caught sight of the strikingly familiar Red Astray.
Maintained impeccably, its red armor gleamed, and with a blade at its hip, it almost resembled a samurai warrior.
"This is the Red Astray," Rau explained proudly.
He Kui and Andrew exchanged a knowing glance, recognizing the iconic mobile suit but choosing not to press for details.
Suddenly, Rau turned to He Kui with a hopeful expression. "Director He, I wanted to ask you something!"
"I've reviewed your battle footage many times, but I still can't figure out the specific parameters for the reactor's magnetic field…" Rau rattled off questions in rapid-fire succession, his excitement practically bubbling over.
"Uh…" He Kui felt inclined to answer, considering Rau's extensive connections within the Junk Guild. Their friendship could prove invaluable.
But just as he began, Andrew interrupted.
"Let's inspect that Baku head first."
"Alright," Rau said reluctantly, though his gaze remained intensely eager.
Inside the cockpit of his Gat-X, He Kui initiated the scan of the Baku head.
"Anything interesting?" Shi He asked, watching the data decrypt.
"Let's see…"
The footage showed a fierce battle with an orange mobile suit wielding twin beam sabers, cutting down an entire ZAFT special forces squad in just minutes.
"Is that… the Alliance's new elite mobile suit?" Shi He asked in shock.
From the data, this model seemed more advanced than even the elite Ginns. Only nuclear-powered experimental suits could potentially match it.
"It's new, alright," He Kui replied, studying the footage of the orange-colored mobile suit that resembled the Calamity model but wielded twin swords.
"No wonder Actaeon and the Earth Alliance wanted the Baku head back so badly," He Kui added, noting the terrain in the video. "And it seems this battle took place in a desert."
Shi He nodded gravely, just as alarms sounded inside the ship.
"What's happening?" He Kui asked, patching into the ship's communication system.
"We're under attack," a female voice replied coolly. "Highly skilled attackers. The auction guards can't hold them off. Prepare for departure."
"Got it."
He Kui remained calm, reassured by the Junk Guild's ship and Rau's luck, which seemed to be holding steady. Returning to Victoria Base with this Baku head intact would be a significant triumph.
The prospect of a high-stakes retreat under enemy pursuit felt almost reminiscent of his dramatic arrival at Gibraltar.
He Kui leaned back, bracing himself. Though
not part of the plan, this chaotic escape would certainly bolster his reputation.
Just like last time—albeit unplanned.
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