However, the good times didn't last long. A Mobile Suit charged out, interrupting Dearka's flamboyant display before he could even get started.
Emerging from beneath the sea was the Forbidden, colored similarly to the Strike, its massive scythe slicing directly towards the Strike's cockpit.
In a life-or-death moment, the Strike engaged its full retro thrusters, the sharp scythe narrowly grazing the outside of the Mobile Suit's cockpit, igniting sparks in its wake.
At that moment, the black Raider, transformed into an aircraft, also appeared.
The black Mobile Suit's cannon began to charge, clearly intending to take out the Strike in one fell swoop.
Just as the situation became critical, a shadow of another black Mobile Suit suddenly flickered behind the Strike, which had previously been empty.
It was the Blitz, also equipped with an empty armor, raising its shield to block the incoming attack.
The new Backpack was indeed powerful; although they were still being pressured, at least their mobility had improved, which should help them survive.
"Are we going to take control of them?" Shihe asked.
"We're not clear on the specific structure of the enemy's Mobile Suit, and it's too chaotic up there. We don't have much power left."
This was the main battlefield, with various monitors focused on the area. If they made a move now, his secret would be exposed.
Moreover, infiltrating such advanced Mobile Suits was no simple task.
After all, the enemy was aware that they had the Quantum Virus.
It was no surprise they were on guard.
While the two were discussing, the similarly colored Mobile Suits on both sides had already engaged in combat.
Just as He Kui had predicted, the Strike and Blitz were being suppressed under the blue sky of the battlefield.
But there was no immediate threat to their lives.
"Have you found Freedom and Justice?" He Kui asked while dodging beams fired from GAT-X and GINNs.
"Not yet."
"What about Dominion?"
"Not found either!" Shihe frowned.
"We have no choice. Let's use the new technology."
"New technology?"
Before Shihe could ask for clarification, the Mobile Suit shot up through the clouds, avoiding the gaze of others. Meanwhile, the Mobile Suit's identification code gradually transformed into that of a recently downed Vanguard Fighter Jet under He Kui's control.
"What is this..."
Seeing the display on the Mobile Suit, Shihe's eyes widened.
This was the Electronic Deception that Meyrin had brought him, which after much hard work was finally at a barely usable stage.
However, the effective range was still far from perfect; it could only mimic signals for one minute and could only replicate others' identification codes, not create them from scratch.
There were many drawbacks, but the merits outweighed the flaws.
"We'll talk about it later."
After He Kui finished speaking, he approached a flagship and opened communications.
"Requesting emergency return!"
Currently, there were several Zocks in the water engaging with the Forbidden Dagger series.
From this, it was clear that there were likely motherships carrying the Forbidden Dagger series nearby.
The underwater battlefield was too chaotic, but the mothership was different.
Before long, He Kui had already landed on the runway of a Spengler-class aircraft carrier.
"Who is your superior!? Do you know that making an emergency landing on the deck..."
After casually dealing with the opposing commander, the little bird had unknowingly infiltrated the carrier's internal systems.
"They've added a quantum firewall on the flagship."
"Let me see."
As soon as he said that, a long string of data appeared on the screen in front of He Kui.
"It's just a prototype version; they probably haven't done much in-depth research."
As long as he could breach the hangar doors, it would take more time than usual to break through a standard firewall, but the requirements weren't too high. Just opening a door was still manageable.
He Kui's fingers flew across the screen as he input the attack code for the Quantum Virus.
"Aegis control is yours. Take Yulis to the hangar; I'll open the door for you."
"Okay!"
Without hesitation, Shihe took over Aegis and, before Yulis could ask anything, jumped off the plane with the girl on her back.
They hadn't changed out of their uniforms.
As soon as they disembarked, the maintenance crew noticed something was off.
"Yulis, close your eyes."
Shihe said gently.
"Okay!"
Even though they were inside the Atlantic Federation's mothership, even though her heart was racing, and even though the soldiers in front of them were ready to raise their guns, Yulis still trusted her brother and closed her eyes without hesitation. The two worked in perfect harmony; just as Yulis closed her eyes, Aegis pulled out a machine gun and dual electric guns, firing them simultaneously.
Instantly, screams erupted on the deck.
With a saturation of fire and overwhelming defensive power, the guards and maintenance crew aboard the ship were no match for Aegis's onslaught.
"We've found the location of the lower hangar."
Shihe was busy, and He Kui was not idle either; he quickly found the information in the ship's data.
"There are still two Forbidden Dagger series on standby inside."
In a flash, Aegis charged through, carrying the girl into the hangar, where one of the Forbidden Dagger series had already been taken over by the little bird.
"Fortunately, the Mobile Suit doesn't have a quantum firewall."
Kicking the deceased pilot out of the Mobile Suit, Shihe sighed.
"Perhaps it's not far off; it's just not mature yet."
Fortunately, his Quantum Virus could also be upgraded. He needed to spend more time with Sulei and Meyrin when he got back.
Thinking about successfully seizing the Forbidden Dagger series, He Kui looked at the parameters of the Mobile Suit in front of him.
GAT-706S Deep Sea Forbidden.
Equipped with super vortex torpedo bays, phason pulse cannons, two mechanical claws for combat, and a trident, it also featured TP armor and reinforced titanium alloy near the cockpit to withstand water pressure. The armor on both sides was further enhanced with underwater pressure-resistant shells derived from Mirage particles.
Although it lacked beam-deflecting capabilities, it had excellent pressure adjustment, and more importantly, it was cheaper.
For a mass-produced Mobile Suit integrated with the Dagger series, this was an extravagant configuration, indicating a significant investment.
No wonder it could fight Zocks at a one-to-two ratio.
And that was two Zocks to one Forbidden.
Without the Zocks, ZAFT's own aquatic forces would likely be suppressed by the Earth Alliance.
Of course, the cost of this Mobile Suit was definitely more than three Zocks combined.
Zocks were merely reinforced with titanium alloy. But this was TP armor.
It was a physical defense marvel.
"Let's launch."
After activating the Deep Sea Forbidden, He Kui fired several shots beneath him.
Even the heavy aircraft carrier couldn't withstand such attacks akin to a Beam Rifle.
Instantly, the ship began to sink.
"They've already noticed us," Shihe said nervously.
Around the flagship, three Forbidden and several submarines were circling.
Even the movable Beam Cannon tower on the adjacent fleet slowly turned towards them.
"The commander's reaction is really quick."
(End of Chapter)