Yang Hui had no idea how much time had passed; he and Ian were completely absorbed in the research of the Twin Drive system and the debugging of Gundam Rasiel.
From the very beginning, Yang Hui had made all the necessary preparations, so the modifications did not require much work—only adjustments to the internal wiring.
But now they were facing a problem; no matter how they debugged it, the synchronization rate of the two GN Drives could not exceed 90%.
"This... we shouldn't have made any mistakes, right?"
"No, we haven't. Although we haven't fully grasped this system yet, the basic installation and usage should be fine."
"Then where exactly is the problem?"
Yang Hui was puzzled. He remembered that in the original plot, the OOGundam struggled to achieve a synchronization rate of 90% because the GN Drives of OGundam and Gundam Exia were not completely identical. However, the two GN Drives of Gundam Rasiel were of the exact same model. Why was there still an issue?
Did they really need to learn how to communicate with Gundam like Setsuna?
As soon as this thought crossed his mind, Yang Hui dismissed it. Although there were indeed cosmic entities in the Gundam world, that was not the essence of the machine!
GN Particles and Innovators could achieve unobstructed communication, but the essence of Gundam was still mechanical, and there was no possibility of communication...
Wait! Innovator!
Yang Hui suddenly thought of the existence of Innovators. The Twin Drive system was created for dialogue, so...
"Ian, let's try again. I think I've found the problem."
"Huh? What problem?" Ian looked up at Yang Hui.
"Me." Yang Hui pointed to himself.
"You?"
"Yeah, I'll explain the specifics later. Let's just try..."
Just as Yang Hui was about to get back into Gundam Rasiel, the alarm on Ptolemaios went off.
"E-detection reaction, all personnel to battle stations. Confirmed enemy forces: 33 MS equipped with Quasi-GN Drives, 1 MA equipped with Quasi-GN Drive, and 2 new-type cruisers. The enemy has locked onto us. The five Gundams are to engage immediately in S39 formation!"
"What!?" Yang Hui quickly brought up the visual feed, and after zooming in, he could clearly see the enemy forces.
Nine Flag Snatchers, twelve Into the Array, ten GN-X Calamity Types, Beiwei, Flag Bearer, and the most ostentatious golden MA, Alvatrey. These were all expected enemies, but following the MS and MA were two cruisers...
"Sumeragi!" Yang Hui immediately connected to the bridge's communication.
"How's it going? Can Gundam Rasiel engage?" Sumeragi asked, her expression grave. Gundam Rasiel and Yang Hui were their strongest combat power, and now they couldn't engage due to incomplete debugging. They had no idea when it would be finished, which tightened their already anxious hearts even more.
"Not yet, but I think I've found the problem. It won't take long."
"Complete it as soon as possible. Setsuna and the others will engage the enemy first..."
"No! Keep all Gundams close to Ptolemaios and retreat. We can't engage them head-on."
"What?"
"Those are my designed White Tiger-class cruisers. I received intel about their launch, so I anticipated their appearance. But if there are two of them, Ptolemaios will only be destroyed; we won't be able to escape."
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked, and sweat began to bead on their foreheads.
"I understand. I'll quickly revise the battle plan."
Ending the communication, Yang Hui immediately had Ian start a new round of testing. The plan had deviated; to protect everyone, the Twin Drive-equipped Gundam Rasiel had to engage. The two White Tiger-class cruisers had to be destroyed, or at least rendered incapable of sailing. Otherwise... even if they abandoned ship, they wouldn't escape, and they would ultimately be captured.
...
On the bridge, Sumeragi did not send the five Gundams to charge the enemy formation but instead ordered Ptolemaios to turn. The Gundams guarded around Ptolemaios, retreating in the opposite direction, turning the encounter into a retreat battle. Although it was frustrating to be chased and attacked by the enemy, there was no other choice until they bought enough time.
"This is troublesome." Sumeragi pulled up the data on the White Tiger-class cruisers stored in the database, feeling a headache coming on. Did Ptolemaios look like it was going insane right now?
Of course! Ptolemaios was just an armed transport ship, but its specifications and firepower had already reached cruiser standards. However, in comparison, Ptolemaios was simply a simplified version of the White Tiger-class. If there was only one, Ptolemaios could still risk taking it down and safely evacuate the crew, but with two... it would be suicide to engage directly.
"Gundam Exia, launch with GN Fighter E type. All units, be careful not to get entangled with the enemy!" Sumeragi commanded.
"Understood!" X5
"Ms. Huang, why not directly activate Trans-am to break through the enemy formation? The enemy shouldn't have intel on Trans-am, right?" Lichty asked.
"No, Trans-am is our last trump card. We can't expose it to the enemy easily. If the activation time ends without achieving the expected results, we will be sitting ducks." Sumeragi explained.
"Understood."
"Everyone, hold on! Believe in yourselves, and trust me and Yang Hui. We will definitely bring you all back alive!"
"Understood!" XN
...
On the enemy formation, Kati sat on the bridge of the White Tiger-class ship No. 1, responsible for the overall command of this battle.
"Colonel, Celestial Being is retreating!"
"That's fine. We've locked onto them; they can't escape." Kati watched as Ptolemaios quickly retreated but failed to create distance, feeling anxious. At this point, even if she had known the plan in advance, she couldn't be optimistic. Based on her analysis of the military strength of both sides, if there were no two new-type cruisers, perfectly completing the final phase of the objective would have been no problem. However, a significant variable had emerged.
One was the two White Tiger-class cruisers, and the other was the massive MA in the formation, which became the last straw that broke the camel's back.
"Yang Hui personally designed the cruisers; he should know their performance well. If they just try to escape, they won't get away. Could there be another trump card..." Kati continued to think about how to perfectly command this annihilation operation against Celestial Being while discreetly allowing all members of Celestial Being to escape.
The plan wasn't difficult because two aces among the allies, Sergei and Graham, who were also the captains of MS units, could assist her, but there were also unstable factors.
That large MA had been forcibly inserted into the operation, held in high regard, and did not listen to her commands. Meanwhile, there was also a ticking time bomb within the AEU forces.
"Connect me to Lieutenant Biaki."
"Yes!"
The screen lit up, and Sachez appeared. Seeing Kati's stern and serious expression, he couldn't help but scratch his helmet: "Yare yare, what instructions do you have for me, Colonel?"
"Lieutenant Biaki, I don't care who you found to insert you into my unit, but I just want to remind you to remember to follow orders. If I find you acting on your own again, I will have you executed on the spot." Kati threatened.
"That's scary~ Understood, Colonel."
As the communication terminal ended, Kati's expression grew even darker. Sachez's obvious nonchalance was telling her that he would definitely act on his own.
"Damn it..."
"Colonel, enemy ships have entered the main cannon range!"
"Fire the main cannon! MS units proceed with the planned assault..."
"Enemy fire incoming!"
"What!?"
In Kati's incredulous gaze, several thick pink beams of light shot directly through the formation, almost grazing the hulls of the two White Tiger-class ships. The violent shock nearly threw Kati off her feet, and in front of the cruisers, several brilliant explosions erupted among the MS units.
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