"What is this?"
In the deserted secret hangar, He Kui's night vision mode clearly revealed two Mobile Suits resembling Calamity and Forbidden. The background of the hangar was marked with a large '0', likely indicating it was Hangar 0.
But why only "resembling"? Because the armaments on these two Mobile Suits were exaggeratedly excessive. First, the Calamity, originally a long-range artillery support unit, had become even more extreme.
The two 125mm long-range beam cannons on its back had increased to four, and the Siren Beast Chest Cannon derived from the Aegis had doubled to two.
Not only that, but each shoulder armor of this Mobile Suit was equipped with an additional 115mm beam cannon, along with anti-beam Gatling shields on both arms.
The entire Mobile Suit was practically armed to the teeth. If not for the support frame, it would likely be unable to stand in Earth's gravity.
If the Sword Calamity represented an alternative direction for the original Calamity, then this Calamity was unwaveringly focused on artillery bombardment.
As for the other Mobile Suit, the Forbidden, it looked like a chubby figure, covered in thick armor, with six thrusters added to each side of its legs.
Its armaments, however, weren't increased much, retaining the original Vulcan cannons and plasma cannons, aside from the massive double-edged scythe.
Both Mobile Suits had a black base color, with red and blue accents on the cannon muzzles and sharp edges, making them seem like a pair with Creuset's yellow Raider.
"This is..."
Looking at these two Mobile Suits, the three women gasped in awe.
"Why would they leave these Mobile Suits here without using them?"
Meyrin asked the crucial question.
"Probably to upgrade the trio's equipment."
He Kui quickly thought of the original Three Small Strongs.
These three Mobile Suits had high compatibility and seemed to have significantly higher output than the original versions.
Given their storage location, it was clear they were intended for the Three Small Strongs.
But now, naturally, whoever found them would claim them.
Though excited, He Kui's hands moved swiftly, with two Little Birds flying toward the Mobile Suits.
At this moment, no one spoke further, their gazes intently focused on the Mobile Suits before them.
"Their connection ports should be inside the hand or leg joint interfaces."
He Kui was well-versed in Atlantic Federation Mobile Suits.
This design was indeed more convenient, as it allowed for data synchronization during equipment maintenance and replacement.
However, this assumption was quickly overturned by Sulei's words.
"I can't find the Calamity's port..."
Sulei's voice carried a hint of urgency.
"Neither can I find the Forbidden's."
Shihe followed up.
Hearing their responses, He Kui hesitated briefly before controlling the Little Birds to the narrow gaps in the Mobile Suits' back armor.
"I found it."
He Kui soon said with a hint of resignation.
"This..."
Hearing He Kui's words, the two were stunned, while Meyrin still looked confused.
"What's wrong?"
Meyrin asked curiously.
"Placing the connection port in the back armor is a ZAFT design."
Shihe explained.
"Huh?"
"So these two Mobile Suits were made by us?"
Meyrin looked up at the Mobile Suits, also falling into a state of shock.
"Not necessarily. Many researchers have left ZAFT to pursue opportunities elsewhere, so we can't be certain."
"First, let's secure these two Mobile Suits."
As He Kui finished speaking, the mechanical bird connected to the Calamity's interface, and the Quantum Virus began flooding into the entire system of the Mobile Suit.
Meanwhile, Meyrin's progress was much faster than He Kui's.
"They're using the latest firewall. We'll need another five minutes. What about you, He Kui?"
While Sulei and Meyrin were battling the Mobile Suit's systems, they couldn't help but feel anxious. Five minutes exceeded the originally planned three-minute limit. Strictly speaking, considering the time already spent, they now only had two minutes left.
However, just as Sulei finished speaking, the Calamity's yellow eyes suddenly lit up.
"It's done, but the Mobile Suit hasn't completed its final parameter adjustments. You handle the adjustments; give me the Forbidden."
He Kui transferred control of the Calamity to Sulei and then proceeded to hack into the Forbidden.
"So fast..."
Watching He Kui's speed, both of them couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement.
"Not bad, considering my experience."
"All systems are normal, and I know why some of the internal structures resemble ZAFT's."
He Kui even had time to perform a final check on both Mobile Suits.
"Why?"
Sulei cooperatively asked.
"Because this Mobile Suit was developed by VV. To be precise, all three of them were."
"VV, he hasn't retired yet."
Hearing this long-lost name, Sulei twitched the corner of her mouth.
"He's not that old, is he?"
As He Kui spoke, he also scanned the entire Mobile Suit.
It could be said that VV had put in a lot of effort to prove that his Mobile Suits were superior to his.
The nuclear engine, the exaggerated armaments, and the Energy Deflection Reactive Armor installed on the Forbidden based on Mirage particles were all cutting-edge black technology.
For VV, defeating his own Mobile Suits was probably the ultimate goal, and these Mobile Suits could indeed turn the tide for the Three Small Strongs on the battlefield.
But clearly, for now, these Mobile Suits belonged to him.
"According to Lide's intel, the prisoner area should be deep underground in the southeast. Murakumo Gai's holding place is likely deep inside. We'll force our way through."
With that, the Aegis also entered the Calamity's cockpit.
To be precise, one of these Mobile Suits was called the Azure Calamity, and the other was the Crimson Forbidden, both still in the preparation phase for actual testing, and now they were being taken away.
"Too bad we don't have the Raider; otherwise, the synergy of the three machines would be formidable."
Hearing He Kui's words, Sulei, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, rolled her eyes at him.
"Be thankful we don't have to use the Forbidden Cutlass."
He Kui shrugged in response. Just as the two Mobile Suits activated their TP Armor, the armed forces outside finally charged in.
However, they were only human special forces.
Looking down at the people who were shocked and trying to retreat upon seeing the Mobile Suits activated, He Kui raised the Gatling shields on both arms.
Showing mercy would be irresponsible to one's own life, and He Kui was clearly a very responsible person.
Outside the deck was a scene of carnage, with the Atlantic Federation soldiers temporarily cleared out. Two Mobile Suits had already exited through the large metal gate.
Since this was a secret hangar, there were no external ejection devices connected inside, so they had to walk out step by step.
"Hangar Zero has been breached?"
Creuset coldly glanced at the chubby-faced commander as he asked.
"Yes, according to reports, they've already taken control of the two Mobile Suits you brought."
The commander was continuously wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, his face filled with panic.
"Quite bold of them, I must say."
Hearing the commander's words, Creuset wasn't angry but instead curled his lips into a cold smile.
"I'll sortie to intercept them. If we can't keep them here, you under
stand what that means, right?"
"Yes, yes."
Hearing this, Uncle let out a sigh of relief.
With such a large base and the overwhelmingly powerful Creuset, if they still couldn't keep them here, then he might as well commit seppuku.
(End of Chapter)