Although Strike PLUS is massive, it is equipped with numerous thrusters.
As each thruster lit up in sequence under He Kui's control,
the mecha executed a stunning sideways maneuver in mid-air,
perfectly dodging the beams fired from the empty mountainous terrain.
"There really are people!"
"Be careful, they're charging in."
Seeing the thruster signals detected on the radar, Ailina said urgently.
"Leave it to me."
He Kui replied with a serious expression.
Without any delay, He Kui, relying solely on his understanding of the Dagger series N and the faint signals from the thrusters, was able to estimate the general location of the Mobile Suit's cockpit.
However, if he hit the cockpit, the nuclear engine behind them would definitely explode. But after losing the Neutron Jammer, the Neutron Jammer would regain its effect, and the explosion's power should be suppressed to some extent. The nuclear explosion's impact would likely be reduced.
But reduction does not mean complete elimination; the Neutron Jammer cannot instantaneously counteract such a powerful nuclear fission chain reaction. Otherwise, once the Neutron Jammer is destroyed, it would directly neutralize the explosion, and they wouldn't be firing any nuclear bombs.
According to his calculations, even with the Neutron Jammer, the shockwave's range could only be reduced by 50%, light radiation would decrease by 45%, and the release of nuclear radiation would be reduced by 60%. The level of radioactive contamination would likely be lowered by 63%, but the contaminated land would still be contaminated.
Thinking of these people's reverence for nature, He Kui hesitated for a moment.
But this era's Earth had already been ravaged by several nuclear bombs.
Even if it was contaminated, he could only prioritize human life.
He had no grand ambitions to protect the Earth; he just wanted to protect the things he cared about.
With these thoughts, he shot directly up into the sky.
"Why aren't you firing?"
Just moments ago, Ailina had seen He Kui aiming at that empty spot.
But he suddenly held back.
"It could be a nuclear-powered machine, drawing it into the air."
As he spoke, He Kui observed the radar and immediately fired a shot.
The previously empty location erupted in a violent explosion. Although it wasn't a mushroom cloud, the intense blast still swept outwards from the Mobile Suit's center.
Since it was in the air, the dust from the explosion spread over a larger area, but the impact range was still somewhat contained, making it barely acceptable.
"They really used a nuclear-powered machine here; those idiots from the Atlantic Federation have gone mad!"
After hearing He Kui's words, Ailina immediately began to feel heated.
"There's no choice; it looks like it's just this one. We're heading to Panama."
Waiting until the timing was right for them to leave by water using the Forbidden, He Kui then blew up the upper half of his estate.
Having blown up his own home, He Kui didn't have time to feel sorrow; he wasted no time and aimed to head towards Panama.
However, just after flying for a short while, he was confronted by a brownish-yellow Raider that looked similar to his own.
The Mobile Suit was not much smaller than his modified version.
Its two sturdy thighs were surrounded by four thrusters, and on each side of its legs were auxiliary wings for flight.
The original flight backpack on its back was menacing, equipped with two beam cannons similar to those on a Baku.
After just one glance, a fierce attack followed.
That familiar feeling, the sharp offensive, and the extremely skilled predictions undoubtedly reminded He Kui of someone.
"Aegis, long time no see. Should I still call you He Kui?"
The voice of Creuset quickly came through the communication.
As always, the voice sounded very eerie to He Kui.
"Mr. Creuset, are you blind?"
He Kui laughed.
"Even if you deliberately changed your personality and tone, I won't abandon that thought."
"Of course, I currently have no evidence."
"If I'm not mistaken, Director He isn't alone right now, is he?"
Creuset simply smiled lightly, but the threat was evident.
"So what if I am?"
After giving a bewildered Ailina a glance, He Kui continued.
"I'm just curious if Director He will self-destruct this time."
As he spoke, the Mobile Suit piloted by Creuset charged towards He Kui again.
The beams from behind sealed off He Kui's escape route in an instant with a high firing frequency.
"Still hiding your strength in ZAFT? Mr. Creuset, you really have no shame."
He Kui lifted the small aircraft, which had anti-beam coating, like a surfboard, blocking the beams while flying upwards towards the clouds, narrowly avoiding the subsequent beam-armed morning star that was launched at him.
"Say whatever you want."
At that moment, the opponent transformed into humanoid form, and the high-speed close-in defense cannon and short-range plasma cannon on his wrist erupted.
With so many new types of weaponry, He Kui still managed to evade them all.
"I didn't expect Director He to only be good with words."
Seeing He Kui evade his attacks with the agility of a cunning mouse, Creuset chuckled lightly.
"I already told you, are you blind?"
Though he said this, he was merely an Elite Red Coat, while Creuset, as the big boss, was the one who nearly defeated the Ultimate Coordinator. His strength was undoubtedly above S rank.
It was obvious to anyone that He Kui was at an absolute disadvantage.
"However, I'm really curious how Director He figured out my identity."
Not rushing to deliver a fatal blow, Creuset asked.
"First of all, I'm not Director He, and I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's fine; you'll find out soon enough."
"."
What a typical big boss line, combined with that aura, He Kui felt a bit breathless from the oppressive presence.
Moreover, Creuset didn't even use Oracle; was he aware of the problem or did he think the Earth's environment was unsuitable?
Ailina was still here; he had to find a way to break the deadlock. Just as He Kui was frantically brainstorming, Ailina watched the two of them fighting like gods, but aside from reminding Aegis on the radar, she couldn't do anything else.
With their swift movements and rapid speeds, every clash between the two felt like dancing on the edge of a deadly blade.
Why would that person named Creuset say Aegis is He Kui? Ailina could only continue to faithfully fulfill her duties, not out of curiosity.
"Ailina, when the opportunity arises, I will eject you from the cockpit. At that time, run to the evacuation point. Don't go to Panama; return to your base in Katu."
After dodging the dense barrage, He Kui said.
Creuset was completely toying with him.
He was a battery machine, while Creuset was most likely a nuclear-powered machine; he couldn't outlast the opponent.
Once he ran out of power, he would just be an aerial coffin.
The only reason Creuset hadn't come up was that he was wary of He Kui truly self-destruct
ing without regard for Ailina's life.
When they were designing the dual cockpit, he had asked Luo to create an ejection device for the co-pilot.
"But!"
"Ailina, I am He Kui."
He Kui interrupted her.
(End of Chapter)