Although they managed to block the attack, the Mobile Suit infected with the Quantum Virus was immobilized, leaving both sides in a stalemate.
"Let's retreat."
"ZAFT's garrison will be here soon."
"If this stalemate continues, it will be worse for you."
He Kui's voice echoed throughout the ship.
"Tch."
Despite the disdainful snort, Matiss still fired the signal flare to retreat.
"Creuset, you don't have much time left, do you?"
As Matiss retreated, He Kui breathed a sigh of relief and then opened a communication channel with Creuset.
Creuset's every move was a gamble, and He Kui, like a gambler who already knew the outcome, sat at the same table with him, holding a significant advantage.
"..."
Just as He Kui had said, every one of Creuset's schemes had been thwarted by He Kui as if he were a prophet. If this continued, Creuset's only end would be death.
"See you at Mendel, Captain Creuset."
Finally, not hearing Creuset's retort, He Kui relaxed a bit.
"I hope you're going there with your own body."
Creuset said mockingly.
"This is my body."
Without waiting for Creuset's response, they left. At the same time, the Aegis stealthily exited the interior of Genesis Alpha through a nearby maintenance tunnel.
Except for the issue of his heat signature that needed explanation, everything had gone smoothly.
And tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Gazing at the stardust outside the window, before He Kui could gather his thoughts, a communication from Patrick arrived.
"He Kui, are you resting?"
The hurried tone clearly indicated that Patrick hadn't yet received the news of their retreat.
"Not yet."
"Good. Gather your people and prepare to fire immediately."
"Now?"
He Kui asked.
"Yes, we can't wait any longer. Our Genesis Alpha has been attacked. Can your Yuu Shield be used?"
"The Yuu Shield on Genesis Alpha can be used, but it might not hold."
In truth, he had brought the Yuu Shield as a last line of defense.
A cunning rabbit has three burrows.
The Aegis, the Thunderstrike Backpack, and the Yuu Shield were his triple safeguards.
If the enemy had more forces, he would have to use the toughest Liberator to block Genesis's beam.
Of course, it might not hold.
According to simulations, if the Yuu Shield were connected to the base's power supply, it might be able to block the beam, but it was only a possibility.
After all, metal fatigue is something no one can predict.
If it were the Dawn, perhaps it could? Unfortunately, that national treasure was out of reach.
Even if he tried to deceive Cagalli, he couldn't get his hands on it.
"Yakin Due is currently approaching you. In the meantime, I'll have someone pilot your Mobile Suit."
"Once everything is ready, transfer the control center to Yakin Due."
"Alright."
He Kui wasn't worried that Patrick would seize his Liberator.
After all, Patrick had explicitly referred to it as his Mobile Suit.
As for the control center, it was indeed better to move it there. Genesis wasn't a place meant for long-term habitation.
If gamma rays leaked, it would be game over for everyone.
"Hurry up and get ready to fire at any moment."
"What's the target?"
"...Genesis Alpha."
After a moment of hesitation between Earth and the Moon, Patrick finally said.
"Understood."
Patrick remained calm, and it seemed Lenore had played a significant role in this.
Thinking this, He Kui also sprang into action.
Soon, all the researchers were gathered at the control console.
Looking at He Kui in front of them, everyone's faces were filled with anxiety.
After all, being summoned on such short notice, and with Genesis involved, everyone knew something major must have happened.
Seeing the nervous and confused crowd below, He Kui smiled.
Information was relayed layer by layer. If it were him in the past, he would probably only learn about such news from the television after everything had settled.
However, the timeliness of this information came with significant responsibility.
"Adjust the target, aim—"
Before He Kui could finish, the door behind him opened.
"No need to aim at Genesis A. Fire at the predetermined lunar target."
Patrick gave him a meaningful look and then spoke.
"Alright."
He Kui nodded in response, and upon hearing Patrick's words, the people below quickly adjusted their aim toward the previously determined lunar target.
"Councilor He, is there any connection between the Thunderstrike Backpack that appeared on your asteroid and the attack on Genesis A?"
While everyone was nervously adjusting the parameters in their hands, the two at the top began whispering.
He Kui didn't answer immediately, instead glancing behind him.
"It was just me."
Patrick's serious expression softened slightly.
"This isn't an accusation, just curiosity."
Regardless, the fact remained that those long-range snipes had forced the enemy to retreat.
"I was the one who fired."
"Aegis contacted me because she knew I had the Thunderstrike Backpack and the conditions to launch it."
He Kui explained in succession.
He wasn't telling the whole truth, but it was a mix of truth and lies.
"She also shared the data with me, and I was in control the entire time."
Of course, he couldn't say he had handed over the firing authority to Aegis, as that would pose a threat to the entire Colony Satellite.
"At the time, there was a Neutron Jammer in effect. How did she manage it?"
Patrick nodded, feeling a bit more at ease, and then continued to ask.
"Sulei and I considered it. It's likely a quantum system developed from the Dragoon system."
"That's why she could be so elusive."
He Kui had prepared this explanation in advance.
"Can this technology be replicated?"
Although not entirely convinced, Patrick couldn't find any flaws in He Kui's logic and was about 70-80% convinced.
"Perhaps? It will take time."
"Hmm, so do you think Aegis Pallas is controllable?"
Patrick asked.
Not whether she was trustworthy, but whether she was controllable.
This was very much in Patrick's style.
"Not necessarily, but they haven't done anything to threaten us."
"And their technology is more advanced than ours."
"True."
He Kui's straightforward attitude slightly diminished Patrick's probing.
"When she contacted you this time, didn't you try to probe her?"
"I did. She said that as long as our weapons aren't aimed at Earth, we can have peace."
"She will also do everything in her power to stop Earth, all for the sake of peace."
He Kui said.
It wasn't exactly a lie, after all, what he said to himself in his mind could also be considered as Aegis speaking to him.
"If there's a next time, ask her if she's willing to join us. PLANT and ZAFT have a place for her."
Upon hearing this, Patrick's expression was unreadable, and he simply replied calmly.
"Alright, I understand."
As the two were speaking, the voice of the researcher in front echoed throughout the command room.
"Shooting parameters have been adjusted. Ready to fire at any time."
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