The Archangel successfully arrived at the Junk Guild's space headquarters—the Civilian Dockyard [Barnacle]. Since they lacked Atlantic Federation identification signals, Yang Hui had Lowe notify them in advance, allowing temporary docking without issues.
"Well, aren't you a rare sight? Yang Hui, kid, you actually came in person."
Dark skin, towering stature, bulging muscles, a plain sleeveless jacket, cropped black hair, and a hearty smile revealing pearly white teeth—the broad-shouldered man with thick eyebrows gave off an immediate impression of a jovial older brother.
But... if you believed that, you'd be scammed out of your last penny.
Certain public perceptions about junk dealers were entirely accurate—they were hyenas: cunning, deceitful, silver-tongued, and capable of anything for survival. That much was true.
(Lowe and his crew are exceptions!)
Could someone leading such a group possibly be a good person?
"Hah, Madok, do you think I just met you yesterday?" Yang Hui sneered, stepping back to evade the man's enthusiastic embrace.
"Tch, kids these days are getting less and less endearing."
Sure enough, seeing his act wouldn't fool Yang Hui, Madok instantly dropped the warm facade, switching to a shrewd merchant's expression.
"Let's get to business, Madok. Are the supplies ready?" Yang Hui cut straight to the point. When dealing with old foxes like Madok, fewer words meant fewer mistakes—any slip could be exploited for extortion.
"They're ready. But kid, your Orb's got some impressive stuff. This ship, huh? Heh, any interest in..." Madok moved closer again, attempting to throw an arm around Yang Hui's shoulders, only to have his hand smacked away.
"Not interested."
"Don't be so hasty. How about we negotiate? I'll even throw in this batch for free—just let me take some quick notes..."
"I said no. Hurry up and arrange the loading. Get it to the port and have your people clear out." Yang Hui's tone was icy, showing no courtesy to his old acquaintance.
"In that case... the price..."
"Fine."
Yang Hui refused to play games, agreeing without bargaining.
"Tch, got it." Seeing Yang Hui wouldn't budge and his demeanor growing colder, Madok dared not push further. "Standard rate, as usual."
Yang Hui could agree without clarifying specifics because he knew Madok was smart enough to understand the unspoken warning: overcharge today, and tomorrow you'll repay every cent with interest.
Moreover, Yang Hui's attitude made it clear—this warship was off-limits. No probing, no schemes, or face the consequences. So Madok dropped further inquiries about the Archangel.
As Yang Hui had said, these people were clever. They knew exactly what lines not to cross.
"Yang Hui, are you sure there won't be any problems?" Natarle Badgiruel asked quietly. To conceal her military identity, she had changed into civilian clothes—a red top tightly cinched with a white belt, a black fitted shirt paired with a black pencil skirt that perfectly accentuated her figure. Her slender legs were clad in dark gray stockings, and her feet were encased in high-top Martin Boots.
The short-haired beauty exuded both an air of heroic vigor and a hint of allure and sensuality.
"No. With people like them, this is the attitude you have to take. The more you yield, the more they'll push their luck. Some of your assessments weren't wrong—most junk dealers are like hyenas."
"...I understand."
"Contact the Archangel. Tell the crew to stay alert. Once the supplies are transported to the docked port, make sure all their people have left before unloading. And have everyone change clothes—don't let them recognize you as Earth Forces. Remember, the communication must be encrypted."
"Understood. But what about the refugees...?"
During the earlier exchange, Yang Hui hadn't mentioned a word about transferring the refugees, making Natarle wonder if he had forgotten or simply didn't intend to let them disembark.
"After the supplies are replenished, I'll discuss refugee reception with Madok. When negotiating with them, you can't reveal all your cards at once. Only after one deal is done can you discuss the next. Otherwise, you'll likely get scammed out of everything." Yang Hui advised.
"Is... is that how it works?"
"Yes."
"But why would you..."
Though she trailed off, Yang Hui knew what Natarle wanted to ask—why someone of his stature would deal with such people. So he answered directly, "Later, I'll take you around here. Then you'll understand why."
"...Alright."
Before arriving, Natarle had felt nothing but disdain and contempt for this place. But after witnessing Yang Hui's dealings firsthand, she was now filled with curiosity.
Yang Hui led Natarle to meet Lowe and his team. Along the way, Natarle had already relayed the message to the Archangel, even encrypting it as Yang Hui had instructed.
During their journey, Yang Hui deliberately took a detour through the trading and manufacturing zones inside [Banakul], which left Natarle astonished.
Most of the stalls in the trading zone weren't worth a second glance—filled with miscellaneous small parts whose purposes Natarle couldn't fathom. They looked worn-out and worthless.
But some shops were selling items that were downright shocking—standard Federation armaments, ZAFT MS components, everything imaginable. Though it was obvious these were salvaged from wreckage somewhere, they looked as good as new.
Then there was the manufacturing zone—though "manufacturing" was a stretch. It was more of a refurbishment and modification area. Here, no one had the capability to build from scratch. Fighters, war chariots, MA, and MS components were all repaired, refurbished, and modified in this place.
Yes, modified!
Even the cheapest fighters and war chariots underwent all kinds of modifications, and these actually improved their original performance and firepower.
What shocked Natarle Badgiruel the most was the presence of fully repaired ZAFT Forces MS here—GINNs, CGUEs, BuCUEs, Zoworts, Ginns... everything imaginable, all modified in various ways.
"How could this be...?"
"So I told you, there's no shortage of talent here. Believe me now?"
"Hmm..."
"Alright." Though Yang Hui quite enjoyed the dumbfounded expression on Natarle Badgiruel's face—like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time—he still reminded her, "Tone it down. Don't let them think you're inexperienced. In a place like this, looking inexperienced means you're easy prey."
Hearing this, Natarle quickly composed herself, returning to her usual stern demeanor, but still whispered to Yang Hui, "What's the deal with these MS?"
"They're for sale—mercenaries, assassins, other professionals, even Earth nations or ZAFT."
"What?! No way... Why would Earth Forces or ZAFT buy from them?"
"Does Earth Forces even have their own MS?"
"..."
Excluding the newly developed G Weapon, Earth Forces indeed had no MS of their own. To develop their own, having reference models would greatly accelerate research efficiency. The G Project itself was based on preliminary studies of captured GINNs.
"And ZAFT..."
"From what I know, the Aquatic Specialization Type and Desert Specialized Type GINNs were originally prototype units taken from here, studied, upgraded, and then mass-produced."
"..."
Alright, Natarle felt nothing could shock her anymore—she was already numb.
However, this numbness was shattered once again when they met Lowe and his team.
"This is... the G!"
Upon arriving at the separate area where Lowe's team worked, Lowe immediately took Yang Hui and Natarle to see his latest prized acquisition.
The moment she saw that familiar head, Natarle lost her composure.
"What G? Do you know what this MS is called?" Lowe asked Natarle. He didn't know the name of this Mobile Suit, only that he had found two units—one blue and one red—along with a golden right arm, so he referred to them as the Red Frame, Blue Frame, and Gold Frame.
The Blue Frame had been "loaned" to someone, while the Red Frame and golden arm were brought back as his Custom Machine and spare parts.
Without answering Lowe, Natarle instinctively reached for the pistol at her waist, only for Yang Hui to grab her hand.
"Stop. This isn't the G."
"How could it not be...?"
"Look closer!"
Natarle examined the red Mobile Suit before her and noticed significant differences from the G. It lacked the signature Phase Shift Armor, instead using Foam Metal for its armor—unlike the G's material. Though it was equipped with miniaturized Beam weapons, their design differed from the G's standard armaments, and the overall structure was distinct as well.
"Then what is this...?"
"Beats me. All I know is I found it in Heliopolis. There should've been two more, but the Blue Frame was taken, and the Gold Frame is just an arm now." Lowe shrugged.
Hearing this, Natarle Badgiruel didn't press Lowe for further explanations. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Yang Hui.
Yang Hui was exasperated by Lowe's carefree attitude. Now there was no way he could avoid answering.
"The MBF-P series, Astray. The Red Frame should be P02. It's part of Orb's MS development program." Yang Hui knew that if he didn't explain, Natarle wouldn't let either him or Lowe off the hook, so he simply told the truth.
"What!? Orb's MS!?" Both Natarle and Lowe exclaimed in shock simultaneously.
"Wait! Why would the neutral nation of Orb develop its own MS!? Are they planning to start a war?" Natarle grabbed Yang Hui by the collar and demanded.
Yang Hui didn't get angry at her actions. He just sighed, wondering if he should give Natarle a brief lesson on the world's current political situation.