With the Earth Forces and ZAFT either fleeing or destroyed, only four mobile suits remained on the Mass Driver—the Dawn Gundam, Gundam Exia, Gundam Cherudim, and Gundam Virtue. If one counted the dismembered Blue Frame and Red Frame, that made six.
The battle had left the Mass Driver damaged by impacts, but overall, it was still functional and could be restored with minor repairs.
To prevent ZAFT Forces or the Earth Forces from returning and to guard against any sudden attacks from the junk dealers against Yang Hui, Gundam Cherudim and Gundam Virtue stood watch nearby while Setsuna accompanied Yang Hui to meet with the junk dealers and Gai Murakumo.
"Yang Hui, why did you do this?" Lowe asked bitterly. The Mass Driver was a civilian project, originally built to create a safe spaceport for civilians during wartime.
"No particular reason. Seizing this Mass Driver benefits Orb, so I did it," Yang Hui replied calmly.
"But... this platform was meant for countless civilians. How could you—"
"Lowe, I know you're not stupid, so stop pretending in front of me."
"..." Lowe fell silent.
Truthfully, he had known from the beginning that the Mass Driver was a new spaceport secretly constructed by the Atlantic Federation under the guise of civilian use. After all, labeling it as civilian would help avoid interference from ZAFT Forces, leaving a backup plan in case Panama fell and the Earth Forces became completely trapped on Earth.
But he had his own plans. Most of the Earth Forces' troops were stationed at the Panama base, with only minimal garrisons left elsewhere—units that couldn't be easily mobilized. That meant the forces assigned to oversee them would be limited.
Similarly, ZAFT Forces would also obtain intel on the Mass Driver and would undoubtedly send troops to seize or destroy it. However, with ZAFT preparing for a large-scale operation, the forces they dispatched would also be limited.
So Lowe and the junk dealers had agreed to focus on completing the Mass Driver. Once both sides had weakened each other, they would drive away the remaining ZAFT and Earth Forces, finish construction as quickly as possible, and activate the Mass Driver before either military could react—escaping pursuit and preventing the Atlantic Federation from using it for war.
But then... Yang Hui and the others had appeared, disrupting his plans and rendering his efforts futile.
"What about you, Gai?" Seeing Lowe's silence, Yang Hui turned to Gai Murakumo.
"I lost to you. Nothing more to say. Though it seems my commission is now complete," Gai replied calmly. He knew Yang Hui had spared him in battle and wouldn't kill him now.
"So your client was the Atlantic Federation—protecting the Mass Driver from destruction, right?"
"...Yes."
"But since I've taken the Mass Driver, you won't be getting your payment, will you?"
"...Hmm." Gai Murakumo was also at a loss. Although the mission was completed and the Mass Driver remained largely intact, the Atlantic Federation had already lost control of it. So he definitely wouldn't be getting his payment—not that this was anything new. The Atlantic Federation and Eurasian Federation had found various excuses to withhold payment multiple times before.
"How about I pay you instead?"
"...What do you want?" Gai didn't accept immediately. There's no such thing as a free lunch. If Yang Hui was being this straightforward, there had to be conditions.
"Return to space immediately and head for the L4 colony cluster. Contact this person—he'll tell you what to do next." Yang Hui handed Gai a note with the communication details.
"...I reserve the right to refuse the mission."
"Additional compensation. You can first go to Ame No Minashira to repair the Blue Frame and receive a Space Combat Backpack."
"...Just what are you planning?" Gai pressed further. He didn't accept just any mission—normally, he'd outright refuse something this vague. The only reason he asked Yang Hui twice was out of respect for their past dealings.
"Consider it a contingency plan. The world... is about to descend into chaos."
"...Understood. But I still reserve the right to refuse. If things go too far, I'll leave immediately. I'll pay you back whatever I owe you later."
"No problem."
With Gai's matter settled, Yang Hui turned his attention to the members of the Junk Guild. The leader was Madonna, head of the Earth faction (neither of the two Madonnas appear much, so no need to worry about confusion). Strangely enough, Madonna and Madok were twin brothers, though no one knew why they'd had a falling out that split the Junk Guild into two factions with terrible relations.
"Young Master Yang Hui, I don't understand grand ideals or war. All I know is that what you're doing means we won't get paid," Madonna said to Yang Hui.
"I know, but I don't intend to compensate you."
"Then we're done here. At worst, we'll have worked for free. Small fry like us don't matter to big shots like you anyway. But as for future business... heh."
Madonna's meaning was clear—if Yang Hui didn't compensate them, Orb would become an unwelcome client for the Junk Guild.
"I don't really care. If you won't welcome me, others will. To be honest, your brother has tried more than once to take over all the orders in my hands."
"You—!"
"So your threat means nothing to me. I won't be compensating you. Orb's current demand for funds and supplies is already high—we have nothing extra to give you."
"Hmph! In that case, we'll—"
"But I have another deal. Wondering if you'd be interested." Just as Madonna was about to lead the disgruntled junk dealers away, Yang Hui suddenly spoke up.
"Heh, sorry, Young Master Yang Hui, but you're no longer a qualified client in our eyes. As for deals..."
"You continue building this Mass Driver, and we'll reserve a spot on it for you."
"What do you mean?" Madonna froze, a suspicion forming in his mind that made him stay and listen.
"Once the Mass Driver is completed, a spot can be reserved as the headquarters for the Earth faction. Orb will issue you legal operation certificates, fully guarantee your independence, and extend our protection. How about it? Is this reward acceptable?"
"I accept!"
This wasn't just tempting—it was like launching his heart straight into space on a Mass Driver!
Madonna couldn't possibly refuse this offer. After all, most junk dealers were drifters, people abandoned by the world. Who else would do this kind of work?
While the space faction had managed to build their own docks and bases over the years, the Earth faction couldn't do the same. Unlike space, every piece of land on Earth had an owner, and few nations were willing to take in these scavenging hyenas. Even those that did only sought to absorb them outright, given the number of capable individuals among the junk dealers.
Used to their freedom, they naturally wouldn't agree to such terms. So the Earth faction's junk dealers truly had no fixed headquarters, mostly scattered and gathering only occasionally for large exhibitions or events before dispersing again.
But no matter how much one loved freedom, everyone longed for a stable home—a place to rest after drifting for too long.
And what Yang Hui offered was exactly that: a home they could return to. Aside from Lowe, no one could resist such a lure.
As for being absorbed by Orb... at least Yang Hui had never broken his promises before. Why not take the gamble rather than antagonize Orb and Yang Hui now?
"Seems the deal is settled. Personnel, including administrators and military, will arrive soon. The blueprints might undergo minor adjustments, but the overall structure won't change. You can continue your work."
"Don't worry, we won't cut corners."
With the deal struck, the junk dealers dispersed, leaving only Lowe staring at Yang Hui with a complicated expression.
"Pack up your Mobile Suit. We're leaving for Orb."
"No thanks. I don't want to get scammed again," Lowe refused.
"What do you even have left for me to scam?" Yang Hui asked, amused.
"Not sure, but I've got a feeling going with you will cost me."
"...Coming or not?"
"No."
Yang Hui pulled out a PAD and dialed a number.
"What a rare guest. You're contacting me directly?"
"Didn't want to, but Lowe's too scared of me now. Had to call you."
Lowe gaped as Professor's voice came through the PAD. He hadn't expected Yang Hui to play so dirty!
Though Lowe led the team, he deeply respected Professor. While Professor rarely gave orders, Lowe always complied when he did.
"Is that so? Seems Lowe's grown up."
"Could you not make me sound like the villain?"
"Aren't you?"
"Fine. Professor, I'd like to commission your team to transport us and our Mobile Suits back to Orb. Payment will be the repair and modification of the Red Frame. Deal?"
"Very well, I accept."
"Professor!"
"Can you restore the Red Frame to its original condition?" Professor asked Lowe.
"Well... no."
Lowe was a super mechanic—no one could dispute that. But he was no magician; he couldn't create something out of nothing. The Astray Gundam was in such terrible shape, and without the right spare parts, even if he could fix it, it wouldn't be the original Astray Gundam anymore—just a patchwork mess.
For Lowe, who valued the Astray Gundam Red Unit more than his own life, this outcome was unacceptable.
"Then come back. We'll take on Yang Hui's request."
"Alright, I understand."
After ending the call, Lowe shot Yang Hui a res
entful look and pleaded, "Can you stop messing with me? I'm genuinely scared."
"Sure."
"Don't laugh! Seeing you laugh makes me even more terrified!"
"Hahaha..."
(End of Chapter)