With the primary introductions of the Shadow Mirror leadership concluded, I was about to move on to the technical specifics of the Megilot when Uzumi raised a hand to interject.
"Wait a moment," the Representative said, his eyes narrowing. "You claimed that the Shadow Mirror was an organization that once turned the entire world into its enemy. And yet, are there truly only four of you in command?"
I couldn't help but offer a dry, tired smile. It made sense; our group held the fate of Orb in its hands. It was only natural that he would want to know the depth of the waters he was diving into.
"As I said before, we are the remnants," I explained. "The man who originally led the Shadow Mirror..."
Vindel Mauser's face flickered in my mind, but I suppressed it.
"...fell in battle. Most of those who followed him personally left the fold after his death."
"So, you are saying your current military strength is diminished compared to your peak?" Uzumi asked.
"Quite the opposite. Our actual combat power has grown. I was the commander of the Shadow Mirror's frontline forces—the 'Strike Force'—and Echidna here was my second-in-command. Since then, through various circumstances, we've secured the White Star, a massive satellite base."
"A satellite base?" Kira asked, leaning in.
"Think of it as a station roughly forty kilometers in diameter—the size of a standard colony in this world, if not larger. It is currently anchored in the 'Gap between Dimensions.' That's our headquarters."
I could see the gears turning as they tried to visualize a forty-kilometer fortress floating in a void between worlds. Even if they couldn't fully grasp the physics, the sheer scale of the engineering required was enough to drive home the point: our technology was leagues beyond their own.
"As for our numbers," I continued, "the Shadow Mirror was never about a massive infantry. Our ranks are filled with 'W-Series' units—humanoid androids developed by Lemon—and unmanned drones like the Megilot."
"Humanoid androids?!" Murrue gasped. As a former engineer, the ethical and technical implications clearly hit her hard.
"Correct. Though they possess no emotions, they are essentially artificial humans. Their combat capabilities are extreme—at the very least, any one of them can match the elite 'Red Coat' pilots of ZAFT."
"I see," Uzumi said, processing the information. "Now, tell us about this machine. This... Megilot."
The drone remained crouched beside us, a silent, unmoving predator of blue steel. Its alien silhouette was imposing, even in its dormant state.
"Based on my experience fighting alongside the Archangel," I said, "it's slightly inferior to a 'G-Weapon' or a Gundam. However, its combat rating is roughly equivalent to ZAFT's next-generation mass-production model: the GuAIZ."
"The GuAIZ?" Mu blinked, tilting his head. Murrue, Kira, and Cagalli looked equally perplexed. Only Uzumi and Kisaka remained expressionless, having clearly gathered enough intelligence to recognize the name.
"It's ZAFT's newest suit," I explained. "They developed it by reverse-engineering the technology from the G-Series they stole at Heliopolis. It's set to replace the Ginn and the CUE."
"Another piece of information from the 'flow of history'?" Mu asked.
I nodded. I didn't mention that the GuAIZ was also the development basis for the Freedom, as that wasn't relevant to the current sales pitch.
"So," Uzumi summarized, "you have unmanned drones with a combat specs nearly equal to a Gundam. How many can you field?"
"We have five hundred units ready for immediate deployment."
"Five hundred... G-tier machines?"
The hangar went dead silent. Even for the "Lion of Orb," that number was staggering. Murrue looked like she'd been struck; she knew better than anyone what a single Gundam could do to a battlefield. Five hundred of them was an apocalypse in a box.
"We have the power," I said, breaking the silence. "The question is: what is Orb's answer to our alliance?"
Uzumi closed his eyes for a long moment. "I cannot make a decision of this magnitude on my own. Furthermore, I wish to see this Megilot in action with my own eyes before I commit the nation's future."
"Understandable," I replied. "Would you like a mock battle against an M1 Astray?"
"That would be... ideal. I would stay to see it now, but I have pressing government matters that cannot be delayed. I will arrange the test as soon as possible. But I will say this: personally, I am inclined to accept. When the world faces total annihilation, a nation's 'neutrality' becomes a luxury it can no longer afford."
I checked the time on the console: 14:30. We had been talking for hours.
"Regarding the logistics," I said. "You can reach the White Star through this Gate. If you need to contact us, use the comms system built into the terminal. Also... I'd like to officially request that this warehouse be designated as Shadow Mirror territory."
Uzumi nodded. "The benefits you offer Orb—military strength, technical knowledge, and your 'foresight'—far outweigh the cost of a single warehouse. I will grant you the use of this facility. Once the alliance is officially signed, we will discuss a permanent transfer of ownership."
"That works for me."
He reached out his hand—a gesture of respect between equals. I took it, and with a final nod, Uzumi and Kisaka headed for the elevator.
I turned back to the four people remaining. "I assume you stay because you have more to say?"
"Yes," Murrue said. Her eyes flickered toward Lemon and Cornelia, who were watching her with predatory interest. "I think you can guess what my questions are about."
"And the rest of you?" I asked.
"I... I want to know more about this 'history,'" Kira said.
"Me too," Cagalli added. Mu just nodded in agreement.
I shook my head. "The moment I stepped into this world, the original history began to deviate. You shouldn't rely on it too much. Besides, if you knew exactly what was 'supposed' to happen, it would cloud your judgment. I won't risk creating more irregularities."
"But you told my father!" Cagalli yelled.
"Because he is a sovereign leader who needs to know the scale of the threat to his people," I countered.
Cagalli looked ready to argue, but Kira placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Drop it, Cagalli. He's right. If I knew the future, I'd always be wondering if my choices were mine or just a script. I want to decide my own path. I'm not going to ask again."
"Well, if Kira's out, I guess I am too," Mu sighed. "Come on, kids. Let's head back to the surface. It's getting crowded in here."
He started to lead them toward the electric cart, but stopped and looked back at me.
"Axel."
"Yeah?"
"Try not to get stabbed," he said, casting a meaningful glance at Lemon, Cornelia, and Murrue.
The three women were currently engaged in a very polite, very smiling conversation, but the sheer "pressure" in the air was enough to make a lesser man faint.
"Pray for my safety, Mu," I whispered.
He gave a wry laugh and disappeared into the elevator. I took a deep breath, steeling myself.
"Alright. Standing in a warehouse isn't very comfortable. Why don't we move this discussion to the White Star?"
"I'd like that," Lemon said.
"As would I," Cornelia agreed.
"I'm curious to see it," Murrue added, her voice steady despite the tension.
I activated the Gate. A translocation field enveloped us, and seconds later, we were standing in the high-tech heart of the White Star's arrival bay.
"Welcome back, Captain! Lemon! Commander Cornelia!" a technician called out. He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Murrue. "Wait... who's the new guest?"
"Murrue Ramius," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. "It's... a bit complicated."
"Oh!" The tech's eyes lit up with recognition. "The Captain's new lover?! Wow, you really don't waste time, sir!"
"Shut up," I muttered.
The tech didn't shut up; he looked at the four of us with the delighted expression of someone watching a high-stakes soap opera. I ignored him and turned to the girls.
"Let's go to my room. We can talk there."
I didn't want to go to Cornelia's room, given that the bed was likely still unmade from the morning's... activities. Echidna excused herself, citing duties Lemon had assigned her. She was smart—she clearly had no desire to be caught in the middle of whatever was about to happen between Murrue and the others.
The air in the transport was silent as we moved toward my quarters. The battle for Orb was a month away, but the battle for my room was about to begin.
[Status Screen Update]
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 36 | PP: 165
Stats:
Melee: 254 | Ranged: 274 | Skill: 264 | Defense: 264 | Evade: 294 | Hit: 314
SP: 446
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (4 SP), Effort (8 SP), Focus (16 SP), Direct Hit (30 SP), Awaken (32 SP), Love (48 SP)
Skills: EXP Up, SP Boost (Lv.9), Telekinesis Lv.10, Attacker, Gunfight Lv.9, Infight Lv.9, Morale Limit Break, Geass (Grey)
Total Kills: 288
-------------------------------
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