Chapter 329: Explaining the Origin of the Mobile Suits
Three more drops of sweat rolled down Tolle's forehead. Nami was reading his memories faster and faster, yet he himself didn't feel a thing—no sensation, no reaction at all.
"Nami, can it be manufactured? About how long would it take?"
"Don't worry, Master. As long as there's reference data, it can absolutely be researched and produced. At most, it'll be finished within one day."
Tolle silently gave Nami a thumbs-up in his heart, then continued, "Nami, let's go ahead and research and manufacture it like that. While you're at it, help me build a new Wing Zero Gundam Snow White.
"But this time, it'd be best to change all of the original defensive feather-reflecting magnetic drums into offensive feather-type remote cannons instead. Is that possible?"
Nami said with some difficulty, "Master, researching and manufacturing feather-type remote cannons, and miniaturizing them, may take a bit longer.
"After all, we're lacking some reference objects and concrete data. Developing them independently would be a little troublesome."
Tolle drooped immediately. He had just been praising how capable Nami was, and now it turned out this wouldn't work after all.
"Nami, then what do we do? Where am I supposed to find reference materials right now? Don't tell me I have to go steal the Providence Gundam?"
"Master, that is indeed a feasible solution. The DRAGOON system of the Providence Gundam would be a very suitable reference."
"Ugh—then that's another 'indefinitely postponed' plan. I can't spare the time to go steal the Providence Gundam right now."
"Master, there's actually no need to worry. Same as before, I can first manufacture an identical Snow White Prelude just like the original. Then, once we obtain the Providence Gundam's data, we can modify it afterward."
"Mm, good. Let's do that. Add in all the technology we can use right now."
"Understood, Master. Nami will make the arrangements immediately."
After that, Tolle walked over to the cockpit of the Astray Gundam Unit 0 and pretended to make some adjustments.
He then had Nami add another task—copying the data of the Freedom Gundam as well.
Once the busy Murdoch finished his work, he saw Tolle climb down from the cockpit and excitedly rushed over to hug him.
"You little punk, you're really okay! That's great." He then gave Tolle's back a hard pat and continued, "You really scared us to death. We didn't even get a chance to properly greet you earlier."
"Ow—easy there, Uncle Murdoch! I don't want to get sent to the infirmary by you." Caught off guard by the sudden slap, Tolle nearly stumbled.
Murdoch laughed awkwardly. "Haha, it's been too long—I got a bit overexcited. Sorry about that, kid. So tell us, what happened before?"
"What else could've happened? Right at the moment the Skygrasper was shot down and exploded, I got blown away by the blast. Then I drifted to a small island and got rescued by people from Orb."
Mu teased from the side, "Oh? Then you really are lucky—tough as nails, too. But it's a good thing you're fine. Otherwise, the Archangel would've been in serious trouble.
"But that aside, where did you get that Gundam of yours? Orb's a neutral nation—how could they openly sell a mobile suit to you? I really can't wrap my head around that."
Tolle smacked his lips. So they were trying to get information out of him. "Yeah, I was pretty lucky. The ones who saved me were Mina Sahaku and her younger brother. They even sent me to the Orbital Elevator to receive treatment.
"As for the mobile suit—you guys know Gai Murakumo, right?"
"Gai Murakumo? That mercenary?"
"Yeah, that's him. Orb's Astray Gundam Blue Frame prototype is in his hands.
"After the Orbital Elevator recovered the data from that unit, they built one themselves.
"That's this one—an imitation, improved version of his unit, even the color's the same.
"But after building it, they couldn't exactly bring it out and use it openly. After all, that would affect Morgenröte's reputation.
"I'm different, though. I'm not from Orb. If anything happens, I can just deny it outright.
"As long as the two units don't appear at the same time, no one will know I'm the one piloting it. They'll just assume it's Gai Murakumo.
"Even if they do appear at the same time, we can say they were privately manufactured by scrap dealers.
"Anyway, that unit's data has already leaked out, so it's easy for Orb to dodge responsibility. In the end, I was the one who benefited."
Mu spread his hands helplessly. "So that's how it works. I almost feel sorry for that Gai Murakumo guy."
Tolle shrugged. "No choice. As long as I have a mobile suit to support the Archangel, that's enough. Everything else isn't my problem."
Murdoch said from the side, "Alright, enough with the heavy stuff. It's rare for us to be reunited—we should celebrate properly."
Mu also raised his hands and explained to Tolle, "Hey, I was just curious. No ill intentions."
"I know. What bad intentions could Uncle Mu possibly have?" Tolle said with a grin. "But speaking of which, Uncle Murdoch, are you guys done with your work already? You actually have time to stand around chatting with me."
Murdoch replied disdainfully, "Of course. The ship's power engines have already been repaired. All that's left is to head for Orb.
"By the way, what about that high-performance ZAKU you had before? You're not planning to pilot it again, are you?"
"Yeah, the performance is too bad. I probably won't use it anymore. How about we take it to Orb and give it to them as a gift? But make sure to remove the Assault Shield system first—I might still be able to use that."
"…Just how much do you like the Assault Shield system, anyway?"
"Mm, a lot! It's really handy to use."
After wrapping up the chat with Mu and Murdoch, Tolle returned to the living quarters and started talking with Miriallia.
He held her tightly, gently stroking her, and whispered by her ear, "My dear, sorry to keep you waiting."
Miriallia said shyly, "Hmph. You come back and the first thing you do is fool around. You didn't even comfort me properly or give me a report on what's been going on."
Then she took out the dolphin necklace and asked Tolle, "Dear, what's the deal with this necklace, anyway? It's so small, yet it can project a hologram of you and even make calls?"
"Alright, my dear, I'll report properly now…"
Tolle then told her everything that had happened to him, from start to finish, without leaving anything out. He also told her about his nano-armor, storage space, random world travel, and everything else.
And right in front of her, he modified the dolphin necklace, unlocking the compressed storage function—leaving Miriallia playing with it in delight.
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