Chapter 332: Assault Backpack Enhancement
Erica asked Tolle and Mina with a puzzled expression, "What are you talking about—the Panama base and Daggers? I don't understand a single word."
"That's because Erica-chan didn't join our big family," Yulia said smugly. "Of course there are lots of things you wouldn't understand." She moved behind Erica, hugged her tightly, and said with a mischievous grin as she kneaded her, "How about joining us right now? That way, we can share all those secrets with you."
"Ah—!" Erica cried out in embarrassment as she was flustered by Yulia's actions. She tried to break free, but the difference in strength meant she couldn't escape at all.
"Ah—Yulia, stop—! If you do this, I'll get hurt… I'll break…!"
Watching this breathtaking scene, Tolle broke out in a cold sweat and immediately stopped Yulia. "Alright, Sister Yulia, don't bully Erica-chan anymore. Everyone has their own choices—whether she joins or not should be up to her."
"Alright then." Under Tolle's persuasion, Yulia finally let go.
Even so, Erica still looked at Tolle with a resentful expression and said helplessly, "I want to join you too, but… I have a family. I have children. I can't do something like that…"
"Yulia." Mina suddenly called out to her and gestured for her to block nearby signals. Then she said to Erica, "Actually, you don't have to make things so difficult for yourself. You just need to keep a few secrets. Or better yet, join us first and gain a thousand-year lifespan.
"After all, a hundred years from now, your family and children will all be nothing but dust. We have all the time in the world to wait."
"What are you talking about?" Erica said in shock. "Have you all gone crazy? This isn't some TV show with vampires—how could ordinary people live that long?"
Tolle sighed and stepped forward, injuring himself on purpose to demonstrate his astonishing regeneration, then explained, "Erica-chan, once things have reached this point, you can't leave me anymore…."
He then explained his nanotechnology armor and various abilities to her, and also assimilated and transformed Erica, granting her longevity.
After the transformation was complete, Erica still looked resentful as she said, "Dear Tolle, why didn't you tell me earlier? If I'd known this was possible, I would've joined you a long time ago."
"It's not too late now."
"That's true. Joining you really isn't a loss at all."
After that, Tolle handed over part of his technology to Erica—nothing too advanced, such as T-VPS armor, high-performance battery packs, the PX System (Pseudo), and intelligent support systems.
He also gave her the designs for the enhanced Vermilion Assault Gundam, along with the Phoenix Pack and the I.W.S.P backpack.
Once they returned to space, she would be able to manufacture it for Cagalli—that hotheaded girl—to improve her unit's survivability.
At the same time, he proposed assigning Asagi, Juri, and Mayura as test pilots for the PX System (Pseudo), installing the PX System and intelligent support systems on their machines as well.
That way, their safety would be better ensured. After all, it would be far too much of a waste for three delicate young girls to die like that in a war.
That evening, Uzumi held his usual reception for several key personnel from the Archangel. This time, Tolle did not avoid suspicion and attended as well.
After Murrue and Mu explained what had happened at the Alaska base, and everyone watched the Earth Alliance's media coverage on television, their understanding of just how shameless it was was completely refreshed.
The Earth Alliance was utterly brazen, pinning everything about the Alaska base explosion on the ZAFT forces—who were completely unrelated to it.
When ZAFT was clearly the victim.
Unable to take it any longer, Uzumi turned off the television and said helplessly, "The Atlantic Federation is now applying even greater pressure on other neutral nations.
"If they refuse to join the Earth Alliance in the war, they'll be treated as hostile states. Of course, Orb is no exception."
Cagalli cut in with a deeply resentful expression. "Those despicable people want Orb's power."
Uzumi did not scold her for interrupting and continued, "I believe you've all heard this before—Orb does not reject Coordinators.
"As long as they are willing to follow Orb's ideals and laws, they are welcome to live here.
"There are very few countries on Earth that can accept Coordinators like this. After all, this has nothing to do with the right or wrong of genetic manipulation.
"The reason such a massive war erupted is simply because of mutual suspicion and mistrust between Coordinators and Naturals.
"That way of thinking itself is the root of all conflict."
Uzumi then looked at Tolle, Cagalli, and Kira, and continued:
"Cagalli and Tolle are Naturals, while Kira is a Coordinator. These are immutable facts that none of them can change.
"But now there are people who see all Coordinators as the embodiment of humanity's evil, as enemies, and who call on all Naturals to attack them.
"The Atlantic Federation's actions are something I cannot agree with. In the end, who is all of this really for? And what are they fighting for?"
Murrue lowered her head in shame, lost in thought. At that moment, Mu spoke up with a serious expression. "I can understand what you're saying, but forgive my bluntness—aren't these just idealistic theories?
"Even with that ideal, Coordinators will still look down on Naturals, and Naturals will still envy Coordinators. That's reality."
———
Vermilion Assault Gundam
B+-Class Unit
Terrain Adaptability: Sea C / Land A / Air B / Space A
Fixed Armaments:
Head Vulcan Cannons x2; "Armor Breaker" Close-Combat Daggers x2; Beam Rifle x1; Beam-Resistant Shield x1.
Phoenix Pack Armaments:
Triple Missile Launchers x4; Large Missiles x2;
Multi-Barrel Vulcan Cannon x1; Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon x1; Railgun x1; Large Beam Anti-Ship Sword x1.
I.W.S.P Pack Armaments:
Magnetic Cannons x2; Cannons x2; Shield-Mounted 6-Barrel Gatling Gun x1; Shield-Mounted Beam Darts x1; Physical Anti-Ship Swords x2.
Special Equipment:
Phoenix Assault Backpack; I.W.S.P Combat Flight Backpack; T+VPS Armor; High-Performance Battery Packs x2; Intelligent Auxiliary System; PX System (Pseudo);
〈PX System (Pseudo):
Normal Mode:
When linked with a special pilot suit and the MS intelligent support system, increases pilot Shooting, Melee, Skill, and Reaction by +10, and Accuracy and Evasion by +15. (No cost)
Overclock Mode:
Consumes 1 Mental Point every 10 seconds after activation, doubling all attribute increases.〉
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