Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 43: Artesia's Attitude

"Why are you here?"

Eli quickly adjusted his demeanor, refocusing his attention on the supply list in his hands.

But in the next moment, a slender finger extended into his view, pointing at a spot on the list.

"Bright said there's a new mech available and asked if I could pilot it, so I came."

"A new mech?"

Eli silently drew his gaze away from the now-withdrawn finger and turned his attention to the item Sayla had pointed out on the list.

"The G Fighter. I see, an upgrade component for the Gundam?"

It was a support aircraft for the Gundam stationed at White Base. In a way, it was a promotional gimmick from Corporation B to sell model kits, so much so that Eli had nearly forgotten such components existed for the Gundam.

Eli nodded in understanding and looked up at Sayla.

However, before he could speak, her reaction stunned him.

Sayla wrapped her other hand around the finger she had just pointed with, clasping it against her chest while glaring at Eli with an increasingly unfriendly expression.

When she noticed Eli's gaze fixed on her hands, she immediately pulled them to her sides as though avoiding his line of sight.

It was clear Eli had overlooked one thing—Sayla, being a Newtype and a young independent woman, was highly sensitive to attention, even subtle glances. Despite Eli's effort to restrain himself, she still picked up on it.

"Don't be like that, I—"

"Pervert."

Sayla's icy tone cut off Eli's words. She snatched the supply list from his hands and followed its instructions to find the container housing the G Fighter.

Eli was left behind, surrounded by the echoes of "pervert" ringing in his ears.

"Lieutenant Eli? What's wrong, having a fight with your girlfriend?"

At that moment, Margie Luda, who was supervising the unloading of cargo, approached Eli with a teasing smile, one hand on her hip.

Behind her was a team of professional maintenance staff heading toward the port side for more specialized inspections and reinforcements.

Seeing this, Eli's first thought was, "Finally, Bright can worry less about the port side."

After all, White Base's port side had repeatedly suffered targeted attacks.

"It's rude to get distracted and look elsewhere while chatting with a lady, Lieutenant Eli. No wonder Miss Sayla is upset with you."

Margie Luda made a mock-scolding gesture when she noticed Eli's gaze lingering more on the cranes and heavy machinery than on her.

Unlike the young boys who had just taken photos with her, Margie Luda clearly had a stronger interest in Eli.

"Don't tease me, Miss Margie Luda. You know I've only just joined this ship. How could I have that kind of relationship with Miss Sayla?"

Eli smiled wryly and turned halfway around, observing the containers being loaded one after another by forklifts.

"Who knows? These things happen."

As she passed Eli, Margie Luda playfully rested her hand on his shoulder.

"Believe me, I have a loving fiancé, so I can tell these things. Miss Sayla is interested in you, though perhaps not romantically... yet."

Despite her teasing gesture, Eli could sense Margie Luda's decisiveness and integrity.

It only reinforced the idea that women are naturally intrigued by such matters.

Margie Luda chuckled softly, waved, and left to meet Bright in the captain's quarters.

"Click."

At that moment, Eli seemed to hear something shatter.

Following his intuition, he turned to see Amuro frozen in place, holding a photo.

Just one glance at Amuro's expression told Eli everything.

Amuro, like Char in some respects, admired women with maternal qualities.

For this young man, Margie Luda was the embodiment of his ideal.

But learning suddenly that she had a fiancé had shattered the budding affection in his heart.

Ah, that explained why Margie Luda, usually so composed, had acted so playful earlier.

Imitating her gesture, Eli placed a hand on Amuro's shoulder.

"It's okay, young man. Men are drawn to acceptance and understanding. I get it."

With that, Eli gave Amuro's shoulder a firm pat, took the group photo featuring Amuro, Kai, and Margie Luda, and stuffed it into Amuro's uniform pocket.

He then spun Amuro around and nudged him toward Fraw, who was sulking nearby.

"Haro, heartbroken, heartbroken!"

Eli noticed the green, round robot at Fraw's feet and had to stifle a laugh.

Watching Haro mercilessly tease Amuro in its mechanical voice, Eli's eyes sparkled with amusement.

If they weren't standing right in front of him, Eli would have burst out laughing.

"So, men really are like that, huh."

As Eli suppressed his laughter, Sayla, dressed in her pink military uniform and holding the G Fighter's operation manual, walked by and made this cold remark, leaving Eli frozen again, chuckling awkwardly.

Without stopping, Sayla carried the manual into the corridor.

What others didn't see was the faint smile that appeared on Sayla's face once she entered the corridor.

Returning to her room, Sayla stored the manual and then went to the cafeteria to pick up a meal.

Carrying the food, she headed to the ship's brig.

For days now, Sayla had taken it upon herself to deliver meals to Ramba Ral.

Originally, this was Fraw's duty, but Fraw seemed frightened of Ramba Ral, so Sayla volunteered for the task.

"Uncle Ramba Ral, it's time to eat."

Only when alone with him did Sayla revert to being Artesia.

Calling him "Uncle Ramba Ral" allowed her to recall the faintly fading happiness of her childhood.

In just a few days of imprisonment, Ramba Ral already looked much more haggard.

The physical discomfort was secondary; it was the psychological blow dealt by Eli that had sapped his spirit.

"Uncle Ramba Ral, I think I'll head to the battlefield as well."

As Ramba Ral chewed his food, Artesia declared her decision.

Ramba Ral froze entirely.

"Why? You shouldn't..."

"Because I want to witness it. I want to see if that man truly has the resolve to change the world, as he claims."

Artesia lightly pinched her fingers, her tone resolute.

In truth, the G Fighter didn't seem all that useful. But it was written into the narrative because its ability to link with the Core Fighter as an SFS made it a surprisingly practical addition.