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

Chapter 63: Explanation from Higher-Ups

"Click—"

With the sound of a mechanical trigger, Eli actively disengaged the shield on Mudrock's left hand.

The advantage of multiple thrusters became evident at this moment. All of them ignited simultaneously, generating immense thrust that sent the BD-1 hurtling into the rock wall, forcing its beam saber to drop from its grasp.

Immediately afterward, Eli clenched his left hand into a fist, pulling it back to his side at waist level before delivering a powerful punch directly at the BD-1's cockpit.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal colliding echoed throughout the underground space.

In Eli's vision, the figure of the woman gradually dimmed. Her previously silent cries appeared even more like desperate struggles.

Frowning, Eli watched as the figure of the woman faded with the retreating red glow.

The BD-1 in front of him had ceased all activity. Even its auxiliary lighting was deactivated. It appeared the pilot's unconsciousness had severed the signal to the EXAM system, causing the entire unit to shut down.

After all, the EXAM system imposed a significant burden on the reactor.

Eli stood silently, staring at the fallen BD-1.

Back in his 21st-century days, he had some knowledge of The Blue Destiny side story and was aware that the system contained the soul of a Newtype. However, he never expected to witness it firsthand.

Eli recalled that the EXAM system had a feature triggered by Newtypes and a rumor suggesting the soul inside sought help from Newtypes.

To fully awaken the Newtype woman, all EXAM systems had to be destroyed to release her soul.

This wasn't entirely unfeasible. Kyoji's BD-1 and Ifrit had already been destroyed. BD2 and BD3 ended up annihilating each other in the end.

The problem was whether his unit's system was an unimplemented BD3 or a newly added one.

Regardless of the answer, Eli couldn't accept destroying the Gundam head he hadn't yet used.

The Federation's upper management would be even less accepting.

More importantly, while Eli sympathized with the woman's plight, he was a Federation pilot. He would never compromise the Federation's military strength out of sympathy for someone from Zeon.

"Eli-san..."

Hearing Amuro's hesitant voice, Eli knew he had also seen the woman's plea for help.

"Amuro."

Without elaborating, Eli stopped Amuro's words with a commanding tone, signaling him to drop the subject.

Eli couldn't believe BD-1's appearance here was a coincidence.

Simultaneously, this likely wasn't a test from General Revil's faction. After all, an EXAM-equipped head in his hands signified Revil's trust in them.

The EXAM system had a confirmed history of turning on allies when it went berserk, making it an uncontrollable weapon.

Could someone be targeting him? But sending only Kyoji seemed insufficient...

Eli frowned until a transmission from the command center interrupted his thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, the operator relayed a gag order and instructed them to leave the area immediately.

Special personnel would retrieve the BD-1.

Though filled with questions, Eli knew this wasn't the time to seek answers. Silently, he piloted Mudrock and led the others away from the area.

Suddenly, the communications channel fell silent, and Fort's complaints ceased.

"Lieutenant Eli, what I'm about to say is for your ears only. As you might have guessed, that unit's presence wasn't authorized by us. We received intelligence that Dr. Kurst, the creator of the EXAM system, struck a deal with a certain institute. Part of the deal involved sending that unit to fight you and Ensign Amuro."

An unfamiliar voice emerged on Eli's channel.

Although the speaker didn't identify themselves, Eli suspected they were from Gopp's or even Revil's faction.

Fort's complaints resumed in the background, but Eli was no longer concerned.

Whoever they were, their effort to explain showed that Eli was considered significant.

The information they shared intrigued him as well.

Sending BD-1 to confront him specifically?

As mentioned earlier, BD-1 alone stood no chance of defeating him.

Furthermore, if they could track his location, they must have known he had four Gundams at his disposal.

Clearly, their intent wasn't to eliminate him but to achieve some other goal.

"The institute..."

Eli frowned, piecing things together in his mind.

The institute tied to the EXAM system was already quite clear.

The Augusta Research Institute.

The same facility behind the Pale Rider and the NT-1, whose HADES system was based on EXAM.

As for why BD-1 was sent to provoke him...

Eli guessed it was to determine, based on EXAM's reaction, whether he was a Newtype.

Such a redundant action.

Perhaps this wasn't the consensus of Augusta's entire staff but the independent act of the faction behind the Pale Rider's development. Either way, it was irksome enough.

What's more, Eli remembered one of the Pale Rider's pilots was a young girl with a tragic backstory tied to Augusta.

"I wasn't planning to get involved with you people..."

Eli's immediate goal was to end the One-Year War while safeguarding Revil's faction.

However, Augusta's attitude blatantly targeted him and Amuro.

One couldn't guard against trouble forever.

Returning to the White Base after handing over Mudrock to Aiger's team, Eli drove back to the ship's hangar.

When he arrived, Amuro was already on the ground, chatting with Sayla.

Noticing Eli's return, Sayla quickly approached him.

Her hands nervously fidgeted as if unsure how to start a conversation with him.

Eli sighed.

It seemed Char had approached Sayla. Her current demeanor suggested she wanted to inquire about Char's safety.

So Eli spoke first.

"Don't worry; I'm fine. Even though we encountered Char, we successfully repelled him. It's just a shame he managed to escape."

Touching his chin, Eli deliberately showed a look of gratitude, as if moved by Sayla's concern.

Eli noticed Sayla exhaled a barely perceptible sigh of relief before attempting to respond.

Shaking his head, Eli didn't bother listening to her.

In the end, the two could only gaze at each other in silence, each withholding their thoughts.

Sayla's gaze drifted downward, noticing the calluses on Eli's hands from prolonged MS operation.

Piloting an MS required a firm grip on the control stick. Even when under attack and the machine shook violently, one couldn't let go.

"Eli, actually, I..."

Sayla's words were cut short.

A single finger pressed gently against her lips.