Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

It didn't take long after receiving the confirmed intel for He Kui to install single-person atmospheric breakthrough equipment on his Strike suit. This was a similar setup to what Red Strike had previously used. Given that South America's infrastructure, while partly restored, hadn't fully returned to pre-war levels, they couldn't afford many replacements. The breakthrough set wasn't crafted new; rather, it was pulled from existing inventory. South America had once hosted the mass accelerator facility, and several reentry kits for atmospheric breakthrough remained as standard issue.

With everything prepped, He Kui was ready to make his move. Just as he was about to enter his suit, he was interrupted by Ailina.

"A! Why aren't you taking me with you?" she protested, blocking his path.

"They have two Moebius teams, along with a Dagger squad," He Kui replied calmly. "Bringing more people would just complicate things."

"Which is exactly why I should go with you!" Ailina argued, visibly frustrated. "With my skill, I could at least watch your back!"

"This is a one-man job," He Kui insisted. "They're after me, and I can handle it."

"But—"

"It's settled," he said, looking over to Haigelies. "Watch over Ailina and, when you have the chance, help train the Ginn team."

"I will," Haigelies replied with a level gaze.

"Then, I leave it in your hands."

With that, He Kui boarded his suit, waving off Ailina's frustration. As the prep continued, Ailina pulled Haigelies aside and motioned toward a separate hangar bay.

The final preparations wrapped up in half a day. He Kui docked at the mass accelerator, his Strike now bulked up with five additional boosters attached to its rear. It was a cumbersome setup, resembling an ancient shuttle rather than an advanced mobile suit. Still, he was all set to head up to orbit.

This mission alone would bring in an additional 30 million. Not bad at all.

Sitting within his cockpit, he could feel the vibrations intensify as the countdown ended. The boosters roared to life, catapulting the Strike along the accelerator rail with explosive power. Within moments, he shot past the clouds, leaving only a faint trail of smoke as he soared toward orbit.

Out in space, there was an eerie silence, broken only by comms chatter from allies and, occasionally, enemy contacts. Before long, his radar lit up with hostile readings.

The intel had been on point. Hovering in orbit above South America was a modified Nelson-class ship, its silhouette flanked by two Drake-class escorts. Surrounding them was a squadron of Dagger and Moebius units patrolling the area.

He Kui didn't hesitate. Confirming his targets, he dodged between the incoming beams, each flash casting a shadow across his cockpit. In one swift move, he deployed six missiles from his under-wing launchers, all aimed at the Nelson-class ship. Within seconds, the sky was aglow as the ship erupted in a fiery explosion, its wreckage drifting across the darkness.

But just as he was feeling the tide might be in his favor, a warning flashed in his mind. Reflexively, He Kui jerked the Strike aside, narrowly dodging four converging beams that had locked onto his limbs. The trajectory was clear—these weren't shots intended to destroy him but to capture.

He Kui's eyes narrowed. "A trap, huh?"

His question was soon met with an answer. On his comms screen appeared an older, rugged man with graying blond hair and a cool, intimidating gaze. He Kui recognized him immediately—the "Mad Dog Under the Moon," a notorious ace of the Eurasian Federation.

"Impressive reflexes," the Mad Dog said, his tone laced with respect.

He Kui ignored the compliment. "Still pursuing me, even after the Eurasian Federation supposedly scaled back their involvement?"

The Mad Dog chuckled. "Orders are orders."

"Seems there's unrest within the Federation's ranks," He Kui muttered.

Instead of answering, the Mad Dog pressed his attack, his Dagger suit closing the distance. Modified with an extra booster pack, the Dagger moved faster than any standard model, and with the Mad Dog's elite skills, it was a formidable sight. Soon, the entire enemy formation was converging on He Kui, forcing him into evasive maneuvers.

"So, they're playing for keeps," He Kui murmured, barely dodging beams and missiles from all directions. He transformed the Strike into its mobile armor mode to take advantage of its increased speed, using the sleek fuselage to weave through the barrage. But no sooner had he dodged one wave than another came hurtling his way.

"Give up now, and you might live," came the Mad Dog's voice, cold as steel.

"Apologies," He Kui replied, flipping his suit back into mobile suit form and using his backpack as an impromptu shield. He parried the incoming blasts with deft maneuvers, twisting his gun to pick off the enemy suits one by one.

His rapid counterfire took down three Dagger units in quick succession, leaving brief flashes of flame in their wake. But just as he was clearing a path, another beam barrage rained down on his location, nearly clipping his wings. The Mad Dog's powerful beam cannons fired again, pinning He Kui in place.

"Running low on options here," he muttered. His shield was nearly depleted, and while his aim was dead-on, his own durability was becoming a concern.

There was little time for hesitation. He knew from experience that if he didn't act soon, he'd be completely surrounded. He Kui quickly calculated his next move, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on him.

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