He Kui quickly left Setona at the Waste Merchant Guild.
"Where's that girl?"
"She's with them."
Upon hearing He Kui's words, the two didn't ask further questions. After all, there was a more serious matter at hand.
"The control programs for the Escape Pod and the Gate have been locked."
Iron Wall said, and both turned to look at He Kui.
If anyone on site could overwrite the program, it would only be He Kui.
"We don't have time. We'll drop into the Colony directly using Jetpacks."
"Can we contact the Defense Committee?"
"Communications are being disrupted by the Neutron Jammer."
At this moment, Iron Wall gritted his teeth. After all, it was never pleasant to be attacked with one's own inventions.
"But if they sense the interference, they will definitely send reinforcements."
However, He Kui's expression did not relax much upon hearing this.
Although it was merely He Kui's guess that they had Mobile Suits equipped with the Mirage Colloid System, he was too cautious to gamble his life on such a possibility.
In his memory, they had also relied on the Mirage to float into the Armory and steal the Gundam.
In any case, finding the Liberator was the most reassuring option.
"May City might be the target. I can't leave now!"
"May City is heavily guarded; they can resist."
Lika said urgently.
Although Lika and Iron Wall hadn't thought of a nuclear bomb, they understood that May City could very well be the target.
According to their duties, they should prioritize protecting He Kui's life.
Right now, retreating was the safest option.
"How can you be sure they don't have MS outside? If they do, no matter how well-guarded May City is, it won't be able to resist."
Upon hearing He Kui's words, both of them froze, a chill running from their feet all the way to the top of their heads.
If they really had MS here, then every Colony Satellite would be like meat on a chopping board.
One nuclear bomb, and 240,000 lives would be lost.
"Impossible, right?"
Lika murmured.
"Aren't we supposed to have control over all the mass drivers?"
"Never say impossible."
He Kui shook his head and continued.
"How many of us are here?"
"The entire squad is currently dispersed around the area, plus the two of us, a total of twelve. We are the Elite Red Coat, with four Red Uniforms and six Elite Green Uniforms, all fully armed."
Upon hearing Iron Wall's response, He Kui let out a sigh of relief.
"That's enough. Let's move. We'll fly to the Design Bureau using the Emergency Safety Device's jetpacks."
Before He Kui could finish, the entire port shook violently.
Through the Little Bird flying outside, He Kui clearly saw an unnatural sight, and soon the radar he had installed on the Little Bird began to sound an alarm.
MS equipped with Mirage had already begun to invade through the gap in the port.
"Move quickly; they likely have MS inside."
Without explaining how he knew, He Kui had already retrieved three sets of temporary jet equipment and oxygen devices from the emergency safety device next to the Waste Merchant Guild.
These emergency safety devices were deployed throughout the port, and at He Kui's command, everyone simultaneously donned the emergency escape gear.
"If MS really got in, then based on our capabilities..."
Lika's hand tightened.
Even a Coordinator couldn't physically take on a Mobile Suit, right?
"The Design Bureau has Quantum Firewall and PS Armor protection; they won't be able to breach it that quickly."
He Kui stated directly.
"Then let's do it!"
Iron Wall also stopped Lika from continuing.
The lives of so many people were at stake; it was no longer a time to follow orders.
Thinking this, Iron Wall gave He Kui a solemn salute.
"We'll leave everything to Director He."
That was his title, and since Iron Wall said so, it meant he temporarily held command over the entire squad.
Seeing this, Lika also did not say anything further and saluted He Kui as well.
In their eyes, there was a heavy admiration.
In such a situation, they were not focused on saving themselves but were willing to take risks for PLANT.
At this moment, He Kui had also become the guardian in the eyes of the media and the citizens of May City.
Of course, the two were unaware that He Kui's decision, while also driven by emotion, was not one he would make if it were truly hopeless.
He would only take risks with a guarantee of survival, and if they lost several Colony Satellites in succession, or even Lacus, then the entire ZAFT would surely go mad.
It was very likely that Genesis would still be launched.
At that point, no one would survive.
"Then the operation officially begins."
As the few above confirmed the battle plan, the Design Bureau was already engulfed in gunfire.
"Have they gone mad!? Where did so many spies come from!"
The soldiers at the Design Bureau were defending behind makeshift barricades.
They were being suppressed by the terrorists across from them, forced into passive defense.
"What about reinforcements?"
"Unclear. Our communications are being disrupted by the Neutron Jammer."
The communications officer gritted his teeth.
"As long as they detect the interference, they will definitely strike. They don't have MS, at least not for a short time—"
Before the squad leader could finish, the entire squad was pierced by a ghastly green beam, leaving only charred circular pits and a few splatters of dark red blood.
"They have MS!"
The squad at the innermost defense saw the horrific scene outside.
Countless security personnel were being slaughtered by that pitch-black MS, and wherever the green beams went, it was like hell.
"Captain, Design Bureau Area A has been breached!"
"How long until the PS protection layer of the Design Bureau activates?"
"The backup power needs to reconnect the lines; it will take another minute!"
"What about the researchers?"
"They've all entered the shelter, but if the MS breaches..."
"Hold them off until the PS Armor activates! Concentrate all RPGs here."
The captain gritted his teeth.
"We are the last line of defense! Behind us is the most advanced technology of PLANT and the lives of countless researchers. If we take a step back, it's a bottomless abyss; our sacrifice will not be the end!"
"For ZAFT! For PLANT!"
"Captain!"
Under the leadership of this remaining commander, the previously low morale was reinvigorated.
Although RPGs could not effectively damage the Mobile Suit in front of them, their powerful impact could still slow down its offensive.
"N1! Immediately breach the Design Bureau! That's an order!"
Seeing that the Thunderbolt Short Sword w
as still slaughtering those Coordinators who posed no threat, the commander said with dissatisfaction.
"We need to eliminate the enemy to attack more safely~"
The pilot's tone was flippant, clearly enjoying the thrill of the slaughter.