Chapter 164: The Root of Chaos
At the same time, GP04 had also completed its space combat outfitting.
However, compared to GP01—which underwent a comprehensive overhaul with adjustments to all of its thrusters—GP04's modifications were far more limited. It mainly involved attaching three Gale Boosters to the backpack and tweaking the vector distribution of its thrusters.
Still, even though the refurbishments weren't as extensive as GP01's, GP04's base performance was already outstanding. Its turning ability alone was impressive, capable of executing a 180-degree spin in just 0.8 seconds.
Unlike Kou Uraki, Eli wasn't bold enough to push the machine's limits. Instead, he followed the test protocols methodically and by the book.
The testing phases concluded swiftly, marking the moment for Eli and his team to set off again.
"No findings? Understood."
Eli nodded and promptly destroyed the information he had just received.
It had come from a spy embedded within Anaheim by the Revil faction—though the informant's position was still relatively low, someone with potential for future development.
Eli had inquired about the whereabouts of the MA piloted by Kelly, as well as any intelligence on high-ranking officials engaging in transactions with Zeon remnants.
Unfortunately, the contact's current status meant he didn't have access to that level of information.
With no concrete leads, Eli could only shelve his concerns for now. He instructed the spy to continue observing, especially to keep a close eye on Anaheim board member O'Sullivan, who was in charge of the GP Project. Then, he officially gave the order for the two Pegasus-class ships to set sail toward La Vie en Rose.
But what Eli didn't know was that at the very moment the two Pegasus-class ships departed, a civilian freighter arrived at Anaheim's port.
"Hmph. At least you had the decency to inform us there were Federation warships here."
A woman stepped off the ship, her face cold and expressionless as she addressed Anaheim board member O'Sullivan—a man regarded as one of the top figures in Von Braun—with zero trace of respect in her tone.
"Well, it's all part of our cooperation, after all."
This particular partnership was so secretive that even the Federation Parliament was unaware of it—and within Anaheim itself, only a select few were privy to the details.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent a board member for the liaison.
O'Sullivan wore a commercial-grade smile, hoping to ease the tension in the woman before him. She removed her sunglasses and looked down at him—literally.
Don't get the wrong idea; it wasn't arrogance on her part. She was simply that tall, and standing in front of O'Sullivan naturally gave her a downward view.
"By the way, I never did thank you for helping me get the Val Vallo out. I suppose I'll go easy on a few of Anaheim's ships from now on~"
"Then I thank you for your generosity, Lady Cima."
O'Sullivan deliberately emphasized the word Lady as he replied.
The two didn't exchange further words. Instead, O'Sullivan escorted Cima into his office at the Anaheim Tower.
Even on the real estate-scarce surface of the Moon, O'Sullivan's office was lavish to the point of excess. From the specially designed floor-to-ceiling windows, one could view the entirety of Anaheim's Von Braun headquarters.
"People in space are suffering in misery, and yet you Moon-dwellers seem to be living quite comfortably."
Cima paused at the window for a long while before finally speaking.
"If it were Lady Cima, I'm sure you could enjoy a room like this too."
O'Sullivan, now seated in his leather chair, responded as he organized a few documents.
"Ha. If I had to sell arms to both sides like you people do, I'd rather pass."
Cima walked over and casually shoved the freshly arranged documents to the other side of the desk before taking a seat herself.
"So, why did you call me here this time? You should know the Delaz Fleet is just about ready to make their final move."
"On that note, may I ask—what exactly is the truth behind this so-called Operation Stardust?"
O'Sullivan inquired.
"Unfortunately, I don't know either."
Cima swept her long hair behind her shoulder, visibly frustrated.
At present, she was juggling dealings with the Federation, the Delaz Fleet, and Anaheim all at once. The goal was to secure a safe haven once the chaos settled.
Yet the single most critical piece that justified this high-wire act—the truth behind Operation Stardust—was something Delaz stubbornly refused to disclose.
"But whatever it is, it's not going to harm any of you Moon-dwellers. Relax."
Cima pushed her frustration aside and gave O'Sullivan her reassurance.
"Haha. If that's the case, I can afford to offer you even more support."
He was going to supply them anyway, and with the endgame approaching, he might as well deliver everything at once to prevent the Delaz Fleet from collapsing too soon.
Both sides understood this unspoken arrangement perfectly, so there was no need for further discussion.
O'Sullivan was about to tactfully move on.
But Cima clearly had no intention of letting the topic drop.
"You've given the Federation some pretty good stuff this time, huh? In that case, how about giving me a better mobile suit?"
She turned, stepped down from the desk, and locked eyes with O'Sullivan.
"Hmm… now that you mention it, there actually is one MS sitting in storage—unused."
"Unused? If it's junk, don't even think about fobbing it off on me."
Cima clearly wasn't buying what he was selling.
"Relax. It's a cutting-edge unit. It's just been shelved because the Federation failed to recognize its worth."
As he spoke, O'Sullivan operated his tablet to bring up the relevant data.
Cima took it and examined the contents carefully.
The more she read, the broader her smile became.
"In that case, I'll gladly accept. But at the very least, could you modify the exterior for me? If I take this thing out as-is, I imagine you'd be in no small amount of trouble."
She set the tablet down and repeatedly tapped on the mobile suit's head in the schematic.
That unmistakable V-shaped antenna—it practically screamed Federation.
"Of course. Not only that, we'll reinforce it further and develop a completely new arsenal for it. Please look forward to it."
O'Sullivan crossed his hands in front of his face, resting them on the table just below his nose.
"Let's just say… it's for the rights of the space-born. We do share a common goal, after all."
Neither of them believed a word of that.
They were merchants, after all.
Even Anaheim, which publicly projected a pro-Parliament stance, was internally divided into multiple factions.
O'Sullivan, for instance, was openly anti-Federation and pro-Zeon.
Other factions within Anaheim leaned toward the Parliament or the Revil faction.
Lately, there were even groups reaching out to AEUG, considering funding them.
There's a saying that fits perfectly: the ones who plunge the world into chaos are none other than these Moon-dwellers like O'Sullivan.
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