"There are quite a few soldiers here," Shi He observed from the cockpit, noticing the troops below saluting their mobile suit.
Each step the Zaku took stirred up dust within the base, heavy and full of authority.
"Indeed, more enthusiastic than expected," He Kui continued, his tone steady compared to Shi He's excitement.
"But they're letting us parade around so openly; this mission was supposed to be secret, wasn't it?"
The Blue Cosmos was known for infiltrating everywhere, and previous assassination attempts had thoroughly demonstrated this.
"They probably want to boost morale with this opportunity. Besides, our weapon is almost complete, so they might feel that secrecy is less important," Shi He analyzed from behind.
"If that's the case, things might get tougher for Tash," He Kui chuckled wryly.
No one just stands still to be taken down, and if the Earth Alliance forces know about their presence, it's no longer a surprise attack but a direct confrontation.
The risk factor would undoubtedly skyrocket.
In this sense, he felt a bit set up.
Just as He Kui finished speaking, a communication came through from the base.
"Director He, this is the Gibraltar base controller. Please proceed to the designated vertical transport aircraft."
"Understood."
Acknowledging the instructions, He Kui and the six other mobile suits soon arrived at a larger tarmac ahead.
There, three vertical transport aircraft had already started their engines, awaiting their arrival.
Though termed transport aircraft, considering their atmospheric flight capabilities, each could only carry three MS. Given that He Kui's MS was almost as wide as two Kins put together, it naturally occupied an entire transport aircraft on its own.
"They didn't even offer us a cup of tea," He Kui remarked, controlling the MS to lie inside the transport aircraft. He released a surveillance owl before turning to Shi He.
"It'll take about an hour and a half to reach Tash from here. Shall we stay put for now?"
"No problem."
Though lying in the cockpit wasn't entirely comfortable, Shi He understood He Kui's caution and nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, in the cockpit, the two pilots exchanged glances upon hearing He Kui's decision to remain inside.
Typically, after descending from space, one would at least step out to stretch and take in the scenery, yet they stayed put.
"This director's machine looks strong. Isn't he a bit too cautious?" the co-pilot chuckled.
"Yeah."
"I'd say I could handle it too."
"Enough of that; let's finish the pre-flight checks so we can head home sooner," the pilot reminded.
"Got it!"
With that, the two began the routine checks on the transport aircraft. After a short while, the co-pilot completed the checks and opened the communicator.
"Tower, FG-001 requesting takeoff."
"FG-001, takeoff clearance granted. Wind direction 255, wind speed 15."
"Roger, wind direction 255, wind speed 15. FG-001 acknowledges."
As the transport aircraft ascended vertically into the sky, the co-pilot switched to autopilot and stretched.
"It'll be an hour and a half to Tash. They're really not afraid of being bored in there. Think they're doing anything, eh?" he chuckled.
"Mm," the pilot responded nonchalantly.
"So dull~"
Seeing the pilot not engage, the co-pilot stood up, complaining.
"I'm going to get a cup of coffee, do you wa—"
"Pew~"
Just then, a muffled gunshot resounded in the enclosed cockpit.
Silenced, the shot went unnoticed by anyone else, but one of the two men slowly slumped to the floor.
The pilot, expressionless, looked at his bleeding colleague, quickly calculating his next move.
Plan A, which involved killing everyone onboard and flying the machine to a nearby Eurasian Federation base, was no longer feasible. Now, he had to attempt taking both the personnel and the aircraft.
Though this might damage the machine, there was no other choice.
Regrouping his thoughts, the pilot opened the wired communication line to the two other transport aircraft.
"This is FG-001. We have a systems malfunction and need to return for checks."
"Understood, we'll proceed ahead then," responded the pilot of another transport.
"That'll do. Thanks."
Hearing no suspicion from the other two aircraft, the pilot allowed a smile to spread across his lips.
Due to the presence of neutron jammers, long-distance communications were affected, even among allies.
This meant he now had an hour and a half.
After that time, they wouldn't be able to find him.
Meanwhile, inside the cockpit, He Kui listened to the surveillance data transmitted by the round owl he had released, his face darkening.
His precautionary measures, meant to counter the expected assassination attempts, had inadvertently uncovered an unexpected threat.
"Even the pilot is a spy?" Shi He was equally shocked.
Though they had no visuals, the sounds allowed them to piece together the situation inside.
Fortunately, He Kui still had the upper hand, having learned of the enemy's intentions.
"We should make an emergency landing."
There was little point in trying to negotiate with an undercover agent.
"If we land now, we'll be in the Eurasian Federation's territory…"
Shi He frowned.
They were supposed to head towards the African Community behind Gibraltar, but it was clear they were now heading in the opposite direction, into the Eurasian Federation, the former Spanish mainland.
That area was currently a conflict zone between the Eurasian Federation and Gibraltar, likely heavily militarized.
"If we act before we're too deep in, we can still retreat to Gibraltar."
The longer they waited, the more dangerous it would become.
"Mm!"
After a moment of contemplation, Shi He nodded resolutely.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine."
He Kui reassured her, touching the necklace Su Lei had given him, its damaged radar causing a sharp pain.
Without further hesitation, he activated the Zaku's power. The crimson mono-eye lit up, like a giant awakening from slumber.
"Director He? Why are you starting the MS? That's very dangerous dur—"
Before the pilot could finish, the Zaku stood up slowly, its shield beam cannon firing directly at the front hatch.
A dazzling beam pierced through the hatch like a bolt of lightning, blowing away the sturdy door along with the rear half of the aircraft.
Unlike the silence of space, the explosion was deafening, like a clap of thunder.
Large cracks spread rapidly across the previously smooth metal surface adjacent to the breach, fragments scattering in the blast's shockwave, clattering against their cockpit with metallic thuds.
The deck beneath the Zaku had nearly collapsed entirely, revealing the golden earth below.
The remaining metal couldn't hold for long, and amidst the violent shaking, their deep blue Zaku plummeted from the transport, beginning a freefall towards the ground.
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