In Tassil, after confirming the exact start time of the Desert Tiger's operation from the Gibraltar officer, He Kui connected to Haro at sunrise.
As soon as the connection was made, the screen projected by Haro showed a scene of a desert vehicle speeding across the gradually brightening desert at dawn. Not far away, several imposing Baku advanced through the desert, their massive forms appearing even more majestic in the morning light, like a herd of steel beasts traversing the sand sea.
The treads of the Baku crushed the dunes, leaving deep tracks and displaying their overwhelming power, proclaiming their dominance and strength in the desert.
"This is definitely a delivery mission."
Realizing their predicament instantly, He Kui tried to urge Cagalli to leave but was held tightly by the girl.
"Don't move, it'll be over soon."
Cagalli said, looking at the weathered hawk on the vehicle.
"Please, follow the jeep ahead."
"Whoo."
The owl obediently took flight, leaving He Kui watching the screen helplessly.
He had given the Desert Tiger plenty of owls. The one in Cagalli's hand was a newer model with slightly higher tech levels, but tracking the Desert Tiger with it was still quite challenging.
Sure enough, not long after the hawk took off, it was intercepted by two similar round models. Both sides could only attack with their beaks, resulting in a stalemate as they pecked at each other in the air.
They were taught by the same master; they couldn't outmaneuver each other.
Cagalli didn't seem too surprised, only furrowing her brow.
She didn't know the identity of the round one's owner yet, but these owls, related to her hawk, were a clear clue.
Was the person an arms dealer? Or just a researcher whose creations were used in war?
Only the Desert Tiger could answer her curiosity.
With that in mind, Cagalli stood up on the vehicle, took a deep breath, and fired an RPG accurately at the Baku's mono-eye sensor.
The bodyguard, resembling Stallone, also fired, hitting the leg of the Baku.
The massive mechanical beast immediately lost its balance, its former majesty now reduced to a limping giant.
However, RPGs causing significant damage to Baku's composite armor was unlikely.
Moreover, these Baku were beam-enhanced versions. Several of them had twin beam cannons on their backs instead of electromagnetic cannons.
Although He Kui's beam saber technology was developed later with the Mirage Colloid, only the Desert Tiger's Baku had implemented dual beam sabers in the mouth.
But the firepower gap was already evident.
He Kui couldn't understand why Stallone didn't stop Cagalli.
He couldn't let Cagalli get hurt.
Forcing Orb into action had no benefits and, more personally, he hadn't delivered his gift yet.
At least he needed to hold out until the Strike arrived.
However, Haro against Baku was even more absurd than the GINN versus the Archangel and Zero.
Despite lacking strength, why did they always engage in such reckless actions?
Complaining at the screen, seeing the Baku about to stomp down, He Kui controlled Haro to push Cagalli off the vehicle faster than Stallone.
"Jump!"
Before the words were out, Stallone saw Cagalli pushed off and followed suit, jumping from the vehicle.
The driver was left to be swatted into the air by the Baku's foot.
"Yafim!"
Ignoring Cagalli's screams, He Kui controlled one Haro to release smoke, temporarily disabling the beam targeting system on the Baku's back.
Meanwhile, another Haro quickly raised a conspicuous white flag.
"Ah."
Cagalli and Stallone were dumbfounded, as were the Baku pilot about to stomp down and the Desert Tiger watching through binoculars.
Though out of means to resist, the surrender seemed overly smooth.
It was like someone had just vowed to fight to the death, only to surrender as soon as they were knocked down.
It was jarringly abrupt.
In this bewildered moment, a jeep arrived as reinforcements, firing two RPGs, causing the Baku to abandon its now non-threatening targets and chase the new jeep.
Just as the jeep was about to be overtaken, a green beam cut through the sweltering desert air, heading straight for one of the pursuing Baku.
The beam grazed the Baku, halting its attack, its red mono-eye fixated on the direction of the beam.
Under the cover of the dust stirred up by the beam, a massive white figure slowly emerged.
The white machine's surface appeared even more cold and mysterious against the dust.
At this moment, Kira, piloting the Strike, was akin to a white demon.
If the Strike had also engaged, He Kui might not have lasted a few rounds.
Having no time to admire the battle ahead, Cagalli and Kisaka surrounded the fallen Yafim.
Watching the boy uttering his last words, He Kui sighed behind the scenes.
What could he say? This was war.
If he wasn't cautious, he could be the one mourned next time.
So He Kui's sigh was more of a self-reflective one.
With such an incident, any plans to go shopping in Tassil were postponed for a few days for funerals and such.
He Kui had no reason to stay; the Archangel might still be nearby. With that thought, he disconnected from Haro.
After collecting his thoughts, He Kui pondered what to bring Sulei, only to see everyone in the base looking cheerful, as if they had been promoted or gotten rich.
"Hey, what's going on?"
He Kui stopped a saluting green coat in the corridor, curious.
"Sir! We just received good news from the front! We've captured Victoria Spaceport!"
The young soldier reported proudly to He Kui.
South Africa, below Gibraltar and the Libyan Desert.
Gibraltar had dispatched many soldiers for that operation.
Pride was understandable.
Sure enough, unable to connect with PLANT from Earth, He Kui's information was limited.
"At this rate, when can we head to Tassil?"
He hadn't taken a few steps when he heard Dearka's familiar voice nearby.
Soon, Dearka and Yzak appeared from around the corridor's corner.
"Director He!"
Despite both being well-connected, they saluted.
"Hello, are you two here to pursue the Archangel?"
"Yes, but the suits were damaged when dropped from above, and the maintenance staff here don't seem to understand the structure."
Dearka scratched his head, complaining.
Then, seeing He Kui, his eyes lit up.
"Right! Director He, you've seen the suit data, right?"
Yzak caught on quickly, too.
Yes, with such a top-tier researcher here, repairs would be a breeze.
They were excited on their own, while He Kui felt a bit speechless.
His days were filled with Haro and radar adjustments, leaving no time for Gundam maintenance.
But refusing outright wasn't wise either; after all, their parents were He Kui's superiors' superiors.
He Kui cleared his throat and spoke seriously.
"I have seen the data. Do you want me to help repair your suits?"
"Yes! Could you, Director He?"
"It's not impossible, but there's a condition."
"What condition?"
Dearka took a cautious step back.
Rumor had it Director He liked married women. Could it be he was now more perverse, liking...
"You pick someone to fight me. If you win, I'll help repair the suits. How about that?"
He Kui's proposal was a win-win, unaware of Dearka's wild thoughts.
He had little real sense of his skills beyond theoretical data.
The previous encounter with Mu, he piloted a GINN, and the Archangel was nearby.
Plus, he wasn't even in the cockpit, controlling remotely.
He couldn't gauge if he truly matched up as an elite Red Coat or how he compared to these two.
Losing wouldn't tarnish his reputation as a researcher; he'd just repair them.
Winning and repairing would enhance his image.
A win-win.
"Simulation pods?"
Dearka asked curiously.
Though the opponent's attire was like Captain Cruzer's, white with gold trim, He Kui hadn't earned it on the battlefield.
Rumor said He Kui had Red Coat skills, but could he be stronger than them?
"Real, using training GINNs."
"Director He, are you serious?"
"Yes."
Ignoring their surprised raised eyebrows, He Kui replied calmly.
"Then now?"
"Now."
"Alright, I apologize in advance."
Dearka smiled happily at He Kui's straightforwardne
ss.
Securing the director's dedicated repair service meant launching earlier. How could he not be pleased?
Given Director He's academy grades, they were sure to win. Even with improvements, how strong could he be?
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