In the sweltering heat of Gibraltar, the base's training grounds were abuzz with excitement. The news that the Red Coat elite team was going to have a one-on-one duel with the Helan Design Bureau Director piqued everyone's curiosity.
"Why are they fighting?" a green-uniformed soldier watching curiously asked.
A duel between a gold-trimmed white uniform and a red one was an extraordinary sight.
"I don't know."
"But I heard there's a betting pool."
"Director He's odds are 5, while the Red Coat's are 2."
Although He Kui was once an active pilot here, with stories still circulating about his legendary exploits in the Eurasian Federation, his opponent was from Cruzer's elite team, piloting one of ZAFT's top-performing mobile suits.
It was natural for He Kui's odds to be higher compared to a professional pilot.
Sulei, who also heard the news, looked at the young man climbing into the cockpit with a mix of helplessness and curiosity.
She had no idea how the two ended up dueling.
Normally, a Red Coat wouldn't challenge a design bureau director, right?
And vice versa.
Sulei didn't partake in the betting; it was just small amounts here and there, barely worth it.
Unaware of the girl's worries in the stands, He Kui settled into the training-use GINN.
As one of the earliest developed machines, this six-year-old training GINN showed extensive signs of use.
The control panel was covered in scratches, and the leather surface of the seat was worn.
Accompanied by the faint smell of sweat in the sealed cockpit, He Kui's thoughts drifted back to his academy days.
Back then, he never imagined he would have the chance to face Dearka in a duel.
But now he had the opportunity and the ability.
As long as he continued down this path...
"Remember to use full thrust here on Earth," He Kui reminded once more.
He didn't want his sparring partner to be taken out instantly due to unfamiliarity with Earth's gravity.
"Don't worry, we already tried Earth's gravity when we came down."
"Director He, will you attack first?"
Dearka's voice came through the communication link.
"Sure."
Without using the assistive Haro, He Kui controlled the GINN, engaging the thrusters on its back. With a burst of blue light, the GINN moved with agility unexpected for its bulk, closing in swiftly.
The massive mechanical arm simultaneously drew the training sword from its waist, swinging towards Dearka's cockpit.
Dearka reacted quickly, using reverse thrusters on his feet to create distance, raising his machine gun simultaneously.
Shooting was indeed his forte.
Recalling the Storm's behavior patterns in low orbit, He Kui had already considered Dearka's possible tactics.
Without a shield, He Kui could only use the sword to guard the cockpit.
The right arm holding the sword was hit by the machine gun's paint bullets, rendering it useless.
In this brief moment, He Kui's left arm simultaneously fired at the opponent's leg.
Under the simulated recoil, Dearka couldn't evade in time.
He chose to block the cockpit with his arm, but didn't expect He Kui's target to be the leg.
Used to space combat, Dearka didn't react in time.
With the leg painted in bright colors and deemed unusable, the training GINN couldn't maintain balance standing on one leg.
Though fuel could adjust posture, the thrusters' fuel consumption was significant under gravity.
Unable to create distance for sniping, Dearka was forced to draw his sword.
All remaining energy focused on the thrusters.
This wasn't reckless; after all, He Kui's right arm and sword were out of commission. If caught in close combat, he'd be trapped.
However, it depended on He Kui's marksmanship and dynamic vision.
With Luna's skill boost, He Kui had no reason to fear in this aspect.
His bullet accurately hit Dearka's left hand guarding the cockpit before he closed in.
Without pausing, leveraging the opponent's momentum, He Kui used the attitude adjustment jets to sidestep the oncoming slash, simultaneously grabbing Dearka's wrist with his remaining hand.
With thrusters fully open, the leg swiftly lifted under gravity, stopping just before the opponent's cockpit.
The battle was decided.
"We won!"
Soldiers who bet on He Kui cheered in the distance.
Amid the enthusiastic cheers, a proud smile crept onto Sulei's face.
"Director He, I didn't expect you to be so impressive."
Exiting the machine, Dearka looked frustrated.
The fight had been uncomfortable, as if every move was countered.
First, his legs were immobilized, preventing his kiting strategy.
Then, in close combat, he still lost.
Although his close combat scores weren't as high as others, he was still at an elite Red Coat level.
"Just luck," He Kui smiled.
Though Dearka's unfamiliarity with ground combat played a part, He Kui's close combat abilities were satisfactory.
No significant weaknesses in his skillset; the test results were pleasing.
If he faced the Archangel with his current GINN, he might not win, but he wouldn't be easily defeated.
Of course, He Kui had no intention of engaging in such battles.
"It didn't look like luck," Yzak said, curiosity tinged with disappointment.
He Kui had only graduated from the academy a little over a year ago. They didn't expect their senior to reach Red Coat level while becoming a director.
"Haha, about the agreement—"
"Director He, let's have another round!"
Couldn't they wait for him to finish?
Seeing Dearka's excitement, He Kui's lips twitched.
"No."
"But forget the agreement, I can help with your suit maintenance."
"Really?"
With functioning suits, they could catch up to the Archangel and reclaim their honor.
"Yes, but before that, your OS needs an upgrade to handle desert conditions."
"Quicksand?"
Dearka was puzzled, but Yzak quickly caught on.
"Exactly."
"In the coming days, practice Earth's gravity more in the training GINN."
"If you get used to it, I'd lose next time."
He Kui didn't intend to pursue the Archangel; he was merely seizing the opportunity while establishing a positive image with the two elites.
Having planned their itinerary, He Kui left the training grounds, receiving many salutes and Sulei's bright gaze.
He Kui knew Sulei had been watching, as her favorability increased after his win.
"How about that? I won."
"Hmph, keep boasting."
"But why are you heading to the radar station so early?"
"To run tests."
"I see~"
Spending so much time together, Sulei hadn't returned to her room, naturally keeping track of He Kui's activities.
After a quick breakfast, they returned to the radar station.
Today's test was to communicate with the receiver in Tassil.
He Kui had just completed the procedure, successfully connecting to the Desert Tiger's mansion in Tassil.
Unexpectedly, not only the radar operator, but the Desert Tiger himself, fresh from battle, was in the radar room.
"Director He, long time no see."
The Desert Tiger's attitude was warmer than during their last encounter in the desert.
"Captain Andrew, thank you for your help last time."
"No problem. How's Ed doing?"
"He temporarily went to December City's military academy as a ground combat instructor."
Due to He Kui's involvement, ZAFT didn't hesitate to find Ed a safe and secure position.
"That's good, then."
After exchanging a few words like old friends, Andrew continued.
"We saw a lot of Director He's tools on the battlefield."
Seeing Andrew getting to the point, He Kui's expression turned serious.
"They must be imitations or smuggled copies."
"That seems likely. I wanted to ask if Director He could counter-hack their tools."
"It's a bit challenging, given the neutron interference on Earth, but I'll do my b
est."
"Thank you."
After finishing their conversation, the communication ended.
Now it was a waiting game.
If all went well, when they went to Tassil for supplies, he could retrieve Haro amidst the chaos.
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