Cagalli, of course, didn't surrender. After regaining consciousness with the help of Tassil villagers and learning of Desert Dawn's surrender, she met up with Kisaka, who had tracked the Skygrasper's flight path. Together, they flew the Skygrasper to Orb's nearby contact point.
"This plane shows signs of tampering. You really don't remember anything?" Kisaka frowned as he inspected the aircraft on a cargo ship once they confirmed it was safe.
"I don't remember...," Cagalli replied. She only recalled losing control shortly after boarding, being thrown unconscious, and expecting a crash into the sea, only to find herself in Tassil.
Kisaka fell into deep thought. It all seemed very strange.
What was the purpose? How did they manage to board the rear seat without anyone noticing?
He looked at the owl perched on Cagalli's shoulder.
Could it be the same organization?
If so, were they being protected? If Cagalli had faced the Buster Gundam directly, she likely would've been shot down.
And if shot down, even if she survived, capture would have been inevitable.
So, technically, whoever it was, that organization did save Cagalli.
"How's the Archangel?" Cagalli asked, oblivious to Kisaka's suspicions.
"They're fine, likely heading toward the Red Sea and then the Gulf of Aden," Kisaka replied.
"Doesn't that mean..."
"Yes, they're probably aiming for Alaska, but if any issues arise, they might head to Orb."
"Let's go back then."
If needed, she could assist from outside.
"Alright."
Kisaka, already planning to return, sighed in relief.
The desert was unsafe, even without water.
Orb was much safer.
Elsewhere, using the excuse of visiting Tassil for maintenance before leaving Earth, He Kui quickly arrived at the Desert Tiger's mansion.
The Desert Tiger and Aisha, looking energized, greeted him, accompanied by Yzak and Dearka in red uniforms.
"Director He, you've been in Gibraltar for so long; what took you so long to visit?" The Desert Tiger glanced at Sulei before warmly smiling.
"I was busy."
He couldn't exactly say it was because the place was too dangerous, with mixed forces making it unwelcoming.
"Director He, you finally came," Dearka said with a more enthusiastic smile, thinking back to their success in the desert.
Based on his expression, it seemed he considered He Kui one of their own.
Ordinary red coats wouldn't concern He Kui, but these two had different backgrounds.
Perhaps they could be useful in the future.
"Desert Dawn surrendered, I heard?" He Kui asked.
"Yes, but they've been autonomous for so long. Who knows what they'll do? So we temporarily stationed them in the mining area," the Desert Tiger said, shaking his head wearily.
He couldn't use them, but rejecting their surrender would dishearten Tassil's people and destabilize the recently stabilized situation.
They were already short-handed from the upheaval, so Desert Dawn's surrender was a bit of a double-edged sword.
"I might be heading back soon," He Kui said.
"Perhaps we'll meet again up there, Director He," the Desert Tiger teased, prompting a wry smile from He Kui.
"Then..."
"Dacosta will temporarily take over for me. Blue Cosmos isn't a major threat anymore, Desert Dawn is stable, and Victoria has fallen. There's no strategic value here."
"I see."
Dacosta's promotion meant the Klein faction might be secretly pleased to have gained a city, even if not very valuable.
"Speaking of which, did you like those clothes?" Aisha asked.
"."
Despite Aisha's mischievous grin and the curious looks from others, including the Desert Tiger, He Kui remained unfazed.
"They were good, thank you, Miss Aisha."
"No problem, as long as you liked them. I have other styles too, Director Su, would you like some?"
".What?"
Sulei, who had been trying to blend into the background, blinked in confusion as the conversation shifted to her.
"Clothes, let's take a look?" Aisha suggested, pulling Sulei along.
"Ah..."
Seeing Aisha dragging her away, Sulei looked back at He Kui in bewilderment.
For some strange reason, He Kui didn't stop them, only offering Sulei an encouraging smile.
"When are you leaving, Director He?" Dearka asked.
"Probably tomorrow. Why?"
"We'll catch a ride back too," Dearka said casually.
"Athrun and Nicol will be back soon."
"You mean on the transport?"
He Kui, exasperated, pushed Dearka away and made his way to the radar room to work.
That evening, He Kui saw Sulei again at dinner, but instead of the white uniform she arrived in, she wore a long white gown.
The dress, which reached her ankles, revealed her snowy shoulders, blending elegance with sweetness.
Paired with ornate white strappy high heels, her toes, like jewels, peeked out.
Less stern than her usual military attire, it added a touch of softness.
"What are you looking at?"
Blushing, Sulei sat next to He Kui, giving him a shy glance.
"Nothing."
Sulei huffed, continuing.
"Disappointed? Not that kind of outfit?"
Hearing Sulei's words, He Kui glanced at the two not far away.
The Desert Tiger and Aisha watched with mischievous interest.
"Not disappointed, you look great."
"You said it!"
Under the playful gazes of the Desert Tiger and Aisha, the two finished dinner and returned to their room.
"Aisha said you liked that outfit~?"
Before He Kui could respond, Sulei gently pushed him onto the bed, whispering in his ear.
"It was alright..."
"What about this one?"
"I like it too."
It was attractive, but a bit inconvenient...
Being so long, lifting it would be troublesome.
"Hmph, you're so dismissive."
Seeing through He Kui's thoughts, Sulei huffed, her delicate hand tracing the waist of her dress. Her fingers, slender and elegant, moved with grace and playfulness, causing the flowing gown to slip away.
With the skirt gone, Sulei's outfit transformed into a pure white mini dress, barely covering her thighs.
Her legs, like finely crafted white jade, caught He Kui's gaze.
How was this possible? Why did Aisha have so many unconventional outfits?
Could he source from Aisha in the future? After all, he did save them; taking a few outfits wouldn't be too much, right?
"How about now?"
Noticing He Kui's thoughts drifting, Sulei, straddling him, bit her lip, trying to calm her racing heart, and leaned onto him.
"Even better."
At his words, Sulei's face, once pale, now flushed with a rosy hue, like ripe cherries in early summer, vibrant and tempting.
Naturally, He Kui couldn't resist savoring this cherry.
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