SEED-Modification

Everyone aboard the Archangel, including the crew and refugees, learned that they had contacted the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet and were making arrangements to rendezvous with it.

Everyone was thrilled, eager to meet up with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet as soon as possible.

Thor Kni knew another major battle was coming.

So he went to find Kira Yamato and said,

"Kira, can you do me a favor? I want to pilot that Reconnaissance Gear, but I don't know how to use its OS.

Can you modify it for me? Let me pilot an MS and fight alongside you."

Kira Yamato looked at Thor Kni in confusion and said helplessly,

"Oh, Thor, why do you want to pilot an MS again?

Besides, we're about to rendezvous with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet. Once that happens, we won't need to pilot MSs in battle anymore."

Thor Kni shook his head.

"Since we can receive the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet's radio signals, the ZAFT forces chasing us can receive them too.

Once they crack the contents of those signals, they definitely won't let the Archangel go so easily.

And they'll certainly launch an all-out attack before we rendezvous with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet.

Because once we join up, destroying the Archangel will become much harder.

And the Earth Forces' strength will increase greatly as well. If it were anyone else, they'd eliminate this threat in advance too, wouldn't they?"

After hearing Thor Kni's words, Kira Yamato lowered his head and fell silent in thought.

After waiting a few seconds, Thor Kni continued,

"Kira, if we want to rendezvous with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet safely and avoid fighting again afterward,

we need to make preparations in advance. After all, there are only three of us who can fight.

So please, adjust the Reconnaissance Gear's OS so I can pilot it properly.

Then we can work together to protect the Archangel and our friends."

Kira Yamato finally nodded and relented.

"Alright, Thor. For the friends aboard the Archangel and to rendezvous with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet sooner,

I'll take this gamble with you. Let's go to the hangar, modify the OS for you, and tune up our own machines."

"That's great, Kira. Thank you so much."

Thor Kni happily slung an arm around Kira Yamato's shoulders as they headed toward the hangar together.

Hahaha, I finally talked him into it. I can finally pilot an MS openly.

But I wasn't lying. A major battle really is coming up, and even Frey Alusta's father will die in it.

To be safe, I need to step up my MS piloting training too.

When they arrived at the hangar, Thor Kni looked at the maintenance crew members and Sergeant Maddock, who were taking a break, and asked,

"Uncle Maddock, how are the modifications on that Reconnaissance Gear going? Has its wrist been replaced?"

"You brat, we're about to rendezvous with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet. You won't need to fight anymore after that.

So we haven't modified it yet. There probably won't be any need to, right? You won't be piloting it again anyway."

"Uncle Maddock, I hope you'll finish the modifications soon. I have a feeling there'll be a major battle before we link up..."

Thor Kni repeated the same reasoning he had given Kira Yamato. After hearing it, Sergeant Maddock broke out in a cold sweat.

He immediately reported the possibility to Captain Lamias. Mwu Lamias and Natale Bajiiruru both fell silent upon hearing the prediction.

Still, they approved Thor Kni's modification plan and accelerated the Reconnaissance Gear's overhaul.

They replaced its right arm with Buster Gundam's arm-mounted weapon.

They also installed two mechanical arms on its back, one on each side.

The mechanical arm on the right could normally carry Buster Gundam's Assault Shield System.

The mechanical arm on the left normally carried the Reconnaissance Gear's original Sniper Beam Rifle, though it could also be swapped out for Strike Gundam's shield.

The Reconnaissance Gear was quickly modified. It should now have been called Blitz Gear.

Kira also adjusted Blitz Gear's operating OS, making it completely suited to Thor Kni's control requirements.

Even with his body restricted, Thor Kni was still a little stronger than an ordinary person, so the OS's sensitivity only needed to be lowered slightly.

Therefore, this OS still could not be used by ordinary people, while Coordinators would find its response speed too slow.

Thor Kni did not mind, and he also had Nami immediately copy the OS's settings. With this OS, he would not have to worry even if he changed machines later.

Blitz Gear

D-Class Mobile Suit

HP: 1200

Energy: 200

Mobility: 60

Armor: 300

Terrain Adaptability: Sea— / Land B / Air— / Space B

Fixed Weapons:

Right Arm Assault Shield System: 50mm High Energy Beam Rifle (1400/5), Triple Hyper Velocity Armor Piercing Round (2100), Beam Saber (1600/6);

Left Arm Claw Anchor (600); Sniper Beam Rifle (1600/10)

The Archangel soon made contact with the Earth Forces' 8th Fleet advance unit.

They opened communications with the Archangel and set a rendezvous time and location.

Frey Alusta's father, George Alusta, Deputy Director of Atlantic Federation Affairs, was also among the advance unit.

Upon hearing the news, Thor Kni knew the battle was about to begin, so he immediately returned to the hangar.

Aboard Blitz Gear, he urgently trained his MS piloting skills.

When Kira Yamato saw this, he also went to the hangar to adjust his Strike Gundam.

When Sergeant Maddock saw Thor Kni still aboard Blitz Gear, he floated over to look at them.

Thor Kni remained fully focused on his training. Kira Yamato glanced at him and asked, "What is it?"

Sergeant Maddock said, "Nothing. I just wanted to see how your progress is going."

Kira Yamato answered, "I'm matching the deviation values and adjusting some other things, but we probably won't need them anymore, right?"

Sergeant Maddock laughed loudly.

"Hahaha, keep at it, keep at it. Until we rendezvous safely, that's still your job.

Of course, when the time comes, you can choose to stay on as volunteers too."

Thor Kni lost another simulated battle and said unhappily,

"Uncle Maddock, you distracted me, so I lost again. What do you think you should do about that?

And don't relax too much. You'll have plenty to do soon enough."

Sergeant Maddock replied, "Am I not allowed to be happy? The Archangel is about to rendezvous with the 8th Fleet's advance unit.

Then you'll be free too. You won't need to pilot MSs anymore, hahaha."

Thor Kni grinned slyly.

"Uncle Maddock, let's make a bet.

If the Archangel successfully rendezvous with the 8th Fleet's advance unit without encountering a ZAFT attack,

I'll help the maintenance crew with whatever work you need, even cleaning the hangar.

But if we fail to rendezvous successfully and encounter a ZAFT attack along the way,

then help me modify the previous Moebius Custom into a universal backpack that can be used with an MS, while also allowing it to quickly return to its original form and be piloted as an MA mobile fortress.

How about it? Do you dare to bet?"