Drone-Piloted Gundam Chrysanthemum

"This reaction is incredibly fast, so agile, and its speed is already terrifying without even reaching maximum acceleration. I can barely keep up, and I haven't even activated the additional propellant tanks yet," Zhou Ya said, gripping the control stick and pressing the pedals as she piloted the Gundam Chrysanthemum.

While Zhou Ya was using the Gundam Chrysanthemum for simulated combat and technical verification, she swiftly dodged attacks from MD-controlled drones and GM Mobile Suits.

Even when counter-attacking while dodging, Zhou Ya couldn't land all her shots, missing nearly half of her targets.

Zhou Ya found her vision blurring slightly. She knew her body was nearing its limit and that her current physical condition was nowhere near capable of handling the Gundam Chrysanthemum.

"Lieutenant Zhou Ya, can you continue?" a voice inquired over the communication channel from the command center.

Zhou Ya knew this wasn't the time to be a hero, so she voluntarily gave up.

Zhou Ya removed her helmet, sweat beading on her forehead and face. She was gasping for breath, her complexion pale.

After returning to the base and opening the cockpit, Zhou Ya stepped out. Her legs felt weak, unable to support her properly, and she needed someone to help her.

Other MS pilots who had gathered to watch the Gundam Chrysanthemum, though they hadn't seen its other simulated combat runs, had witnessed its speed during its sortie. In a very short time, it had vanished into streaks of light before their eyes.

"I never expected the new Gundam developed by the boss to be this fast."

"Exactly, it just turned into streaks of light right before our eyes."

"Lieutenant Zhou Ya is one of our ace MS pilots, and even she can't handle it."

"For us ordinary MS pilots, it's even less likely we could handle that Gundam."

"Look, it's Lieutenant Li Xiucheng's turn now, preparing to test that new Gundam."

"Lieutenant Li Xiucheng is also an ace MS pilot, and he's even more skilled than Lieutenant Zhou Ya. I wonder if he'll be able to handle the newly developed Gundam."

Suddenly, a dry cough sounded from behind them.

The MS pilots turned and immediately saluted.

"Alright, stop looking. It's time to work, we need to depart."

"Yes, Captain." x4

After the Gundam Chrysanthemum completed its refueling with the new additional propellant tanks, Li Xiucheng took the controls and departed.

During the initial sprint, Li Xiucheng already felt the Gundam Chrysanthemum's speed far exceeding that of a typical MS.

In the simulated combat, Li Xiucheng was initially able to control the Gundam Chrysanthemum, dodging all attacks from MD system-controlled drones and MS.

"The speed of this Gundam, even without using the additional propellant tanks, is ridiculously fast. The Gundams I pilot don't have such terrifying speed."

"Lieutenant, the next phase of the simulated combat is about to begin."

Li Xiucheng began a combat mode of dodging while counter-attacking.

The people in the command center watched the instruments and the Gundam Chrysanthemum's test verification.

"Lieutenant Li Xiucheng is dodging, currently achieving a 100% dodge rate on attacks, with a counter-attack hit rate exceeding 70%."

Long Fei, watching the Gundam Chrysanthemum in the command center, showed no change in his expression.

"Boss, should we proceed to the next phase?"

"Don't ask me, ask the pilot."

"I can continue to the next phase."

Dozens of missiles locked onto the Gundam Chrysanthemum and rapidly approached it.

Li Xiucheng immediately piloted the Gundam Chrysanthemum to escape. The test wasn't about shooting down the missiles, but about whether the Gundam Chrysanthemum could outrun them.

Li Xiucheng accelerated to maximum, activating the additional propellant tanks for a fierce boost, increasing its speed to over three times its previous test speed.

"My chest feels so tight, the speed is too much."

"The missiles have been evaded," a broadcaster in the command center announced, looking at the instrument readings.

"The missiles have lost their target and are now like headless chickens. Remotely control the missiles, deactivate them, and recall them."

Li Xiucheng then deactivated the additional thrusters and reduced his speed back to the original level.

"Just a few more seconds, and I felt like my entire chest was about to be crushed," Li Xiucheng said, removing his helmet and gasping for air.

For the next test phase, Li Xiucheng did not continue testing but terminated the session and returned to the base.

Exiting the cockpit, Li Xiucheng leaned on the railing, panting.

After the Gundam Chrysanthemum was refueled, the next tester was Yue Yangchun.

The test results were the same as Li Xiucheng's. After evading the missiles, he was unable to proceed to the next test.

Upon returning to the base and opening the cockpit, Yue Yangchun immediately vomited, expelling everything he had eaten.

Subsequently, other Gundam pilots tested the Gundam Chrysanthemum, with test results similar to Lieutenant Zhou Ya's.

Long Fei left the command center after Yue Yangchun's test was completed.

He knew that the subsequent pilots' performance would not surpass the results of Yue Yangchun and Li Xiucheng.

"It seems I need to devise a training plan to improve their physical conditioning. Should I use methods similar to the cybernetic enhancements from the Gundam UC era, or perhaps procedures for human body modification found in other science fiction novels, or rely on certain drugs to enhance their physical capabilities?" Long Fei's mind was constantly contemplating what approach to take.

At that moment, the person in charge of the command center walked out and called out to Long Fei.

"Boss, wait a moment. Take a look at these results first." The person in charge handed the tablet to Long Fei, showing him the test results.

Long Fei looked at the results and found that the Gundam Chrysanthemum's hardware had indeed not encountered any problems during the continuous tests. The issue was that its coordination and continuity were not smooth, indicating a problem with the software.

Although locking onto enemies relied on the pilot's skill, the software's programming caused the hardware's operation to lag behind. This aspect still required further arrangement and adjustment.

"Hand this over to the software engineering department for adjustment, programming, and arrangement."

Lately, Long Fei had been delegating many detailed adjustments to his subordinates.

Long Fei himself was focusing on researching and developing new technologies.

Since obtaining the power unit for fission-based MS, he had gained some inspiration. Although he couldn't create a Minovsky-type Thermonuclear Reactor like in the Gundam stories yet, he was combining the technology of his self-developed Super Energy Reactor with the obtained power unit for fission-based MS, partially dismantling the Minovsky-type Thermonuclear Reactor technology and integrating the technologies of the two.

"If a path is blocked, find another way. There's always a way to reach the final destination."

Long Fei headed to his office to continue researching and developing new technologies.

While Long Fei was conducting his research, Li Jiaming rushed into his office, wanting to discuss something with him.

"Boss, there's been international news recently about wars and unrest in several countries, causing many refugees to spread out. Many refugees have nowhere to go. We could select some of these refugees to join our mercenary group."

"Are all these refugees from fallen nations?"

"One country has already been annihilated. Those refugees do not wish to become citizens of the empire; they want a democratic system, so they refused to surrender to the empire. Because of this, the empire directly expelled all refugees who refused to surrender."

"Alright, Commander, you handle this matter."