Noer's Astonishment

Inside the colony, the alarm about the Z.A.F.T. fleet's attack had long since reached them.

Inside the Akatsuki Industries factory, a woman with chestnut hair was giving orders nonstop.

Behind her, a trailer truck carrying a large container was emerging from the opened hangar doors.

On a hilltop not far from the Akatsuki Industries factory, Yzak and his team, who had already infiltrated through the ventilation shafts, could clearly see the humanoid weapon lying inside the trailer through their binoculars.

"Noer's intel was correct, there really is a new MS here." Athrun looked at the convoy below, a heavy weight slowly lifting from his heart.

To be honest, he had been feeling a bit uneasy when they set out this time.

As Councilor Sala's son, he knew better than anyone the consequences of arbitrarily attacking a neutral colony.

But now, it seemed everything was fine; at least, the existence of a new MS had been confirmed.

"Just as Captain Cruze said!"

Yzak lowered his binoculars, his expression one of disdain, but he couldn't help but give Noer a thumbs-up. The guy was actually reliable!

"Like rats, poking them makes them panic and scurry out of their holes..."

Diakka Elsman recalled Captain Cruze's words and couldn't help but let out a scoff.

But these Naturals were indeed a bit dim-witted. If they had just stayed put and not let their people get evidence, they wouldn't have dared to be so reckless.

After all, Orb was a neutral country, even one tacitly acknowledged as neutral by both PLANT and the Earth Alliance.

But now that a new MS had been confirmed, this neutral country was no longer neutral.

"Hiss~ Whoosh~"

Unlike Yzak and the others, Nicol, who was squatting beside Athrun, looked extremely nervous. Not only was this his first time in direct combat, but he was also apprehensive about piloting an MS. After all... he was timid.

"Nicol, if you get scared later, just run a little slower."

Rusty Mackenzie behind him teased, patting Nicol's back.

They had known about Nicol's timidity for a long time. In truth, among everyone, Nicol's MS combat ability was the highest, second only to Athrun.

However, due to his personality, he tended to underperform during actual combat. Even so, when he underperformed, he could still rank in the top ten at the academy.

So, if he were to get serious, his combat power...

"Noer said there were five MS, but there are only three here..." Yzak looked at the MS below and couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"They might still be inside. How about Yzak, you guys handle these three, and Rusty and I go inside to find the remaining two?" Athrun suggested to Yzak, glancing at Nicol.

"Heh, no problem, but don't mess it up!"

Yzak scoffed.

Although Yzak and Athrun's relationship was much better than in the anime due to Noer, it was still limited.

"Once you board your MS, immediately disarm the self-destruct devices!"

Athrun was long accustomed to Yzak's attitude and didn't bother to reply.

At the same time, two MS that flew in from the port entered Heliopolis. Through the cameras in the Ginn's heads, the buildings and streets below could be clearly seen.

"Intel confirmed!"

"Location~ S-37 Industrial Zone!"

Just as the two MS were searching for something, Yzak's wireless transmission suddenly came through their comms.

"Received!"

"As expected of Yzak, you're fast!"

Bakar, the pilot of the leading MS, couldn't help but praise upon hearing this. It had only been half an hour, and they had already confirmed the intel; the efficiency was indeed high.

The MS then flew towards the S-37 Industrial Zone.

Heliopolis wasn't large, and soon the MS discovered the MS lying in the trailer within the industrial zone, along with the workers responsible for transport.

"Get down!"

Marlu heard the roar of the Ginn's engines and yelled, throwing herself over the subordinate beside her.

"Bang bang bang~"

As expected, Bakar and the others opened fire without hesitation upon arriving, directly targeting the industrial zone below.

Countless bullets rained down.

"Rumble rumble~"

"Ah~!"

Cars, energy packs, fuel drums, anti-aircraft vehicles... exploded violently.

Accompanied by screams, the soldiers responsible for transporting the MS were engulfed in flames.

Boom~

After firing a full magazine, Bakar and the others' MS flew into the air, skimming past the sea of fire. It wasn't that they lacked the firepower, but because Athrun and the others had already arrived.

And this time, the main mission isn't to destroy MS, but to capture a new type of MS.

They only need to provide cover for Athrun and the others.

Meanwhile, Athrun and the others had already slipped down the mountain amidst the chaos.

"Pat pat pat~"

As soon as Bakar and the others flew away, they immediately opened fire on the stunned Earth Alliance forces.

Blood-red flowers instantly bloomed on the surviving Earth Alliance soldiers as they collapsed to the ground, wailing.

[Wuwuwu~]

[Wuwuwu~]

[Alert! Alert!]

[Heliopolis is under attack by Z.A.F.T. MS! Level 8 alert is now in effect! All residents please proceed to the nearest shelter!]

[Repeat! All residents please proceed to the nearest shelter immediately!]

Due to the MS attack, Heliopolis had to issue an emergency evacuation notice.

As the main offensive weapon of the Z.A.F.T. forces, the humanoid Ginn MS boasts extremely high combat power and can be equipped with different weapons depending on the battlefield situation.

Coupled with the skillful use by Coordinators, they can hold their own even against Earth Alliance forces that far outnumber them, sometimes by more than ten times.

This is also the primary reason why Z.A.F.T. can remain in a stalemate with the Earth Alliance.

"Heh, they've finally arrived."

Noer, who had already reached the shelter, listened to the alarm and felt the slight tremors from outside, his mood somewhat complicated.

Although he had been prepared, when this moment actually arrived...

If no unexpected circumstances occurred, today would be the day Heliopolis fell.

"I wonder how Athrun and the others are doing. I hope nothing unexpected happens..."

Just as Noer was pondering Athrun's situation, a figure with red hair walked past the aisle in front of him.

Then, the slight complexity in Noer's heart instantly turned into terror and bewilderment.

He stared in disbelief at the red-haired woman who slowly took a seat.

Her smooth, fiery red hair cascaded down, her skin was as smooth and delicate as milk, and her refined features exuded an air of nobility.

Her every movement was filled with an elegance that made her seem like a blooming rose, radiant and beautiful. Although the chaos of the battle had left a trace of dust on her and a hint of unease on her face, it couldn't conceal her beauty.

"No... no way... I can't be this unlucky!"

However, looking at the woman's beautiful face, Noer felt no sense of admiration. Instead, he felt an unspeakable sense of unease and anxiety.

If the situation weren't so dire, he would have wanted to find another shelter...

"Wait! How far is the nearest shelter from here?"

Thinking this, Noer quickly asked the anxious man beside him, "How long would it take to walk there?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean?"

The man was stunned, and the other passengers, who also looked anxious, wore expressions of surprise.

"Uh, I can switch to another shel..."

"Boom~"

Before Noer could finish speaking, a violent tremor suddenly shook everything around them.

The green passage of the escape pod instantly turned red, locking the doors shut.

Noer silently closed his mouth and stopped talking. What choice did he have but to find another shelter?

He could only hope his luck wasn't that bad!