Above Artemis Base, the fleet assembled. After precise calculations, ensuring it wouldn't affect other defense zones, they gathered 18 warships and 200 MS units to commence the operation to recapture Artemis Base.
"The operation is now entering its third phase. All personnel, please prepare for launch according to the operation schedule."
Upon receiving the operation notice, everyone grew tense. This was a battle where they were outnumbered, and the outcome was uncertain.
"Attention all personnel, the operation to recapture Artemis Base is about to begin. Our fleet will depart from standby orbit to execute the MS airborne operation. Artemis Base is a crucial stronghold and production facility in the Earth Sphere. We must reclaim it at all costs! May fortune favor us all!"
Kio sat in the cockpit, activating the Gundam through the AGE System, his eyes filled with determination.
"AGE System normal… Mental assist system activated… C-Funnel bidirectional communication confirmed normal…"
"Grandpa, Grandpa Yang Hui, perhaps you were right. I don't fully understand what war is, but I can hear the cries of those suffering in the Mars Sphere. So, please let me…" With his mother's support, Kio decided to continue piloting the Gundam and fighting—not as a soldier, nor as a savior, but simply as Kio Asuno, fighting in his own way.
"Abyss Team, begin sortie."
"Roger." XN
The Abyss Team launched one after another, and the new Gundam arrived at the catapult deck as the electromagnetic voltage surged.
"Beep~ Beep~ Beep~ Ding~!"
"Kio Asuno, Gundam AGE-FX, launching!"
…
A month ago, Kio had just been rescued, and the Gundam AGE-3 was in tatters. Repairing it would require a significant amount of time.
"This is quite a headache. We'll have to replace the frame along with it; otherwise, it's impossible to restore it to its original state."
"We never intended to restore it to its original state," said Roddy Madonna, the new maintenance chief of the Diva.
"Huh?"
"Direct evolution—evolve it into a brand-new Gundam," Roddy Madonna said excitedly, watching the rapidly operating AGE System.
As the son of Mukured Madonna, witnessing the birth of a new Gundam was undoubtedly an honor for an MS engineer.
"How's the situation?" Yang Hui arrived at the hangar and asked.
"Lieutenant General, long time no see," Roddy Madonna greeted him.
"Long time no see, Roddy. How are Uncle Madonna and his wife doing?"
"Haha, Mom's been doing great. As for the old man… heh, he's still bitter about not being able to create an MS that surpasses the Gundam back in the day."
"Haha, sounds like he's still full of energy. So… has the AGE System provided an answer yet?" Yang Hui steered the conversation back to the main topic.
"The analysis and calculations are complete. All that's left is manufacturing and assembly."
"Good, take me to see it."
"Yes."
Arriving at the control room, Yang Hui nodded in satisfaction as he saw the answer provided by the AGE System.
"Indeed, the X-Rounder specialized unit is quite suitable for Kio, though it still has some flaws. Adjust the mental connection frequency of the C Funnels; Kio is still young, and his brain is in the process of development. The current frequency could affect his growth if used for prolonged periods. Increase the number of sensors to enhance the flexibility of the C Funnels. Also, reconstruct the frame and armor using this new material..."
"So the AGE System can be manually adjusted!?" exclaimed the new chubby mechanic in astonishment. Until now, the AGE System had always collected data on its own to calculate the evolution of the Gundam. Who knew such manual adjustments were possible?
"Of course, back in the days of the Gundam AGE-1, the Lieutenant General had already successfully modified the AGE System. Compared to the lag in data collection during combat, it's more effective to anticipate various battle scenarios in advance and prepare the necessary equipment. This prevents danger before evolution can occur," explained Rodi Madonna.
"Then why wasn't it used before?" the chubby mechanic scratched his head and asked.
"Well..." Rodi Madonna became quite awkward, "...because inputting data in advance to create the correct equipment... currently, only the Lieutenant General has been able to do it..."
"Eh? What does that mean?"
"The AGE System requires extremely precise and rational data to produce new equipment. Even the slightest error can lead to miscalculations. Only the Lieutenant General can input data flawlessly; not even Asuno, the old Commander and developer of the AGE System, could do it."
"Eh? The Lieutenant General is that amazing?"
"Absolutely. The Federation's military strength caught up with VEGAN so quickly almost entirely due to the Lieutenant General's efforts," Rodi Madonna said proudly, as if he himself had achieved these feats.
Not just him, but even Mukured Madonna, the Federation's top MS craftsman (his father), held Yang Hui in high regard, though his pride wouldn't let him admit it.
"Alright, let's get back to work. The operation to retake Artemis Base will begin soon. We must ensure the new Gundam is completed and adjusted to its optimal condition."
"Yes, Lieutenant General, leave it to us." X2
(PS: I really liked the flashback technique in the original work, so I kept it. If it doesn't work well, please forgive me (dog head for safety)...)
...
The new Gundam launched, still in the classic blue and white color scheme. The skirt armor, shoulder armor, and back were equipped with 14 C Funnels (Funnel Swords), adding a touch of life to the Gundam AGE-FX with their emerald glow. The left arm carried a small shield that expanded into an electromagnetic energy shield to increase the defensive area. The right hand held the latest Vargas Beam Cannon (frankly, although it's called a gun in the series, its output is definitely that of a cannon). The wrist positions had two nozzles, which were the arm-integrated Beam Sabers.
Joining the front lines, as the airborne troops descended lower, the operation to retake Artemis Base began amidst the sound of alarms.
"It's starting, Graham. Be careful not to crash," Yang Hui teased, also as a reminder.
Although the Moon has only one-sixth of Earth's gravity, the Flag Gundam's MA form was simply too fast. Graham, who loved to flirt with danger, often got carried away in the heat of battle, ignoring this fact, which could lead to catastrophic consequences.
"Enough, just watch my back," he said.
With that, the Flag Gundam maintained its MA form and accelerated, instantly breaking through their own formation and charging toward the enemy lines.
"He really is a handful," Yang Hui chuckled casually, piloting the Dawn Gundam to follow closely. Together, they streaked like meteors through the hail of gunfire, weaving back and forth like twin blades, tearing through the VEGAN formation but never fully separating, crossing paths and covering each other.
As the two machines plunged into the enemy ranks, chaos ensued. The formation crumbled, with some eager to claim glory and ignoring orders to swarm in, while others, terrified at the sight of death, turned and fled.
The Dawn Gundam and the Flag Gundam reached their convergence point without changing course. The Flag Gundam transformed into MS mode, standing back-to-back with the Dawn Gundam, locking onto all surrounding enemies.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Both machines unleashed a full barrage, rotating as they fired, pouring ammunition and energy relentlessly into the enemy.
A few enemy units managed to slip through, but it didn't matter. In the next second, several beams descended from the sky, sending them to join their comrades.
"The list of the dead... leaves no room for escapees," Yurin murmured as she sniped.
As the battles increased, Yurin's personality underwent subtle changes. Outside of combat, she was gentle, kind, and approachable, making it impossible for anyone to harbor ill will toward her. But in battle, she was death itself, impartially delivering it to every enemy.
The Luna Gundam had been guarding the fleet, sniping from beyond the enemy's firing range. But at that moment, her finger, poised to pull the trigger, froze.
One of her targets had suddenly been decapitated by a flash of green light. Not only that, but the fatal beam had already sealed his fate, only to be pulled back at the last moment by the green light of life. Several C Funnels lined up to block the pink beam.
"Kio, is this your choice?" Yurin murmured again, then shook her head. "How naive."
Despite this, Yurin didn't mind that her first missed shot had been caused by an ally. Since someone had intervened, she simply shifted her focus to another enemy.
"I'll deal with him properly later."
...
The Gundam AGE-FX, accompanied by C Funnels, flashed past the enemy's eyes. Just as they turned to search for it, a green meteor streaked by from their blind spot. By the time they realized it, they were already headless.
This was Kio's chosen method of combat—not killing, but severing the enemy's cockpit, rendering them incapable of fighting.
There was nothing inherently wrong with this approach. Kio and the Gundam AGE-FX worked together, possessing the ability to do so, but...
"Kio! Stop doing this!"
Not only Yurin, but many others on the battlefield had their fatal strikes blocked by Kio, and many were growing increasingly dissatisfied with his actions.
Seeing this, Captain Seric Abis immediately reprimanded Kio, demanding he stop saving the enemy.
"Mr. Seric, this is my choice. I want to end the battle my way..."
"You're going to get your comrades killed!"
"I've made up my mind, so Mr. Seric... I'll cover your landing. Please stay close to me."
Kio knew his choice wouldn't be understood, but since he had decided, he was determined to see it through. Moreover, Kio truly no longer wanted to kill anyone. All he could do now was to cover his comrades' landing without taking lives, hoping to end the battle as quickly as possible.
"Kio!"
Seeing that Kio wouldn't listen, the Gundam AGE-FX had already surged far ahead, clearing a path for the landing troops. Seric Abis found it inconvenient to continue reprimanding Kio and quickly led his team and the marines to follow its lead.
"Honestly, why are kids these days so stubborn?!"
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