Chapter 276 - 277: Cagalli—Is She Calling Me a Scrub? (Bonus - for 150 Power Stones)

Chapter 276: Chapter 277: Cagalli—Is She Calling Me a Scrub? (Bonus Chapter for 150 Power Stones)

"Oh oh oh!"

After moving around for a while, the synaptic link between Cagalli and the P.A.R.A. Protective Suit had reached its optimal state.

The so-called P.A.R.A. had actually first been inspired by the Para-mail mecha from "Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon," a work jokingly called "the third installment of Gundam SEED."

Of course, the current P.A.R.A. Protective Suit was worlds apart from the "original."

Now that the adjustments were complete, Cagalli entered the Astray Unit 2 and felt much more comfortable.

"There’s still half an hour until departure. I’ve built a simulation training program into the Astray, Cagalli-san, so you can familiarize yourself with it before we set out."

"Righto!"

Cagalli was quite happy now.

In her joy, she no longer even minded that the suit had transparent panels all over it. After the test drive she jumped down from the cockpit, and loosened up her body a bit while she was at it.

"Amazing—you can even do this kind of thing!" Cagalli moved her body around, not the least bit aware that she was handing out fanservice.

It was just that her naturally carefree demeanor somehow made all that fanservice rather difficult to get worked up over.

"The external armor has the ’Valkyrie System,’ which can automatically adjust the armor’s curvature to reduce joint pressure and assist force output. The back can deploy into a Mobility-Wing Backpack, which also has the Tactical Restraint Device on it," Inori explained.

"R-restraint?" Cagalli was alarmed.

"The Emergency Anti-G Restraint Harness. When you encounter maneuvering overload it automatically contracts, applying pressure to the limbs, abdominal cavity, and other body tissues to prevent symptoms like cerebral oxygen deprivation. If necessary, it can also simultaneously inject a dedicated coagulant to avoid internal bleeding and the like."

"Oh, so that’s what it means."

Cagalli had thought it was... that kind of thing.

[Forgive me, my mind just went to the wrong place]

[Forgive me, mine too...]

[I’m already picturing the scene of doujins flying everywhere]

[The main problem is, Cagalli really doesn’t do it for me]

[You may not be into her, but I am]

[Leave her to me!]

The audience kept firing off thirsty remarks.

Cagalli, meanwhile, deployed the helmet.

It wasn’t merely the external transparent helmet—the suit also had several internal features around Cagalli.

The latex layer at the neck extended up to the lower jaw, turning transparent again to form an invisible breathing membrane.

"Exhaled carbon dioxide is processed by the breathing membrane. Together with the miniature photosynthetic device concealed in the helmet, it can convert the carbon dioxide back into oxygen, providing up to twelve hours of closed-loop circulation without an external oxygen supply. The photosynthetic device requires sunlight or cosmic radiation, while the breathing membrane consumes stored energy."

"Oh oh..."

Cagalli found that oddly confusing.

She kept feeling that the life-support and survival functions of this set of equipment on her had been maxed right out.

Doesn’t this make me look a little... like a scrub?

Cagalli tilted her head.

"This unit really is quite something." Mu also climbed down from the Blue Astray on the other side. "Such a smooth experience—it’s simply perfect!"

"It’s not perfect—it’s merely software-level tuning. Only after tuning and modifications are made at the hardware level can it become stronger."

"For such a short time, it’s already very good," Mu said. "Even among Coordinators, your ability is quite strong, isn’t it."

But Inori tilted her head. "I don’t fit the definition of a Coordinator."

"Nani...?"

What was that supposed to mean?

Mu was left puzzled.

"Oh, right. What’s the story with the data inside that blue machine?" Mu found it strange.

"When the attack happened, Unit 3 was undergoing special-equipment testing. The staff must have input the data into Unit 3’s relevant systems in their haste," Inori said.

"I see. Orb’s people really do handle things sloppily."

Mu rubbed his chin.

Orb’s people did things so sloppily that they’d leaked secrets without even realizing it—they themselves probably had no idea how it had happened.

And the audience feed now cut once again to Le Creuset’s side.

"Finally done, my custom machine!"

Miguel looked at his repaired orange GINN, a confident smile on his face.

His custom unit had finally been repaired. With it back in action, he’d be able to perform far better in the coming operation.

Just then, Athrun abruptly opened the Aegis’s cockpit and raced down from it.

"What is it, Athrun?"

Miguel asked.

"When I accessed the lower-level systems just now, I found another data packet. I need to confirm whether the Duel, the Blitz, and the Buster have something similar on them," Athrun said.

"Spyware?!" Miguel was on guard.

"No..." Athrun wore an odd expression. "It’s the follow-up enhancement and improvement plans for these four G weapons."

Miguel drew a sharp breath, practically saving ZAFT a little on its heating.

"Are the Earth Alliance’s researchers monsters? Machines this cutting-edge, and there are already follow-up optimization plans for them?"

"In any case, the data packet’s already downloaded," Athrun said.

"Then hurry up. Once the engineering team finishes deployment, we’re going to begin the assault," Miguel urged.

"Yes!" Athrun nodded hastily.

And the picture here now cut to the bridge.

"The Earth Alliance seems to have a way to monitor the outer-space environment. Is it cameras? Or the concealed kind? Able to counter our electromagnetic interference... truly fine technology."

In several earlier operations, Le Creuset had already judged that his side’s movements had very likely been anticipated and countered by the enemy in advance.

Considering it from that angle, the enemy must have some means of observing what was happening outside Heliopolis.

It was probably a concealed camera or some similar piece of equipment.

"In that case, we’ll just launch the attack from beyond visual range..."

The picture cut once more to outer space.

Some engineering ships were doing something under the cover of an asteroid.

[This is a high-elo match]

[The opposing side is playing at full strength too]

[Just love it when the IQ’s online]

[I don’t think we should call them villains—they’re just one side of the war]

[That guy in green has a custom machine too. I thought he was a nobody at first]

[This guy’s obviously the squad leader—even Athrun listens to him]

[He’s got a title, the Magic Bullet of Dusk]

[Mind the progress bar]

[Where’s the progress bar]

[Look at the timeline]

[Whoa]

"Beyond visual range... indeed." Inori tilted her head.

Le Creuset’s confident manner really was oozing with swagger.

But that swagger-drenched pose of his was likewise seen clear as day by Inori on the Stage’s video feed.

—Beyond visual range, Inori naturally couldn’t see.

But unfortunately, this kind of "spotlight moment" for a major character was something the Stage’s professional camerawork would absolutely never miss.

Still, Inori didn’t intend to do anything, because for her to know this kind of out-of-spec information would itself be "unreasonable."

The Archangel had also begun its final preparations. Their side was nearly ready to launch its assault.

However, ZAFT had already made the first move...