In cosmic space, aboard the Black Tortoise racing toward Mendel, inside the warehouse—
Zhou Tianming sat in the Gundam Frame cockpit adjusting parameters.
"White Rabbit, still no contact with Natarle?"
"Negative. Strong interference around the satellite is blocking communications."
It seemed someone truly intended to strike Mendel, but why had the timing moved up so much?
And what purpose would attacking Mendel serve?
By this time, Aula's Coordinators should have already departed. There didn't appear to be any higher-level technological achievements left there.
A sudden thought occurred—
Eh? Are Durandal and Ray Le Creuset currently there?
If they are, this might be a good opportunity to eliminate them and prevent future problems.
Tap!
With a final press of the enter key, fluorescent light flowed across the entire Gundam Frame, connecting like blood circulating through skeletal structure, as if it had come to life. Li Chuang and others paused their work to watch this spectacle with awe.
"White Rabbit, how long until the Black Tortoise arrives at current speed?"
"Approximately five hours."
"Too slow."
After a moment's thought, Zhou Tianming ordered: "Prepare the ejection rail and remove the Black Tortoise's external armor."
While inputting extensive data for verification calculations, he activated the external communicator to address Li Chuang and others in the warehouse: "Uncle Li, have everyone prepare. I'm opening the ejection rail doors."
Hearing this, those without spacesuits quickly evacuated.
The cockpit communicator activated, showing Li Chuang's face: "Tianming, are you planning to go directly using the Gundam Frame?"
"Yes, I'm concerned about the slow speed and want to head over first."
Frowning: "But won't that be too dangerous if something actually happens there?"
"Don't worry. Even if there's danger, I can handle it briefly. After I depart, please expedite completion of the Black Tortoise Shield and Black Snake Sword. The situation there is unclear, and I fear I might need them."
"Understood."
In the cockpit, Zhou Tianming pressed the Gundam Frame's activation button. The forward hatch slowly closed, plunging the space into complete darkness. Then fluorescent mental power emanated from the central seat throughout the spherical space, soon followed by the full-perimeter screens illuminating.
Zhou Tianming removed his heavy chainmail armor and exhaled deeply: "Still needs more improvements. Much more comfortable now."
After carefully inspecting the operation status and capacity of both the Mental Resistance Device and Mental Power Reservoir, he nodded: "Operations normal. Reserve capacity sufficient."
In the warehouse, all cables detached from the Gundam Frame as it took its first step.
The entire warehouse shook with its footfall.
Zhou Tianming immediately made adjustments.
Parameters need tweaking—actual testing remains indispensable.
With the second step, the vibration noticeably lessened, and the movements became smoother.
The circular door connecting the ejection rail to the hangar opened, and the Gundam Frame stepped inside.
Ahead, the Vermilion Bird, which had been lying on the ground, was hoisted up.
As it moved onto the catapult, floor clamps secured it in place, while the Vermilion Bird above was raised and positioned behind the Gundam Frame.
After a series of operations by Zhou Tianming, the underside of the Vermilion Bird flipped open and transformed, revealing clamps and connection mechanisms. Simultaneously, several components extended from the back of the Gundam Frame. The next moment, the two connected.
The rear door closed, and the electromagnetic rails on both sides lit up.
Outside the Black Tortoise in Cosmic Space, the detached black External Armor assembled into a hollow cylindrical structure 10 kilometers ahead, with the [Yin-Yang] emblem rotating on its back. Activated by the [Yin-Yang] magnetic field, the cylindrical armor crackled with internal arcs of electricity.
"Gundam Frame, Zhou Tianming, launching!"
After a three-second countdown—
A sudden surge of G-force pressed him firmly into the pilot seat as the Gundam Frame shot forward.
The moment it left the Black Tortoise, the [Feather Plumes] on the ship's wings automatically detached, catching up to the Gundam Frame and attaching to the Vermilion Bird's wings. Ten red lights ignited, and the Gundam Frame accelerated sharply, slicing through the dark Cosmic Space.
Within moments, it entered the cylindrical structure ahead, where internal currents flashed violently.
The Gundam Frame was hurled out like a cannonball.
Wrapped in red light and white lightning, it vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
Mendel, GARMR&D Institute—
Natarle ventured deeper inside.
Due to its proximity to the nearby exploding research building, this area had also suffered damage.
Some walls were riddled with cracks, while others had collapsed, revealing gaping holes and piles of rubble.
Although she had the institute's internal layout, it was now only a rough guide.
Natarle navigated through the wreckage, bypassing several blocked passages, climbing over collapsed ceilings, and dropping down into other sections to traverse multiple rooms.
After considerable effort, she finally reached the surveillance room near the entrance.
The surveillance room was empty. A large rock had smashed through the outer wall, landing inside, and a pool of blood seeped from beneath the shattered debris. Most of the monitors were destroyed.
As a top student with straight A's in all military subjects, Natarle was capable of basic repairs, diagnostics, and wiring. After some work, a corner of the shattered main screen flickered to life.
The screen displayed over a dozen tri-colored lines, and the images flickered incessantly, but they were still discernible.
Natarle quickly detached a keyboard from nearby and began operating it. After a patient search, she finally located her targets.
The surveillance feed showed Qin Feng, Zhao Qi, and Gu Yue.
In their area, red lights flashed. Gu Yue and Zhao Qi lay collapsed on the ground, their condition unknown, while the conspicuously large Qin Feng was fiercely striking an iron door with an object.
Checking the surveillance label, Natarle immediately realized they were trapped in the quarantine zone.
Institute Area C—
Qin Feng wielded a metal table, slamming it against the quarantine door with loud, jarring impacts.
But even as the table twisted and deformed in his hands, and he gasped for breath, the quarantine door remained unscathed.
Tossing aside the mangled table, Qin Feng staggered, his brow furrowed. "I can't hold on much longer either. To think I'd die on a mission like this."
Turning to look at Zhao Qi and Gu Yue on the floor, he sighed. "I hope Li Xin and Badgiruel can escape safely. I wonder what's happening outside..." Just then, Qin Feng's ears twitched as he detected a faint electric hum—like the sensation of realizing a television has been turned on in the next room despite no audible sound.
"Qin Feng, this is Badgiruel. What's your situation?"
Natarle's voice came through the broadcast speaker.
After a moment of surprise, Qin Feng grinned widely. "Seems fate isn't done with us yet."
"I'm currently in the monitoring room. The audio system is damaged. If you can hear me, please respond to the camera."
Qin Feng quickly spotted the camera in the ceiling corner and raised his hand in acknowledgment.
Once contact was established, they immediately began communicating through military-specific hand signals.
"Check if there are any crimson vines nearby. The more leaves they have, the stronger their signal interference. That's why Li Xin couldn't reach you."
Qin Feng suddenly understood and rushed toward a nearby room.
"Take protective measures—the vine sap has strong anesthetic properties."
Qin Feng flashed an "OK" gesture before disappearing from the monitor's view.
Half an hour later, after Qin Feng had cleared all the vines he could find, communication was finally restored. Li Xin wept with relief.
After exchanging information, the situation became clear.
The three of them had previously retrieved the Storage Device and were preparing to leave when, without warning, all isolation doors slammed shut. They then smelled a strange odor and lost consciousness. Upon waking, they found themselves trapped in the quarantine zone with all communications severed. "So toxic gas was leaking even before the explosion?"
"Yes. I was awakened by the blast's shockwaves. If not for my strong constitution, I'd be unconscious like the captain and Gu Yue."
The circumstances now pointed to a third party's interference.
"What else can I do to help you?"
Qin Feng sighed apologetically. "Please help us find the Vaccine. I feel like I'm about to collapse too."
"Understood. Li Xin, I need to know what was leaked and where the Vaccine is located."
"Roger! Ten seconds!" Li Xin's energetic voice rang out.
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