Outside the office, a corridor lined with steel.
"Wait—what are you planning to do?" Albert also stepped out of Marshal Stacker's office, calling out to Natsuki's retreating figure.
Leiman's methods were sophisticated. Building unmanned Jaegers was one thing, but more importantly, he'd gained the trust of many national leaders, leaving them no legitimate reason to target him.
At the same time, he'd hidden his whereabouts extremely well, rarely appearing in public. Finding the man himself was impossible.
Albert knew Natsuki's combat power was incredibly strong—at a dimensional-crushing level in this world.
But facing an enemy who wouldn't confront them head-on, he should find it extremely tricky.
He knew most Ultramen were kind. Even with sufficient justification, they wouldn't harm innocents. So he couldn't imagine what methods Natsuki would use.
"Do what needs to be done." Natsuki didn't look back, waving dismissively. His tone was relaxed, as if he'd long had experience with this kind of situation.
At that moment, the bangle on his right wrist suddenly vibrated.
[When executing missions, Space Garrison members often encounter dilemmas. The more difficult the situation, the more one must remain calm and make rational judgments]
[Choice Mission Triggered!]
[Choice One: Facing Zachary Leiman hiding among humans, choose to wait and observe, calmly responding after he voluntarily exposes a weakness. Reward: 20 hours Mental Space Training time (Note: We always operate reasonably)]
[Choice Two: Facing Zachary Leiman hiding among humans, choose to take initiative, using your own methods to force him out. Penalty: 12 hours Hell-level Mental Space Training (Note: Are you sure you want to get physical?)]
[Note: We are not gods. Nothing can be done perfectly (Left by Commander of the Seven Nebula Branches, Space Garrison, Land of Light)]
Leiman's unmanned Jaegers were being transported worldwide. Ostensibly they were guardians protecting cities. Right now there was no reason to stop their transport.
Humans couldn't identify Leiman as a Traveler.
The most rational approach would be waiting until the unmanned Jaegers were controlled by Leiman and exposed their true nature before taking action. That way they'd have legitimate justification and wouldn't be interfering in human internal affairs.
But this approach had a fatal flaw. No matter how timely their subsequent actions, they couldn't prevent the unmanned Jaegers' first wave of attacks. They could only play defense.
How many would die then was completely unimaginable.
If a Space Garrison rookie handled this—
Either they'd act rashly, destroying all unmanned Jaegers first and falling into public condemnation.
Or they'd have to wait defensively, abandoning the humans who'd die in the first wave—falling into the trolley problem of saving the few versus saving the many.
This kind of enemy would indeed be exceptionally difficult for those naive and kind juniors to handle. Most likely it would severely damage their mindset.
One wrong move and they'd fall into confusion, possibly even be exploited by the enemy in reverse.
But for an old-timer nineteen thousand years old, what the hell was confusion? Would it give him a raise?
In Natsuki's eyes, this matter clearly had more reasonable and efficient solutions.
Since he'd said he'd take a serious attitude, he wouldn't be vague when innocent lives were at stake.
"People have advised me to change this saintly personality before." Natsuki stuck both hands in his floral shirt pockets, flip-flops slapping as he walked farther down the corridor. "But Hikari was right—how can a person change completely so easily?"
His voice grew more distant until his figure disappeared.
Albert adjusted his glasses, expression grave.
He knew Mr. Natsuki was completely different from the Ultramen in his impression. He was very curious what choice Mr. Natsuki would make at this moment.
As for the saintly personality Natsuki mentioned?
He could only call that humorous.
He'd heard from Chuck Hansen about how violently that Giant of Light swept through the entire space on the other side of the Breach. When dealing with invaders, his methods were more extreme than the invaders themselves.
Anyone who called Natsuki a saint—Chuck would be the first to strangle them. Last night when he slept, his mind was still full of the shocking scene of the Giant of Light unleashing the Spacium Beam.
However, Natsuki genuinely had things to say.
When I call myself a saint, there's basis for it.
Others facing this kind of choice always sacrifice a small portion to save the majority of lives. But I want to save them all—if that's not being a saint, what is?
I'm way too much of a saint.
So since you all see how saintly I am... using slightly extreme methods shouldn't be excessive, right?
After Albert and Natsuki both left—
Marshal Stacker called several Jaeger pilots and Tendo Choi into his office.
"Our battle isn't over."
"That mechanical Knifehead that fought Gipsy Danger was his creation. Next we'll be fighting even more unmanned Jaegers." Marshal Stacker looked at the pilots lined up before him, speaking gravely.
He conveyed their next mission objectives and intelligence, but didn't mention the Travelers' existence. After all, that information would only confuse them more.
"Gipsy Danger and Crimson Typhoon aren't severely damaged. They can enter combat immediately." Marshal Stacker first looked at Raleigh and Mako, then at the three Wei Tang brothers.
"Cherno Alpha's arms are completely destroyed, but Dr. Albert will lead the maintenance crew to install backup arms as quickly as possible."
"Short-term repairs won't match full functionality, but I trust you can demonstrate complete power." He looked at Sasha and Aleksis.
Finally, he looked at the Hansens.
"Our finest Jaeger, Striker Eureka, was lost inside the Breach. But I've always believed the truly excellent are never the Jaegers, but the pilots with courageous hearts." Marshal Stacker's gaze at Chuck carried a trace of relief.
He'd heard that when this father and son were hostages inside the Breach, they detonated the nuke without hesitation. Undoubtedly a heroic act.
"Without Striker Eureka, we still have Shaolin Rogue."
"I'm certain you'll prove this to me."
Hearing these words, Chuck grinned and nodded.
He saluted: "Yes sir!"
"I'll pilot it as well as Mr. Natsuki."
"No... I want to surpass Mr. Natsuki!"
"I definitely won't let this Jaeger gather dust!"
Chuck spoke with the spirited confidence unique to youth. Herc nodded along.
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