Aboard the Valiant, Char Aznable wore a red jacket and leaned against the railing, enjoying the caress of the sea breeze.
He constantly flipped through his communicator, scrolling through various records concerning his life after UC0079. Occasionally, seeing some strangely styled "unofficial histories" caused his expression to turn somewhat peculiar.
Char looked up at the cloudless blue sky and let out a sigh.
"Are we preparing to move?"
Sensing an approaching brainwave, Char's eyes shifted behind his sunglasses, glancing at the approaching Hathaway. "After all, operations have been stalled for two or three days now."
Within Olby, the "Mafty Army" that had joined the cause was conducting an orderly evacuation via tunnels, regrouping outside into combat teams to head for various regions.
Consequently, during these few days, aside from the actions of other Mafty headquarters cells, these newly joined tactical groups had remained silent.
Clearly, however, that silence was ending today.
"Yes. According to intelligence, a passenger plane will arrive in New Sydney, Australia. On board is a Federation regional tax official and the Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Man Hunter units."
Hathaway didn't waste words and directly stated the target of his planned operation. "According to the intel, they plan to attend a meeting regarding Australian population control. This is our best opportunity."
Sydney—Char knew very well what that place represented. Even now, various videos detailing the catastrophe caused during the One Year War from every possible angle circulated on the network.
According to Hathaway, there were many wandering "ghosts" in that sector. Unless absolutely necessary, Hathaway did not particularly want to go near it.
Coincidentally, neither did Char. Perhaps this was simply a common trait among Newtypes.
"Therefore, we absolutely cannot approach Sydney."
Listening to Hathaway's report, Char shook his head. "In that case, there is only one way: a long-range snipe of the hotel floor where they are staying, or directly destroying their aircraft before they enter Sydney."
"Both plans are quite difficult, but by comparison, destroying their passenger plane is slightly simpler."
After some thought, Hathaway chose the option he considered relatively feasible from Char's suggestions.
"It's an ultra-long-range shot. Based on the location outside Sydney, the plane will likely be at high altitude. Will that be a problem?"
"Ultra-long-range shooting... I can only say it's a bit of a stretch. If we could get a Messer above the clouds, the success rate would increase significantly."
Char shrugged, pointing out the current issue.
"But if we do that, we'll be detected by the Federation. The Galcezon transport aircraft doesn't have stealth coating or anything like that..."
Hearing Char's words, Hathaway couldn't help but fall into thought.
"Strike fast, then retreat immediately."
Char gestured with the communicator in his hand. "That is Mafty's specialty, isn't it?"
This was indeed Mafty's operational style. However, performing a snipe on a high-altitude moving target while in motion themselves was still far too difficult. Furthermore, Mafty currently lacked a sniper capable of executing such a mission.
Therefore, Hathaway intended to have the Galcezon transport aircraft carry the Messer directly into the sky.
"As expected, we still need to draw up a detailed plan for this..."
Hathaway sighed, rubbing his temples. "Also, I want you to execute this operation, Damien."
"In that case, you should be mentally prepared for uninvited guests to show up."
Hearing Hathaway's words, Char did not refuse. He simply smiled and looked up at the azure sky. "It won't just be Kimberly's reinforcement units; that man who calls himself a 'Vessel' will definitely appear as well."
Neither of them mentioned whether there were other people on the passenger plane.
Collateral damage was something that had never been within Mafty's scope of consideration; otherwise, they wouldn't be using MS for "assassinations" in the first place.
This operational style of Mafty caused the Federation's civilians to have a love-hate relationship with them.
On one hand, they loved Mafty for purging the corrupt high-ranking officials of the Federation; on the other hand, they loathed the threat to their own lives and property whenever an "assassination" using MS occurred in urban areas.
Regardless, the collateral damage this time would only consist of the people aboard a single passenger plane, which was already significantly lower than the damage caused by previous "large-scale assassinations" using MS in city centers.
-----------------------------------
The Nahel Argama, with its Mirage Colloid system activated, was currently sailing across the Pacific Ocean.
Originally, the Nahel Argama had touched down in the Indian Ocean.
After sailing to the junction of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, they received word that Char was heading to Australia.
This forced them to make a sharp U-turn, traversing back across the Indian Ocean to reach the western coast of Australia.
Even knowing how powerful the Nahel Argama's propulsion system was, Murrue couldn't help but complain about such an abstract flight path.
At that moment, Roz Links was in the Hangar, standing beside the cockpit of the Destiny Gundam and adjusting its data.
"Big brother Roz, the Destiny Gundam's adjustments are complete."
Shinn climbed out of the cockpit and stood on the catwalk, looking at Roz, who was holding a tablet. "But... you're really having me pilot the Destiny? I thought I'd be piloting the Banshee..."
"After the last operation, I discovered a few minor issues with the Banshee. To make sure she can exert power equal to—or even exceeding—the Destiny in your hands, I need to fine-tune her."
Roz unplugged the data cable connected near the cockpit.
"Besides, Graham has already had his turn on the field. It's time you went out for a battle to understand the combat style of this world."
"Speaking of Graham..."
Recalling that man with his inexplicable fanaticism for Gundams, Shinn's expression turned a bit strange. "It seems like he hasn't returned to the quarters for several days. He's been sleeping directly in the MS cockpit."
"He said something about needing to 'feel the will of the machine' and has stayed in the Delta Gundam Kai's cockpit ever since."
As Roz spoke, he looked toward the Delta Gundam Kai standing in the Hangar nearby. "Well, sleeping in the machine is fine. I designed the cockpits of every unit with the possibility of long-term standby and stealth in mind; it's just that it won't be very comfortable to sleep in."
"Anyway, back to the point, Shinn," Roz brought the conversation back on track. "For the next operation, both you and Stellar will be deploying with me."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing Roz's command, Shinn nodded, turned around, and hopped back into the cockpit to begin simulation training.
With the new adjustments and the installation of a GN Drive, Shinn still needed some time to familiarize himself with the Destiny Gundam.
However, Shinn was very much looking forward to seeing just what kind of performance the modified Destiny could deliver.
......................