Chapter 1717
Encountering Danger Upon Entering Space?
Chapter 1717 Encountering Danger Upon Entering Space?
CC frowned, her face pale, as she looked out the window at the space that was gradually turning from azure to pitch black, and slowly let out a sigh of relief.
Having lived through countless years, this was the first time she had left the earth and ventured into that unfamiliar space beyond the azure sky.
"Afraid?"
A strange laugh came from the side, which annoyed CC.
"I'm just not used to it! How could I be afraid?"
"Is that so? If you were to lose your life in the universe, you would probably be trapped in an endless death loop until someone finds your body."
CC was taken aback by He Ming's words, and then realized that it seemed to make sense.
"I don't have any self-harming tendencies!"
Although CC had never been to space before, he still knew the relevant knowledge.
In this vacuum filled with deadly radiation, it is unclear whether CC can be successfully resurrected once she dies, but the process of dying must have been enveloped in extreme pain and despair.
"Hmm. That puts my mind at ease a little! After all, I was worried that you might do something rash and jump out of the shuttle to commit suicide!"
"you!!"
CC's eyes widened in surprise; she hadn't expected the masked man in front of her to interpret her actions from such a malicious angle.
"Haha!! I'm not saying anything more! Just enjoy the wonders of the universe!"
Seeing that CC was about to explode, He Ming laughed and then unbuckled his seatbelt, walking half-walking and half-floating towards the cockpit.
CC was furious and wanted to chase after her to confront her, but she saw Nanali being helped up by her maid, Shinozaki Sakiko, as she carefully floated up from her chair. Looking at that excited yet frightened little face, CC sighed silently, gently pushed the back of the chair, pulled her legs back, turned around, and easily crossed several rows of seats to arrive behind Shinozaki Sakiko.
"Prince Saki. Let me do it!"
CC said softly.
Judging from the behavior of the maid Sakiyoko, she is also someone who has not yet adapted to the microgravity environment.
"But, but Miss CC, you..."
"It's okay. I'm more adaptable than you are."
CC didn't turn around and reached out to place her hand on Nanali's right hand.
"Come on, Nanali, slowly extend your right leg to stabilize your body."
Pleasant laughter gradually filled the passenger cabin, but the situation in the cockpit was not so good.
"Colonel, there has been a significant amount of debris in the space ahead. According to the latest navigational information, there are no records of this debris."
"I'm worried," said the captain, Vic.
"How long ago was this message?"
He Ming thought for a moment and then asked.
"At least 72 hours ago. The data sent back to the ground by the previous shuttle after arriving at von Braun was safe."
"72 hours? Then, it seems a battle took place in this region of space during that time. Can the cargo hold be opened at any time?"
He Ming picked up the telescope on the right side of the main control panel, tried to observe the debris and fragments in the space ahead, and then gave another suggestion.
"Is it possible to take an alternate route?"
"If we detour, we'll probably have to spend more fuel and time adjusting our course, and we'll also have to pass through a reef area. There seem to be quite a few Zeon remnants there recently."
"Zion remnants?"
After a moment of contemplation, He Ming finally made a decision.
"Have the maintenance crew prepare. If necessary, I will sortie in Banshee Gundam. Also, contact Von Braun City and the surrounding Federation fleets as much as possible."
"Yes, Colonel!"
As soon as He Ming stepped out of the cockpit, Amro, Hasavi, and Christina came to greet him.
"You all felt it?"
The worry in the eyes of the three men did not escape He Ming's notice. "Yes, just now, Captain Amuro, Lieutenant Mafty, and I all sensed that things weren't peaceful up ahead."
Christina spoke up, expressing the concerns of the three of them.
"Hmm. Based on observations and data comparisons, we know that a battle should have taken place in that area of space 72 hours ago, and there are also records of Zeon remnants' activities in the nearby reef area."
He Ming made arrangements for the possible situations that might arise next.
"Captain Amuro, Lieutenant Mafty, neither of you brought your mobile suits. So, your mission is to protect those ladies. Captain Christina, when I launch my sortie, you will pilot your mobile suit to provide cover for the shuttle to Von Braun."
"Yes, Colonel!"
Under He Ming's leadership, everyone began to take action.
When C.C., who was helping Nunnally adapt to the microgravity environment, saw the group return with serious expressions, she sensed something and looked at Nunnally.
"Sorry, Nanali. We'll probably have to change our clothes now."
"Changing clothes?"
Although Nanali couldn't see the expressions on everyone's faces, she was able to sense the change in atmosphere through her keen hearing.
"CC, help Nunnally put on her spacesuit! The journey ahead might be a bit bumpy."
"Okay! Saki-sama, come help me!"
CC readily agreed and beckoned her maid, Saki, to come forward and assist her.
"Nanali, don't worry! We'll take care of everything!"
"Yes! I believe the colonel."
Nanali nodded obediently.
Before long, amidst an increasingly tense atmosphere, the shuttle entered the space region where countless pieces of debris drifted.
Standing in the cockpit, Amro and Hassawi, who were observing their surroundings with electronic binoculars, discovered some clues one after another.
On Hasavi's side, there were large, curved pieces of wreckage, mostly dark green, that vaguely resembled the original warship.
"Captain Amuro. That's the wreckage of Zeon's battleship, Musai."
Amuro's situation is much simpler.
The massive, square-shaped engine wreckage, consisting of one large and four smaller engines, was undoubtedly the power unit wreckage of the Salamis-class, an active space battleship of the Earth Federation Fleet.
"Yes, what I see here is the wreckage of the Salamis-class modified ship."
Once the two exchanged information, the answer seemed obvious.
"Is it a Federation-led campaign to wipe out Zeon remnants? Or is it an encounter battle?"
"I'm afraid this wasn't an encounter battle."
Amuro shook his head.
"In an encounter battle, such heavy losses would be impossible. Although the remnants of Zeon pose a great threat, their shipbuilding capabilities are not perfect. Although the Musai are old, they are the foundation upon which the remnants of Zeon have established themselves in this universe. Unless absolutely necessary, a rational Zeon commander would not allow the dwindling number of Musai to be lost in vain."
"So, Captain Amuro, what do you think the situation will be?"
Hassawi asked again.
"The Federation fleet is either encircling and suppressing the remnants of Zeon, or a more powerful force intervenes during the battle between the two. The latter is more likely."
After a moment of contemplation, Amuro picked up the walkie-talkie and informed He Ming, who was already waiting in the cockpit of the Banshee Gundam, of the details.
"Continue to observe. If anything seems amiss, do not hesitate to release both the Banshee and NT-1 immediately!"
He Ming's answer was equally straightforward.
"Understood, Colonel."
(End of this chapter)