Chapter 265: Abyss Impulse

Carpentaria Base.

The underwater patrol unit in the outer sea area transmitted the information about the ambush at the last moment. The base, which had been calm for a period of time after the air-drop relief operation, suddenly boiled over.

"Hurry, hurry, move that Gazuute away, don't block the launch track of the BuCUE."

"Wait for the sortie of the reconnaissance GINN; without the cover of the BuCUE formation, it's just sending it to die."

The *Minerva* pilot group, which was resting, happened to stroll past this suddenly busy hangar.

"What's going on suddenly? It wouldn't be that the Earth military has attacked again without knowing life or death, right?"

Shinn, who was outspoken, saw the anxious expression of the ground crew and directly grabbed a passing ground crew member to ask.

"This..."

The ground crew member hesitated. Although the one asking was a Red Uniform, it wasn't his own superior, so it didn't seem appropriate to reveal relevant military intelligence.

"Tch."

Shinn, whose temper was explosive, felt a bit unhappy when the other party hesitated.

And the ground crew member who was grabbed also changed his face. *What, can Red Uniforms bully people? *

Seeing the atmosphere stalemate, a blue-haired young man wearing a Red Uniform military uniform in the *Minerva* pilot group stepped out of the crowd and saluted the ground crew member: "Special Forces FAITH, Athrun Zala. May I ask what emergency military situation has occurred?"

It was Athrun, who had entered Carpentaria Base after leaving Orb and boarded the *Minerva*.

The ground crew member saw the FAITH medal worn on Athrun's chest and immediately put away his dissatisfied expression, respectfully returning a military salute: "Report, this hangar is currently conducting an emergency sortie of the reconnaissance unit because the underwater patrol unit in the outer sea area cut off contact with the headquarters after transmitting information about being ambushed."

Patrol unit ambushed...

Having obtained the information he wanted, Athrun gave Shinn a look, signaling that he could let the other party leave.

"Hmph, the status of FAITH is really easy to use."

Shinn was even more dissatisfied that the ground crew member told Athrun the military intelligence, but he also knew that if he continued to pester, it would be his own unreasonable behavior, so he had to let the ground crew member leave awkwardly.

Hearing Shinn's dissatisfied sarcasm, Athrun smiled bitterly but didn't bother to argue.

In the eyes of his good-natured self, although Shinn's personality was a bit extreme, he was just a bit childish.

Moreover, it wasn't that he couldn't understand Shinn's thoughts; it was inevitable to have some imbalance in mentality when someone he looked down upon suddenly became the superior of his unit.

Athrun believed that after spending more time together, the situation should improve.

Probably...

Looking at Shinn's appearance, which seemed even more unruly than Yzak's, Athrun smiled bitterly in his heart.

Seeing him mock like this, Athrun didn't speak out to retort, and the childish Shinn suddenly felt that he might have been a bit excessive just now.

But he didn't want to apologize.

The atmosphere of the team was a bit awkward for a while. Rey, who was with them, still had his "iceberg face" where everything didn't matter, while Luna didn't know how to resolve the embarrassment in front of her.

Shihe, seeing this, sighed slightly and said: "Alright, it seems like it's not a serious situation, and the *Minerva* hasn't sent an emergency assembly order. At least before the reconnaissance unit transmits the information back, there should be nothing for us to do... probably..."

Shihe, who was trying to ease the atmosphere, hadn't finished speaking when the communication device she was carrying suddenly received an assembly order...

That was a bit awkward...

But for some reason, seeing Shihe, who was usually cool, show a rare awkward expression, the *Minerva* pilot group all smiled involuntarily.

Especially Luna, who was relatively close to Shihe, held back her laughter while intimately hooking Shihe's shoulder.

Shihe looked helplessly at the team, whose atmosphere had brightened a bit, enduring the soft laughter of her teammates with unclear meanings.

The group that received the assembly order returned to the *Minerva*, and then they saw a new mobile suit placed in the busy hangar.

The *Minerva*'s maintenance squad was busy working with the base's ground crew on the handover work.

"This is... Impulse?"

Shinn recognized at a glance that the new mobile suit was exactly the same as his own.

"But it's equipped with a backpack I've never seen before..."

Luna on the side voiced her doubts.

And Shihe, who had participated in the development of next-generation mobile suits, recognized the mobile suit in front of her at a glance: "Abyss Impulse!"

"That's right, it's the Abyss Impulse."

With an affirmative answer, Nicol, with green hair, walked into the sight of the *Minerva*'s pilot group.

He smiled and waved his prosthetic limb at Athrun and Shihe, revealing the same gentle smile as before: "Long time no see, Athrun, and Shihe too."

"Nicol!"

Looking at Nicol, who suddenly appeared in front of him, Athrun stepped forward two steps with mixed feelings: "How did you come?"

His gaze lingered on Nicol's prosthetic limb for a few seconds, and a shame that could not be concealed flashed in his eyes.

"I..."

Athrun stopped talking, not knowing how to face the suddenly appearing Nicol.

After all, Nicol's hands were destroyed because of Kira. He knew very well how much Nicol liked the piano. As Kira's best friend, Athrun had always blamed himself for Nicol's encounter, feeling that he should also be responsible for Nicol losing his hands.

"Haha, it seems Athrun is still the Athrun I know."

It seemed that he saw Athrun's guilt, so Nicol specifically used his prosthetic limb to make a fluent piano-playing movement and laughed: "Don't mind it, it's not Athrun's responsibility."

After a pause, Nicol revealed an ambiguous smile: "Moreover, I can still play very well, and I have someone who is willing to appreciate it."

"But..."

"Don't mention the past anymore." Nicol stepped forward and gave Athrun a hug: "Welcome back, Athrun."

"Mm."

Athrun hesitated for a moment and also hugged Nicol tightly.

Shihe, seeing this scene, had various thoughts flash through her mind and sighed for some reason.

And Luna, who was a bit curious, poked Shihe lightly, asking about the situation with her eyes.

"A comrade-in-arms from when I and Captain Zala were in the Kruse Team. He was injured to save Athrun," Shihe explained briefly in a low voice: "Now he is responsible for the development of next-generation mobile suits. Before, I was a test pilot under him."

So that's how it was, Luna nodded in relief.

So he was injured to save Athrun; no wonder Athrun would show such an expression of mixed feelings.

"Alright, let's put the reminiscing aside for now."

After a moment, Nicol released Athrun and pointed to the Abyss Impulse next to him, introducing: "This time, I specifically sent this mobile suit to you."

"Abyss Impulse, based on the characteristics and equipment of the Abyss, creates an underwater combat backpack that the Impulse can carry, and then allows the Impulse to obtain the same underwater combat performance as the Abyss."

"I believe this mobile suit can provide not-so-bad combat power for the *Minerva*'s subsequent missions." ===== CHAPTER 266 =====