Chapter 272

After the ZAFT military's offensive was thwarted, the air support from Gibraltar also cleanly disengaged from the battle, but did not leave from the ten o'clock direction; instead, after circling around, it departed toward the four o'clock direction.

This was a redeployment to the Mahmur base, which was closer to Suez, clearly showing they had not given up on the offensive against Suez.

After the air units left, the ground ZAFT forces completely abandoned the attack and pulled back.

The Alliance side clearly had no intention of pursuing, but instead began to retreat slightly to construct a new defensive line.

After the Archangel gathered the MS units, it docked at Port Said to undergo repairs along with the fleet.

The day's battle came to an end, but the extent of the ZAFT military's damage was not great, and the Alliance still had strength in reserve; it seemed this siege battle would continue for several more days.

Inside the Jones, in the laboratory belonging to the Enhanced Human team.

Sting, Aolu, and Stella were preparing to enter their sleep pods to undergo regular maintenance by the staff.

"Colonel, please forgive my bluntness, but please be more cautious in the future regarding the individual use of Enhanced Humans," the research team leader complained to Li Boyong from the side, "Even if they are friendly forces, if there are no 'companions' present, it is very likely to cause some adverse reactions."

"Sorry, I didn't expect this situation to occur either," Li Boyong honestly admitted his mistake, then instructed, "However, follow the old rules: perform only necessary maintenance on their bodies, and do not perform any operations regarding their memories."

As he spoke, he saw Stella standing hesitantly in front of the sleep pod, looking at him with reluctance, the expression on her face pitiful and helpless.

He smiled and waved at Stella. The little airhead immediately nodded happily upon seeing this, then obediently entered the sleep pod.

Seeing this, the research team leader couldn't help but sigh, "I know you care for them, Colonel, but please don't invest too much emotion. After all, they are ultimately just tools."

"I know, don't worry about me getting emotional," Li Boyong did not hide his thoughts, stating bluntly, "Since they treat me as the person they respect most because of memory manipulation, I just want to give them the minimum amount of mercy."

"Colonel..." After hearing Li Boyong's statement, the research team leader was somewhat hesitant to speak, but ultimately did not say anything more.

After Li Boyong left, one of the researchers couldn't help but sneer, "What 'minimum amount of mercy'? He doesn't even know that he's actually no different from these poor wretches."

"Shut up, didn't I tell you this is top secret?" The research team leader sternly scolded the subordinate, "If I hear you make an indiscreet statement again, I will lock you in the Romania battle arena as experimental material."

"I... I'm sorry, I won't dare to do it again," the researcher who had just sneered immediately apologized in fear.

At this moment, another researcher asked as if to smooth things over, "Then, what about the operations for the three biological CPUs?"

"Just do as the Colonel ordered," the research team leader waved his hand and instructed.

Li Boyong, who had left the laboratory, did not know about the small episode that occurred after he left.

He returned to his room and contacted Wang Liumei through an encrypted communication channel.

"Do you have results on the Miriallia I asked you to find?" Li Boyong took off his mask and let out a long breath; recently, he had become somewhat impatient with wearing a mask.

"The specific location still needs some time, but it can basically be confirmed that the girl is in Xiou reporting on the atrocities of the Alliance military." Wang Liumei shifted her sitting posture, placed her right hand on the table, and then cupped her cheek, "Speaking of which, I looked at the data; she's a quite cute and lively girl. Is she also yours?"

"Stop right there!" Li Boyong sighed, "Not every girl who has ever stayed on the Archangel has something to do with me."

"Just a joke." Wang Liumei tilted her head, chuckling as she toyed with her braid with her right hand.

Only then did Li Boyong notice that the other party seemed to be on an airplane, so he couldn't help but ask, "Where are you now?"

"On the way to Xiou. I want to see for myself if the girl really has nothing to do with you," Wang Liumei answered with her big eyes wide open.

"Hey, you've gone too far!" Li Boyong hammered the table, "You went all the way to a place like Xiou just for this?"

"Finding that girl is, of course, just a side task." Wang Liumei pointed her finger at Li Boyong's nose on the screen and said coquettishly, "We can try to make contact with the various resistance organizations in Xiou. After that's done, it'll be about time to rendezvous with you. I think you should be about ready to take action."

After a pause, Wang Liumei continued, "By the way, how is your unit doing now?"

Li Boyong had no temper for this girl who was becoming increasingly lawless, and didn't bother with her increasingly presumptuous attitude, "We suffered some losses in the previous battle and are currently assisting in the defense of the Suez stronghold. Judging by the current situation, as long as nothing goes wrong, a steady defense for a few days, and once the gun emplacements here are completed, the ZAFT military will retreat."

"Then, I will lead the fleet into the Mediterranean to find an opportunity to raid the laboratory in Romania," Li Boyong said, "At that time, we might need cooperation from public opinion. Has the moderate faction still not been able to gain trust?"

"It's a bit difficult for now, but after this period of contact, I have also figured out some of their attitudes. Whether they mistakenly think I am engaging in power struggles within Logos, or they truly believe I want to eradicate Logos," Wang Liumei said, "When the opportunity comes, they will not continue to sit idly by."

As she spoke, Wang Liumei leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs comfortably, "At that time, you only need to take off your mask. With the dual identity of a hero who saved the world and a warrior who shot the 'Angel of Death', the moderate faction will naturally come to you."

Then she changed the subject, "How is your control over the unit on your end?"

"Not a big problem. Our goal is to purge Logos, not to join forces with Coordinators to attack Naturals," Li Boyong said, "As for the Phantom Pain unit, don't I have you, a member of Logos, there?"

"To them, this purge can be tentatively defined as a power struggle within Logos. In that case, with my current prestige, controlling the unit is not a difficult task."

"Of course, necessary cleaning will still be needed at that time."

"OK." Wang Liumei made a gesture, "Then after you finish the laboratory in Romania, we will rendezvous. I will give you a gift then, I guarantee you will like it."

As she spoke, she playfully blew a kiss to Li Boyong and then hung up the communication.