Chapter 343: The Children of High Officials Sold as Piglets

"So, you've been using Aegis to prevent the war all along, and that 'Pallas' is just you alone?"

"Yes, that's right."

He Kui nodded, meeting Shihe's gaze.

There was surprise and admiration in her eyes; even though he had anticipated this, He Kui still felt a warmth in his heart as he faced Shihe.

"Then let us help too~!" Shihe said earnestly.

"You've already helped a lot."

Hearing this, He Kui gently pulled Shihe into his embrace.

Shihe and Sulei were both incredibly powerful in their respective fields, and Aegis could be operated by him alone to prevent exposure.

As for the two of them handling logistics and providing cover, that was more than enough.

Not to mention that their roles as deputy directors kept them busier than he was.

After all, as a director who slacked off, it was only natural that his subordinates were busier.

"Alright then."

Shihe quickly accepted this shocking news, and with her worries temporarily set aside, He Kui's thoughts returned more to the situation in Orb.

He Kui continued as usual, supervising the improvements to the backpacks in South America and the fortification of the estate before arriving at Orb.

As soon as he reached the streets of the island, he saw the chaotic scene outside through Aegis. There weren't many pedestrians on the streets; most people were concentrated at the entrance to the shelters, while several large ships in the port were continuously boarding ordinary citizens.

Of course, some citizens hadn't left at all; they remained in their homes, looking disdainfully at those fleeing outside.

It seemed they were quite confident that Orb would not be attacked.

Seeing all this, He Kui quickened Aegis's movements.

Before long, he located Flay through the little bird and found her waiting in a small windowless room at a port with other students.

"There are only forty-eight hours until the Federation attacks, why haven't we been arranged for evacuation yet?!"

"Even if we are citizens of the Atlantic Federation, this war has nothing to do with us!"

One girl in the room said indignantly.

"Exactly! It's inhumane to leave us here waiting for news!"

"I'll definitely complain to my father when I get home!"

As the girls clamored, the others in the room looked increasingly impatient and anxious.

Indeed, everyone gathered here were the children of high-ranking officials from the Atlantic Federation.

Heaven knows whether Orb wanted to ensure their safe evacuation or intended to use them as hostages.

In such a serious matter, they were not too reassured about Orb's integrity.

"Those guys, they helped us build Gundams before, and now they're acting like this."

Someone inside said indignantly.

"Exactly."

This remark immediately resonated with those around.

"If we just kick the Coordinators out, there wouldn't be so many problems."

Upon hearing this, Flay's previously delicate brows furrowed even deeper.

She looked filled with melancholy.

"Will we be alright?"

Flay looked at the little bird; although she asked this, her fear was much less than that of the others.

Fear wouldn't change anything.

They ultimately had to face this reality, and now, there was no one left to stand in her way.

Looking at the little bird, Flay couldn't help but think of the boy who had repeatedly stood in front of them.

Meanwhile, hidden outside the port, He Kui felt a bit troubled.

The Atlantic Federation's attack was faster than expected; it had only been five days since Flay's father called.

Not even a week had passed, and He Kui had no idea how they managed to gather so many people, but the current situation was indeed very tricky.

First, he needed to assess whether to blow up the mass driver; on the other hand, it would be best to directly take the little bird to PLANT.

After all, she was a powerful pilot, and it seemed the CPU was also in short supply; if he could just bluff a bit, he could secure a top-tier combat force.

However, all of this required them to start fighting first for him to have a chance to take advantage of the chaos.

But if he could take Flay back, he could also see if she had any skills.

After all, she was a key character in the plot, but he couldn't force it; there were too many uncertainties involved, so he could only take it step by step.

As He Kui pondered, Aegis's monitor detected a familiar figure.

"The young master of the Sairan family?"

Seeing the foolish young master strutting among the officers, He Kui couldn't help but smirk.

If being annoying was a virtue, this young master would have already achieved enlightenment.

While internally mocking, He Kui still controlled his little bird to approach them.

"Let us leave now! Don't you know who I am? Be careful, or I'll have you dismissed right now!"

It was quite ridiculous that some people still believed Orb wouldn't be attacked and chose not to evacuate, while the Sairan high-ranking official was desperately trying to escape.

Clearly, he knew the Atlantic Federation was serious.

"Um, this ship is not for you."

If the soldier in front wasn't under pressure from the Sairan family's influence, he would have probably beaten this famous fool by now.

"Huh!?"

"What do you mean? I already said I'm Sair—"

"This is Lord Sahak's order! Priority is given to the relatives of Atlantic Federation officials for evacuation!"

The soldier impatiently interrupted every sentence that included the Sairan family.

"…"

Upon hearing Sahak's name, the anger on Sairan's face instantly extinguished.

After all, Sahak was ranked second among the five great families, while the Sairan family wasn't even one of them.

Perhaps feeling that this was too humiliating, Sairan huffed at the soldier.

"Then we want to take the next ship!"

"We will arrange it as soon as possible."

Suppressing the urge to punch him, the soldier nodded.

Meanwhile, He Kui had already controlled the little bird to fly onto the military ship, effortlessly and silently infiltrating its navigation system.

"…The destination is Military Island? Why there?"

Does Sahak intend to use these people as political leverage?

If he really wanted them to leave, he could just send a ship to take them to the Atlantic Federation.

Things were different now; the Hasak family didn't seem to have any intention of showing weakness to the Atlantic Federation.

After all, if even South America could defend its mass driver, it would be too embarrassing if Orb lost.

Of course, the United Nations of South America had ZAFT's assistance, but from what Lacus said, perhaps ZAFT would indeed quietly help them this time.

Moreover, blowing up the mass driver was also a good option.

He didn't know why the Hasak family made this decision, but for now, He Kui had to leave.

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