Chapter 72: Christina's Worries

Chapter 72: Christina's Worries

Her machine was about to be taken away.

Sitting in the cockpit of her mobile suit (MS), the red-haired girl felt an unbearable heaviness in her heart as she thought about the machine called "ALEX" leaving her side.

ALEX was a product of her dedication, a machine she believed was destined to be hers.

She reached out and gently stroked the onboard computer of the MS.

This was an adaptive learning computer, and she was its calibrator.

Ever since she was a child, she had dreamed of becoming a mechanical instructor. However, after the Federation discovered her talent as an MS pilot, she was assigned to a unit specializing in calibrating learning-type computers.

A unit comprised of only twelve elite members of the Federation.

The machine allocated to her was this MS's onboard computer, "ALEX."

Yet, as much as she tried to handle the MS during operations, she had to admit that she couldn't unleash its full potential.

At best, she could only manage to bring out 30% of its capabilities.

Handing this machine over to someone who could better utilize it seemed to be the better choice.

The red-haired girl sighed quietly, parking the MS with care.

Originally, this shouldn't have happened so soon.

Designed specifically for a special group known as "Newtypes," this machine was supposed to collect more data before being sent off.

However, the Augusta Research Institute, which developed the machine, had recently come under pressure from higher-ups. They were forced to accelerate their work on the MS.

And so, Christina found herself in this dilemma.

They were lucky, though. Because the MS had been perfected ahead of schedule, they narrowly avoided an attack from a Zeon force sent to destroy the machine.

"Thank you for your hard work, Christina."

The cockpit hatch opened, and a colleague reached in to help Christina out of the machine.

As the lights in the cockpit dimmed, one could notice something unusual about the setup.

The pilot seat seemed to float in mid-air, connected only to a base.

Behind the seat, there were screens displaying information from the outside world—an all-encompassing panoramic cockpit!

"If I could, I'd like to stay with this machine longer..."

Christina looked at the fully sealed cockpit, sighing as she voiced her thoughts.

"In that case, why not sign up for the data collection team?"

Her colleague chuckled, watching her with amusement.

Over the past few days, this straightforward girl had seemed distracted—clearly preoccupied with this matter.

She probably hadn't paid much attention when they mentioned forming a team to accompany ALEX aboard the Pegasus-class ship.

"Well then, there's still an opening!"

Christina's eyes immediately lit up. Clutching the transfer confirmation document for the MS, she hurried to her colleague, her excitement making her stumble over her words.

"Relax, the higher-ups reserved a spot just for you. They figured ALEX couldn't leave you behind, after all."

"Thank you!"

Christina handed the document to her colleague, then dashed down the ladder with haste, not forgetting to turn back and express her gratitude for her earlier clumsiness.

Her colleague waved in response.

From this angle, one could see the full form of ALEX—a Gundam, without a doubt.

Its entire body was wrapped in heavy armor. Apart from a distinctive upside-down triangle insignia on its body, there were no other identifying features.

Relieved that she could stay with this machine, Christina rushed to the office of her superior.

As expected, the paperwork had already been prepared. Once she signed, it would all be official.

"Christina, besides gathering data for ALEX, how about getting along with its pilot as well? The research institute hopes to maintain a good relationship with them for future collaboration. We're counting on you."

Her superior's cryptic yet meaningful gaze didn't raise any suspicions in Christina.

To her, it seemed like a perfectly normal request.

But after she left the office, her superior opened a nearby computer.

The person displayed on the screen was someone any member of White Base would instantly recognize—Miharu Ratokie!

"Red hair, slightly older... Sometimes the research institute really likes to push boundaries."

It was clear her superior wasn't entirely comfortable with passing this order to Christina.

But the individual behind the research institute...

...

Christina quickly returned to her home on Side 6's Libot Colony. After explaining to her parents that she had to leave again, she went upstairs to pack her belongings.

Once White Base arrived at Side 6, they would immediately depart to deliver ALEX to the ship.

However, since White Base was currently traveling under radio silence, no one knew exactly when it would arrive.

Christina needed to prepare in advance.

Dragging a large suitcase to the roadside, ready to return to the base, she noticed a familiar child passing by.

"Al, it's impolite not to say hello, you know."

Seeing the boy, Christina cheerfully walked over to him.

"Ah, Christina-sis!"

The boy, hiding something behind his back, greeted Christina with a familiar warmth.

This child, Alfred, lived next door to Christina's family.

Before Christina joined the Federation military and left the colony, she had spent a considerable amount of time playing with and taking care of this boy.

When she recently returned to the colony, they had reunited.

"What did you have for lunch today, Al~?"

Christina asked in the same tone she used when caring for him before.

"Uh... nutritional supplements."

Christina's smile froze.

Nutritional supplements were artificially synthesized foods designed solely to sustain basic life functions.

Suddenly, Christina recalled that a recent battle between Zeon and the Federation had resulted in a transport ship being destroyed.

She hadn't realized it had affected the colony's supply chain...

She raised her wrist and checked the time on her watch.

There was still some time left before her scheduled departure...

"Come on, Al. Let's go eat something tasty."

Christina got into her car, patting the passenger seat to signal him to join her.

It was only then that she noticed Al still hiding something behind his back.