Chapter 137: Reunion
Under the scanning of a large radar, the Federation military base quickly launched intercept missiles, shattering the incoming meteor. It also fired several additional missiles to neutralize the larger debris.
During this process, the White Chaser contributed as well, attacking some of the remaining meteors to ensure the base's complete safety.
Eli let out a slight sigh of relief and refocused on the task at hand.
"Captain Yog, I'm sorry, but we'll need to take control of your team. During this period, all members of the Exorcist Squad will undergo investigation. You have no objections, do you?"
Yog remained silent, but he made no further movements.
The mobile suits of the Exorcist Squad pointed their weapons toward the ground, signaling their compliance.
Eli then led his team, subtly surrounding the Exorcist Squad. Alongside Ryan, he secured the Efreet and escorted it into Augusta Base.
Augusta Base had already been informed of the situation and cleared a hangar for Eli and his team to park their mobile suits. Military police were waiting beneath the Exorcist Squad's units—especially under Shirley's machine.
It's worth mentioning that before Shirley was assigned to the Exorcist Squad, she had infiltrated the Federation military as a test pilot, stationed at Augusta Base.
More importantly, she had been the test pilot for the Gundam Unit 7, and all of Unit 7's operating systems had her involvement.
The military police shackled Shirley and took her away amid the incredulous murmurs of Augusta's maintenance staff—but that was another matter for now.
Eli and his team surrounded the Efreet, which lay on its back. After exchanging a signal with the maintenance staff—who had regained control of the Efreet via computer—the cockpit hatch exploded open with a muffled burst of gas.
Armed Federation soldiers immediately rushed forward.
"Target is unconscious!"
With practiced efficiency, they dragged the pilot out of the cockpit, stripping him of his flight suit for a full-body inspection.
It's worth noting that this was North America in winter.
Federation personnel, still clad in their flight suits or uniforms, were unaffected. However, the Zeon pilot, after being stripped for inspection, visibly paled from the cold.
A soldier pried open his mouth to ensure he wasn't hiding any poison. After confirming it was clear, he gestured for the others to take the captive away.
"Much appreciated," Eli acknowledged the ensign in charge.
"I'd like to observe the interrogation later. That won't be a problem, will it?"
"Of course not!"
Since the prisoner had been captured by Eli's team, he had every right to conduct the interrogation himself—let alone merely observe it.
After exchanging salutes, Eli turned his attention to another matter.
"So, Augusta Research Institute is really doing this, huh?"
Eli felt a faint whispering in his mind, and his expression turned slightly grim.
Ever since stepping into Augusta Base, he had noticed it—the sound of someone wailing.
"May I visit the Augusta Research Institute?"
The Augusta Research Institute was housed within Augusta Base itself.
Eli stopped a passing officer, who appeared to be a technical officer, and asked.
"The research facility? Sorry, we'd need to report that to the higher-ups first."
Coincidentally, this officer was a member of the Augusta Research Institute.
"I see. Then could you at least check if Miss Christina is in the lab? Just tell her Eli is here to see her."
At first, the officer remained wary upon hearing Eli's request to visit the institute. But the moment Eli mentioned Christina's name, his demeanor noticeably softened.
"In that case, I believe you'll be able to meet her soon."
With that, the officer led Eli toward a restricted section of Augusta Base, surrounded by checkpoint guards. He gestured for Eli to wait there before presenting his clearance and heading off to notify Christina.
Eli leaned against the checkpoint, idly chatting with the stationed guard.
"Augusta Research Institute is quite impressive. Aside from the Gundams, I recall they've developed several outstanding GM units as well, right?"
"Of course!"
Augusta was responsible for research on Gundam Unit 7 and NT-1, but it also had a history of developing exceptional GM models—like the GM Command Type.
At the mention of this, even the checkpoint guard couldn't help but puff out his chest with pride.
"That's amazing. You must have quite a few test pilots here, then? I actually fought alongside NT-1's test pilot, Miss Christina, before."
"Huh? You fought alongside her? Then… you must be—"
The sentry finally leaned forward, peering at Eli.
It was 3:30 AM, and until now, the soldier hadn't clearly seen Eli's face.
Now, as Eli stepped forward slightly, allowing the dim lighting to illuminate his features…
"S-Silver Ash Meteor… Eli Lee?! You're really him? Ah—my apologies!"
The soldier snapped to attention and saluted, but Eli quickly stopped him.
"Come on now, we were just having a good chat. No need for formalities—it's late at night, and after a battle, saluting is just a hassle."
Eli leaned against the checkpoint wall, trying to ease the soldier's nerves.
"Understood… Um, could I… get your autograph?"
To Eli's amusement, the guard pulled out an unexpected item—a recruitment poster featuring Eli as the model.
On the poster, Eli was depicted in his flight suit, helmet in hand, standing in front of a hangar filled with GM units.
After signing the poster and even taking a photo with the soldier, Eli returned to the previous topic.
"And then there's Shirley—she's technically my subordinate now. A real beauty, wouldn't you say?"
Of course, Shirley had already been exposed as a Zeon spy and arrested—but the guard was likely unaware of that.
"Oh, definitely! She's quite famous around the base."
"So, are all your test pilots as stunning as these two?" Eli asked with a playful wink, finally steering the conversation toward what he truly wanted to know.
"Beautiful? No, no. Aside from them, there's only one other female pilot, and she's just a ki—"
The sentry suddenly cut himself off, realizing he had nearly said something classified.
That was enough for Eli to confirm his suspicions.
"I get it, I get it. Research facilities have their secrecy protocols."
Eli chuckled, waving his hand dismissively as a jeep approached from inside the base.
Against the dark night, Christina's distinctive fiery red hair stood out clearly.
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