Crossing Orb: Newtype Commander

Chapter 105 The Cannon of the Giant God

Orb Orbital Elevator Space Station, the secret dock of "Heavenly Pillar".

The white base hovered silently in the microgravity environment, its silver-white armor reflecting a cold light under the spotlight. The giant ship had completed its final assembly—the twin beam cannons at the bow were in place, their muzzles pointing towards the dock exit; the large MS hangar in the middle of the ship could accommodate twelve mobile suits, twice the capacity of the Izumo-class.

But today, that's not what anyone's focusing on.

Below the bow of the white base, an additional compartment had been secretly installed—a rectangular structure approximately forty meters long and fifteen meters wide, covered with heavy composite armor, clashing with the ship's streamlined design. The stern of the compartment connected to the white base's main energy system, while the front featured a massive…

An armored panel that can be opened and closed. Behind the panel lies the warship's true killing weapon.

Char stood in front of the observation window of the dock, his deep red eyes fixed on the compartment covered by armored panels.

He held an encrypted terminal in his hand, the screen displaying the latest test data from VEDA.

"Giant MEGA particle cannon, fully loaded."

In the Universal Century (UC) era, the MEGA particle cannon was the standard weapon of the Federation's main battleships. It compressed, accelerated, and focused Minovsky particles into a beam of immense destructive power. A single MEGA particle cannon shot was powerful enough to penetrate any conventional armor, and even mobile suits with PS armor would struggle to withstand it. However, the MEGA particle cannon also had significant drawbacks—its enormous size, enormous energy consumption, and difficulty in heat dissipation. In the UC era, only large battleships had sufficient space and energy to house this weapon.

Now, Char has miniaturized the MEGA particle cannon to the point that it can be mounted on a 300-meter-class warship.

Through "time"—the UC era technological data in his mind contained complete miniaturized design blueprints for the MEGA particle cannon. Those blueprints took decades of iteration to complete in the UC era, but in this world, they appeared directly in his consciousness.

"Commander-in-Chief Asha, the White Base's energy system has completed final testing." Erica Simmons' voice came from behind, tinged with fatigue but also with barely concealed excitement. "The two Minovsky nuclear reactors are operating in parallel, and their total output power is sufficient to support the full-power firing of the MEGA particle cannon. However, the cooling system requires a longer interval—continuous firing in a short period of time will cause the ship's temperature to rise too high."

"That's enough." Char turned around and looked at Erica. "The MEGA particle cannon isn't a conventional weapon; it's a strategic deterrent. It doesn't need to fire continuously; it only needs to fire one shot at the most critical moment."

Erica walked to his side and stood beside him at the observation window, gazing at the massive, silver-white ship. Her eyes, behind her gold-rimmed glasses, were bloodshot—she had been working continuously for nearly a week to complete the installation of the MEGA particle cannon. But at this moment, there was no fatigue in her eyes, only a light of near-excitement.

"Do you know what you're doing?" she asked softly.

"Know."

"This isn't a mobile suit, it's not a battleship, this is—something that can change the course of a war. A single MEGA particle cannon shot can destroy a fleet, can penetrate a fortress, and can fundamentally alter the balance of power on the battlefield. If the Combine knew we possessed this weapon, they would stop at nothing to seize it. If ZAFT knew, they would stop at nothing to destroy it."

"Therefore, the first attack from the White Base must be carried out in secret," Char said calmly. "No one can know about the existence of the MEGA particle cannon, at least not before it is actually used."

Erica looked at him, her eyes showing no hesitation, only a calm, almost cold, clarity. She knew what he was planning—to transport the Goddess of Justice from the White Base to North Africa to pick up the Archangel. Ostensibly a routine support mission, it was actually a live-fire test of the MEGA particle cannon. If all went well, they would complete the first live-fire exercise of a strategic weapon without anyone noticing.

"Who are you planning to use as a target?" Erica asked.

Char paused for a moment. "The Desert Tiger."

Erica's pupils contracted. "You're going to kill Butterfield?"

"No. I want him to see the power of the MEGA particle cannon, and then give him a choice." Char turned around, looking into Erica's eyes. "Butterfield isn't crazy, he's not an extremist. He's a soldier of principle. If he can see another possibility—the possibility of proving the Coordinator's value without war—he might choose a different path."

"What if he refuses?"

Char didn't answer. He turned and walked towards the dock's exit, the sound of his military boots striking the metal floor echoing in the empty corridor. Erica watched his retreating figure, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

She knew that Char wouldn't kill Butterfield if he refused. But the existence of the MEGA particle cannon would be exposed, the White Base would become ZAFT's primary target, and the Transformation Project would face even greater risks. Char was gambling on Butterfield's rationality, on his love for Elsa, and on his desire for "peace."

Erica whispered, "So, you're betting everything on the inherent goodness of humanity?"

No one answered her. Only the engines of the white base hummed in the distance, like the heartbeat of some sleeping behemoth.

That afternoon, in the secret dock of the White Base, the Gundam Justice was secured to the catapult deck. Its silver-white armor reflected a cold light under the spotlights, its V-shaped antenna stood tall on its forehead, and its eye sensors flickered with a pale, cold light in the darkness. On the chest of the mobile suit, the GN Drive emitted a faint green glow, and particles seeped from the gaps in the armor, spreading into a thin layer of luminous mist in the air.

Char stood at the feet of the goddess of justice, gazing up at the machine. Its exterior was almost identical to the RX-78-2, but its internal technology was the culmination of two eras—the GN Drive, the quantum communication module, and the prototype beam shield system that would soon be installed. This was the pinnacle of Orb technology, and also his personal mobile suit.

"Commander-in-Chief Asuka, the final calibration of the Goddess of Justice is complete." Kato Hiroshi's voice came from behind, tinged with tension. "The GN Drive's output power is stable at 95%, the connection delay between the quantum communication module and VEDA is zero, and the energy consumption curve of the beam shield prototype system is in line with expectations."

"Alright." Char climbed into the cockpit and swiped his finger across the touchscreen. "Kato, you're in charge of the White Base's operations. During my sortie, you'll monitor all the ship's systems. Notify me immediately if anything unusual happens."

Kato stood at attention and gave a military salute. "Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

Char closed the cockpit door, and the GN Drive screen lit up. He placed his right hand on the quantum interface, and VEDA's voice echoed in his consciousness: "Neural connection established. Brainwave synchronization rate—94 percent. All Justice systems normal. GN Drive output power—95 percent. Beam rifle fully charged."

Beam saber in standby mode. Beam shield prototype system—standby mode.

"Activate all systems, preheat thrusters. Await sortie orders."

"Instruction recorded."

Char leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. His Newtype abilities became exceptionally sharp at that moment. "VEDA, the Archangel's latest location."

"The Archangel left the resistance stronghold of Valley of the Wind six hours ago and is moving northeast."

It is expected to enter the Allied-controlled area in 48 hours. However, ZAFT's "Desert Tigers" are still in pursuit, and Butterfield's main force is about 200 kilometers away from the Archangel. At the current relative speed, he will catch up with the Archangel in 30 hours.

Char opened his eyes, a cold light flashing in his deep crimson pupils. "Notify Mina, White Base is initiating descent operations. If Butterfield refuses to cooperate, White Base will use the MEGA particle cannon to destroy his main force."

"Instruction recorded."

He pushed the control stick, and Justice slid off the catapult deck and headed toward the hangar exit of the white base.

Behind them, the engines of the white base were warming up, and the hull vibrated slightly in the microgravity environment. Ahead, the dock hatch slowly opened, revealing the boundless starry sky outside.

"White Base, Char Langlad Athha, Goddess of Justice, launch!"

The thrusters ignited, and pale green GN particles were ejected from the backpack, transforming the machine into a silver-white meteor that shot into the starry sky.

North Africa, deep in the Sahara Desert, ZAFT's temporary command post.

Butterfield stood at the tactical table, a cup of now-cold coffee in his hand, his dark brown eyes fixed on the map. The map marked in red the Archangel's path—a winding, meandering curve extending northeast from the Valley of the Wind, as if trying to shake off its pursuers.

"Commander, reconnaissance aircraft report." The adjutant's voice came from behind. "The Archangel is moving towards the United Army's controlled area and is expected to enter the United Army's air defense zone in thirty hours. Our Baku forces can catch up with them within twenty hours—if we set off now."

Butterfield put down his coffee cup and tapped his finger lightly on the map. "The Archangel's engines have been repaired?"

""

"Yes. According to reconnaissance data, their speed has returned to its design value. If they continue to move at this speed, our pursuit window will become increasingly smaller."

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"Where is that boy? The pilot of the assault team?"

The adjutant flipped open the data panel, his finger swiping across the screen. "Kira Yamato. Still piloting an MS. His fighting style has changed somewhat—more cautious, more focused on conserving his strength. Perhaps he learned something during the desert battle."

Butterfield paused for a moment, a slight smile playing on his lips. "That boy is growing. On the battlefield, growth is the most valuable quality." He straightened up, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the tent. "Order all teams to prepare for attack. Target—the Archangel. But remember, do not sink it. I want it alive."

"Commander, why?" a young officer asked cautiously.

Butterfield turned and looked into the officer's eyes. "Because on that ship is PLANT's songstress. Lacus Clyne—she's Siegel Clyne's daughter, a symbol of the moderates. If she dies under ZAFT's fire, the internal conflicts within PLANT will escalate completely. Chairman Sara's radicals will seize the opportunity to purge the moderates, and PLANT will become a true military dictatorship. That's not what I want to see."

There was a moment of silence inside the tent. Then, a soft female voice came from the tent entrance.

"You're still so gentle, Andrew."

All eyes turned in that direction. A woman in a dark blue, tight-fitting combat suit with off-the-shoulder white puff sleeves, long dark blue hair adorned with two striking yellow highlights, and a gentle smile playing on her lips, walked to Butterfield's side and handed him a cup of hot tea.

Elsa Trein. Butterfield's adjutant and lover.

Butterfield took the teacup, a rare gentleness appearing on his lips. "Elsa, what brings you here?"

"I've brought you some tea. Just a heads-up—Lacus Clyne is on the Archangel, but there's someone else behind it." Elsa's voice was calm, but a complex light flickered in her grey-blue eyes. "Commander-in-Chief of Orb's Defense Forces, Char Langrad Athha. He wasn't on the Archangel, but his golden machine returned to Orb after covering the Archangel's descent to Earth. He's probably preparing for a new operation now."

Butterfield frowned slightly. "You mean—he'll come?"

"Uncertain. But given his style, he won't stand idly by while the Archangel is in trouble. He rescued Kira Yamato at Heliopolis, protected the Archangel's crew at Artemis, and covered the Eighth Fleet's descent to Earth. Every time, he appears at the most crucial moment. This time might be no exception."

Butterfield remained silent for a long time. He stared at the tea leaves floating in his teacup, the image of that golden machine from the information he'd seen flashing through his mind—soaring through the starry sky, single-handedly holding off the entire Kruze team's MS.

The military unit. The man's driving skills, tactical judgment, and those deep red eyes that seemed to see through everything made him feel an inexplicable threat.

"If Ashar really comes," Butterfield said in a low voice, "we will be facing an opponent more dangerous than the Strike Force."

"So, you need a plan." Elsa's voice was calm. Butterfield looked up, meeting her eyes. There was a light in those grey-blue eyes that he couldn't refuse—not an order, not a request, but something deeper, more essential: expectation.

"You're expecting him to convince me."

Elsa's lips curled into a slight smile. "I'm hoping you two can understand each other. You're not a bloodthirsty person, Andrew. You fight because you believe the future of the Coordinators needs protection. But Commander-in-Chief Ashu has proposed another possibility—humanity without race, evolution without paths, and the future without factions. If that's true, then the Coordinators no longer need protection, only coexistence."

Butterfield stared at her for a long time, then sighed. "Elsa, you're always so idealistic."

"You are too. You just won't admit it."

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