Simultaneous Time Travel: Gundam? All Teammates are Old Six

Chapter 32: ZAFT's Fury and Scheme, the Vengeful Ghost Named "Slaying Wind"

[CE71.2.14. ZAFT Lunar Base - Temporary Strategic Meeting Room]

On the cold metal wall, in the very center of the holographic projection, the Eighth Fleet was disintegrating.

But the image of the main force managing to escape with their tails cut off was ultimately captured.

The hellish scene of fire and debris silently tells the story of a crushing defeat.

They escaped; it's like releasing a tiger back into the mountains.

The air inside the conference room was more oppressive than the vacuum of space.

"...In conclusion, the direct cause of the failure of this operation to encircle and annihilate the Eighth Fleet was not the Archangel or the Strike Gundam."

Xiao Ran's voice was calm and even, as if he were reading a weather report that had nothing to do with him. He stood in front of the projector, his posture upright, his calm gaze sweeping over every senior ZAFT officer present.

"The real lethal factor is an unknown third party codenamed 'Ghost'."

He reached out and tapped the control panel. Massive amounts of combat data transformed into complex ballistic trajectories and energy analysis curves, which were frantically overlaid and analyzed on the Eighth Fleet's wreckage map.

"This objective exhibits three characteristics that cannot be explained by existing technological systems."

"First, its ghostly predictive ability. It can always appear 0.5 to 1.2 seconds in advance at the weakest point of our artillery fire and friendly ballistics. Its behavior pattern... is not like combat, but more like solving a math problem whose answer is already known."

"Second, its unconventional mobility. Data shows that during several critical evasive maneuvers, the instantaneous G-force it generated exceeded the limits of a conventional MS skeleton, and even surpassed the theoretical peak of GINN. This defies the laws of physics."

"Third, and most importantly," Xiao Ran's voice rose slightly, as if each word carried immense weight, "it possesses extremely strong tactical deception. Its actions appear to be for rescue, but each strike precisely disrupts our impending encirclement, objectively creating an escape window for the Archangel. Its behavioral logic is full of contradictions, yet it ultimately achieves the result of 'aiding the enemy.'"

He shut down the data stream, and the conference room fell silent once more.

"A near-perfect debriefing report." An officer broke the silence, his tone scrutinizing. "But your conclusions are too startling, Xiao Ran. A ghost that can predict the future, defy the laws of physics, and even enjoys 'helping' the enemy? It sounds like a myth."

"Myths are simply science that cannot be understood," Xiao Ran replied calmly, his eyes unwavering. "My report is based on data, not imagination."

The meeting ended after a long silence and debate. No one could refute Xiao Ran's data, but no one could fully accept his almost absurd conclusions. Ultimately, the report was archived with the instruction "to be observed further."

Back in his own private workshop, Xiao Ran's composure crumbled the moment the alloy gate closed.

He didn't roar or howl; he simply raised his hand and, with precise and restrained force, punched the metal wall beside him.

"Bang!"

A dull, loud thud. A clear dent appeared in the hard wall, centered on the fist, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading outwards.

His knuckles were cracked, and blood was dripping from his fists, but he felt no pain whatsoever.

Only a cold, soul-cold rage burned within his chest.

As a time traveler and an elitist who believed in "data and order," he planned the optimal path to victory for ZAFT. In his calculations, everything should be precise and controllable.

Until this "ghost" appeared.

An illogical variable. A bug that broke his perfect formula. A... "player" just like him.

"Anomaly-01..."

Xiao Ran muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with a fanatical light that mingled excitement and murderous intent. He walked to the control panel and brought up the system interface, a cold, industrial-style interface that only he could see.

ZAFT Armory System

In the very center of the screen, a blood-red alarm box is flashing wildly.

[WARNING: Unknown hostile target "Anomaly-01" detected. The target's behavior is highly uncertain. Threat level: SSS.]

[The system is currently performing simulations based on existing combat data...]

Xiao Ran imported all the data he had just presented at the meeting into the system without reservation. With the massive influx of data, the system's calculation speed instantly skyrocketed.

[Deduction complete.]

[The core tactical advantages of target "Anomaly-01" are: its superior mobility enabling it to penetrate and evade enemy defenses; and its battlefield awareness, seemingly derived from short-range predictive capabilities.]

[Suggested restraint approach:]

[1. Wide-Area Restricted Weapons: Develop and deploy an electromagnetic pulse network with short-term paralysis effects to forcibly create a 'fair competition' environment.]

[2. Specialized High-Speed ​​Hunter Machine: Abandoning versatility, this machine is designed as an ACE-specific unit with multiple vector thrusts, focusing on "instant tail bite" and "saturation lock-on" as its core concepts.]

"Fairness?" A cold smile curled at the corner of Xiao Ran's lips. "I don't need fairness. What I need is... complete annihilation."

He chose option two without hesitation.

"System, utilizing A-level resource permissions, integrate the 'Vector Propulsion' pre-research technology of the 'Impulse Gundam Backpack System' and the simplified solution of the 'Wired Long-Range Weapon Pod' of the 'Dragon Rider System.' Objective: Create an experimental machine specifically designed for hunting 'Anomaly-01.'"

[Permissions confirmed. Significant resource investment required. Confirm execution?]

"implement!"

A massive amount of resource points were instantly wiped out. In Xiao Ran's retina, countless technological blueprints were disassembled, reassembled, and merged. The machine's skeleton, engine, armor, fire control system... everything revolved around a single purpose—to catch up with that ghost and tear it to pieces.

Minutes later, a grotesque and terrifying blueprint slowly took shape on the screen.

Its shape closely resembles ZAFT's upcoming next-generation prototype, but it is more slender and aggressive. The entire body is covered with densely packed attitude control nozzles, while two huge, variable-angle thrusters are mounted on its back. Most striking are the six wired pod cannons mounted on its shoulders and waist, resembling the stings of a scorpion poised to strike.

The design of the new model's fuselage has been completed.

【Model Number: ZGMF-X99A】

[Name: Slaughter Wind]

The military factory is currently conducting actual production...

Looking up at the electric sparks in the hands of the welding robot in the hangar, and the parts whose outline of the machine's head was gradually becoming visible.

Xiao Ran nodded slightly at this masterpiece designed for hunting.

His eyes gleamed with an almost manic satisfaction.

He immediately drafted a new action request and sent it directly to the highest command.

"Reason: To counter the new 'Ghost' target, a combat test of the specialized anti-ACE experimental machine 'Slasher' is required, along with the retrieval of complete combat data from the Earth Alliance's 'Strike Gundam' in the African theater. Applicant: Xiao Ran. Requesting to join Andrew Bartfield's unit and immediately proceed to the African front."

This application, along with the highly persuasive design parameters of "Lu Feng," was sent out together.

This time, there was no lengthy discussion. Fifteen minutes later, a reply came.

【approve.】

Boarding the fast transport ship bound for Earth, the azure planet slowly magnifies in view through the huge porthole.

Xiao Ran stood by the window, looking at the continent covered by yellow desert and sparse greenery. In the cold metallic reflection, a cruel smile, like a hunter locking onto his prey, curled at the corner of his mouth.

"ghost……"

He uttered the word softly, as if in a compassionate murmur.

Let's settle our old and new grudges in the desert.