At this moment, the Uncles were speaking, and the soldiers around also noticed the two of them.
"Aegis and Ailina are still alive!"
It was unclear who started it first, but many soldiers on the scene bowed deeply towards them.
In an instant, the atmosphere became solemn, and He Kui could clearly see that Ailina's parents were among them.
"Welcome back!"
The words echoed in unison throughout the vast secret port, resonating endlessly.
"Thank you."
He Kui's mouth slightly opened, but in the end, she nodded, accepting it.
On the other side, Ailina's face was already covered in tears again.
Not only because her parents were safe but also because of her comrades now.
Seeing this, He Kui let out a sigh of relief.
As long as Ailina's parents were alive, Ailina was unlikely to fall into darkness.
Although for an ordinary person, falling into darkness wouldn't change the course of the battle significantly.
But personally, He Kui did not wish for Ailina to drown in hatred.
However, saying anything at this moment would only be counterproductive.
So He Kui simply maneuvered Aegis forward to hold the girl's hand.
The machine hand, lacking a heating function, felt slightly cold, but it opened Ailina's clenched fist.
The group did not linger any longer and walked straight to the deepest part of the base.
"How is the President?"
On the way, Edward was the first to ask the guards ahead.
"...Not too good. You'll know the specifics once you go in."
Upon hearing this question, the dark-skinned man's face seemed to pale slightly.
"Alright."
Upon hearing this response, the people present fell silent.
Soon, as the guards opened the door, He Kui saw a scene far worse than she had imagined.
In the room filled with the smell of formaldehyde, the President was submerged in a treatment pod imported from PLANT, his lower body completely immersed.
Both legs and one arm were already gone, and although the wounds had been treated, faint traces of blood, resembling blood snakes, still floated in the treatment pod.
"Surprised, aren't you?"
The President waved with his remaining hand.
Strangely, even though he should be in pain, his face still maintained a solemn expression.
"Mr. President!"
As former South American soldiers, Edward and Ailina were indeed taken aback.
"I'm fine; the doctor says I have a few years left to live."
The President then looked at He Kui.
"Thank you for Aegis this time."
"However, we are short on funds again."
"It's alright; consider it a repayment for your care."
Seeing the shrewd old man reduced to this state, He Kui shook her head.
Upon hearing He Kui's words, the President slightly raised the corners of his mouth, not quite smiling, but no longer as serious as before.
"Due to the Minister of Defense's betrayal, this base is currently not safe. I plan to relocate the front line to Brazil."
"Thanks to Edward's previous efforts, Brazil can barely still be used as our territory. We have also moved several factories and manufactured MS there; next, we just need to slowly organize our forces."
"And Edward, I would like to ask you to become the commander of our troops."
"This…"
Upon hearing the President's words, Edward's face showed a hint of hesitation.
Being the commander of the entire troop meant taking over the position of the Minister of Defense.
This was a significant matter, and he couldn't say he was a hundred percent ready.
"Consider it an old man's request."
"No, don't say that. I accept."
Edward forced a smile and quickly nodded.
"Thank you."
The President gave Edward an encouraging smile. "And Aegis, can you estimate how long it will take to repair the mass driver?"
"About two months."
Although it was only two months, the Genesis in the sky would be completed by then.
And surely, because of this, PLANT would not easily give up on South America.
This could be seen as a guarantee for their future in South America.
"Two months, I understand."
They wouldn't move until it was repaired, and by then, they would have already established a foothold in Brazil and the surrounding areas.
This battle was equivalent to them giving up Panama at a heavy cost.
ZAFT wouldn't blame them; in fact, they would likely offer comfort.
And for now, they no longer had to worry about the coveted mass driver.
Without such overwhelming power, no one would care about them.
But this indifference was also a form of protection for small nations.
Because even if they continued to bully them, there would be no benefits, so they would be safe.
Whether it was a calculation, a smooth transition, or helplessness, He Kui did not know.
This person had also paid her price.
"Does Aegis want to go to Brazil with us?"
"Sure."
This robot had nowhere else to go, directly exiting control to upgrade its AI unit with parts, which would also serve as a good purpose to protect Ailina.
"Mm."
The President nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Ailina, who was behind Aegis.
"Then Ailina, I will promote your rank to Captain. I hope you can grow to be a strong support for our country in the future."
"I will not disappoint!"
Ailina's eyes sparkled with a glimmer of light, excitement and determination swirling in her heart, her chest held high.
Since things had come to a close, He Kui also exited the communication.
From here, looking at the satellite, everything seemed so peaceful, although this peace could be broken at any moment. However, for South America, if they were hit by missiles, it would only be more tragic than South America.
So, preserving this place was essential.
"He Kui, South America has been breached."
Faced with Joule's late communication, He Kui also showed a surprised expression.
"What happened?"
"The incident occurred three hours ago."
Naturally, He Kui had already known what Joule was about to say, and after listening to her, Joule quickly stated her purpose.
"So we need to speed up the Genesis."
"I understand."
"Mm."
Since He Kui was already familiar with her, Joule did not rush but continued.
"Tomorrow is the announcement of the election results. Prepare well; you will be going to May City, but we will arrange security."
"Okay."
After just two sentences, Joule seemed to hurriedly hang up the phone.
Meanwhile, He Kui, who rarely had a chance to rest, returned to her room.
At this time, Shihe and several others had been waiting here for a long time.
Seeing He Kui enter, they all stood up.
"How did it go?"
Sulei, who had just helped He Kui infiltrate the Mobile Suit, walked directly in front of her, looking tense.
"It's ruined; it won't be fixed in two months."
That battle was crucial for the survival of their entire PLANT. Saying this might be a bit extreme, but if the mass driver were to fall into the hands of the Atlantic Federation, they could only expect countless nuclear bombs in return.
Although they had He Kui's nano-weapons, the quantity had always been insufficient.
With too many nuclear bombs on the other side, they would also be in trouble.
So this situation was actually the best.
Just as He Kui thought, Sulei and the others breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"It's good that it's fine."
"...Let's rest early today."
He Kui embraced Sulei.
Although there was still a hint of fatigue on her face, her heart had already recovered quite a bit.
Life must go on, and all she could do was keep improving.
Nothing could stop her.
"Mm~"
Sulei had seen the devastation there.
Even if He Kui's heart had long become cruel, that was only in the face of the enemy.
So she sensed a slight unease in He Kui and gently stroked her back.
The warm, delicate hand left a gentle touch on He Kui's back, filled with infinite tenderness and comfort.
Each of the girl's touches felt like unspoken words.
He Kui felt a warm current flowing from her spine throughout her body.
Tonight, they were exceptionally gentle.
(End of Chapter)