The hum of the Zeon team's mobile suits faded as Dom's sharp eyes spotted the sniper team in the distance. He waved an arm overhead, his voice cutting through the crisp air.
"Hey! Over here!" SVD, leading the sniper team, acknowledged the call, a faint smile on her lips.
"We've been waiting for you, you know," Dom said as they drew closer.
"Hey, it's not our fault you guys are faster than us," SVD retorted, a hint of playful defiance in her tone.
Dom was about to fire back another playful jab when the rhythmic thumping of helicopter blades grew louder, signaling their ride home.
Vertin, spoke up. "Well then, let's go home."
A chorus of "Agreed!" rippled through the gathered teams.
The helicopter settled onto the dusty ground, and soon both the Zeon and sniper teams were aboard. The journey back to base was filled with a comfortable silence, a shared understanding of a job well done.
Upon landing, goodbyes were exchanged, and the two teams dispersed. The Zeon team, went their separate ways, each member tending to their own post-mission routines. Vertin, however, had a singular focus:
self-improvement. She headed straight for her room, her mind already buzzing with possibilities.
"AI, what upgrades can I get?" she asked, her voice a low murmur.
A calm, synthesized voice responded, [You can get multiple upgrade modules.]
"Can you show me?"
[Understood...]
A list materialized before her, each entry a tempting proposition:
Extra Armor Plating: Increases HP and decreases penetration from AT weapons. [One Million]
Extra Ammo: Increases ammo capacity by 25%. [One Million]
Extra Propellant: Increases fuel by 25%. [One Million]
Stronger Frame: Increases HP and decreases the chance to explode by overheating the Saturn engine. [One Million]
Improved Ammunition: Gives mobile suit weapons the same capabilities as their normal counterpart. [One Million]
Improved Sensors: Gives night vision and thermals, infrared, and increases range of scanners to 10km. [One Million]
Improved Fire Control: Increases accuracy and range by 25%. [One Million]
Damage Control: Decreases the chance of fires and damage to internal systems. [One Million]
Emergency Power: When below 50%, emergency power activates, putting power back up to 100%. Recharges in 1 week. [One Million]
Vertin meticulously scrolled through the options, her mind a whirlwind of strategic calculations. Each upgrade promised a significant enhancement, but she had to choose wisely. Then, her eyes landed on an entry that sparked a particular interest, an upgrade that hinted at a drastic increase in her offensive capabilities:
Beam Weapon Compatible: Gives user the ability to use beam weapons. [One Million]
"That is nice to have," she mused, a flicker of excitement in her eyes as she clicked on it. Immediately, a warning window popped up, interrupting her thoughts:
[Warning! User has not yet acquired a nuclear reactor. If you decide to buy this upgrade module, you can only use the weakest beam weapons, as using a powerful beam weapon would reduce your power to 10% or 0%. Do you still want to buy it?]
Vertin read the warning carefully. Even with the limitations, the prospect of wielding beam weapons was too enticing to pass up.
"Even though I can't use powerful weapons, I can still use it with E-Packs," she reasoned, then clicked "yes."
"AI, show me my balance. I want to make sure I have enough money to buy all my upgrades."
[Answer: You have 20,000,000 dollars.]
A relieved sigh escaped her lips. Twenty million was more than enough. She continued selecting the most crucial upgrades first, prioritizing improvements to her core capabilities. After a thorough session of upgrades, Vertin finally felt a sense of satisfaction. Exhaustion, a rare visitor, began to creep in, and she decided to call it a night. Sleep beckoned, promising a well-deserved rest after a successful operation and a productive upgrade session.
[Name: Vertin
Race: MS Girl
Sub-Race: Zudah
HP: 100,000 (When damaged, there is an extra 100,000 HP as armor, but it can be penetrated by higher caliber weapons or beam and laser weapons of higher caliber.)
Sub HP:
Head: 2,000
Leg: 2,000
Thrusters: 10,000
Company: Zimmad
Power: 125%
Fuel: 125%
Ammo: 125%
Coolant: 100%
Equipment:
Zaku Machine Gun
Zaku Bazooka
Heat Hawk
Sturmfaust (2x)
Shield
Foldable Spike
Money: 5,100,070$
Upgrade Modules:)
( Magnetic Coating) (Extra Ammo) (Extra Propellant) ( Emergency Power) ( Beam Weapon Compatible) (Extra Armor Plating) ( Improved Sensors) (Stronger Frame) (Improved Ammunition) (Improved Fire Control) (Damage Control)( Improved Thruster) (Improved Power Source) (Stealth Systems) ( Life Support Systems)
Skills:
Assault Booster: This skill further enhances the Zudah's mobility by increasing its boost speed and duration.
Emergency Evasion Controller: This skill allows for a quick dodge maneuver, helping the Zudah evade enemy attacks and reposition itself. Can be switched to automatic or manual.
High Performance Balancer: This skill enables the Zudah to boost its close combat skill, allowing for more fluid and effective combat maneuvers.
Forced Injector: This skill allows the Zudah to quickly accelerate and decelerate, making it a formidable close-quarters combatant.
Maneuver Armor: This skill reduces the stun duration caused by enemy attacks, allowing the Zudah to better withstand damage.
Sieg Zeon: When activated, the unit gains a boost on all stats at the cost of overheating. It can only be removed by resting or restarting the systems, which will make you go to sleep depending on the damage when overheated. It can be removed by drinking coolant.
Auxiliary Skills (Does not take power or coolant):
Zeon Failed Mobile Suit: Gives buff to any prototype mobile suits (Active at all times).
Jean-Luc Duvall's Last Stand: Gives any mobile suit a buff (Active in a last stand).
Zimmad First Mobile Suit: Gives buffs to any Zimmad-created mobile suits (Active at all times).]
Meanwhile, at Griffin HQ, Persica, Kryuger, and Helian were deep in discussion, their focus on the Zeon team's recent operation.
"The intel we gathered from their operations shows they use overwhelming firepower," Persica stated, holding up a tablet.
"Both Magella and Dopp are the ones with the most firepower compared to Vertin and Dom. While Dom is faster than Magella, she has less firepower than Dopp and Magella. However, she has multiple advantages that both Dopp and Magella don't. And Vertin, as I can see, is the most balanced member in the Zeon team."
"Mhm... Continue to monitor them in their operations," Kryuger responded, his gaze fixed on the data.
Helian then interjected, a more somber note entering the conversation. "Now, let's start another discussion. Sangvis Ferri has managed to find the locations of our bases and other important information, and they've attacked multiple bases." She displayed a wide screen showing a grim map of compromised locations.
"Do we have any information about the leak?" Kryuger asked, his voice laced with concern.
"As of right now, we haven't found who or how Sangvis managed to get intel about our bases, information on the commanders and movements, as well as secret operations," Helian replied, her expression grim.
Kryuger sighed, a heavy weight settling on his shoulders. "Very well. Continue to contain the Sangvis threat and continue to investigate the leak of our information. Save the T-Dolls and commanders whose information has been leaked, and retreat them back. "
"Understood, sir," Helian said, saluting crisply before leaving the room. The weight of the ongoing conflict pressed down on them, a reminder that even successful operations couldn't erase the constant threat lurking in the shadows.