Gundam Seed: Kira Reloaded Chapter 8

With the limited resources they had, Kira could not upgrade his machine the way he wanted.

However, this didn't mean he could not do anything. He could not just rip out Strike's cockpit and start tuning it up. Because of that, he started working with the parts he had.

Since he had the schematics and blueprints of the machine, he could start working with a separate cockpit unit, and when it's ready, just replace it.

With GINN monitors he scavenged, he has 9 monitors in total, not counting 3 monitors from the Strike.

"A complete 360 view, I see… this will make it harder for someone to drop on you. However… changing cockpits at such time…"

"This is why… looks at the blueprints… if you undo the screws here and here, the only thing left is to undo the cables. Strike and other GAT units were built for fast repairs. That includes the chest piece parts. Even the battery can be ejected if need be." Kira said to the Murdoch.

"...*sigh*. Then how do you want this to be done?"

"We won't be changing anything until the cockpit is ready for replacements. Since I have the blueprints, we know the specific sizes. The whole replacement only going to last less than a few hours. I don't want to be grilled by Ensign Badgiruel for not being combat-ready." Kira said that with a sigh. That woman can be a pain in the butt.

"Haha, right. Since this is the case, we can work on this!"

Hearing that they don't need to strip Strike, they can work without worry.

"Yes. I will be checking out Lieutenant's Moebius Zero. I can feel how he is looking at me. And most likely constantly asking himself why I haven't started to tune his mobile armour." The teen said that with a joking voice. The mechanics laughed for a bit before everyone went to work.

Kira brough one of his laptops for this. Since it's not a Mobile Suit, the OS is much more basic. Kira was able to do some simple updates from the very beginning before checking his databases if he had anything on Moebius Zero, like schematics or anything like that.

Sadly he never was able to get anything from the time when Morgenroete was working with Earth Alliance.

All he got was the tech used to make GAT's unit. While he did want to get some schematic on those Mobile Armour, maybe get a drop on some interesting technology, no such thing happened.

This was simply because of how shitty the connection is between colonies and Earth Sphere. He can't simply use a single entry point to explore all of the archives of Earth Alliance.

The communication technology for this deteriorated instead of improving, all thanks to those N-Jammers.

However, this only means that he needs to try harder to get better tech!

"How is it going, kid?"

"I updated the OS, battery usage improved by 6%, and the linkage between the pilot and the barrels improved by around 14%. I used your piloting data as a basis to project the improvement. Pretty sure not everyone will be able to use your machine. But that's the point of the personalised machine."

Kira explained as his fingers were quickly flying through the keyboard. He was re-reading what he wrote before proceeding to the next paragraph.

"... That's… impressive! And you only checked the OS!"

"Hmm, yeah, though I have some ideas to improve the frame. We have the spare Moebius. We could add an extra thruster and attach an extra battery. However, that would make your machine heavier." Kira offered some ideas.

"Or we could attach that Positron beam in place of that beam one you have. The battery could be adjusted."

Mu La Flaga thought about those ideas for a bit. He was interested…but he wasn't sure. All of them had cons and pros…

"Hmm, maybe not with the things we have, kid. I like my speed." In the end, the blonde lieutenant rejected the ideas. It wasn't good to lose speed, especially against ZAFT mobile suits.

"True… but what about adding that beam canon from other Moebius Zero? Having two instead of one?" Kira asked with a smirk as he lifted his eyes from the laptop and looked at the blonde man.

"I could synchronise the shots, so when you shoot, it will be two shots instead of one. In comparison, you will need to count your shoots. It will be stronger."

"Ahh! Fine! I can't say no to more guns!"

"Exactly."

"I will improve the output of your thruster… just make sure you remember that your machine is faster," Kira said while checking the data on the thrusters.

"... won't that drain the battery faster?"

" Yes and no, it depends on you. If you want more speed, you will be able to fly beyond the set limit. This will drain the battery faster than normal, but you can use this to drop on the enemies as you out of nowhere fly faster than used to see you."

Mu La Flaga nodded several times after hearing that! This was good!

"Good. Add that as well! With this, I will be able to make a drop on ZAFT. But what about the weight when you add the second weapon?"

"Not by much. However, some practice flying is recommended before we engage ZAFT in the next battle." Kira said that as he finished with the OS, now it was time for the alterations on the frame.

"Yes, we can agree on that."

~~~

Lacus was looking at what Kira had been doing. As it was said, she can't be around the important areas of the ship. But the Hangar is alright… right?

After all, her… saviour was an interesting individual, and she wanted to know where he found all those songs! Then she thinks that he is wise beyond his years. All the things they talked about… like how he sees those Mobile Suits… she always saw them as means to do things. Like tools. But never a reflection of one's ideology…

It stuck with her that there is a higher meaning about the machines which Kira cares about.

Then she saw him in his natural working environment…

He was not only the pilot of that mobile suit but a mechanic as well!

'No wonder he cares so much about it! He is the one who is maintaining it as well!'

The pink head continued to watch for some time until she realised that he had been spending hours upon hours in the Hangar!

"You do know hangar is no place for someone who is dressed in a white dress?" Kira said that as he finally was done with the day, he was quite dirty. Even if the place was in zero gravity, some of the stuff stuck to him regardless.

"Well… I haven't touched anything, didn't I?" The girl said to him as she looked at herself, making sure she was clean.

To fix that, Kira lifted his hand and brushed his dirty finger through her nose.

Lacus's eyes widened as she realised what just happened. She frowned quite a bit. She quickly tried to clean herself up! But then she realised that she didn't have tissues or anything like that!

Not only that! But the oil was smelling bad!

"...Ew! It smells bad! Why did you do that!?"

"Now you are dirty. If you want to mingle in the hangar then you need to at least dress properly." Kira said with a smirk as it looked quite the contrast with her pink hair having that oil stain on her face.

She quickly nodded before rushing back into the living quarters to wash herself, her pink robot was quickly rushing right after her.

"Hehe, you are getting under the skin, kid! She has been watching you for several hours before this!" Mu La Flaga said with a knowing smile. It appears the kid knows how to make the girl interested in him!

"I know, however, her place is not here with that kind of dress."

"...You do remember that she is with PLANTs and we are with Earth Alliance? There is going to be quite a bit of an issue the moment we arrive at the Moon Base."

"Well aware of it, Lieutenant."

'And we won't be going to Moon Base. No, we will be going to the Eight fleet, and I am pretty sure ZAFT forces are rapidly approaching us after that humiliating defeat in Heliopolis.' Kira thought to himself while the Lieutenant was thinking about something different.

The blonde man was thinking about the tone Kira said that he was 'well aware'.

It sounded nothing like there would be some sort of separation between the teen and the pink-haired songstress.

~~~

Lacus washed her face of all the oil. She was slightly pouting at what Kira had done to her! No one before did something like that to her!

It's strange and refreshing at the same time!

Though she remembered what he said about her dress.

The girl looked at herself in the mirror. Seeing that it can get dirty if she is to be around the hanger… she needs a change of clothes!

'Maybe one of his friends has a change of clothes?'

As she thought about this she picked her Haro and left the washroom. With intentions to find some different set of clothes!

~~~

"We just received word from the Eight Fleet, which is in orbit. We will be joining Admiral Halberton's fleet there before descending to Earth and then proceeding to Alaska Base." Captain Ramius explained to the crew. Kira's friends were happy that they would be able to disband and return to normal lives, but when they looked at Kira, he looked nonchalant.

It's like it doesn't concern him.

"Kid! Aren't you happy that you will be able to leave?" Mu La Flaga wrapped one hand around Kira's shoulder trying to cheer him up.

"I doubt it's that easy, Lieutenant."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Lieutenant, tell me how many times we fought ZAFT after Heliopolis?" Kira's question got the blond to stop for a bit. After his words, the atmosphere got quite ominous.

"..."

"Not a single time, they will come back at us for that humiliation. Eight Fleet or not… those machines will haunt us until they are either destroyed, or we are destroyed."

"Kid, you are too serious. You need to relax a little bit." Mu La Flaga said that while patting their shoulders of his.

"I am well rested. I am only waiting to see what they will do." Kira said that as he looked forward, towards the windows and at the void.

He simply feels that ZAFT forces are approaching. They simply can't allow for Strike to get scanned and for that data returned to Earth Alliance. They might have schematics of the original five models. But, the OS… OS is something they can't allow to fall to naturals. If that happens, then the battlefield once again will get into a stalemate.

And that is something ZAFT can't allow to happen at any cost!

"Are you telling me that you will continue to fight as Pilot of Strike?"

The question got Kira somewhat confused.

"The only one who can pilot that machine is me, Captain Ramius. There is no one else who can do that. And we can't simply allow it to gather dust in the hangar." Kira simply said that it was the most natural thing in the world.

"...But… Kira… you are not part of the military, and Earth Alliance is a military of the naturals… are you saying…that you will fight regardless?"

*Sigh*

"I am saying that there won't going to be a choice. We haven't reached Earth's orbit yet. Who knows what will happen in between." The teen said while crossing his hands.

Mu La Flaga, who saw the way the teen was behaving, started to put him on edge.

'Are his instincts for battle flaring up? He can sense an impending fight?'

Truthfully, the blonde lieutenant will never brush aside when a pilot like Kira is sensing an incoming fight!