Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 55: Modification and Visits

Eli's modification plan for the Ground Gundam was finalized swiftly.

What surprised him a little was that during his discussions with the technical staff, Amuro brought in a reinforcement design plan for the Ground Gundam.

"This is… back before you left for the White Base, didn't you say you wanted to make some adjustments to the Ground Gundam? I figured I'd tweak the spare unit we brought along with the ship's materials," Amuro explained.

He referred to the spare Ground Gundam that had been brought aboard as a backup. His idea was to integrate the armor of that unit into Eli's machine and modify its container system into an all-in-one backpack for carrying weapons.

Eli glanced at Amuro's design, then at the Ground Gundam in front of him.

Sure enough, Amuro's Federation roots were undeniable. To already have an early concept of Full Armor (FA) modification… no wonder he'd eventually carry all the funnels during the final battle.

"Can you make this backpack design work?" Eli asked the Yashima Group employees, narrowing his eyes slightly.

After a detailed analysis, they confirmed it was feasible.

"However, designing a backpack system like this will require some time, as well as the development of a specialized OS system. It can't be done in the short term," the Yashima Group employees replied.

Their affirmation of the design made Amuro particularly excited. For a moment, he seemed to rediscover the joy he'd felt back when he was just an ordinary mecha enthusiast. Scratching the back of his head awkwardly, he cheerfully returned to his machine.

Amuro's Gundam was undergoing magnetic coating modifications, a new technology that had just arrived from Luna II a few days ago via Jaburo. Eli's Ground Gundam would also adopt this technology.

Meanwhile, the EXAM-equipped Ground Gundam head was undergoing specialized adjustments.

Since this wasn't an official EXAM project unit, General Revil had ordered the lead engineer, Kirth Madras, to remove the high-pulse adjustments targeting Newtypes and to reduce the system's automation, instead granting pilots more operational control.

This adjustment meant that the current EXAM system focused more on overclocking the reactor and enhancing Eli's sensory capabilities, thereby boosting the unit's combat efficiency for short periods.

However, the system could only be used by genuine "Newtypes." Those with inactive brainwaves, or Oldtypes (OT), could not activate the system's brainwave transmission device.

Learning this outcome, Eli remained silent for a long time.

With his involvement, it was evident that the upper echelons had acknowledged the existence and power of Newtypes earlier than expected.

Even though Eli hadn't explicitly confirmed the Newtype status of himself or Amuro when questioned by John Kowen that day, Revil was clearly testing Newtype capabilities through this method, essentially treating Eli and Amuro as Newtypes.

While Amuro's performance could be attributed to the Gundam's high specs, Eli's achievements were what truly drew the leadership's attention to Newtype power.

None of the Ground Gundams in other war zones could match Eli's extraordinary combat record.

Moreover, Eli's political reliability was well-recognized, with his impeccable background and flawless vetting process. This ensured that he received substantial resource allocation.

Still, Eli pondered whether this meant the Federation would prematurely simplify Newtypes into being just powerful pilots.

Shaking off these thoughts, Eli chose to focus on the task at hand. There was no use dwelling on it—he could address any fallout later.

Eli watched as the Ground Gundam was lifted, its outer armor being dismantled for modifications.

To install additional attitude control thrusters, the energy pipelines had to be redistributed. The output limit on the reactor was also to be lifted.

Meanwhile, the new backpack system had already been designed and was being manufactured in a factory within Jaburo.

The Yashima Group was also working tirelessly to enhance the weaponry according to Eli's specifications, though they admitted they couldn't do much with beam weapons.

---

"Lieutenant Eli, do you have some free time?"

As Eli observed the Ground Gundam's modification progress, Sayla's voice rang out beside him.

"Ah, yes," Eli replied, blinking as he wondered if Sayla wanted to take a stroll.

"In that case, Bright wants you to accompany him to inspect other Pegasus-class ships."

"Bright? And what about you?" Eli asked, initially ready to agree but catching the odd phrasing.

"I'm accompanying Mirai and the three kids to the daycare; no way I'm tagging along for that," Sayla teased.

Resigned, Eli made his way to the bridge, where he found Bright holding a document. Bright waved it at him, signaling they'd received approval for the inspection.

"Amuro said he'd like to come too—apparently, there are Gundam-type units aboard the other Pegasus-class ships," Bright said, his tone relaxed.

For him, the heavy responsibility of bringing the Federation's latest weaponry back to Jaburo had significantly lessened.

---

Their first stop was the Gray Phantom, the nearest ship.

Though the Gray Phantom's captain hadn't arrived yet, its MS deployment was underway. Among its units was the GM Sniper II, one of the Federation's most advanced mass-produced models, issued only to ACE pilots.

Given the resources allocated to him, Eli no longer felt envious when looking at the unit. Instead, his expression turned wry, knowing that the Gray Phantom's MS team would eventually be wiped out by a single Kimbell von.

The ship also had mass-produced Guncannons and GM Command units. From its design—a flatter profile with extended catapult launchers—it was clear the Gray Phantom's assignments weren't particularly demanding, or at least it hadn't yet faced significant challenges.

---

Next, they visited the Thoroughbred.

Like the Gray Phantom, it lacked an active captain and pilots, though its MS hangar featured Gundam Unit 6, "Mudrock," in the final stages of adjustment, piloted by a test driver.

This unit had an unfortunate history: arriving late to battles and failing its mission to deliver the G-3 Gundam due to complications, resulting in the G-3's damage.

Ironically, Tomino's original concept had Amuro piloting the G-3, where he ultimately perished.

Eli silently thanked the Thoroughbred for its failure.

---

Finally, they visited the centerpiece of the inspection: the Pureblood Stallion.

Unlike the others, this Pegasus-class ship was fully crewed and assigned to the 16th Mobile Fleet under Tianem's command.

Similar to the White Base, this ship was one of the four decoy fleets used to cover the main force's movements in the original story.

Unlike the previous ships, the Pureblood Stallion's captain and MS pilots awaited them in the hangar, ready to welcome their "predecessors."