January, CE 71.
Heliopolis, a colonial satellite of the neutral nation, Orb.
As an artificial colony, the internal environment was regulated by a climate control system, making it far less frigid than winter on Earth.
Consequently, the people living there could choose their favorite outfits according to their mood and head out looking their best.
“What wonderful weather!”
Leon Vance pushed open the glass door and stepped onto the balcony.
His gaze was immediately drawn to the vibrant, youthful girls dressed in colorful outfits below.
But it was only for a fleeting moment.
In the next second, a projected screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
[Calculation progress 100% complete.
Confirmed: Trailblazer has awakened Spiritual Perception and Spatial Perception.
Please take a moment to experience the special sensory abilities granted by these awakened powers.]
“There were clearly faster and more convenient ways; why did you choose the calculation method?”
Before Vance could carefully examine the unique sensations following his awakening, a synthesized electronic voice tinged with a hint of incomprehension drifted from behind him.
Vance shifted his gaze toward the Mechanical Cat Bao Bao, who had just leaped onto the balcony, and shook his head.
This fellow was his partner who had come to this world with him—the physical manifestation of the system.
Its greatest hobby was finding various reasons to tempt Vance into spending points.
“There are too many things to do and too many items to exchange for what comes next.
If I can save, I should save a little.
Let’s skip the unnecessary expenses.”
Bao Bao’s flashing electronic eyes stared at Vance for a moment before the cat spread its paws in a very human-like gesture, shaking its head.
“Fine!
In the ten or so years since I came to this world with you, you’ve always been quite headstrong.
Do as you like!
As for me, besides acting as a progress reporter, I’ll just be a little kitten who knows nothing of the world!”
“Suit yourself, System-meow.”
“Hmph!
Whether you’re willing to spend points on items or not, the situation you’re about to face will likely endanger your life.
This entire colony might even collapse, claiming countless lives in the process.”
Bao Bao spoke with a huff, occasionally peering at Vance with its electronic eyes.
To be honest, in the decade since arriving in this world with Vance, it had always wanted to see him in a tight spot, eventually forced to beg for its help.
Unfortunately, over the years, aside from its routine duties as a progress reporter, there had been no opportunity for it to exercise its power as the system’s avatar.
“You don’t need to tell me that.
I’ve been preparing for this since the moment I arrived on this colony.”
Vance reached out and patted Bao Bao’s small head, prompting the mechanical cat to quickly duck and weave to avoid the “head-pat of death.”
Vance laughed, turned back into the room, and finished his preparations.
When he finally opened his door, he was dressed in outdoor gear, carrying a large rucksack packed with essential supplies like food and water.
“You certainly come prepared…”
Bao Bao, following behind, was in the middle of mocking Vance when it suddenly shut its mouth.
Someone was coming.
“Oh?
Good morning!
Young Master Leon…
er, I mean, Assistant Instructor Vance.”
A sophisticated female voice echoed from one side of the hallway.
Vance turned his head while closing the door and greeted her.
“Good morning, Director Ramius.”
The newcomer was Murrue Ramius, who had come to the Heliopolis colony under the guise of a Technical Director.
As for her true identity, it was naturally not as simple as a mere director.
She was one of the technical personnel assigned by the Earth Alliance to participate in the “G-Project” on this colony.
Of course.
Vance himself was also a member of this G-Project.
However, unlike Murrue Ramius, he held a dual appointment.
On the surface, he was a technician dispatched by the Earth Alliance, but in reality, he was a technical intelligence officer from the East Asia Republic, looking for an opportunity to bring the core technology of the G-Project back to his nation.
And the woman before him, Murrue Ramius, was the key figure for Vance to complete his mission.
“Heading to the warehouse today as well?”
Through months of contact, the two had become very well-acquainted.
Occasionally, they would invite each other to their respective dorms as guests to cook dinner together, or they would arrange to go hiking in the mountains within the colony.
“Yes, today is the day we receive the cargo.
It’s bound to be a bit busy.”
Clutching her documents, Murrue Ramius looked at Vance’s rucksack with curiosity.
“Are you planning to go hiking?”
Vance offered a small smile.
“Yes.
It just so happens that today is my day off, so I packed some things to go trekking in the outskirts for a couple of days.”
“You really do love hiking,” Murrue remarked, her expression turning slightly puzzled.
“But today is cargo reception day.
Why would they give you the day off?”
Vance naturally knew the source of her confusion.
In the decade plus since arriving in this world, Vance had relied on his own hard work and intelligence, along with a tiny bit of help from the system, to successfully make a name for himself in the scientific field.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been commissioned to participate in the G-Project.
However, while the Atlantic Federation—the leader of the G-Project—was also a member of the Earth Alliance, they secretly held the East Asia Republic in low regard.
Although they weren’t in open conflict, they frequently withheld information in major technological fields.
This was the reason Vance had been suddenly placed on leave at such a critical moment.
Of course, Vance didn’t mind.
After all, whether he was on leave or not today, he was destined to secure his mission objective.
[Warning!
The colony where the Trailblazer is located is about to come under attack by the hostile force, ZAFT!
Trailblazer, please take immediate action!
Do everything in your power to complete the mission given by the East Asia Republic and make a clean escape!]
As Murrue Ramius was discussing the joys of hiking with Vance, her vision flickered, and she suddenly noticed a very familiar Mechanical Cat Bao Bao perched on Vance’s rucksack.
“Leon, is your mechanical pet going with you?” Murrue pointed at the cat.
“Yes.
I’m not quite comfortable leaving it home alone.”
Vance had heard the system broadcast in his mind, and his expression shifted slightly.
Though Murrue was sharp, she subconsciously assumed Vance was simply worried that his masterpiece—the mechanical cat—might get lost, so she didn’t press further.
After all, according to official public records, this was a masterpiece Vance had designed and built himself at the age of ten, which was how he had caught the attention of the National Academy of Sciences.
It was only natural for him to cherish it.
“Well then!
Let’s part ways here, Director Ramius.”
As they said their goodbyes downstairs, a sudden flash of intuition struck Vance, and he offered a word of caution.
“When you receive the cargo today, be careful.
Don’t be reckless.”
Murrue Ramius was a bit confused, but she didn’t think much of it.
As fellow technicians dispatched by the Earth Alliance, she simply took it as Vance reminding her not to get too hung up on data discrepancies.
“Right!
I understand.
See you later!”
“Yeah!
See you later.”
Vance watched Murrue Ramius walk away, his gaze gradually becoming solemn.
“The next time we meet, I’m afraid it will be aboard the Archangel.”