Chapter 145 – Argria

The autonomous space district of Coroshe -- the president's office, heavy with an air of weight and authority, on the top floor of Argria's corporate headquarters.

On a wall monitor in the room, lit by subdued lighting, appeared a middle-aged man with short, graying hair, his face unable to hide his agitation.

"President Went, about the matter in the neutral zone... I was told nothing of it."

"Representative Teren, please, do calm yourself. It is true that what stood there was a secret facility of ours at Argria. ...But all of it was prepared for the sake of Coroshe's further prosperity and development. Surely you understand, Representative, that we cannot disclose every piece of that information in advance."

The man seated gracefully on the sofa, with neatly combed blond hair and glasses -- President Went -- answered in a quiet, level tone. The political representative addressed as Teren wore a bitter expression, yet made a show of thinking it over for a moment.

"I am well aware that Coroshe has achieved remarkable development thanks to your extraordinary contributions. However..."

Teren wrinkled his brow and lowered his voice.

"Reports have come in that you engaged the Seldia Vigilante Corps in combat."

At those words, the corners of Went's mouth twisted thinly into a slow smile.

"That was nothing more than an unforeseen and unfortunate misunderstanding. We ourselves had no idea who the intruders were. ...But it is an undeniable fact that our assets were directly attacked."

Went paused, then began to speak with practiced skill.

"It may even be that they had sensed the existence of our secret technology beforehand, and are plotting to seize the cutting-edge technology that Argria -- and by extension Coroshe -- takes pride in."

Teren's expression stiffened at once. Went did not let the opening slip by and bowed his head quietly.

"If it comes to it, we may have to ask for the help of the Coroshe Autonomous Forces. Naturally, we at Argria will spare no effort in providing technology and supplying capable personnel as well. I humbly ask for your cooperation, in order to protect Coroshe's safety and future."

Teren let out a deep sigh and, pressing a hand to his forehead, sank into thought for a while.

"...Very well. On Coroshe's side, too, we will make arrangements so that we can respond in the event of an emergency. Then, if there is any development, contact me at once."

"Yes. Then if you will excuse me."

The communication cut off and the monitor went dark. Went sank deep into his seat and stared into empty space with cold eyes.

"Still... it was certainly an unexpected turn of events."

His subdued voice echoed through the silent room.

"President, it's Findlay."

"Enter."

The door slid open, and a man entered the room without a sound. A man with long dark-brown hair tied back -- Findlay.

"What is the situation?"

"Yes. In this battle, we lost sixteen Grido and nine regular pilots."

Findlay recited the numbers dutifully and flatly, then drew a breath.

"...In addition, one modified Crafid was wrecked, and the test-type Gordo sustained moderate damage. As for the wrecked modified Crafid, we have completed recovery of only some of its parts."

Not a muscle in Went's face moved at the grim damage report. He looked quietly back at Findlay and asked straight to the point.

"What is the condition of the test subjects?"

"R1 sustained only minor damage and is currently being treated in a medical capsule. We expect a full recovery in roughly eight hours. ...However, M5 is..."

Findlay trailed off, his brow furrowing slightly.

"His damage is extremely severe. Fractured ribs and left arm, numerous deep lacerations across his entire body, and his vitals have dropped significantly. Intensive care is still continuing, but..."

Findlay looked at him with an unspoken question: was he even worth keeping alive? Went gave his order without hesitation.

"Continue the treatment. M5 is a valuable test subject who showed the second-highest compatibility rate after R1. He is far too valuable to lose here. I also authorize further enhancement using the artificial bones now under development."

"Understood."

Findlay bowed deeply. Went operated the holographic console in front of him and spread battle footage recorded in the neutral zone into the air. What it showed was a record of the fighting.

"This black Makina and this white Makina that fought M5... neither is a Rude or anything of the sort. A new Syn-Fibra model, then... So major challenges remain, both in the modified Crafid's frame performance and in M5's tuning."

Findlay said nothing unnecessary and watched the footage in silence. Before long the footage switched to a cut in which flashes of blue and deep indigo crossed.

"And... this Makina that fought R1. This is 'Arden,' isn't it. Its exterior shape has clearly changed from our previous data. ...That even R1 would be driven so completely onto the back foot."

Findlay responded.

"The pilot was Seldia's hero... Letaria Adeniam."

"Hm. Still, achieving maneuvers like that through machine-system assistance alone is nearly impossible. As an enhanced human, too, she boasts a remarkably high level of completeness."

At Went's remark, Findlay nodded in agreement.

"Regarding the enhanced-human technology Syn-Fibra holds on its own, we have gained no useful information even from our spies inside Seldia. Their information control appears tighter than expected. ...One option would be to simply capture Letaria herself and use her as a specimen."

Went chuckled thinly. "Her existence is widely known not only in Seldia, but even in the Wistrum homeland itself. Precisely because her fame is so great, laying hands on her directly carries too much risk. What we truly need is the old Escado technology that Syn-Fibra keeps hidden. Understood?"

"...Yes. Fully understood."

In the hushed president's office, only the pale blue light of the hologram continued to illuminate Went's eyes.