Chapter 9

Grobair sat on the sofa, one hand holding a document and the other a beloved pipe. Opposite him was Roy, the captain of the Skeleton Squadron. At that moment, Roy was sitting in a very standard posture, quietly facing Grobair.

"Tell me your reasons," Grobair put down the document and looked at Roy, saying.

"Without even mentioning the simulation training report, just from the data of the two previous real combat missions, it's clear that He Moming excels in fighter mode. Once the machine changes to a semi-human or human form, his weaknesses become very apparent. Based on my inference, He Moming may have received only a small amount of training, or perhaps no training at all, in human form combat. In contrast, his combat skills in fighter mode are already quite seasoned and proficient," Roy organized his words and spoke slowly.

"Is this the conclusion from the reconnaissance mission you arranged?" Grobair weighed his pipe and asked.

"Yes, a large part of it," Roy nodded.

"You really went to great lengths. You've caused me a lot of trouble," Grobair couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking of what had happened on the bridge. "So, speak. How do you plan to arrange for him?"

"Officially join the team. Participate in real combat missions. The battlefield is the best training ground. No matter how good the simulation training is, it can't compare to a real battle," Roy said without hesitation.

"What about the machine? He Moming has already torn apart two machines in his previous real combat missions. The complaints from the maintenance crew have already reached me," Grobair took a puff of his pipe and looked at Roy.

"Follow my configuration. I believe He Moming has this potential," Roy considered and said.

"Are you serious? Let a new recruit fly a VF-1S right away?" Grobair said in surprise.

"Exactly because of that, he will cherish it. This kid used the machines like a battering ram in the two real combat missions. No matter how many machines we have, they can't be used like that. If he flies the VF-1S, I think he won't dare to do it again," a hint of mockery appeared on Roy's lips.

"Hmm. Alright. Since you say so. I approve it. The rest is up to you," Grobair signed his name on the document and handed it to Roy. Roy took the document, saluted, and turned to leave the captain's cabin.

He Moming, who was having a dream date with Lin Mingmei, was woken up by an angry alarm clock. He grabbed the alarm clock and threw it at the wall with all his might. "Bang!" The world was quiet, but the sweet dream was shattered. He Moming got up with a bit of annoyance, washed up, put on his uniform, and headed straight for the hangar. After turning a few corners, He Moming saw Mark, Suxiong, and Itakoshi walking out from another corner. As pilots, having sharp eyes is a must. Mark had already spotted He Moming and pulled the other two over, walking straight toward him.

"Good morning! The captain said your fighter has been approved. Just waiting for you," Mark greeted and smiled.

"Oh, is that so? Then I'll go now," He Moming responded and started walking.

"Don't rush! The fighter is in the hangar, it won't run away. It looks like you haven't had breakfast yet. Come, let's go together," Itakoshi and Suxiong flanked He Moming and walked toward the cafeteria, with Mark leading the way.

"How was it yesterday?" After getting their food, the group sat down. Suxiong immediately brought up the topic of yesterday's leave.

"Leave? It was just fine," He Moming was a bit absent-minded, took a sip of water, and responded.

"Is that so? I heard Lin Mingmei signed with Kaizer. Is it true?" Mark and Itakoshi exchanged glances and asked.

"Yes, it's true. I was there."

"Is the press conference in three days?" Itakoshi continued.

"Yes, it is."

Seeing He Moming's absent-minded look, Mark and the others exchanged glances. However, He Moming didn't notice their small actions.

"The captain said that after the press conference, Lin Mingmei will return to the base for a consolation concert," Itakoshi said, as if the silent battle in the air had reached a conclusion. He gave Mark and the others a "wait and see" warning.

"Ah, oh." He Moming responded, then paused. "Wait! What did you say? Concert?" He Moming jumped up and asked.

"It seems so. The captain said that and asked us to inform you to go to the hangar," Mark nodded.

Before he finished speaking, He Moming had already dashed out of the cafeteria like an arrow. The three left behind smiled helplessly and continued eating.

Roy was discussing the fighter's maintenance with the maintenance crew at the hangar entrance. Before their discussion reached a conclusion, Roy saw He Moming panting as he ran toward the hangar. "What a hasty young man," Roy let the maintenance crew leave and waited for He Moming at the entrance.

"If you're too hasty, you'll be shot down," Roy teased, looking at the panting He Moming.

"R... Report!" He Moming tried to stand straight.

"Relax. I know what you want to ask. One is in the hangar behind me. The other is true. Grace mentioned it to me. So, do you want to go into the hangar to see your new partner, or call your little sweetheart?" Roy pointed to the hangar behind him and then took out a communicator from his pocket and handed it over.

He Moming looked at the hangar, then at the communicator in Roy's hand. Of course, he also saw the mocking look in Roy's eyes. Without hesitation, He Moming took the communicator and walked toward the hangar.

"Hey, hey. Young man, don't be too greedy. You'll be shot down sooner or later," Roy was surprised by He Moming's decisive action.

"Captain, what's your relationship with Grace?" He Moming turned around and asked directly.

"Ah? Grace? I guess we're friends. Yes, friends," Roy thought for a moment, his tone a bit uncertain.

"Oh." He Moming responded and then tried to contact Lin Mingmei with the communicator. Soon, a woman's voice came through. After confirming He Moming's identity, Lin Mingmei came on the line. He Moming walked while talking to her about the concert.

"Done?" Roy followed behind, watching He Moming talk to Lin Mingmei, and walked into the hangar, stopping in front of a large object covered by a tarp.

He Moming nodded and returned the communicator to Roy. His eyes naturally fell on the large object covered by the tarp. This should be He Moming's new partner—his truly dedicated machine. The previous two were either found or used for training, with their performance adjusted. The bigger issue was that both machines were barely warmed up before He Moming took them out and beat them to pieces. According to the original plot, the Saturn Detour Operation was about to begin, so He Moming's desire for a dedicated machine was becoming more urgent.

"Do you want to open it yourself?" Roy picked up a remote control from the side and handed it to He Moming. He Moming nodded and took the remote. After taking a deep breath, he pressed the button. The tarp was instantly removed, revealing the fighter beneath. He Moming stared in amazement at the transformable fighter that would soon belong to him.

"VF-1S transformable fighter. Due to limited production capacity and material scarcity, this type of fighter has always been produced in small quantities, but its combat power far exceeds the standard VF-1. This transformable fighter is yours. Take good care of it. How did you use the previous two? Like a battering ram?" Roy briefly introduced the fighter and then harshly criticized He Moming.

"Th... That... There was no ammunition left. To ensure a hit, I had to take the risk and get close to shoot," He Moming admitted, feeling guilty.

"Regardless, from today on, you must treat this fighter well. If you use it like a battering ram again, I'll deal with you!" Roy let go of He Moming after his scolding.

With Roy's help, He Moming climbed into the cockpit of the VF-1S. He Moming had once imagined his machine would be a VF-1, but he never expected it to be a VF-1S. Although He Moming still wanted to fly a Gundam, or at least a Zaku, being in the Macross world, having a VF-1 was already great. Moreover, he was now sitting in a VF-1S, a captain-level machine. He Moming sat in the cockpit, still a bit dazed.

"Kid, don't just sit there. Turn on the system and run the diagnostic program," Roy, seeing that He Moming hadn't reacted for a long time, climbed up the ladder and knocked on the cockpit.

He Moming quickly turned on the system and started the diagnostic program.

"Whir..."

"Diagnostic for Challenger 663. VF-1S has been activated. Do you want to set this machine as your dedicated machine?"

Sure enough, as the VF-1S system started, the AI Vires' voice echoed in He Moming's mind. Without hesitation, He Moming confirmed the setting. After all, the appearance of the VF-1S had already made him very satisfied at this stage.

"Dedicated machine confirmed for Challenger 663. Conversion in progress. Conversion complete. Challenger 663 has obtained a dedicated machine."

Model: VF-1S Transformable Fighter

Level: D

Crew: 1 pilot

Mass: 13.3 tons (net weight)

Fighter Mode

Height: 12.70 meters

Depth: 4.00 meters

Width: 7.30 meters

Maximum speed at any altitude: 194 km/h

Maximum walking speed: 160 km/h

Guardian Mode

Length: 11.00 meters

Height: 8.70 meters

Wingspan: 8.30—14.80 meters

Maximum speed at sea level: 1.40 Mach

Maximum speed at 10,000 meters: 2.71 Mach

Maximum speed at 30,000 meters: 3.87 Mach

Weapons:

- 1 3-barreled 55 mm machine gun, built into a single gun

- 4 light laser cannons, mounted on the head/turret

- 2 light laser cannons, mounted on the front of the aircraft (only for ship-based fighters on the SDF-1)

- 4 wing hardpoints (2 on each side), each can carry: 3 300 mm medium-range missiles, or 1 (inner) or 2 (outer) 533 mm long-range missiles, or a 150 mm close-range scatter missile launcher with 15 missiles

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