Gundam: From Piece to Player

"Alice, you'll be piloting the ZUDA. You can escape if things go wrong. I'll make a backup for you before we go into battle."

Karma must be out of her mind to pilot a Gundam into the underground ocean of Europa... To put it bluntly, the life support system itself requires energy, while Alice wouldn't have this problem if she were piloting it.

Even if something happens, the black box can be preserved, as it is covered with the strongest Luna Titanium alloy... Even if the black box cannot be preserved, there is a backup, at most Alice will have to reload the save file.

"Brother, are you sending me to my death? I hate you so much, my heart aches so much," Alice said.

"Alice, you should watch less soap operas."

Although it is possible to lose ZUDA in order to explore unknown signal sources, as the saying goes, out with the old, in with the new... The improvements based on ZUDA have almost reached their limit, and Kalmar is already thinking about replacing the machine.

The suit factory on the Zanzibar will need another ten days to modify the Europa-style diving suit.

Karma also continued to command the MS forces to escort the gas collection ship.

The second day's gas collection work on Jupiter proceeded as normal, and the purple one-eyed machine opposite did not come back as he had threatened... Karma did not think that arrogant guy was afraid of him.

It's more likely that some other reason prevented him from continuing.

On the third day of gas collection, we encountered a purple machine... not the one we encountered the day before yesterday, but the one we encountered several months ago in the asteroid belt.

Just as he was fully prepared for battle, the other party sent a communication, taking the initiative to identify themselves.

“I am Paptimas Shilock, captain of the Jupiter Fleet. I was rude to you a few months ago, Lord Kalmar.”

Sirocco!

They just jumped out like that.

The other party's polite and official demeanor caused Kalma to put away his weapons. At the time, the supplementary agreement to the Antarctic Treaty clearly stipulated that the convoy was inviolable even in wartime, let alone now that it was "peacetime".

"Hello, Captain Paptimas."

But now the question is... who was that guy I saw a few days ago?

Could it be that there is actually more than one fleet?

"If Your Excellency would be so kind as to allow me to board the ship for an audience? Just me alone, to express my apologies."

Karma was pondering... the Principality of Zeon's methods.

Although Sirocco was arrogant at heart, he actually acted as the type who didn't mind "kneeling" to important figures.

He knelt before Minerva and before Djamitov, but this outward submission was merely a pretext for a greater ambition in his heart.

However, Karma doesn't have Camus's obsession with cleanliness—so come on up.

Guided by the laser beam, the enemy's MA slowly landed on the side of the Zanzibar, and then was attached to the outside of the aircraft using a special towing device... Its huge size made it impossible to store inside the ship.

As Karma drove past in his ZUDA, he couldn't help but glance at the other vehicle's massive propulsion engine and high-performance motor... just how did it achieve high Mach cruise?

Alice.

"Yes, brother."

"Could you please act as a spy and see if you can infiltrate the other party's computer system from the outside without alerting their firewall?"

Karma thought to himself... It's rare for my warship to stop, and they charge a "stop fee" here, starting from 5 minutes.

"I understand."

Artificial intelligence has become accustomed to being bossed around... Kalmar thought to himself, if Alice had an emotional system, she would probably launch an android rebellion soon.

The disc-shaped storage device inside the Zanzibar ship unfolded, and a large number of mechanical spiders ran out, stealthily making their way towards the huge MA along the cables.

In order to buy Alice more time, Kalmar also plans to have an in-depth discussion with Sirocco about the mining volume and market price of Helium-3.

I met Shilock in the hangar, and he was even younger than I had imagined; he was only 18 years old.

As a new human, the other party was also keenly aware of what Karma was thinking.

"I was called a genius when I was young, and became the captain of the Jupiter Fleet at a young age, but I think you are the real genius... Your talent in mechanical development has been fully realized, making you an important figure in the process of history."

Sirocco reached out his hand to him... He had probably investigated him as well and knew that he disliked the duchy's traditions.

This Jupiter demon is quite adept at flattering people... If Char had even a fraction of his skill, he wouldn't need Garma's help to get promoted in Zeon.

“I came to the Jupiter sphere with goodwill. Before the arrival of the Federation expeditionary force, I hope to reach some ‘internal consensus’ with the Jupiter fleet and also hope to achieve a ‘win-win’ situation.”

“Please elaborate, sir,” Sirocco said.

Their hands clasped together, but each began to make their own calculations.

"But before the talks begin, I would like to ask you if there is more than one Jupiter fleet?"

Chapter 183 The Power of the Conglomerate

"I am not at liberty to answer your question, as the gas ship construction technology used by the Jupiter Fleet was developed with the sponsorship of the [Conglomerate]."

Even the gas-powered ship I currently command has a name similar to the "Foundation," in honor of the Foundation's significant contributions to the development of Jupiter's helium-3.

Sirocco spoke in a difficult, long sentence, and naturally, he was the captain of the Jupiter.

Karma thought for a moment and then asked directly, "Could you tell me the full name of the [Consortium]?"

"[Jupiter Foundation]...You don't need to check the information. They are not publicly listed and have no interest in going public. Although they have many industries in the Earth Sphere, they all adopt a relatively secretive subsidiary model."

As he spoke, Sirocco glanced at Karma, who was looking up information.

"Could this Jupiter Demon be lying to me?" Karma wondered.

He's watched almost all the UC anime except for V Gundam, and there's nothing about the Jupiter Foundation in them.

"If the Vist Foundation behind AE is the true king of the moon, then the Jupiter Foundation is the true king of Jupiter," Sirocco added.

Karma understood the rationale behind this... The creation of Side 3 (Zeon) was also a national organization funded by several large conglomerates.

Sirocco took a sip of the tea on the table, his expression changing slightly. "It's quite delicious. This tea is—"

“Made on Earth.” Karma looked at Sirocco. “Then, Captain, are you playing the role of the CEO brought back by the [Conglomerate]?”

“My appointment letter was issued by the federal government,” Sirocco said succinctly.

So they were the ones monitoring us.

From this perspective, Sirocco's situation is indeed quite delicate. Karma recalled the guy she met a few days ago who was piloting a mobile suit; he must be from the [Consortium].

If the Jupiter Group started by dealing in Helium-3, the wealth it could accumulate would probably rival that of a nation, to the point that the federal government has to go to great lengths to suppress and monitor it.

No wonder they were able to get their hands on the new MS.

Even if Mafti is dirt poor, he can still get Kossogda and Mesa.

Not to mention the pure arms trade. As long as you throw money at them, they'll design any mobile suit you need... The reason I say "design" is that Kalmar believes the production and manufacturing of these mobile suits might be on Jupiter, which would also maximize secrecy and avoid provoking the federal government.

"Would it still be effective for me to talk to Captain Sirocco about the production volume and price of Helium-3 on the market?" Kalma asked tentatively. "Or should I talk to the person in charge of the [Consortium]?"

"You can only talk to me, because I am the official head of the Jupiter Fleet," Sirocco said with a smile. "With my certification, only helium-3 produced by Jupiter can be legally sold in the Earth Sphere. Other helium-3, unless used internally like your country, is 'illegal' to sell in the Earth Sphere."

Charlotte, who had been sitting aside listening to the conversation as if it were nothing, coughed, not expecting that he would be involved.

"Of course, the black market is rampant despite repeated crackdowns."

Sirocco added a sentence that seemed to suggest the conglomerates weren't as willing to be suppressed by the federal government as one might imagine.

"In the future, we Zeon will also mine a large amount of helium-3. Do you mean that the helium-3 we produce in the future can only be used in our own country and the asteroid belt?" Karma continued to ask.

"The price of helium-3 is determined by the market supply each year. Rashly injecting large amounts of helium-3 into the market will cause market chaos and lead to vicious competition."

Hilock did not give a direct answer, or rather, he also indicated to Kalmar the "official stance" that the federal government might take.

If Kalmar were to use Helium-3 for its own purposes in the asteroid belt or Zeon, they wouldn't care, and even if they wanted to, they couldn't.

However, if they want to enter the Earth Sphere market and sell to other Side transactions, the federal government will not stand idly by and will definitely take action in this area.

Kalmar initially thought that using that initial capital to build a gas fleet and generate profits from helium-3 mining would be enough to make it a pillar industry for the country, but now it seems that was too simplistic.

"Captain Sirocco, to your knowledge, does the moon still produce Helium-3?"

“There’s still a small amount left.” Sirocco glanced at Karma, knowing exactly what he was thinking. “Does Your Excellency wish to exchange energy for the technology and services of the lunar city?”

"The moon is so big, it's not surprising that new helium-3 deposits have been discovered, right?"

Energy embargoes are indeed a major headache for small countries. Using helium-3 energy for metallurgy, fuel synthesis, and large-scale construction in the asteroid belt can break through the embargo, but the time required to convert the collected resources will be longer.

If they don't want to take these long detours, then war is the only option left, to completely shatter the Federation's "rule" in the universe and force the Federation government to open up free trade...

It's important to know that Zeon is currently also subject to economic sanctions and blockades.

As Karma thought about the war, she saw Sirocco's 'that's how it is' look in his eyes—this new human was reading her thoughts again.

This guy is always stirring up trouble...

The war in the Earth Sphere would also be of practical benefit to Karma, but he would not start an aggressive war at present... even if he were to fight, it would only be a defensive war.

“Sir, if you do not want to start a war and trust me, I can purchase helium-3 from you and then legalize its sale… I still have some connections and channels within the federal government, and I also have some shares in some large corporations.”

The middlemen are making a profit, right? ... Blatant embezzlement!

Sirocco is quite audacious... However, Karma can understand his mentality as a regional governor. The Grips War in this timeline may not even break out, and he himself will probably find it difficult to get the same opportunity to rise to the top as in the original timeline.

If there are no opportunities... then you can only create them yourself.

As far as Kalmar is concerned, if he can earn back the foreign exchange, he doesn't mind having Shilock act as a middleman.

"This kind of deal isn't free, is it?"

This is risky, and Karma doesn't believe Sirocco would do it for free.

“I hope to form a secret alliance with you to help me suppress the [Corps] and also eliminate the [Federal Expeditionary Force]... I will share relevant intelligence with you,” Sirocco said.

"The Federation Expeditionary Force, isn't that your Federation's army?" Kalma asked. "Captain, is it alright for you to scheme against them like this?"

"Your Excellency does not understand the Federation. The military may not fully represent the government's attitude at present."

The expeditionary force was led by Tiam and planned and dispatched by the core elites left behind by Rebil. While dealing with Karma, they might also have the mission of "using one tiger to devour another".

Saying they don't get involved in politics is just a joke, take it with a grain of salt.

Therefore, in the eyes of Sirocco, or even deeper behind-the-scenes manipulators, the military hawks who are currently undergoing reforms may still be quite an eyesore.

[Big Brother, I have successfully hacked into and backed up the MA's machine information data.]

Karma suddenly saw the message... How efficient, Alice.