Gundam: From Piece to Player

"You've worked at other companies' gold mines, what were the salaries like?"

“I visited other companies as well, but this one is the best after comparison, because I’m familiar with Manager Thiago,” Hartman said. “Mr. Gaman, the questions you asked are quite sensitive. Could it be that other companies are trying to poach you?”

"I'm also concerned about your company's financial situation, whether there are any outstanding wages or anything like that," Lord Kalmar asked.

"You're very observant... Well, you keep an eye on things, I need to go and supervise the work, otherwise the guys will say I'm slacking off again."

Hartmann returned to the armored drill truck, skillfully pressed the accelerator, aimed at the edge of one of the ore veins, and plunged it in. As the drill bit drilled, the rock strata were quickly cut away.

"Mr. Garman, have you noticed anything amiss?"

“I had AI compare the purchase price to estimate the salary of front-line mining production team leaders like Hartman. They only get two-thirds of what they deserve.”

"Did all the profits end up in the pockets of middle and senior managers and the bosses?"

Although Hathaway had not read Capital, he understood that in most companies, the business owners took the lion's share.

Even a regime like the Space Alliance cannot eliminate exploitation?

Just then, the mine began to tremble.

earthquake?

No, asteroids don't have a core, so how could they have plate tectonics? It can't be that giant "orange syringe" is digging mud, can it?

Upon hearing the beeping of their watches, the exoskeleton workers immediately dropped their tools, climbed onto the snake-shaped robotic minecart, and were then carried away by the robot—they seemed to be very skilled at it.

The white metal truck that was previously using a drill to dig through the soil now drove up in front of the two of them.

Hartman hurriedly said, "You two, come quickly, I'll take you to safety."

"what happened?"

"It happens once or twice a month, those damn space pirates."

"It is said that they escaped from Ceres, but there is also a theory that they are criminals sponsored by Jupiterians, and now they make a living by plundering and raiding."

Without saying much, the two quickly got into the car, and Hartman then started speeding, smashing through other construction vehicles blocking the road like a tank.

"Don't air marshals protect you?"

“The distress signal has been sent, but the problem is that as soon as the air patrol ship arrives, they run faster than rabbits, treating us like easy targets… We have to rely on ourselves in times like this. This isn’t the first time, and we need to teach them a lesson this time.”

Despite being attacked, Uncle Hartman showed no fear; in fact, he seemed quite pleased, much more active than when he was working earlier.

Chapter 381 Type 88 Anti-Aircraft Vehicle

"Asteroid 423, the mine of the Gold Pie Company?"

A Wildebeest slowly descended, while eight basic mobile suits piloted by mercenaries, launched from the armed pirate ship, began their attack on the mining area. These open-top small mobile suits were very popular with the pirates.

(Junior Mobile Suit)

Lucifer Caruso was originally the most feared assassin of the Caruso family.

In the past, he earned high commissions by taking on gang missions on Ceres, but his life has become less comfortable since the arrival of the Space Alliance.

It's all because of that vile woman who betrayed everything about the asteroid belt by becoming Karma Zabi's concubine.

If I were lucky enough to go back to that good old days forty years ago, I would definitely grab her and throw her into the "yard"... It's really despicable that the damn Space Alliance shut down all the "yards" and "casinos".

The fact that the police could no longer be bribed was the worst of times for Lucifer.

"Men, let's finish this quickly... The Alliance air scout ship will be here in 15 minutes. Find a way to blow up that needle."

"Roger that, boss."

The black market commission is to blow up this needle device. I don't know who initiated the commission, but I've already paid the deposit. All I have to do is complete the task.

Lucifer's long career in the underworld taught him that the more questions you ask, the faster you die.

.

On the ground, employees in the office building area were evacuating, but Thiago picked up the phone.

"Captain Rector, where are you?"

"Just came up from the mining area."

“We asked you to come back to protect us. You’re here now to immediately lead the protection team to hold off those mercenaries. If this Liberl 102 is destroyed, you can get lost.”

"Sigh, there are 9 mobile suits on the other side. It's going to be difficult to take them down with just 4 Type 88 anti-aircraft vehicles."

"Are you trying to get me a Sinanju? Our mine's revenue over two years is only equivalent to one Sinanju," Thiago scolded. "I didn't tell you to eliminate them, just hold them off until the air scouts arrive."

The security captain was speechless. "Fine, I'll stand by with the security team."

---

Hartman is now with two clients from the mine.

He had heard reports before that the area was infested with pirates, but he assumed the air police could handle it—only to find out now that wasn't the case.

The Sky Patrol is a patrol unit of the Space Alliance that falls between the regular army and the police force. They use the Marshal-class destroyers that the Space Alliance has phased out, and their mobile suits are unmanned Gaza D-class. Although they are not strong individually, they are numerous and can deal with most pirate forces by acting in groups.

Even if you report a crime, it still takes time for the police to arrive.

And justice delayed is often meaningless.

"Guests, you should take refuge in the shelter later. I am a member of the security team. I will drive the Type 88 anti-aircraft vehicle to protect the camp and hold out until the air patrol ship arrives."

Karma finally understood where the increased costs came from... Once defense costs were involved, things that were originally profitable could turn into losses.

In areas where the government couldn't reach, businesses came up with their own solutions.

But then another question arises: where did they get those four antique weapons?

“Actually, we’re both former veterans, and we know how to drive anti-aircraft vehicles,” Kalma said. “Let us help out too.”

“You must be joking, both of you guests.” Hartman was also somewhat suspicious upon hearing this.

To dispel his doubts, Karma said:

"Hasavi, you'll be the driver, Hartmann, you'll be the gunner, and I'll be the tank commander."

"Hey bro, are you a retired veteran from the league?"

Hartmann was somewhat surprised that the other party could describe the driving configuration of the Type 88 anti-aircraft vehicle, and more importantly, the "listen to me" tone in his voice was inexplicably convincing.

“I guess so,” Karma said.

As its name suggests, the Type 88 anti-aircraft vehicle was developed in 88. It is a modified version of the Type 81 tank chassis. Its design philosophy is to use its low-profile body and good concealment to carry out anti-MS and anti-aircraft operations.

It is equipped with a small airborne radar that can detect targets within 4 kilometers, achieving 360° horizontal and -15° to +85° vertical coverage, with decent situational awareness capabilities. In addition, it also has a sonar radar system.

When Kalmar entered the vehicle for inspection, he found that the radar equipment inside was in disrepair due to its age, and the screen was blank when it was turned on.

He thought he could use the Type 88's radar to locate the enemy's aircraft through obstacles and then use the machine gun to penetrate the walls, but now it seems that it will be much more difficult.

"Dude, you know the radar equipment on the car is broken, right?"

“Oh, you mean that?” Hartman said. “I heard from Thiago that if the electronic system were intact, it wouldn’t be this price. Apparently, if the electronic system were complete, it could even launch missiles… but the Type 88 would cost twice as much, and we can’t afford missiles.”

"Just one more question, does this anti-aircraft vehicle have ammunition?"

“You’re joking. There are plenty. There are 35 Luna titanium alloy armor-piercing rounds.”

“That’s 'quite a lot',” Kalmar said, speechless. “Has your company purchased any other long-range weapons? I mean, not these vehicles.”

"Oh, there is one there, but nobody knows how to use it or practice with it. It's just a decoration."

Hartman pointed to the shoulder-fired rocket launcher that was placed outside.

Karma climbed onto the turret seat, retrieved the shoulder-fired rocket launcher, and sat back down in the turret seat.

“Customer, why don’t you get down? This is very dangerous. The Type 88’s turret is unmanned; it’s controlled from below the hull.”

"This armor is practically made of paper; we might as well open the top cover to let in some ventilation."

"Where does the air come from in a vacuum?" Hartman retorted.

Hathaway thought to himself, “Lord Kalmar must want to use his brainwaves to perceive the surrounding situation.”

Judging from the routes taken by the other security squads, Karma could roughly estimate the quality of these militiamen.

The only option is to use oneself as bait and draw enemy fire in order to minimize their casualties.

"Arno, we'll charge straight out to that open area on the earthen slope. You coordinate your movements with mine based on the enemy's position."

I'm referring to brainwave communication.

【Understood, Your Excellency.】

Karma glanced at Hartman beside her and said, "Wait a minute, Uncle, don't fire yet. I'll tell you when to fire. This vehicle has too few bullets."

"clear."

"May I ask you another question? How are your artillery skills?"

"I consistently got A grades in artillery strikes."

"That's good."

Perhaps inspired by this veteran, Hartman's mood became calmer, and he believed that his artillery skills could create miracles... He felt that the client in front of him was somewhat like a former commander in the Federal Army.

Perhaps he wasn't a veteran, but a high-ranking officer or colonel?

"Hmm, are there still mice?"

Lucifer was somewhat puzzled.

Wildebeest's radar detection range can reach 11.3 kilometers, allowing it to have a panoramic view of the entire mine.

An armored vehicle appeared in the mining construction area, and its batteries emitted heat due to high-speed acceleration.

At that moment, he jumped from one hill on the asteroid to another, appearing right in front of four of the primary mobile suits.

Chapter 382 The Unstoppable Anti-Aircraft Vehicle

"120 degrees, 55 meters, elevation angle of 7 degrees, set it up."

Hartmann listened to the positions reported by Karma through his earpiece and adjusted the direction of the turret.