Although... although his opponent—the seasoned ZAFT ace, Michel Aiman—had indeed underestimated him from the start due to insufficient intelligence and the sudden appearance of a new mobile suit, and might not have displayed his full strength.
Moreover, the GAT-X106 Blazing Gundam had an overwhelming performance advantage over the mass-produced ZGMF-1017 GINN, whether in armor (PS Armor's absolute superiority against solid projectiles), mobility, or weapon power (beam weapons against physical weapons). This was undoubtedly a key factor in the victory.
But... this was his first time piloting an MS. Before this, all his experience came solely from theoretical study, simulator training, and... rote memorization of the GINN manual he had 'unscrupulously' acquired.
With no combat experience, no instructor guidance, relying entirely on his own understanding and instinct (and perhaps that damned Flada bloodline boost?), under the pressure of life and death, he not only successfully activated and modified the OS but also survived the intense battle and ultimately defeated a named elite Pilot who could rank among the top in this world of SEED.
This... this was practically the treatment reserved for a protagonist in a novel.
Even if he himself was that 'protagonist,' he still felt immense surprise and shock at this moment.
"I... I actually did it?"
Recalling every operational detail from the battle just now: the accelerating heartbeat while dodging a hail of bullets, the cautious steps when luring the enemy deeper, the decisive draw of the Beam Saber, the precise severing of the enemy's arm, and finally, the exhilarating kick... he truly sighed with emotion that he could actually control such a complex, precise, and powerful steel behemoth and make it dance on the battlefield.
Only he knew the danger during this period. Any mistake, any hint of hesitation, could have led to a completely different outcome.
While this success certainly involved the mobile suit's overwhelming performance and the opponent's underestimation, it also stemmed from his accumulated knowledge since his transmigration (forced), the combat instinct deep within his soul, and his ability to remain calm and Strike decisively under extreme pressure.
And that 'unscrupulously' acquired GINN manual, thinking back now, truly helped a lot.
He had put a lot of thought into getting that thing.
At that time, he had just confirmed the era and environment he was in and urgently needed to understand the technical details of the mainstream MS in this world.
He utilized some of the Flada Family's remaining connections and influence—mainly through his nominal guardian, or rather, the person assigned by the family to look after him—to indirectly inquire about information. He learned that the Atlantic Federation had captured some GINNs on the front line and had relevant technical analysis reports.
And as it happened, a certain Allied Forces Military Officer responsible for related matters had once received a "great favor" from the Flada Family (Xia Ya didn't delve into the specifics of what kind of favor it was, but it was likely nothing honorable).
So, he took the initiative to approach him. Of course, the process was not friendly.
He first used some means to thoroughly search the Military Officer's office at the Orb branch and some of his 'gray' records, like a patient hunter, sifting through mountains of seemingly useless information, searching for flaws and leverage like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Hard work pays off.
He eventually found some 'dirt' that was enough to ruin the Military Officer's reputation and even land him in jail.
Then, he took these things and, with a polite yet undeniably firm attitude, 'visited' the Military Officer.
The rest was a matter of course. It was less a request and more an unspoken blackmail and transaction.
He successfully made the Military Officer, whose face was ashen but dared not act out, 'voluntarily' 'lend' him, this 'junior curious about MS,' a highly confidential, translated, and annotated copy of the GINN operation and structural manual.
Thinking back now, that manual played a crucial role in his understanding of the basic operational logic, energy systems, sensor characteristics, and weapon specifications of C.E. era MS. He had originally thought that since they were both MS, the core principles of their control methods should be largely similar.
In fact, this commonality was indeed confirmed in theoretical study and simulated training.
However, there was still a huge gap between theory and practice. Even so, he never expected that his first actual combat, his first time facing a real enemy, would go so... smoothly?
"No, I can't be careless. This time was just luck."
He quickly extinguished the trace of pride that had arisen in his heart due to the victory.
"Next time, the enemy will be stronger, more vigilant. I won't have such good luck again..."
The road ahead would only be more difficult, more brutal. He had to become stronger, master more power, to cope with the coming storm.
Just as his thoughts fluctuated, feeling somewhat taken aback and scared after the recent event, a communication request with a crackling static sound interrupted his contemplation.
"...GAT-X1, respond please! Repeat, X106 Blazing Gundam, please respond immediately!"
The voice was Lieutenant Murrue Ramius. Her tone was filled with an undisguised tension, urgency, and a hint of almost imperceptible... suspicion and wariness.
The voice echoed in the silent cockpit, like cold electricity, instantly pulling Xia Ya from his post-battle emotions back to harsh reality.
"..." He took a deep breath, quickly adjusted his breathing and mindset, and reached out to press the answer button.
He replied in a deliberately steady and calm tone, "...This is X106 Blazing Gundam. The GINN has been repelled. The situation is resolved. I will immediately return to your location to rendezvous."
He did not say "destroyed," only "repelled," leaving a little leeway.
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the communication, as if processing the information.
Then, Murrue's voice rang out again, this time sharper, with clear dissatisfaction and suppressed questioning:
"You...! ...No, I understand. We'll discuss the details after we meet. Over."
With that, she unilaterally cut off the communication without any further ado.
Xia Ya put down the communicator, a helpless bitter smile playing on his lips. "As expected..."
From Murrue's urgent tone and her final phrase, "I understand," he could clearly sense her strong suspicion and wariness.
Well, trouble has arrived.
Although the situation just now was indeed extremely urgent, and his action was to save the Strike Gundam, no matter what, as a civilian, he had trespassed into a military restricted area without authorization, peeked at the military's top secret, and then brazenly stole and piloted a never-before-seen, cutting-edge MS that, by its model number, was clearly in the same series as the Strike, all while demonstrating impressive (at least GINN-defeating) piloting skills... this series of actions, from any perspective, perfectly fit the standard operating procedures of a 'terrorist' or 'enemy spy.'
Although he absolutely had no intention of revealing his true ulterior motives (to seize the MS, intervene in the war, and achieve his ambitions)—even a single word would likely lead not to arrest, but to immediate execution—he also knew very well that he would inevitably face extremely severe interrogation and scrutiny.
"How should I negotiate...?" He frowned, while controlling the Blazing Gundam to slowly ascend, turn around, and fly towards the previous coordinates of the Strike Gundam, all while rapidly calculating countermeasures in his mind.
Forcing his way through or resisting was definitely not an option; that would only confirm his identity as an 'enemy.'
The best strategy now might be to go with the flow, leverage his newly demonstrated 'value' (being able to Pilot a Gundam and fight), and his potentially lingering background as a member of the 'Flada Family' to secure a lifeline, or even... turn the tables and proactively ask to join them?
Yes, this might be the only way out. Recommend himself as the Pilot of the Blazing Gundam and join the Earth Alliance Forces.
This was already part of his plan; he just hadn't expected it to begin in such a dramatic and passive manner.
