Chapter 40

**Operation C7** (Ｃ７号作戦 *Shī-nana-gō Sakusen*) is the 40th chapter of Hiro Mashima's *Edens Zero*.

A flashback of Hermit's time on Planet Newton occurs, where she decides to help them with their Ether Accelerator. During her stay, she wants to be friends with them which they happily accept.

## Summary

During a flashback on Planet Newton, Müller introduces Hermit to their Ether Accelerator Prototype number six and says that if can complete it they can save the bots on Planet Hook, but that they have trouble stabilizing its Ether fusion reactor. He informs Hermit that their neighboring planet is home to bots that have been discarded. Additionally, it has a grave Ether deficiency, and that the Ether accelerator could supply the Ether that the planet needs. Hermit asks why he is so eager to help the bots, to which Müller replies that he believes friendship between humans and machines can exist, making Hermit request that she help him in his research. In the present, the Edens Zero continues to take damage Weisz asks Sister if she can fix the ship, but she informs him that her powers only work on living things. Spider laughs and taunts them for opposing him. Outside the Dress Factory, Shiki and the others try to get to Hermit, but find that the door is locked. Homura prepares to cut through the door while Shiki tells her that she's the only one who can save them and the ship.

Another flashback occurs, Hermit works hard to help Müller's team of scientists. She states how surprised she is to see humans and bots working together and wonders if she can be friends with Müller. The other researchers tell her that they are friends, making her smile. Sometime later, a bot researcher informs Hermit that he and the other bot researchers were reassigned to work on Hook to set up receivers to catch the Ether from the accelerator. Hermit is surprised about this and worries over the accelerator not working, but the bot researcher reassures her that it will work. On the 18th day of the 6th month of year X477, operation C7 begins and Müller's group makes their preparations. Hermit is nervous, but Müller eases her in that her calculations were perfect. She then asks him if they can be friends after this, but Müller says they are already friends. Afterward, they fire the Ether accelerator. An emergency message appears, where the panicking bot researchers report that the receivers are not compatible with the Ether discharge and that Hook will suffer if they don't shut down the Ether cannon. The human researchers are silent, as Hermit is terrified from the destruction of Hook. Müller and the others celebrate and plan to dispose of Hermit. Müller explains that they built a weapon, using her to help them and that it was meant to get rid of the bots of the lab and Hook. He mocks Hermit and proclaims humans are superior and that he will destroy all bots of the cosmos. Hermit begins crying, disgusting Müller who orders the others to kill her but one of the researchers says that they can use her to test the Ether separator.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Hermit Mio
2. Müller *(Flashback)*
3. Weisz Steiner (X442)
4. Witch Regret
5. Sister Ivry
6. Mosco Versa-0
7. Spider
8. Shiki Granbell
9. E.M. Pino
10. Happy
11. Rebecca Bluegarden
12. Homura Kōgetsu

## Appearances

	+ Newton *(Flashback)*
		- Müller Royal Laboratories *(Flashback)*
	+ Hook *(Flashback)*
	+ Edens Zero

**Powers and Abilities*** Ether Gear
	+ Machina Maker
	+ Soul Blade

**Items*** Edens Zero
* Ether Accelerator Prototype Number 6 *(Flashback)*