The battle had ceased, but this didn't mean the ZAFT Forces had given up pursuing the Archangel. The Vesalius, accompanied by five Laurasia-class battleships, stubbornly trailed behind the Archangel, advancing toward the previously agreed coordinates.
However, compared to their earlier relaxed demeanor, the ZAFT personnel now wore deep frowns, clearly troubled.
"What exactly are these four MS?" Captain Addis stared at the images of the Astray Gundam Blue Frame, Gundam Exia, Gundam Cherudim, and Gundam Virtue, his thoughts swirling.
"Could they be other units secretly developed by the Earth Forces?" Athrun speculated.
"No, that shouldn't be the case," Creuset shook his head, dismissing the possibility outright.
"Then…"
"Have their unit data been analyzed yet?" Creuset asked Captain Addis.
"Based on the previous battle records, we've made a preliminary assessment." As he spoke, Captain Addis pulled up the analysis data. "This blue unit's overall performance is inferior to the X Series, and it lacks Phase Shift Armor, but the pilot's skills are formidable. The other three units also lack Phase Shift Armor, yet their overall performance rivals the X Series. They likely belong to the same series, though distinct from the blue unit. Their pilots are also highly skilled."
Hearing this, Athrun abandoned his earlier assumption, certain these weren't new units secretly developed by the Earth Forces. After all, the X Series were the pioneers, and they hadn't even received their first batch of self-produced MS yet. Moreover, judging by the OS, Naturals wouldn't be able to operate them proficiently.
So… which faction did these units belong to?
At that moment, a familiar face flashed through Athrun's mind.
"Could it be…?"
Though he had a suspicion, Athrun kept it to himself, once again violating his duty as a soldier.
"Hmm… Have we identified the organizations behind them?" Creuset inquired.
"Yes…" Captain Addis pulled up two more files and explained, "We've confirmed the blue unit belongs to the mercenary group [Serpent Tail], led by Gai Murakumo, a Coordinator. Records indicate he and [Serpent Tail] are currently the most elite mercenaries, with the highest mission completion rate in the industry. Gai Murakumo himself is highly regarded. As for the other three units… we could only trace this emblem."
"Emblem?"
"Correct. It's the emblem of the mercenary group [Celestial Being], but… we only know the name. Members, founding date, mission records—all unknown. It's as if they appeared out of thin air."
"Oh? Now that's interesting." Creuset smirked, immediately concluding that [Celestial Being] was merely a front for a mercenary group, and their true identity was likely…
"Captain, Captain Addis, if Gai Murakumo is a Coordinator, couldn't we…?"
"Impossible." Captain Addis knew Athrun was about to suggest recruiting the other side. He had to admit, the boy was quite naive.
"Why not? We're all Coordinators."
"Since gaining fame, Serpent Tail has been repeatedly invited by both the Earth Forces and our ZAFT, but they've always refused. Money, beauty, power, status—none of it interests them. They're like eagles soaring freely in the sky, unwilling to be caged," Creuset said to Athrun.
He was quite familiar with Serpent Tail, having personally crossed blades with Gai Murakumo. The two were evenly matched—a commendable feat.
"How can this be…"
Athrun couldn't understand. First Kira, now Gai Murakumo—they were both Coordinators, his own people. Shouldn't they stand united against the cruel and despicable Earth Forces?
"People have all kinds of thoughts, Athrun."
"Yes…"
"What about Celestial Being? Can we contact them?" Athrun asked again. Though he knew little about them, anyone who could pilot an MS so skillfully had to be a Coordinator—at least, that's what Athrun believed.
"We already tried. They refused communication," Captain Addis replied.
"…"
"Alright, Athrun, prepare for sortie. We'll reach the designated coordinates soon."
"Yes."
"Addis, how many MS do we have left?"
"Including the Lacny Team and Balt Team, we have 17 GINNs remaining. Our unit only has Aegis, Duel, Buster, Blitz, and the Captain's CGUE."
"Such heavy losses?" Creuset frowned slightly.
"Most were lost to those four unknown units."
"What a nuisance… Switch to secondary combat readiness. Once we reach the rendezvous point, deploy all MS units and hold position near the ships."
"Yes!"
After issuing orders, Creuset left the bridge. This time, he would sortie as well. The 8th Fleet was closing in, and their window of opportunity was narrowing. If they didn't sink the Archangel here, everything he'd orchestrated since Heliopolis would become a joke.
...
Meanwhile, tension ran high aboard the Archangel. They were nearing the rendezvous point, about to play their last lifeline. The 8th Fleet was close, but the enemy was right on their heels with enough firepower to match the fleet. No one knew whether ZAFT Forces would attack after receiving Lacus.
Though both Serpent Tail and Celestial Being had demonstrated formidable combat prowess—even surpassing the Strike—the severe imbalance in forces left them with little sense of security.
"Arriving at designated coordinates, Captain…"
Murrue gazed through the bridge windows at the nearby ZAFT fleet, her anxious heart refusing to calm.
"Moebius Zero, Flaga unit, standby for sortie. Have Kira and the VIP prepare."
"Understood."
Murrue looked at Yang Hui, who nodded and took over communications to contact Serpent Tail and Celestial Being.
"All units, standby for sortie. If ZAFT Forces abandon their duty toward the VIP, prioritize rescuing and retrieving her at all costs."
"Understood." (Multiple voices)
"X105 Strike, Kira Yamato, preparing for sortie."
"Understood. Yang Hui…"
"Don't worry. I'll return after delivering our guest. And Lacus…"
"I know what to do."
"It's in your hands, Strike. You are cleared for launch."
"Kira Yamato, Strike, launching."
After the Strike Gundam launched, it didn't immediately deliver Lacus to the ZAFT Forces. Instead, it hovered near the Archangel, awaiting Yang Hui's instructions.
Yang Hui promptly sent a communication request to the ZAFT Forces.
"This is the ZAFT Forces, Captain Rau Le Creuset of Creuset Team."
The blond Masked Man's enigmatic smile exuded a calculating, sinister aura that felt unsettling even through the screen. Yet Yang Hui's lips curled upward. This could be considered his first meeting with Creuset—an unconventional one, but Yang Hui looked forward to their future interactions. Because... his team needed a cunning old fox like Creuset.
"This is Yang Hui. Miss Lacus Clyne is aboard the Strike Gundam. Your fleet must retreat to coordinates (762.124). Only the X303 Aegis Gundam may approach to receive her."
"We cannot agree to your demands. There is no guarantee for Miss Lacus Clyne's safety or that of the X303 Aegis Gundam."
"You have no choice. Your fleet must withdraw, and only the X303 Aegis Gundam may approach to retrieve Miss Lacus Clyne. If you refuse, we will consider you forfeiting all responsibility for her, and the handover will be terminated immediately."
"...Very well. We accept your terms. But we expect you to honor this agreement—no hostile actions against Miss Lacus Clyne or the X303 Aegis Gundam until the handover is complete."
"Agreed. Withdraw your fleet now. Once you reach the designated coordinates, the handover will begin."
"Understood."
The exchange ended with Creuset reluctantly yielding to Yang Hui's demands—an unfamiliar and frustrating experience. It had been a long time since anyone had forced his hand. Everything had been proceeding according to his plans, yet Yang Hui's appearance had repeatedly thwarted him. Being led by the nose was infuriating.
If possible, Creuset would have gladly sunk the Archangel along with Lacus Clyne and Yang Hui. That would have sown the chaos he desired.
But he couldn't. His position within the ZAFT Forces was still too valuable to discard.
"Captain..."
"Fall back. We have no choice. Retrieving Miss Lacus is our priority."
"Roger..."
"Despicable Naturals!"
"Disgusting! Using Miss Lacus's safety to save their own skins."
"If you're real warriors, fight us honorably!"
...
Every ZAFT soldier seethed with indignation, cursing Yang Hui's underhanded tactics. If they were warriors, they should face each other openly on the battlefield!
Using civilians as leverage was the lowest form of warfare.
Yet they had no choice. The MS units could only retreat with the fleet.
Athrun remained in place aboard the Aegis Gundam, his emotions in turmoil. He was about to retrieve Lacus—and reunite with Kira. He wondered how he might persuade Kira to join ZAFT. Given Kira's demonstrated abilities, he would be immediately entrusted with important duties. Fighting alongside his best friend was what Athrun longed for most.
And then there was Yang Hui...
He wanted to understand why Yang Hui was doing this. Ever since their encounter at Heliopolis, Athrun had been pondering this question—why was Yang Hui helping the Earth Forces, even going so far as to threaten them with Lacus's life? Was it really just because he wasn't a Coordinator?
After the ZAFT Forces fleet retreated to the designated coordinates, both Kira and Athrun received instructions to move toward each other. As they approached face-to-face, the two mobile suits halted simultaneously, and their cockpits opened.
Seeing Lacus and Kira indeed inside the Strike Gundam's cockpit, Athrun breathed a sigh of relief—at least this wasn't a trap.
But when Lacus flew out of the Strike Gundam's cockpit and approached Athrun, he was stunned.
Because... Lacus's spacesuit was noticeably bulging at the abdomen—clearly around... seven or eight months along? What had he... missed? Or what had happened!?
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