With the command issued, missile launchers fired, intercepting the first wave of missile attacks. The main cannon fired, piercing through the smoke and dust, penetrating three [GINN] units along its path, reducing them to cosmic debris.
"Please avoid hitting the cockpits," Lacus requested.
"That's quite a difficult request," Andrew Waltfeld remarked with a wry smile, though he was understating it—it was practically impossible.
The Eternal was currently at an absolute disadvantage, barely able to protect itself. Whether it was missiles, point-defense guns, or the main cannon, none of the warship's armaments could precisely target Mobile Suits without risking the cockpits, even under ideal conditions.
"Six [GINN] units detected in Blue Zones A5 and C7!"
"They're coming! Anti-air fire!"
After destroying several [GINN] units, the MS units had already closed in, surrounding the Eternal. Against Mobile Suits, a warship was as helpless as a pig awaiting slaughter.
The point-defense guns roared with metallic fury, shredding incoming missiles and forcing the [GINN] units to keep their distance.
"Four more [GINN] units in Blue Zone D12! Missiles incoming!"
Located at the rear of the warship—a blind spot for the point-defense guns—the only option was to counter missile salvos with missile salvos. While the first wave could be intercepted, the reload speed wasn't fast enough to stop the second.
"We can't intercept in time! Missiles are about to hit!"
Tension and despair filled the air. The incoming missiles were all anti-ship types, aimed directly at the rear. A direct hit would cripple the engines—or worse, trigger a catastrophic energy explosion, leaving nothing behind.
At that moment, several beams of light tore through the darkness of space, engulfing and annihilating the missile swarm before it could strike the Eternal.
"That's—!"
"Radar detects new signatures! It's the Dawn, Freedom, Rebirth, and Covenant!"
"Yang Hui!"
The Dawn Gundam streaked ahead like a golden meteor, its beam submachine gun firing with pinpoint accuracy to eliminate any remaining threats before diving into the [GINN] formation behind the Eternal, leaving trails of light in its wake.
The Freedom Gundam and Covenant Gundam arrived next, flanking the Eternal as it advanced. The Freedom Gundam unleashed its full arsenal, its multi-colored beams annihilating over a dozen [GINN] units—none escaped unscathed, either losing limbs or being decapitated. Meanwhile, the Covenant Gundam wielded dual beam pistols, darting between enemies with high mobility. Up close, it either impaled them with its vicious physical claws or slashed through their torsos with retractable blades, leaving behind clean, piercing wounds.
The Rebirth Gundam, in Mobile Armor form, positioned itself above the Eternal, maintaining relative stillness as its massive beam rifle swept across the enemy forces blocking their path.
"This is Dawn, Yang Hui." The [GINN] units at the rear stood no chance against the Dawn Gundam's assault—they were wiped out without resistance. With the crisis resolved, the Dawn Gundam caught up to the Eternal, moving alongside it toward L4.
"Yang Hui, you came to get me?"
"Lacus…" Yang Hui facepalmed at Lacus's innocent, cheerful demeanor. He had no issue with her acting cute, but did she have to pick this moment?
Everyone on the bridge was stunned by what they saw, especially Athrun, who seemed to have realized something shocking and subconsciously touched the top of his head.
"...Had enough fun?" Yang Hui asked Lacus irritably.
"Ara~ I wasn't playing around. If I had evacuated earlier, wouldn't Athrun have been in danger?" Lacus retorted playfully.
"I have more than just you as my contact left in PLANT. Wait, no—I didn't ask you to stay! You chose not to leave!"
"But the fact proves that my decision not to leave earlier was correct, doesn't it?"
"..." Lacus stuck her tongue out at Yang Hui teasingly, making him roll his eyes in exasperation. He decided to ignore her for now, planning to lecture her in private later.
"Well, well, young man, we meet again. Are you a prophet or something?" Andrew Waltfeld chuckled quietly to himself after seeing Yang Hui's frustrated expression. Once their banter ended, he greeted Yang Hui warmly.
Truth be told, if Yang Hui hadn't spared him and his wife back then, they would have been buried beneath the North African sands long ago.
Still, he was genuinely surprised. Months earlier, Yang Hui had told him that one day they would fight side by side. Andrew had always assumed it was either a joke or another attempt to recruit them. He had even prepared to reject any further overtures if Yang Hui sent people to approach them again. Yet after returning to PLANT, they never heard from him again—until now, when they were indeed fighting together.
"Of course not. I just knew we'd eventually fight for the same cause," Yang Hui replied. As if he'd tell Andrew that he'd known all along he was part of the Clyne Faction, which would inevitably clash fiercely with the Zala Faction.
"Hahaha! You're still as amusing as ever, kid." Andrew laughed heartily. It had been a long time since he last saw Yang Hui, and he still found his style delightfully entertaining.
"Naturally."
"Captain Waltfeld, you know Yang Hui?" Lacus asked curiously, with Athrun equally intrigued.
"Yep. Back in North Africa, this kid even visited my home. And then..."
"And then?"
"...Then Aisha and I lost to him. He defeated us—both of us piloting the LaGOWE—using nothing but a desert-modified GINN. And that was after we'd already been in combat for a while."
"Eh? Is that true?" Lacus gasped in astonishment. Athrun also found it hard to believe. If he were piloting the Justice Gundam, he was confident he could defeat Andrew and his wife. Even with the Aegis, he might have a chance. But a GINN? Sorry, no way.
"Just a fluke. I got lucky."
"Luck is part of strength. Jumping out of the cockpit midair and only breaking an arm? I lost fair and square."
"Hah, like I said—I don't lose to the same person twice."
"Hahahaha!"
"Let's move out first. We can chat more once we reach L4. It's not safe here—no telling when the pursuers might catch up."
"Agreed."
Since the Eternal's hangar only had two vacant slots specifically reserved for the Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam, there was no room for the four escort Gundams. Thus, these four units traveled alongside the Eternal as they headed toward L4. Fortunately, all four Gundams were nuclear-powered, so energy depletion wasn't a concern.
...
After safely arriving at Terminal's headquarters in L4—the space colony Mendel—the members of the Three Ships Alliance were finally assembled. Lacus and Andrew Waltfeld reunited with Murrue and the others. Reflecting on the past, everyone couldn't help but marvel at how unpredictable fate could be—one was a young noblewoman they had unintentionally rescued, and the other had once been their enemy, yet now both stood as comrades-in-arms.
"Calling this our first meeting might sound a bit odd... I'm Andrew Waltfeld."
"I'm Murrue Ramius, captain of the Archangel. This is truly unexpected."
"The feeling is mutual."
After the brief introductions, Andrew Waltfeld and his group learned that the Archangel was now under Orb's command, while Murrue and her crew understood that the Eternal and Andrew Waltfeld's forces belonged to the Terminal organization—essentially members of the Clyne Faction. Their alliance was purely cooperative.
"Whoa... this is something else." Andrew Waltfeld and the others were stunned when they saw the White Tiger. Whether it was ZAFT Forces' warships or Earth Forces' vessels, most prioritized transport capabilities with relatively weak firepower. The Archangel was already an exceptional monster in that regard.
But witnessing the White Tiger made them realize what a true monstrosity looked like—a formidable warship combining both heavy firepower and MS transport capacity. This boosted their confidence in the upcoming mission.
"The first White Tiger-class flagship, the White Tiger." Yang Hui didn't hold back, sharing the ship's general specifications with them. As comrades fighting side by side, there was no need for secrecy. With three warships and dozens of MS about to intervene in the massive battle between Earth Forces and ZAFT Forces, familiarity with their allies was crucial for safe, effective coordination and survival.
"Let's discuss our next steps. ZAFT's pursuit forces will arrive soon—we can't stay here indefinitely," Andrew Waltfeld suggested.
"Agreed."
Yang Hui approved the proposal to relocate, as Mendel was Terminal's headquarters and couldn't be exposed.
...
Meanwhile, Creuset received orders from Patrick Zala to lead the Creuset Team, along with the Laponi, Coppola, and Zell Teams, to pursue the Eternal. With Athrun rescued by Lacus and the Dawn Gundam spotted near Jachin Due, Patrick Zala couldn't afford to send only the Creuset Team—that would be suicidal.
Creuset was now Patrick Zala's sole trusted subordinate within the military. Losing him due to recklessness would leave the chairman with no reliable personnel left.
"The Chairman certainly thinks highly of me," Creuset remarked self-deprecatingly as he studied the star map.
"Captain, is it because of that Mobile Suit?" Captain Addis asked. To be honest, even months later, the thought of pursuing the fleet containing the Dawn Gundam still filled them with lingering fear.
"Addis, it's not the Mobile Suit that's terrifying, but the person piloting it," Creuset reminded him. The Dawn Gundam was indeed powerful, but an MS was just an MS—its true potential depended on the one controlling it.
Moreover, Yang Hui not only possessed a formidable Mobile Suit but also terrifying piloting skills. Yet, none of these were what made Creuset most wary of him. What truly unsettled Creuset was Yang Hui's foresight and preemptive arrangements.
In war, no matter how outstanding a Mobile Suit or how skilled a pilot, they were still just one person. People tire, and people die. With others, Creuset was confident he could scheme them to their demise.
But Yang Hui... Many of Creuset's plans and arrangements had been disrupted by him. Not only did Yang Hui dismantle his schemes, but he also managed to benefit from them. That was what frustrated Creuset the most.
If possible, Creuset really didn't want to confront Yang Hui at this moment. His plan was just one step away from completion—he couldn't afford to fail now.
"I understand, Captain."
"Have we found any traces of the Eternal yet?"
"Not yet, but based on trajectory predictions, the Eternal's destination is likely L4."
"L4? Another troublesome place," Creuset muttered, rubbing his temples.
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