"Huh..."
The ZAFT fleet members were already bewildered, but Mu's self-introduction and light teasing left them even more confused.
Fortunately, Mu's jest wasn't entirely ineffective—it at least dispelled their panic while... simultaneously provoking their indignation.
"Damn it! Are they looking down on us!?"
"Launch immediately! Hurry up!"
"Sortie now! We must eliminate the enemy before they do!"
"Damn Orb Military! Don't think we'll thank you just because you saved us!"
...
"Well, well, maximum effectiveness!" Mu chuckled.
"Lieutenant Colonel Flaga..." If not for his helmet, Morgan Chevalier would have facepalmed in exasperation. Couldn't they just focus on fighting properly?
"What is it, Major Chevalier?"
"N-nothing... It's just that ship..."
"The Commander-in-Chief's orders are to capture it, correct?"
"Affirmative."
"Then we can't let ZAFT sink it. The rest of you stay behind to protect the ZAFT fleet's sortie. Major, let's move!"
"Roger that!" (Multiple voices)
The Strike Gundam and Strike Gundam - Night Walker surged ahead, trailing brilliant flames and stardust particles as they raced toward the already turning Garuda.
"Damn it! They're too fast! We can't catch up!"
"Damn those Orb MS and pilots—are they monsters? This acceleration is insane!"
The ZAFT fleet, which had intended to prove themselves, could only watch helplessly as the Strike Gundam and Strike Gundam - Night Walker left them far behind.
Seeing the Orb Military MS protecting their fleet only fueled their frustration. Just how little did Orb think of them?
"Sir, our electronic systems are experiencing severe interference!"
"What!? Is it the enemy?"
"No... it's an unknown orange particle..."
"Didn't we implement the countermeasures Orb provided? Why is there still interference!?" the commander demanded.
"I... I don't know. After the Chairman reprimanded us, we immediately applied the countermeasures to all systems, but..."
"Damn those Orb bastards! Think they're so great with their new tech!" the commander cursed. As the leader of a Colony—especially one as crucial as Armory One—he was no fool who'd believe Orb was just toying with them.
The only explanation was that the countermeasures had exceeded their protective limits.
"Is it the concentration... or the distance...? Record the data and send it to R&D. Let them figure it out."
"Understood!"
"Then... do we still pursue?" the Adjutant whispered.
"You wanna go after them?"
"No way!"
It was a joke—with their electronics nearly crippled, the ZAFT fleet was effectively blind and deaf. Chasing now would only mean delivering themselves to the enemy.
Meanwhile, due to the remaining ZAFT warships and MS outside, the Garuda couldn't immediately turn and retreat upon detecting the Orb fleet's approach. Two Naska-class vessels were still pinning them down—any careless maneuver would mean handing their lives over.
"Detecting two MS approaching at high speed. Database match... It's the Strike!"
"What? Orb is already catching up so quickly!?" On the bridge of the Girty Lue, a masked man exclaimed in shock.
"Ding~"
At that moment, an electric pulse flashed through his mind—this sensation... He already knew exactly who was pursuing them.
"Turn the ship around! Full speed retreat from this sector!"
"But the Seizer team hasn't..." The captain hesitated upon hearing the order. Their mission was to coordinate with the Seizer unit inside the Colony to capture the three new ZAFT Gundams mentioned in the intel.
"We're already past the scheduled time—they must have failed! Don't forget who's inside that Colony! Retreat now, or we'll be lost too!"
"But... the enemy MS are too fast. We can't outrun them..."
"Separate and detonate the auxiliary propellant tanks on both sides while turning! Use the explosion's glare to activate the [Mirage Colloid System]!"
"Understood!"
The captain wasn't unwilling to retreat—in fact, he was even more anxious than the Captain. But with Orb's unexpected appearance, the original plan had failed. ZAFT's fleet wasn't disabled, and the Orb fleet was too fast—escape seemed impossible!
Now that the Captain had proposed a new, effective strategy, he had no reason to hesitate.
"Hmm? Trying to run?"
"The Girty Lue-class isn't faster than us, Commander. They must have some trick up their sleeve," Morgan Chevalier warned. He didn't believe the enemy would flee in panic without a plan just because of their arrival.
"Obviously. Wait... that's—! Major, accelerate! Charge straight through!"
"Understood!"
Seeing the massive devices detach from the Girty Lue's sides and knowing it was equipped with the [Mirage Colloid System], Mu immediately guessed the enemy commander's intent. He pushed his thrusters to the limit, accelerating toward the Girty Lue.
The Strike Gundam - Night Walker followed suit, matching Mu's speed.
Sure enough, the next moment, the separated auxiliary propellant tanks drifted briefly before exploding violently. The flames engulfed both the Strike and the Strike Gundam - Night Walker.
"Now! Activate the [Mirage Colloid System]!"
"Not a chance!"
Just as the Girty Lue began to vanish, the Strike and Strike Gundam - Night Walker burst through the flames, each firing a precise shot that struck the Girty Lue. The activation of the [Mirage Colloid System] was disrupted, and the half-vanished warship reappeared in full view.
"Ugh... Damn it! They saw through it! As expected of 'me,' I suppose?" Sweat dripped from the Captain's forehead, his tension replaced by despair. In full view of everyone, he removed his mask, revealing a face identical to Mu's—pale with a bitter smile.
"Captain! You... Ugh—!!!"
Before he could finish, the ship shook violently once more. Countless explosions erupted across the Girty Lue. The [Gotterdämmerung] main cannon, the [CIWS Array] automatic Vulcan cannons, missile launchers—all were destroyed by strangely maneuvering mobile units. The engines were pierced by beam fire. There was no way back now.
"Surrender," Mu (Shadow) said to the captain.
"Captain!"
"Do you want us all to die?" Mu (Shadow) glared at the captain and scolded, "They didn't directly attack the bridge but disabled all weapons and engines instead. That means they intended to capture us from the start. Surrendering gives us a chance to survive."
"Under... understood... Fire the flare. We surrender... sigh..."
(End of chapter)