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The Chapter get Retranslated
"It's fine. Our relationship is essentially a trade; I protect them, and they let me ride their ship.
And I said I would protect you. Following the Archangel to that headquarters place, you'd be bullied, right? So taking you back to Plant is the safest option."
Mikazuki continued eating, and Lacus, who had been pensive, broke into a beautiful smile.
"Thank you, Mikazuki."
"Awoo awoo."
Mikazuki ate silently, not replying. Lacus just quietly watched him eat, the scene feeling a little warm and cozy.
Night fell, though in space, it was always dark twenty-four hours a day.
Mikazuki took Lacus to Hangar 1, where Barbatos was parked. He casually pulled out two space suits, one of which didn't quite fit Mikazuki.
But there was no other choice. He was fine on his own, but this time he was taking someone with him. Lacus, having put on a space suit, couldn't help but laugh at Mikazuki's appearance.
"Pfft hahaha, Mikazuki, what are you wearing? It's too big!"
Mikazuki, with dead fish eyes, put on the only helmet that fit him reasonably well and simply rolled up the excess fabric of his space suit.
"Let's go."
Saying this, he extended a hand. Lacus took his hand, and the two lightly jumped onto Barbatos' chest. Mikazuki casually touched a watch inside his space suit.
The cockpit opened. Mikazuki sat in the seat, with Lacus cradled in his arms, her pink face slightly flushed.
As the cockpit closed, Kojiro, who was on duty, heard the mechanical sounds from the hangar and rushed out. He was stunned to see Barbatos moving.
"Why is Barbatos moving?"
Mikazuki noticed Kojiro nearby and opened public comms.
"Sorry, old man, I'm just heading out for a bit. I'll be back soon, so don't close the deck."
Then the valve connecting the hangar to the catapult deck opened. This was, of course, Orga's doing.
In the bridge, Murrue, who was about to leave for a rest, heard the communications officer's report.
"Hangar 1 catapult deck opened, Barbatos leaving hangar, launching now!"
Murrue was startled. She quickly went to the communications officer's side to look at Barbatos' movement on the screen.
"Mikazuki? Where is he going?"
"Captain, Kojiro Chief Petty Officer is calling."
"Patch him through."
Murrue returned to the captain's chair and picked up the receiver. Kojiro's voice came through.
"Captain, the kid said he's going out for a bit and will be back soon, but I don't know where he's going."
Just as he finished speaking, Murrue saw a blue streak outside. At this moment, Natarle in the CIC spoke.
"Detecting a warship's heat signature. It's a Laurasia-class."
Murrue put down the receiver, exclaiming,
"Laurasia-class? Why is it here? Is it the Gamow?"
"Unclear. We don't have a ZAFT warship's identification signal... Wait, Barbatos seems to be heading towards that warship. What is he doing?"
Natarle gasped.
"What?"
Murrue's expression changed at this, and she quickly had someone zoom in on the display, finding that Barbatos was indeed heading towards the ZAFT warship.
"Wait, where's Lacus Clyne? Is she in her room?"
Student soldier Miriallia replied,
"The person on duty just reported that Lacus Clyne and Mikazuki left the room together."
"Could it be that Mikazuki intends to send Lacus back to ZAFT?"
The more Murrue thought about it, the more likely this possibility seemed. Mikazuki knew that Lacus would receive very poor treatment if she returned to the Lunar Base with them, which is why he took her away from the Archangel.
She had never thought Mikazuki would leave permanently, because Kojiro's words earlier were important: "He'll be back soon," implying Mikazuki would return after dropping Lacus off.
Natarle looked up at Murrue.
"Captain, should we fire?"
Murrue raised a hand, stopping Natarle, who had that thought.
"Don't make any rash moves until the other party acts. That warship shouldn't be the Gamow."
Just as she finished speaking, Mikazuki's voice suddenly rang out on the bridge.
"I forgot to tell you, don't fire. That warship is here to pick up Lacus. It's not an enemy."
Murrue, hearing Mikazuki's voice, became agitated and stood up, reprimanding him.
"Mikazuki! Couldn't you inform me beforehand when you do something like this? And what do you mean by 'not an enemy'?"
Lacus took over the explanation.
"Captain Murrue, allow me to explain. That warship is my private warship.
Although it also belongs to ZAFT, it's not aligned with the Zala Faction, which Creuset Team is part of. They are my father's trusted retainers, specifically sent to pick me up."
Everyone on the bridge, including Natarle in the CIC and Mu, was stunned.
"Zala Faction?"
In the cockpit, Lacus, sitting on Mikazuki's lap, spoke into the comms.
"Yes, although it's a bit sudden, I'll briefly explain the current situation in Plant before I leave.
The radical faction advocating war against you is led by Patrick Zala. They believe Naturals are all enemies and must be eliminated to ensure Plant is no longer persecuted by the Earth Alliance.
The other side is the Clyne Faction, led by my father, Siegel Clyne, who is the Chairman of the Supreme Council. We advocate a philosophy of peaceful coexistence between Coordinators and Naturals.
In other words, not all Coordinators want to fight you. Our Clyne Faction is one of them."
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