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After hearing about the true situation in PLANT, everyone gasped, realizing that the political ideologies of the two main leaders in PLANT had diverged seriously. This had led to the formation of two major factions: the hardliners and the peacemakers.
The peacemakers, who desired peaceful coexistence with Naturals, were allies, while the hardliners were the most troublesome. Lacus and the battleship that came to pick her up belonged to the so-called Clyne Faction. No wonder Mikazuki said that battleship wasn't an enemy; he must have already understood the situation in PLANT.
However, Natarle asked with some suspicion, "Is what you're saying true?"
Lacus smiled and replied, "It's all true. The Earth Forces might not know these things, but they're no secret in the PLANT Supreme Council. My father has always worked hard for the peaceful coexistence of Coordinators and Naturals, so please don't harbor hostility towards all Coordinators. We don't necessarily have to be enemies."
Murrue breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. She felt Lacus's words were highly credible, as there was no need to fabricate this absolutely plausible political factor to deceive them. Wasn't the Earth Alliance itself an example? The Atlantic Federation and the Eurasian Federation were outwardly united against a common enemy, but secretly, their petty squabbles never ceased.
"Is that so? I will report this matter to my superiors, if that's alright?"
Lacus showed no displeasure. "Yes, that's fine. However, I think your superiors probably already have some intelligence on this matter, more or less."
"Is that so...?" Murrue frowned upon hearing this. The implications of these words were deep, but upon closer thought, it didn't seem wrong. After all, both sides had been clashing for so long; how could they not know some of each other's secrets?
At this moment, Mikazuki spoke up. "We're almost there, let's stop chatting."
"Indeed. Well then, until we meet again, everyone on the Archangel. We might have a chance to meet again, you know."
"Ah..." Before Murrue could say anything, Mikazuki had already cut off the communication. Sitting in her chair, she exchanged glances with Natarle in CIC below, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes. The news that PLANT was divided into two factions was undoubtedly very important, as no one would want the war to continue, for it benefited neither Coordinators nor Naturals. But for some warmongers, it was a different story.
On the bridge of the Laurasia-class battleship that came to pick up Lacus, Hilda saw Barbatos approaching and waved her right hand. "Open the catapult deck, let Barbatos land!"
Then, the catapult deck opened, Barbatos landed, and Mikazuki opened the cockpit. Two familiar figures floated inside. They were the other two members of Hilda's team, Matsu and Herbert.
Matsu quickly caught Lacus, who was floating down. "Miss Lacus, are you alright?"
"Yes, thanks to Mikazuki protecting me all along."
Herbert looked up at the boy on the mobile suit and waved. "Thanks, kid."
"It's nothing. I'll be heading back now."
"Already leaving? Stay and rest a bit. It's been a while since we last met, hasn't it? Our boss lady talks about you all the time."
"No, the Archangel seems to be in a hurry."
"Is that so? Well, there's nothing for it then." Herbert's tone was full of regret. He still wanted to spar with Mikazuki, even though Mikazuki always defeated him with sheer brute force.
"Alright, goodbye." With that, Mikazuki reached out and pressed the button to close the cockpit. Lacus suddenly floated up, coming before him.
"Mikazuki... please take care of yourself. Don't push yourself too hard."
Mikazuki blinked. "Okay, goodbye."
As the cockpit returned inside, Mikazuki took off his helmet and space suit. As he was about to activate Barbatos, he looked down and saw Lacus, still in her heavy space suit, constantly waving at him.
After giving Lacus a deep look, Barbatos left the deck and returned to the Archangel.
"Captain, Barbatos has disengaged from the Laurasia-class and is returning."
Murrue breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed her intuition was right; Lacus's Clyne Faction truly wasn't their enemy. This was evident from the fact that the other side hadn't revealed any weapons or equipment from earlier until now.
"Good."
But this wasn't over. Darilida, responsible for communications, urgently said, "Just received a communication from the Eighth Fleet. They're telling us to continue on our original course. We're expected to rendezvous at approximately 7 AM the day after tomorrow."
Murrue's face lit up with surprise. "Really?"
Natarle carefully checked the identification signal, then looked up, delighted. "That's right, it's definitely the Eighth Fleet's signal."
"That's great..." Murrue was now doubly happy. The Archangel was finally returning to the main fleet; they were no longer orphans.
"This is good news. Only after we rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet the day after tomorrow can we relax. Before then, there must be no slackening whatsoever."
"Yes!"
"Barbatos confirmed landing."
"Archangel, full speed ahead."
Back on the Archangel.
Mikazuki, carrying the space suit, jumped down from Barbatos. He casually tossed the space suit into a locker, then left the hangar bay, listening to Kojiro's complaints.
In the corridor on his way back to his room, he saw Kira leaning against the wall.
Kira pushed off the wall and faced Mikazuki. "Can we talk, Mikazuki Augus?"
Mikazuki was silent for a moment, then agreed.
The two returned to the hangar bay, standing on a platform, looking up at the two Gundams.
Kira looked at his Strike and began, "Mikazuki, why do you fight without any hesitation...?"
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