It's been several days since our last battle. Perhaps because the enemy took a heavy blow losing three Mobile Suits in that engagement, we've been crossing the Indian Ocean without any further attacks. However, if events unfold according to the original canon I know, we're destined to clash with that same enemy squad at least one more time.
With these thoughts in mind, I headed to the hangar, having been summoned by Murdoch.
"Is Murdoch around?"
I scanned the area, but couldn't spot the sergeant who had called me. I flagged down a passing mechanic.
"Sergeant Murdoch? If you're looking for him... oh, he's over there."
The mechanic pointed toward the simulator used for Skygrasper training. Murdoch and Kira were standing near it. Since the simulator was active, someone was obviously using it. Most likely Tolle, hoping to pilot a Skygrasper once we reach Orb.
"Thanks."
I gave a quick nod of thanks to the mechanic and walked over to the pair.
"Murdoch."
"Oh, hey there, Brother. You made it."
"So, why did you call me?"
"Right. The kid finished setting up the FCS. I wanted you to check it. Plus, I haven't explained the details of that DINN weapon to you yet, have I?"
"I see. Kira, good work."
"No problem. I like tinkering with programs anyway. Besides, compared to getting a ZAFT sonar to work with the Archangel, this wasn't that difficult."
Kira answered with a wry smile. The gloomy atmosphere that hung over him after the last battle had mostly dissipated. As expected, the best way to keep him from brooding is to bury him in work.
"First off, regarding that weapon. Its formal designation is the 'MMI-M1001 90mm Anti-Air Shotgun.' As the name suggests, it's a shotgun designed to be effective against high-speed aerial targets."
"Range?"
"Compared to the assault machine gun you were using before, significantly shorter. In exchange, since it's a shotgun, it excels at area suppression. ...However, since it was originally developed for DINNs to use against Alliance aircraft, don't expect too much in terms of raw firepower against heavy armor."
Not much firepower, huh. In the original story, I recall Kira destroying a GOOhN with this shotgun at close range. Or wait, maybe that was with the assault machine gun?
"The power is an issue, but there's a bigger problem."
"...Ammo?"
"Exactly. You only brought back the shotgun itself, not any spare magazines, right?"
"It's not that I didn't bring them back; they probably fell into the ocean."
"Meaning, what's in the gun is all you've got."
"How many rounds?"
"Eight."
"...Well, better than nothing. Once it runs dry, I'll just toss it."
"I did it!"
Just as we were finishing our conversation, a voice shouted abruptly from the simulator. That part was fine, but the voice wasn't male—it was female. And one I recognized.
"Hey, check out this score... Ugh."
The girl who climbed out of the simulator, beaming with pride, saw my face and instantly scowled. ...Right, Mu mentioned she was on board. Since I hadn't run into her inside the ship, I'd completely forgotten.
Ignoring Cagalli's glare, I peered at the simulator screen.
"Hoh."
I couldn't help but voice my admiration at the ranking and score displayed. The top spots were all marked "KAGARI," and the scores were impressively high.
"Whoa. That really is a hell of a score."
Murdoch peered over my shoulder, equally surprised.
"Hmph! With this, there won't be any problem if I need to fly that fighter next time something happens!"
For some reason, she boasted to me directly. I sighed and shook my head.
"Are you an idiot?"
"What?!"
"You're just a civilian hitching a ride on this ship. Why would you be flying a fighter jet? Or did you enlist in the Alliance like Kira and the others?"
"No, that's... But you're piloting a Mobile Suit, and you're not exactly a soldier either!"
"I am a mercenary employed by this ship... or rather, by the Alliance."
Though, we haven't discussed payment details at all. My formal contract states that compensation will be negotiated upon arrival in Alaska, based on performance.
"But still!"
"Axel?"
Cagalli looked ready to argue further, but Mu, who had approached unnoticed, interrupted.
"What's up?"
"I wanted to discuss something about the last battle with the Captain and Lieutenant Badgiruel. thought I'd get your take on it too, if you don't mind."
"Sure, no problem."
"Hey, wait a minute! I wasn't finished talking!"
"...Is what she says."
"Don't worry about it. Just a tantrum from a spoiled brat who doesn't know her place."
"You bastard!!"
Leaving the enraged Cagalli screaming at our backs, Mu and I headed for the bridge.
"Axel, try not to provoke the princess too much, yeah? She's already wary of you because you hit her with that killing intent when you first met."
"Even so, it'd be a problem if an amateur ran onto the battlefield and messed things up, right?"
"...Well, true."
Despite my words, it's almost a certainty that Cagalli will sortie on her own in the next battle. And then go missing. Personally, I don't find wasting time here particularly amusing, but if I don't let the bond between Athrun and Cagalli form, there's a chance Athrun won't join the Three Ships Alliance later. So, as much as it irks me, I have to tacitly allow her sortie. ...Fortunately, she gets off at Orb.
Her drive to act is impressive. If she just acquired some political savvy, she'd be a dependable leader. Though, a princess of a nation piloting a Mobile Suit, let alone fighting alongside guerrillas in the flesh... her father, Uzumi, must have constant headaches.
"Captain, XO, got a minute?"
Mu called out as we reached the bridge. I must have been lost in thought. Murrue and Natarle looked at each other, then stepped out of the bridge since there seemed to be no urgent business.
...Come to think of it, maybe due to Mu and Natarle getting together, the relationship between Murrue and Natarle doesn't seem quite as strained as before.
"Mu... ahem. Major La Flaga, what is it?"
"It's about the last battle. Something felt off."
"Off?"
"Yeah. It's impossible for them to sortie from Carpentaria and attack the Archangel here. We're moving, after all. Even if they barely managed to reach us and fight, they wouldn't have the fuel to get back."
"...True. Propellant and battery life wouldn't sustain that. Even if they located us perfectly, assuming they plan to return... then that means..."
"Surface ships or aircraft... unlikely," Murrue muttered in response to Mu's deduction, shaking her head as she realized the flaw in her own suggestion.
"Right. We wouldn't miss a surface ship or aircraft. But we're not used to underwater threats. Thinking along those lines, a submarine is the most suspicious candidate."
Mu's deduction was plausible... or rather, spot on.
ZAFT is expanding its influence in the oceans primarily through submarines rather than surface fleets. Given that, Mu's theory is perfectly logical.
"Well, considering they're deploying GOOhNs, it's a likely story."
"Exactly. As for underwater Mobile Suits, we can only really leave that to the kid... but if they come again, we need to do something about that sub. Otherwise, they'll keep hounding us like a stalker."
"I suppose so. However..."
Murrue toyed with her hair absentmindedly, looking somewhat listless. She must be exhausted from the unfamiliar challenges of the Indian Ocean.
"Captain, I understand it's been difficult..."
Natarle spoke up, observing Murrue's fatigue.
"Well, judging by their strength last time, even if it is a submarine, it's probably not a massive force. Two DINNs and two GOOhNs... it's not like the desert where we faced a large army."
"Axel Almar. I see your point, but unlike the desert, the battlefield here is the sky and sea. They have the terrain advantage. We can't be too optimistic."
"Now, now. Lieutenant Badgiruel, don't be so stiff. Let's take it a bit easier."
"Major La Flaga! I-I'm not..."
"We'll stick to shallow waters as much as possible. We've managed so far, right? We'll figure it out."
"...Axel, can't we do something about the Major's excessive optimism?"
"No, probably not. Besides, Mu isn't wrong. If we stick to the shallows, we limit the submarine's operational range, making it easier to spot."
"Hey now, you two are terrible."
Just as a slightly more relaxed atmosphere began to flow, a voice from the bridge called out to Murrue and Natarle.
"Captain, XO! Contact on sonar! Seven o'clock, Mobile Suits!"
Hearing the report, Natarle moved swiftly to her seat in the C.I.C., and Murrue headed for the captain's chair. Mu and I exchanged nods. As Mu ran ahead toward the pilot room, I called out to Murrue.
"Murrue, Mu and I are heading to the ready room. Let us know once you have enemy intel!"
"Yes, understood. Please... don't die."
I raised a hand lightly in response to her whispered plea and left the bridge.
As I made my way to the ready room, the alarm blared, followed by the announcement.
"Attention all hands. Battle Stations Condition One. Repeat. All hands, Battle Stations Condition One."
"Axel, Major La Flaga. The enemy force consists of two GOOhNs and one unknown."
"Ugh. A new model?"
As I was changing into my pilot suit, Murrue's report came through, followed by Mu's disgusted groan.
"Sorry I'm late!"
Kira arrived shortly after and began changing into his suit.
"One unknown, huh... Axel, got any info?"
Mu asked as we moved to the hangar.
Nine times out of ten, it's a ZnO. But even for a mercenary, knowing detailed specs on the ZnO—the successor to the GOOhN—would be suspicious, so I had to be vague.
"No, but if the sonar picked it up, it's definitely an underwater MS like the GOOhN. In that case, probably a successor or variant."
"Figures. Small mercy there are no DINNs this time, but..."
"If the enemy is a submarine as you predicted, they might be holding the DINNs in reserve. Watch your back."
"Yeah."
Mu nodded slightly and headed for the Skygrasper. Watching him go, I moved toward the Blitz.
"Brother. What about the shotgun?"
"Don't need it this time. Only three bogies, and all underwater types. An anti-air shotgun won't do much good."
"Roger that."
Giving instructions to Murdoch, I climbed into the Blitz's cockpit and moved to the catapult deck.
"Axel Almar, Blitz, launching!"
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 36
PP: 105
Melee: 254
Shooting: 274
Technique: 264
Defense: 264
Evasion: 294
Accuracy: 314
SP: 446
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Increases unit performance by consuming SP)
Growth Type: Versatile / Special
Terrain Ratings: Air: S | Land: S | Sea: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Zeal (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recover & Focus)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Limit Break (Will)
Geass (Gray)
???
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Shot Down Count: 276
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