The fields and forests surrounding the area were shrouded in a dense fog, forcing the allied Nemos to remain on high alert. Lawrance's Zeta Plus unit proved useless in these circumstances, so it was relegated to providing rear support. The atmosphere grew tense once again, as what had begun as a simple operation to eliminate the remaining Titans had suddenly devolved into a bizarre hunt where no one was quite sure who the pursuers were.
Lawrence's breathing was heavy; he had seen with his own eyes how his companions were eliminated in a matter of seconds and without warning, not to mention the strange dream of the interrupted night; it was difficult to remain calm in these circumstances.
The hand of the Mk-II unit rested on the shoulder of the Zeta Plus, almost as if the lieutenant could read the young man, who tried to calm him down.
—I'm with you, kid. Trust your good eyesight and we'll all be fine.
—Understood.
Three Nemo units grouped up next to the lieutenant's Mk-II, who, parked, prepared for an infiltration into the hidden Titans base.
—Remember, the important thing is to gather information about the enemy mobile suit, and if possible, bring it with us.
Among the dust of the facilities, one could see files, documents, evidence reduced to ashes or destroyed enough to prevent incrimination or pointing fingers. The base turned out to be a medical facility where it could be concluded that work had been done in collaboration with the Murasame laboratories.
Armed with flashlights, the group ventured into the ruins of what had once been enemy territory.
—"Tch... it's supposed to be abandoned... but then... why am I so worried?" the lieutenant muttered to himself.
In view of recent events, or the appearance of Newtypes in wars, suddenly all the ghost stories, mystical swings, and other esoteric theories seemed impossible, not even magic.
—"But what is magic if not that which man cannot explain?" The lieutenant held up a meticulously arranged file on an antique desk, as if someone were guiding the veteran toward the truth, a truth that had been deliberately hidden, yet the following characters could still be discerned:
"Murasame — No. 4"
The fog slowly disappeared, revealing the desolate panorama, the faint glow of the lake, the leaves slowly shaking among the trees; it was almost impossible to remember that the small squadron was in a constant state of alert.
Lawrence meticulously monitored and watched every movement, every change, every anomaly or phenomenon that might appear deep within the forest. But what to do when the anomaly was on a more esoteric, more abstract plane?
A ragged breath invaded the ensign's thoughts, like an intruder.
—What is this feeling? It's not like before... it's not so overwhelming... but I'm afraid... I can feel that fear.
Through the 360° panoramic camera, a girl was running through the forest, fleeing from someone, and the lieutenant was ready to shoot the girl's pursuer.
The signal went off, enemy mobile suit detected.
—"It's him," —the lieutenant confirmed seriously. —"The Black Gundam."
Behind the girl, gliding through the trees, followed that giant with black colors as deep and empty as outer space.
The ensign's Zeta Plus remained pointed at the Black Gundam, however, it was not the time to fire. Lawrance's heroic intention was in conflict with his tactically defenseless position. What could he do alone against a pilot who was capable of finding and hunting his enemies in a second?
Lawrance's breathing became ragged as he watched the machine slowly approach the girl, who was walking backward from the mobile suit, her eyes fixed on it. Lawrance only had to pull the trigger and fire, but he was unable to move. The sight before him somehow filled him with an inexplicable horror. Would the girl's fate be to be crushed by such a mechanical beast? Or perhaps the pilot of the black Gundam would be bloodthirsty enough, yet merciful enough, to use the weapons from the previous day on a civilian and grant her a swift death?
Before the mobile suit could reach the girl with its hand, Lawrence's will, or perhaps his own fear, could not prevent the ensign from screaming.
—Stop!
The girl, along with the mobile suit, then turned towards the ensign's Zeta Plus, in a grim scene where both civilian and machine stared at the young pilot.
Lawrence couldn't believe it; suddenly he found himself enveloped in infinite darkness, as if he had been transported beyond the stars with just the girl's gaze.
"Zeta... the signal... Zeta..."
—"Zeta?" Are you referring to my mobile suit? —Lawrance murmured, trying to understand the strange call coming from this void.
In the void, two bright stars pass above Lawrence, receding and disappearing beyond the darkness. Following this, the Black Gundam comes face to face with the ensign's Zeta Plus, giving it a glance before propelling itself into the sky and vanishing once more.
Lawrence stood there stunned for a moment, until he realized the girl was lying unconscious by the lake. The lieutenant then quickly got out of his mobile suit to help the young woman.
—Hey! Wake up! Please...
Lawrence tries to revive the girl, but to his relief, she is only asleep, a strange girl with short hair, of a particular turquoise tone and light blue lipstick.
—"Zeta... the signal..." —the young woman murmurs as Lawrence takes charge of carrying the girl back to the Zeta Plus.
—Second Lieutenant, we have information to share, we must return to the Albatross—Lieutenant Kiriko mentions through radio communication.
—Yes… I also have important "information" —Lawrance replies while looking somewhat confused at the mysterious sleeping girl.