The Albatross moved slowly across the dark waters, still shrouded in the morning mist. Despite the dawn, the atmosphere on the freighter was stifling: no one spoke, no one laughed. The presence of the unconscious girl had raised more questions than answers, and not even Lawrance himself knew how to explain it.
In the makeshift infirmary, the young woman rested on a metal stretcher, covered by a thermal blanket. Her breathing was calm, but her expression conveyed something unsettling… as if even in her dreams she carried someone else's pain.
Lawrence sat beside her, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the floor. Lieutenant Kiriko watched him from the doorway.
—What are you going to say to the Captain? —Kiriko asked in a grave voice.
Lawrence took a few seconds to respond.
—The truth is… I suppose.
—Hmph. The truth kills us faster than the Titans,— the veteran muttered, turning away.
Before Lawrence could say anything else, the internal communications alarm went off.
—Captain Polestar, you have an encrypted message from the Federation. Priority one.—
Kiriko and Lawrence exchanged a glance. That was never a good sign.
—Gentlemen, I understand the priority of these kinds of messages; however, I believe it's wisest to first review what we've gathered so far.— Vivian looked at Lawrence with a serious and doubtful expression. —Ensign, why don't you quickly tell us about the civilian you brought aboard our ship?
The Captain's direct tone slightly alarmed Lawrence, who looked around with a dumb expression, swallowed, and commented.
—We still don't have any concrete information regarding the civilian… Captain, however, Miss Masami is currently examining her in the medical wing. —The ensign crossed his arms, and in a somewhat more serious tone added. —I theorize that the civilian is somehow connected to the pilot of the unit that's been stalking us.
Vivian, Kiriko, and the members of the Nemo units gave Lawrence serious looks, as no one was pleased that the ensign was leading the enemy directly to the ship. After a brief moment of silent reflection, the captain projected the message onto the main screen in the tactical room, trying to pick up where they left off. However, her composed demeanor crumbled as she read the first line; her jaw trembled in a gesture she tried to conceal.
"The Ground Federation requests the immediate surrender of all civilians who have come into contact with the enemy unit."
"It is confirmed that this is a classified project. Its retention by unauthorized forces constitutes high treason."
"Remove it immediately. Removal of the asset is authorized in case of resistance."
Lawrence clenched his fists.
—Elimination…? Of a girl? She's a civilian!
Vivian fixed her eyes on him.
—I don't understand… do they want to erase it before the AEUG finds out what the hell they were doing at that base?
—Let me guess,— he growled. —They want to use us as a garbage dump. As always.— Kiriko added.
Vivian slammed her fist on the table.
—I won't allow them to hand anyone over or kill anyone on my ship. But we're in no man's land, and if the Federation locates us... they'll sink us without question."
—Captain," Lawrence said, his tone firmer than she'd ever heard from him before. "She has a connection to the pilot of the Black Gundam. If we hand her over or they eliminate her... that monster will come after her.
—So the machine... is following her like a lighthouse?" Kiriko asked.
—Yes. I sensed it in the forest. He's looking for her.
Vivian closed her eyes for a moment. Then she spoke in whispers, barely audible:
—So she's not just a victim. She's the trigger.
Lawrence felt the pressure in his chest. A thought crossed his mind:
"…one unit to control the others."
"…sadness… that feeling…"
Following this thought, a soft, broken, and trembling voice emerged from the hallway.
—…Zeta… the signal…
They all turned around suddenly.
The girl stood in the doorway, leaning awkwardly against the frame, trembling like an animal just rescued from cold water. Her turquoise gaze fixed directly on Lawrence, as if recognizing something he himself didn't understand.
—Ah! You shouldn't move yet! Besides, you're interrupting the meeting!— The nurse and mechanic, Masami Catria, followed behind the mysterious girl.
Vivian took a step forward, but the young woman immediately stepped back, frightened.
—No... don't come any closer...— the girl whispered, her voice breaking.
Lawrence tried to calm her down.
—It's okay. You're safe here. I'm Lawrence. I rescued you from the woods.
She shook her head slowly, breathing irregularly.
—No… you didn't rescue me. "He" heard you… through me. He always listens.
Vivian felt a chill run down her spine.
—Who?— he asked.
The girl closed her eyes, holding back invisible tears.
—Unit… 03.
He opened his eyes suddenly.
—…the Black Gundam.