Watching Miriallia, Lacus smiled and waved goodbye to her. Miriallia also wore a smile on her face as she bid farewell to Lacus.
After saying goodbye, Lacus turned and walked toward the escape ship.
As Lacus boarded the ship, the opened hatch closed. The escape ship was transferred out of the hangar, and as the partition hatch closed, the forward launch hatch opened.
Once the escape ship left the Archangel, the pilot communicated with Athrun.
"Athrun, I have successfully completed the handover of Miss Clyne and the other civilians!"
"I understand."
Athrun nodded as he replied.
His gaze, however, remained fixed on the Strike Gundam ahead. Watching the Strike Gundam prepare to turn back, Athrun operated the communicator.
"Kira!"
The call successfully halted the Strike Gundam, which was about to return to the Archangel. The Strike Gundam turned to face the Aegis Gundam.
"Athrun!"
Kira, sitting in the cockpit, called out Athrun's name.
As the two exchanged names, Yzak and the others sat in their cockpits, watching the Aegis Gundam and the Strike Gundam with unprecedented calm, contemplating the situation for the first time without agitation.
"Athrun, what is this guy doing?"
In the Duel Gundam's cockpit, Yzak looked at the scene before him with a puzzled expression, complaining aloud.
In the Aegis Gundam's cockpit, Athrun heard Kira's voice and spoke the words he had been brewing in his heart.
"Come with us and leave?"
"Athrun, I can't leave anymore."
Upon hearing this, Kira tightened his grip on the control stick. Thinking of his current identity and the comrades who had chosen to join the military and stay on the ship for his sake, Kira suppressed the pain in his heart and verbally rejected Athrun's proposal.
Faced with Kira's refusal, Athrun clenched the control stick, his expression filled with anguish, and he shouted through the communicator.
"Can't you leave for my sake?"
These brief words deeply moved Kira. His stunned expression grew even more pained, and tears unknowingly streamed down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Athrun."
Countless words swirled in his heart, but all that came out was an apology.
"Ensign Yamato, we are about to depart!"
Badgiruel's stern voice echoed in the Strike Gundam's cockpit. Hearing her, Kira took one last deep look at the Aegis Gundam, made his final decision, and piloted the Strike Gundam toward the Archangel.
Athrun watched the returning Strike Gundam, his expression tormented, and he growled under his breath.
"Damn it!"
After saying this, he looked up at the Archangel.
Having completed the recovery of the Strike Gundam, the Archangel now rotated its hull and proceeded forward.
"Athrun, what exactly is your relationship with that Strike Gundam pilot?"
After the Archangel departed, Athrun heard Yzak's questioning voice over the communications. Gripping the control stick tightly, Athrun remained silent in response to Yzak's inquiries.
Seeing Athrun still acting like a sealed jar, Yzak grew even more furious, his voice tinged with anger.
"Athrun, you bastard! What is it that you can't tell us?"
Not feeling satisfied, Yzak continued venting over the comms.
"You damn bastard, are you planning to keep us in the dark forever?"
"I'm talking to you! Bastard!"
"The Strike Gundam's pilot is my friend."
Hearing Yzak's relentless questions, Athrun finally broke his silence and revealed what had been hidden in his heart.
When Yzak heard Athrun mention "friend," his mind raced, quickly recalling something. His tone calmed considerably as he asked over the comms.
"That friend who looks a lot like Captain Griffith?"
"Yeah."
Athrun nodded and gave a quiet affirmation.
Having received a response, Yzak asked no further questions, sitting silently in his cockpit while pondering certain matters.
Several minutes later, the Athena and Vesalius arrived at the location.
The escape ship moved toward the Athena.
On the Athena's bridge, Felix was communicating with Patrick.
"Chairman, we have successfully located Miss Clyne."
"Bring her back, and have Athrun return with you as well."
Patrick looked at Felix as he replied.
Felix nodded and responded, only to see the communication had already been cut off.
He pressed a button on the communicator.
"Creuset, it seems we won't be able to continue operating alongside you."
Smiling at Creuset on the screen, Felix spoke cordially.
Creuset responded with a slight smile.
"Then I wish Captain Griffith a smooth journey!"
"Thank you for your blessings."
After expressing gratitude, Felix shifted the topic.
"By the way, the Chairman has ordered Athrun to return to PLANT with us."
"Then let Athun board the Athena for the return trip."
Nodding, Creuset calmly accepted the arrangement and replied.
Once the communication ended, Felix relayed the instructions to Athrun.
A few minutes later, the Athena officially parted ways with the Vesalius.
Carrying Lacus, Athrun, and the civilians, the Athena set course for PLANT.
Meanwhile, after completing the retrieval of Yzak and the others, the Vesalius, under Creuset's command, continued its pursuit of the Archangel.
In the Vesalius's Mobile Suit pilot ready room, Yzak and the two others sat together instead of heading to their quarters, all contemplating what Athrun had revealed earlier.
Felix's face and the image they had seen in the photograph resurfaced in their minds.
"What's on your minds?"
Just as they were deep in thought, Creuset's voice interrupted them.
Snapping back to reality, they looked up at Creuset.
Exchanging glances, they thought it over and eventually decided to explain the situation to Captain Creuset.
About a minute later, Creuset had heard Yzak and the others out, grasping the general outline of the matter.
Beneath the mask, his eyes shifted as if contemplating something. Yet outwardly, Creuset maintained his usual gentle demeanor, walking over to the group and taking a seat in an empty spot.
He spoke casually.
"This matter has been troubling you, hasn't it?"
"No!"
Yzak looked directly at Creuset and answered bluntly.
Hearing Yzak's response, Creuset smiled.
"There's no need to lie in front of me. I can tell this situation is bothering you because of Athrun."
After saying this, Creuset stood up, reached out to pat Yzak's shoulder, and continued addressing the group.
"It's good to be considerate of your comrades, but I hope you won't let it affect you."
With that, Creuset stepped forward, reached the doorway, then turned back to look at Yzak and the others as he added,
"Your actions must not only be accountable to yourselves but also to your fellow companions. Understand?"
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