"Don't worry too much, everything will be fine."
Seeing the distress and concern on Cagalli's face, Mu reached out and patted her shoulder, comforting her in a gentle voice. Hearing his reassurance, Cagalli met Mu's gaze and nodded in response, her worries undiminished.
"Mhm."
Seeing that his comfort hadn't taken effect, Mu didn't know what else to say. In the end, everything turned into action as he gently patted Cagalli's shoulder once more before they parted ways.
After separating, Cagalli headed toward the Ministry of Defense.
...
June 15th, 6:00 AM
Beyond the peaceful territorial waters of Orb, the Earth Alliance Fourth Fleet that had traveled a long distance sat quietly anchored.
On the bridge of the fleet's flagship
"What was Orb's response?"
Director Azrael asked the fleet commander with a faint smile. Hearing this, the commander turned slightly to look at Director Azrael and replied flatly.
"Orb has not agreed to our demands so far!"
"Since they haven't agreed yet, launch the attack when the time comes!"
Upon hearing this, the smile faded from Director Azrael's face as he issued the order with a tone of displeasure. The fleet commander nodded.
"Yes, Director Azrael!"
After responding, the fleet commander used communications to issue orders to all battleships and the attacking Mobile Suit Force.
"The ultimatum deadline is 9:00 AM. Proceed with the attack as scheduled unless otherwise notified!"
"Yes!"
...
One hundred nautical miles from Orb's territorial boundary, deep in the ocean, a ZAFT Forces submersible carrier hovered silently in place.
In the command room of the submersible carrier
"Jerold, what time is it now?"
Felix looked at the underwater scene displayed on the large screen before him and asked Jerold beside him. Hearing this, Jerold checked the time and reported to Felix.
"Captain Griffith, it's currently 6:30 AM."
"Mhm."
Nodding, Felix stopped asking questions.
Jerold then asked Felix.
"Captain Griffith, are we going to intervene in the battle between Orb and the Earth Alliance later?"
"Our mission isn't to deal with such matters. As for what we are here for, just wait quietly."
Glancing at Jerold, Felix smiled faintly as he spoke.
Hearing this, Jerold stopped asking and stood beside Felix, watching the content on the screen as they waited together.
"Have the arranged reconnaissance drones been deployed?"
Glancing at Jerold, Felix remembered something and inquired. Jerold nodded and responded.
"They've already been dispatched. The relevant data should be transmitted back soon."
"Mhm."
Grunting in acknowledgment, Felix stood up and headed toward the hydration station.
Seeing this, Jerold enthusiastically offered.
"Captain Griffith, shall I get it for you?"
"I can handle such a small task myself."
Turning to look at Jerold, Felix smiled and politely declined. After speaking, Felix continued toward the hydration station.
Half an hour later
In the command room of the submersible carrier
Felix held a cup of coffee, watching the screen as he took a sip and smiled at Jerold.
"Orb is doomed!"
"Yeah!"
Jerold chuckled and nodded in agreement.
...
Two hours later,
Earth Alliance Forces Fourth Maritime Fleet
On the flagship's bridge
"It's time!"
Director Azrael glanced at the time, resting his chin on one hand with a faint smile. The fleet Commander nodded, his gaze following Azrael's as they both looked at the scene outside.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of ejection sounds rang out.
Missiles were launched one after another from vertical missile launch tubes. Their rocket engines ignited mid-air, propelling them with powerful thrust toward Orb.
Within Orb's territorial waters
The moment the Orb fleet detected the incoming missiles, the fleet Commander decisively ordered.
"Intercept!"
With those two words, all battleships in the fleet simultaneously launched missiles. The missiles, guided by their front-end navigation systems, flew at high speed toward their targets.
In the air
Missiles from both directions finally met.
Missiles collided with missiles, creating bright explosions in the sky. As the explosive flashes lit up, the sounds of detonation echoed through the air.
Bang! Bang! Bang! ...
At Orb's Ministry of Defense
"Chief of Staff, a large number of missiles remain un-intercepted!"
The radar operator, watching the radar display, turned to report to the Chief of Staff. Upon hearing this, the Chief of Staff immediately ordered.
"Launch coastal defense missiles!"
"Yes!"
The communications soldier acknowledged and relayed the command.
The coastal defense units received the order and quickly responded.
Missiles from land-based missile launch tubes were ejected one after another. Their rocket engines ignited, propelling them forward with powerful thrust.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions erupted in the air near the coastline.
After the explosions, the un-intercepted missiles initiated terminal acceleration, instantly reaching speeds over ten times the speed of sound.
In the blink of an eye, the missiles struck the shore.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Even more violent explosions erupted at that moment.
One-third of the air defense systems equipped by the coastal defense units were instantly destroyed.
"Chief of Staff, one-third of our coastal air defense systems have been destroyed!"
At Orb's Ministry of Defense
Looking at the displayed damage report, the soldier reported to the Chief of Staff. Hearing the losses, the Chief of Staff looked grave, leaning on the table with both hands without speaking.
At that moment
Above Orb
Earth Alliance airborne transport aircraft, escorted by fighters, reached their designated positions. The rear cargo doors opened, and Strike Daggers from the cabins were airdropped downward.
The descending Strike Daggers aimed their beam rifles at the Orb territory below.
With triggers pulled, beams shot out from the barrels.
Under the barrage of beam attacks, the already battered Orb coastal defense systems suffered severe additional damage.
"Chief of Staff, Earth Alliance Mobile Suits have appeared in the air!"
"Intercept them, and deploy our Mobile Suit Force!"
His eyes fixed on the situation displayed on the screen before him, the Chief of Staff ordered the soldier.
Under the command, Orb's Astray Mobile Suit Force began to move.
The Astrays, armed with beam rifles and anti-beam shields, opened fire on the Strike Daggers descending from the sky.
The airborne Strike Daggers faced ground firepower attacks but refused to back down, defending while sweeping the Astray Mobile Suit Force on the ground with their Beam Rifles.
...
As the battle between Orb and the Earth Alliance Forces erupted, Felix sat calmly in his chair, sipping coffee while observing the combat.
"I never expected a small nation like Orb to possess a Mobile Suit Force!"
In contrast to Felix's composure, Jerold expressed astonishment upon seeing Orb's Astray Mobile Suits. Hearing Jerold's surprise, Felix placed his coffee cup on the armrest holder and chuckled.
"Though it's a tiny nation, Orb previously engaged in covert dealings with the Atlantic Federation behind the scenes!"
As he spoke, Felix gazed at the Strike Daggers appearing on the screen, his expression turning serious as he continued.
"Compared to Orb's Mobile Suit Force, the Earth Alliance's situation deserves more attention."
"Hmm." Jerold nodded in agreement. "You're right, Captain Griffith."
"Preserve these combat records for detailed analysis later. We need to study the performance of these Earth Alliance Forces' MS."
Acknowledging Jerold's response, Felix trusted him to carry out the order.
Upon receiving the command, Jerold turned to face Felix, raised his hand in a salute, and replied respectfully.
"Yes!"
...
Orb Homeland
Archangel's Brig
Dearka sat on the bed, leaning against the wall, calmly embracing his current confinement.
Beep! Beep!
Two electronic sounds reached his ears.
"What do you want now?"
Without looking toward the door, Dearka asked coolly.
After his question, Dearka received no response but sensed something being tossed his way. His eyes shifted to the thrown object, a flicker of confusion appearing in his gaze.
Picking up his combat pilot suit, he looked up at Miriallia and asked puzzledly.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"Nothing much. Just releasing you."
Hearing Dearka's confusion, Miriallia replied calmly and indifferently. Without waiting for Dearka's response, she turned and walked outward.
Seeing Miriallia leave, Dearka grabbed his pilot suit and stood up, chasing after her.
"Since when has the Earth Alliance Forces been so kind-hearted?"
"We're no longer part of the Earth Alliance Forces."
Walking ahead, Miriallia replied composedly.
This response left Dearka even more bewildered, followed by a look of shock on his face.
"You're not with the Earth Alliance Forces anymore?"
"We've seceded from the Earth Alliance Forces and are currently unaffiliated." Continuing to walk, Miriallia patiently explained. "In this state, detaining you naturally holds no purpose."
At this point, Miriallia paused her steps. Dearka, seeing her stop, halted as well.
After a brief silence between them, Miriallia spoke again.
"The Archangel will be engaging in battle again soon. Use this window to leave quickly!"
With that, Miriallia turned and prepared to continue on her way.
No sooner had she taken a step than Miriallia felt someone pulling her back. Turning slightly, she saw a bronze-skinned hand gripping her arm.
"Are you joining the battle too?"
"Of course."
Hearing Dearka's question, Miriallia answered decisively. Her gaze fixed on Dearka, she spoke with a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Why are you asking me that?"
"No reason, just making conversation."
Under Miriallia's stare, Dearka suddenly felt a surge of panic. His hand released hers as if electrified, and he replied somewhat awkwardly.
Changing the subject deliberately, Dearka asked,
"Where's my Buster Gundam?"
"That's been handed over to the Dawn Organization."
"You gave my MS to Orb?"
Dearka's voice carried shock as he heard this.
Miriallia rolled her eyes at the astonished Dearka.
"That thing is our war trophy. We can give it to whoever we want. None of your business."
"Get off the ship now!"
Withdrawing her gaze, Miriallia urged Dearka again, then warned with a fierce tone,
"Stop following me!"
...
"Kira Yamato, Freedom launching!"
Inside the Freedom Gundam cockpit
Kira looked at the azure sky ahead and reported through the comms.
His hand pushed the throttle forward while his foot pressed hard on the pedal.
With powerful thrust output enhanced by the electromagnetic catapult, the Freedom Gundam launched rapidly from the Archangel.
Controlling the Freedom Gundam's flight attitude and direction, Kira piloted it straight toward the most intense part of the battlefield ahead.
"Kira, be careful!"
"I know, Flay."
Hearing his girlfriend's concern, Kira smiled slightly and replied gently.
After speaking, his eyes focused forward as his fingers operated the control stick, activating the Multiple Lock-on System.
Targets on the Concentrated Target Observer were selected one by one by the system program. As Kira pulled the trigger,
the Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, Sailfish Railgun, and Sirius Beam Rifle mounted on the Freedom Gundam fired simultaneously.
Beams and electromagnetic shells surged toward the battlefield ahead.
The locked Strike Daggers were hit in their heads, arms, beam rifles, and other components.
Inside the Perfect Strike Gundam cockpit at this moment
Mu watched the Freedom Gundam's full firepower output and remarked with a teasing laugh,
"So enviable!"
As he spoke, his finger pressed the trigger.
The Perfect Strike Gundam's beam cannon aimed and fired at a Strike Dagger ahead.
Boom!
A violent explosion erupted as the Strike Dagger instantly shattered into countless fragments flying in all directions.
After firing this shot, Mu piloted the Perfect Strike Gundam to evade left, dodging a beam rifle attack while the Vulcan Gun on the shoulder armor opened fire.
A dense hail of bullets shot toward the Strike Dagger ahead.
Seeing this, the Strike Dagger pilot controlled the machine to raise its shield for defense.
Beep! Beep! Beep!!!!
Amid the defense, continuous alarm sounds rang in the pilot's ears.
With a grave expression, the Strike Dagger pilot quickly manipulated the controls. Using the attitude control thrusters, the Strike Dagger sacrificed one arm to evade an attack coming from behind.
Having thus evaded, the Strike Dagger pilot had no time to catch his breath before seeing the Perfect Strike Gundam charging forward, brandishing its long Armor Schneider.
"Bastard!"
He growled under his breath while manipulating the controls.
The next moment, the Perfect Strike Gundam closed in, its long Armor Schneider directly striking the Strike Dagger.
The bisected Strike Dagger erupted in a violent explosion.
"Rookies just aren't cut out for this!"
After dealing with that opponent, Mu piloted the Perfect Strike Gundam to evade incoming attacks. Glancing at the Freedom Gundam weaving through the battlefield like a phantom, he sighed with admiration.
While musing, Mu pulled the trigger.
The Perfect Strike Gundam aimed its Beam Rifle at another Strike Dagger ahead and opened fire.
...
Meanwhile
Aboard the Submersible Carrier in the deep ocean
"Captain Griffith, the MS that was stolen from us has appeared on the battlefield where Orb is fighting against the Earth Alliance Forces."
Jerold reported to Felix while observing the silhouette of the Freedom Gundam.
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