"All pilots please report to their units. I repeat, all pilots please report to their units," said DaCosta's voice over the intercomm. The door to the bridge opened to reveal Cagalli, Lacus, Kira and Athrun.
"What the hell is going on?!? I thought that there was a ceasefire!!" Cagalli paused when she noticed the change in surroundings as the Eternal began to leave the spaceport. She also noticed the Kusanagi and the Archangel preparing to depart as well.
"The ceasefire is still in effect. It's that someone else intends to extend the conflict between Naturals and Coordinators. We received a transmission from Eileen Canaver, asking us to protect the Earth Alliance Secretary General and his escort. If they die, our goal of seeing a long-lasting peace will be set back for years!" replied Andy grimly.
"I better get going!!" Kira quickly left the bridge to change into a pilot suit and get to the Freedom Gundam.
"Wait up, Kira!!" Cagalli was about to follow when Athrun grabbed her arm.
"What do you think you're doing?"
She immediately glared at the young Coordinator. "What does it look like?!? I'm going to pilot the Strike Rouge and stop whoever is trying to restart the war!!"
"I don't think so. As the Princess of Orb, you have a responsibility to help rebuild your union. It wouldn't be wise for you to risk your life on the battlefield. And as good as your piloting skills are, I have more experience in mobile suit combat in space. I'll go pilot the Strike Rouge and you stay here," replied Athrun calmly.
"What?!?" Before Cagalli could blow up, she saw the look in Athrun's eyes. They were begging her to let him go and let him protect her. If she went out and got killed, Athrun would dive into a sea of despair, hating himself for letting her go so easily. And the last thing she wanted was to bring Athrun more pain. She slowly calmed down. "Alright. You win. But if you die out there, I'm going to conduct a seance so I can kick your spiritual ass."
"Don't worry. I still got this to protect me." Athrun held up his pendant that Cagalli had given him months ago on Earth. They kissed briefly before Athrun moved out to follow Kira.
**********
"Assault Shroud configuration is all set up. Weapons...Phase Shift...propulsion...radar...radio...check!" Yzak briefly ran through the status of his Duel Gundam.
"Yzak, you heard about the preliminary reports of our enemy?" asked Dearka over the radio. Yzak ignored his friend, trying to wrap his mind over what he had been told earlier by the bridge crew. "Yzak? Stay focused here."
"I am focused, Dearka. I'm focused on finding out about those three ZAFT battleships without a registry and those three mystery mobile suits that are registered as ZAFT suits!! I want some answers, Dearka!!"
"Same here, buddy." Dearka cut the transmission to run through the Buster's systems briefly.
"APU activated." Yzak felt the Duel being hauled toward the catapult by steel girders and suspension parts. The mobile suit's feet connected to the catapult controls and set down with a jolt. "Connected to catapult. Duel, stand by." The doors opened at the end to reveal the stars and the brief fireworks of the battle ahead. "System all green. You are cleared for take off."
The pilot activated his Phase Shift armour and took a deep breath. "Yzak Joule, launching!!" The catapult of the Archangel launched the Duel Gundam into space before resetting itself for the Buster. Dearka activated his own Phase Shift armour.
"You may proceed, Dearka. Be careful out there," said Miriallia with a worried tone.
"I will. Dearka Elsman, lifting off!!"
**********
"You're set up back there, Athrun?" asked Kira as he waited in his Freedom Gundam.
"I'll need a few minutes to reconfigure the OS and to get the proper pack for this suit. You go on ahead and I'll catch up to you later," replied Athrun. The catapult for the Eternal had already been activated with the Freedom ready to go. Kira activated his Phase Shift armour and felt the N-Jammer Canceller come to life.
"Kira Yamato, heading out!!" The catapult hurled the Freedom Gundam into space before resetting itself for Athrun. As he got into position, mechanical hatches opened around his suit to attach the Aile Striker Pack onto his mobile suit. He quickly finished reprogramming the OS and activated his Phase Shift armour.
"Aile Strike Rouge, you are cleared for launch."
"Athrun Zala, taking off!!"
**********
Aboard the Pegasus, the crew worked at a frantic pace. "Status report?" asked Captain Don Richards.
"Approximately seventy percent of the enemy forces have been destroyed."
He nodded briefly. "Advise Pilots Yagami, Namora and Candide to hurry it up. I want the shuttle destroyed before ZAFT can send any reinforcements to protect the Secretary General."
"Sir!! The radar is picking up three ships heading on an intercept course! It's the Archangel, the Eternal and the Kusanagi!"
"Confirmed!! I'm also picking up mobile suit signatures launching from the ships! Three M1 Astrays from the Kusanagi, X-102 Duel and X-103 Buster from the Archangel, X-10A Freedom and MBF-02 Strike Rouge from the Eternal!!"
Richards frowned before making a decision. "Prepare to send out our mobile suit forces. Let's buy some time for our boys to get the job done."
See other episodes by Yasanagi
(Posted Mon, 25 Apr 2005 17:50)
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