"Shuri, Ro is heading out in an MS."
Before Yamabuki Juri could hear a response from Ro, her companion Liam answered instead. Turning to look at Liam, she found him smiling back at her gently.
Yamabuki Juri returned the smile, but when she glanced back toward Ro's direction, he had already left the bridge.
Moments later,
Through the bridge's large screen, Yamabuki Juri saw Ro's Red Frame emerge in space.
'Please keep Ro safe.'
With her hands clasped together, Yamabuki Juri closed her eyes and silently prayed for Ro in her heart.
In Space
Red Frame Cockpit
Seated in the pilot's seat, Ro stared sternly at the screen before him.
"I hope nothing unexpected happens."
Under his serious expression, Ro whispered a prayer.
He continued watching the screen, waiting for the target to appear.
Meanwhile
Genesis Gundam Cockpit
Looking at the MS before him, Felix smiled slightly.
"Red Frame?"
As he spoke, Felix received a communication over the public channel. Reading the message, he turned his gaze back to the Red Frame and the warship beside it.
The Holm, positioned behind the Red Frame, launched signal flares into space.
The color of the flares conveyed a specific message.
"Quite sensible."
Smiling, Felix switched the communicator to the public channel and spoke.
"Identify yourselves!"
Red Frame Cockpit
Hearing the voice over the communication, Ro fixed his eyes on the powerfully armed MS in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his emotions and replied.
"Junk Guild—we're a civilian group!"
"A civilian group with MS-level armaments?"
Upon hearing Ro's response, Felix, seated in the Genesis Gundam cockpit, felt as if he'd heard a joke.
It reminded him of how amused he'd been reading side stories in his previous life.
Ro's expression darkened at the reply, but he kept his tone as calm as possible.
"This is our self-defense force!"
After responding, Ro continued to explain over the communication.
"After all, it's wartime, and space isn't very safe. To travel securely through space, we need some level of armament for self-protection."
Having given this explanation, Ro further expressed that they had no hostile intentions.
"We're just passing through. We have no desire to engage in combat with you, nor any intention or thought of fighting.
Please allow us to continue on our way."
"Where are you headed?"
Felix listened calmly to Ro's explanation and posed the question. Hearing this, Ro thought it over. Realizing he couldn't reveal their actual mission of collecting wreckage near PLANT, he formulated an alternative response.
"We're planning to purchase some equipment at PLANT."
"No need. Turn back now!"
Upon hearing Ro's words, Felix immediately recognized them as a lie. A cold smile crossed his face as he replied with authority.
Listening to Felix's domineering tone, Ro felt a surge of irritation but dared not vent it. Staring at the Mobile Suit before him, he could only maintain a pleasant expression as he replied.
"Yes! Yes! We understand. We'll return immediately and leave this area right away."
With that, Ro piloted the Red Frame back toward the Holm.
Inside the Red Frame cockpit
"Ro, how did it go?"
Yamabuki Juri, seeing Ro's return, inquired over the comms. Hearing her question, Ro replied in a frustrated tone.
"They let us go, but we can't do any wreckage recovery near PLANT now."
"Are they really that overbearing?"
Hearing this outcome, Juri frowned slightly, feeling deeply displeased and muttering with clear dissatisfaction.
Liam, observing Juri's reaction, spoke pragmatically.
"If they're this domineering, there's nothing we can do! That elite ZAFT unit can single-handedly take on two or three Earth Alliance Forces fleets. Our strength isn't even enough to make a dent in their eyes."
"I know," Juri nodded at Liam but continued, "It just doesn't sit right with me."
"Alright, bear with it a little longer—it'll pass."
Liam reached out and patted Juri's hair as if comforting a child, coaxing her gently.
Inside the Orange CGUE cockpit
Heine, watching Ro pilot the MS back to his ship, couldn't resist asking over the comms.
"Captain, are we just letting them leave like that?"
"They're a bunch of worthless people and equipment. Fighting them isn't worth the effort, and it'd only harm PLANT's reputation!"
Responding to Heine's question, Felix's voice carried a hint of disdain. He manipulated the controls of the Genesis Gundam, which turned and departed under his command.
"Let's move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Heine acknowledged over the comms.
He then ordered his squad to follow in their CGUEs, trailing behind the Genesis Gundam.
Back in the hangar
Ro contacted Liam on the bridge via comms.
Liam gave a slight nod and responded with an "Mm," then turned to the AI George.
"George, let's continue on our way."
"No problem!"
...
Aboard the Athena
In the interrogation room
Felix, having returned, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Gai Murakumo's bruised and swollen face.
"Are you having an allergic reaction?"
"Don't play dumb!"
Already seething from the beating, Gai Murakumo grew even more infuriated by Felix's teasing query, his reply laced with hostility.
Felix, hearing this, feigned ignorance with a laugh.
"Seems like you're definitely allergic."
"You..." Gai Murakumo was fuming, about to unleash his pent-up frustration, but seeing Felix's still-amused expression deflated his anger.
Calming down somewhat, he looked at Felix and spoke again.
"What exactly do you want to ask?"
"Chairman Clyne entrusted you with covert protection for the Warrior Gundam transfer operation. Why did you suddenly reverse course and try to seize the Warrior Gundam?"
Dropping his playful demeanor, Felix adopted a serious tone as he posed the question earnestly.
In response to Felix's inquiry, Gai Murakumo began to recount the story in detail.
"I believe Chairman Clyne's intention to use the Neutron Jammer Canceller installed on this MS to alleviate the energy shortages plaguing people in non-combatant nations is a benevolent act. However, such benevolence comes with numerous underlying issues. While I'm uncertain what solutions Chairman Clyne has in mind, I trust my own methods to resolve them."
"So you breached the agreement and took matters into your own hands by seizing the Warrior Gundam?"
Felix chuckled lightly upon hearing this, his tone teasing.
Gai Murakumo nodded in response, answering plainly.
"Correct."
"Does that mean you've done a good deed, then?"
Leaning back in his chair, Felix's laughter faded into a calm yet slightly flippant tone.
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