"Mm." Felix nodded slightly and gave a simple acknowledgment. Upon hearing this, Aric withdrew his gaze from Felix.
After a brief moment of silence on the Athena's bridge, Felix's voice rang out again.
"By the way, during these three days of waiting, have all battleships turn off their Neutron Jammers. Arrange personnel for continuous patrols and reconnaissance while keeping the battleships' radar systems monitoring the surroundings at all times. Do not overlook any signs of movement!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Aric saluted and replied in a loud, clear voice.
Glancing at Aric, Felix stood up and walked off the bridge.
Aboard the Eternal
"Mr. Waltfeld, how much longer until we break out of ZAFT's encirclement?"
Lacus sat in the captain's chair, her expression serious as she watched the combat footage on the screen and inquired of Andrew.
Upon hearing this, Andrew quickly compiled all the information and turned to report to Lacus.
"Miss Clyne, based on the current situation, we should be able to break out of ZAFT's encirclement in at most thirty minutes."
Lacus nodded gently upon hearing this, then continued to fix her gaze on the screen without saying another word.
Outside on the battlefield
Creuset piloted the GuAIZ to evade the projectile attacks from the Freedom Gundam, his fingers gripping the control stick as he pulled the firing trigger.
The GuAIZ fired its Beam Rifle at the Freedom Gundam.
Seeing this, Kira pressed down on the pedals with both feet and adjusted with the control stick.
The Freedom Gundam shifted to the left.
Easily dodging the GuAIZ's attack, Kira then spotted two approaching GINNs through the screen.
He pulled the firing trigger.
The Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon fired.
A beam shot through space, instantly piercing the heads of the two advancing GINNs.
The moment they lost visual, the GINN pilots quickly retreated. As these two GINNs withdrew, Creuset launched an attack with the GuAIZ.
The two Wired Grapples on the GuAIZ's waist, propelled by Rocket Boosters, swiftly charged toward the Freedom Gundam.
The Freedom Gundam swung the Meteor's Mechanical Arm.
The thick Beam Saber instantly destroyed the two Wired Grapples.
Inside the cockpit
Kira looked at the GuAIZ and pulled the firing trigger.
The 93.7cm High-Energy Beam Cannon fired a thick beam.
Creuset maneuvered the GuAIZ to evade.
During the maneuver, Creuset delayed his action slightly.
One of the GuAIZ's arms was grazed by the beam.
The shock from the explosion transmitted through the mobile suit into the cockpit.
A slight smile curled at the corner of his mouth as Creuset continued to fire with the GuAIZ.
The Freedom Gundam evaded the attack, swung its Mechanical Arm, and thrust two Beam Sabers at the GuAIZ from different angles.
'The moment has come!'
Watching this attack, Creuset's expression turned grave while he chuckled inwardly.
A moment later, the shock of an explosion transmitted into the cockpit.
Glancing down at the readings on the instrument panel, Creuset spoke through the comms.
"Mobile suit severely damaged! Requesting permission to withdraw from combat!"
"Permission granted!"
The approving reply echoed through the comms.
Creuset cast a profound glance at the Freedom Gundam before pressing the pedal to turn his GuAIZ around.
Inside the Freedom Gundam Cockpit
Kira watched the GuAIZ depart without much concern, calmly shifting his gaze elsewhere. His fingers activated the Multiple Lock-on System, and targets ahead were locked one by one. In the next moment, Kira pulled the trigger, unleashing the Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, Sailfish Railgun, and other weapons. The overwhelming firepower instantly destroyed the armaments and heads of over a dozen GINNs.
"Athrun, how's your situation?" Kira asked after the attack.
Almost immediately, Athrun's voice came through the comms. "I'm doing fine here. What about you?"
In response, Kira replied, "My side is holding up as well."
Over ten minutes later
Yzak watched the Eternal and its allies retreat from the battlefield, his expression blank as he piloted the Duel Gundam back to the mothership.
Inside the Duel Gundam Cockpit
A concerned voice came through the comms. "Captain Joule, are you alright?"
Hearing Shiho's concern, Yzak shook his head and replied distractedly, "I'm fine."
"That's a relief," Shiho said, her heart finally settling.
Yzak offered no further response, quietly guiding the Duel Gundam toward the mothership.
Aboard the Eternal
"Are you two alright?" Lacus asked, her gentle voice filled with concern as she looked at Kira and Athrun on the screen.
Both Kira and Athrun shook their heads. "We're fine!"
Lacus then spoke with a hint of apology. "Athrun, Kira, we'll need you both to stand guard a while longer."
Athrun smiled slightly. "It's our duty."
Kira's voice followed through the comms. "No problem."
Lacus gave a light nod to both and ended the communication.
Seeing the call had concluded, Andrew turned to Lacus. "Miss Clyne, where should we head next?"
Lacus met his gaze with resolve. "To the Moon."
Andrew asked no further questions, nodding slightly before focusing ahead. He pressed a button on the armrest communicator, opening a channel to the Archangel, Kusanagi, and other battleships. "Our next destination is the Moon."
"Received!"
"Received!"
"Received!"
Murrue was the first to respond, followed by a chorus of acknowledgments. After the last reply, Andrew looked back at Lacus. "Miss Clyne, all ships have been notified."
Lacus nodded lightly, her voice respectful. "Thank you, Mr. Waltfeld."
Without waiting for his reply, she shifted the topic. "Mr. Waltfeld, please take charge of coordinating the fleet's movement."
"Leave it to me," Andrew replied with a smile.
Lacus then stood and left the Eternal's bridge, Haro in tow.
Watching Lacus depart, Aisha turned to her beloved with a playful grin and teased, "Darling, I bet Lacus went to her room to call Felix."
"I agree with your theory," Andrew chuckled in response to his lover's jest, nodding in agreement.
After speaking, Andrew looked at his beloved and spoke again with a slightly more serious expression. "Darling, we still have matters to attend to now. We can discuss other things once we're safe."
"Okay!"
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