Orb's fleet was about to reach the designated coordinates. The First, Second, and Third Fleets stood ready, with everyone eagerly awaiting orders. Although the Fourth and Fifth Fleets hadn't received commands for active engagement, they remained tense. After all, the ZAFT Forces' assault on the Earth Forces' headquarters was bound to be massive. If the battlefield expanded, they would face attacks from both sides.
"How's the situation?" Yang Hui asked Togao as he entered the flagship's bridge.
"We'll arrive at the designated coordinates in five minutes. But you and the Chief of Staff were right," Togao replied with admiration. At this point, they didn't even need intel from the Intelligence or Command Divisions—they could already see ZAFT Forces' units passing right before their eyes, heading straight for Alaska.
To guard against Orb taking advantage of the chaos or secretly colluding with the Earth Forces to stab them in the back, ZAFT had even left a detachment behind to confront them.
"Have they contacted us yet?" Yang Hui asked.
"They have. I've already sent them a clear message stating that we're only here to defend our borders."
"Then they won't leave."
"What should we do?" Togao inquired. Yang Hui, Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria were about to carry out a classified mission. Though Togao didn't know the details, years of experience told him it was related to the large-scale battle about to unfold in Alaska.
"They'll thank us later," Yang Hui said.
"Huh?"
Yang Hui chuckled without explaining. They'd understand once the Alaska operation concluded.
Beep beep beep…
"Alright, hold position at the border. Lock all weapons onto the ZAFT fleet, but don't fire—just keep the pressure on them. Stay alert for underwater movements to avoid an ambush by Aquatic Mobile Suits. If they approach the border, fire a couple of warning shots."
"Understood."
After briefing Togao, Yang Hui returned to his quarters and opened a communication channel with Wang Liu Mei.
"PLANT has made its move. The guest has received the gift, and the Song of Peace has begun."
"Got it. Notify Mina to prepare for support—"
"Yang Hui."
"Who's in trouble? Siegel?" The fact that Wang Liu Mei interrupted him meant something unexpected had happened on PLANT's side.
"Siegel Clyne has been safely evacuated, but…"
"..." Knowing Siegel Clyne was safe, Yang Hui sighed in frustration. "She's causing trouble again, isn't she?"
"Yeah… She didn't evacuate from PLANT directly. Instead, she went to Junius."
"Tch, of course it's the Songstress," Yang Hui muttered with a wry smile. He'd had a bad feeling earlier, which was why he'd specifically told Wang Liu Mei to remind Lacus not to act recklessly. But in the end… the expected unexpected had happened.
"What now? We've lost contact with her," Wang Liu Mei said worriedly.
"Forget it. Leave her be. She'll be fine." Yang Hui gave up. If a troublemaker wanted to stir things up, and she was beyond his reach, there was no point trying to control her. Better to let her do as she pleased. After all, PLANT's intelligence network and operatives were under her command, and the Clyne Faction had plenty of supporters. No matter what happened, she'd be safe.
"Alright, then we'll proceed—"
"Wait, what about that other matter?"
"There's been no progress for now. That place isn't easy to access."
"No need to rush. Their safety comes first."
"Understood."
After ending the communication, Yang Hui headed straight to the Hangar to prepare, seemingly putting Lacus's unexpected situation out of his mind... and indeed, he had. Given Lacus's usual way of doing things, she wouldn't have stayed unless she was absolutely certain. Since she had already made her preparations, what was there for him to worry about? He might as well worry about himself! A battle was imminent here.
"Heard there's a ZAFT Forces blockade ahead?" Lyle asked after checking his Mobile Suit's condition.
"Yeah, afraid we'll stab them in the back."
"That small force won't stop us," Tieria and Setsuna chimed in as they approached.
"They're not our concern. Once the mission starts, we'll charge straight through. Leave them to Togao to handle. The MS units have trained long enough—it's time they saw blood," Yang Hui said in the calmest tone, delivering the harshest words.
The three tacitly agreed with Yang Hui. After all, training only taught them piloting skills, but true proficiency couldn't be achieved through drills alone—it required the pressure of real combat.
Casualties were inevitable. Tempered through trials, refined by adversity—this was a necessary process for any military force. Yang Hui and the others had done all they could for them; the rest of the journey was theirs to walk.
"When does it start?" Setsuna asked.
"Judging by the ZAFT Forces' position and advance speed, the battle will begin tomorrow."
"Understood."
...
Another day passed. Natarle Badgiruel, Mu, and Flay, having packed their belongings, arrived at the secret dock with their transfer orders. When Natarle and Mu realized they were boarding a submarine, they instinctively sensed something was wrong.
"I forgot something."
"I forgot something."
Natarle and Mu spoke simultaneously, exchanging a glance that conveyed silent understanding. Together, they pulled Flay back toward the base.
"Huh? What's going on?" Flay asked, bewildered.
"You dropped something too, right? Let's go back and get it," Natarle told Flay.
"I didn't—"
"You did. Wasn't the hairband you wore yesterday different? Didn't you say that one was important?" Mu cut in, giving Flay a meaningful look to stay quiet for now.
Taking the hint, Flay fell silent. She had been reluctant about the transfer orders to begin with. Though she didn't understand what was happening, if Natarle and Mu could get her back to the Archangel, that would be ideal.
The three moved through the base, deliberately taking detours to avoid suspicion while steadily closing the distance to the Archangel. Only when they were alone did Mu finally ask Natarle, "What did you notice?"
"Something's off. A normal transfer wouldn't involve a submarine, and there were too many people. If it were just reassignments, they wouldn't move this many at once," Natarle analyzed.
"Could there be troops heading to Panama too?" Mu suggested.
"No, have you noticed? Everyone waiting to board is an officer, at least a second lieutenant. With the imminent battle at Panama, why transfer so many officers there? Shouldn't it be combat troops instead? If Panama had such a severe officer shortage, they should have been the first batch sent there."
"I noticed that too, and... I spotted Arman in the crowd."
"Who's Arman?"
"Former CIC of the Seventh Fleet, an old acquaintance of mine. After the Battle of Endymion, he was transferred here to relay commands at headquarters. If even he's being sent away now..."
"There's definitely something wrong!" If it was all speculation before, now she was 90% certain. Suddenly, she recalled Yang Hui's request to her and Murrue—had he known all along that Alaska Base was compromised?
"Alright, Lieutenant, you take Flay back to the Archangel first. I'll head to headquarters to see what's really going on."
"Got it. Be careful."
"What? What's happening? Are we going back to the Archangel?" Flay asked.
"Yes, we're returning to the Archangel first."
"That's great! I don't have to leave the Archangel after all." Flay was overjoyed to the point of tears. Ever since her father's death, she had been plagued by insecurity, which was why she had sought out Kira—using him for revenge while also clinging to his warmth as a lifeline.
But then Kira disappeared, his fate unknown, and she lost her anchor once more. That was why she had tried to reconcile with Sai, only to be rejected, leaving her to shut herself in her room. The confined space, still bearing traces of Kira, made her imagination run wild.
Yet the transfer order had sent her into unprecedented panic and resistance. Though there was no one left on the Archangel to lean on, the crew itself had become her support—the only familiar environment she had left. That was why she refused the transfer, unwilling to face an unfamiliar setting.
Before, she had no choice but to comply. But now that Natarle and Mu were saying she could return to the Archangel, she was ecstatic.
Just then, the base's alarm blared loudly.
"What's going on? An enemy attack!?" Natarle, Mu, and Flay tensed.
"Major Flaga, our priority is to return to the Archangel as soon as possible," Natarle said. With an enemy attack underway but details unclear, and the entire base shrouded in an eerie atmosphere, splitting up now would be unsafe.
"No, we're all going to headquarters. We need to find out what's really happening," Mu insisted. The distance to the Archangel was too great—if this was indeed an enemy attack, the ship would undoubtedly sortie as part of the defense. By the time they reached the docks, it would be too late to board.
That made headquarters their best option. Only by confirming the situation could they decide their next move.
"...Alright."
"What's happening? Aren't we going back to the Archangel?" Flay asked anxiously.
"Not yet. It's too late to make it there now. We're taking a different route."
Hearing this, Flay obediently shut her mouth. She was indeed panicked, but she didn't know what to do, so she could only follow Natarle Badgiruel and Mu to feel somewhat safe.
As expected, as they headed toward the command center, they didn't encounter a single person along the way, making them increasingly uneasy.
"This feeling!" Suddenly, Mu stopped in his tracks. "It's Rau Le Creuset!"
"What's going on?" Natarle asked.
"I can't explain it clearly, but I know Creuset is nearby!"
"What!? Evidence?"
"Between him and me... Never mind, I really can't explain, but I'm certain he's close by!"
Seeing Mu so resolute, Natarle had no choice but to believe him. Though Mu usually acted carefree and nothing like a soldier, he was reliable in critical moments. She and Mu both drew their pistols, alert to their surroundings.
Sure enough, when they reached the command center, they encountered Creuset. After a brief exchange of gunfire, Creuset escaped under the cover of darkness.
"Tch, it really was him!"
"So it was an enemy attack after all. But the Great Gate shouldn't have been breached. How did he get in? And what's going on here? Why is there no one around!?" Natarle looked around. The command room, usually bustling with activity, was eerily silent, with only dim lighting, clearly abandoned long ago.
"This is!"
"Major, did you find something... What is this!?"
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