Cagalli looked up in a daze at Mikazuki's slightly dissatisfied words. She took several deep breaths to calm herself.
"I... I'm sorry. You're right. But... Orb, is Orb Union really going to become a battlefield?"
"Isn't that just the situation we're in now?"
Mikazuki turned and continued walking. Cagalli followed him, her face pale.
"I... I just find it hard to believe."
"Don't worry, I'll do my best. After all, I quite like Orb Union."
"Mikazuki... thank you."
"There's no need. This is... work."
He stopped at a window and glanced out. Beyond the glass of the control tower, he could see Uzumi Nara Athha, who had just arrived.
The following day.
Over twenty aircraft carriers appeared in the waters just outside Orb Union's territorial limits. These vessels comprised the Pacific Fleet of the Earth Alliance. Leading this fleet was a man named Muruta Azrael.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of the world's major powers knew exactly who this man was: the supreme leader of Blue Cosmos.
On the bridge of the Archangel, Murrue Ramius stared grimly at the intelligence report Orb had just sent.
"Muruta Azrael... he really is in league with Blue Cosmos."
It was just as she had suspected for some time. The Earth Alliance... or rather, the Atlantic Federation, was likely almost entirely under the control of Blue Cosmos.
The helmsman, Arnold Neumann, spoke in a low voice. "Blue Cosmos... those guys at the top really have some nerve, conspiring with such a dangerous organization."
"The Eurasian Federation and the East Asian Republic must be being kept in the dark by the Atlantic Federation. Otherwise, there would be no explanation for why the Eurasian Federation forces were abandoned along with us at the Alaska Base," Murrue said, letting out a long sigh. She shook her head, refusing to dwell on it further. "How much time until the battle starts?"
Miriallia Haw, who had chosen to stay on the Archangel to protect her homeland, responded, "Ten minutes. Orb Union just sent a report; they're counting on us."
"Reply to Orb. Tell them to rest easy knowing we have their backs. How are the preparations for the Sassari?"
"Orga Itsuka sent word that the Sassari is ready to launch from Port No. 2. They will assist the Archangel and the Orb Union Izumo-class ships in the operation."
Murrue nodded slightly. "Very well."
On the catapult deck of the Sassari, a shirtless Mikazuki sat in the cockpit of the Gundam Barbatos. He leaned back in his seat, arms crossed and eyes closed as he rested, waiting for the order to sortie. Orga did not disturb him; letting him get as much rest as possible now was the wisest move.
Ten, nine, eight... three, two, one.
On the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, a man with a wicked smirk spoke.
"The time has come... Let's begin."
The combat commander gave a sharp wave of his hand and shouted, "All ships, target the territory of Orb Union! Launch cruise missiles!"
At the Orb Defense Headquarters, Cagalli and Ledonir Kisaka stood as the commander and vice commander of the campaign. A radar operator turned and shouted, "Cruise missiles detected!"
Cagalli made an immediate decision. "All Orb forces! Begin interception!"
On the Archangel, because Kuzzey Buskirk had left the ship, Sai Argyle had stepped in to fill the role of communications officer.
"Confirming deployment of Orb Union forces."
Murrue spoke calmly. "Archangel, moving out! Notify Port No. 2the Sassari is to launch as well. Tell them to open the hatches and disregard everything else."
Two massive space battleships, larger than any aircraft carrier, departed the harbor.
In an instant, the sea and sky were choked with the fire of explosions. Missiles and beams filled the air in a breathtakingly violent display.
Shortly after the battle began, the Earth Alliance deployed their mass-produced units: the GAT-01 Strike Dagger.
Inside the Barbatos, Mikazuki, whose eyes had remained shut, suddenly opened them as if he could see exactly what was happening outside.
"Orga, I'm heading out."
"Understood."
The Sassari's catapult deck opened, and the eyes of the Gundam Barbatos flickered to life.
"Mikazuki Augus, Barbatos, launching!"
With its thrusters at full power, the Barbatos shot out of the battleship in the blink of an eye, charging into the fray.
"Barbatos sortie confirmed!" Miriallia reported to Murrue on the Archangel.
"Freedom Gundam and Strike Gundam, launching!"
"Kira Yamato, Freedom, heading out!"
"Mu La Flaga, Strike, heading out!"
Following the Barbatos, the two Mobile Suits from the Archangel deployed simultaneously.
As soon as Mikazuki entered the combat zone, he leaped onto an Earth Alliance carrier that was currently attacking an Orb Izumo-class carrier.
"That's one... twenty-three left. Are there... over a hundred MS...?"
"Is it going to be trouble?" Orga's voice came through the comms.
"It's fine."
The Barbatos took to the air, Mikazuki intending to destroy the enemy carriers first to relieve the pressure on Orb's naval forces. As for those Strike Dagger grunts, Kira and the others could handle them with ease.
One by one, the ships began to fall.
Aboard the flagship, Muruta Azrael squinted at the cold, powerful figure of the Barbatos on his screen.
"That machine..."
A wicked smile spread across his face. "Perfect. We'll use him to test our blades. Notify those threethey are cleared for sortie. Let them run wild."
"Yes, sir!"
The appearance of the Barbatos hadn't worried the man much; he didn't believe the machine could stand against his own three units. Instead, it was the Archangel and the Sassari that drew his attention.
"Heh, so that ship didn't sink at Alaska after all. And that other one... it looks like a Nazca-class from ZAFT. What on earth is it doing on Earth...?"
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