"I am Lacus Clyne," Lacus spoke over the public communication frequency.
"Because the futures we seek are different, we stand in opposition to Chairman Zala. However, I do not wish to fight any of you. Therefore, as unreasonable as this request may be... please, allow this ship to pass."
But how could the opposition simply obey Lacus after a few words? The MS forces began launching a second wave of missiles.
The MS squad dispersed, and missiles rained in from all directions. No matter how powerful the Eternal was, it was impossible to shoot down every single projectile.
A small cluster of missiles evaded the anti-aircraft guns, streaking toward the thrusters at the rear of the Eternal. By the time they were spotted, it was already too late to intercept them. The missiles were coming in at a treacherous angle, deep within the anti-aircraft guns' blind spot.
"Not good! Evasive maneuvers!"
The crew on the bridge naturally noticed the missiles closing in on the thrusters. Andrew Waltfeld gave the order with a grim expression, but everyone knew they wouldn't make it in time. Once the thrusters were destroyed, they would have no choice but to be captured.
Suddenly, the Captain of the GINN squad received a transmission from the friendly forces in the rear.
"Captain! Something is heading your way! It's moving fastreally fast!"
"What?"
A red dot appeared on the Captain's radar just as the cockpit displays began flashing red warnings. The intruder was traveling at nearly ten thousand kilometers per houralmost Mach 15.
This speed was faster even than their Nazca-class high-speed destroyers at full throttle. A streak of blue light flashed past their eyes in the blink of an eye.
The GINN squad leader stared blankly at the fading trail of light.
"What was that? An MS? That's way too fast..."
Inside the cockpit of the Barbatos, Mikazuki looked straight ahead with a vacant expression. Had a normal human been sitting in his place, they likely would have been crushed into dust by the sheer pressure of such velocity.
Inside the shared link, Orga was internally stunned.
Orb's Long Distance Transport Booster Kutan Type-III is truly incredible. Is it made of battleship-grade materials? Still... it's one thing for the Barbatos to reach this speed, but it's a miracle Mika can withstand the G-force.
"I see them."
Mikazuki squinted as he saw the missiles only a few hundred meters away from the Eternal. He pressed a button on his screen.
Boom!
The white and blue Long Distance Transport Booster Kutan Type-III burst open and detached. The Barbatos's speed plummeted instantly, but Mikazuki fought against the inertia, his hands and feet moving in a blur of manipulation.
As the Barbatos maintained its forward momentum while decelerating, Mikazuki grabbed the Smoothbore Gun as it shifted into place beside him. Without a moment's hesitation, the barrel erupted with several bursts of fire.
Boom!
The missiles behind the Eternal were swallowed by a violent explosion. The Eternal's sensors finally captured the Barbatos, projecting the image onto the bridge's main screen. Lacus stood up, shouting with joy.
"Barbatos!"
"Eh? Why is that boy's machine appearing here?" Andrew asked, his face a mask of bewilderment.
Immediately after, the Barbatos's feed switched, and Mikazuki's face appeared on their screen.
"Mika!" Lacus was visibly moved to see him.
"Oh, Lacus. It really is you. Are you alright?"
Lacus gave Mikazuki a beautiful smile. "Yes, I am fine."
"I see. That's good then."
Mikazuki showed a relieved smile before Orga's voice cut in.
"I hate to interrupt the reunion, but we've got enemies coming. Mika!"
Mikazuki glanced at the GINNs charging from the distance.
"I'll clear the road. You guys just keep moving forward."
The Barbatos moved to the front of the Eternal, unleashing a barrage of fire at the GINNs blocking their path.
Lacus didn't hesitate. "Eternal, maximum speed!"
Andrew knew this was their chance. "Understood! Eternal, full speed ahead! Keep up with the Barbatos!"
After the Barbatos took out one GINN with a single shot, Lacus couldn't help but speak up.
"Mika, could you try not to hit the cockpits?"
Mikazuki's brow furrowed slightly. "...I'll try."
With that, he dodged a rocket fired from behind, stowed the Smoothbore Gun, and drew the Tachi from his back. The Smoothbore Gun was simply too powerful; the GINNs' armor couldn't withstand a single hit, and the pilot would be vaporized along with the machine.
Since the Barbatos had used the booster armor to travel the distance, its main thruster fuel was completely untouched. He could fight without any restraint.
Swoosh!
The Barbatos appeared behind a GINN like a ghost, severing its head with a single strike. The machine was disabled instantly, left to drift aimlessly through space while the pilot remained unharmed. Then, one after another, the Barbatos transformed into a blue meteor, galloping across the sector at a speed the eye could barely follow.
Andrew's lip twitched as he watched the display, unsure of how to even describe the expression on his face.
"That boy is getting more terrifying by the day..."
In just a few minutes, Mikazuki had disabled thirteen GINNs. If he wasn't taking off their heads, he was hacking off their arms and legs.
An opening appeared in the encirclement around the Eternal. Andrew seized the opportunity and ordered the helmsman to charge at full speed. They successfully broke through the MS force's perimeter, leaving the GINNs far behind.
Seeing that the Eternal had successfully escaped, Mikazuki stopped drawing fire. He sheathed his Tachi, opened his thrusters to the max, and quickly caught up with the ship, landing on the battleship's armor right in front of the bridge.
"I'm hungry..."
Just as Mikazuki muttered to himself, a familiar voice rang out.
"Yo, boy. Thanks for the help."
"Hmm?"
Turning his head, a virtual screen popped up on his retinal projection. A familiar face appeared.
Mikazuki blinked.
"The Desert Tiger?"
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