Chapter 69: SEED – Joining Forces & Conversation 1
In the hangar of the Archangel, Kira Yamato shouted at Mu La Flaga.
"We're about to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet, so why are you still in such a rush?"
"Because I feel uneasy! Leaving my unit broken down like this, I really can't rest easy."
Sergeant Marco drifted over to join the conversation.
"Even though it's the Eighth Fleet, most of their pilots are rookies. If anything happens, we'll still have to rely on you, Captain."
Kira Yamato said unhappily,
"And what about the Strike Gundam? Is it really fine to keep it in this condition?"
Mu La Flaga replied,
"Mm… I know. But lowering its performance just to restore it to the specs as designed—that's really a waste."
Sergeant Marco added,
"Exactly. After all, it's possible the Earth Forces also have genius pilots like you and Tolle.
Sigh, if only Tolle were here too. I hope he's all righ—"
At that moment, Murrue Ramius arrived in the Archangel's hangar, cutting in.
"If possible, I'd like someone to keep piloting it."
Kira Yamato turned to greet her. "Captain!"
Mu La Flaga asked in confusion, "What brings you down here?"
Murrue Ramius smiled gently at Kira and the others.
"I'm sorry. There's something I'd like to discuss with Kira."
Seeing Kira's odd, dissatisfied expression, she smiled warmly again.
"Don't look at me so suspiciously. I know it can't be helped, though."
She led Kira Yamato over to stand before the Strike Gundam, and spoke to him privately.
"I don't have unlimited energy, and I've never found the chance to sit down and talk with you properly.
Also… I wanted to thank you, even though it has brought you so many unpleasant memories."
Murrue paused, then bent at the waist and bowed deeply before Kira.
"I am truly grateful to you!
Even after making so many unreasonable demands, and forcing you to do this and that…
I am still deeply grateful to you!"
Kira Yamato, flustered by Murrue Ramius bowing to him, answered awkwardly,
"N-no… um… Captain."
Murrue straightened up again and spoke gently,
"Though no one has said it aloud, everyone is thankful to you.
Things will likely be tough once we return to Earth, so please hang in there."
Just then, the lifeboat carrying General Halberton arrived in the Archangel's hangar.
As he stepped out and saw Murrue Ramius and the others saluting him, he warmly grabbed her hand and said,
"Ah, when I first heard the news that Heliopolis had been destroyed, I truly thought I'd never see you again.
It's wonderful to see you all safe."
Murrue Ramius saluted him back with a smile.
"Thank you for your concern, General. It's been a long time."
General Halberton returned the salute.
"I just received the report that you were caught in a battle earlier. I was worried—are you all unharmed?"
Natarle Badgiruel stepped forward and introduced herself. "I am Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel."
Mu La Flaga also stepped forward and introduced himself.
"I'm Captain Mu La Flaga of the Seventh Mobile Fleet."
General Halberton floated closer, delighted.
"Ah, to have you here—what good fortune."
"No, I haven't really been of much help."
The general then turned his gaze toward Kira Yamato and the others, asking, "And they are…?"
Murrue Ramius explained, "Yes, they are the Heliopolis students who've been helping aboard the ship."
General Halberton brushed past Natarle and the others, going straight to the group of volunteer soldiers.
"The whereabouts of your families have been confirmed—they are all safe."
Hearing that, everyone broke into happy smiles. The general continued,
"In such circumstances, what you have done is truly remarkable. Please allow me to thank you."
Miriallia Haw asked,
"General, our friend Tolle Koenig was captured by ZAFT. Could you please help us…?"
"Of course. Rest assured—we're aware of the situation.
We'll do everything we can to rescue him. If necessary, we'll secure his return through a prisoner exchange."
Miriallia Haw bowed gratefully.
"Thank you so much, General."
Just then, the mustached adjutant and Colonel Hoffman reminded him, "General, time is short."
General Halberton nodded with a smile.
"Mm. I'd like to sit down and talk with you all in detail later."
With that, he left with Murrue Ramius and the other officers for the Archangel's conference room.
Watching secretly from the other side, Tolle Koenig sighed.
"Sigh… I sacrificed so much, even got myself captured by ZAFT, all to save your life, General Halberton.
I even planned to talk with you afterward. But you're still so bureaucratic…
That was far too purposeful—you went straight for Kira, while dragging others into it, as if I wouldn't notice.
Seems without equal status, there's no way we can really talk on the same level.
And my poor Miriallia—her eyes are swollen from crying, she's lost so much weight. She must miss me terribly.
This time I really feel like I've gotten the short end of the stick… I don't know if what I did was right or wrong."
Tolle Koenig continued to watch General Halberton's every move, seeing them enter the conference room.
General Halberton sat down and said,
"When you think about it… for this one warship and a single Strike Gundam, we lost not only Heliopolis, but Artemis as well.
Still, you succeeded in preserving the Strike and this ship. One day they'll become powerful assets for the Earth Forces."
Colonel Hoffman interjected, "Unfortunately, Alaska doesn't seem to share that opinion."
General Halberton defended himself.
"What do those people know about space?" He turned back to Murrue Ramius.
"Only you, Captain Ramius, truly understand my thinking. There won't be any problem."
The adjutant asked, "And what about that Coordinator child? Will there be no issue there?"
Murrue Ramius answered,
"Kira Yamato only piloted the Strike to protect his friends.
Without his help, we likely wouldn't have made it here.
Though the circumstances forced him into it, fighting his own kind has been very painful for him.
He's an honest and kindhearted boy. I believe he deserves our complete trust."
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