Chapter 278: Before Departure 2
Tolle knew from the neo DG cells taken from Athrun's group that their unit had only been resupplying near an island far from ORB these past few days. That was why the ORB military mistakenly thought they had already departed.
And since they had already confirmed the Archangel was in ORB, there was no way they would leave so easily.
He had already warned Murrue and the others, and Kira knew as well. Hopefully the fake-death plan would go smoothly this time.
After the meeting, Tolle returned to the Archangel's hangar and asked Murdoch, "Uncle Murdoch, how are my High-Performance GINN and that SFS Guul? They're ready for sortie anytime, right?"
Murdoch replied proudly, "Relax, kid. Morgenröte finished repairing every mobile suit on the Archangel.
And as you requested, the wreckage of those three GINNs and the reconnaissance-type GINN has been completely dismantled for parts.
We've got plenty of spares now—your High-Performance GINN won't end up unrepairable again like before."
"And the two modified MA backpacks? Are they good to go?"
"Don't worry, they're fully operational. But according to Morgenröte's tests, those modified backpacks are better suited for space combat.
Using them on Earth wouldn't be as convenient as that SFS Guul you picked up. And once you get to Alaska, you're all getting discharged anyway, so quit thinking about it."
Tolle shrugged casually. "Alright, alright. Still… we're retiring and parting ways soon. I'm really going to miss you, Uncle Murdoch."
Mu joked from the side, "Tolle, if you're that reluctant, just join the Earth Alliance. You'll get to see us all the time."
Tolle glared at Mu with his dead-fish eyes, but he couldn't openly bad-mouth the Earth Alliance in front of him. So he took a roundabout approach:
"Tch. I'm definitely retiring. I'm not joining the Earth Alliance just to be a low-rank soldier.
That'd be a total loss. Unless they give me a full colonel's rank right away, then maybe I'd consider it. But ensign-level? Too low."
Sergeant Murdoch, very dissatisfied with his bragging, raised his wrench as if ready to throw it. "You brat, getting arrogant now? Complaining about low rank—like the Earth Alliance would even want you!"
Tolle immediately ran for it, calling back from a distance, "Uncle Murdoch, Uncle Mu, if nothing else is going on, I'm heading out first! I'll come chat later when it's my shift!"
Tolle hurried back to his cabin and promptly began cuddling and kissing Miriallia. At the same time, he reinforced the dolphin necklace he'd given her—her safety mattered above all else.
After all, he had been under strict confinement earlier, and ever since returning from the world of Iron-Blooded Orphans, he still hadn't properly reunited with Miriallia.
On the bed, Miriallia leaned against his shoulder with a blissful expression. "Honey, I really missed you… This is the longest we've ever gone without seeing each other since we met."
Tolle stroked her soft hair, unable to tell her they would soon be separated for a long time again.
Mina could help, at least—after the fake-death escape and once he left the Archangel, Tolle could have her send a message saying he'd been found unconscious but not in any danger.
That way Miriallia would suffer less grief, and the chances of her being stolen away by Dearka or Sai would drop dramatically.
Even if it meant another period apart.
But… what if he brought her along when faking his death? What would happen then? Wouldn't that be better?
She would learn his secrets sooner or later anyway.
But explaining it to Murrue and Natarle—why he was taking her onto a battlefield—that part would be troublesome.
Tolle was still lost in thought, weighing the possibilities, when Miriallia looked at him staring blankly at the ceiling and asked, "Honey, what are you thinking about?"
Only then did Tolle realize he'd gotten too absorbed. A man lives under his responsibilities—so he should focus on keeping his beloved safe and happy first.
"Mm, sweetheart, I was thinking about what we should do after we return from Alaska.
Maybe go back to school together… or maybe join the ORB military."
"Sigh… you'd join the military again after coming back?"
Miriallia was disappointed to hear he might be recruited by ORB after Alaska; that would mean less time together.
"Well, it makes sense… You can pilot an MS, so they'll definitely want to enlist you. But I haven't even thought about what I'd do afterward…"
Tolle grinned mischievously. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm not going to leave you behind.
If ORB insists I join, I'll make one condition—they'll have to assign you as my adjutant.
Otherwise I won't sign up. That way we can see each other every day."
Hearing that they could stay together, Miriallia happily kissed him. "I knew it. You always treat me the best."
Then she climbed on top of him, and the two of them began their cultural exchange.