Chapter 314: The Operation Spitbreak Begins
Being spoken to so sternly by Lacus, both Nicol and Liza immediately shrank like little chicks, nodding frantically and repeatedly assuring her that they would absolutely never tell anyone.
Lacus continued, still wearing a serious expression. "Nicol, then you won't need to leave this place anymore. Just stay here directly, using your current appearance."
Nicol was completely overwhelmed by Lacus's presence and replied at once, "Yes, Miss Lacus."
On the other side, inside the Earth Alliance's Alaska Base, the hearing regarding the Archangel finally came to an end.
Just like in the original course of events, Mu, Natarle, and Flay were reassigned to other bases. They were required to report to the personnel office early the next morning and would soon be departing the Alaska Base.
However, the Archangel and the rest of its crew were left behind, treated by the high-ranking officials as bait and sacrifices meant to perish together with the ZAFT forces.
Tolle also knew that the great battle was about to begin. Tomorrow would be the decisive day, so he immediately began the final adjustment and preparation work on the Astray Gundam Unit 0.
Early the next morning, Mu, Natarle, and Flay reluctantly departed from the Archangel and headed toward the Alaska Base personnel office.
At the same time, Murrue received Colonel Sassarand's reassignment orders. The Archangel was transferred from the Eighth Fleet to the Alaska Defense Force's Fifth Escort Unit.
Only then did they remember to resupply the Archangel with weapons, ammunition, and daily necessities.
The crew aboard the Archangel were all baffled. Clearly, the Archangel was a high-speed space battleship, so why was it being wasted on Earth for base defense duty?
Moreover, several crew resignation and leave requests submitted by Murrue were all rejected.
Even regarding Dearka, the prisoner, they turned a blind eye, citing the tense situation at Panama as an excuse and refusing to deal with him at all.
Meanwhile, on Kira's side, Mentor Malchio once again arrived at Lacus's residence. He chatted with Kira while subtly promoting his own set of pacifist ideals.
Seeing Kira distracted and staring at the rainy scenery outside, Lacus asked, "Kira, do you like rainy days?"
Kira looked at Lacus, then at the rain outside, and answered, "Ah, no. I was just thinking… everything right now feels really unbelievable.
Why did I suddenly end up in this place?"
Lacus asked with a puzzled expression, "Kira, then where do you want to go right now?"
Kira shook his head. "I don't know."
Lacus smiled with her usual innocent expression and asked, "Kira, do you not like it here?"
Thinking about his identity and how he was completely opposed to P.L.A.N.T, Kira lowered his head dejectedly and said, "Is it really okay… for me to stay here?"
"I would answer, of course it is. Of course it's fine.
Kira, one day you will understand. There is a place you must go in search of, and things you must do.
But before you find that goal, you can stay here at ease."
Listening to the conversation between Lacus and Kira, Mentor Malchio felt that he could finally get a word in and brought up the old topic again, saying to Kira, "That's because you both possess SEED."
Lacus looked at the confused Kira and said, "Mm, that's right."
Kira looked at Lacus in confusion, then turned to Mentor Malchio and asked, "We both possess SEED? What exactly does this SEED represent?"
…
More than ten minutes earlier, after receiving news that ZAFT forces had begun to assemble, Mina immediately rushed off in a panic to find Tolle.
"Darling, ZAFT's Operation Spitbreak is about to begin. Their forces have already started assembling in Earth orbit. Even the ground troops on Earth have been mobilized—the scale is truly enormous."
Tolle let out a sigh and said, "So it's finally come to this day. I didn't expect it to arrive so soon."
Mina also said somewhat dejectedly, "Yes. Next, the Earth Alliance's Alaska Base will self-destruct, the Panama Base will fall, and soon Obb will also be facing a disaster."
Tolle put his arm around Mina and comforted her. "Mina, but when the time comes, do we really not need to try to save Obb?
With my current strength, I'm fully capable of dealing with the Earth Alliance's offensive. Protecting Obb's territory shouldn't be a problem."
Mina shook her head, leaned against Tolle's shoulder, and replied, "No need. The important people and facilities have already been transferred to the Pillar of Heaven. The remaining sacrifices are unavoidable.
And even if you block all of the Earth Alliance's invading MS units, what if they respond with even more ferocious nuclear strikes?
At that point, Obb's land would be covered in nuclear radiation, and there wouldn't even be a chance for reconstruction.
On top of that, ZAFT's GENESIS is also a threat. It's better to keep a low profile and let the nation be destroyed.
At least this way, Obb won't be entirely dragged into the war, and at least the Pillar of Heaven can remain peaceful."
"Alright, then we'll do as you say. I'll enter the Alaska Base in a personal capacity. After all, I'm still technically an Earth Alliance ensign."
"But darling, are you really okay going alone? That Astray Gundam Unit 0 may have many weapons, but it might not be able to wipe out all of ZAFT.
Why not switch to the Snow White Prelude instead? At least its energy weapons would last longer."
"No need. I already gave that to you. If I want one, I can just build another.
And just like you said, we need to keep a low profile.
Besides, there's still Kira. He'll descend from the sky in the Freedom Gundam. I just need to hold out until he arrives."
"Mm. Then be careful. If things go bad, leave immediately."
Mina gave Tolle a gentle kiss, then continued, "We've already prepared everything on Shinn Asuka's side as well. His secret training has been completed, and when the time comes, we can insert him into ZAFT's future forces."
Tolle didn't expect Mina to move so quickly—Shinn's training was already complete. Truly worthy of being the woman he had chosen.
She had even handled the logistical work perfectly, leaving him with nothing to worry about.
"Mina, having you really is wonderful." Tolle said excitedly, returning her kiss deeply, then walked toward his Huayan.
He prepared to board the Huayan and use its Mirage Colloid System to pass through ZAFT's layers of blockade and reach the Alaska Base.
On the other side, when Patrick gave the order and designated the target of the Operation Spitbreak as the Alaska Base, the ZAFT commanders were momentarily at a loss.
But under Patrick's encouragement, they still carried out the order according to plan.
All Earth-based units redirected themselves toward a new assembly aimed at the Alaska Base, and every unit in space also began deploying landing forces toward the Alaska Base.