Chapter 321: The Sword That Dances Down (1)
Mu replied with a tense expression, "Forget about that for now. The Archangel needs to withdraw immediately. The content of this operation is beyond anything we could have imagined. What kind of orders did your defensive forces actually receive?"
Murrue looked at the visibly nervous Mu and answered blankly, "The orders we received were to hold our respective defensive lines, adapt as needed, and provide mutual support."
Mu shook his head helplessly at that order and said, "Alright, listen carefully. Beneath Alaska Base headquarters, there's a Cyclops System installed. Once it's activated, everything within a ten-kilometer radius of the base will be turned into a furnace!
"With the level of combat power you have, defending this base is simply impossible.
"Reinforcements from the Panama base won't make it in time—and they won't come to rescue you anyway. Because before long, the defensive forces will be completely wiped out, and the base's gates will be breached.
"The high-ranking officials at headquarters will destroy all facilities without hesitation and activate the Cyclops System at any cost.
"This is the script those higher-ups have already written for this war."
Everyone on the bridge was utterly shocked by the news. Murrue said in disbelief, "That's impossible… That can't be true."
Mu, his face heavy with sorrow, shouted sternly, "I wish it were false too—but I saw it with my own eyes. Everyone in the general headquarters has already evacuated, and the main control screen shows the Cyclops System standing by for immediate activation.
"The soldiers left behind to fight are all Eurasian Federation troops. Just like the Archangel, they're units that can be discarded at will."
Neumann said angrily, "So they intend to let us all die here—is that what this means?"
Mu nodded with difficulty. "What they want is for you to abandon any thought of retreat and fight to the death right here."
When Mu revealed the truth, the bridge fell into sudden silence, everyone sinking into fear.
Miriallia had just been basking in the joy of Tolle's return, only to be forced the next moment to face the possibility of being separated from him again.
Her eyes filled with tears as she lamented sorrowfully, "Is this how the Earth Alliance fights wars? Because it's war, because we're soldiers, because it's an order?
"We just reunited with Tolle… and now we have to die here?"
Listening to Miriallia's words, Murrue stared ahead with anger at the ZAFT forces and the enemy–ally distribution displayed on the radar map.
Aside from the defensive line held by the Archangel, nearly all other directions had already fallen.
Large numbers of ZAFT MS were pouring into the interior of the Alaska base.
In great pain, Murrue made her decision. She spoke solemnly to everyone, "If… luring the ZAFT forces inside was the primary objective of this battle… then this ship has already completed their mission.
"What follows is a personal decision made by the captain of the Archangel, Murrue Ramius. No crew member needs to bear responsibility for this judgment."
Mu looked at the conflicted Murrue and said, "Do you really need to put it that way?"
But Murrue ignored him. She stood up, her expression resolute, and issued her orders to everyone, "This ship will abandon the current combat zone and immediately withdraw from the area.
"Notify Ensign Tolle and all other vessels at once. Turn the helm to port, break through the left flank of the left bay area, and proceed at full speed."
After saying that, Murrue was drenched in sweat and collapsed weakly back into her seat.
Mu looked at the exhausted Murrue and comforted her, "Even though this was a very difficult decision to make, don't give up. I'll sortie."
"Major Flaga."
Mu said with a smile, "Don't worry. You didn't forget, did you? I'm the man who turns the impossible into possible.
"By the way, you mentioned Tolle just now. He's already back?"
Murrue nodded. "Yes. That blue Gundam is being piloted by him. I never expected him to return at a moment like this. If he hadn't, we wouldn't have lasted until now."
"Ah, then we'll have to thank that brat properly later."
"Yes, absolutely. We really owe him our thanks."
Miriallia opened a channel to Tolle and called out, "Tolle, do you read me? Tolle, do you read me!"
Tolle, who was still continuously shooting down ZAFT MS, received Miriallia's transmission. Without needing to be told, he already knew they had learned about the Alaska base's impending self-destruction.
Still, he asked, "Tolle here, loud and clear. Miriallia, does Captain Ramius have any instructions?"
"Tolle, there's a Cyclops System installed beneath Alaska Base, and it's about to detonate. When it does, everything within a ten-kilometer radius will turn into a furnace…
"So you need to follow the Archangel and withdraw from this area immediately."
After hearing Miriallia's explanation, Tolle replied in a deliberately shocked tone, "Holy crap—so this is the battle plan those bastard higher-ups came up with? What a bunch of scum!
"Sigh… alright then. I'll clear the way for the Archangel. I swear I'll get the ship and everyone to safety."
"Mm. Be careful, and stay safe."
Tolle then unleashed another full salvo at the Dinn around him, shooting them all down.
He accelerated toward the left bay area of the Alaska base, beginning to clear ZAFT MS from the route ahead.
At the same time, Mu piloted the Gunbarrel-equipped Skygrasper out of the hangar and began attacking the surrounding enemies.
While firing, he didn't forget to speak to Tolle. "You little brat—you come back and don't even tell me? That's really not cool."
"Haha, Uncle Mu, I only just got back myself. As soon as I heard the Alaska base was under attack, I rushed straight over.
"Sigh… I just didn't expect the higher-ups to use a plan like this."
"Yeah… who would've thought. By the way, what about Kira? How's he doing?"
"I don't know either. I passed out back then, and when I woke up, I'd already been rescued."
"I see… alright then. For now, let's focus on flying. We'll talk properly after the battle's over.
"I still want to know what happened to you guys in that previous battle."
"No problem. Once we get out of this godforsaken place, we'll sit down and talk it all through."
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