The life pod Kira discovered during our resupply run in the Debris Belt contained exactly who I expected: Lacus Clyne, just as in the original story. Before anyone could even ask her name, her comment—"This ship is not a ZAFT vessel, is it?"—immediately outed her as a Coordinator. Murrue, Mu, and Natarle had taken her to a private room for questioning. By now, they probably knew she was Lacus Clyne, the only daughter of Siegel Clyne, the Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council.
"Hey, brother! That ammo is for the Igelstellung, so send it over there, not here!"
"Roger that."
I was currently in the middle of sorting supplies salvaged from the debris field, seemingly unconcerned with the high-profile guest. ...Though, I noticed a few people who were supposed to be working here were missing. Probably slacking off to get a glimpse of Lacus. I figured I'd leave their punishment to Natarle's inevitable thunder.
With the resupply complete, the Archangel finally departed the Debris Belt.
Our destination was the Alliance's lunar headquarters. If we followed the original timeline, we'd face several battles before eventually descending to Earth.
"So, what did you decide to do with the girl?" I asked Murrue, who was deep in thought on the bridge.
The crew had already been informed that our guest was Lacus Clyne, the daughter of the PLANT Chairman. Some refugees were anxious, fearing that hosting such a VIP would invite ZAFT attacks, but most seemed surprisingly indifferent. Perhaps that was the Neutral Orb mindset at work.
"Well... I suppose our only option is to take her to Lunar Headquarters," Murrue said hesitantly.
"If we're heading straight there, that's pretty much the only choice, isn't it?"
"But she's the Chairman's daughter. If we hand her over to HQ, they'll almost certainly use her as a political pawn."
"No doubt about it."
Having the enemy leader's daughter fall into your lap was a golden ticket. The military brass wouldn't just let her go with a wave and a smile.
"I don't want to put a civilian—especially a young girl like her—through that if I can help it."
"You're soft... no, maybe 'kind' is the better word here."
"I know I'm soft. But even so..."
"...Isn't that fine?"
"Eh?"
"It might be a flaw for a commander, sure. But subordinates generally find it easier to work for a boss with a heart than one who decides everything like a machine. ...Though, that's just the opinion of an outsider mercenary."
"Indeed. That is an opinion only someone outside the military chain of command could express," Natarle interjected, stepping onto the bridge. "I understand Captain Ramius's sentiments, but what about them? The students who have been helping us operate the ship and fighting in battle are also civilian children."
"Ensign Badgiruel, that's..."
"Are you saying it's unavoidable for Kira Yamato and the others to fight, but you don't want to involve that girl? She is a Clyne. By birth, she is already far more than just a mere civilian."
Murrue fell silent. Natarle was right, in a strict military sense. But for Murrue, who valued compassion, it was a hard pill to swallow. ...Logically, for the sake of the ship, Natarle's argument held more weight.
In the end, the discussion petered out without a definitive conclusion, and the decision on what to do with Lacus was postponed. If Natarle were captain, Lacus's fate would have been decided in seconds. She was, for better or worse, a soldier through and through.
Several hours later, while in the mobile suit hangar, I heard the news: we had received an encrypted transmission from an advance fleet dispatched by the 8th Fleet.
A few days later, the Archangel had closed the distance enough to establish direct communication with the advance fleet. The refugees, anticipating their release from the cramped ship, seemed visibly more relaxed.
Meanwhile, I was in the hangar, running checks on the OS and FCS that Kira had re-adjusted for me. The heavy beam rifle, drained during the battle before Artemis, was fully recharged and ready for action. If memory served, the advance fleet would be attacked mostly by GINNs. That meant this heavy rifle would actually be effective this time.
Smiling wryly at my own pessimism—preparing for battle before we'd even rendezvoused—I climbed out of the cockpit. Murdoch was waiting for me at the bottom of the lift.
"Good work, brother. Though, once we link up with the advance fleet, we won't have to worry about fighting for a while, right?"
"You think so? If I were ZAFT, I'd attack the advance fleet specifically to lure us out. Makes for good bait."
Just as I jokingly exchanged words with Murdoch, the moment arrived.
"All hands, Battle Stations Level One. Repeat: All hands, Battle Stations Level One."
The alarm klaxons blared, and the announcement from the bridge echoed through the hangar.
"...Here it comes."
"Brother, did you predict this?"
"Predict? Nah, I just didn't think things would go this smoothly. Prep the machine for launch. I want the heavy beam rifle, the assault machine gun, and the heavy sword available."
Giving only those instructions, I didn't wait for a reply before sprinting to the pilot waiting room. I was the first one there. As I started changing into my pilot suit, Mu arrived a moment later. He glanced at me, then quickly began to change as well.
"You're fast."
"You're slow."
"Axel-san, Lieutenant Flaga, can you hear me?"
Murrue's voice cut into our banter over the intercom. Since Mu was still half-dressed, I answered.
"Axel here. What's the situation?"
"We've confirmed an Aegis among the enemy Mobile Suits. It is likely the Nazca-class that was pursuing us."
"Which means..."
"That bastard Le Creuset is here," Mu muttered bitterly, finishing zipping up his suit. Given that both he and Le Creuset were essentially Newtypes, there was a sort of kinship of hatred between them.
"I'm late!"
Kira burst into the room and frantically started changing.
"Understood. Our priority is protecting the advance fleet, correct?"
"Yes, please."
"We'll do our best, but... given the difference in numbers, keep retreat as an option."
"...Understood."
Cutting the comms, we headed for our respective machines in the hangar.
"Brother, I mounted the gear you asked for," Murdoch called out.
"Thanks."
I climbed into the Blitz's cockpit and initiated the startup sequence.
"Blitz, proceed to the catapult deck."
The Blitz was moved into position on the starboard linear catapult.
"Axel-san, the enemy consists of three GINNs and, as the Captain said, the Aegis."
"Roger. Blitz, Axel Almer, launching!"
I shot out from the Archangel's leg. Immediately, I formed up with Mu's Mobius Zero, which had launched ahead of me. The Strike, equipped with the Aile Striker, launched right after me and joined the formation.
"Axel, we can't do anything unless we thin out those GINNs. Sorry, but can you handle the Aegis?"
I weighed Mu's request. Asking the Mobius Zero to take on the Aegis was suicide. That left me or Kira. Considering the skill gap, Mu likely judged that I was the better bet to hold off Athrun.
"Understood. Mu, Kira, you take the GINNs."
"Um, Axel-san... about the Aegis..."
"What is it?"
"Ah, no... it's nothing. The Aegis is strong, so please be careful. That's all."
He probably wanted to ask me not to hurt his friend, Athrun, but since he was keeping their relationship a secret, he couldn't say it.
"Yeah, I know."
I kept my reply brief.
"Alright, let's all meet back on the Archangel in one piece!"
With Mu's parting words, the three of us split up across the battlefield.
Honestly, if I'm taking on the Aegis, this heavy beam rifle is going to be dead weight. The Buster already proved that standard beam weapons are ineffective against Gundam Phase Shift armor. Considering its bulk and poor handling, it was more of a hindrance than a help. I decided to dump all three shots and then cast it toward the Archangel. Hopefully, it would draw the Aegis's attention away from the Strike.
I scanned the area for the Aegis. Almost simultaneously, the Archangel's "Valiant" linear cannons fired, sniping a GINN that was closing in on the advance fleet. Two GINNs remaining.
At the same moment, I spotted the Aegis. It had just destroyed one of the advance fleet's ships with its "Scylla" energy cannon. Athrun seemed to have spotted the Strike, as he ignored the Mobius Zero and the Blitz completely, heading straight for Kira.
I lined up the heavy beam rifle on the charging Aegis... Fire! Fire! Fire!
I pulled the trigger three times in rapid succession.
The first shot streaked across the Aegis's path, forcing it to stop its charge toward the Strike. The second shot checked its reflex to dodge backward. The third shot was aimed dead center for the finish...
It dodged!?
Just as the beam was about to vaporize its head, the Aegis transformed into its Mobile Armor mode. It let the beam pass harmlessly by, then—with its four claws spread wide in firing position—turned toward the Blitz.
"Axel-san!"
Kira's panicked voice came over the comms. I tossed the empty heavy rifle toward the Archangel and replied calmly.
"Leave the Aegis to me. You handle the GINNs."
"Y-Yes!"
Watching the Strike head off to intercept the GINNs attacking the fleet, I activated Phase Shift armor and braced for the Aegis.
It closed the distance rapidly and fired the Scylla.
"Don't underestimate me!"
A straight-line attack without any attempt to restrict my movement wasn't hard to dodge. I thrusted right, side-slipping the massive beam, and circled around to the flank of the MA-mode Aegis. I swung the Trikeros beam saber down.
But the Aegis wasn't just a sitting duck. Utilizing the superior mobility of its MA form, it evaded my strike, transformed back into Mobile Suit mode, and swung its own beam saber down at me.
"Tch!"
In the SEED universe, beam sabers pass through each other due to technical limitations; you can't lock blades. I had no choice but to dodge. Normally, I could block with a shield, but the Trikeros is the weapon system containing the saber. Blocking with it would mean taking my primary weapon out of alignment for a counterattack.
And so, at a distinct equipment disadvantage, the duel between the Blitz and the Aegis began.
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 35
PP: 495
Melee: 246
Shooting: 264
Skill: 256
Defense: 253
Evade: 281
Hit: 303
SP: 422
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to boost unit performance)
Growth Type: Versatile / Special
Terrain Ratings:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recover & Focus)
Telekinesis LV.10
Attacker
Gunfight LV.9
In-Fight LV.9
Limit Break (Morale)
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Shot Down Count: 256
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