Above the waters near Panama Spaceport
The Genesis Gundam, controlled by Felix, broke through the first line of defense and arrived behind the enemy forces.
Inside the cockpit
Felix watched the live feed on the screen, pressing the forward pedal with his left foot and the reverse pedal with his right. The Genesis Gundam executed a mid-air rotation in response to the commands.
His fingers pressed buttons on the control stick, and the Sirius Beam Rifle appeared on the weapon selection dial.
Observing the enemy units on the screen, he pulled the trigger.
The beam rifle was raised by the Genesis Gundam.
High-energy beams shot from the barrel.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three shots destroyed three fighter craft.
The weapon on the selection dial switched.
The Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon activated from the wings, both barrels aimed forward.
Targets locked, the trigger was pulled.
Two layered beams fired out.
The beams pierced through the battlefield!
Three or four fighters were pierced and damaged.
After firing, Felix manipulated the controls, pressing command buttons.
The Genesis Gundam performed a backflip maneuver in the air.
While evading attacks from enemy fighters, the Destiny Support Fighter fired from the left.
Beams from the Fortissimo Beam Cannon pierced two fighters.
Completing the backflip, the Genesis Gundam returned to normal posture, deploying two Sailfish Railguns.
Boom! Boom!
Two loud reports echoed from the barrels.
Projectiles accelerated electromagnetically, flying at hypersonic speeds.
The immense kinetic energy instantly pierced through the targets.
"Captain, we're a step too late!"
Inside the cockpit
As Felix controlled the Genesis Gundam in combat, Heine's voice came through the comms.
A glance to the side revealed several bursts of flame lighting up the sky, with Heine and others' MS appearing in his peripheral vision.
"You're not too late!"
Felix replied calmly, manipulating the controls.
The Destiny Support Fighter dove downward.
Evading fire from the warship, the Siren Beast Cannon fired a thick beam.
Bang!
A violent explosion erupted on the warship, which began sinking beneath the waves, billowing thick smoke.
...
Half an hour later
Bang!
With the final explosion, the last fighter in the airspace was destroyed.
The first line of defense at Panama Spaceport was completely obliterated.
Inside the defense force command center
"Commander, all units of the first line of defense have been annihilated!"
A soldier, seeing no feedback on the screens, reported urgently to Pollard with grief in his eyes.
Pollard remained expressionless, then ordered after a moment.
"Second line forces, fall back and merge with the third line."
"Yes!"
The communications officer acknowledged and relayed the order to the second line forces.
In the air
"Captain, enemy movements have changed!"
Inside the Genesis Gundam cockpit
Aric's voice sounded over the comms.
Hearing this, Felix asked calmly.
"Report directly."
"The enemy forces are retreating."
Aric reported succinctly.
Upon learning this, Felix responded softly.
"Hmm."
After this command, Felix turned to Aric.
"Order the underwater units to execute Operation Plan B!"
"Yes, sir!"
Aric's response was loud and firm upon hearing the order.
...
"What on earth is going on?"
Mu's expression was grave as he observed the situation inside the base. While voicing his confusion, he maintained his rapid pace without slowing down.
"Mr. Mu, wait for me!"
A faint voice called out from behind.
Mu halted his steps and turned around, soon spotting Flay running toward him. His face showed surprise at the sight of her, then turned serious.
"Flay, why did you follow me?"
"Mr. Mu, I was worried about you."
Catching her breath after stopping, Flay looked at Mu as she spoke. Her face carried a trace of concern as she asked,
"Mr. Mu, what exactly happened here? Why does the base feel so deserted?"
"I don't know either!"
Mu shook his head, his expression showing he had no answers.
His gaze fixed on Flay as he said seriously,
"Stay close to me from now on."
"I understand, Mr. Mu."
Seeing the seriousness on Mu's face, Flay grasped the gravity of the situation. Her expression turned equally solemn as she nodded.
With that, Mu turned forward and continued jogging ahead with Flay following closely.
...
Bang!
A loud pounding sound echoed.
Anger flashed across Mu's face as he growled under his breath.
"Those damn higher-ups!"
"Mr. Mu?"
Flay watched Mu's furious expression with confusion, murmuring quietly.
Mu turned to Flay, his expression grave.
"We need to get out of here quickly, or we'll die here."
With those words, Mu turned and ran toward the exit.
Hearing this, panic spread across Flay's face. Without wasting a moment, she closely followed Mu as they fled the area.
...
Outside Josh-A Base
The defense forces were still engaged in fierce combat with ZAFT Forces, but aboard the Archangel, a different scene was unfolding - one of unexpected reunion.
"Mu, Flay, weren't you both transferred away?"
Murrue looked at Mu and Flay in surprise.
Seeing Murrue's astonishment, Mu wasted no time on pleasantries and immediately informed her about the Cyclops System.
Upon hearing this, horror spread across Murrue's face and the others'. Murrue's expression then shifted from shock to despair and grief as she bowed her head and whispered,
"We knew nothing about this!"
"Murrue, this isn't the time for that. We need to evacuate from here immediately!"
Seeing Murrue's distraught expression, Mu patted her shoulder and reminded her in a deep voice. Hearing this, Murrue looked up at Mu, composed herself, and nodded.
"You're right. We need to get away from here as soon as possible."
...
At the Panama Spaceport Defense Force Command Center
"Commander, our submarine and surface fleet units have been completely wiped out!"
The soldier reported with grief in his eyes after watching the last submarine lose its signal.
Upon learning of the submarine fleet's total destruction, Pollard's face remained calm as he quietly resumed his seat.
"Order the air force units that haven't engaged ZAFT Forces to retreat. All units are to withdraw and form defensive positions around Panama Spaceport!"
Looking up forward, Pollard broke his silence and issued the command.
After the order was issued, Pollard picked up the communicator.
He calmly contacted Commander-in-Chief Williams.
"Is the situation very bad?"
As soon as the communication connected, Williams' inquiry came through the comm. Hearing this, Pollard responded with a calm yet somewhat tragic tone.
"Commander, we will fight to the last moment!"
"Hold on with all your strength. Support forces will arrive soon."
Hearing the tragic determination in Pollard's voice, Williams realized the situation at Panama Spaceport was dire. Unable to provide immediate assistance from such distance, he could only offer such comfort.
"We will hold on with all our might."
Watching the situation on the screen, Pollard replied without any decrease in the pessimism in his eyes.