Fortunately, Kira Yamato had finished changing equipment a step earlier and activated the Phase Shift Armor, so the grenade caused no damage whatsoever to the Strike Gundam.
The re-equipped Strike Gundam immediately fired a Hyper Impulse Cannon, blowing apart the Duel Gundam's weapon and right arm.
Having lost his weapon, Yzak Joule flew into a rage from humiliation. But he was no fool, and immediately piloted the Duel Gundam away.
After watching the Duel Gundam flee, Kira Yamato swiftly piloted the Strike Gundam toward the airspace where Moebius Zero was located.
He continuously fired Hyper Impulse Cannons at the four Gundams seized by ZAFT.
Moebius Zero also seized the opportunity to attack, kicking them while they were down and launching an assault on the four Gundams.
Seeing that the situation had turned against them, ZAFT's four Gundams could only retreat in disgrace.
Inside the Archangel's bridge, the radar operator reported, "Enemy MS units are retreating."
Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Mwu Lamias also relaxed and collapsed into the captain's chair.
Thor Keni wiped away some cold sweat. It was finally over. Next, he could openly practice piloting the Moebius MA.
Elsewhere, Kira Yamato remained inside the Strike Gundam after returning and did not come out.
The mechanics beside it were extremely anxious and could only force open the Strike Gundam's cockpit.
They found Kira Yamato inside the cockpit, gasping for breath with a dazed expression. It seemed he had yet to recover from the battle just now.
At the same time, the battle had made Kira Yamato truly feel the terror and fear of war.
Mu La Flaga stepped forward, pried open his hand still gripping the control stick, and said,
"Come out already. The battle is over.
You and I are alive, and the Archangel is fine too. You did well."
Only then did Kira Yamato dazedly release the control stick and look at his hands.
Thor Keni and the others also returned to the Archangel's rest area.
When Frey Alsta saw Sai Argyle return, she rushed over at once, hugged him tightly, and began crying as she poured out her grievances.
She went on about how scared she had been, how miserable she had felt, and so on.
Listening nearby, Thor Keni felt uncomfortable all over. He knew about Frey Alsta's pampered young-lady temper.
But encountering it firsthand made him want to slap her across the face and shut her up.
As if we hadn't just gone through that battle too. We were scared as well, weren't we?
Thinking of this, Thor Keni felt that his own girlfriend, Miriaria Haw, needed some comforting too.
Kazu Bascar could eat dog food by himself.
Then he wrapped his arms around Miriaria Haw beside him and comforted her, saying,
"Miriaria, don't worry. I'll always protect you."
Leaning against Thor Keni's chest, Miriaria Haw softly said, "Mm, thank you, Thor."
The communications soldier's voice sounded over the bridge. "Artemis has accepted this ship's request for entry. They said they will immediately send an inspection vessel."
Mwu Lamias replied, "Understood. Thank you."
Elsewhere, after receiving the news, Mu La Flaga hooked an arm around Kira Yamato's neck in the lounge and quietly said,
"There was something I forgot to tell you. I've locked the Strike Gundam's activation system. No one except you can start it."
Kira Yamato was astonished.
Before long, Artemis's inspection vessel docked with the Archangel, and two Artemis officials arrived at the hangar.
Mwu Lamias and Natale Badgiruel quickly stepped forward to receive them.
After an inspection, the Archangel was permitted to enter Artemis Military Base.
A gap opened in Artemis Military Base's light-wave defense barrier. Following the guidance, the Archangel slowly flew into Artemis's interior.
Standing at the bridge's observation window, Thor Keni stared at Artemis's light-wave defense barrier system and practically drooled.
*I want that so badly. With this light-wave defense barrier system, my Gunpla can cosplay as the Hyperion Gundam.
An impregnable defense... I have to get my hands on it.*
Thor Keni immediately contacted Nami through his thoughts.
"Nami, help me separate some New DG Cells from the Archangel and transfer them to Artemis Military Base.
Copy the entire light-wave defense barrier system of this military base for me.
The Buster Gundam will come to launch a sneak attack later. While things are chaotic, collect some supplies to use as materials for building Satellite Xerxes.
Then secretly assimilate a Federation space fighter, an MA Moebius.
Preferably, create four mechanical arms on it, equip it with every weapon it can carry, increase the number of thrusters, and fully charge its energy.
I'll find a chance to get out later, pilot that MA Moebius away, and recover resources along the way."
"By your command, Master! Nami guarantees the mission will be completed!"
"Oh, Nami, why do I feel like you're getting smarter and smarter? Even your tone sounds a little more human."
"Hee hee hee, Master noticed.
Satellite Xerxes's core computing section has already been completed.
Ever since Nami connected to Satellite Xerxes's computing capacity, these changes have begun.
Master, you won't dislike Nami like this, will you?"
"How could I dislike you? It's too late for that—I like you too much.
Once Satellite Xerxes is built, I'll make you a Humagear body first.
Then you'll be my first secretary and be able to help me with even more things. Hee hee hee."
"Okay, Master. Nami looks forward to the day she can stand beside Master.
The workload is a little heavy right now, Master, so Nami will get to work first. Bye-bye."
Before he could respond, Nami's voice vanished from Thor Keni's mind.
Thor Keni could only continue holding Miriaria Haw as they chatted and admired the view, leaving Kazu Bascar to eat dog food alone beside them.
Frey Alsta was also leaning against Sai Argyle nearby, chatting with him as they watched the scenery of Artemis Military Base through the observation window.
He had a girlfriend himself. Why would he eat anyone else's dog food?
When they saw the scale of Artemis Shield, they thought they were safe now and would no longer need to live in constant fear.
Thor Keni refuted them inwardly.
*Heh, wishful thinking. This defense system only looks impressive; it'll be finished soon enough.
Besides, the people at Artemis Military Base won't have any good intentions toward us.
They also want to seize the Strike Gundam's data. Once we're inside, an investigation will be unavoidable.
Not to mention this place is about to be blown up by the Buster Gundam captured by ZAFT.
The Buster Gundam will be here soon, and this giant umbrella will be smashed to pieces...*
Not long afterward, Sai Argyle left the bridge with Frey Alsta and returned to the rest area to rest.
Just after they left, Thor Keni saw through the observation window that
the Archangel, having entered Artemis Military Base, had been secured in place, while a large number of MA Moebius weapons were aimed at it.
A fully armed assault team also boarded the Archangel's hangar directly.
Before you continue