SEED - Rendezvous

Sergeant Madoc thought for a moment and replied with full confidence.

"Alright, kid, I'll bet you. If you lose, you have to help the maintenance crew until we disembark."

"Heh heh heh, don't think you can get out of it just because we're disembarking soon."

Thor Klune raised his right palm and said to Sergeant Madoc.

"Okay, no problem. Let's seal it with a handshake. If I lose, I won't renege and will help the maintenance crew until we disembark. But Sergeant Madoc, if I win, you have to finish modifying Moebius as soon as possible."

Sergeant Madoc forcefully slapped Thor Klune's palm.

"Hahaha, okay, handshake, no backing out. You're going to lose."

Thankfully, Thor Klune had a high constitution, otherwise his palm would have been swollen from Sergeant Madoc's slap. He pretended to be in pain and shouted loudly, while thinking to himself.

Heh, you're betting with me on the plot? You're definitely going to lose. I've watched Gundam SEED more than 10 times. How could I possibly misremember such an important plot point? Hahaha, you're finished. Just be my little worker for real.

"Ah, that hurts. Uncle Madoc, I won't shake hands with you next time. Sigh, you hit too hard. Is it like this, so you won't lose anything even if you lose? But I'll give you back your last sentence: you're going to lose."

Sergeant Madoc said indignantly.

"Hmph, we'll see who loses and who wins. Kira, you be our witness."

"Yeah, Kira, you be our witness. Just in case Uncle Madoc doesn't admit it if he loses."

Kira Yamato, standing nearby, said hesitantly and timidly.

"I'd rather not. Whatever makes you happy, don't mind me. Hehehe."

Seeing Kira's hesitation, Sergeant Madoc didn't say anything more and announced he was going to rest, leaving the two of them.

Kira Yamato continued to adjust the various parameters of the Strike Gundam, coordinating with the deviation values. Thor Klune continued his MS simulation training battles. After all, he had stolen the Blitz Gundam's weapons. On the battlefield later, if he encountered any one of the Duel, Buster, or Blitz Gundams, they would definitely attack him. They might even call for reinforcements to surround him. As for the Aegis Gundam, that was Kira Yamato's problem. The two of them were like magnets, drawn to each other. Once they met on the battlefield, it wouldn't be his concern anymore.

This was a headache. For a moment of pleasure, he had made three powerful enemies. He couldn't reveal his true strength, and he couldn't modify the Moebius too drastically. Otherwise, if he could modify the Moebius Kai himself, why would he need to bet and have Sergeant Madoc do it?

"Radar has detected three warships. They are the escort ships Wadogomei, Bennaton, and Raiwei."

The radar operator on the Archangel excitedly reported the good news, and everyone else cheered. Not long after, the radar operator suddenly became serious and said tensely.

"This is..."

Mwu La Flaga suddenly had a bad feeling and asked directly.

"What is it?"

The radar operator replied emotionally.

"It's a Neutron Jammer! It's coming from this area."

Suddenly, the atmosphere on the Archangel's bridge became uneasy. On the other side, on the ZAFT Nacskha-class captain's ship, Gears were flying out continuously, charging towards the Earth Alliance forces. The Earth Alliance also entered a state of combat readiness, deploying a large number of Moebius Mobile Armors to intercept the ZAFT MS.

The radar operator reported excitedly.

"There are heat sources distributed ahead, estimated to be a vanguard force in combat."

The atmosphere on the Archangel's bridge grew increasingly tense. The communications officer reported, "Escort ship Wadogomei is calling. They are terminating the rendezvous and ordering the Archangel to immediately turn around and evacuate."

Upon receiving this message, everyone on the Archangel's bridge was at a loss.

Nataru Bagiruru looked at Mwu La Flaga, unsure of what to do, and said excitedly.

"Captain La Flaga!"

Mwu La Flaga immediately calmed down and asked the radar operator.

"What is the enemy's troop strength?"

The radar operator replied, "One Nacskha-class High-Speed Battleship, with enemy heat signatures of three Gears, and~ hold on a moment.

It's... Aegis, GAT-X303 Aegis Gundam."

Upon hearing the name Aegis Gundam, everyone on the Archangel's bridge was shocked.

Mwu La Flaga asked the radar operator.

"Did you say that warship is a Nacskha-class?"

On the battlefield, the Aegis Gundam weaved back and forth, continuously attacking the surrounding Moebius units, its beam gun destroying them one by one.

The three Gears beside it also wielded rocket launchers and heavy machine guns, launching volleys at the Moebius swarm and rapidly advancing towards the three warships.

On the Archangel's bridge, Nataru Bagiruru urged Mwu La Flaga again, hoping she would issue a command quickly.

"Captain La Flaga!"

Mwu La Flaga lowered her head in thought and said.

"Even if we turn back now, we can't guarantee we can escape ZAFT's pursuit."

Then Mwu La Flaga said firmly.

"All hands, battle readiness one!

Archangel will proceed to cover the vanguard's battle!"

Following this, an alarm sounded inside the Archangel.

Thor Klune said to Mwu La Flaga.

"Captain La Flaga, Thor Klune requests permission to sortie in the Blitz Gear."

Miriallia Haw stood up, disbelief in her voice, and said, "Thor."

Thor Klune stepped forward and gently hugged Miriallia Haw, looking into her tear-filled eyes and softly saying.

"Miriallia, I'll be fine. Kira is with me.

We'll protect everyone, and I'll protect myself and you too."

"But, Thor, you..." Miriallia Haw swallowed the rest of her words and added.

"Thor, please be careful."

Mwu La Flaga shook her head and said sternly to Thor Klune.

"Volunteer Thor Klune, your sortie request is approved~"

Then she said gently.

"Be careful, and have a safe trip!"

Thor Klune nodded and saluted Mwu La Flaga.

"Understood, Captain La Flaga!"

He then quickly left the Archangel's bridge and headed towards the hangar.

On the way, Thor Klune, who was running, saw Kira Yamato and was about to greet him.

When Frey Alsta stopped him and said.

"Kira, what was that battle readiness just now? Where is the vanguard?"

Kira Yamato replied with confusion.

"I don't know either. I don't know anything yet."

As Kira Yamato was about to turn away, Frey Alsta, looking nervous, grabbed him again and said.

"It'll be alright, won't it? My father's ship won't be attacked, right?"

Kira Yamato could only smile and reassure her.

"It'll be fine, Frey. We're going back too."