Thor Keni chased after him as well, completely ignoring Frey Alusta.
As he ran alongside Kira, he said,
"Kira, we'll be fighting side by side again this time. But this time, I'll be piloting an MS.
Once we're on the battlefield, stay safe. I'm counting on you."
Kira Yamato nodded in reply.
"Yeah, all right, Thor. You need to stay safe too. If things get bad, retreat to the Archangel. I'll cover you."
"Thanks, Kira. But I heard it on the bridge just now—the enemy doesn't have many units.
Just three GINNs, plus an Aegis Gundam that ZAFT seized."
The moment Kira heard the words Aegis Gundam, his expression immediately darkened.
Seeing the change in his face, Thor Keni continued.
"Kira, I'm counting on you to keep the Aegis Gundam occupied as much as possible.
I'll hold off the other three GINNs. Let's do our best."
"Thor, don't worry about the Aegis Gundam. I'll handle it.
But can you manage? You'll be holding off three GINNs."
"Won't there be Earth Federation Army Moebiuses and battleships too? Trust me, I'll be fine.
Though speaking of the Earth Federation Army, I wonder if they'll accidentally shoot me down when they see me piloting a Blitz Gear."
Kira Yamato shook his head. "Don't worry, Thor. The identification signal has already been changed, so friendly fire shouldn't be a problem."
"Mm, that's good. That's good."
The two quickly arrived at the Archangel's hangar, where Mu La Flaga had long since finished preparing.
He was already seated in Moebius Zero, ready to launch.
Thor Keni and Kira Yamato swiftly changed into their spacesuits and prepared to sortie.
Once he was changed, Thor Keni walked over to his Blitz Gear and spotted Sergeant Madoc nearby. He teased him,
"Hehe, Uncle Maddock, you lost, didn't you?
Keep your promise, then. Remember to finish modifying my Moebius Kai as soon as possible."
Sergeant Madoc said unwillingly, "Sigh... I lost. Now I have to work overtime again.
But, brat, this is your first time heading out in an MS. Be careful, and have a safe trip."
Thor Keni smiled. "Don't worry. I'm still waiting for you to modify Moebius Kai. I'll definitely come back."
Kira Yamato climbed into the Strike Gundam beside him, and Miriaria Haw's voice came through the communicator.
"Kira, the enemy has one Nacskha-class battleship and three GINNs. The Aegis Gundam is there too, so be extremely careful."
Kira Yamato nodded. "Thanks, Miriaria. Thor already told me."
Just as Kira Yamato, piloting the Aile Strike Gundam, was about to sortie,
Sai Argyle's voice came through the communicator.
"Kira, Frey Alusta's father is in the advance force. Please."
Kira nodded. "Got it."
He then launched in the Aile Strike Gundam, flying out of the Archangel.
Thor Keni, who was about to sortie in the Blitz Gear, then heard Miriaria Haw's voice through his communicator.
"Thor, be careful. I'll wait for you to come back, and then we..."
Thor Keni immediately broke out in a cold sweat and stopped Miriaria Haw from continuing.
"Miriaria, stop, stop.
Don't say another word.
You're raising a death flag for me. That's way too unlucky."
Then he spoke to her gently.
"Miriaria, Thor Keni, Blitz Gear, launching."
Thor Keni then launched in the Blitz Gear and flew out of the Archangel as well.
On the battlefield, the Earth Federation Army's Moebiuses had been almost completely wiped out by the three GINNs and the Aegis Gundam.
The battleships had also suffered damage to varying degrees. The situation was far from optimistic.
The Archangel continuously fired its single linear cannon and 225cm Twin High-energy Beam Cannon at the GINNs and the Aegis Gundam, occasionally launching Large Missiles as well.
The Strike Gundam and Blitz Gear were still speeding toward the advance force's battlefield.
The Aegis Gundam was incredibly fierce on the battlefield, constantly destroying Moebiuses with its beam gun.
It even found time to transform into MA mode and use its abdominal 580mm fixed Multi-phase Energy Cannon to destroy an Earth Federation Army escort ship.
The Earth Federation Army escort ship exploded at once, erupting in a massive blaze.
At that moment, Athrun Zala, who was likely piloting the Aegis Gundam, noticed Kira Yamato in the Strike Gundam.
He quickly moved toward Kira Yamato.
Thor Keni activated his communicator and said to Kira Yamato,
"Kira, the Aegis Gundam is coming. I'm heading on ahead. It's up to you now, so stay safe."
"Got it, Thor. You stay safe too."
Thor Keni then piloted the Blitz Gear around the Aegis Gundam.
Athrun Zala did not even spare the Blitz Gear a glance and headed straight for the Strike Gundam.
Watching the Aegis Gundam pass by, Thor Keni finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then he said to Nami,
"Nami, assimilate this Blitz Gear and assist me in piloting it.
And follow the usual rules—scatter some New DG Cells across the battlefield and have them gather materials."
"Master, Nami received.
Work is here, work is here. Little ones, get to work."
The Blitz Gear was quickly assimilated by Nami, and she had the New DG Cells use Mirage Particles to turn invisible before entering the battlefield.
On Kira Yamato's side, the battle was far fiercer than before. He and the Aegis Gundam continuously exchanged beam gun fire, occasionally clashing Beam Sabers as well.
At the advance force's battlefield, Mu La Flaga, who had arrived ahead of the others in Moebius Zero, relentlessly attacked the three GINNs with his Linear Gun.
One of the GINNs was struck by his Linear Gun, and Mu La Flaga immediately followed up with all four Wire-guided Pods.
Unfortunately, he only damaged that GINN and failed to completely disable it.
When the other two GINNs saw their companion wounded by Moebius Zero, they immediately moved in to support it, continuously firing Rocket Launchers at it.
Moebius Zero only dodged and evaded, then seized an opening from one GINN's mistake and struck again with all four Wire-guided Pods.
Unfortunately, Mu La Flaga was not as lucky this time and was directly hit by one of the GINNs.
Fortunately, Mu La Flaga's Moebius Zero had dodged in time. Only the fuselage was damaged, and all of its Wire-guided Pods were lost. Still, at least he and the machine had not been destroyed together.
From afar, Thor saw the damaged Moebius Zero and raised his Sniper Beam Rifle with his left hand.
He fired directly at the GINN pursuing Moebius Zero, blowing its dog-like head apart in a single shot.
The headless GINN paused for a moment, then immediately retreated toward its allies.
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