After the Gadi Ru entered the Meteor Belt, Xiao Ran prepared to sortie as well. However, with the possibility of encountering participants in battle this time, he still chose to wear a Space Combat Suit as a precaution. After checking the unit once more, Xiao Ran had Ian Lee initiate Chaos Gundam's launch sequence.
After entering space through the catapult bay, Xiao Ran shut down his unit's main thrusters and used the catapult's initial velocity to advance steadily forward. Meanwhile, after launching a decoy missile, the Gadi Ru also shut down its engines, using anchor bolts to latch onto a large asteroid and execute a sharp turn before concealing its massive hull behind the asteroid.
Once the warship's thrusters shut down, the decoy missile's high-energy heat source successfully drew the attention of the pursuing Minerva. Completely unaware of the Gadi Ru's maneuver, the Minerva accelerated toward the decoy missile. It also launched the Impulse Gundam, assembled from the Core Splendor and its new components, which began pursuit equipped with Gatling Gun Equipment.
Besides the Impulse Gundam, five Zaku Phantoms followed close behind, racing at full speed toward the heat source emitted by the decoy missile. The red Zaku Warrior piloted by Lunamaria and three Gears R units cautiously escorted the Minerva.
The reason the Minerva had arranged things this way was naturally because of Xiao Ran's actions at Armory One. Talia Gladys feared that if the Impulse Gundam and five Zaku Phantoms became embroiled in battle yet failed to stop that absurdly powerful Aegis Dagger, allowing it to break through near the warship, at least several units would remain to intercept it at close range. That way, the Minerva would not become a helpless live target before that machine.
After all, Durandal and Orb's Prime Minister Cagalli were both important