"—The allied forces have all withdrawn. Kira... is safe."
Elsewhere, the Archangel, the Millennium, and the Eternal had also left the battlefield and were heading toward Heliopolis.
With no Indra Gundam among their pursuers, the three warships escaped after a brief skirmish with the Minerva.
While they were still making their tense journey, Miriallia received word from the other group.
At last, everyone aboard could breathe again.
"Murrue." Lacus opened a channel to her.
"What is it, Lacus?" Murrue asked.
"Why did Inori tell us to go to Heliopolis?" Lacus could not see what strategic value Heliopolis held right now.
That was what puzzled her.
"The weapon the Archangel used to destroy the 'umbrella' was a beam Disruptor Cannon," Murrue said after a pause. "We tested it once before—Yzak fired it from space at a ground target. But the data from that test had serious gaps. This time, the Archangel obtained detailed data. In other words, we now have enough data to complete the beam Disruptor Cannon. And Heliopolis is the only place where we can build it."
"I see. That's wonderful." Lacus sighed with relief.
"But I'm afraid there's another problem." Murrue was still frowning. "The Strike Freedom is probably the only unit that can carry it. But Athrun just told us the Strike Freedom self-destructed."
That meant they no longer had a mobile suit capable of carrying the weapon.
Author's note:
I've been in a daze all day. Orz
I'm feeling a little better now, so I'll try to write some more. If I can't keep going, I'll go lie down.
Native Kiriko or Gender-Swapped Kiriko
"Mm..."
Kira slowly woke up.
She found herself lying in a hospital room.
Inori Yuzuriha stood by the window, looking outside.
The door opened, and Athrun and Cagalli came in.
"Kira!"