February 7, CE71, before 10:00 standard time
ZAFT Creuset Team belongs to Laurasia-class frigate Gamow bridge
Next to the black-clad captain Zelman, there is only the red-clad elite Heine Westenfluss Westinflus who leads the supplementary Ginn team;
The red-shirted elite Shiho Hahnenfuss Hanifs, who leads the early-production GuAIZ test team, seizes the time to make adjustments to the early-production GuAIZ in the Gamow's cabin. Incidentally, he also provides help to supplement the preparation of the Ginn team.
After a night of intensive search, the members of the Gamow crew headed by Captain Zelman were already quite exhausted, relying solely on Coordinator's physical fitness to keep them going;
In contrast, although the mobile suit pilots headed by Heine Westenfluss and Shiho Hahnenfuss also slept poorly, they at least got some rest.
However, although the search was carried out all night long, as nothing was found, the hearts of the Gamow crew members continued to sink, and the atmosphere on the bridge became increasingly tense;
Under such circumstances, the radar control officer reported the discovery of the Earth Alliance 8th Fleet advance fleet, which naturally caused a huge commotion.
"On the east side of the large fragment south of Junius Seven, the ship shadow of the Earth Alliance was found!
Nelson-class 1, Drake-class 8, presumed to be the 8th Fleet advance fleet!"
"The entire ship is on level 2 combat readiness, electromagnetic interference is beginning to spread!"
After hearing the radar controller's report, Captain Zelman, who already had dark circles under his eyes, issued a reflexive order;
At the same time, it was obvious that the 8th Fleet advance fleet on the opposite side also discovered Gamow, which had not deliberately concealed itself for search and rescue purposes, at almost the same time, and its good qualities were clearly displayed on the big screen of Gamow.
"Pull, pull, pull, it seems like a difficult opponent to deal with."
Although they had not been together for long, Captain Zelman already knew a little about Heine Westenfluss's character, so he did not respond to Heine Westenfluss's teasing, but only urged the crew members to speed up the confirmation - especially the smaller Silver Wind.
"Report, based on current observations, no traces of Silver Wind or battle have been found, but the possibility that Silver Wind has been captured or that the battle did not occur here cannot be ruled out."
Although it was not the fault of the radar controller, Captain Zelman became somewhat angry after hearing such a report that seemed to say something but seemed to say nothing at the same time;
Fortunately, the bridge door suddenly opened at this time, and Shiho Hahnenfuss rushed to the bridge after hearing the combat alarm, which diverted Captain Zelman's attention.
"Captain Zelman, senior Heine Westenfluss, what is the current situation?"
"Hurry up and make further confirmation!"
Seeing that Captain Zelman was busy working, Heine Westenfluss explained to Shiho Hahnenfuss.
"We came out on top, but what we found was the 8th Fleet advance fleet of the Earth Alliance.
And after preliminary confirmation, there is currently no trace of Silver Wind or any battle here.
Shiho Hahnenfuss-chan, what do you think?"
Shiho Hahnenfuss has somewhat learned to ignore the teasing of 'Heine Westenfluss-senpai' and only seriously stated his suggestions.
"According to the order given by Chief Creuset Team yesterday, should we try to contact the other party to confirm the whereabouts of Miss Lacus?"
To be honest, Shiho Hahnenfuss's proposal was slightly beyond the expectations of Captain Zelman and Heine Westenfluss;
But when I think about it carefully, it seems that this is indeed the case.
"Good suggestion, Shiho Hahnenfuss-chan. I just don't know if the other party will answer us honestly."
Amid Heine Westenfluss's teasing of Shiho Hahnenfuss's proposal, Captain Zelman had already given instructions to the traffic control officer.
"Use the international rescue channel to contact Natural on the opposite side, saying that we are searching for Silver Wind and asking them if they have relevant information!"
Watching the communication control officer taking orders, everyone in the Gamow bridge, including Captain Zelman, Heine Westenfluss and Shiho Hahnenfuss, curiously waited with bated breath for the contact result;
Instead of keeping everyone waiting for too long, the 8th Fleet advance fleet of the Earth Alliance on the opposite side actually responded.
"Received a reply from the Earth Alliance Montgomery: 'This fleet witnessed Silver Wind being attacked by pirates yesterday and was rescued by 'Celestial Being'. It is speculated that Silver Wind is currently on the flagship of 'Celestial Being'.'"
"Ah, this is really an unexpected development."
Compared to Heine Westenfluss's noncommittal exclamation, Captain Zelman felt that Montgomery's reply was full of doubts.
"'Witnessed 'Celestial Being' rescuing Silver Wind from pirates?'
If we can witness a pirate attack, does it mean that the advance fleet is desperate or is itself a 'pirate'?
And 'Celestial Being' only repelled the 'pirates' and rescued Silver Wind, but did not have any contact with the advance fleet?
If there is a peaceful contact with the advance fleet, can it be considered that 'Celestial Being' is also one of the enemies?
So is the so-called rescue a 'hijacking'?!"
Because Colonel Koopman hid the contents related to George·Alstar, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs - although even if they really explained everything truthfully, it would be difficult to believe the details of Gamow;
In short, in response to Montgomery, Captain Zelman, acting as Coordinator and in black, quickly found many loopholes, which in turn deepened the suspicion of the Earth Alliance 8th Fleet advance fleet;
Under such circumstances, Shiho Hahnenfuss, who took a neutral stance, finally proposed another possibility.
"Judging from the orders given by the headquarters, 'Celestial Being' may be in a neutral state at present;
Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that the 'Celestial Being' really only attacked the 'pirates' and rescued the Silver Wind as a civilian ship, while maintaining restraint against non-declared military targets."
Although Captain Zelman thinks Shiho Hahnenfuss's statement is nonsense, at least logically, this statement makes sense;
When Captain Zelman was hesitant, Heine Westenfluss gave a suggestion.
" What Shiho Hahnenfuss Jiang said makes sense.
In any case, if we want to continue the search and rescue, we must first eliminate the influence of the Earth Alliance fleet.
So Captain, how about tentatively asking the other party to leave?
If you refuse to leave, or you have other motives, or you are hostile, we have to eliminate the risk first.
Shiho Hahnenfuss-chan, do you agree with this statement?"
Shiho Hahnenfuss thought for a moment and nodded in agreement with Heine Westenfluss's statement, so Captain Zelman immediately asked the communications control officer to send a new communication to Montgomery.
"Thank you for your information sharing. This ship will continue to perform search and rescue missions in this space. Please leave this space quickly!"
Soon after, Gamow received a call back from Montgomery.
"This ship is performing a mission in this space. I wish your ship a successful search and rescue mission."
Without saying anything else, Captain Zelman first nodded to Heine Westenfluss, and then Shiho Hahnenfuss nodded to Captain Zelman to confirm.
So while Heine Westenfluss and Shiho Hahnenfuss left the bridge together, Captain Zelman also loudly issued the order to fight.
"Gamow Level 1 battle preparation!
Communications Control Officer, send the current situation to Chief Creuset Team as soon as possible!
War Situation Control Officer, wait until the Communications Control Officer completes the dispatch and then conduct combat-strength electromagnetic interference!
Flight Control Officer, keep in touch with Team Leader Heine Westenfluss and Team Leader Shiho Hahnenfuss, and prepare to dispatch the Mobile Suit!
Gunnery chief, use Montgomery as the target, and fire one after another as soon as you enter the effective range!"