CE71, January 28, around 10:00 standard time
After several hours of maneuvering, the Celestial Being fleet, led by the Gwameir, had drawn more or less within the Gwameir's maximum firing range under cover of Minovsky Particle dispersal.
"Optical targeting is normal. Preliminary strike coordinates have been entered. Relative velocity is being automatically corrected. Current estimated hit probability: 2.33%, and rising."
At the artillery officer's report, Tessa merely gave a slight nod from her seat in the captain's chair. She issued no new orders, so the crew continued with their work as normal;
Aina, however, was curious. She turned to Tessa with a question.
"Big sister Tessa, the other side hasn't dispersed Minovsky Particles, but ordinary electromagnetic interference is having a similar effect.
Can the Gwameir's main guns still hit from this distance?"
Tessa patiently answered Aina's unusual question.
"In any case, although the Artemis Fortress and our fleet are moving relative to each other primarily because of their orbits, overall, it can still be considered a stationary target.
"So the main factors affecting accuracy are the Gwameir's slight rocking and the uncontrollable deflection of the Mega Particle Cannon shots as they leave the barrels.
"Thanks to the main gun enhancement equipment that Big Brother Ginias recently oversaw the development of, we can still ensure a chance of hitting the target despite the interference."
Hearing Tessa mention his name, Ginias looked up from the terminal he had been hunched over and exchanged nods with her;
Satisfied with the answer, Aina returned to Ginias's side and watched him enthusiastically plan modifications for the Astray Gundam. There were already a few too many people around Luther, and Aina wasn't particularly competitive.
"But if we take care of the Umbrella of Artemis this sneakily, it won't do quite enough to establish Celestial Being's reputation."
Monica, standing to Luther's right, made a somewhat flippant comment about the part she was responsible for. Haman, standing to his left, naturally retorted with a jab that served both personal and professional purposes.
"So you're saying, Monica, that things should go less smoothly if we want to establish our reputation? No wonder you came from the Intelligence Division of the Generalissimo's Office."
Monica was about to argue back when the tactical officer suddenly called out.
"High-energy readings on the surface of the Artemis Fortress."
At the tactical officer's alert, no further explanation was needed. Everyone on the bridge could see that a sparkling shield had appeared around the potato-shaped Artemis Fortress on the main screen. There was no doubt: it was the Umbrella of Artemis.
"Jinx."
Haman's one-word remark made Monica hop with anger;
Luther, caught between the two, didn't want their squabble to escalate, so he quickly asked Tessa, "What should we do? Should we try giving them a 'final warning' first?"
"There's no need. Unless we show some strength first, they'll just dismiss it as a 'loser's wail.'"
Tessa shook her head slightly and answered Luther calmly, then immediately began directing the Celestial Being fleet to carry out "Plan B."
"Keep the Gwameir stationary relative to the Artemis Fortress. Contact the Musai-class ships and have them stop as well, then prepare to launch the mobile weapons.
"Switch the main guns to high-energy focused mode. Let's see whether the Light Wave Defense Belt is sturdier than an I-field."
As he watched the crew carry out Tessa's orders, Luther, guessing what was coming, turned to Ginias with curiosity.
"Big Brother Ginias, is this the countermeasure against I-fields? Has it already been developed?"
Ginias once again looked up from his terminal and explained to Luther.
"After we developed the three-in-one Minovsky Particle containment device—the Beam Saber, Mega Particle Cannon, and I-field—we'd essentially completed the initial development and design.
"On the way here to rendezvous, we also received information from Cima about the High-Energy Beam Rifle. That filled in the last missing piece, so we incorporated it into the main gun enhancement device as well.
"But in the end, it's only a prototype. I can't guarantee its effectiveness or how many times it'll work."
Perhaps because they would soon be able to witness the new device's performance firsthand, Ginias didn't return to his work at the terminal after answering Luther this time;
Luther nodded casually to Ginias, pleased with the explanation, then eagerly declared that he was looking forward to the show.
"An indestructible shield against an unstoppable spear. Let's see which one has the edge in the real world."
Monica rolled her eyes at Luther's eagerness to watch, while Haman eagerly joined in the new topic, temporarily forgetting her criticism of Monica's jinx.
"Big Brother Luther, in that case, we should give this version of the Mega Particle Cannon a name!"
"Good idea. Any suggestions, Aina?"
Luther ruffled Haman's hair in agreement, then made sure not to leave Aina out and asked her too;
But Aina shyly shook her head without replying, Ginias also gave a gentle shake of his head, and Tessa seemed to have no intention of joining in this "childish" game. In the end, Monica was the first to make a suggestion.
"How about calling it the Orochi Cannon? There was a development project we reviewed before with that name. I think it sounds pretty imposing."
"And then it failed and got cut by the New Technology Research Bureau, right?"
Haman's retort was entirely factual, leaving Monica momentarily speechless. Luther quickly pulled her close and offered his own idea to smooth things over.
"Since we already call ourselves Celestial Being, how about we call it the Spear of Divine Retribution?"
The women had no objections to Luther's well-reasoned suggestion, and as a crew member, the artillery officer was even more obliged to follow the captain's wishes.
"'Spear of Divine Retribution' fully charged. Target locked!"
"Fire the Spear of Divine Retribution!"
At Tessa's command, after she had silently accepted the name, the Spear of Divine Retribution—and its effect—were sealed with a decisive blow. The Mega Particle Cannon's beam, focused to its limit, pierced through the Light Wave Defense Belt and triggered a violent explosion against the Artemis Fortress itself, blasting a huge hole in the Umbrella of Artemis facing them.
Luther, who had been prepared for this, immediately opened a channel to the hangar.
"Cima, it's your turn. If circumstances allow, try not to hit the cockpit directly."
"Sure, sure. We're the righteous Celestial Being, after all. Boys, move out!"
After sending Cima into battle, Haman, although she had known the plan from the beginning, still asked for confirmation.
"Big Brother Luther, aren't we going out too?"
"If the Newtype Unit launches as well, then even with Kira Yamato aboard the Archangel, it'll be hard to let them escape without a trace. That would leave us with one fewer excuse for intervening later."
Although Luther explained it that way, just like Haman's "asking despite already knowing," that wasn't what she was really concerned about. With a helpless look, Luther affectionately stroked Haman's hair and gave her a light kiss on the forehead.
"I know. You're curious about just how strong Kira Yamato is, right?
"Then go. Be careful not to get hurt by him. If things get dangerous, you can take him out."
With Luther's permission, Haman happily wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a passionate kiss, then left the bridge in high spirits.
Monica turned her head away, Aina wore a shy, knowing smile, and Tessa's expression was hidden as she seemed to focus on commanding the fleet. With no one else to take his frustration out on, Luther turned his attention to the Artemis Fortress.
"Send the Artemis Fortress a final warning. Hand over the Archangel, or we'll come and take it ourselves!"
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