February 3, CE71, around 10:00 standard time
When Athrun arrived at the shipyard where Creuset Team was carrying his luggage, he saw a scene of busy work in front of him:
Several GuAIZs still painted in orange-yellow test paint are being sent to Gamow, including various weapons and all kinds of strange spare parts;
Another GuAIZ, which has been painted white and has undergone certain modifications, is on the trailer waiting to be moved into Vesalius. There is also a weapon backpack that is obviously improvised on the trailer next to it. I am afraid it will be the new landline of Creuset Team;
Duel Gundam and Buster Gundam, which were severely damaged during the previous battle with Mr. Luther·Deikun, are walking out of Vesalius's cabin. They are obviously going to an open place to facilitate overhaul by technicians. The two maintenance stands not far away that are already surrounded by technicians and various parts should be their goals;
However, my Aegis Gundam and Nicol's Blitz Gundam were less damaged, so they should still be in the cabin of Vesalius...
When Athrun was thinking this, he saw Buster Gundam pointing in his direction, and then someone wearing a pilot uniform floated over from Buster Gundam.
"Athrun, as expected you are here too!"
"Nicol?!"
Athrun was first surprised at why Nicol was here, and then realized what Nicol said.
"If it's 'ye', are Yzak and Dearka also?"
At this time, Nicol took the hand extended by Athrun and stood next to Athrun.
"Well, I heard my father talk about Supreme Council yesterday, and then my father wanted to come over to organize the handover of GuAIZ and the maintenance and analysis of 'G', so I came with him.
Then when I arrived, I discovered that Yzak and Dearka had already arrived and were discussing maintenance plans with the maintenance staff.
Everyone is very motivated!"
Looking at the performance of Nicol and everyone else, and thinking of Lacus's worries yesterday, Athrun strengthened his will to fight;
But at this moment, Nicol also suddenly mentioned Lacus, which almost made Athrun lose his power all of a sudden.
"But speaking of Athrun, isn't today the day that Miss Lacus will lead the soul comfort investigation team to set off?
Aren't you going to the port to see me off? I always thought you would come back after seeing me off."
Athrun floated towards Vesalius and responded to Nicol with a guilty conscience.
"I already visited Clyne Family yesterday, which delayed Lacus all afternoon. I can't cause her any more trouble."
"Hey, that's right. But I think Lacus she would be happier if you went to the port to see her off."
Athrun didn't know how to respond to Nicol's words, so he could only drift towards Vesalius in silence.
"Then, I'll go help first."
Near Vesalius, Nicol expressed this to Athrun, then floated towards his father Yuri·Amalfi, who was also wearing a technician's uniform;
Athrun also changed into his pilot suit and came to his Aegis Gundam.
"Can I help you with anything?"
"Oh, Athrun, you came just in time. Without a pilot, many inspections and analyzes would be quite troublesome!"
Soon, time passed in a hurry.
While waiting for lunch, Athrun finally saw Yzak and Dearka, who had been busy all morning, and of course Nicol in the pilot lounge.
"Okay, isn't this Mr. Zala who made a big splash on Supreme Council?"
Following Dearka's sarcasm, Yzak also habitually mocked Athrun.
"No, no, no, I must be more happy dating Lacus, a national singer, than being in the limelight with Supreme Council!"
Am I right, Lacus·Klein's fiancée, Mr. Athrun·Zala from Zala's family?"
"You two!"
Athrun stretched out his hand to stop Nicol's plan to stand up for himself, and just asked calmly.
"Both Nicol's and mine are currently in good condition. How are the conditions of Duel Gundam and Buster Gundam? Will it affect our attack?"
Yzak and Dearka were obviously poked at their shortcomings, and each made a dissatisfied voice, and then Dearka was the first to respond.
"The original weapon developed by the Earth Alliance that was destroyed by Buster Gundam cannot be repaired for a while, so we can only change the interface and use the standard weapon of ZAFT first.
Really, I haven't tried the two two-in-one uses of the weapon yet."
After Dearka answered Athrun's inquiry and then spread his hands in a pretense of ease, Yzak also responded with a stinky face.
"Duel Gundam's damage to both arms has been repaired, and the machine body has also undergone a comprehensive overhaul.
Although many parts can only be temporarily replaced with our products, there should not be much impact on performance.
I also had the technicians add an additional Phalanx system to the shoulder on the sword arm side;
Next time you meet 'Purple Beetle', you must give those little bugs flying around a good look!"
Regarding Yzak's rhetoric, Nicol and Dearka both felt the same, while Athrun just nodded lightly.
"Luther·Deikun is undoubtedly a strong enemy. Any random attack will only lead to failure again, Yzak.
In order to prepare in advance, in addition to cooperating in airframe repair and maintenance, we also need to discuss cooperation tactics!"
Obviously, Yzak was very unwilling to accept Athrun's 'persuasion', which can be felt from his resentful 'hum' sound;
But on the other hand, reason and military literacy tell Yzak, and what Athrun said is undoubtedly correct.
Seeing this, Dearka, who was familiar with his friend's temperament, gave Yzak a step forward with his self-deprecation.
"Anyway, no matter how you discuss tactics, my Buster Gundam is responsible for fire support in the rear;
How about I go back to the airframe to follow up on the maintenance work, and you three can discuss it and tell me the results?!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? Of course you have to join in the discussion!"
Facing Yzak's response, Dearka shrugged helplessly, Nicol snickered, and Athrun began to take the lead in the discussion, which in turn aroused Yzak's fight for dominance.
So in the next two days, Athrun, Nicol, Yzak and Dearka helped with the preparation operations while having active tactical discussions on the two imaginary enemies, 'Celestial Being' and Archangel.
So when around 20:00 on the evening of February 4th, Captain Lou Rau Le Creuset in white, who had already heard about the situation from Captain Frederick Adess in black, entered the pilot lounge where a 'heated' discussion was taking place, a satisfied smile clearly appeared on the face under the mask.
Rau Le Creuset returned the salute to the people who noticed him entering the room and were saluting him, while floating towards the tactical panel terminal.
"I'm glad everyone is ready.
Because although there is still almost a full day before the original time, we must attack in advance.
The reconnaissance force observed a squadron of the Earth Alliance 8th Fleet leaving the port two days ago, and has now been able to determine that they are heading towards the wreckage of Junius Seven."
"Lacus!"
Facing Athrun's exclamation, Rau Le Creuset nodded in agreement.
"That's it. Although Laconi Team and Bort Team are not ready yet, fortunately, our team seems to be ready to attack at any time.
Therefore I command!"
Following Rau Le Creuset's words, Athrun and others stood up and saluted.
"Creuset Team will attack immediately, targeting the Junius Seven wreckage of Debris Belt.
In addition to the fleet of the Earth Alliance 8th Fleet, the missing Archangel and 'Celestial Being' might also be there. My feeling tells me this, everyone is ready for a hard fight.
Of course, I think you are all ready."
"Yes."
Athrun responded calmly.
"Understood."
Nicol also responded loudly.
"Finally a chance..."
Yzak clenched his fists with a ferocious expression.
"I can't wait."
Dearka looked nonchalant.
After hearing the various expressions of the four people, Rau Le Creuset nodded with satisfaction, saluted the four people and left the pilot preparation room;
Hearing the lively discussion in the pilot's preparation room once again, Rau Le Creuset's face under the mask couldn't help but reveal a happy smile.
Not long after, Creuset Team, which had completed all preparations for the attack, left the port. Vesalius and Gamow formed a two-ship formation and headed towards the wreckage of Junius Seven at full speed.