The Captains' Meeting 2

His gaze finally settled on Natarle Badgiruel. He remembered this woman—back in the desert, she had been the stern-faced executive officer commanding the Archangel.

Natarle Badgiruel's body tensed for an instant. Looking at the bearded man before her with his uninhibited smile, she immediately recalled that brutal battle in the North African desert. That ocher LaGowe had raced through the sands like a ferocious tiger, posing an immense threat to the Archangel.

"—Desert Tiger." Her voice was quiet, but loud enough for everyone around them to hear. The four words carried no emotion when spoken by her, merely a statement of fact.

Standing beside Natarle, Murrue Ramius had more complicated feelings. She gazed at Bartfield's face with deep emotion. This man had been one of the most formidable and worthy opponents she had encountered since becoming a captain.

Noticing Murrue's gaze, Bartfield gave her a light shrug, his expression carrying a hint of helplessness and self-mockery.

That gesture made Murrue sway slightly. It was as though she had returned to that battlefield engulfed in artillery fire, where this man had commanded his forces in precisely that manner, launching fierce assaults against them again and again.

"I'm Murrue Ramius." Murrue drew a deep breath, restoring the composure of a commander. Her face held an indescribable expression, containing both surprise at their reunion and a sense of fate's irony. "...Still, this is truly surprising. I never thought we would meet again here, like this."

"The feeling is mutual." A touch of sincerity entered Bartfield's smile. "I never imagined that one day I'd shake hands and make peace with the captain of the Archangel. The world is full of surprises, isn't it?"

A smile appeared on Murrue's face as she extended a hand. Bartfield did the same and clasped it. Their hands gripped