Earth time, January 27.
Outer space near Artemis.
"Athrun has already departed from the Pharsalus. Don't fall behind!"
Yzak, piloting the Duel Gundam, quickly spotted Athrun's MS identification signal on the radar.
Since they needed to intercept the Archangel Warship ahead, Athrun's Aegis Gundam had remained with the Pharsalus.
"That guy..."
Diakka immediately pushed the Buster Gundam's engines harder and accelerated toward the Archangel Warship.
"The enemy MS units are scattering!"
The Archangel Warship's radar operator reported in real time.
"Begin interception!"
Seeing that the personnel below responsible for combat had not reacted for so long, Marlu could not help demanding, "What is CIC doing?"
At a time like this, and they were still not ready!
"Are the lasers locked on?"
Lieutenant Junior Grade Baggage, in charge of the Archangel Warship's combat command, finally snapped back to attention.
"Yes!"
"Missile tubes thirteen through eighteen! Target the three MS units behind us—fire!"
"Seven through twelve, load Hammers—target the rear MS units! Fire!"
"Nineteen through twenty-four, load Corindas! Fire!"
Following Lieutenant Junior Grade Baggage's orders, every gun barrel on the Archangel Warship opened fire.
With flames bursting from the launchers, dozens of missiles sped toward Yzak and the others behind them.
"Is that all?"
Looking at the incoming shells, Yzak sneered. He maneuvered the Duel Gundam aside and fired several laser shots, destroying the approaching missiles one by one.
"Yzak! Don't go running off on your own!"
While shooting down missiles, Diakka roared at Yzak, who had clearly broken away from the formation.
Nicol said nothing. He simply focused on piloting the Rage Gundam and destroyed the missiles closing in on Yzak.
"Diakka, Nicol! You two handle the Archangel Warship!"
After destroying the last missile, Yzak hit the accelerator and charged toward the Strike Gundam displayed on the optical monitor.
"What? What