Siege at the Gates

"How are things? How far have ZAFT's forces advanced?"

Aboard the Archangel, Cagalli and the others had gathered on the bridge.

Hearing Cagalli's urgent question, the communications officer hurriedly replied, "The fleet dispatched from Capantaria has already deployed in the waters off Yuno Goro."

Cagalli felt her vision darken.

So it really could not be avoided!

When the Alliance Forces had attacked Orb before, her father, Uzmī Ula Asaha, had said that if they yielded to the Alliance now, ZAFT would attack them tomorrow.

Now his prediction had come true exactly.

"Lady Cagalli..."

Captain Amagi studied her expression, unable to hide his concern.

Seeing that Cagalli was distraught, Kisaka reminded her from the screen, "They may not necessarily declare war. Saran has not given ZAFT any answer yet."

"But...!"

"Calm down. Wait for Saran's response first. Perhaps they have other plans, understand?"

With that, Kisaka cut off the communication.

That was true.

Though Unato and the others thought differently, they all cared about the country. They should not handle this recklessly.

Kisaka's words became Cagalli's only support.

The crew who heard the news shared Cagalli's sense of crisis.

"What exactly is Saran trying to do?!"

"Lady Cagalli..."

"I know."

Cagalli cut him off and forced herself to calm down. "The situation may not necessarily turn into war. We must not act impulsively—that is what you were going to say, right?"

"Yes. Colonel Kisaka also—"

"I know!"

Everyone felt the same concern for Orb.

That went without saying for Cagalli and Orb's soldiers. Even Marlu and the other crew members who had once belonged to the Alliance Forces were equally worried.

There was no use getting anxious here by herself.

"—It's just that I...!"

Cagalli clenched her fists tightly.

I'm powerless.

Without relying on the Archangel, the Main Angel, and Kira,