The Outbreak of War

"The Orb government is about to issue its response!"

Miliaria's tense voice rang out on the bridge. Cagalli and the others, who had been waiting anxiously, immediately turned toward her as she rapidly operated the instruments.

"I'll play it directly."

Before long, a lazy, distinctive male voice echoed through the ship.

[――On behalf of the Orb government, we hereby respond――]

It was Yuna's voice.

Cagalli held her breath and waited for him to announce Orb's decision.

[Regarding Lodo Gibril, whose extradition your fleet has once again demanded, our nation has conducted a thorough investigation and confirmed that no such person can be found within our territory. We ask that you refrain from maliciously slandering our country.]

Upon hearing that unexpectedly idiotic reply,

Cagalli briefly thought she had misheard.

With that attitude, anyone who didn't know better would think you were the one who had surrounded them with troops!

[Furthermore, our nation deeply regrets your fleet's use of military intimidation against a sovereign state, an act which clearly infringes upon our dignity.]

Yuna continued in a lofty tone. [Therefore, we demand that your fleet withdraw immediately.]

Orb's statement ended there.

"This...!"

Amagi, seated behind Cagalli, was so stunned that she could not continue speaking.

"This is Orb's official response? Saying he isn't in the country...?"

Cagalli clenched her trembling hands as cold sweat ran down her back.

Even brushing someone off required choosing the right occasion. Their opponent wasn't a child.

The fleet's cannons were already practically at their noses—how could they still stubbornly deny it? Where did they get the nerve to be so arrogant?

During the previous war, the Archangel had also been sheltered within Orb. Her father, Lord Uzumi, had given ZAFT a similar answer at the time.

But unlike the current situation, the country had not been