Lacus and Durandal

"Message from headquarters: All ZAFT forces are to proceed to Messiah and assemble for its defense!"

Aboard the Minerva, everyone still basking in the glow of New Genesis was jolted awake by the sudden order.

"Defense? Defend what?"

Arthur responded blankly.

What was there left to defend?

The Earth Alliance forces had practically been wiped out by that single shot.

Genesis α had become wreckage as well.

Our forces had achieved total victory. What the hell was there to defend under these circumstances?

Talia did not answer. She merely turned her head silently toward the Eternal and the fleet gradually gathering around it.

What were they defending? Did he really need to ask?

"Destiny Gundam, Legend Gundam, Destiny Zaku, Impulse Gundam, return to the ship—"

Abby Windsor, who had replaced Miriallia as the MS communications officer, reported on the situation in the mobile suit hangar.

"What about the actual situation?"

Suppressing the thoughts in her heart, Captain Talia questioned her subordinate.

During the battle, Shin Asuka had suddenly piloted the Destiny Gundam and rammed the deck with an enemy MS in tow.

That reckless stunt had truly been a headache.

"He's in the medical bay."

"The medical bay? Was he injured?"

Talia looked startled. As she recalled, Destiny Gundam Unit 1 should not have suffered any damage.

"No, it's the enemy pilot."

Abby Windsor hurriedly replied.

"What is he doing? Tell him to prepare for deployment immediately... Forget it. Let him be."

Talia changed her mind halfway through.

This battle had already changed in nature.

Durandal had gone mad. Or rather, he was no longer the Durandal she remembered.

Humanity's future?

A new world—

Could a future obtained through such inhuman means truly be called a new world? Could it truly be humanity's future?

She was not some inflexible idealist,