Inside the Archangel's hangar, the smell of gunpowder had not yet fully dissipated, mingling with the heavy scent of machine oil and drifting slowly through the confined space. The hull was still vibrating slightly, the lingering aftermath of the engines running at low power, coupled with the lingering tension that this hastily sortied, cutting-edge warship had yet to shed following the collapse of Heliopolis. Maintenance crew members carrying tools bustled back and forth, the crisp sound of colliding metal, short instructions over communicators, and sparse reports from the distant bridge intertwining into the chaotic yet orderly rhythm unique to the aftermath of battle.
Murrue Ramius wore a sharp captain's uniform, a few strands of her short dark-blue hair dampened by sweat and clinging to her smooth temples. She had just rushed over from the bridge, her brows still knitted with battlefield fatigue and vigilance. The surprise attack on Heliopolis had been far too sudden; the Strike Gundam had been forcibly activated by Kira, and the frustration and chaos of the GAT-X Series units being seized by the ZAFT forces had yet to subside. At that moment, parked in the center of the hangar, the Strike still bore the smoke and debris of battle on its frame, and the shoulder armor featured a distinct dent, clearly the mark of a fierce engagement.
"Is Kira still in the cockpit?" Murrue turned her head to look at Mu La Flaga beside her. The Earth Alliance ace pilot was taking off his helmet, his fingertips tracing the scratches on its surface with a casual laziness, though sharp keenness remained hidden deep within his eyes.
"He should be dealing with the escape pod's connection issue. The communication just now said he rescued one and hitched it to the Strike's ventral hardpoint." Mu shrugged, his tone casual yet belying a professional edge. "That kid is something else, always liking to scavenge things back with him."
Nearby, Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel stood rigidly at attention, her dark-green military uniform immaculate, her face devoid of any superfluous expression. Only her gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over every detail of the Strike Gundam. "Open the escape pod first to verify their identity and set up security cordons. After the destruction of Heliopolis, we cannot rule out the possibility of ZAFT spies mingling among the refugees." Her voice was cold and aloof, carrying indisputable authority. As the Archangel's vice-captain and tactical commander, she always placed regulations and ship safety above all else.
Security personnel stepped forward immediately, holding their firearms in a ready posture aimed at the escape pod being slowly lowered by the Strike Gundam. Maintenance crew members pushed tool carts, preparing to help open the hatch and assist. The leading uncle bit down on an unlit cigarette, expertly tuning the docking equipment. Flay Allster stood behind Murrue, while Kira's classmates Tolle and Miriallia squeezed to the edge of the crowd, their faces full of curiosity.
Just as the maintenance uncle was about to press the escape pod docking button, a sudden hiss of air pressure release echoed-not from the escape pod, but from the Strike Gundam's cockpit!
Everyone's movements froze instantly, and every gaze turned uniformly toward the slowly rising cockpit hatch. A faint mixture of machine oil and coolant surged from the enclosed cockpit, and immediately after, a figure wearing a silver-and-blue dual-toned spacesuit slowly emerged along the sliding rail of the cockpit. The person wore a full-coverage helmet, its edges outlined with smooth lines, a faint civilian insignia printed on the forehead, and radiated an aura of composure completely out of place on a battlefield.
"It's someone from PLANT?!" The security personnel tensed up instantly, their firearms pointing toward the cockpit, fingers resting inside the trigger guards, ready to open fire upon the slightest command. Murrue furrowed her brows deeply, subconsciously taking a step forward to shield Flay behind her, her gaze locked alertly on that figure. The Strike Gundam was a cutting-edge Earth Alliance mobile suit; how could someone from PLANT emerge from inside it?
Natarle Badgiruel immediately raised a hand in gesture. "Hold fire! Verify identity first!" Though strict, she was not reckless. For the person to be inside the Strike's cockpit, it was bound to be connected to Kira, and firing rashly might trigger an accident.
Mu remained standing in place, his pupils contracting slightly as a strange intuition quietly welled up within him-it was a resonance between strong individuals, somewhat similar to the feeling he had experienced back when he encountered Rau Le Creuset, yet entirely different. Rau's aura was bone-chillingly cold, carrying suffocating malice and disguise, while the aura of the person before him was steady, restrained, yet harbored earth-shattering explosive power, resembling a peerless legendary blade stored within its scabbard-seemingly calm, yet capable of dealing a fatal blow in an instant.
Just as the crowd remained deadlocked, another figure poked out from the cockpit, drenched in sweat and pale-faced-Kira Yamato. Seeing the surrounding crowd and the firearms aimed at the cockpit, he panicked immediately, waving his hands and shouting, "Don't shoot! It's me! Kira Yamato!"
Only then did the crowd heave a sigh of relief. The security personnel lowered their weapons slightly, though they maintained their guard. Murrue hurried forward, her tone laced with concern and reproach. "Kira, are you alright? What on earth happened just now? Who is in that escape pod?"
Kira hopped down the sliding rail, his legs trembling slightly, clearly exhausted both mentally and physically from piloting a Mobile Suit for an extended period for the first time. Panting, he hurriedly reported, "I'm fine... The person in the escape pod is someone I rescued, found just now in the ruins of Heliopolis. I hooked the escape pod onto the Strike, planning to open it after getting back..." He rambled on, completely failing to mention that there was another person inside the cockpit-not out of deliberate concealment, but because the battle had been far too intense, coupled with the haste of his brief interaction with that person, leading him to subconsciously overlook this crucial piece of information.
At that moment, the figure in the silver-and-blue pilot suit also jumped down from the cockpit. He landed lightly, without the slightest stagger, and even under the aim of dozens of firearms, he remained unruffled, gently turning his helmet slightly as if scanning the surrounding environment with the sensors on his helmet. ACCORD abilities operated at low power within him; the heartbeats, breathing, firearm safety statuses, and even the fluctuations of Murrue's and Mu's auras were translated into clear streams of data flowing rapidly through his mind.
"A PLANT civilian? Raise your hands immediately and submit to an inspection!" The security squad leader stepped forward, shouting harshly as his firearm aimed at the person once again. Other security personnel followed suit, forming a tightening circle around the individual.
The person stood firmly in place, merely tilting his head slightly as if looking in Mu's direction.
Just as the security personnel prepared to step forward and forcibly subdue him, Mu suddenly raised a hand and said in a deep voice, "Wait, don't act rashly." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable authority, causing the security personnel to instinctively halt their movements. Mu slowly stepped out from the crowd, his pace steady, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry alongside an imperceptible trace of excitement-he had roughly guessed who the person before him was.
Mu walked up to the individual, looked him up and down, and then suddenly chuckled, reaching out to familiarly clap a hand onto the person's shoulder with a bantering tone. "I never would've guessed! The renowned 'Silver Wing Angel' would actually grace this fleeing warship of ours. This truly brings great honor to the Archangel!"
"Silver Wing Angel?"
The phrase exploded through the crowd like a thunderclap. The civilians and maintenance rookies present wore blank expressions, having no idea what the title signified, but those professional soldiers hailing from the regular Earth Alliance military-including Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, and even Kira, who had only recently joined the military-instantly changed expressions. In particular, the security personnel and tactical command staff who had monitored ZAFT battlefield dynamics year-round gasped audibly, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Seeing this, the maintenance uncle immediately leaned toward a rookie by his side, lowering his voice to gossip with a mix of showing off and awe. "Kid, you don't even know the Silver Wing Angel? That's a ZAFT legend! He became a Red Uniform Elite at a young age and is the captain of the 'Silver Wing' independent squadron, commanding several battles won against superior numbers. The most absurd part is his personal kill count, which reportedly has already surpassed two hundred units and is still climbing!"
The rookie widened his eyes in disbelief. "Two-two hundred units?! That's way too exaggerated! Just who is he?!"
"His name is Mei Hock!" The maintenance uncle patted the rookie's shoulder and continued. "The most impressive thing isn't his record; it's his combat style. This kid values humanitarianism. As long as you abide by the battlefield conventions, don't harm civilians, and aren't like those Blue Cosmos crazies who love mutual destruction, he'll deliberately avoid the cockpit during battles, only destroying the Mobile Suit's propulsion and weapons systems while leaving opponents with their lives. That's why he earned the 'Angel' suffix."
He paused, lowering his voice further as his tone grew even more gossipy. "Speaking of which, our Major Mu fought him once in the cosmic battlefield back then and only got his MA damaged without injuring himself. Word is, it was because Mei Hock deliberately showed mercy! If he'd actually gone for the kill, whether Major Mu could've made it back alive is anyone's guess!"
Though spoken quietly, Mu's hearing was exceptional, and he caught every word clearly. The smile on his face froze instantly, his previously moderate complexion turning livid. He abruptly whipped his head around to glare at the maintenance uncle, grinding his teeth as he shouted, "Alright! Stop talking nonsense here! Now isn't the time to chat about this. Let's have our Silver Wing Angel Team captain show his face so everyone can get acquainted!"
Those nearby struggled to suppress their laughter, though none dared to laugh out loud-one side was the Earth Alliance ace pilot, the other the legendary ZAFT commander, making the scene utterly surreal. Mu's awkwardness at being exposed contrasted sharply with his usual demeanor, doing much to diffuse the tense atmosphere of the scene.
Mei Hock stood quietly in place throughout, listening to the maintenance uncle's introduction while sensing the awkward yet defiant aura radiating from Mu. He knew Mu's strength; this natural-born ace known as the "Eagle of Endymion" possessed sharp intuition and top-tier piloting skills. During that clash back then, he had indeed deliberately held back-not out of contempt, but out of recognition for Mu's character, unwilling to wipe him out entirely. ACCORD abilities captured the faint emotional fluctuations within Mu, causing Mei's lips to curl upward slightly. Without speaking, he slowly raised his hand toward the helmet on his head.
Everyone's gazes focused on his movement, holding their breath. Murrue's heartbeat accelerated slightly; looking at Mei's figure, she felt a lingering sense of familiarity yet dared not confirm it. Flay's eyes were filled with eagerness and anticipation; she was nearly certain the face beneath that helmet was the person she had constantly worried over. Kira frowned, fragments of hazy memories flashing through his mind as if he had caught sight of this figure back in Heliopolis. Natarle Badgiruel's gaze grew increasingly sharp-she wanted to witness firsthand what this legendary ZAFT figure looked like.
With a soft click, the helmet's securing latch was unlocked. Mei slowly removed his helmet, his short black hair slightly disheveled, strands falling across his forehead to obscure his brows slightly. His deep-brown eyes were calm and waveless, yet harbored a depth and composure far beyond his years. His features were refined, bearing the unique contour of mixed East Asian and colonial satellite genes, a straight bridge of the nose, and well-defined lips. Though his complexion was slightly pale from piloting an MS just moments prior, it failed to conceal that youthful spirit and powerhouse aura-no one expected that this legendary ZAFT figure, with a kill count exceeding two hundred and countless hard-fought battles under his belt, would be so young, appearing to be merely seventeen or eighteen years old.
"Whoa... so young?" The rookie couldn't help crying out in exclamation, completely shocked by Mei's age.
Those present were equally stunned. Even Mu andMa Liu, who had mental preparations beforehand, couldn't help feeling somewhat surprised-they knew Mei Hock was young, but not this young. The shock among the professional soldiers was even heavier; for a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth to reach such heights was simply incomprehensible.
Flay could no longer hold back, subconsciously moving forward as she murmured, "Mei..."
Murrue reacted quickly, grabbing Flay's wrist and gently shaking her head with a warning in her eyes. Flay snapped back to reality, realizing their current predicament-Mei was a ZAFT commander, while they were Earth Alliance soldiers. Exposing their relationship would not only bring trouble to Mei but also introduce unpredictable risks to the Archangel. Biting her lip, she forcefully suppressed the emotions in her heart, a trace of loss and reluctance flashing in the depths of her eyes.
At that moment, Kira stepped forward suddenly, his eyes filled with shock and uncertainty as he spoke, "Senior, is it really you?" Looking at Mei's face, he never expected that after the sudden disappearance of his senior from Heliopolis, they would reunite here, and that the other person was actually the legendary ZAFT commander, the "Silver Wing Angel".
Mei looked at Kira, a trace of warmth flashing through his deep-brown eyes, and nodded slightly without immediately replying. Turning his head toward Mu, he gave a slight nod in greeting-both out of respect for this formidable opponent and in response to Mu's earlier action of stopping the security personnel from acting. Following that, he walked toward the escape pod beside the Strike Gundam, stopped, and turned to address the crowd. "I know you have many questions about who I am, why I am here, and who is inside the escape pod. However, please allow me to open the escape pod first. Once the people inside come out, I will explain everything in detail."
Natarle Badgiruel frowned and spoke up, "No! Who knows what kind of people are inside that escape pod? What if you're accomplices and take the opportunity to stage a revolt? You must submit to interrogation first before opening the escape pod!" Sticking strictly to regulations, she remained deeply guarded against Mei-for a ZAFT ace commander to suddenly appear aboard the Archangel was in itself the greatest hidden hazard.
"Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel, there's no need to worry." Mu stepped in to mediate. "I understand Mei Hock's character to some extent. Since he dares to propose opening the escape pod first, he won't be playing any tricks. Besides, if the people inside the escape pod are civilians, keeping them locked up indefinitely isn't a solution." Though he and Mei were opponents, he recognized Mei's integrity. Furthermore, he was genuinely curious about who exactly was inside the escape pod that warranted a personal escort by Mei Hock.
Murrue chimed in as well. "Natarle, Mu is right. Right now we are in the middle of escaping; it's better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Let's open the escape pod first, verify the identities of the people inside, and interrogate them together afterward." As she spoke, she unobtrusively observed Mei's expression, attempting to find a single flaw.
Seeing that both Mu and Murrue stood on Mei's side and noting the expressions of those around her, Natarle Badgiruel knew insisting further would be useless. She could only let out a cold huff and give tacit approval. "Fine, I will allow you to open the escape pod, but there must be a security cordon throughout. The moment there's any unusual movement, open fire!"
Mei raised no objections, nodded, and walked up to the escape pod, rapidly tapping his fingers on its password input panel. His movements were smooth and practiced, clearly familiar with the escape pod's passcode-it was Lacus's private escape pod, and the code had been set by him personally, balancing security and convenience.
Beep-Password correct, cabin door opening soon. Please stand clear of the hatch and mind air pressure changes. The escape pod's electronic prompt sounded, accompanied by a slight hissing noise as the hatch slowly swung outward.
The security personnel raised their firearms once more, aiming at the escape pod entrance and vigilantly observing the movement inside. Everyone held their breath, looking curiously toward the pod-just what background did someone escorted personally by the Silver Wing Angel possess?
The moment the hatch opened, a round, entirely white figure suddenly floated out from within, emitting a cute sound of "Haro~ Haro~"-it was Lacus's exclusive Haro robot. It drifted over to Mei, circled around him once as if confirming his safety, and then floated toward the crowd, curiously inspecting everyone without a shred of fear.
Everyone was stunned, not expecting a robot to float out of the escape pod first. Flay couldn't help smiling, her tense nerves relaxing slightly-the robot looked adorable and posed no threat.
Immediately following, a beautiful young girl wearing a pink dress slowly emerged from the escape pod. Her long pink hair cascaded like a waterfall, her skin was white as snow, and her turquoise eyes were clear and gentle. Her demeanor was elegant and composed, resembling a rose grown in a greenhouse yet carrying a resilience forged through trials. Even after experiencing the harrowing moments of her spaceship being destroyed and being forced to flee, a gentle smile remained on her face without a trace of panic.
"This is..." Murrue's pupils contracted slightly, shock registering on her face-she recognized the girl: Lacus Clyne, daughter of Siegel Clyne, the "songstress" of ZAFT, and one of the symbols of PLANT. Why was she here? And why was she being escorted by Mei Hock?
Mu was stunned as well. Though he had never met Lacus in person, he had watched her concert recordings and news reports, never expecting to meet this legendary ZAFT songstress under such circumstances. Natarle Badgiruel's expression grew even heavier-Lacus Clyne's identity was far too unique, and her appearance undoubtedly complicated matters further.
Lacus walked over to Mei's side, gently tugging at his sleeve as she spoke without paying attention to anyone else, "Mei, thank you. I knew you would come to save me right away." Mei helplessly ruffled her hair before turning to look at the crowd, offering a gentle smile as he softly said, "Shall I introduce everyone?"
The Haro robot floated onto Lacus's shoulder, continuing to emit "Haro~ Haro~" sounds as if cheering on its master.
Mei gently patted the back of Lacus's hand to reassure her, then turned to the crowd and said, "Alright, the interrogation can begin now. I know you have many questions, and I will answer them one by one. However, I ask that you guarantee Lacus's safety-she is merely a civilian with no combat capability, and should not be treated as an enemy."
Natarle Badgiruel stated immediately, "Lacus Clyne is the daughter of Siegel Clyne and an important figure in ZAFT; she cannot be regarded as an ordinary civilian! We have the right to detain her as a bargaining chip in negotiations with ZAFT!"
"Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel, watch your words." Mei's tone cooled down, a glint of frost flashing in his deep-brown eyes. "Lacus is merely a young girl who loves music and yearns for peace. She has never participated in any military operations nor harmed anyone. Detaining her not only violates battlefield conventions but will also provoke the wrath of PLANT, intensifying the conflict between both sides and benefiting no one."
Mu chimed in, "Natarle, Mei is right. Lacus Clyne's identity is special, and detaining her carries too much risk. Furthermore, she is indeed just a civilian; we cannot violate battlefield conventions and harm the innocent."
Murrue nodded in agreement. "Let's take them to the briefing room first for a formal interrogation, figure out the ins and outs of the matter, and then make a decision. During this time, assign dedicated personnel to maintain a security perimeter, but do not make things difficult for them."
Seeing that both Mu and Murrue stood against her, Natarle Badgiruel could only helplessly compromise-strict though she was, she knew detaining Lacus carried too high a risk. Furthermore, Mei Hock's words held reason; violating battlefield conventions would only push the Earth Alliance into a more passive predicament.
The crowd escorted Mei and Lacus to the Archangel's briefing room. Along the way, crew members stopped to watch, their eyes filled with curiosity and shock-one was a legendary ZAFT commander, the other the songstress of ZAFT. Having these two big figures appear aboard the Archangel simultaneously was an unprecedented event.
Inside the briefing room, the atmosphere was heavy. Murrue sat in the primary seat, with Mu and Natarle Badgiruel seated on either side. Security personnel stood at the doors maintaining vigilance, while Kira, Flay, Tolle, and Miriallia sat in chairs off to the side, quietly waiting. Mei and Lacus sat in the opposing chairs, with the Haro robot resting obediently on Lacus's lap.
"Captain Mei Hock," Murrue initiated, her tone calm yet carrying a trace of scrutiny, "may I ask why you were inside the Strike Gundam's cockpit? Why were you escorting Miss Lacus Clyne, and what was your purpose in appearing at Heliopolis?"
Mei sat upright with a composed expression and spoke slowly, "Aside from being the captain of ZAFT's 'Silver Wing' independent squadron, my current role also includes serving as Miss Lacus Clyne's personal Mobile Suit pilot and escort captain-appointed personally by former Chairman Siegel Clyne. My duty is to protect Miss Lacus's safety throughout."
He paused before continuing, "As for why I appeared at Heliopolis, it was because I received intelligence that the Earth Alliance Forces were operating secretly there, suspected of transporting parts and equipment related to the 'G Project.' The 'G Project' is a secret plan by the Earth Alliance to develop new mobile suits. Once successful, it would pose a massive threat to PLANT. Therefore, I was ordered to head to Heliopolis to reconnoiter and gather relevant intelligence."
"The G Project?" Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel exchanged glances, surprise registering on their faces-this project was top-secret within the Earth Alliance, known only to a handful of high-ranking officials and development personnel. For Mei Hock to know about this project and specifically come to reconnoiter meant that ZAFT's intelligence-gathering capabilities far exceeded their expectations.
Mu frowned and asked, "Why were you inside the Strike Gundam's cockpit with Kira?"
Mei maintained a calm demeanor, his tone carrying a well-balanced mix of gratitude and awkwardness as he replied, "I was specifically searching for Miss Lacus. After her ship lost contact, I searched the vicinity of the Heliopolis ruins alone in a small scout craft. There were too many debris fragments here, forcing me to abandon craft and drift. Later, I saw Miss Lacus's escape pod attached to the Strike's ventral hardpoint. To better protect Lacus, I sent out a distress signal, and Kira saw the signal and came back to pick me up."
He had his own calculations—this explanation was half-true. Searching for Lacus was true, but being rescued by Kira had been deliberately engineered. He had long since locked onto Lacus's escape pod signal and detected Kira piloting the Strike. Seeing the Strike recover the escape pod, he had purposely lured the kind-hearted Kira into launching a rescue. This perfectly covered up his rescue objective while allowing him to legitimately infiltrate the Archangel, killing two birds with one stone. He would never reveal these true intentions; once exposed, not only would he be unable to stay by Lacus's side to protect her, but he would also be immediately detained by the Earth Alliance Forces, ruining his subsequent plans entirely.
Kira nodded hurriedly, a somewhat honest and simple expression on his face as he chimed in, "That's right. I had just driven off a ZAFT Mobile Suit when I saw him floating in space. It looked dangerous, so I hurried and brought him aboard the Strike. He said he was looking for the person inside the escape pod, and since he didn't look like a bad guy, I brought him back with me." Pure-natured by instinct, saving people was second nature to him. At that moment, he completely failed to notice Mei's deliberate guidance, faithfully recounting the scene while continuing to hide his identity as a Coordinator for fear of triggering unnecessary trouble.
Mei continued, "Aside from that, I have another important piece of news to share with you. The vanguard unit of the Earth Alliance's Eighth Fleet is currently en route to Heliopolis. Their mission should be to rendezvous with the Strike Gundam and your warship, recovering data and equipment related to the 'G Project.' However, the movements of this vanguard unit have already been discovered by Rau Le Creuset's forces-Rau is a legendary ZAFT commander whose troops possess formidable combat strength. Furthermore, he has always coveted the 'G Project.' The Eighth Fleet's vanguard unit is currently in a perilous situation and risks being annihilated by Rau's forces at any moment."
"What?!" This news struck like a thunderclap within the briefing room. Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel's complexions turned pale instantly—the Eighth Fleet was one of the Earth Alliance's main naval forces. If the vanguard unit was wiped out, it would not only inflict heavy losses on the Alliance but also deprive the Archangel of personnel and equipment support, plunging them into an even more isolated predicament.
Mu's gaze turned grave as well-having crossed paths with Rau multiple times, he knew how formidable Rau was. He was a cunning, treacherous, and powerful opponent, and the Eighth Fleet's vanguard unit was simply no match for him.
"Is what you're saying true?" Natarle Badgiruel couldn't help pressing, her tone laced with disbelief. "How do you know the movements of the Eighth Fleet's vanguard, and how do you know they've been discovered by Rau's forces?" She remained deeply guarded against Mei, suspecting he was intentionally spreading false rumors to disrupt their judgment.
"Of course," Mei replied calmly. "This news is 100% true. You can immediately contact the Eighth Fleet flagship to confirm the vanguard unit's status and urge them to change course and evacuate the danger zone as soon as possible. Otherwise, the consequences will be unthinkable."
Murrue immediately ordered the communications officer, "Contact the Eighth Fleet flagship immediately and inquire about the latest developments regarding the vanguard unit! At the same time, advise them to alter course immediately and evacuate the hazardous zone!"
"Yes!" The communications officer turned promptly, hurrying off to the comms room.
Silence fell over the briefing room once again. Everyone contemplated the news brought by Mei, their faces heavy with gravity-the crisis facing the Eighth Fleet's vanguard unit was undoubtedly adding insult to injury, turning an already difficult escape route even more perilous.
At that moment, Lacus spoke up gently, her voice soft yet carrying a heavy weight. "My escort team and I departed from PLANT on a civilian transport ship, originally intending to commemorate Junius Seven, which had been attacked by nuclear weapons. However, near the satellite debris, we were discovered by Earth Alliance Forces warships. Without issuing any warnings, they directly launched an attack on our civilian vessel. The ship was destroyed, and my guards sacrificed their lives to protect me. In the end, they placed me in an escape pod so I could flee. I don't know how long I drifted before I was found by Mei and Kira."
Hearing this, a flash of sorrow crossed the depths of Lacus's eyes—those guards had been people who accompanied her for a long time, giving up their lives to protect her. Yet the Earth Alliance Forces had violated battlefield conventions, attacking unarmed civilians and civilian ships, which filled her with profound grief.
The Haro robot seemed to sense Lacus's sorrow, gently rubbing its little head against Lacus's hand as it emitted "Haro~" sounds, as if comforting her.
Hearing these words, the Earth Forces officers present fell silent. Battlefield conventions explicitly stipulated the prohibition of attacking civilians and civilian facilities; this was the bottom line and a fundamental principle of humanitarianism. Yet what Lacus described clearly stemmed from extremist soldiers within the Earth Alliance Forces who ignored regulations and acted arbitrarily, committing such universally condemned deeds.
Natarle Badgiruel's face alternated between pale and flushed. As an Earth Alliance officer who always prided herself on regulations, she never imagined her own compatriots would act in a way that defied rules and trampled on humanitarian principles. She opened her mouth to speak, but ultimately said nothing—with the facts laid bare, she had no room for rebuttal.
Murrue's face was filled with guilt and helplessness—she knew that extremist factions and members of Blue Cosmos did indeed exist within the Earth Alliance Forces, ignoring regulations and attacking civilians at will. It was precisely these people who made the conflict between the Alliance and PLANT increasingly irreconcilable.
Mu sighed, his tone heavy as he spoke, "I am sorry, Miss Clyne. I feel deeply remorseful for what you have experienced. This was not the intention of the Earth Alliance Forces, but rather the actions of individual extremists. We will certainly investigate the truth, punish the culprits severely, and give you an explanation."
Lacus shook her head gently, offering a soft smile. "I know this isn't the fault of all of you. War is always cruel; there will always be people consumed by hatred who make mistakes. I only hope this war can end soon, that no more people have to sacrifice themselves, and that no more families are torn apart."
Her words plunged everyone present into deep contemplation. Indeed, war brought only death and destruction; whether Earth Alliance or PLANT, Natural or Coordinator, all yearned for peace and grew weary of war.
The communications officer hurried back into the briefing room with a solemn expression. "Captain, we've established contact with Eighth Fleet Headquarters. They confirm that the vanguard unit has indeed been discovered by Rau's forces and is currently being pursued. Both sides have exchanged fire; the vanguard has suffered heavy losses and is requesting support!"
Murrue's expression turned even paler as she ordered instantly, "Reply to Eighth Fleet Headquarters immediately: we will move to support them as quickly as possible. Tell the vanguard to hold on and stall for time!"
"Yes!"
After the communications officer departed, Murrue looked toward Mei, a hint of plea in her tone. "Captain Mei Hock, we urgently need to support the Eighth Fleet's vanguard unit. However, our forces are limited, and we must evade pursuit from other ZAFT units, putting us in a difficult predicament. I know you are an opponent of Rau's and understand his tactical style. Could you perhaps offer us some advice?"
Though reluctant, Natarle Badgiruel knew this was a critical juncture, and Mei Hock's advice might allow them to avoid many detours or even save the Eighth Fleet's vanguard unit. Remaining silent, she tacitly accepted Murrue's request.
Mei pondered for a moment before speaking slowly, "Rau's tactical style is cunning, treacherous, and skilled in ambushes and flanking maneuvers. Furthermore, his forces possess formidable combat strength and have acquired the remaining G Project mobile suits, making them extremely difficult to deal with. The Eighth Fleet's vanguard has already been surrounded by him, and attempting a frontal breakthrough is nearly impossible."
He paused, his expression growing increasingly serious as an undeniable determination colored his tone. "Given Rau's deployment, numerical strength, and the G Project mobile suits at his disposal, the Eighth Fleet vanguard is already trapped and has zero chance of escaping. Frontal support will be futile, and splitting forces to flank will only plunge the Archangel into a desperate, two-front siege. My proposal is this: the Archangel should advance at full speed toward the Eighth Fleet vanguard while continuously broadcasting encrypted communications, ordering the vanguard to cease resistance immediately and retreat at full speed to minimize casualties as much as possible. On the other hand, have Kira pilot the Strike Gundam, carrying myself and Lacus to the core battlefield area-Rau will not stand by and let me, the captain of the 'Silver Wing' squadron, be captured, nor will he disregard Miss Lacus's safety. The two of us are sufficient to serve as bargaining chips to constrain him, using ourselves as hostages to force him to halt his attacks and retreat across the board."
"Use hostages?" Murrue froze instantly, the hope on her face fading and giving way to shock and hesitation. "That's far too risky! Not only will it put you and Miss Clyne in danger, but it also violates the bottom line of battlefield conventions..." She had always upheld humanitarianism; even trapped in the desperate extremes of war, she was reluctant to constrain enemies through such means, let alone sacrifice the safety of Mei and Lacus, leaving her torn.
Natarle Badgiruel remained silent for a moment, her tone retaining its firm edge while incorporating pragmatic evaluation. "I disagree with calling it 'hostages,' but this is currently the only plan to rescue the vanguard and prevent the Archangel from falling into a desperate dead end. Lacus Clyne's identity and value far exceed the tactical losses of the vanguard, and Mei Hock, as a ZAFT ace commander, is the key bargaining chip to constrain Rau—this isn't a compromise, it's battlefield maneuvering. However, conditions must be attached: the Archangel must control the communications rhythm throughout, explicitly informing Rau that 'hostage safety is bound to the vanguard's retreat,' while arranging a Mobile Suit squadron to provide concealed escort, ensuring both the binding effect and preventing Rau from being pushed into a corner." Though she adhered to regulations, she understood trade-offs under desperate circumstances far better, pragmatic to the point of coldness; preserving effective strength and completing mission coordination was core compared to adhering to formal rules.
A trace of approval flashed in Mu's eyes before he chimed in, his tone carrying calculated rationality. "Natarle Badgiruel is right; this isn't humiliation, it's necessary battlefield maneuvering. Rau values leverage above all else and is deeply suspicious and cunning. Only the dual value of Mei and Miss Lacus will force him to call a halt. More importantly, Mei is familiar with Rau's operational style and can anticipate his reactions, lowering mission risks—compared to the total annihilation of the vanguard and the Archangel becoming isolated, this is the choice with the lowest cost."
Mei nodded slightly, agreeing with Natarle Badgiruel's assessment, and added, "I completely agree with the attached conditions. I will coordinate with the Archangel's communication scheduling throughout, precisely conveying the leverage information—what Rau wants is the G Project mobile suits and the Strike; detaining us is a capital asset for 'waiting for the right price' rather than a do-or-die fight. I will keep a close eye on his reactions, and should he make any suspicious moves, I will issue a signal immediately while protecting Lacus, ensuring we don't become a burden to the Archangel." Knowing Natarle Badgiruel's pragmatism, this response both dispelled the other party's concerns and aligned with his core objective of protecting Lacus.
Observing both their stances and recalling the vanguard's critical crisis coupled with the Archangel's short-handed combat strength, Murrue's internal humanitarian persistence engaged in fierce combat with battlefield reality. Ultimately, she let out a slow breath, her tone filled with helpless yet firm resolve. "Alright, let's execute the plan accordingly. Communications officer, immediately synchronize adjustments to the orders: inform the vanguard to slow their speed and prepare for evacuation. The maintenance crew must service the Strike Gundam and Mu's Moebius Zero fighter at full speed, equipping both with optimal weaponry and communications gear to ensure uninterrupted contact during the mission-right now, we only have Mu and Kira as combat forces, and this mission cannot afford a single mistake." Though reluctant to adopt a hostage scheme, she understood it was the sole way out and that the division of labor between the two was critical to success.
Natarle Badgiruel rose immediately, her tone crisp as she deployed the details. "Notify Mu to pilot the Moebius Zero fighter for the concealed escort mission, maintaining a safe distance while relying on long-range firepower to provide warning support, intervening only in emergencies. At the same time, calibrate the encrypted communications channel to prevent Rau from intercepting the signal. Kira's Strike must prioritize debugging its life-support systems and emergency evacuation mechanisms to guarantee combat endurance while reserving an emergency pathway for hostage transfer." Decisive once a plan was finalized, she immediately focused on risk control and execution details, showcasing the qualities of a tactical commander—at present, the Archangel lacked combat power, leaving only Mu as an MA ace pilot and Kira as a temporary Mobile Suit pilot, requiring them to coordinate and shoulder the security and execution responsibilities of this mission.
Mei offered a crucial reminder while watching the methodical deployment of Natarle Badgiruel. "Rau excels at setting ambushes and will likely anticipate that we'll send the Strike carrying hostages, potentially deploying captured GAT-X units or ZAFT Mobile Suits to intercept along the route. I suggest having Kira pilot the Strike along a silent route, utilizing cosmic dust to mask signals, while Mu follows covertly in the Moebius Zero to form a pincer formation. Initiate communications only when approaching the core battlefield area to catch him off guard. Additionally, Rau's attitude toward Lacus is complex; transmitting information requires careful tact to highlight leverage value without overly provoking him."
"We understand. Thank you, Captain Mei Hock," Murrue said sincerely. At that moment, she no longer viewed Mei as an enemy, but as a trusted ally-a visionary and responsible powerhouse.
The interrogation concluded thusly. Originally, Natarle Badgiruel had insisted on detaining Mei and Lacus under strict guard, but Mu and Murrue both spoke on their behalf. Furthermore, Mei's humanitarian stance of never attacking cockpits was indeed respectable, and coupled with the vital intelligence and tactical advice he brought that would aid them enormously, Natarle Badgiruel stopped pressing the issue, ultimately agreeing not to detain them temporarily while assigning dedicated personnel to maintain a security perimeter and restrict their range of movement.
However, space aboard the Archangel was limited. Most rooms served as command rooms, lounges, warehouses, and armories, leaving no spare quarters. Following consultation between Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel, it was ultimately decided to assign Mei and Lacus an idle small lounge—originally intended as a backup room for communications officers, it lacked size but offered complete facilities, featuring two single beds, a table, and two chairs, plenty of space for two people to rest.
Security personnel escorted Mei and Lacus to the door of the lounge, meticulously inspecting the facilities inside to confirm the absence of dangers or tools that could be used for escape before standing guard by the doorway.
The lounge door closed, shutting out the low-frequency vibrations of the warship's operation and the footsteps of the security personnel, leaving only the soft indoor lighting that cast long, slender silhouettes wrapped in a layer of quiet warmth. Lacus turned around, shedding the elegant composure she wore in front of outsiders. Her eyes filled with genuine softness as she walked step by step toward Mei, her voice soft as a feather brushing against the heartstrings. "Mei, thank you. For finding me once again and saving me. From my ship being destroyed and drifting outside to being escorted by you onto this Earth Forces warship, every time I fall into a desperate situation, you always appear immediately to keep me safe."
Her fingertips curled slightly. Remembering how Mei had proactively proposed using the two of them as hostages to constrain Rau during the briefing room discussion-a guardianship that gambled with his own safety-deepened her reliance and romantic feelings toward him. The Haro robot seemed to sense the atmosphere between the two, obediently floating over to the edge of the table to curl into a ball, occasionally emitting a faint "hu-hu" sound so as not to disturb this hard-won solitude.
Looking at the lingering, fine ripples of tenderness in her eyes, Mei's usually steady and sharp gaze softened instantly, shedding the edge of a battlefield commander and leaving only partiality and indulgence toward her. Without responding verbally, he slowly walked over to the sofa and sat down, raising his hand toward her with a tone blending unapologetic gentleness and bold temptation. "Come here."
Lacus paused, the tips of her ears flushing a pale crimson instantly. Looking at his outstretched hand and the straightforward warmth within his eyes, the shyness and reliance in her heart intertwined, and she ultimately walked over submissively. Before she could stand firmly, Mei gently grasped her wrist, pulling her with a slight exertion to sit on his lap. His arm wrapped naturally around her waist, securely drawing her into his embrace-an action far more intimate than any before, carrying a possessiveness unique to him yet gentle enough never to cause her the slightest discomfort.
Lacus's body tensed instantly, her cheeks burning fiercely as her hands subconsciously pressed against Mei's chest, though she made no move to push him away. The tip of her nose was wrapped in the faint scent of machine oil and gunpowder clinging to Mei-the smell of the battlefield, yet transformed through his protection into the most reassuring fragrance. Lowering her gaze slightly, her long eyelashes fluttered gently as she spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Mei..."
Mei lowered his head, his nose nearly brushing against the crown of her head as his warm breath swept across her hair. He murmured, "Don't be afraid. With me here, whether it's Rau or the Earth Forces, I won't let you fall into danger again." His fingertips gently traced the fabric at her waist, his movements both tender and restrainedly intimate. Facing Lacus, his usual calm and restrained nature dissolved, leaving all his boldness and partiality unreservedly exposed.
Gradually relaxing, Lacus lowered the hands pressing against his chest to gently wrap them around his neck, pressing her cheek against his shoulder as her voice filled entirely with reliance. "I believe you. No matter what we face next, as long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid." Ambience spread between them; the lighting was soft, breaths intertwined, and while the universe outside was dark and boundless, the warmth inside was sufficient to dispel all unease and fear.
Just as this quiet intimacy threatened to overflow, the communicator on Mei's wrist emitted a faint beep, shattering the atmosphere in the room. Frowning slightly, he released one arm wrapped around Lacus, answered the call, and Murrue's steady voice came through the comms, carrying a touch of businesslike rigor while deliberately lowering her tone. "Captain Mei Hock, please come to the temporary conference room near the bridge right away. I need to discuss urgent matters with you privately regarding the details of the subsequent negotiations with Rau and the final deployment of the Strike carrying you two to the battlefield."
The communication ended, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the room faded slightly. Looking down at Lacus in his arms, Mei gently rubbed her reddened earlobe, his tone recovering its composure while retaining its warmth. "Captain Murrue has called for me privately to discuss subsequent negotiation matters. I'll be right back. Wait for me here and don't wander off."
Lacus stood up from his lap, smoothing her skirt. Though the flush on her cheeks had yet to recede, she offered a gentle smile and nodded. "Alright, I'll wait for you here. Be careful." The Haro robot floated over as well, circling around Lacus as if keeping her company. Mei stood up, raising a hand to gently brush away a stray lock of hair from her forehead, his eyes brimming with deep affection before turning toward the door, his pace noticeably slower than when he had arrived, leaving behind the warmth of intimacy.
Before you continue