A bloodstained sky

Above the Mozambique Channel, the clouds were black as ink. Sea winds swept over the water with a salty, damp chill, battering the scattered islands and reefs below and sending fine spray into the air. A GuAIZ lay concealed above the dense jungle of an unnamed island in the middle of the channel. Its black Support Aircraft blended perfectly with the surrounding shadows, while its stealth coating completely masked its radar signature. Only the blue light inside the cockpit illuminated Mei Hock's calm, keen eyes.

He had been lying in wait for eight full hours. His fingertips brushed the control panel as the Support Aircraft's reconnaissance equipment continued working at high speed. Data on the airspace around Orb's border and the channel constantly refreshed on the screen. Green dots indicated safety, while scattered yellow warning dots marked Athrun's squad's patrol routes. Akira's breathing remained steady and deep. His ACCORD Ability operated in a low-power early-warning state, its perception spreading across the entire sky above the Mozambique Channel. He could pinpoint every disturbance in the air, every rumble of an engine.

Still nothing? Akira thought, staring at the direction of Orb's secret port on the screen. By his reckoning, the Archangel could not remain in Orb for long. Orb's neutrality was fragile to begin with. It dared neither openly oppose ZAFT nor completely alienate the Earth Alliance Forces. Letting the ship leave in secret was only a matter of time. His fingers tapped lightly against the control stick, the pressure perfectly measured. He betrayed no impatience, yet remained ready to launch at any moment. Nicol's life hung in the balance during these few short hours of waiting, making every minute and every second feel unbearably long.

The cockpit's communicator remained silent. Only the faint hum of the life-support system and the howl of the sea wind outside disturbed the quiet. Akira closed his eyes, replaying the plot as it had unfolded before his intervention: the Archangel left Orb, Athrun's squad ambushed it, and Athrun became locked in combat with the Strike Gundam. Nicol launched a surprise attack in the Blitz to rescue him, only for Kira's Strike to strike his cockpit with its Anti-Ship Sword in self-defense, killing him. But Akira would never allow Nicol's tragedy to play out again in reality.

Just then, the Support Aircraft's reconnaissance equipment sounded a soft alarm. A red dot instantly appeared on the screen, accompanied by a clear engine signature, rapidly approaching the Mozambique Channel. Akira's eyes snapped open, a keen glint flashing through them. His fingers immediately worked the control panel, magnifying the signal's source. It was an all-white warship with sleek lines and the unmistakable outline of its distinctive bridge: the Archangel he had been waiting for!

"It's here." Akira's voice remained calm, but his fingers tightened slightly around the control stick. The screen showed the Archangel traveling at tremendous speed, accompanied by two Mobile Suits: the Strike Gundam piloted by Kira Yamato and the Skygrasper piloted by Mu La Flaga. They were clearly escorting the ship. The Archangel's course matched his prediction exactly. It was heading toward the center of the Mozambique Channel, bound for Alaska Base.

Almost simultaneously, a transmission from Athrun's squad came through the communicator. The voice belonged to Athrun Zala, carrying a hint of excitement and gravity. "All units, attention. We've detected the Archangel in the central Mozambique Channel. Move into combat positions immediately and prepare to intercept! Yzak, Dearka, flank them from both sides and tie down their Mobile Suit escorts. I'll lead the attack on the Archangel! Nicol, conduct covert reconnaissance and find the best opportunity for a surprise attack!"

"Understood, Athrun!" Yzak Joule's hotheaded voice immediately rang out. "I've been waiting long enough! This time, we'll crush the Archangel for good and show those Naturals what ZAFT can do!"

"Don't worry, Athrun. My Buster will teach them a lesson." Dearka Elsman's voice was steady and strong, with a touch of confidence.

"Understood, Athrun. Be careful, all of you." Nicol Amalfi's voice was soft and gentle, yet held an unmistakable resolve. "I'll find an opening as soon as possible and support your attack."

Akira watched the four dots representing Athrun's squad closely. They were rapidly approaching the Archangel from different directions, moving to surround it. Yzak's Duel Gundam burst through the clouds first, its entirely red paintwork striking against the dark sky. Its shoulder-mounted beam cannon instantly locked onto the Skygrasper and fired without hesitation. A searing beam tore through the clouds with a piercing shriek, hurtling toward the fighter.

"Damn! An ambush!" Mu La Flaga's startled voice immediately came over the Archangel's communicator. He instantly maneuvered the Skygrasper aside. The beam skimmed past its wing and struck the sea below, throwing up an enormous splash and a cloud of spray.

"Engage the enemy!" Captain Murrue Ramius's firm, steady voice carried through the communicator to every corner of the Archangel. "All units, prepare for combat. Charge the main guns and support the Strike and the Skygrasper. We must break through their interception!"

In an instant, battle erupted in full above the Mozambique Channel. Dearka's Buster Gundam emerged from the opposite side. The two large beam cannons on its back simultaneously locked onto the Archangel's hull and fired two thick beams, their devastating power hurtling toward the ship. The Archangel immediately launched Beam-Reflecting Missiles. Their explosions formed a circular shield, which refracted the incoming beams the moment they struck.

Athrun's Aegis Gundam raced toward the Archangel like a bolt of red lightning. Its beam rifle fired precise shots in rapid succession, sending a rainstorm of beams toward the bridge in an attempt to destroy the ship's command center. The Archangel's antiaircraft guns immediately returned fire, weaving a dense net of shells across the sky to intercept Athrun's attack. At the same time, its main gun finished charging and unleashed an enormous beam at the Aegis Gundam.

Athrun's eyes sharpened as he deftly maneuvered the Aegis Gundam aside. The enormous beam skimmed past its body and struck a distant island. A violent explosion instantly engulfed the island, flames surging skyward as shattered rock scattered and thick smoke swallowed its outline. Without pausing, Athrun transformed the Aegis Gundam. Its rear wings spread, its speed rose again, and the Beam Saber in its hand extended. He charged toward the Archangel's shield, intending to slice through it and strike the hull directly.

"You're not getting near the Archangel!" Kira Yamato's voice rang out with determination. He switched the Strike Gundam into Sword Striker configuration. The Anti-Ship Sword on its back slowly unfolded, and he gripped its hilt firmly. The Strike Gundam shot toward the Aegis Gundam like a white meteor, its Anti-Ship Sword cutting through the air as it swung at the Aegis's Beam Saber.

Clang!

The Beam Saber and Anti-Ship Sword collided violently with a piercing metallic crash. Hot sparks scattered, and the tremendous impact forced both machines several meters backward. Athrun's gaze hardened as he looked at Kira in the Strike Gundam. His voice held conflicting emotions and anger. "Kira Yamato, you again! Why do you insist on helping these Naturals? Why help the murderers who blew up our home and drove our people into exile?"

Hesitation and pain flickered in Kira's eyes, but his voice remained firm. "Athrun, I'm not trying to take anyone's side. I just don't want to see any more people die. There are many innocent people aboard the Archangel. I can't let you destroy it."

"Innocent?" Athrun gave a cold laugh, the anger in his eyes intensifying. "Junius Seven was our home as Coordinators! A place we painstakingly built to live in, a place countless people depended on for survival! The Earth Alliance Forces started this war and destroyed it with a nuclear bomb, leaving our people homeless and displaced. Yet here you are, protecting their warship! Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

Before his words had faded, Athrun charged forward again in the Aegis Gundam. His Beam Saber thrust toward the Strike Gundam's cockpit with lightning speed and lethal intent. Kira tensed and immediately maneuvered the Strike Gundam aside. At the same time, he swept his Anti-Ship Sword toward the Aegis's legs, trying to force Athrun back.

The two machines plunged into a fierce aerial duel. Their Beam Saber and Anti-Ship Sword collided again and again, spraying sparks as beam trails wove a dense web across the gloomy sky. Athrun's piloting was exceptionally accomplished. Under his control, the Aegis Gundam moved with agility and ruthless precision, every attack carrying a deadly threat. But Kira's gift for piloting was even more astonishing. Although the Strike Gundam was a mass-production unit, he drew performance from it far beyond that of an ordinary production machine. Its reactions were lightning-fast, always evading Athrun's attacks at the critical moment while launching effective counterattacks.

Hidden in the island's shadows, Akira watched the duel on his screen. His ACCORD Ability worked at full capacity, analyzing both machines' combat data, attack trajectories, and their pilots' conditions. He could clearly sense that Kira's piloting had improved considerably since before. His reaction speed and tactical anticipation had both increased, especially the almost instinctive way he evaded attacks. That was clearly the effect of his SEED Factor activating passively. It seemed Kira had fought many battles during his time aboard the Archangel, rapidly improving his abilities.

Meanwhile, the battle between Yzak and Mu was equally fierce, matching their dogfight in the anime perfectly. Yzak fought as aggressively as ever in the Duel Gundam, firing a barrage of beams from his Beam Rifle while occasionally attacking with his shoulder-mounted beam cannon. But Mu's Skygrasper caught an opening, landing a missile on the shoulder armor. It blasted a massive hole in the armor and completely disabled the beam cannon, severely compromising the machine's balance. Mu was an experienced pilot, maneuvering the Skygrasper nimbly between the beams. His occasional counterattacks struck the Duel's weak points with precision. Though Yzak fought back desperately, he gradually lost ground, his machine suffering ever greater damage.

Dearka's Buster Gundam remained focused on attacking the Archangel, alternating fire between its rear beam cannons and shoulder-mounted grenade launchers. But the Archangel's antiaircraft guns locked onto it, and several shells struck the Buster's leg armor, damaging its thrusters. Its movement slowed considerably, while insufficient power also weakened its firepower. The machines in Athrun's squad were taking damage one after another, worsening an already unfavorable situation. Even so, Dearka gritted his teeth and pressed on, trying to pin down the Archangel with his remaining firepower and buy Athrun time.

Earlier, while conducting covert reconnaissance, Nicol's Blitz Gundam had been grazed along its flank by the Archangel's secondary guns. Its armor was damaged, its power lines had developed minor faults, and the Mirage Colloid System was affected, leaving it unable to remain stable for long. He struggled through the clouds in the Blitz, closely watching the battlefield. Seeing his teammates' machines taking damage filled him with anxiety, but he could only wait for the best opportunity to strike. His gaze remained focused and resolute. Though gentle by nature, he was as brave and decisive in battle as anyone. He knew his mission was to help Athrun's squad defeat the Archangel, to protect PLANT, his father, and everyone he wanted to keep safe. Even with his machine damaged, he would never back down.

The battle continued for half an hour, and the situation grew increasingly unfavorable. Although the Archangel had expended more than half its shield energy, its defenses still held. The Duel Gundam's shoulder armor was shattered and its beam cannon disabled, leaving Yzak barely able to fight back with his beam rifle. The Buster Gundam's damaged legs and dwindling power had drastically reduced Dearka's firepower. The Blitz Gundam's grazed flank and unstable power supply prevented Nicol from maintaining the Mirage Colloid System. Only Athrun's Aegis Gundam retained its full combat capability despite minor wear. But Athrun had long since lost his judgment to the flames of revenge and his obsession with fighting Kira. Oblivious to his squad's mounting damage, he insisted on fighting Kira to the death, without the slightest thought of retreating or changing tactics.

Athrun's gaze grew sharper, and the anger and obsession in his heart intensified. As he stared at Kira and the white Strike Gundam, images of Junius Seven's destruction and the people who had died there kept rising in his mind. Ignoring the damage to Yzak's and Dearka's machines and Nicol's predicament, he abruptly launched an all-out attack in the Aegis Gundam. His Beam Saber blazed as it thrust toward the Strike Gundam's cockpit. He held nothing back, determined to kill Kira even if it meant sacrificing the condition of his entire squad.

Kira tensed. He could feel the power of the attack and the anger and obsession consuming Athrun. He could also see that Athrun's squad was still stubbornly fighting despite its mounting damage. He immediately maneuvered the Strike Gundam aside and slowly raised his Anti-Ship Sword. As Athrun's attack missed and left him off balance, Kira seized the opening and counterattacked. The Strike Gundam twisted sideways, sweeping its Anti-Ship Sword toward the Aegis Gundam with a fierce rush of air. The strike was fast and ruthless, aimed directly at the Aegis's torso. If it landed, the machine would suffer devastating damage.

"Athrun, look out!" Nicol's heart clenched as he saw Kira's Anti-Ship Sword sweeping toward Athrun. He knew Athrun was so consumed by his obsession that he would never dodge in time. With his teammates' machines damaged and Athrun in imminent danger, Nicol did not hesitate. Although his own Blitz Gundam's flank was damaged and its power unstable, although forcing the Mirage Colloid System to activate would worsen the damage and might even crash the system, he activated it anyway. The stealth coating instantly enveloped the machine, and its radar signature vanished completely. The Blitz rushed toward the Strike Gundam like a ghost, attempting to force Kira back with an attack and save Athrun.

Athrun was completely absorbed in his duel with Kira and failed to notice the surprise attack from behind, still stubbornly charging at him. But the moment Kira launched his sweeping strike, he keenly detected an energy fluctuation nearby. It was the faint fluctuation produced by the Mirage Colloid System's activation, which could not be fully concealed even with the machine damaged. Acting on instinct and the extraordinary perception granted by his passively activated SEED Factor, Kira did not hesitate. He forced the Strike Gundam to alter the Anti-Ship Sword's trajectory. The blade, originally aimed at the Aegis Gundam, instantly veered toward the incoming ambush, cutting into the seemingly empty air with devastating force.

Rip!

The sharp Anti-Ship Sword instantly tore through the Mirage Colloid System's stealth coating and struck the Blitz Gundam's right arm precisely. A sharp crack rang out as the arm was cleanly severed. Armor fragments, internal wiring, and components scattered, and the sudden impact threw the machine off balance, sending it tumbling backward and downward. But Kira's Anti-Ship Sword did not stop. Even after changing course, its powerful momentum carried it onward toward the Blitz Gundam's cockpit. Only a few centimeters more, and the blade would slice through the cockpit completely, killing Nicol on the spot. The situation could not have been more desperate!

"Aaargh!"

Nicol screamed in agony as the shock of the damage surged through his body. At the same time, the force of the Anti-Ship Sword gouged a deep opening in the cockpit's side armor. Sharp metal fragments flew inside like bullets, piercing Nicol's shoulder and abdomen. Blood immediately poured from his wounds, soaking his clothes and staining the seat and control panel. His body shook violently, and he could no longer hold the control stick. The Blitz Gundam spun out of control and fell toward the sea. Alarms shrieked inside the cockpit, and the readings on its screen fluctuated wildly, showing worsening damage and rapidly draining power. And that deadly Anti-Ship Sword was still closing on the cockpit.

At that critical instant, a silver-blue figure burst from the island's shadows with astonishing speed and appeared in front of the Blitz Gundam. It was Mei Hock's GuAIZ! Akira had watched the battle closely, seeing Athrun's squad suffer mounting damage, Athrun stubbornly remain locked in combat with Kira, Nicol force his Mirage Colloid System into operation for a surprise attack, and Kira's Anti-Ship Sword approach the Blitz's cockpit. His heart leaped into his throat. Without hesitation, he started the GuAIZ's engine, dropped its camouflage, and rushed out at maximum speed, throwing his machine into the path of Kira's deadly strike!

Clang!!!

The violent collision rang across the entire battlefield. The Anti-Ship Sword slammed into the GuAIZ's shield, sending hot sparks flying. The tremendous impact drove even the GuAIZ several meters backward. A deep gash split its shield, scattering armor fragments and clearly rendering it useless. Akira gripped the control stick tightly and forced the GuAIZ to steady itself, his eyes fixed on the Strike Gundam ahead. A keen glint flashed through them. He had made it in time after all, blocking the strike and saving Nicol's life.

Kira was startled. Surprise and confusion flashed in his eyes as he looked at the GuAIZ that had suddenly appeared and Akira standing between him and the Blitz. Without pausing, he raised the Strike Gundam's Anti-Ship Sword again and swung at the GuAIZ, attempting to break through its defense and finish the Blitz. Akira's gaze hardened. He deftly evaded in the GuAIZ, extending the Beam Saber in its right hand and thrusting at the Strike's legs. The two immediately entered a fierce duel, but it did not last long. After only a few exchanges, Akira had assessed Kira's condition and confirmed that his piloting had improved again. He knew prolonging the fight would not only delay Nicol's treatment but also risk being surrounded by the Archangel and the remnants of Athrun's squad. It was not worth it.

"Nicol, hold on!" Akira's firm, urgent voice came through the communicator. He extended the GuAIZ's left hand and securely caught the falling Blitz Gundam. At the same time, he swung the Beam Saber in its right hand at the Strike again, forcing Kira's attack back and buying time to retreat. Then he immediately issued Athrun an order over the communicator, his voice concise, resolute, and commanding. "Athrun, stop fighting immediately! Your squad's machines have sustained heavy damage. Yzak and Dearka can't hold out much longer. Tie down the Archangel and the Skygrasper and cover our withdrawal! That's an order. No disobedience!"

Hearing Akira's voice shook Athrun, finally snapping him out of his obsession with fighting Kira. He looked toward Nicol's Blitz Gundam. Its right arm had been severed, and blood covered the cockpit. Athrun had lost Nicol's signal after his scream and assumed he had been killed. He had wanted to avenge him, but when he saw Yzak's Duel and Dearka's Buster heavily damaged and struggling to contain the Skygrasper's and Archangel's fire, he finally realized that his stubborn insistence on fighting had cost Nicol his life and driven the entire squad into a desperate situation. Guilt and worry flashed in his eyes. Looking at the Blitz supported by the GuAIZ filled him with anxiety, but he knew Akira's order was right. Covering Nicol's withdrawal and preserving the squad's remaining strength mattered most now.

"Understood!" Athrun's voice held both guilt and resolve. He immediately turned the Aegis Gundam and charged toward the Archangel, firing precise beams from his Beam Rifle at its antiaircraft guns. He tried to destroy its air defenses and clear a path for Akira's retreat, while also keeping Kira occupied to prevent him from pursuing. "Yzak, Dearka, cover the withdrawal!"

"Understood, Athrun!" Yzak and Dearka answered together. Though their machines were badly damaged and they were physically exhausted, they gritted their teeth and persisted, intensifying their attacks to keep Mu's Skygrasper pinned down and deny him any chance to pursue. Despite the Duel's disabled beam cannon, Yzak continued firing his beam rifle, forcing the Skygrasper to dodge repeatedly. Despite the Buster's low power, Dearka used its remaining firepower to bombard the Skygrasper's wings, buying time for the retreat.

Seeing Athrun suddenly turn to engage the Archangel and Akira preparing to withdraw with the Blitz, Kira felt a flicker of guilt and hesitation. He, too, believed his earlier strike had killed Nicol, and he knew Athrun's squad was in desperate straits. Even so, he pursued Akira in the Strike Gundam, trying to stop him from escaping with the Blitz. Akira's gaze hardened when he detected Kira's pursuit. He immediately turned the GuAIZ toward Victoria Base and fired a searing beam from its shoulder Beam Cannon at the Strike, forcing Kira back and denying him any chance to interfere.

Kira watched Athrun's squad retreat, staring in the direction where the silver-blue GuAIZ was carrying the Blitz Gundam away. Guilt and pain filled his eyes. He knew he had caused Nicol's grave injuries, perhaps even his death. Although he had acted in self-defense, he still could not forgive himself. Mu La Flaga brought the Skygrasper alongside the Strike Gundam and spoke with concern. "Kira, are you all right? Don't blame yourself too much. It wasn't your fault. It was the war. They attacked first. You were only defending yourself."

Kira shook his head. At last, he could no longer hold back his tears, and his voice trembled. "No, Mu, it's my fault. I killed him... I don't want to kill anyone. I really don't..."

"I know. I know." Mu gently patted the Strike Gundam's shoulder, his voice carrying helplessness and sympathy. "But you don't have a choice. If you want to survive and protect everyone aboard the Archangel, you have to become stronger. You have to learn to face all this. That's war. Either you kill the enemy or the enemy kills you. There's no third option. Let's return to the Archangel and continue to Alaska Base. Only when we get there will we have a chance to end this war and give more people a chance to live."

Kira nodded and wiped the tears from his face, a little determination gradually returning to his eyes. He knew Mu was right. He could not remain trapped in guilt and pain forever. He had to become stronger, protect everyone aboard the Archangel, and work to end this brutal war. Only then could he do right by the dead and himself. He guided the Strike Gundam toward the Archangel, silently thinking, Nicol, I'm sorry... If I get the chance, I'll end this war. I won't let more people die like you.

Akira carried the Blitz Gundam in the GuAIZ, flying toward Victoria Base as fast as he could. The Support Aircraft's thrusters unleashed tremendous thrust, propelling the GuAIZ through the clouds like lightning. The battlefield behind him gradually vanished from sight. His attention remained entirely on the Blitz Gundam's cockpit. Through the Support Aircraft's reconnaissance equipment, he closely monitored Nicol's condition. Nicol's breathing was growing weaker. Though the bleeding had slowed somewhat, it had not stopped. His face was pale as paper, and he had fallen completely unconscious. His life could slip away at any moment.

Nicol, hold on. Just a little longer. We'll reach Victoria Base soon, and you'll get treatment right away, Akira silently urged as he increased his speed. He knew time was life. Every minute and every second could determine whether Nicol survived. He could not pause or make the slightest mistake. He had to bring Nicol to Victoria Base as quickly as possible and place him in the care of medical professionals.

Throughout the flight, Akira repeatedly contacted Victoria Base over the communicator, ordering it to prepare emergency care, assemble its best medical personnel, and have equipment and medication ready. Nicol's survival had to be assured. Upon receiving Akira's orders, the base commander did not dare delay. He immediately arranged for the base's finest medical team to gather emergency equipment and medication and wait at the medical center for Akira and Nicol's arrival.

After more than an hour of flight, Akira finally reached the skies above Victoria Base in the GuAIZ, carrying the Blitz Gundam. The base's antiaircraft guns immediately identified the GuAIZ's signal. Instead of opening fire, the base cleared a landing corridor and guided his machine into its hangar.

The GuAIZ landed steadily in the hangar. Akira immediately set the Blitz Gundam carefully on the ground, opened his own cockpit hatch, and jumped down, running toward the Blitz Gundam's cockpit. By then, the base's medical personnel had arrived in the hangar, pushing an emergency cart loaded with equipment and medication. They hurried to the Blitz Gundam and prepared to provide emergency care.

"Quick, open the cockpit! Save him!" Akira shouted to the medical personnel, his voice urgent and worried.

The medical personnel did not waste a moment. They immediately took out specialized tools and carefully opened the Blitz Gundam's cockpit hatch. As it slowly opened, a strong smell of blood washed over them. The sight of Nicol made their hearts tighten. His face was pale as paper, his lips bloodless. The wounds in his shoulder and abdomen were still bleeding, and his clothes were soaked red. He lay motionless, breathing faintly, in a deep coma. Blood and fragments littered the cockpit. It was a dreadful sight.

"Quick! Stop the bleeding, give him a transfusion, and dress his wounds!" the medical team leader ordered loudly. Stepping forward personally, the leader took out a tourniquet and bandages and carefully began controlling Nicol's bleeding and dressing his wounds. The other medical personnel immediately set to work. Some administered blood, some examined his injuries, and others prepared emergency medication. The entire hangar bustled with activity as everyone fought with all their strength to save Nicol's life.

Akira stood nearby, his worry intensifying as he watched Nicol. His eyes remained fixed on him as the medical personnel worked. Only when Nicol's wounds gradually stopped bleeding and his breathing steadied somewhat did Akira feel a little relief. He knew that although Nicol's injuries were severe, prompt and effective treatment could save his life. He would never let Nicol die. He would never let that destined tragedy repeat itself before his eyes.

After more than an hour of emergency treatment, Nicol's condition was finally stabilized for the moment. His wounds had stopped bleeding completely, and his breathing was much steadier. Though he remained in a deep coma, his vital signs were gradually returning to normal. The medical team leader breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Akira, and spoke respectfully. "Major Hawke, please rest assured. We've given Major Nicol emergency treatment, stabilized his vital signs for now, stopped the bleeding, and administered a transfusion. However, his injuries are very serious. The wounds in his abdomen and shoulder are deep. Metal fragments pierced his internal organs and blood vessels. He also suffered a severe impact and has a mild concussion. He'll need further surgery before he's completely out of danger. Our base's medical facilities are limited, and we can't perform an operation this complicated. His best chance of survival is to send him to PLANT as soon as possible for further treatment using its world-class facilities."

Akira nodded, having already made his decision. He knew Victoria Base's limited medical facilities could not fully treat Nicol. Only PLANT's finest medical resources could save his life and allow him to recover completely. He looked at the medical personnel and spoke firmly. "Good. Thank you for your hard work. Arrange a High-Speed Shuttle immediately, prepare emergency equipment and medication, and assign two medical personnel to accompany us. I'll personally take Nicol into space and dock with the Silver Wing. Then we'll travel to PLANT at full speed for further treatment. Also, monitor Nicol closely. Notify me immediately if anything changes."

"Understood, Major Hawke!" The medical team leader immediately nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Soon, the medical personnel carefully lifted Nicol out of the Blitz Gundam's cockpit and placed him on an emergency stretcher. They covered him with a sterile sheet and wheeled him toward the High-Speed Shuttle outside the hangar. Akira walked beside the stretcher, his eyes fixed on Nicol's face with worry and determination. He had to get Nicol to PLANT as quickly as possible. He had to make sure he survived.

Upon reaching the High-Speed Shuttle's berth, the medical personnel carefully carried Nicol aboard and settled him in its medical compartment. They also loaded the emergency equipment and medication. Two medical professionals remained in the compartment, closely watching Nicol and standing ready for any emergency. Akira entered the shuttle's cockpit and checked its equipment. After confirming that everything was working, he started the engines.

"This is Mei Hock, requesting permission to depart Victoria Base for space and dock with the Silver Wing," Akira reported to the base's command center over the communicator.

"Departure approved, Major Hawke! Have a safe journey, and make sure Lieutenant Nicol survives!" The base commander's voice came through the communicator, carrying concern and respect.

"Understood!"

Akira slowly guided the High-Speed Shuttle away from its berth at Victoria Base and headed toward space. The shuttle moved at tremendous speed, passing through the atmosphere and racing toward the Silver Wing. Inside the cockpit, Akira kept his eyes on the ship's coordinates on the screen. He also repeatedly contacted the Silver Wing, instructing it to prepare for docking, travel to PLANT at full speed, and make arrangements for Nicol's care.

Upon receiving Akira's orders, the Silver Wing's executive officer wasted no time carrying them out. Docking preparations were made, the ship's course was adjusted toward PLANT, and its engines were started, ready for a full-speed departure.

After more than two hours of flight, the High-Speed Shuttle finally reached the Silver Wing's docking area. The ship was already prepared. It opened its docking hatch and guided the shuttle smoothly into place. Once docking was complete, Akira immediately left the cockpit and went to the medical compartment to check on Nicol. His condition remained stable, with no abnormalities. The two medical personnel were closely monitoring his vital signs, repeatedly checking his wounds and administering medication.

"How is Nicol?" Akira asked the medical personnel with concern.

"Major Hawke, Lieutenant Nicol's condition is very stable. His vital signs are normal, his wounds haven't started bleeding again, and his concussion symptoms have eased. His life is not in immediate danger," one of the medical personnel answered respectfully. "We've administered additional nutrient solution and medication to ensure there are no complications on the journey to PLANT."

Akira nodded, feeling somewhat reassured. Looking at Nicol, he spoke firmly. "Good. Keep monitoring him closely, and notify me immediately if anything changes. Also, tell the Silver Wing to proceed to PLANT at full speed. We must arrive as quickly as possible so Nicol can receive further treatment."

"Understood, Major Hawke!"

Akira left the medical compartment and headed to the Silver Wing's bridge. Inside, the crew members were focused on their individual duties, operating the warship. Seeing Akira enter, the executive officer immediately approached with a report. "Major, everything is ready. The shuttle has docked, Major Nicol's condition is stable, and the medical personnel are prepared to care for him throughout the journey. The Silver Wing's engines are running, and we can proceed to PLANT at full speed at any time. Estimated travel time is six hours."

"Good." Akira nodded slightly and walked to the main screen. Looking at PLANT's coordinates, he said firmly, "Set off. Proceed to PLANT at full speed. Ensure Nicol's survival at any cost. Also, monitor Athrun's squad and the Earth Alliance Forces' battlefield movements closely, and report to me promptly."

"Yes, Major!"

At Akira's command, the Silver Wing's engines unleashed powerful thrust. The ship slowly left its current sector and accelerated toward PLANT at full speed. On the bridge, every crew member focused on their duties, the atmosphere tense and solemn. Everyone knew Major Nicol's life hung in the balance during these six hours. They had to do everything possible to get the warship to PLANT as quickly as they could so he could receive further treatment.

Akira leaned back in the captain's chair and closed his eyes. Scenes from the battlefield replayed endlessly in his mind: the moment the Strike Gundam struck Nicol, Athrun's grief-stricken roar, and Kira's guilty eyes. He knew Athrun must now believe Nicol had been killed. He would be filled with hatred for Kira and would seek revenge at any cost. That was exactly the result Akira wanted. Athrun's hatred would make him more reckless and obsessive, driving him to fight harder in the battles to come and perhaps take extreme measures, such as piloting the Aegis Gundam into mutual destruction with the Strike Gundam as he had in the original story. This, too, was what Akira wanted. He intended to use Athrun's hatred to further stir up the battlefield, ensuring that Kira would be sent to PLANT and obtain the Freedom Gundam just as he had in the original story. At the same time, it would buy Akira more time and give him more control.

He was also calculating how Nicol's father, Yuri Amalfi, would react to news of his son's grave injuries. He would surely be frantic and devastated. Yuri Amalfi was a military attaché on the PLANT Supreme Council's Defense Committee, with authority over military decisions and immense prestige and power within PLANT. He belonged to Chairman Tad Elman's faction, maintained close cooperation with the Zala Faction, and was an influential figure in the Centrist Faction. Having saved Nicol's life, Akira was certain Yuri Amalfi would be deeply grateful and would use his authority to provide support and concessions. That was precisely what Akira wanted. He intended to use Yuri Amalfi's influence to consolidate his position in PLANT and gain greater autonomy. He also wanted to leave mass-production machines behind and obtain a Mobile Suit built specifically for him. Only then could he become stronger in this brutal war, intervene in the plot more effectively, better protect those he wanted to protect, and rewrite the war's outcome.

The six-hour journey passed in a flash. The Silver Wing's engines gradually slowed, and PLANT's Space Colonies began appearing on the screen. The structures resembled crystal spheres, glittering beneath the cold light of space and carrying the Coordinators' hopes and future. The Silver Wing slowly entered PLANT's shipping lanes and headed toward April City. April City was PLANT's capital, home to its finest medical facilities and Yuri Amalfi's residence.

After the Silver Wing docked at April City's spaceport, Akira immediately had the medical personnel carry Nicol out of the medical compartment and into an ambulance that was already waiting. It would rush him to April City's finest hospital, PLANT Central Hospital. Akira personally accompanied him, his gaze fixed on Nicol's face with worry and determination.

The ambulance sped through April City's streets. Orderly, prosperous buildings lined both sides, and pedestrians came and went in a constant stream. A peaceful atmosphere filled the air, in stark contrast to the blood and fire of the battlefield. Looking out the window, Akira silently resolved to ensure Nicol's complete recovery and bring this brutal war to an end. He would let PLANT's Coordinators live truly peaceful, happy lives and make sure those he wanted to protect would no longer suffer the ravages of war.

Soon, the ambulance arrived at PLANT Central Hospital. Its medical personnel had already prepared for emergency treatment. As the ambulance pulled up, they immediately approached, carefully lifted Nicol out, and wheeled him into the operating room. Akira stood outside, watching the red light above the door as his anxiety intensified. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and silently prayed that Nicol would survive the operation and recover completely.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached. Akira abruptly opened his eyes and looked toward the sound. A middle-aged man in a dark suit, with graying hair and an imposing face, was hurrying toward the operating room with several bodyguards. His face was pale, his eyes urgent and worried, and his features bore a resemblance to Nicol's. He was Nicol Amalfi's father, Yuri Amalfi.