Over the next two days, ZAFT's forces devoted themselves to rest and repairs. Damaged warships and defense platforms were repaired one by one, and large quantities of ammunition, supplies, and mobile suits were replenished, with priority given to Ginn Customs. The GuAIZ force was restored to 38 units, including the Silver Wing Fleet's full complement of 21. Wounded soldiers received prompt treatment, and interrogations of prisoners yielded a breakthrough: the Atlantic Federation of the Earth Forces had urgently mobilized more than seven main fleets. Under the Earth Forces' organizational structure, seven main fleets totaled 280 warships-28 Agamemnon-class space carriers, 56 Nelson-class main battle warships, and 196 Drake-class standard warships-carrying 1,400 mobile suits, still primarily Strike Daggers and Daggers. Numerous supply ships and hospital ships accompanied them. A sister ship of the Dominion had been urgently dispatched to replace it, while the three advanced Gundams-Calamity, Aegis, and Forbidden-had been repaired and upgraded. They were expected to reach the space around Boaz Fortress in two days and launch a massive offensive, determined to destroy the fortress and open a route to the PLANT homeland. ZAFT's strength had recovered to 67 warships, with eight lost and seven repaired; 459 mobile suits, including 38 GuAIZ units and ten Zakus; and one Justicar Gundam. After basic repairs and the removal of battle damage from its hull, the Starry Sky had returned to peak fighting condition and could continue providing mobile support and frontal interception.
When Major General Raymond and Major General Allen reported this intelligence to Mei Hock, their voices were grave. "Major Hawke, seven main fleets, 280 warships, 1,400 mobile suits, plus three upgraded advanced Gundams and the Dominion's sister ship. We currently have 67 combat-ready warships-17 Nazca-class, 49 Laurasia-class, and the Starry Sky-and 441 combat-ready mobile suits, including 38 GuAIZ units and ten Zakus, along with the Justicar Gundam. They still outnumber us by more than four to one. There's no way Boaz Fortress can hold out for long! We should request reinforcements from headquarters or draw up a withdrawal plan immediately!"
Mei Hock fell silent for a moment, gazing calmly at the holographic map before speaking firmly. "An immediate withdrawal is out of the question. Boaz Fortress is a critical outer barrier protecting PLANT. If it falls, the Earth Forces can drive straight through and threaten Jachin Due Fortress and the PLANT homeland directly. The consequences would be unthinkable. Headquarters has no troops to spare. We can only rely on ourselves." He paused, then continued, "We'll change our strategy. Instead of holding the fortress at all costs, we'll focus on attrition, prioritize preserving our strength, and target the Earth Forces' combat assets. We'll fight a retreating battle, using Boaz Fortress to absorb their attacks and buy time for our withdrawal and the preparation of our next defensive line. The Starry Sky will serve as our core mobile force, moving throughout the battlefield to support every sector while also blocking attacks from the Dominion's sister ship and protecting the main fleet's withdrawal."
"Attrition and a fighting retreat?" Major General Raymond sounded puzzled. "Major Hawke, how exactly do we carry that out?"
"The deployment will be as follows. First, transfer all nonessential defensive forces and supplies inside the fortress onto the warships. Leave only a small force to operate its main guns and key defensive weapons, drawing the Earth Forces' fire and concentrating on draining the Nelson-class warships' ammunition. Second, reorganize all 67 combat-ready warships into two echelons, using the two fleets' coordination to strengthen tactical evasion training. The first echelon will consist of 25 warships: the Starry Sky, three Nazca-class ships from the Silver Wing Fleet, and 21 main fleet vessels-eight Nazca-class and 13 Laurasia-class. Deploy them directly ahead of the fortress, using its covering fire for frontal interception. Focus on the Earth Forces' Drake-class destroyers and supply ships to consume their ammunition and supplies. Avoid direct clashes with Agamemnon-class carriers and Nelson-class warships. The Silver Wing Fleet's GuAIZ units must be ready to raid at any moment. The second echelon will consist of 42 warships-six Nazca-class and 36 Laurasia-class, primarily from the garrison fleet. Deploy them on both flanks of the fortress as mobile support, while also covering our withdrawal routes and preventing encirclement by the Earth Forces' multiple groups. Both fleets will maintain real-time communications and fight in coordination. Damaged warships must move to the flanks immediately to prevent cascading losses. Third, divide the mobile suits into four squads, fully exploiting the mobility of our 38 GuAIZ units-21 from the Silver Wing Fleet and 17 from the fortress-and the Silver Wing units' raiding capabilities. First Squad will have 60 mobile suits: 40 Ginn Customs and 20 GuAIZ units, including 15 from the Silver Wing Fleet. Deploy them in the asteroid belt directly ahead of the fortress to harass enemy mobile suit formations and small warships. Strike and withdraw without getting bogged down. The GuAIZ units will prioritize surprise attacks on enemy reconnaissance squads and the mobile suits defending supply ships. Second Squad will have 100 mobile suits: 80 Ginn Customs and 20 GuAIZ units, including six from the Silver Wing Fleet and 14 from the fortress. Deploy them on the fortress's flanks to draw enemy warship fire, targeting engines and main guns. Third Squad will have 181 mobile suits: 153 Ginn Customs and 28 GuAIZ units, with all remaining Silver Wing GuAIZ units assigned to it. Deploy them around the warship formation to protect our ships, prioritizing interception of the advanced Gundams and enemy mobile suit formations. The Starry Sky's ten Zakus will join this squad, with protecting the Starry Sky as their primary duty. Fourth Squad will have 100 mobile suits: 90 Ginn Customs and ten GuAIZ units. Deploy them along our withdrawal route to clear obstacles in advance and prepare to receive the retreating forces. Fourth, the Justicar Gundam will operate independently to tie down the three advanced enemy Gundams. I'll command the fleet while engaging them to ensure battlefield coordination. Fifth, reinforce the hull armor of every warship, particularly the bridges and engines. Assign personnel to monitor hull damage in real time and carry out emergency repairs immediately to prevent major casualties and reduce unnecessary losses. The Silver Wing Fleet must preserve its GuAIZ units' fighting strength wherever possible. Sixth, closely monitor enemy movements, especially signals from their nuclear strike force. The moment they deploy nuclear weapons, activate the withdrawal plan. All warships and mobile suits will follow the designated routes into the space between Jachin Due Fortress and the PLANT homeland, abandoning Boaz Fortress." As Mei Hock spoke, he projected the detailed deployments onto the screen. Every point had been carefully considered. "Remember, our objective isn't to hold the fortress. It's to inflict maximum attrition on the Earth Forces' combat assets-particularly their Drake-class destroyers, supply ships, and mobile suits-to buy time for our next defensive line. If we preserve most of our core fighting strength, we've won."
As Major General Raymond listened, the despair in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by resolve. "Understood! Major Hawke, I'll relay the orders immediately, organize the redeployment, and prepare the troops for battle. We'll intensify tactical evasion training for the warships and keep losses to an absolute minimum!"
The two days passed in a flash, and the Atlantic Federation's seven main fleets arrived around Boaz Fortress on schedule. Their 280 warships formed seven orderly groups in an enormous battle formation. The 28 Agamemnon-class carriers occupied the centers of the groups, while 56 Nelson-class warships formed a dense wall of firepower ahead of them. The 196 Drake-class destroyers spread along the flanks and rear. From a distance, their immense formation resembled a black cloud blotting out the sky, oppressive enough to steal one's breath. The Dominion's sister ship stood at the front of the central group, with performance surpassing the original Dominion in both mobility and firepower. The repaired and optimized Calamity, Aegis, and Forbidden Gundams, their armor and weapons reinforced, once again appeared ahead of the mobile suit formations. A total of 1,400 mobile suits, primarily Strike Daggers and Daggers, launched from the Agamemnon-class carriers in succession. Their formation far exceeded the previous attack in scale, filling the entire sector and standing ready to launch an all-out assault.
"All units, the Earth Forces fleet has reached the battlefield. Initiate defensive deployment according to the prepared plan!" Mei Hock's voice reached every unit through encrypted communications. The Justicar Gundam launched from the Starry Sky's hangar once again and charged ahead toward the enemy mobile suit formation as he issued further orders. "First Squad, enter the asteroid belt immediately and begin harassment attacks. First-echelon warships, activate your main guns and deliver precision strikes against the enemy escort formations. Prepare for tactical evasion. Fortress defense units, activate the main guns and antiaircraft batteries to draw enemy fire. Starry Sky, move to the central flank immediately and prepare to intercept the Dominion's sister ship. Use your hull armor to withstand its attacks head-on. Don't let it breach the defensive line!"
At Akira's command, battle erupted once more. The Earth Forces fleet attacked first, the main guns of 84 warships firing simultaneously. Countless beams and missiles poured toward Boaz Fortress and the ZAFT warship formation like a torrential downpour, filling space with a breathtaking web of beam trails. The fortress's main guns and antiaircraft batteries immediately began intercepting the incoming fire. Its main guns also fired two exceptionally powerful beams into the enemy fleet, striking and instantly destroying two escort ships. ZAFT's first-echelon warships maneuvered evasively, avoiding most of the incoming beams and missiles while concentrating their return fire. Following orders, the Starry Sky used its Vector Thrusters to race to the central flank, where it encountered the Dominion's sister ship and immediately engaged it head-on. The enemy ship fired a main-gun salvo, sending three beams straight into the Starry Sky. Its 1,800 mm heavy composite Phase Shift Armor withstood the attack without significant damage. The Starry Sky retaliated at once, activating Rapid-Fire Suppression Mode on its bow-mounted triple high-energy particle beam main guns, with a range of 80 kilometers. The sustained barrage struck the enemy ship's side armor, leaving a deep scar. Its sextuple medium beam secondary guns simultaneously rotated through 360 degrees to intercept incoming missiles, locking the two ships in a stalemate. Throughout the engagement, the Starry Sky's quantum reconnaissance radar, with a detection range of 150 kilometers, monitored the Atlantic Federation warships and shared data with nearby ZAFT vessels in real time. A command delay of less than 0.5 seconds provided powerful support for their coordinated operations.
The 25 warships of ZAFT's first echelon also opened fire. While holding the Dominion's sister ship at bay, the Starry Sky diverted two sextuple medium beam secondary gun mounts, each with an output of 1,000 kW and a firing rate of 30 rounds per minute, to strike an enemy supply ship with precision. The vessel exploded violently, scattering supplies through space. The other warships concentrated on the Drake-class destroyer groups, destroying several with every salvo, steadily depleting the enemy's flank forces and building an advantage. After entering the asteroid belt, First Squad's 60 mobile suits-40 Ginn Customs and 20 GuAIZ units-immediately began harassing the enemy formations. The Silver Wing Fleet's 15 GuAIZ units used their exceptional mobility and their pilots' refined skills to dart between enemy mobile suits and small warships, carrying out highly effective raids. The Ginn Customs fired beam machine guns and rockets from behind asteroids, hitting dozens of Dagger-type mobile suits before immediately withdrawing along their designated routes. By avoiding frontal clashes, they executed their harassment tactics perfectly. Meanwhile, Mei Hock had already encountered the three upgraded advanced Gundams in the Justicar Gundam. Neither side tested the other; they launched straight into a fierce assault. The three upgraded Gundams coordinated more smoothly than before. The Calamity Gundam's enhanced main guns maintained a powerful beam barrage, restricting the Justicar's evasive space from long range. With improved mobility, the Aegis Gundam circled it rapidly, launching occasional close-range attacks with its strengthened Beam Saber. The Forbidden Gundam used its reinforced armor and Beam Cannons to pin the Justicar down from the front, looking for opportunities to ram it. Together, they formed a flawless pincer of long-range suppression, frontal containment, and flanking attacks. A greatly strengthened beam from the Calamity's main gun struck the Justicar's back armor, leaving a deep scar. The Phase Shift Armor control system immediately concentrated energy into the back to repair the minor damage. Mei Hock sent the Justicar diving forward to avoid the following attacks while simultaneously issuing orders through the Starry Sky's fleet-wide command system, which could connect up to ten warships and 15 mobile suits. "First Squad, move deeper into the asteroid belt and continue harassment attacks. Don't let the enemy mobile suits surround you. First-echelon warships, shift three kilometers to the left flank to evade the Nelson-class warships' fire coverage. Starry Sky, intensify your attacks. Focus on suppressing the Dominion's sister ship's engines. Don't let it support the three advanced Gundams. Seal off its maneuvering routes completely!" Upon receiving the order, the Starry Sky activated High-Speed Assault mode, with a peak speed reaching 120 percent of the Eternal's, and rapidly closed on the enemy ship. Its triple main guns switched to Concentrated Breaching Salvo mode, directing a 6,600 kW salvo at the engines while its ventral octuple armor-piercing missile launcher fired simultaneously. The combined attack failed to destroy the engines outright but inflicted severe damage, drastically reducing the ship's speed and strengthening the Starry Sky's suppression. Its emergency repair system remained on standby to handle any armor damage.
Seeing this, the Earth Forces dispatched numerous mobile suits to pursue First Squad's Ginn Customs. Using the terrain of the asteroid belt, however, First Squad repeatedly circled and evaded them, occasionally counterattacking and tying down a substantial enemy force. The three upgraded Gundams charged the Justicar again, tightening their pincer attacks. The Forbidden's repaired shoulder Beam Cannons were more powerful, and the Aegis used its improved mobility to circle the Justicar rapidly while the Calamity provided distant support, repeatedly firing its main guns. The pressure mounted sharply. "Same old tricks. Looks like you haven't got anything new," the Calamity's pilot said disdainfully. The Gundam attacked again, opening its shoulder missile launchers and sending dozens of missiles screaming toward the Justicar. Mei Hock pulled sharply upward and swept his Beam Saber backward, striking several missiles. Their explosions shattered nearby asteroids with the resulting shock waves. All the while, he continued commanding through the communicator. "Second Squad, detach 15 GuAIZ units to support the Starry Sky and attack the Dominion's sister ship from both sides. Fortress main guns, target the Agamemnon-class carriers in the enemy's central group and deliver precision strikes. Second-echelon warships, circle to the right and attack the enemy supply ship formation. Cut off their supplies!" The Starry Sky immediately intensified its assault, firing all four main guns together. Combined with the 15 GuAIZ units' surprise attack, the salvo struck the enemy ship's engines, rupturing its hull and disrupting its propulsion system, drastically reducing its speed.
Mei Hock was now fully engaged in countering the three advanced Gundams' fierce attacks. The Justicar's damaged back armor had slightly reduced its mobility, but his exceptional piloting, ACCORD Ability, and the machine's precise attitude control kept him from falling behind. Even in danger, he remained composed and in control. He evaded the Forbidden's beam attack while using a DRAGOON System unit to hit the Aegis's chest armor, leaving a scar and temporarily driving it back. At the same time, rapid fire from his chest Beam Cannons disrupted the Calamity's main-gun targeting and broke the rhythm of its long-range suppression. The three upgraded Gundams did not retreat. Instead, they adjusted their coordination. The Calamity slowed its main-gun firing rate and switched to precision shots aimed at the Justicar's joints and thrusters. The Aegis used its enhanced mobility to circle behind the Justicar and launch repeated hit-and-run attacks, denying it opportunities to retaliate. The Forbidden closed from the front, ramming with its reinforced armor in an attempt to disrupt the Justicar's attitude control. Their coordination grew ever tighter, each attack aimed at a critical point. Several nearly struck the cockpit, making the battle perilous. Mei Hock remained calm, fighting all three while commanding the fleet. He even accurately anticipated enemy tactical changes and issued evasive and counterattack orders in advance. "Starry Sky, exploit the enemy ship's reduced speed and tighten the encirclement. Use your secondary guns to block its main-gun ports and suppress its firepower completely. First-echelon warships, concentrate fire on damaged Drake-class destroyers and increase our gains. Mobile suit formations, prioritize intercepting the enemy's raiding advanced mobile suit squads. Protect the warships!" Meanwhile, the second echelon struck the enemy supply ship formation. Several ships exploded, once again cutting off supplies. Enemy morale suffered badly, and the warships' attack rhythm fell into disarray, creating better conditions for the Justicar's engagement and the Starry Sky's suppression. The advantage gradually shifted toward ZAFT. Yet the three advanced Gundams refused to give up, repeatedly launching fierce attacks with their upgraded performance. The Forbidden's beams grazed the Justicar's cockpit several times, but Mei Hock always escaped unharmed through the machine's superior mobility and his own anticipation. He steadily searched for gaps in their coordination, seeking to break their pincer and expand his advantage. He understood that defeating these upgraded Gundams still required steady pressure rather than haste. Every successful evasion and effective counterattack built toward final victory.
Meanwhile, the Earth Forces' warship formations had closed to within 50 kilometers. All seven groups attacked simultaneously, placing ZAFT's defensive line under tremendous pressure. The warships began fighting at close range. ZAFT's 25 first-echelon vessels used flexible maneuvering and practiced coordination to evade attacks while concentrating precise fire on enemy weak points, particularly the Drake-class destroyers. Without shields, however, three Laurasia-class warships were still struck by enemy beams, suffering severe hull damage and being forced out of battle. The 42 second-echelon warships circled around both sides of the fortress, concentrating on enemy supply ships and hospital ships to further deplete their supplies and combat assets while avoiding encirclement by the seven enemy groups. The two fleets' close coordination effectively tied down enemy forces. On the mobile suit battlefield, ZAFT's Second and Third Squads fought fiercely against the enemy formations. Although the Ginn Customs were inferior to the enemy's advanced mobile suits, their skilled pilots and teamwork allowed them to attack with numerical superiority. Combined with swift raids by the 38 GuAIZ units, especially precision strikes from the Silver Wing Fleet's 21 machines, they continually destroyed Daggers and Strike Daggers. Using their mobility, the GuAIZ force repeatedly impeded the Calamity, Aegis, and Forbidden Gundams, creating openings for the Ginn Customs. Despite losses of their own, they retained sufficient fighting strength to hold the defensive perimeter around the warships. The Starry Sky's ten Zakus remained stationed around the flagship, guarding against surprise attacks.
Mei Hock was now fighting the three advanced Gundams at close quarters. The Justicar's Beam Saber collided violently with the Aegis's once again, and a piercing metallic clash echoed through space. The tremendous impact shook both machines. Using its enhanced mobility and the recoil from the collision, the Aegis rapidly pulled back, then circled to the Justicar's right, aiming its Beam Saber at the waist joint in an attempt to repeat its earlier ambush. The Forbidden followed closely, firing its enhanced shoulder Beam Cannons continuously. Dense beams wove a net of fire that sealed off the Justicar's escape routes. A kilometer away, the Calamity fired precise shots, its main-gun beams thrusting like swords toward the Justicar's cockpit. Each shot anticipated Akira's evasive course. The three machines' coordination tightened further, their pressure rolling in like an unending tide.
Yet Mei Hock's attention was never completely consumed by the duel. His ACCORD Ability and SEED Factor continued working in tandem, analyzing the three machines' attack trajectories, weapon cooldowns, and armor weaknesses in real time while he simultaneously tracked the entire battlefield through the Starry Sky's comprehensive command system. His voice remained steady, without a trace of panic. "First echelon, the three damaged Laurasia-class warships are to move toward the second echelon immediately. Under their cover, withdraw to the designated rendezvous point as a priority. Second Squad, stop tying down the enemy warships on the left flank. All units turn toward the supply ship formation and concentrate fire on the remaining supply ships. Cut off their supplies completely. Starry Sky, deploy every Zaku and coordinate with the GuAIZ squad to establish a temporary defensive perimeter. Cover the warships' gradual withdrawal. Do not get bogged down!"
Before he finished speaking, the Justicar activated its waist-mounted vector nozzles and rolled left through a minimal angle, narrowly avoiding the Aegis's Beam Saber. At the same time, it deployed its MX-703 dedicated defensive shield on its left arm, blocking the Forbidden's beam attack. A scorched streak instantly appeared across the shield's surface. Seizing a gap between the three machines' attacks, Akira detached the seven DRAGOON-7 small Funnels mounted on the Justicar's back and divided them into two groups. Four precisely targeted the Calamity's main-gun barrel and fired simultaneously, while the other three struck at the Aegis's leg joints-the core of its mobility upgrades and also its weakest point.
"Not a chance!" the Calamity's pilot roared, immediately initiating an emergency evasive maneuver and launching missiles to intercept the Funnels. But it was too late. Two beams struck the main-gun barrel. Although they failed to destroy it outright, they caused severe damage, sharply reducing its firing rate and accuracy. A beam also struck the Aegis's leg joint, instantly disabling its enhanced thruster. Its mobility plummeted. Unable to perform its previous high-speed flanking maneuvers, it could barely maintain flight, and its body began to list. Mei Hock seized the opening and closed in instantly. His Beam Saber pierced the Aegis's chest armor with precision and severed its energy supply conduits. The machine immediately lost power and began drifting through space, completely stripped of its fighting capability.
Just as Akira prepared to finish the Aegis, the Forbidden suddenly rammed him from the side. Its reinforced armor slammed into the Justicar's back with tremendous force, caving in the already damaged armor. The Phase Shift Armor control system sounded a piercing alarm, and the machine's power briefly destabilized. Bracing against the shaking cockpit, Akira relied on his SEED Factor-enhanced reactions to turn the Justicar immediately and thrust his Beam Saber backward into the Forbidden's shoulder-the weak point where its Beam Cannon met its armor. The blade pierced the armor and destroyed the internal energy transmission module. The Forbidden's shoulder Beam Cannon was ruined, and extensive armor damage left it unable to launch further frontal ramming attacks.
"Damn you! What kind of monster are you?!" Fear and frustration filled the Forbidden pilot's voice as the machine retreated, attempting to regroup with the Calamity and revise their tactics. The Calamity struggled to provide long-range fire with its damaged main gun, hoping to pin down the Justicar and cover the Forbidden's withdrawal. But without the Aegis's flanking maneuvers and the Forbidden's frontal containment, the Calamity alone posed no threat. Mei Hock did not pursue. Instead, he turned the Justicar toward the center of the battlefield, studying the situation on the cockpit's holographic screen as he continued issuing orders. "Warship formation, accelerate your withdrawal. Follow the designated routes into the space between Jachin Due Fortress and the PLANT homeland. GuAIZ squad, detach ten units to cover the damaged mobile suits' evacuation. Starry Sky, stay mobile and prepare to receive the Justicar at any time. Continue monitoring the enemy fleet, with particular attention to its nuclear strike force!"
The Earth Forces' offensive grew increasingly frenzied. Their seven main fleets kept advancing, and the Nelson-class warships poured out sustained main-gun fire. More than half of Boaz Fortress's defense platforms had been destroyed, and its remaining defenses were on the brink of collapse. Numerous enemy mobile suits breached the temporary perimeter and launched surprise attacks on ZAFT's warships. Following Akira's orders, the warship formation gradually fell back. The first and second echelons coordinated evasive maneuvers and concentrated counterfire, focusing on incoming mobile suits and small warships to minimize their own losses. The Starry Sky used its exceptional mobility to race across the battlefield, alternating fire from its triple main guns and secondary guns to destroy enemy mobile suits and small warships. Its ten Zakus worked closely with the GuAIZ squad to establish a solid defensive perimeter covering the fleet's withdrawal. The ship's emergency repair system also operated continuously, promptly handling minor hull damage and keeping it fully combat-capable.
But the Earth Forces clearly had no intention of letting ZAFT escape easily. Seeing two of the advanced Gundams damaged and the third disabled while ZAFT steadily withdrew, the Atlantic Federation commander flew into a rage and issued a reckless order. "Activate the nuclear strike force! Target Boaz Fortress and launch a nuclear strike! Destroy the fortress completely and terrorize ZAFT! All fleets, intensify your attacks and hold their warships in place until the strike hits!"
Moments later, the Starry Sky's quantum reconnaissance radar suddenly detected a powerful nuclear signal. A red warning flashed onto the screen, and the radar operator's terrified voice rang across the bridge and every ZAFT communications channel. "Warning! Warning! Enemy nuclear strike detected! Target-Boaz Fortress! Estimated time to impact: three minutes! Repeat, estimated time to impact: three minutes!"
The communications channels briefly descended into chaos. Fear appeared on the ZAFT soldiers' faces. A nuclear strike was powerful enough to destroy everything in the entire sector. The fortress, nearby warships, and mobile suits would all be reduced to ash in the explosion. Major General Raymond's voice trembled as he called Akira over the communicator. "Major Hawke! The Earth Forces have deployed nuclear weapons! We have to withdraw now! Any later and it'll be too late!"
Mei Hock's gaze remained calm, without a trace of panic. He immediately issued the final withdrawal order. "All units, initiate the highest-priority withdrawal procedure immediately. Move to the designated rendezvous point at full speed. No covering fire, no counterattacks! Starry Sky, withdraw at full speed, reach the rendezvous point ahead of the others, and establish a defensive perimeter while waiting for the remaining forces. GuAIZ squad, withdraw last. Eliminate pursuing enemy mobile suits and buy the fleet its final moments to escape!"
After issuing the orders, Mei Hock turned the Justicar toward the Calamity, his gaze cold. With its main gun damaged and its teammates unable to support it, the Calamity was now isolated and helpless. Yet it still refused to surrender, firing its remaining missiles at the Justicar in one final attack. Akira did not hesitate. He activated all seven DRAGOON-7 small Funnels and concentrated their full energy output, then fired his chest-mounted MMI-M100 twin Beam Cannons simultaneously. Together, they formed an intense torrent of beams that struck directly at the Calamity.
It was the Justicar's full-power attack, and Akira's killing blow to eliminate the last threat to the fleet's withdrawal. The beam torrent struck the Calamity instantly. Its reinforced armor could not withstand an attack of such intensity, and the machine was swallowed by the beams. Its energy core exploded violently, blasting the Gundam to pieces and leaving only scattered wreckage drifting through space. All three upgraded advanced Gundams had finally been crippled or destroyed by Mei Hock.
After destroying the Calamity, less than a minute remained before the nuclear strike. Boaz Fortress's outline was already blurring beneath the bombardment. Mei Hock activated every thruster on the Justicar and pushed High-Speed Assault mode to full power, driving its peak speed to the limit. The machine streaked toward the Starry Sky like a silver bolt of lightning. Through the communicator, he checked the withdrawal status of every unit one final time. "All units, report withdrawal progress! Starry Sky, confirm the status of the defensive perimeter at the rendezvous point!"
"The warship formation has reached the safe zone and is heading for the rendezvous point!" "The GuAIZ squad has completed its covering mission and is withdrawing!" "The Starry Sky has reached the rendezvous point. Defensive perimeter established. Awaiting the Justicar and the remaining units!"
Hearing that every unit had withdrawn safely, Mei Hock finally breathed a sigh of relief. At that moment, a violent flash erupted behind him. Blinding white light instantly illuminated the entire sector as Boaz Fortress was utterly destroyed in the nuclear explosion. An immense shock wave expanded in every direction, sweeping countless asteroids and fortress fragments into a rampage through space. With its extreme speed, the Justicar narrowly avoided the shock wave's direct impact, but flying debris still struck it, damaging its armor in several places and slightly disrupting its power. Fortunately, its core systems remained intact, and it continued racing toward the Starry Sky at full speed.
Several minutes later, the Justicar safely reached the Starry Sky's hangar. Mei Hock emerged from the cockpit, a trace of exhaustion on his face and dust clinging to him, but his eyes remained resolute. On the Starry Sky's bridge, Major General Raymond, Major General Allen, and every crew member rose to their feet and looked at him with reverence. No fear remained on their faces, only fervent admiration. In the battle they had just fought, Mei Hock had faced three upgraded advanced Gundams alone. Not only had he held his own, he had badly damaged all three and destroyed one while simultaneously commanding the entire battlefield and planning the retreat. Under pressure from an enemy more than four times their strength, he had brought ZAFT's forces out intact. He had perfectly executed the strategy of attrition and a fighting retreat, inflicting maximum losses on the enemy's combat assets while preserving ZAFT's core strength.
"Major Hawke! Every unit has withdrawn safely and reached the designated rendezvous point. No major casualties!" Major General Raymond strode forward, his voice full of reverence. "The Earth Forces suffered devastating losses. All three advanced Gundams were crippled or destroyed, along with 68 Drake-class destroyers, 23 supply ships, and 420 mobile suits. The nuclear strike destroyed Boaz Fortress, but it inflicted no substantial major losses on us. We successfully achieved our strategic objectives!"
Mei Hock nodded and looked out the window into space, where the haze of the nuclear explosion and fragments of the fortress still lingered. In the distance, ZAFT's warships formed orderly ranks as they moved toward the space between Jachin Due Fortress and the PLANT homeland, preparing to establish the next defensive line. "Notify all units to accelerate their movement. Once they reach the designated defensive line, begin building fortifications immediately, repair damaged warships and mobile suits, and replenish ammunition and supplies. Stay alert for further enemy pursuit." Akira's voice remained steady, without pride or complacency. He knew this victory was only temporary. The Earth Forces remained powerful, and the battles ahead would be even harder.
News of the battle of Boaz Fortress soon spread throughout ZAFT headquarters, to every ZAFT warship and every soldier. When the soldiers learned that Mei Hock had continued commanding the entire battlefield while fighting three upgraded advanced Gundams alone, bringing everyone out safely and crippling the enemy's core fighting strength, they erupted in ecstatic cheers. In their hearts, Mei Hock was no longer merely a young Red Uniform Elite or an outstanding mobile suit squad leader. He was their protector, an invincible legend.
The soldiers spontaneously began calling Mei Hock the "Starry Sky God of War." With the Starry Sky as his wings and the Justicar Gundam as his blade, he had single-handedly reversed the battle, protected his comrades, and swept all opposition aside. From then on, whenever Mei Hock entered battle, ZAFT's soldiers' morale instantly rose to fever pitch. No matter how powerful the enemy, they would charge fearlessly. Whenever they heard the name "Major General Hawke"-headquarters' commendation had already been relayed-every ZAFT soldier stood in solemn respect. He embodied their highest conviction, the source of strength that sustained their courage on the battlefield.
On the third day after the battle, ZAFT headquarters formally issued a commendation: in recognition of Mei Hock's extraordinary operational command and outstanding mobile suit piloting during the battle of Boaz Fortress, his victory against superior numbers, his successful attrition of the Earth Forces' combat strength, his protection of the troops' safe withdrawal, and his preservation of ZAFT's core fighting force-achievements of lasting distinction-Mei Hock was promoted to major general. He would continue serving as commander of the Silver Wing Fleet and captain of the Starry Sky, overseeing preparations for the next defensive line and exercising full command over frontline operations against the Atlantic Federation of the Earth Forces.
On the Starry Sky's bridge, Mei Hock accepted the commendation sent by headquarters. The major general's epaulets on his shoulders shone brilliantly. Major General Raymond, Major General Allen, and every crew member saluted him again, their reverence deeper than ever. Mei Hock gazed out at the sea of stars, his eyes resolute and profound.
The destruction of Boaz Fortress was not an ending, but a new beginning. The Earth Forces' fury had yet to subside, and a greater storm lay ahead, but he would not fear it. He was Mei Hock, ZAFT's God of War, a warrior who protected his loved ones and PLANT. From that day onward, he would lead the Silver Wing Fleet and ZAFT's soldiers across this sea of stars, with the Starry Sky as their shield and the Justicar as their blade. They would keep advancing bravely, defending PLANT's peace with blood and courage and rewriting the fate of the Cosmic Era.
In the distance, the outline of Jachin Due Fortress was becoming faintly visible. ZAFT's warship formation was gradually reaching the designated defensive line and beginning to build fortifications. The GuAIZ squad stood in orderly ranks, the Starry Sky's main guns were ready to fire, and the Justicar Gundam was undergoing repairs in the hangar, soon to regain its peak fighting strength. Mei Hock tightened his grip on the commendation, with only one conviction in his heart: Next time, no matter how powerful the enemy, I'll lead my comrades and fight by their side until victory.
Before you continue