After Leon Vance frankly explained the Archangel’s next plan, Kira thought for a moment and decided to help the Archangel evacuate Heliopolis.
“As long as the Archangel leaves this place, those ZAFT forces won’t continue attacking Heliopolis, right?”
“Correct.
ZAFT’s objective is very clear: to target the Archangel, the Strike Gundam, and the Sky Raider Gundam.
As long as these three factors leave Heliopolis, this place loses any reason for ZAFT to attack.”
Vance pointed toward the factory area—at this very moment, the Mechanical Cat Bao Bao, who had secretly gained control of the central system, was under his command beginning to sabotage all production facilities related to the G-Project, especially those connected to the Sky Raider Gundam.
The design blueprints stored in the factory’s production systems were being destroyed by Mechanical Cat Bao Bao at an extremely rapid pace.
Although many of the Sky Raider Gundam’s designs were secretly completed by Vance himself, unknown to the Dawn Factory’s manager on Heliopolis, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Having an extra precaution was never wrong.
After all, in this world, the counter-espionage systems of various factions were like sieves—it seemed like anyone could spread what should be top-secret technology everywhere.
The most famous example was that masked man blocking the entrance at Heliopolis’s spaceport, waiting for the Archangel to show itself!
Kira didn’t know that Vance had thought of so much in such a short moment, but he also understood that the factory district was likely beyond saving.
Even if ZAFT followed the Archangel away, that factory area wouldn’t be able to recover in a short time.
“Don’t think too much about it.
You’re only assisting us temporarily!
Once the Archangel successfully rendezvous with the other Alliance Fleet units, you’ll naturally be returned to Orb’s homeland.”
Vance patted Kira’s shoulder and solemnly promised.
“I don’t know how Captain Murrue will think, but as far as I’m concerned, this promise can be kept.”
“Is that so?
It sounds more like you’re the captain of the Archangel, Ensign Leon Vance.”
Murrue Ramius stood behind Vance at some unknown time, staring intently at him.
“Um, I’ll go prepare the Strike Gundam first?”
As soon as Kira saw Murrue Ramius’s serious expression, he jolted and promptly slipped away.
“Lieutenant Ramius, don’t scare the kid!”
Vance shrugged, then stood at attention and saluted.
“Captain, you coming at this time probably isn’t to watch me salute you, right?”
“You…”
Murrue Ramius was momentarily speechless, then helplessly pressed her hand to her forehead.
“Never mind.
Judging by your look, you’ve already guessed why I’m here.”
“Of course!
The Sky Raider Gundam is my life’s work to this day.
I have confidence in it.”
Vance nodded, looking at Murrue earnestly and confidently.
“Having confidence is naturally a good thing.
However, whether the G-Project can achieve its initial design purpose is something we’re not entirely sure about in our hearts.”
Murrue Ramius walked over to Vance’s side, leaning against the wall next to him, and pondered.
“In this situation full of unknowns, you still made such a decision…”
“This is a necessary bargaining chip, isn’t it?
Murrue.”
Leon Vance used the address reserved for their private moments.
“Only a bargaining chip of sufficient weight can divert Rau Le Creuset’s attention.
Moreover, if we don’t severely damage ZAFT’s battleship, even if the Archangel manages to escape from the space sector where Heliopolis is located, it will be caught up with in a short time.”
Leon Vance raised his right hand and clenched it tightly into a fist.
“For this reason, we must deprive Rau Le Creuset of the means to pursue the Archangel in a short time.”
Murrue lowered her gaze, reaching out both hands to cover Leon’s fist.
“I understand your resolve.
But I only ask one thing of you.
No matter what, you must catch up with the Archangel.
This, you must accomplish.”
Leon glanced at Murrue, smiled, and raised his left hand to cover both of hers.
“Of course.
I am the man who can turn the impossible into possible!”
On one side of Heliopolis, at the outskirts of the spaceport.
Rau Le Creuset, floating in the bridge with his arms crossed, stared intently at Heliopolis.
“It’s too quiet!
This is far too quiet!”
“Captain Creuset, have you noticed something?”
Adess asked in confusion.
“Yes.
It’s too quiet, Adess.
The Earth Alliance hasn’t dispatched any reconnaissance forces…”
Suddenly, Rau Le Creuset’s eyes widened, and he sharply gestured to give the order.
“No!!
The Earth Alliance is trying to escape—”
At that very moment, a violent explosion erupted from the other side of Heliopolis, blasting a large hole in the transparent section.
Simultaneously, the various optical sensors on the Nazca-class battleship Vesalius, the flagship of Creuset’s team, captured a scene.
“That…
is that a new Earth Alliance battleship?!”
Amidst a sky full of shattered glass fragments, an unseen space battleship was bursting out from inside Heliopolis, heading at full speed toward deep space.
“Hah! You are reading on g.com, the official source.
We’ve been tricked!
It seems someone has seen through our plan!!
Adess!
Hold nothing back, immediately deploy all available Mobile Suits.
And I will sortie as well!
No matter what, we must capture that ship and those two Mobile Suits!”
“Yes!”
Rau Le Creuset turned and left the bridge, a meaningful smile gradually appearing at the corner of his mouth.
Interesting!
He had originally thought the enemy would remain inside Heliopolis, betting that they wouldn’t dare destroy this colony satellite declared neutral to avoid escalating the international situation, thereby buying time to wait for the Alliance Fleet’s reinforcements.
But he never expected that before his arrangements could fully unfold, the enemy had seized an opening and, without hesitation, had the Earth Alliance forces board that new battleship and flee.
“Was it the person who created that strange Mobile Suit who intervened?
Or was it you?
Mu La Flaga!”
Lost in thought, Rau Le Creuset suddenly sensed someone ahead.
He looked up and saw Athrun Zala.
“Athrun.
By the look of you, you want to participate in the sortie?”
“Yes!
Captain Creuset.
I request to participate in the sortie!
I am aware of the situation.
The Mobile Suit I captured possesses high-speed assault capabilities, making it suitable for pursuing the enemy ship!”
Athrun responded loudly.
“Oh?
Is that so?
It seems you’ve already prepared your mobile suit.
Then, follow along as well!
But be prepared to sacrifice yourself at any moment!
After all, what we’re facing is that mobile suit with its bizarre methods.”
“If you don’t want to meet the same end as Miguel, then stay sharp!”
“Yes!
Captain Rau Le Creuset!”