After confirming that there were no ZAFT pursuers behind them, the tense atmosphere aboard the Archangel gradually eased.
Seizing this opportunity, Murrue Ramius called several officers from the Archangel, along with Kira Yamato, to the combat conference room.
“Sorry, Leon Vance.
You’re all so tired, yet I still need you here for this meeting.”
Murrue Ramius looked apologetically at Leon Vance.
“No!
It’s nothing.
Murrue, you know my limits, right?”
Leon Vance blinked, saying with a playful grin.
Murrue Ramius was taken aback, her pretty face flushing slightly.
She shot him a subtle glare before putting on a stern expression and said.
“Kira, please don’t be nervous.
Having you here this time was a decision made out of necessity.”
“No, Captain.
I understand.
It’s because of the Strike Gundam, right?”
Kira Yamato shook his head, indicating he already understood the reason.
“Yes, that’s right.
After all, the Strike Gundam is a top-secret project of the Earth Alliance, and ordinary people aren’t allowed to come into contact with it.
But due to the urgent situation, we had no choice but to let you board the Strike Gundam to assist the Archangel in evacuating.
Therefore, before the Archangel rendezvouses with the Earth Alliance fleet, I, in my capacity as acting captain of the Archangel and using my authority, am temporarily granting you the rank of Ensign.”
When Murrue Ramius announced this decision, Natarle Badgiruel beside her seemed to have something to say but hesitated.
However, upon seeing Leon Vance standing by Murrue Ramius’s side in support, and Mu subtly positioning himself a bit closer to Leon Vance, she chose to remain silent.
Clearly, she had realized it.
Murrue Ramius had unknowingly gained the support of the only two combat personnel aboard the Archangel.
Moreover, with Leon Vance and Mu around, it wouldn’t be necessary for Kira to board the Strike Gundam for combat every single time.
Adopting this approach now was also to stabilize the atmosphere within the Archangel.
After all, a civilian teenager wandering around the hangar could inadvertently affect the other crew members.
“I understand!
But what about my friends?”
Kira nodded in acknowledgment and raised another question.
“That is indeed a very troublesome matter.
But rest assured!
They, like you, will be sent back to Orb’s homeland after the Archangel rendezvouses with the Alliance Fleet.”
Murrue pondered for a moment.
Originally, the Archangel was quite short-handed, but with the intervention of Leon Vance’s Mechanical Cat Bao Bao, the bridge crew of the Archangel now seemed to require fewer personnel.
“Captain, although Bao Bao has sufficient computing power, I think it’s necessary to configure a set of personnel arrangements to handle unexpected situations.”
“Ensign Vance, do you mean setting up a redundant configuration plan?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
While Mu and Natarle Badgiruel were still considering the feasibility of this redundant configuration plan, Murrue Ramius made the decision on the spot.
“Alright!
Let’s do it that way!
After all, it’s not a solution to have your friends idle on the Archangel.
Let them participate in the bridge operations!”
“Okay!
I’ll talk to them.
Thank you, Captain!
And thank you, Ensign Leon Vance.”
After confirming that Murrue had no intention of holding him accountable, Kira visibly relaxed.
“Good!
That settles the matter of Kira and his friends.
Now, where should the Archangel go?”
Murrue clapped her hands and looked at everyone.
Seeing this, Kira chose to remain silent.
Natarle Badgiruel seemed a bit slow to react, still processing Murrue Ramius’s decisive ruling.
As for Mu, he blinked and turned his gaze toward Leon Vance.
“Why are you looking at me, Lieutenant Mu?”
Leon Vance retorted.
Lieutenant Mu spread his hands and shook his head.
“No, no.
I’m just indicating that I’ll follow any orders.”
“Lieutenant Mu, are you slacking off?”
Leon Vance glared at him with displeasure.
“No.
I’m not slacking off; I’m trusting in your abilities, Ensign Leon Vance.”
Mu stroked his chin as he spoke.
“I went to the storage earlier to check.
Although the Archangel’s supplies aren’t abundant, due to the reduced crew size, they can support a long-distance voyage.
Therefore, in this situation, we have more options available.”
At this point, Mu smiled and patted Leon Vance on the shoulder.
“The Archangel’s current capability for long-distance travel is all thanks to Ensign Leon Vance’s arrangements. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping.com.
Mechanical Cat Bao Bao promptly replaced most of the personnel needed to operate the Archangel, and before the Archangel set sail, the weapons, ammunition, and supplies delivered in carts to the storage were also prepared by Ensign Leon Vance.”
“Such a thing happened?”
Natarle Badgiruel widened her eyes slightly, looking at Leon Vance.
She had already witnessed the capabilities of Mechanical Cat Bao Bao.
But she wasn’t fully aware of the Archangel’s supply situation, only knowing that it was enough for the crew to use for at least two weeks.
“Yes, it’s indeed thanks to Vance’s preparations.”
Murrue Ramius smiled slightly, the corners of her mouth lifting.
“Perhaps because he enjoys hiking, Vance often makes many preparations without realizing it, to avoid unexpected situations.”
“Sounds like a very good habit!”
Mu laughed heartily and patted Leon Vance on the shoulder again.
“So, our dear Ensign Leon Vance, do you have any thoughts on the upcoming voyage?”
With Murrue and Mu playing off each other, Natarle Badgiruel naturally had no objections.
As for Kira Yamato, all he needed to do at the moment was remain a silent, handsome youth.
“Why are you pushing me into this?”
Leon Vance sighed, then spoke seriously.
“Based on the results of our previous actions, the ZAFT fleet led by Rau Le Creuset should be trapped in the Heliopolis Sector and temporarily unable to pursue the Archangel for certain reasons.”
“So, this period is our opportunity.”
Leon Vance exchanged a glance with Murrue, who immediately entered a command on the tactical platform, opening a star chart.
Leon Vance traced a line on the star chart, connecting Heliopolis to a satellite fortress named Artemis.
“Considering factors like distance and safety, this is currently the Archangel’s best option.”
“The Eurasian Federation’s satellite fortress?
I’ve heard it employs an advanced technology that protects it from ZAFT fleet attacks, earning it the title of ‘unsinkable fortress.'”
Mu crossed his arms, deep in thought.
“No!
There is no such thing as an unsinkable fortress in this world.
Captain Murrue, do you recall the Thunder Gundam from the G-Project?”
Leon Vance shook his head, refuting Mu’s statement while also seeking confirmation from Murrue.
“Thunder?
Oh, you mean the mobile suit that uses Mirage Colloid?
If that’s the one, it could indeed pose a threat to this satellite fortress.”
Murrue suddenly understood.
“Ensign Vance, are you suggesting we take an alternative route?”
“Yes, exactly.
Under normal circumstances, while being pursued by the ZAFT fleet, the Archangel would inevitably seek to rendezvous with the nearest allied forces to jointly counter the pursuit.”
“This is how we would think, and ZAFT would think the same way.”
Leon Vance once again slid his finger across the tactical platform, outlining a new route.
“Therefore, I propose that, using the resources currently available to the Archangel, we undertake a long-distance voyage, bypass the Artemis fortress entirely, and reach this point for a second round of resupply.”