Mu La Flaga rubbed the back of his head, glancing at the open cockpit of the Strike Gundam before turning his gaze to the Sky Raider Gundam.
He fell into deep thought, struck by how remarkably similar the two Mobile Suits appeared.
As the renowned “Hawk of Endymion” within the Earth Alliance, he had been included in the G-Project personnel list from the very beginning, tasked with escorting the pilots selected as candidates for the project.
But still!
Upon witnessing the dismal performance of those candidate pilots, Mu La Flaga harbored doubts about whether the G-Project could be deployed for combat in a short timeframe.
However, after ZAFT infiltrated Heliopolis and wreaked havoc, he was forced to land nearby and made a startling discovery: besides the five new Mobile Suits from the G-Project, there was a sixth unknown model.
Moreover, this new Mobile Suit had not only been successfully deployed in combat but had also defeated a GINN and even driven off Rau Le Creuset.
Such a stark contrast felt almost surreal to the “Hawk of Endymion,” who had escorted those candidate pilots only to have his confidence shaken by their poor performance.
Was it a difference in the pilots?
Or was there an issue with the Mobile Suits themselves?
Especially after learning about Leon Vance’s background, Mu La Flaga silently crossed out the first question.
Since both were Naturals by origin, the problem must lie with the Mobile Suits.
“Kira, you mentioned earlier that Ensign Leon Vance asked you to organize the OS program for this Mobile Suit?”
Mu La Flaga tightened his grip on his helmet slightly as he looked at Kira, who was busy programming on a handheld device.
“Ah.
Yes, that’s right.
Um, Captain Mu La Flaga.
Do you have any questions?”
Kira asked timidly, appearing somewhat fearful.
A flicker of understanding passed through Mu La Flaga’s mind, but he chose not to address it directly.
After glancing at the Sky Raider Gundam, he smiled.
“Kira, you’re not an Earth Alliance soldier, so just call me Mu.
No need for the rank.”
“Okay.
Mu, do you want to pilot this Mobile Suit?”
Kira nodded slowly before asking again.
Upon hearing this, Mu waved his hands dismissively.
“No, no!
I already tried earlier.
Just getting this big guy to move took all my effort.
It’s way too difficult.”
Kira blinked, his gaze shifting to the Sky Raider Gundam, his meaning clear without words.
Exactly!
They were both Naturals.
So why could Leon Vance smoothly pilot the Sky Raider Gundam and defeat ZAFT’s Mobile Suits, while he struggled even to make the Strike Gundam walk?
Leon Vance, who had overheard their entire conversation clearly through the external audio system’s pickup function, shrugged but showed no intention of offering any explanation.
“Kira, Captain Mu.
I’m going to help the Archangel leave the dock now.
You’d better keep your distance!”
As Leon Vance’s voice came through the external speaker system, the Sky Raider Gundam’s eyes suddenly lit up, and its gray armor began to glow, covering the mobile suit in a new paint scheme: the torso was a dark, nearly black blue, while the shoulder armor, skirt armor, and limbs were a lighter, brighter blue, with touches of gold and white accenting key areas.
That’s right!
This was still a paint scheme designed with the Huckebein 30 as its reference.
“Oh!
That’s incredible!”
Watching the cockpit hatch close and the distinctive glow of Phase Shift Armor activating across its body, Mu La Flaga, who had pulled Kira aside, let out an exclamation of awe.
Its fluid movements, its agile walking form— it was simply capable of wiping the floor with every candidate pilot he had seen before.
Immediately after, the Sky Raider Gundam raised its right hand, and the Leaf-Wheel Blades on its back took flight.
In an instant, they formed two high-speed rotating discs that, following Leon Vance’s instructions, plunged into the barrier separating the Archangel and the Sky Raider Gundam, heading straight for the Archangel’s position.
“The Leaf-Wheel Blades are coming!
Get ready!”
The mechanical cat Bao Bao, crouched at Murrue Ramius’s feet, flicked its tail and adjusted the cables connected to the data port on its back before issuing a warning.
“Understood!
Positron Cannon, standard output power, prepare!”
With the help of the mechanical cat Bao Bao, Natarle Badgiruel had gained a clearer understanding of the Archangel’s weapon systems’ readiness.
Moreover, with Leon Vance piloting the Sky Raider Gundam outside to guide the Archangel, the ship no longer needed to rely on luck by firing the Positron Cannon at the gate as in the original.
“Zzzzt…”
Just as the Positron Cannon was charging, two rapidly reddening, even melting high-temperature zones appeared on the left wall of the Archangel.
“There!
Lieutenant Badgiruel!”
“Understood!”
Murrue Ramius’s eyes lit up, and she immediately called out.
The moment the two light wheels broke through the wall, she decisively gave the order.
“Left rudder 2, elevation 5, Positron Cannon, fire!”
“Boom!!”
As the purplish-red beam swept between the two light wheels, a passage leading into the colony satellite suddenly opened, freeing the Archangel.
“So, what do we do now?”
With the Archangel freed, Leon Vance had the mechanical cat Bao Bao continue its work, loading the trucks carrying supplies and equipment onto the Archangel while also suggesting that everyone gather to discuss their next move.
“Should we…”
Natarle Badgiruel hesitated but ultimately couldn’t voice the thought in her mind.
“No.
That probably won’t work.
ZAFT has likely already prepared to destroy this colony satellite.”
Murrue Ramius shook her head, dismissing the idea of staying in the colony satellite and gambling that ZAFT wouldn’t dare destroy it.
“My suggestion is to strike first!
While Rau Le Creuset hasn’t yet received reinforcements, use the Strike Gundam’s Cannon Backpack to clear a path for the Archangel here, then quickly leave this space sector.”
Leon Vance pointed at the translucent zone on the Heliopolis map, which was used to refract sunlight and provide illumination inside the colony satellite, and said:
“This is indeed a good option.
However, afterward, might the Orb side accuse us…”
Mu La Flaga stroked his chin, then spread his hands.
“Forget it!
The most urgent matter right now is to survive!
If we remain trapped inside this colony satellite, I’m afraid it will end up being destroyed along with us.”
Murrue Ramius and Natarle Badgiruel exchanged glances, after which the latter pointed in another direction.
“I support Ensign Leon Vance’s proposal, but if we need to clear a path, the translucent zone near the mining area might be more suitable.
Due to industrial development, there aren’t many residents there, and it would also increase the distance between the Archangel and the ZAFT fleet, buying us as much time as possible before they catch up.”
“Hmm, that’s a good approach.
But don’t underestimate Rau Le Creuset.”
Mu La Flaga said with a serious expression.
“I’ve fought him a few times; he’s not someone easily fooled.”
Leon Vance pointed toward the port direction and chuckled lightly.
“Then, on top of that, let’s add a stake that Rau Le Creuset cannot ignore.”