Chapter 366: Toward the Dawn Universe 4
While everyone in Orb was busily preparing for evacuation, the idle Dearka said to Athrun, who likewise had nothing to do:
"Even though we can return to the Carpentaria Base now, staying here also means fighting the Earth Alliance. So… I've decided to stay and help Orb fight them."
Hearing Dearka's words, Athrun thought of what Lacus had said. After looking at Kira beside him and pondering for a moment, he smiled and replied, "So she understood all of this long ago."
"Athrun?" Kira was completely confused by those words that came out of nowhere.
Athrun, however, continued with a pained and bewildered expression. "Following the orders of the nation and the military, firing at the enemy—I used to believe that doing so was absolutely right, that the goal was simply to end this war as soon as possible.
But… in reality… why are we even fighting people we don't know at all?"
"Come with us, Athrun." Seeing Athrun's unease, Kira smiled at him and said, "Don't think about such painful questions all by yourself anymore. Let's search for the answer together."
Invited by Kira like that, Athrun immediately broke into a smile. "Thank you, Kira. Dearka's right—since we're fighting the Earth Alliance either way, I might as well stay with you and help escort the people of Orb into space."
Seeing that both of them were willing to stay, Kira thanked them sincerely. "Thank you, Athrun. Dearka."
Meanwhile, in the Izumo's hangar, Tolle was thinking about the upcoming battle. The disparity in enemy numbers was simply too great. If a butterfly effect occurred and Cagalli or the Kusanagi were destroyed, that would be disastrous.
Suddenly, inspiration struck him, and he immediately said to Nami, "Nami, help me manufacture three remote shield units—something like the Unicorn Gundam Unit 3 Phenex's type. The kind that can be mounted behind the Flight Armor Strike.
Equip them with the Reaction Force Wing System, energy-deflection armor, electromagnetic shielding, an energy defensive field, and T+VPS armor.
Also, use the neo DG cells to disguise them so others can't decipher the technology inside.
Oh, and add beam rifles on them so they can function as remote cannons. Mount high-performance external battery packs as well, so they can operate independently for long periods."
"As you command, Master. Nami will begin production immediately."
"Nami, the name T+VPS armor sounds a bit awkward. Let's change it. Should we call it Phase VPS Armor, VPS-T Armor, SPS Armor, or VTP Armor?"
"Master, Nami also suffers from decision paralysis. This question is too difficult. Can I not answer it?"
Three sweat drops appeared on Tolle's head as he complained, "Yeah right, decision paralysis. Sigh, I really can't do anything about you. Let's go with the simplest for now—SPS Armor. As in Super PS Armor."
Nami immediately replied cheerfully, "As you command, Master. Nami will immediately update its designation to SPS Armor."
Elsewhere, in the Dawn Society conference room, Uzumi asked the communications officer beside him, "How are the Archangel, the Izumo, and the Kusanagi progressing with their preparations?"
"The Kusanagi's spare auxiliary thrusters are currently being installed on the Archangel. It'll still take some time to complete.
The Izumo's improvised MS containers have been fully installed and MS units are being loaded.
The MS aboard the Kusanagi have already been loaded. Auxiliary bow components are being installed, along with final thruster calibration and checks."
"Father." Cagalli, looking terrified, said to Uzumi, "Father, let's all leave together. Don't stay behind."
Uzumi ignored her and continued issuing orders. "Hurry it up. Notify them to complete the work as soon as possible. We don't have much time."
More than two hours later, all three battleships had completed their preparations for launch and departure into space.
At the same time, aboard an Earth Alliance warship, Azrael looked at the Forbidden, Raider, and Calamity Gundams, now fully repaired, and said to the Atlantic Federation commander, "I'm starting to crave a meal on land. To land on Orb as soon as possible, we can prepare to sortie now.
But it's a pity we can't use cruise missiles to clear the way this time, for the sake of the Dawn Society and the mass driver."
"There's no helping it," the Atlantic Federation commander replied. "They've holed up on Kaguya Island. It's too close to those facilities. If we damage them by accident, this entire war would be for nothing."
"Yes, I understand." Azrael nodded. "I'll excuse myself then. I'll go remind those three again not to attack the Dawn Society or the mass driver."
He then went to the Three Drugged's rest area. After explaining the mission requirements to the three, who were wearing pained expressions, he once again had them take large quantities of suppressants, and once more ordered the MS forces to launch an attack on Orb.
Before sortieing, Orga sat in the Calamity Gundam and said to Clotho and Shani, "Alright. This time, we're going to settle things with them."
Clotho said excitedly, "Yeah, exactly. Especially that red machine—I'll definitely destroy it."
Shani said with a lewd grin, "I'll take that big blue-white-black one. I'll make him taste what it feels like to get beaten down."
They then quickly flew out of the warship, heading toward Orb's Kaguya Island. One after another, the other MS units also launched and sped off in the same direction.
At the Dawn Society factory in Orb, the radar operator reported, "MS heat signatures detected on radar. Approximately 150 units, heading this way."
As he reported, Uzumi immediately activated the air-raid alarm, and everyone tensed up.
Uzumi then said to the communications officer, "Immediately notify Captain Ramius and Colonel Tolle. Have the Archangel and the Izumo launch first and head into space."
"Understood."
Upon receiving the Archangel's launch order, Tolle immediately opened a channel to the Dawn Society command center. "Lord Uzumi, the Izumo requests to be the last ship to head into space. We will first provide cover for the Archangel and the Kusanagi as they launch."
"Nonsense!" Uzumi scolded sternly. "You are Orb's hope, and a large number of soldiers and MS are aboard the Izumo. How can you be the last to leave? Get into space immediately."
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