Yzak glanced up at Nicol without speaking, calmly suppressing the emotions welling up inside him. He strode toward the exit.
"Yzak, where are you going?" Nicol asked with concern as he watched Yzak depart.
Without turning his head, Yzak replied coldly, "Going back to my room to rest!"
After uttering those words, Yzak opened the door and left. Watching his retreating figure, Nicol smiled wryly. As he withdrew his gaze and felt the atmosphere in the room, the helplessness in his smile deepened.
...
In Space
An MS was engaged in combat with multiple enemy units. Praya observed his opponents and opened a public channel to address them. "Please don't stand in my way. I have something very important to do."
His plea vanished into the void without any response. The Blue Astray continued leading the other MS in relentless attacks against Praya.
"Why won't you answer?" Praya muttered anxiously while maneuvering to evade the assaults from the Blue Astray and its companions.
After about ten exchanges, Praya's divided attention resulted in the Warrior Gundam's Beam Rifle being destroyed. The loss of his primary weapon amplified his desperation, and his fingers danced across the control sticks.
He switched weapons using the armament selection dial. Squeezing the firing trigger, he activated the head-mounted Defense Machine Cannons, spraying a volley of rounds toward the approaching Blue Astray.
Gai Murakumo observed the incoming fire, deftly maneuvering to evade each shot. Pressing hard on the pedals, he propelled the Blue Astray directly toward the Warrior Gundam. Switching weapons mid-approach, he drew a Beam Saber and thrust it toward the Warrior Gundam's head.
Praya quickly attempted evasive maneuvers, but other Serpent Tail members coordinated their MS to block potential escape routes from all directions.
"Damn it!" Praya growled in frustration.
The next moment, his screen flickered into static, completely obscuring his external view. "I can't let them take the Warrior Gundam's head!" he declared resolutely.
Inside the Blue Astray's Cockpit
Gai Murakumo controlled the Blue Astray to seize and cradle the Warrior Gundam's head, issuing an order through communications. "Keep him occupied. I'm taking this back to the mothership!"
"Roger!" came the reply over the comm.
The remaining Serpent Tail members promptly advanced to engage the visually impaired Warrior Gundam. Gai Murakumo guided the Blue Astray toward the mothership.
"Gai Murakumo, high-speed inbound target detected!" Liddell reported.
"Understood," Gai Murakumo responded via comm.
Moments later, the Blue Astray's detection system identified the target. Staring at the display, Gai Murakumo's expression shifted to astonishment. "It's moving that fast?"
As he spoke, the Blue Astray's optical sensors locked onto the target ahead, displaying the captured image on the screen.
Watching the MS appear on the screen, Gai Murakumo pulled the trigger, firing forward.
On the other side
Inside the Genesis Gundam's cockpit
Felix operated the controls, raising the Genesis Gundam's shield in front.
The incoming beam attack was blocked by the shield.
Observing the screen, Felix spotted the Warrior Gundam's location and made his move.
The Destiny Flight Pack detached from the Genesis Gundam and, under Felix's control, charged at high speed toward the Blue Astray.
The Fortissimo Beam Cannon fired at the Blue Astray.
Gai Murakumo manipulated the controls, causing the Blue Astray to dodge left and evade the attack.
He aimed the Beam Rifle at the Destiny Flight Pack and opened fire.
Under Felix's command, the Destiny Flight Pack swerved left to avoid the incoming attack, and its two Fortissimo Beam Cannons fired again.
Seeing this, Gai Murakumo continued to maneuver to evade.
Inside the Genesis Gundam's cockpit
'As expected of one of the side story protagonists, he's got some skill.'
Watching the Blue Astray dodge the attacks twice.
Felix's lips curled slightly in approval.
Then, his fingers moved over the control stick, and the weapon selection dial displayed the DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannon.
He pressed the confirmation button.
Six DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons mounted on the Destiny Flight Pack detached.
They moved at high speed within the Mirage Colloid Particle Field.
"No wired connection?"
Seeing the DRAGOON's movement, Gai Murakumo's face showed shock as he exclaimed.
At that moment, the DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons fired at the Blue Astray.
Beam attacks from multiple directions made Gai Murakumo's expression tense and strained. His hands worked frantically, controlling the Blue Astray to dodge.
As the Blue Astray evaded, the DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons continuously shifted positions.
In just two or three rounds under the DRAGOON's assault, the Blue Astray was hit in one leg.
"Damn it!"
Seeing the feedback on the screen, Gai Murakumo's face twisted slightly as he growled.
Beep, beep, beep!!!
Urgent alarm sounds blared.
Spurred by the alarms, Gai Murakumo quickly operated the controls.
The Blue Astray attempted to dodge.
But it was too late—one arm was instantly pierced and exploded.
"Gai Murakumo!"
Watching his situation, the other members of Serpent Tail called out his name with tension and concern.
Forgetting their assault on the Warrior Gundam, they maneuvered their MS to support the Blue Astray.
"Still trying to provide support?"
Felix sneered, pressing the pedal hard.
The Genesis Gundam charged straight toward them.
Seeing the approaching Genesis Gundam, Elijah and the others quickly pulled their triggers, unleashing a barrage of fire.
Under Felix's control, the Genesis Gundam moved at high speed, evading the incoming attacks.
It raised its Beam Rifle!
A beam shot from the rifle's muzzle.
One MS was instantly pierced through the abdomen.
An explosion followed.
"Bastard!"
Watching his subordinates die, Gai Murakumo's face twisted with fury as he roared, desperately trying to maneuver the damaged Blue Astray to provide support.
The DRAGOON units continued their relentless assault, encircling the Blue Astray and pouring fire upon it.
They completely sealed off the Blue Astray's movement paths.
This left the Blue Astray utterly incapable of aiding its allies, and in its desperate attempts to do so, it lost another leg to enemy fire.
"Worry about yourself first!"
After a cold glance at the Blue Astray's dire situation, Felix sneered.
He then executed evasive maneuvers, deftly dodging the incoming attacks.
Switching weapons!
The Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon deployed, aiming forward and unleashing its fire. The beam shot forth at high speed, instantly piercing through two MS units.
Inside his MS cockpit, Elijah witnessed both his comrades' deaths and Gai Murakumo's plight. At this critical moment, he shouted over the comms:
"We surrender! We surrender!"
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