CE 71, January 27, Standard Time approximately 16:00
"The Artemis Fortress has replied.
Welcome the Archangel to port. Please navigate according to the guidance instructions."
As Sai Argyle, temporarily acting as the Combat Information Center (CIC) officer, relayed the response from the Artemis Fortress, the bridge of the Archangel erupted in jubilation. Even the usually stern Ensign Natarle Badgiruel allowed a smile to grace her features.
"All hands, shift to Condition Three.
Miriallia, contact Captain Flaga and Kira, and have them remain on standby."
Under the command of Captain Murrue Ramius, Miriallia Haw, also temporarily serving as the flight controller, donned her headset to contact Mu and Kira, who were on combat standby.
Simultaneously, following the received guidance information from Artemis, Master Sergeant Arnold Neumann began adjusting the Archangel's course under the direction of Executive Officer Natarle Badgiruel.
As the proud 'Artemis Umbrella' of the fortress before them deactivated and a guidance beam shot out to lead the Archangel into port, everyone aboard the ship couldn't help but recall the turbulent, nerve-wracking days they had just endured.
Two days earlier, CE 71, January 25, Standard Time approximately 15:00
After confirming the Strike Gundam's successful landing in its deck hangar, the Archangel soon departed at low speed from the area that was once the wreckage of Heliopolis. Using the countless heat signatures within the debris field as cover, the ship fled the area at full engine power.
Having secured temporary safety, the discussion about the Archangel's next destination unfolded among the three remaining Earth Alliance officers—more precisely, officers of the Atlantic Federation.
"Although the appearance of that unidentified third-party force allowed this ship to temporarily escape ZAFT's pursuit, we still don't know if ZAFT has given up the chase.
What should we do next? I'd like to hear everyone's opinions."
Captain Murrue Ramius, who had hastily assumed command due to her greater familiarity with the ship's systems compared to her fellow captain, Mu, had no intention of making unilateral decisions. She earnestly sought counsel from Captain Mu La Flaga and Ensign Natarle Badgiruel.
"'Just head straight back to the Lunar Base in one go!'... That probably won't work, will it?"
In response to Captain Mu La Flaga's half-joking suggestion, Ensign Natarle Badgiruel, who actually had a better understanding of the Archangel despite her lower rank, seriously replied on Captain Murrue Ramius's behalf and offered her own assessment.
"Unfortunately, due to the hasty departure, the Archangel has almost no supplies and lacks the sufficient crew for a long-distance voyage. Heading directly to the Lunar Base is likely impossible."
"Captain, I propose we dock at the nearest Earth Alliance stronghold—the Artemis Fortress, also located at Lagrange point 3—for resupply and to contact headquarters to determine our next course of action or request additional personnel."
In response to Ensign Natarle Badgiruel's proposal, Captain Murrue Ramius remained noncommittal, instead turning her gaze toward Captain Mu La Flaga.
"That Artemis Fortress with the 'Artemis Umbrella,' belonging to the Eurasian Federation? It is indeed the closest Earth Alliance outpost to us. However, this ship hasn't been officially commissioned yet, and the same goes for the Strike Gundam. Without proper IFF codes, will that fortress even accept our request?"
Though Mu La Flaga framed it as a matter of identification codes, inwardly he was concerned about issues that could affect Earth Alliance unity. However, since he had only just met both Murrue Ramius and Natarle Badgiruel, he felt it inappropriate to delve too deeply into such matters.
Clearly, Murrue Ramius seemed to grasp the underlying meaning in Mu La Flaga's words. Yet Natarle Badgiruel, who came from a military family and approached matters with straightforward pragmatism, simply addressed his query from a purely tactical standpoint.
"I am well aware that this ship and the Strike Gundam are confidential projects of our Atlantic Federation. However, regardless of whether we've truly shaken off our pursuers, the more critical issue is that this vessel is severely understaffed and undersupplied for any extended voyage. No matter how you look at it, the Eurasian Federation is still an ally. I believe they will understand our situation and provide the necessary assistance. Even in the worst-case scenario, remaining temporarily at Artemis Fortress while contacting headquarters for extraction is a viable option."
"That may be true, but..."
Faced with the practical difficulties outlined by Natarle Badgiruel and a plan that seemed theoretically sound, Captain Murrue Ramius fell into deep thought. Though she had her reservations, she had no better alternative.
To be honest, Mu La Flaga didn't have a better solution either. To break the deadlock, he proposed another feasible option—one he suspected the other two would find even less acceptable.
"In that case, why not consider surrendering? If surrendering to ZAFT is unacceptable, there's still that mysterious third party that appeared. They might even turn out to be friendly forces."
"Captain Flaga!"
Natarle Badgiruel reacted strongly to Mu La Flaga's 'joke,' but Murrue Ramius began to consider it seriously—not surrendering to ZAFT, of course, but weighing whether the mysterious third party or the Eurasian Federation was more reliable under the current circumstances.
In the end, hope for possibilities outweighed fear of the unknown. As captain, Murrue Ramius made her decision.
"Though our situation is dire, I have no intention of surrendering. Therefore, this ship will proceed to the Artemis Fortress, under the jurisdiction of the Earth Alliance's Eurasian Federation."
"To evade potential pursuers, I plan to first launch decoys toward the lunar orbital route, then adjust our course and shut down the main thrusters, relying on inertia to travel to the Artemis Fortress. What do you two think?"
As the proposer, Ensign Natarle Badgiruel naturally had no objections.
After brief consideration, Lieutenant Mu La Flaga also nodded in agreement and added a suggestion.
"Although we have prepared decoys, Creuset is not only cunning but also extremely persistent.
So, just in case, we need to complete the repairs on my Zero as soon as possible and also find a way to persuade that boy to assist us."
"But he's not only a civilian but also a Coordinator..."
Lieutenant Murrue Ramius cut off Ensign Natarle Badgiruel's repeated argument and turned to Lieutenant Mu La Flaga.
"Lieutenant Flaga, could I entrust this matter to you?
To be honest, we are severely understaffed on the bridge. Ensign Badgiruel and I likely won't be able to step away."
Looking at the sparse crew on the Archangel's bridge and considering this was already the result of 'pressing everyone into service,' Lieutenant Mu La Flaga had to admit Lieutenant Murrue Ramius was stating the truth—it truly felt like they wanted to borrow even a cat's paw.
"Understood. I'll take care of the mobile weapon maintenance and the boy."
"Thank you, Lieutenant Flaga."
After the two lieutenants exchanged salutes, Lieutenant Mu La Flaga promptly left the bridge.
Before the bridge door closed, the orders issued by Lieutenant Murrue Ramius, who had begun the operation as the captain, reached his ears.
"Prepare to launch decoys!..."