"What a pity. We've only just reunited, yet must bid farewell so soon." Lacus expressed regret as they walked toward the shuttle.
"Many people in PLANT are worried about you," Athrun replied. Though the misunderstanding had been cleared up—Lacus's "pregnancy" was just padded clothing—the fact remained that she'd caused concern. Worse, she'd been defending the Archangel's crew and even Yang Hui. Athrun understood she merely wanted to resolve tensions between himself, Yang Hui, Kira, and the Naturals, but it still irritated him. He couldn't wait for her to leave.
"Captain Creuset, you've endured much trouble because of me too." Lacus detected Athrun's childish sulking but paid it no mind—this was simply his nature. With a sweet smile, she turned to Creuset.
"The Lacny Team will escort you back home," Creuset responded, maintaining polite smiles despite his dislike for Lacus, constrained by her status. Like Athrun, he longed for her departure.
"Will the Vesalius return for the memorial service?" Lacus asked.
"Hmm, that remains uncertain."
"Battle achievements matter, but please don't forget those who sacrificed."
"I'll remember them."
Receiving this perfunctory reply, Lacus turned back to Athrun, continuing her efforts: "What exactly must we oppose? War is so complex and difficult to unravel."
"Well..."
"Then I'll look forward to our next meeting, Athrun."
As the shuttle doors closed, both Athrun and Creuset exhaled in relief—the troublesome young lady was finally gone.
Unbeknownst to them, Lacus harbored no regrets about leaving. She'd fulfilled every request Yang Hui made before their parting—saying what needed saying, doing what could be done. The rest now lay in his hands.
"You're still wavering, Athrun. Do you truly understand why you fight, why this war exists? Without firm conviction, you'll remain another's pawn—just as you are now. Compared to Yang Hui, you're still a child."
With these thoughts, Lacus recalled the future Yang Hui had once envisioned. Initially, it had seemed pure fantasy. Yet wasn't she striving toward that same goal herself? Only... their methods and paths differed.
"How I look forward to that world you described."
...
During the delay caused by Lacus's departure, the Archangel successfully rendezvoused with the 8th Fleet.
"Reverse course 180 degrees, reduce speed by 20%, adjust relative velocity."
The Archangel slid into formation with the 8th Fleet, aligning parallel to flagship Menelaus.
"Is this really appropriate? Docking alongside Menelaus?" Arnold asked Murrue with playful skepticism.
"Admiral Halberton surely wants to examine this ship properly. I hear he plans to board later—after all, he contributed most to both this vessel and the G Project's development," Murrue replied.
"You're right about that." The crew on the bridge shrugged, agreeing with Murrue's point. Initially, when Duan Halbaton proposed the G Project, the Atlantic Federation had rejected it. It was only through his stubborn persistence—pleading, threatening, and employing every means possible—that he managed to assemble a team and secure sufficient funding to launch the project.
While the Earth Forces chatted casually, the refugees aboard the Archangel excitedly packed their belongings, preparing to leave the ship that had protected them.
"I heard all civilians are being transferred to the Menelaus, where they'll board shuttles to Earth," Katz said, then suddenly panicked when he realized he was still wearing a military uniform. "But what about us!?"
"Of course we can disembark too. Even though we're wearing these uniforms, we're still civilians," Miriallia reassured him.
"Exactly, wasn't that already agreed upon?" Tolle added.
"Don't worry, we'll definitely get off the ship," Sai chimed in to comfort Katz.
Among the group, only Flay remained silent, lost in thought—unnoticed by the others, including Kira, who wasn't present. Strangely, Flay, who had once been the most eager to leave, now wore a dark expression as she pondered something.
"Huh? Yang Hui!" Tolle called out as he spotted Yang Hui passing by.
Their resentment toward Yang Hui had faded. Though he had initially used them, he had kept his promise to safely reunite them with the Eighth Fleet, and they were now about to disembark. Moreover, after hearing what Kira told Miriallia and Katz, Tolle and Sai even felt a twinge of guilt—they had only thought of themselves, failing to consider the responsibilities and pressures Yang Hui bore.
"Hey, haven't you packed yet?" Yang Hui asked the four, subtly glancing at Flay and catching the deep-seated hatred she concealed beneath her calm demeanor.
"Has she turned dark? Well, not my problem," he thought before continuing his conversation with Tolle and the others.
"We never had any luggage to begin with, remember?" Tolle replied with a wry smile.
"Ah... right, I forgot." Yang Hui's lips twitched—he had genuinely forgotten that Tolle and the others had boarded the Archangel with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
"What about you, Yang Hui? Will you be disembarking too?" Sai asked.
"Of course. The Strike is basically complete, so there's no reason for me to stay on the Archangel any longer. Besides, after being on board for so long, I need to return to Orb. Who knows how much work has piled up waiting for me?" Yang Hui complained with a pained expression.
"Hahaha, serves you right!"
"Yep, that's karma for using us!"
"The woes of being in charge—hahaha, hang in there!"
"Thanks. Anyway, get ready. General Halberton will be arriving on the Archangel soon. Once the meeting's over, you can disembark. If fate allows, we'll meet again in Orb."
"You're not coming with us?" Tolle asked.
"No, you'll be heading straight to Earth. I still have things to take care of, so I won't be joining you."
"Alright, sounds tough."
"Regardless, thank you, Yang Hui—for everything." The four bowed to him in gratitude.
They truly were thankful. Despite the dangers, the experiences of this journey would stay with them forever, becoming the most valuable treasures of their lives.
"I said..." As Yang Hui walked away, he brought his right index and middle fingers together, lightly touching his temple before flicking them outward, "...everything for Orb. And you are naturally part of Orb too."
After briefly encountering Tolle and the other three, Yang Hui continued forward. Murrue informed him that Duan Halbaton knew he was aboard the Archangel and would soon be arriving personally to meet with him.
...
Shortly after, General Duan Halbaton arrived at the Archangel. Stepping off the shuttle and seeing Murrue among those welcoming him, he immediately exclaimed with delight.
"Oh~! My goodness, when I heard about Heliopolis's collapse, I thought all was lost," Duan Halbaton said emotionally as he approached Murrue. "Never imagined we'd meet again here."
"Thank you for those words. It's been too long, sir."
"Yes, I've read the Vanguard Fleet's report. You've all been through much."
"Just doing our duty. That we're safe now is largely thanks to Yang Hui."
Though aware Yang Hui was deliberately distancing himself from them, Murrue still reported this truthfully. She couldn't bring herself to do otherwise—with Yang Hui about to disembark, she already felt like she was losing her pillar of support.
"Yes, I'm aware." Duan Halbaton then turned to Yang Hui waiting nearby. "Long time no see, Yang Hui. We're deeply grateful for your assistance during this journey."
"You flatter me. I was merely protecting myself," Yang Hui replied modestly.
"Hahaha! Still as inscrutable as ever, I see. But... thank you sincerely!"
Duan Halbaton saluted Yang Hui, who—not being military—could only respond with a slight bow.
Lowering his hand, Halbaton surveyed the other military personnel. Natarle Badgiruel and Mu promptly stepped forward to introduce themselves.
"Natarle Badgiruel, Ensign."
"Mu La Flaga, Captain of the 7th Space Fleet."
Perhaps because Natarle was relatively unknown in military circles, or possibly because Halbaton recognized their differing command styles, he bypassed her completely, moving directly to Mu.
"Oh! What a relief to have you here!"
"Not at all. I contributed little—the main credit goes to..." Mu paused mid-sentence, his gaze shifting toward the group behind them.
"Ah, so these are..." Following Mu's cue, Halbaton noticed the assembled civilian volunteers at the rear.
"Yes, these are the Heliopolis students who've been assisting with ship operations."
Having been overlooked, Natarle was already disheartened when Halbaton compounded the slight by actually pushing past her to approach Kira and the others.
"I've inquired about your families. Everyone is safe."
"That's wonderful!"
"Mom and Dad are both okay!"
...
"You've all performed remarkably in such dangerous circumstances. You have my gratitude as well."
Halbaton would have liked to talk longer, but his adjutant reminded him time was short.
"I'd like to speak with you all properly later."
After speaking, he led Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, and Mu out of the hangar, leaving behind a bewildered Kira and the others.
Everyone felt that Duan Halbaton, this brigadier general of the Earth Forces, was... well... a kind, gentle, and somewhat unreliable? uncle, not the hardcore and iron-blooded figure they had imagined.
"Alright, everyone, hurry up and pack your things. We'll be leaving the Archangel soon," Yang Hui reminded those still standing there.
Prompted by his words, the group dispersed one by one, but Kira remained behind.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" Kira asked Yang Hui.
"Yeah, my work on this ship is done. You can relax now—no more being used by me," Yang Hui teased.
"You bastard," Kira laughed, punching Yang Hui lightly on the shoulder.
"Haha... Feeling better now?"
"Somewhat."
"Kira, I did guide you onto the path of battle—it's the path I wanted you to take. Don't ask me why; you'll understand the reason later. But your words woke me up." Yang Hui patted Kira's shoulder and spoke earnestly, "Figure out what you truly want to do. Find your own goal and follow your heart. If you don't want to fight, that's fine—I'll be here."
"Yang Hui..."
"Go, Kira. Follow your heart. We'll meet again if fate allows."
Kira saw the shuttle bearing the mark of the Celestial Being dock with the Archangel and knew Yang Hui was about to leave. Though reluctant to part, Kira wasn't sad. Yang Hui couldn't always be by his side to guide and protect him. And besides...
Sometimes, farewells pave the way for better reunions.
"Yeah, see you again, Yang Hui."
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