The Eternal and White Tiger had launched in succession, preparing to follow Yang Hui's orders to assist the Archangel in sinking the Dominion. However, the MS units on perimeter patrol had detected traces of ZAFT forces at another port in Sadley, preventing them from joining the Archangel in besieging the Dominion.
"Twelve Naska-class ships!?" Everyone was stunned and tense upon hearing the reconnaissance report. Though both the White Tiger and Eternal were cutting-edge vessels, the Eternal was merely a support ship. While its firepower matched the Naska-class, it paled in comparison to the White Tiger. Two against twelve, with the enemy possessing several times their MS numbers—this was hardly a relaxing situation.
"It seems the Chairman truly has no intention of letting us go." Even the battle-hardened Andrew Waltfeld broke into a cold sweat at the sight of such a massive pursuit force.
"Andy, what should we do?" Aisha Tyler asked proactively. Had Yang Hui and the others not departed, this pursuit fleet wouldn't have been a concern. But with their aces absent and the remaining MS numbers too few, even elite pilots would suffer heavy losses trying to hold off the enemy MS units.
"Dammit, there aren't any usable Mobile Suits on this ship," Andrew Waltfeld cursed. The Eternal's hangar only had two slots reserved for the Freedom and Justice Gundams, leaving no spare MS. The Orb-affiliated M1 Astrays also had no available units, leaving these elite pilots with no tools for the job.
"Captain, is the Meteor System operational?" Lacus inquired.
The Meteor System was a tactical support weapon module developed by ZAFT Forces. "METEOR" stood for "Mobile suit Embedded Tactical Enforcer," a platform specifically designed for the nuclear-powered ZGMF-X09A Justice Gundam and ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam. When equipped, it granted these already exceptional machines firepower rivaling warships or even fortresses.
The Meteor System possessed its own independent power supply. When not in use, it was mounted at the bow of the FFMH-Y101 Eternal, serving as the ship's defensive artillery.
When docked with either the Justice or Freedom Gundam, it could also draw energy from their nuclear reactors. Its armaments included two 120cm high-energy beam cannons, two 93.7cm high-energy beam cannons, two MA-X200 beam sabers capable of slicing through warships, and seventy-seven 60cm "Hedgehog" anti-ship missile launchers. Equipped with a multi-lock system, it enabled a single Mobile Suit to simultaneously target and engage multiple enemies, granting it the ability to take on entire fleets alone.
When the Eternal departed ZAFT, the Meteor System mounted on its bow hadn't been completed. Even now, final adjustments remained unfinished. If operational, it would elevate the Eternal's firepower by an entire tier.
"Not yet. Final adjustments will take another hour."
"..." Lacus also sensed the crisis, her jade-like brow furrowing deeply.
"Lacus, Captain Waltfeld." At that moment, the White Tiger established communication, and Sumeragi's figure appeared on Eternal's screen.
"Sumeragi." Seeing her appear, Lacus's tightly knitted brows relaxed. That's right—though Yang Hui and the others were absent, Sumeragi remained. The Chief of Staff of Orb, the world's foremost tactical forecaster.
"Eternal will position itself 500 units behind White Tiger at Blue Zone 14, Mark 13α. White Tiger will create an opening for Eternal to break through with the MS units."
"How can we accept this!?"
"You want us to flee alone?"
"Chief of Staff!?"
Before Lacus could respond, the rest of Eternal's crew voiced their discontent. They had only recently regrouped, abandoning everything they once had to embark on this grand endeavor together. Yet before it could even begin, they were being asked to retreat in disgrace—how could they accept that?
The elite pilots who had followed them from Orb into space felt the same. Every one of them knew this mission was a near-suicidal gamble, yet they had volunteered willingly, prepared to sacrifice themselves. At this critical juncture, Sumeragi was asking them to abandon White Tiger and flee—an utterly unacceptable demand.
"Is there truly no chance?" Lacus asked Sumeragi gravely.
"There is. The key to breaking this deadlock lies with Yang Hui and the others," Sumeragi replied. While the ZAFT fleet was sizable, it wasn't insurmountable. If just three from Yang Hui, Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria, Kira, Athrun, Dearka, or Nicol arrived as reinforcements, she could stabilize the battle and minimize losses.
"Then we stay," Lacus declared firmly, her expression brooking no refusal. "White Tiger is more crucial than Eternal. We cannot let it fall here. And I believe in him—he will return in time."
"...Very well." Seeing Lacus's resolve, Sumeragi ceased persuasion and redeployed forces. "All MS units scramble immediately. Gold Frame, Red Frame—after our first artillery barrage, strike the enemy MS formations to disrupt their lines."
"Roger!" x2
"Leave it to us."
Barry Ho, Jiang Kerry, and Lowe responded in unison. As the strongest combatants present, they faced overwhelming odds—direct confrontation was hopeless. A preemptive strike was their only hope; if enemy MS units surrounded them, their forces would suffer heavy casualties, endangering both White Tiger and Eternal.
"Asagi, Mayura, Juri—lead the remaining MS units. Major Flag will provide mobile fire support to protect Eternal."
"Chief of Staff, what about White Tiger?" the three women asked.
"White Tiger's firepower can withstand MS assaults until Yang Hui returns. Eternal lacks sufficient defenses and requires MS support."
"Understood." x4
"Contact Archangel—inform them of our situation and request they repel Dominion quickly to reinforce us."
"Affirmative!"
"Chief of Staff, should we request reinforcements from the Commander-in-Chief?" asked the captain of the White Tiger. Not just him, but everyone on the bridge was looking at Sumeragi. In their view, the reason for their current tension was Yang Hui's absence—their god of war wasn't here. They believed that once Yang Hui returned, all problems would be resolved.
"No need. The Commander-in-Chief is currently engaged in battle. We must not disturb them," Sumeragi firmly rejected the captain's suggestion. Firstly, she trusted that Yang Hui would defeat the MS units of the Dominion and return in time. Secondly, after Yang Hui's true strength had been revealed, the Dominion still dared to attack, meaning they must have brought elite forces to intercept him. In battles between elites, life and death could be decided in an instant—now was not the time to distract Yang Hui.
"But—"
"What? Without the Commander-in-Chief, have you forgotten how to fight?" Sumeragi demanded sharply.
"..." The bridge crew lowered their heads in shame, unable to respond.
"This is war. The Commander-in-Chief is formidable, but he is still just one person! Are you really going to place all your hopes for victory on a single individual?"
"Apologies, Chief of Staff." Led by the captain, the crew acknowledged their mistake. They had indeed become overconfident—or perhaps blindly reverent. Witnessing Yang Hui's undefeated prowess time and again had subconsciously led them to believe he was invincible, that they only needed to watch him perform miracles.
But now, with Yang Hui absent, they panicked, their morale crumbling before the battle even began.
"All hands, battle stations, level one!"
"Understood! Battle stations, level one! CIWS Array activated! Load anti-beam missiles into missile launchers 1, 2, and 3—coordinate coverage from D12 to I87! The rest, load Great Hammer missiles!"
"Gotterdämmerung activated, locking onto enemy Naska-class vessels…"
"Preemptive strike, fire!"
"Understood! Full barrage, launch!"
As the weapons systems roared to life, the White Tiger—this newly commissioned warship on its maiden voyage—bared its fangs for the first time at its enemies. In an instant, brilliant beams tore through the void, illuminating the darkness.
...
Twelve Naska-class ships advanced slowly toward the White Tiger and the Eternal, arranged in one large and three small triangular formations.
Creuset had left orders for Captain Addis to stall the White Tiger and the Eternal until he and Yzak returned for a full assault. But...
"An unknown warship?" Captain Addis frowned deeply at the image of the White Tiger on screen. "Is this a new Earth Forces vessel?"
"Unconfirmed, but unlikely," the vice-captain analyzed. "The Long Legs is already the Earth Forces' most advanced warship in recent years. They shouldn't have the capacity to develop another capital ship so soon."
"If not the Earth Forces... then it must be Orb." Captain Addis concluded. If it wasn't the Earth Forces or ZAFT, only Orb had the capability to independently develop a warship. "Damn Orb, preaching neutrality while secretly assembling MS units and even fielding a space battleship. What kind of peace is this?"
"What are our orders?" the Adjutant asked.
"Follow the Captain's instructions—stall them. Deploy the MS units, but hold position to prevent enemy MS forces from assaulting our main fleet..."
"Beep beep beep..."
"High energy reaction detected! Enemy ship firing!"
"What!? Evasive maneuvers!"
Even without optical imaging, the naked eye could see through the bridge windows as a thick beam tore through space toward them—and its target was none other than the flagship Vesalius.
Fortunately, the Vesalius's helmsman was experienced. Sensing the danger, he sharply turned the ship, narrowly avoiding a direct hit that would have sunk them. However, the port side was grazed by a beam, melting the armor, while the Hilderton to their left took a direct hit to its starboard flank.
"Damn it! MS units, launch immediately! Suppress the enemy ship's fire!" Captain Addis was furious. They had the numerical advantage and hadn't even intended to wipe the enemy out, yet here they were, pushing their luck!?
But reality gave him no time to dwell on his anger—the White Tiger's assault wasn't just a single volley.
"Incoming missiles! Count: 60!"
"Intercept! Shoot them all down!"
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