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"I say, Mikazuki... do you think I was too reckless back then? If I had just done what Biscuit suggested, if I had been a bit more cautious... maybe he wouldn't have died."
Orga's voice was low, heavy with a weight that Mikazuki understood all too well. It wasn't just Biscuit. Orga felt a deep sense of guilt for the deaths of all the Tekkadan family members who had fallen under his command.
But Orga was the leader. Even if he was drowning in regret, he had to keep it buried deep within his heart. Only Mikazuki, who had grown up by his side, could see through the facade.
Mikazuki popped a Mars Date into his mouth and chewed slowly before speaking.
"It wouldn't have made a difference. Back then... we didn't have any other path to take. Besides, we did well enough."
"...Yeah. You're right."
On the scaffolding below, Murrue Ramius leaned against the chest of the Barbatos, silently listening to the conversation between the two. Mikazuki hadn't closed the cockpit, so their words drifted down to her clearly.
She had originally intended to join Mikazuki to feel the sea breeze, but as soon as she arrived, she overheard him and Orga discussing such a heavy topic.
"Hey, Captain Murrue. Eavesdropping isn't a very good habit, you know."
Orga's sudden remark startled Murrue. Hearing this, Mikazuki raised his seat and stood up to look down, a look of confusion on his face.
"What are you doing here?"
"I... well... I came to ask if you wanted to go look at the sea with me. I accidentally heard your conversation... I'm sorry."
Mikazuki hopped down from the mecha and replied casually, "It's fine. It wasn't anything important anyway. Hey, Orga, I'm heading out."
"Oh, have a good time, Captain... Murrue."
Hearing Orga's playful teasing, Murrue's face flushed a deep crimson. She grabbed Mikazuki's hand and ran forward. Watching them go from atop the Barbatos, Orga flashed a mischievous grin.
"Heheh, I guess this is what they call a legendary crystal palace. That Mikazuki..."
He sighed softly, his expression softening. "But with them around, maybe Mikazuki won't be as reckless as he used to be."
As the voyage continued, they encountered several surprise attacks from ZAFT. Each time, the Archangel successfully repelled them, with Mikazuki providing the lion's share of the effort.
Even when facing mobile suits specialized for underwater combat, Mikazuki would dive into the sea and dismantle them with ease.
Today, the Archangel was under fire from ZAFT once again. However, this time, the attackers weren't mere grunts. Their old acquaintances had arrived: the Aegis Gundam, Blitz Gundam, Duel Gundam, and Buster Gundam, accompanied by four GINNs.
Mikazuki found himself once again entangled with the Aegis Gundam, the Blitz Gundam, and two GINNs. Their tactics were more annoying this time; each unit would merely harass him before pulling back, showing no intention of engaging in a death match.
Their intent was simple: pin him down. They wanted to prevent him from returning to support the Archangel. They knew they couldn't beat this "monster" in a direct confrontation, so they opted for containment.
As a commander, Athrun was highly competent. With four units working in tandem to harass and delay, he thought: I might not be able to beat you, but can't I at least get in your way?
Meanwhile, Kira in the Strike Gundam and Mu in his Skygrasper were respectively occupied by the Duel Gundam and Buster Gundam. Although they held their own, they were stretched too thin to protect the main ship.
Even Mikazuki was beginning to feel a flicker of irritation at the constant harassment. He soared over the sea, his eyes fixed on the Archangel as it endured a relentless barrage.
Despite being hounded by four machines, he still found openings to shoot down several missiles aimed directly at the ship's bridge.
Watching his own side's shells being swatted out of the sky once again, Athrun felt a surge of frustration. Even he knew he couldn't protect a ship while being harassed by four elite mobile suits simultaneously.
"Nicol, can we draw the 'Wolf' further away?"
"It won't work. He's no fool; he won't fall for it. He likely saw through our intentions long ago. In fact, he's pinning us down too, preventing us from reinforcing Yzak and the others."
Nicol was right. While it looked like they were containing the Barbatos, Mikazuki was actually containing them. It was a mutual stalemate.
"Damn it... how are Yzak and the others doing?"
Athrun was worried. He feared Yzak might kill Kira, or that Kira might kill Nicol. He couldn't accept either outcome. Yet, the current state of the battle left him no room to break away and check.
Suddenly, a fleet appeared on the horizon, drawing everyone's attention.
Orga's voice crackled over the comms. "Mika, that's an Orb fleet. They're likely here because we're too close to Orb Union's territorial waters."
Mikazuki, his brow furrowed from the annoying battle, gave a short grunt of acknowledgement. He continued to charge at the four machines before him. To him, the Orb fleet mattered little; his priority was dealing with the four pests in front of him.
The Orb fleet opened a public channel to both the Archangel and the ZAFT forces.
"Attention approaching Earth Alliance vessel and ZAFT forces. Your ships are currently approaching the territorial waters of the United Emirates of Orb.
Change your course immediately! Our nation will not tolerate any armed warships, aircraft, or MS entering our territory without permission! Turn back at once, or we will open fire! I repeat..."
The Archangel attempted to turn, but the mobile suit battle raged on. The fierce pressure from the enemy ships forced the Archangel closer and closer to the Orb territorial waters.
At that moment, an unexpected voice rang out over the public frequency.
"Can you really say those words after seeing this situation?"
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