The commotion regarding Cagalli had settled down, and Saheeb spread a map out on the table in the center of the command post. ...Seeing that he didn't react viscerally to my killing intent earlier, unlike his subordinates, suggested he had survived his fair share of carnage. I suppose that's to be expected of an acquaintance of the Lion of Orb, Uzumi Nara Athha.
"So, you folks want to get to Alaska."
I glanced at the map after confirming out of the corner of my eye that Cagalli had left the room.
"I know this is technically ZAFT territory, but it's a vast land. It's not like their army is covering every inch of the desert. However, ever since the Victoria Spaceport fell three days ago, their momentum has been overwhelming."
"Victoria fell?!"
"Three days ago?"
Natarle and Murrue reacted instantly to Saheeb's words.
"Three days ago... that would be right around the time we were descending to Earth."
"Yes. We couldn't receive surface intelligence in that situation, so it couldn't be helped, but... this hurts."
"The African Community here has always leaned toward the PLANTs. The South African Union down south was holding out, but I guess the Earth Alliance finally abandoned them. The front lines are changing every day, you know?"
"And yet, here you are, fighting in the middle of all that."
Saheeb simply looked silently at Mu in response to his slightly teasing remark. He took a sip of coffee before speaking.
"From our perspective, ZAFT and the Earth Alliance are the same. Both come here to dominate, to take..."
"So now you fight ZAFT because they are the ones currently dominating this land?"
"Yeah. A mercenary like you might not understand, but we were born on this land, and we will die on this land. Besides... well, no point talking about that here."
Saheeb was likely about to wax poetic about the pride of those who live on the land, but judging that it would be wasted on a "mercenary," he cut himself off and changed the subject.
"How does that ship handle in the atmosphere?"
"It cannot maintain high altitude."
At Natarle's answer, Saheeb looked at the map and replied.
"If you can't go over the mountain ranges, are you planning to break through Gibraltar?"
"With this combat strength? Don't be ridiculous."
I couldn't help but agree with Mu's exasperated tone.
"Exactly. Trying to break through ZAFT's largest base in Africa with just the Archangel—even if it is a new model—is beyond impossible, reckless, or suicidal."
Gibraltar Base. It was ZAFT's largest stronghold in Africa, bordering the Eurasian Federation. Since it shared a border with a hostile nation, one could easily imagine the scale of the forces stationed there. Even with the latest mobile suits and a cutting-edge battleship, the combined might of the Strike, the Blitz, and the Archangel wouldn't stand a chance.
If we had five Kiras, and they were all piloting Strike Freedoms, maybe. Or if I had my Growsaber.
"That's true. In that case, your only choice is to push through to the Indian Ocean and head for the Pacific."
"The Pacific..."
"Without securing a supply line, that is not a distance we can travel in one go."
"Isn't the Oceania Union completely within ZAFT's sphere of influence? Is the Equatorial Union still neutral?"
As Murrue, Natarle, and Mu discussed their grim options, Saheeb interjected, looking somewhat amused.
"Hey now, you're getting ahead of yourselves. You're worried about oceans? You have the Lesseps sitting right here in Banadiya."
Saheeb pointed to a spot on the map with his cup. It was labeled Banadiya.
"Ah, so we have to break through that first... is that it?"
"Axel Almar. Do you have an opinion as the Blitz's pilot?"
Natarle directed the question at me as I leaned against the rock wall, feigning indifference. Normally, given military discipline and appearances, she wouldn't ask for my opinion in a setting like this... Has she softened up a bit compared to before?
I glanced at Mu, who shrugged lightly as if he noticed it too.
Though, considering we were cooperating with resistance fighters, maybe I was just overthinking it.
"Let's see. Kira is adjusting the Blitz's OS for ground combat, so if we engage ZAFT, I won't be stuck providing support fire from the deck like last night. If we're talking about fighting the Desert Tiger head-on, I'm confident I can win. ...Assuming, of course, that Andrew Waltfeld personally comes out to the front lines in a mobile suit."
"A commander coming to the front lines in a mobile suit? ...That's hard to imagine."
"No, with him, it's possible."
Saheeb chimed in on Mu's skepticism.
"He is a top-class commander, but he is also a top-class mobile suit pilot. And I mean elite. He's been sighted numerous times engaging Alliance forces in a custom BuCUE."
"In that case, the problem becomes how to lure the Desert Tiger onto the battlefield."
In the end, we couldn't come up with a concrete plan to draw out Waltfeld, and the meeting was adjourned for the time being.
"It's getting a bit chilly."
Murrue shivered slightly and moved closer to the campfire... or rather, closer to me, sitting beside it.
Due to the desert's characteristic weather—scorching days and freezing nights—the resistance hideout had become quite cold after sundown. We were gathered around the fire, eating dinner. Murrue was next to me, with Mu and Natarle sitting opposite us.
Leaving aside my own body, which possessed superhuman resilience, this drastic temperature shift must be harsh for Murrue and the others, who were used to the climate-controlled environments of colonies and the Archangel.
"You should eat while you can. Here."
I ladled contents from the pot over the fire into a bowl and handed it to her with a spoon.
I didn't know the specific name of the dish, but it was a stew made of beans, grains, various vegetables, and mutton. ...In familiar terms, maybe "African-style risotto"? It was heavily spiced, so perhaps calling it a stew was more accurate.
"Thank you."
"Oh, looks pretty good. Here, Lieutenant Badgiruel, you should eat too."
Mu passed a bowl to Natarle before securing his own portion. Natarle, coming from a distinguished military family, seemed hesitant to touch the mysterious cuisine. However, seeing everyone else eating with gusto, she seemed to resign herself and brought a spoonful to her mouth.
...Speaking of distinguished families, Mu was supposed to be from a wealthy background as well, but he didn't seem to care at all, digging in heartily.
About thirty minutes passed like that. Even Natarle, who had been on guard, began to relax as we swapped war stories. That was when it happened.
PEEEEEEEEE—
A sound like a whistle echoed through the area. The resistance men began to stir immediately. Saheeb, who had been eating nearby, pulled out a radio and contacted whoever had blown the whistle.
"What is it?!"
"The sky is burning! It's in the direction of Tassil!"
I see. Just like in the original story—a warning for our little stunt last night.
We moved with the resistance fighters to a vantage point overlooking the direction of Tassil. The night sky in that direction was stained a deep, ominous red.
The members of the Desert Dawn were already gathering weapons and medical supplies, preparing to drive toward the town. Saheeb calmed them down, ordering half of them to remain behind to guard the hideout.
We watched them from a short distance away.
"What do you think?"
Mu asked me, leaning against a rock.
"Well, from the information I have, I never heard that the Desert Tiger was the type to massacre civilians."
"Agreed. That matches what I've heard too... But what you and I know are just rumors. We don't actually know the man, do we?"
"True enough. I've never met him."
What I knew was based on canon knowledge, not personal acquaintance. And as I learned in the world of Code Geass, blindly trusting canon knowledge can get you burned.
After all, if we're talking about canon, Murrue and I getting together is impossible. And Mu, who should be with Murrue, is somehow getting cozy with Natarle. Even accounting for my irregular presence, it's clear that I can't treat the original storyline as absolute gospel anymore.
As I pondered this, Mu spoke to Murrue.
"What's the plan? Do we go too?"
"As Saheeb-san said, as long as there's a possibility of a separate enemy detachment, the Archangel should not move. Major La Flaga, could you go?"
"Ah? Me?"
"The Strike and Blitz can't fly, but the Skygrasper can, correct?"
"Right you are. Alright, I'm off."
He gave a light wave to Natarle and ran toward the Archangel. Ignoring Natarle, who watched him go with a somewhat dazed expression, Murrue called out to his retreating back.
"This is strictly a rescue mission! I'll send a doctor and some personnel in a buggy as well!"
"Got it!"
Leaving us behind, Saheeb and his men also departed for Tassil.
"All hands, return to the ship immediately! Assume alert status!"
Murrue shouted to the surrounding Archangel crew and headed back toward the ship. The others followed. Naturally, I went with them.
...Come to think of it, I completely forgot about it since I was eating with Murrue and the others, but what happened to the event where Kira fights with Sai? Kira's attitude toward me hasn't changed much, so I just ignored it without thinking. I should probably probe the situation later.
"Regarding the personnel we're dispatching..."
While discussing who to send on the bridge, Natarle stepped forward.
"Captain, please let me go."
"Lieutenant Badgiruel? ...Very well. Remember, this is strictly a rescue mission."
"Ma'am!"
Natarle gave a crisp salute and left the bridge to gather the doctors and medical supplies.
"Getting a boyfriend really changes people, even a strait-laced soldier like her," I remarked to Murrue with a wry smile. In reality, Natarle likely volunteered primarily because she was worried about Mu.
"Oh? Does that mean I've changed too?"
Murrue looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes, causing me to smile.
"Well now. Who knows? All I can say is... you've become an even finer woman."
Truly, since we started our relationship, the tense atmosphere she used to carry had vanished, replaced by a softer smile that highlighted her charm more than ever.
"Actually, I didn't intend to fall for an MA pilot again, you know."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing. More importantly, don't let your guard down. There is still a possibility that this attack is a diversion."
She slapped me heartily on the back. Almost simultaneously, Natarle appeared on the communication screen.
"Captain, preparations are complete. We are moving out."
"Please do. Keep communication lines open and frequent. Be careful of traps."
"Ma'am!"
Saluting, Natarle departed in two buggies loaded with several crew members, a doctor, and medical supplies.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 35
PP: 525
Stats:
Melee: 246
Shooting: 264
Skill: 256
Defense: 253
Evasion: 281
Accuracy: 303
SP: 422
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consuming SP increases unit performance)
Growth Type: Versatile / Special
Terrain Ratings:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Attack (SP 30)
Zeal (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up L9 + SP Recover + Focus)
Telekinesis L10
Attacker
Gunfight L9
In-fight L9
Limit Break (Morale)
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Shot Down Count: 262
-------------------------------
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