After handing Dearka Elsman, the pilot of the Buster, over to the Archangel's security detail, I moved the Blitz into the mobile suit hangar. With both energy and propellant reading near zero, I had no choice but to trudge the machine back on foot.
"Mu. You made it back in one piece, I see."
Entering the hangar, I called out to Mu, who stood there looking somewhat dazed.
"Ah, yeah. Good to see you're safe too, Axel."
"...What happened?"
"You saw that massive explosion on the other side of the island, didn't you?"
"Yeah. It happened right while I was keeping an eye on the Buster's pilot."
"Since that explosion... we haven't been able to contact the kid."
So, the Aegis self-destructing and taking the Strike with it is confirmed.
"...I see."
"Yeah."
Mu seemed to understand that Kira was gone, but his heart refused to accept it. He wore an expression as if he'd swallowed something incredibly bitter.
Seeing him like that, I looked around the hangar, trying to change the subject.
"The number of mechanics is low."
"Ah, right. Sergeant Major Murdoch and the others are working on the Archangel's repairs. We're just a stone's throw from the Alaskan air defense zone; they probably want to get the ship moving, even if they have to hold it together with duct tape."
"Makes sense. It's a fact that we need to get away from here as soon as possible. ...Hm?"
Through the cargo loading bay connecting the hangar to the outside, I saw a trailer bringing the Buster inside. ...Fast work.
Leaving the Buster here would only mean ZAFT could recover and use it again, so securing it was the best tactical move. From my perspective, since this machine—and Dearka—would become valuable assets during the Three Ships Alliance era, keeping it in the Archangel's custody was a solid choice. ...Though, considering I saved Tolle and effectively crushed the tragic flag between Dearka and Miriallia, whether he becomes an ally remains an unknown variable.
"Oh, looks like we're moving."
Whether due to the excellence of the maintenance crew or sheer desperation, I felt the grounded Archangel begin to lift.
"Axel, Major Flaga! We have three DINNs approaching. Can you launch!?"
A communication window popped open abruptly, revealing a frantic Murrue. ...She must have forced the ship to take off despite the damage because the enemy was closing in.
Mu shook his head at her question, and I followed suit.
"We just started repairs on the Skygrasper. It can't fly yet."
"The Blitz doesn't need repairs, but my battery and propellant are flat. Recharging takes time. Like Mu, I can't launch immediately. And the Guul was lost in the fight with the Duel."
We were simply short on hands. The majority of the crew, including Murdoch, were out repairing the ship's hull. The Blitz, which didn't require structural repairs, had been deprioritized and left exactly as it was when I returned.
Hearing our answers, Murrue silently cut the connection.
"...It never rains but it pours, huh?"
"What does that mean?"
"It's an idiom. It means when you're already in trouble, more bad luck tends to pile on top of it."
"Heh, you know your stuff... Hey, Axel."
Following Mu's gaze, I saw Miriallia running into the hangar, with Tolle chasing after her. She looked around frantically before spotting us and rushing over.
"Major Flaga, Axel-san. Kira... Where is Kira?"
"Hey, Millie! ...I'm sorry."
"But, it doesn't make sense! Kira has always been with us. He'll come back right away this time, too! MIA? That can't be true!"
Sobbing, Miriallia hammered her fists against Tolle's chest, venting her overwhelming emotions. Tolle simply held her, rubbing her back repeatedly to soothe her.
Mu watched the two of them with a pained expression. I could only stand there and watch the three of them. I couldn't tell them Kira was alive. If I spoke now, there was no telling how the information might leak to Blue Cosmos.
"Damn it! Some 'Hawk of Endymion' I turned out to be!"
Mu spat the words out and punched the nearby bulkhead with all his might, as if trying to smash his own helplessness into the metal.
By the time we finished securing the Buster and completing the emergency patch-ups on the Archangel, night had long since fallen. Nearly a full day had passed since Kira went MIA—missing in action—and the ship had finally regained a semblance of calm.
Miriallia, who had been hysterical over the loss of her friend, seemed to have settled down somewhat thanks to Tolle.
With the arrival of fighter escorts confirming we had entered the Alaskan air defense zone, an atmosphere of relief began to spread through the ship.
Amidst all this, remaining on Level 2 Battle Alert meant I couldn't return to my quarters, so I was lying on a bench in the pilots' ready room.
I was trying to rest, but thoughts of what lay ahead kept me awake. Arriving at Alaska was fine. But what awaited us there was the Alliance High Command's foolish strategy: using the base and its defenders as bait to lure in ZAFT, then self-destructing the Cyclops System.
Actually, that part was fine. ...Well, strictly speaking, it wasn't fine, but that flow of events wasn't something a mere mercenary could change. What I could do was ensure I brought as many of the sacrificial forces as possible back to Orb with us.
While I was mentally arranging those plans, I realized it was past 5:00 AM. Dawn had broken.
"Brother, you there?"
My thoughts were interrupted by a voice echoing through the ready room. The comms panel lit up, showing Murdoch's face.
"Yeah. Something happen?"
Did Dearka escape and steal the Buster or the Blitz? The thought crossed my mind, but Murdoch didn't look desperate enough for that.
"I need you to lend a hand. I can't stop Major Flaga."
"Mu?"
...Hearing that brought the memory back. Right, there was a scene like this in the original story. In that version, Murrue was the one who stopped him, not me. But wait. If that's the case...
"Yeah. He just keeps demanding we repair his machine. Says he's going to strap on a drop tank and go search for the kid. He won't listen to reason."
I knew it. In that case, the best person for the job is...
"Understood. I'll be right there. Also, contact the bridge and ask for Natarle to be sent down. He might not listen to me, but he'll listen to her."
"Got it. Hurry up."
After hearing Murdoch's reply, I cut the connection and headed for the hangar.
"Come on, just do it!"
In the hangar, Mu was pleading with the mechanics next to the Skygrasper. But many of the crew were slumped over, sleeping on the floor, clearly at their physical limits.
"Mu, look around you. do these guys look like they have any energy left?"
"Did you hear that we requested rescue from Orb?"
"Yeah, I heard."
"But there's been no contact yet. That means there's a possibility he escaped the explosion. Besides, we're in Alliance territory now; we don't need to worry about ZAFT attacks anymore. So it's fine if I go, right? Your Blitz is one thing, but the Skygrasper can make it back to that island if I use a drop tank."
"Listen..."
"Major!"
Before I could say anything else, Natarle arrived in the hangar and ran toward us.
"...Axel. Was this your idea?"
"Well... maybe. But you're more likely to listen to a woman than a man, aren't you?"
I patted Natarle lightly on the shoulder as she approached, whispering so only she could hear.
"I'm leaving the rest to you. Take responsibility and stop your lover from doing something reckless."
"A-Axel Almer, you knew...?"
"Who can say? I'll leave you two to talk it out."
"Wait, Axel Almer. Battle Stations Level 2 has been lifted. We're on port/starboard rotation rest, so you're free to return to your quarters. ...Um, thank you for calling me."
Natarle's face was flushed, looking somewhat embarrassed as she thanked me. I gave a casual wave and walked out of the hangar, heading for my room.
Judging by her reaction, leaving Mu to Natarle was the right call.
About two weeks had passed since the incident (?) with Mu and Natarle. Finally, the Archangel arrived at the Alaska Base, JOSH-A. We were surrounded by escort ships, and patrol aircraft buzzed overhead.
"...It's been a long road."
Sitting in a spare seat on the bridge next to Mu, I couldn't help but mutter.
"Yeah. It was a four-month journey from Heliopolis to Alaska, after all."
As Mu spoke, the desperate edge he'd had when insisting on searching for Kira was gone. Natarle must have sorted him out.
The situation was similar for the "student group"—Sai and the others—who had lost Kira. I glanced over at Sai, Tolle, Kazui, and Miriallia working at their stations. I couldn't say they had fully regained their cheerfulness, but they had settled down enough to perform their duties normally.
"Look, the Archangel is entering the harbor."
At Mu's words, I looked at the main monitor. The Archangel was passing through a camouflaged entrance that looked like a massive waterfall. Inside, the cavern revealed a massive dock filled with Aegis destroyers, submarines, and other vessels.
As the Archangel moored in the dock, a communication came through to the bridge.
"This is Colonel William Sutherland of the Department of Military Orders, addressing the 8th Fleet ship Archangel. We commend you for your long and arduous service. However, due to the necessity of an inquiry into recent events, all crew are ordered to remain on board until further notice."
"Excuse me? We are to remain as we are?"
Murrue questioned the officer on the screen. It was an unthinkable situation. Normally, the crew would be allowed to disembark for rest and recuperation.
"Correct. Thanks to rumors of an invasion of Panama, we are quite busy here as well. For now, please rest as best you can on board. ...Ah, and regarding the mercenary you hired, Axel Almer?"
"Eh? Ah, please wait a moment. Axel."
Called by Murrue, I stepped in front of the comms monitor.
"Are you Axel Almer?"
"I am."
"Colonel Sutherland wishes to speak with you regarding your employment contract. I apologize, but could you come to headquarters immediately? Alone."
...Only me? What's the reason?
The talk about the "employment contract" was obviously a pretext. Did they suspect I was a Coordinator? No, I had already undergone genetic testing on the Archangel and in Orb, so that was unlikely.
Then... Wait. Colonel Sutherland was Azrael's lapdog. Does he intend to recruit me into Blue Cosmos?
Honestly, I wanted to refuse in the strongest possible terms. I had absolutely no intention of joining a group of fanatics like Blue Cosmos. But if I refused here, they would simply invent another reason to summon me. It was safer to go while they didn't yet view me as an enemy.
"Understood. Right now?"
"Yes. I will send an escort immediately."
With that, the connection cut.
"Axel..."
I gave a wry smile to Murrue, who looked worried.
"Don't worry about it. The discussion will likely focus on my payment. Since the escort will be military personnel, would you mind walking me to the deck?"
"Yes, of course. Alright."
Nodding, Murrue left the bridge with me, and we headed for the port deck where the launch would arrive.
In the elevator on the way down, Murrue gently took my hand.
"Axel."
"Like I said on the bridge, assume there won't be any problems. It might take a few days, but... well, if push comes to shove, I'll escape on my own."
"I... suppose so. We only made it safely to Alaska because of you. ...Thank you."
Saying this, she slowly leaned in closer. Until the elevator came to a halt, I held her voluptuous body tight against me, our lips pressed together.
Status Window
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 36
PP: 115
Stats:
Melee: 254
Shooting: 274
Skill: 264
Defense: 264
Evasion: 294
Accuracy: 314
SP: 446
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to increase Slime performance)
Growth Type: Versatile / Special
Terrain Ratings:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: S
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate: 4 SP
Gain: 8 SP
Focus: 16 SP
Direct Hit: 30 SP
Zeal: 32 SP
Love: 48 SP
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recover & Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Limit Break (Willpower)
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Shot Down Count: 278
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