Half a month had passed since Cagalli's safe return to the Archangel after her disappearance. The ship had successfully crossed the Indian Ocean and was now heading toward Orb. The journey through the Indian Ocean had brought a brief period of calm after the elimination of Marco's squad.
During this time, Yang Hui could finally focus on completing the Natural-compatible Operating System—at least on the surface. Sai and Tolle, who wanted to learn how to pilot an MS, constantly followed Yang Hui around, saying nothing but staring at him with such eager eyes that it felt like they were boring holes through him.
Since he had promised them, Yang Hui naturally intended to keep his word.
However, Yang Hui knew all too well that Tolle and Sai were essentially cannon fodder. Considering them friends, he preferred they stay safe in the bridge rather than risk their lives. Thus, while developing the OS, he deliberately omitted certain elements, using the excuse that the technology was incomplete and still needed refinement to slow their progress.
Moreover, the Archangel was still sailing across the ocean, and enemies could strike at any moment. As a result, he could only help them with basic training—simple movements like raising an MS's arms or legs, or at most taking a few steps inside the hangar.
Though each session left the two exhausted, they were thrilled nonetheless. After all, these were MS—Coordinator-exclusive weapons! Back in North Africa, Sai had once attempted to replace Kira as the Strike's pilot out of resentment over losing Flay to him. But after barely managing to take one or two steps inside the cockpit, he had collapsed from exhaustion.
Now, even though they could only perform rudimentary actions and couldn't sustain them for long, it was still a vast improvement. And with Yang Hui still working on the Natural-compatible OS, they held onto the hope that one day, they would truly be able to pilot an MS in battle.
But peace never lasted long. As the Archangel prepared to enter the Pacific through the Strait of Malacca after crossing the Indian Ocean, they were ambushed by a heavily fortified ZAFT Forces unit—Athrun's team, which included the Duel, Buster, Blitz, and Aegis. Though they managed to break through the encirclement without fatal losses, the battle left the Archangel severely damaged. The portside CIWS Array and Valiant systems were completely destroyed, and even the left engine was crippled. Lyle's GINN was also heavily damaged, drastically reducing their combat effectiveness.
And ZAFT's pursuit didn't end with just one ambush. Originally, ZAFT's Earth-based forces had been preparing for Operation Break the Situation, requiring tight mobilization for a large-scale campaign. Yet Yzak and Dearka harbored an unimaginable obsession with sinking the Archangel, refusing to give up until the ship was destroyed.
Meanwhile, Athrun remained determined to sink the Archangel to free Kira. He still believed Kira was fighting for the Earth Forces only because he had been deceived or coerced with threats against his friends. If he could just destroy the Archangel, Kira would no longer be bound.
Thus, no matter which direction the Archangel fled, Athrun's team relentlessly pursued, refusing to let go.
"Captain, at this rate, we might not make it to Orb," Natarle Badgiruel reported grimly to Murrue after assessing the Archangel's current condition.
"I know it's tough, but we must persevere. We're not far from Orb's border now. Once we cross into their territory, it'll be our victory." Murrue encouraged the crew. As the captain, she fully understood how dire the Archangel's situation had become. Out of desperation for everyone's safety, she'd even approached Yang Hui, swallowing her pride to request he contact Orb for fleet support—or at minimum, hire mercenaries like they'd done in space.
But Yang Hui refused. It wasn't heartlessness—it simply wasn't feasible.
While Orb's fleet could theoretically meet the Archangel, this would only be possible within Orb's borders. Arranging for the ship to enter Orb under the pretense of contracted escort for repairs and resupply was already the limit of Yang Hui's influence. If Orb's fleet crossed borders to engage ZAFT Forces, it would be tantamount to declaring war.
As for mercenaries... aside from Serpent Tail, Yang Hui trusted none. If the junk guild members outside Lowe's team were hyenas, then most mercenary groups were outright predators.
Junk dealers might be cunning, but they honored set prices with clean transactions. Most mercenaries, however, would do anything for money. The Archangel and Strike Gundam represented the Atlantic Federation's cutting-edge military secrets—their very presence would drive mercenaries into a frenzy of greed. The ship wouldn't even need Zala Team's pursuit; mercenaries would dismantle the Archangel themselves.
Unfortunately, Serpent Tail had already returned to space and couldn't arrive in time.
While Yang Hui knew other mercenary groups, only Serpent Tail was trustworthy. There was one independent MS pilot—Kaite Madigan—who could've been reliable, but he was currently tied up with a protection contract.
Beep beep beep—
"Radar contact! Four MS units!"
No one needed the model specifications—they all knew which unit was pursuing them. Crew members rushed to stations as the Strike Gundam and Mu's Skygrasper prepared for sortie.
Then the radar detected new signatures approaching from another vector.
"Additional radar contacts! Thermal scans indicate... multiple warships and fighters incoming!"
"What?!"
Despair spread through the crew. In the Archangel's current state, surviving Zala Team alone seemed doubtful—against additional fleets and fighters, survival became impossible.
"Damn it! We were so close!"
"It's over... completely over..."
...
Katz and Tolle vented their frustration and despair, while Arnold and other military personnel barely maintained professionalism at their posts—though their composure was crumbling. Only Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel remained fully composed.
"Cross-reference the database! Identify ship and mobile suit models!"
"Huh? Yes!" Sai had given up in despair and hadn't immediately checked the database, but upon receiving the answer, all his negative emotions vanished.
"Database comparison confirms - it's Orb! Orb Aegis-class Cruisers and Amaterasu-class Battleships!"
"Orb's fleet!"
"Are they here to rescue us? Thank goodness! We're saved!"
"Wait! The Orb fleet... has stopped moving!"
"What?"
"What does this mean?"
"Why aren't they coming to help us?"
"Lieutenant Arnold, maximum combat speed! Head toward the Orb fleet!"
The appearance of Orb's fleet had indeed been a shot of adrenaline, giving everyone hope. But the fleet's sudden stop cast a shadow over them. Murrue understood clearly - the Orb fleet had stopped right at Orb's territorial boundary. Whether the Archangel could escape disaster now depended on safely crossing that border.
"Huh? Yes!"
The crew couldn't understand why the Orb fleet had stopped all movement, but Murrue's orders had been given - this was their only hope now.
Meanwhile, Athrun and his three pursuers also saw the Orb fleet deploying across the ocean surface. Unaware of the truth, they mistakenly thought this was Orb intercepting the Archangel as it approached their border, secretly delighted that the Archangel's path was now completely blocked both ahead and behind.
Just as Yzak was preparing to charge forward, the Aegis Gundam blocked the Duel Gundam's path.
"Wait, Yzak, something's wrong."
"Athrun? Get out of my way!"
"He's right, Yzak, Dearka. The Orb fleet's weapons... they're all locked onto us." The Blitz Gundam similarly blocked the Buster Gundam as Nicol explained.
"What!?"
The three quickly checked their systems, confirming Nicol was correct. The Orb fleet blocking the Archangel's path hadn't issued any warnings to the approaching ship - instead they'd cleared a central path and turned their guns toward the four Gundams in the sky.
"What the hell is this? Has Orb joined the Earth Alliance?" Yzak growled through clenched teeth.
"Isn't it obvious? If that's the case, Orb is now an enemy nation. Let's attack!" Dearka suggested, already preparing to act.
"Perfect, I've been wanting to take Orb down a peg!"
"Stand down! Yzak, Dearka, you stay here. I'll scout the situation."
"That's too dangerous, Athrun."
"So what should we do? Just retreat?"
Watching their prey slip away at the last moment was unbearable - not just for Yzak and Dearka, but Athrun and Nicol too.
"Be careful."
"If Orb dares to fire, I'll sink this entire fleet!"
"Right, you two stay alert too."
The Aegis Gundam advanced slowly, even stowing its beam rifle to show peaceful intent. Yet... the Orb fleet remained on high alert, all weapons tracking the Aegis Gundam's movements with unwavering precision.
"This is the independent MS unit, the Athha Team of the ZAFT Forces. We protest to Orb and demand an explanation as to why you, as a neutral nation, are protecting an Earth Alliance warship entering your territory?" Athrun opened a public channel and directed his inquiry toward the Orb fleet.
Soon, the Orb fleet responded.
"This is the Second Fleet of Orb. The Atlantic Federation warship, Archangel, has been entrusted by one of our officials to escort them back to Orb. An agreement was signed with the Atlantic Federation a month ago, and all necessary documentation is in order."
"What!?"