In the Boaz Fortress combat zone, the main fleets of both ZAFT Forces and Earth Forces received the ceasefire proposal from PLANT's Provisional Supreme Council and issued orders to halt hostilities.
But not everyone was willing to stop the war.
The Zala Faction within ZAFT Forces was enraged by Earth Forces' renewed deployment of nuclear weapons, while Blue Cosmos elements among Earth Forces remained fanatically devoted to their false vision of a "pure and blue world," both sides desperate to annihilate the other completely.
"Damn it! These bastards!" Duan Halbaton scowled as he watched allied units disobeying ceasefire orders.
When he'd learned of PLANT's ceasefire request, he'd been overjoyed. After brief consideration, he'd agreed—though unaware Genesis had already been destroyed, he could guess its absence since PLANT would never propose peace while still possessing that weapon.
His gamble had paid off. Yang Hui had indeed succeeded in destroying Genesis, though their current whereabouts and achievements remained unknown.
With the Damocles sword lifted from Earth Alliance's head, Halberton felt relieved. The initiative had returned to Earth Forces, now the sole possessors of readily deployable nuclear arms. The choice between war and peace lay entirely in their hands.
Truthfully, Halberton had hesitated over accepting PLANT's terms. This was a golden opportunity to deal PLANT a crippling blow and cement Earth Forces' victory.
Yet considering the presence of Archangel and Eternal, plus the unpredictable White Tiger and Yang Hui's forces that might join the battle at any moment, he dared not threaten ZAFT with nuclear blackmail.
After weighing the options, Halberton ultimately accepted PLANT's ceasefire proposal.
But while he and most war-weary soldiers sought peace, Blue Cosmos elements embedded within the fleet refused compliance. Some units immediately broke from his command, directly violating orders to launch nukes at Boaz Fortress.
Fortunately, MS units from Archangel and Eternal intercepted the warheads before they could strike the fortress. Yet this provocation ignited ZAFT's fury, unleashing astonishing combat prowess as their own hardliners—equally unwilling to cease fire—clashed with Blue Cosmos forces.
The situation had spiraled beyond both Halberton's control and that of PLANT's Provisional Supreme Council.
"Those damned Zala Faction traitors! Order them to stand down immediately!" Boaz Fortress's commander roared in fury. The insubordination alone was humiliating enough, but with Genesis confirmed destroyed, ZAFT now stood at a disadvantage. Like many, he longed for this prolonged conflict to end.
"No response from the rogue units!"
"Damn it all!" The commander's impotent rage burned—mutiny violated military law, but with fragile ceasefire conditions and widespread confusion, ordering attacks against rebellious allies risked reigniting full-scale combat among wavering forces.
"The Long Legs and Eternal have moved! Freedom, Justice, Rebirth, Covenant, and the MS units belonging to Long Legs and Eternal have joined the battle, attacking both sides!"
"This…" The commander paused briefly before breaking into a grin—weren't they the perfect tools? He had nearly forgotten about them. "...Order our forces to maintain formation and retreat, withdrawing from the combat zone."
"Understood!"
"Hmm... At the same time, have them stay alert in case the Earth Forces deploy another nuclear strike team."
"Yes!"
...
"Stop this! The war is already over!"
Freedom Gundam, equipped with the Meteor System, unleashed its full firepower alongside Justice Gundam, their Rainbow Cannons lighting up the battlefield once more. In an instant, they cleared a vast area of MS units—though they didn't kill, only rendering the enemy combatants unable to fight.
Meanwhile, Kira, Athrun, and the others continuously broadcasted over the open channel, pleading for both sides to cease hostilities.
"Stay out of our way! For the Blue and Pure World, Coordinators must be eradicated!"
"Barbaric Naturals should know their place and bow before us! Die, inferior scum!"
Despite their desperate appeals, no one listened. Instead, the open channel filled with curses, emotions running hotter, minds spiraling deeper into madness, and the battle growing ever more brutal.
"Stop this!" Kira's face twisted in anguish as he carved through MS units like human sticks, trying to halt the mutual slaughter. He couldn't comprehend it—the war was over. The fighting was over. The Earth Alliance and PLANT, Coordinators and Naturals, had finally been given a chance for peace. Why destroy it now?
"It's no use, Kira. These people have lost their minds. Words alone won't stop them!" Athrun shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. For once, he was startlingly clear-headed, recognizing that both the Zala Faction and Blue Cosmos were brainwashed fanatics. Nothing could curb their zealous fervor—perhaps only death could.
"Enough hesitation, Kira! Stop them with everything you've got, or more will die!"
"That's right, Kira. I know you're hurting, but now isn't the time for grief!"
Nicol and Dearka also urged Kira to stay focused. Understanding their enemies could come later—right now, they had to end this twisted battle before the flames of war consumed the world once more.
"...I understand."
Doubt and confusion vanished from Kira's eyes, replaced by resolve. The SEED within his mind burst open, his pupils seeming to disappear as his focus and physical abilities surged. His vision narrowed to a single goal: disabling every combatant still fighting, ending this battle once and for all.
"Gotterdämmerung, Valiant, fire! Missile launchers one through six, load Great Hammer missiles—target Nelson-class ship at upper right, launch!"
Under Natarle Badgiruel's command, Archangel bared its fangs once more. Beam fire pierced through warship after warship, while volleys of missiles erupted across their hulls.
Natarle Badgiruel wasn't Kira, and the Archangel wasn't the Freedom Gundam. While their goal of stopping this battle was the same, unlike Kira who showed mercy by merely disabling mobile suits or destroying warship engines and weapons, they directly sank their targets. Even approaching MS units would be destroyed by the CIWS Array and missiles.
"Captain, we've received a transmission from the White Tiger!" Miriallia excitedly reported upon seeing the sudden message.
"Read it out!" The exhausted crew immediately perked up at this news, eager to hear its contents.
"Yang Hui's orders: This ship and the Eternal are to conclude combat at maximum speed. Simultaneously transmit to both ZAFT Forces and Earth Forces—control your respective units or be designated hostile targets. Should one side cease fire while the other continues, we will ally with the compliant party to completely eliminate the violators!"
Upon hearing this, Murrue immediately contacted Lacus aboard the Eternal.
"Lacus, have you received Yang Hui's transmission?"
"We have. I know what must be done."
"I leave it to you."
Ending the communication, Lacus initiated a full-channel broadcast: "To all Earth Forces and ZAFT Forces in the combat zone—immediately cease hostilities. The war has ended, and the opportunity for peace has arrived. Would you truly reignite extinguished flames to consume the world? Remember your friends! Your families! Your fellow citizens! Do not let war's fire scorch them! Do not let hard-won peace vanish through reckless impulse!..."
Perhaps this was Lacus's unique power—the previously bloodthirsty forces from both sides momentarily froze. ZAFT soldiers recognized her voice, while unfamiliar Earth Forces soldiers felt their battle frenzy soothed as if by a refreshing breeze.
"...Simultaneously informing all personnel in this sector: Orb's Supreme Military Commander Yang Hui has accepted PLANT's Provisional Supreme Council's ceasefire request. Both militaries' commanders have issued cessation orders. However, should these orders go unheeded, it will constitute provocation against Orb. The Orb Military will declare war against any faction refusing to stand down."
The first half addressed frontline soldiers; the latter half targeted senior officers—particularly Duan Halbaton and ZAFT's high command.
This was already a volatile moment where the supposedly concluded war could reignite at any second. Should Orb intervene as a third party now, the fragile peace would shatter completely. Though numerically smaller, Orb's combat prowess had been demonstrated to all present. Their alignment with either side would prove catastrophic for the other.
"Recall those fools immediately! Destroy them if necessary!"
"All compliant units advance! Weapons systems active—target any fleet still engaging in combat!"
Both Duan Halbaton and Boaz Fortress's commander instantly issued orders, deploying obedient units to forcibly restrain their rogue elements—even training weapons on them, prepared to fire if persuasion failed.
At that moment, a golden meteor streaked across the cosmos from afar, arriving at the very center of the battlefield. Its wings unfurled, parting the two armies like an Angel descending upon them.
Accompanying it were Gundam Exia, Gundam Cherudim, and Gundam Virtue. To swiftly reinforce the Archangel and Eternal, the four Gundams had once again activated their large boosters to arrive ahead of schedule.
"Yang Hui!"
The crews of the Archangel and Eternal breathed sighs of relief upon seeing the Dawn Gundam, Exia, Cherudim, and Virtue arrive. Their excitement was palpable—with Yang Hui's timely arrival, they firmly believed this battle was as good as over.
"The war ends here. If anyone still wants to fight, I'll oblige—until every last one of you is wiped out!" The icy, merciless voice pierced through every listener, sending chills down their spines. Even the most fanatical and deranged among them felt their fervor extinguished before the golden radiance of the Angel, trembling under its frigid tone and overwhelming presence.
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