Morgenroete, Inc. Factory
Mikazuki and Murrue followed Cagalli into the factory's underground levels. Waiting for them at the elevator entrance were Kira, Mu, and Erica.
"You're finally here, Captain Murrue."
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting." Murrue gave a small, apologetic smile as she stepped up beside Erica.
"It's fine. I assume you've heard from Cagalli by now. The Strike drifted into Orb's territorial waters, and we've carried out repairs. Since you're back, it's only right to return it to you. However, since someone else will likely be piloting it this time, I took the liberty of changing the OS to the Natural OS Kira wrote."
As they spoke, the group arrived at the hangar. Standing tall before them was the Strike Gundam, its entire body currently a dull grey.
"I'll pilot it," Cagalli declared. She immediately realized she might have overstepped. "Of course, that's if you all agree."
"No," Mu cut in, rejecting Cagalli's request.
Cagalli frowned, clearly displeased. "Why not?"
"Let me pilot it."
"Eh?"
The three women were taken aback. Kira began to laugh, while Mikazuki merely gave Mu a sidelong glance without much of an expression.
"This is..." Murrue turned her head to look at Mikazuki, and the others instinctively followed her gaze.
Once again, Erica felt that Mikazuki's status among the Archangel crew seemed to be even higher than the captain's.
"Why are you looking at me? The machine isn't mine. You decide for yourselves," Mikazuki said plainly as he popped a Mars Date into his mouth.
Murrue nodded. "That's true. It's better to let the original owner decide. Kira, what do you think? Is it okay to let the Major pilot the Strike?"
Kira nodded. "Yes, I have no problem with that."
Seeing everyone agree, Mu pumped a fist in excitement. "Good! Then let me try out the feel of an MS right away. By the way, Kira, Mikazukilet's have a practice session."
Kira scratched his cheek with a wry smile. "Um... jumping straight into a mock battle with me? I feel like it's a bit too early for that."
Mikazuki, looking completely bothered by the hassle, said ruthlessly, "You're no match for me."
"Pipe down! You two are way too arrogant. How can anyone know the outcome without crossing swords? Come on, are you in or not?"
"Well, I'm fine with it," Kira said, looking over at Mikazuki.
Mikazuki looked away with his usual dead-fish eyes and sighed. "What a pain... fine. I'll play along to kill some time."
The three women, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, couldn't help but start laughing. Erica stepped forward. "Good. Since you've all agreed, let's head up to the proving ground. There's plenty of space there. Also, I intend to let the M1 Astray pilots watch the match. Would that be alright?"
The M1 Astray pilots were already proficient at controlling their units, but letting them witness the techniques and combat of elite pilots would surely teach them a great deal.
"I don't mind," Mikazuki replied. Kira, Mu, and the others had no objections either.
"Then let's get the machines ready. Hmm... it's just after ten now. How about we start at two in the afternoon, after lunch?" Erica checked her wristwatch and smiled at Murrue.
Murrue naturally had no objections. It was a good opportunity to let the Archangel crew off the ship to watch the excitement and relax, especially since they had already received disembarkation permits from Orb.
"That works."
With the matter settled, Mikazuki, Kira, and Murrue left the factory. Both mecha were currently in the Archangel's hangar. They would eat lunch and then follow the guide vehicles to the proving ground.
Afternoon, Proving Ground
Many spectators were seated in the observatory atop the command tower, including the Orb M1 Astray pilots and the crew of the Archangel.
Several kilometers away from the command tower, three Gundams stood tall upon the desert sands: Barbatos, Freedom, and Strike.
Murrue watched the screen, seeing Mikazuki standing on the chest plate of the Barbatos while rotating his wrists. She picked up the microphone connected to the Barbatos's comms and said, "Mika, remember what I told you just now? Do not break the machine."
Mikazuki, who had just sat down in the pilot's seat, stared toward the command tower with his characteristic dead-fish eyes and spoke into the mic. "I know."
He cut the connection immediately after responding, leaving Murrue with a helpless look. Behind her, the M1 pilots and the Archangel crew wiped sweat from their brows in anticipation.
Erica came to Murrue's side and gave a wry smile. "It's just a mock battle; it shouldn't go as far as breaking the machines. After all, the ammunition has been replaced with dye bullets, and the melee weapons are just practice swords that won't damage a Mobile Suit."
"No, if it's Mika..."
The seat lowered, and the cockpit hatch hissed shut.
"Heh, Captain Murrue is right, Mika. Don't take it too seriously. Control the output of the Barbatos. What's the point of a mock battle if you wreck the mecha?"
Orga's voice came through with a light chuckle. Mikazuki showed a flash of impatience. "I already said I know. I don't get what you're all so worried about."
"Obviously, it's because you're too reckless!"
"..."
Erica checked the time. There was less than a minute until two o'clock. She picked up the microphone and opened the channel to all three pilots.
"Starting countdown now. The mock battle will officially begin in thirty seconds. The time limit is two hours. There is no victory condition; feel free to fight however you wish during this time."
"10, 9, 8... 3, 2, 1... Combat... START!"
The Barbatos snapped its head up, its green eyes flaring with sudden light. It lunged forward, charging toward the two mecha across from it...
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