Mikazuki did not immediately start the Barbatos; he sat in the cockpit, waiting for the order to deploy.
On the other side, Murrue quickly reached the bridge and took her seat. "Numbers? And which side do they belong to?" she asked immediately.
Miriallia's fingers flew across the keyboard as she searched the computer's database. "Four ships. Three are Agamemnon-class, but one is unidentified. It's not showing up in the mobile suit database at all."
"The enemy is approaching. Distance: 700 kilometers. Coordinates: Orange 11 Mark 18 ALPHA," Miriallia reported, using the standard deep-space units.
"Look out! High heat source approaching! It's a positron cannon!"
"What?"
BOOM!
Before anyone could react, all four ships within the satellite port felt a violent tremor. Fortunately, the satellite's walls were thick enough to prevent the blast from penetrating into the port itself.
"Archangel, move out! Leave the port immediately!" Murrue looked up and barked the command, tapping on the two computers built into her armrests. "What's the status of the Kusanagi?"
Kisaka's voice came through, calm and steady. "Ready for sortie."
Orga appeared on the center screen, one eye squinted as he spoke. "The Isaribi is good to go."
Andrew, aboard the Eternal, followed up. "The Eternal hasn't finished its final adjustments yet."
"I understand. Stand by inside the port for now," Murrue replied. "We'll head out first to confirm if it's the Earth Alliance or ZAFT."
"My apologies," Andrew said.
"Don't worry about it. Mikazuki might be heading out, so please be ready."
Hearing Murrue's words, Andrew paused for a moment. He shared a look with Aisha, both seeing a trace of amusement in the other's eyes.
"Of course," Andrew chuckled. "Our Songstress said the same thing just a moment ago. We've been adjusting everything since the moment the Barbatos arrived."
"Good to hear."
Murrue didn't waste any more words. They were at Condition One. She cut the communication, and the Archangel began its exit from the port. The Kusanagi and the Isaribi followed closely behind. Between the three of them, their capital-ship-class combat power was nothing to scoff at.
Just as the three warships cleared the satellite port, the public communication channel crackled to life.
"This is the Earth Alliance vessel, the cosmic battleship Dominion. Archangel, do you receive me?"
"That voice... Natarle?" Murrue froze.
It was a woman's voice, but it made Murrue's breath catch. Beside her, Sai Argyle's mouth fell open. "Lieutenant... Badgiruel?"
"This vessel demands that your ship, currently designated as a rebel craft, surrender unconditionally and immediately," the voice continued. "If you do not comply with these instructions, this vessel will open fire on you and your two escort ships."
Mikazuki, Kira, and Mu all frowned simultaneously. None of them had expected to encounter an old acquaintance here, under these circumstances, and certainly not on opposing sides.
Miriallia, sitting at the comms station above Murrue, looked down and shouted, "Captain, the enemy ship's image is on screen!"
An image flickered onto the side screen of the bridge. A black Archangel-class ship floated in the center of three Agamemnon-class battleships.
Sai lost his voice for a second before stammering, "The Archangel?"
Murrue's expression darkened. "The same model? Those Blue Cosmos people certainly move fast..."
The second Archangel-class cosmic battleship, the Dominion. That was the name of the ship, and its captain was none other than Natarle Badgiruel, who had been reassigned shortly after they arrived at the Alaska base.
A moment later, Natarle appeared on the Archangel's forward screen. "It has been a long time, Captain Ramius."
Murrue exhaled a long breath, forcing a small smile onto her face. "Indeed. I truly didn't expect us to meet again like this."
Back when Natarle had served aboard the Archangel, she and Murrue had often clashed over their differing views. Natarle was the type who adhered rigidly to military duty and regulations, while Murrue leaned toward a more humanitarian approach. In a way, the two of them had complemented each other's weaknesses perfectly.
To be honest, Natarle was perhaps the last enemy Murrue ever wanted to face. Setting aside their past friendship, Natarle's tactical command was textbook-perfect; she was a strategist Murrue knew she couldn't personally match.
Archangel's survival all the way to Alaska had been thanks in no small part to Natarle, second only to Mikazuki's contributions.
However, if this fight truly broke out, Murrue was confident they wouldn't lose. It wasn't just because they held the advantage in ship numbers, but because they had that terrifying youth, Mikazukia boy whose strength was so great that "exaggerated" was an understatement.
Not to mention, they had two nuclear-powered units, the Strike, the Buster, and nearly thirty M1 Astrays.
"I've heard what happened at Alaska," Natarle said, her voice stern. "But regardless of the circumstances, I ask that you surrender first. You must speak with the military high command again.
While I may not be able to help much, I will do my best to advocate for you. You know the performance of this ship better than anyone. Even with the help of that Nazca-class and the Orb ship, I am confident I can sink the Archangel."
Murrue's lips curled into a slight smirk. "You haven't changed at all, Natarle."
Natarle narrowed her eyes but didn't respond.
"Even though those last words were a bit harsh," Murrue continued, "I want to thank you. But I must refuse your kindness."
Natarle looked taken caught off guard, her expression turning to one of confusion. "Why?"
The smile vanished from Murrue's face. She looked at Natarle on the screen with a dead-serious gaze. "It's not just about what happened at Alaska. We have come to doubt the Earth Alliance itself. Therefore, we will not surrender, and we will not return to the fold."
"Captain Ramius!"
Just as the anxious Natarle was about to plead further, a man sitting on the steps below her began to clap his hands.
"That's enough of the touching reunion, Captain Badgiruel."
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