Chapter 28 – SEED: Lacus
In the Archangel's hangar, a large number of maintenance crew members were busy unlocking the cockpits of a reconnaissance-type Zaku and a lifeboat.
A ring of soldiers stood nearby, weapons in hand, surrounding both the reconnaissance Zaku and the lifeboat.
Off to the side, Natarle Badgiruel shot Kira Yamato and Tolle Koenig a look full of disdain.
"Looks like you two really have a thing for picking up strays."
Tolle scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"Haha… Ensign Badgiruel, I'm just trying to contribute to the Archangel's defense strength. Once that reconnaissance Zaku is repaired, we'll have another MS to add to our forces, which will make it easier for the Kusanagi to reach the Earth Alliance base. Besides, Kira was just trying to save someone. Leaving a person alone in a lifeboat like that would be…"
Before Tolle could finish, Sergeant Murdoch had already opened the reconnaissance Zaku's cockpit.
Inside was a female pilot, unconscious. Soldiers quickly hauled her out and handcuffed her.
Not long after, the lifeboat's hatch was also opened.
Tolle immediately hurried over, eager to see what Lacus Clyne looked like in person.
The moment the hatch opened, a pink Haro bounced out, calling "Haro, Haro, Lacus!" over and over.
Then, Lacus Clyne herself, with her pink hair floating weightlessly, drifted out.
Tolle stared without blinking—she was indeed one of the most beautiful and adorable women in the whole Gundam SEED world. Absolutely too cute.
If it weren't for the crowd, he would've rushed over to ask for her autograph right then and there.
Floating gently, Lacus gave a sweet "Thank you for your trouble."
Just like in the anime, she kept drifting farther away—until Kira, quick-eyed and quick-handed, caught her.
She smiled at him. "Thank you."
Kira's face turned bright red, embarrassed.
Watching Lacus's innocent, dazed manner, Tolle felt his youthful heart stir again. Ah, youth really is a wonderful thing.
Lacus glanced at Kira's uniform and said in a puzzled, almost childlike tone:
"Ah… isn't this a ZAFT ship?"
Everyone around her was left speechless by her pure, ditzy demeanor, shaking their heads.
Tolle's shake, however, carried a different meaning.
[What a clever move—retreat to advance. If I didn't already know what kind of person she really is, I might have fallen for it too. Sure enough, this pink 'charming demon' has a heart just as black beneath the surface.]
Only someone as naïve as Kira Yamato would blurt out how cute she was at a time like this.
Tolle admitted that Lacus's looks were indeed impressive—it wasn't hard to see why his younger self had fallen for her.
But now, he still preferred his own Miriallia Haw—gentle, cute, bold, straightforward, and easy to get along with.
The only thing she couldn't match was wealth—she couldn't gift him a nuclear-powered Gundam with a Neutron Jammer Canceller.
But he had hands, feet, and Nami; he could build his own mobile suit. No jealousy here!
Soon, Murrue Ramius, Natarle Badgiruel, and Mu La Flaga escorted Lacus and the other female pilot out of the hangar toward the lounge for questioning.
Kira, Sai Argyle, Kuzzey Buskirk, and several Archangel soldiers secretly followed along.
Tolle stayed behind, eyeing the reconnaissance Zaku and speaking to Sergeant Murdoch.
"Hey, Murdoch, could you help me modify this reconnaissance Zaku? I was thinking of switching to piloting this one—would that be possible?"
Murdoch ran both hands through his hair, clearly reluctant.
"Ah, you brat, I knew it—nothing good ever comes of you dragging a Zaku back.
Great, now you're adding to our workload. Looks like we'll be pulling another late night."
After venting, he sighed.
"Alright, tell me—what modifications do you want? The sooner we finish, the sooner we can rest."
"Well, remember we still have that right wrist from the Blitz Gundam? I want to replace the Zaku's right wrist with it, and attach the Blitz's claw anchor to the left arm.
The claw anchor still needs to conduct high-voltage electricity, same as before—so we can keep using it to capture other MS."
Murdoch shook his head helplessly.
"But we can't do anything about the ZAFT OS. Even if we finish the mods, you might not be able to pilot it.
And haven't you already got the Moebius Kai? You're sure quick to ditch the old for the new."
"Murdoch, no, you've got it wrong.
Besides, piloting robots is a man's romance—if I can have an MS, why would I choose an MA?
I'll have Kira handle the OS, he's good at that sort of thing.
Oh, and make the Blitz's arm easy to swap out—maybe I'll get another Zaku later.
After all, the recon Zaku's looks aren't exactly great.
By the way, can we also mod the Moebius Kai into a general-purpose MS backpack, so it can be used on other suits later?"
Hearing Tolle's laundry list of requests, Murdoch looked about ready to hit him with a wrench.
Seeing his expression, Tolle grinned.
"Haha, Murdoch, just kidding. Let's keep the Moebius Kai as a backup. If Mu's Zero Moebius breaks down, he can use mine instead. Anyway, I'll be off now. No need to see me out—bye!"
Tolle quickly fled the danger zone, deciding to come back after the modifications were done.
When he arrived at the lounge, he saw Kira standing off to the side while Sai, Kuzzey, and a few soldiers were crouched at the door, eavesdropping.
Tolle decided he couldn't be the odd one out and joined in, crouching to listen in on Lacus's conversation inside.
Unfortunately, before they could hear more than a few seconds—and not even a full sentence—the lounge door swung open.
Natarle stormed out, glaring fiercely at the group.
"What do you think you're doing? Haven't you finished moving the supplies yet? Get back to your posts, now!"
Tolle and the others had no choice but to scatter immediately.
Only Kira stayed rooted to the spot, eyes still fixed on Lacus inside.
Lacus spotted him, smiled, and waved.
Kira's face turned crimson with embarrassment, and he hurried away.