Chapter 277: Before Departure 1
But Murrue was more concerned about the Gundams that had chased them earlier. She asked Kisaka, "That ZAFT unit that was pursuing us—what are they doing now? Do we have any intel on them?"
"There's been no trace of them in the waters around ORB for over a week now."
"They've withdrawn?"
"That's what we think too. Maybe after searching for over three months without finding any sign of you, they finally left."
Tolle immediately objected with a serious expression. "Captain Murrue, I think that ZAFT unit is definitely still lying in wait somewhere along the Archangel's route to the Alaska Base.
It's possible that the moment we leave ORB's territorial waters, they'll launch an attack."
Hearing they might still have to fight ZAFT again, Mu asked in utter despair, "Sigh… you're doing that predictive analysis thing again?
Looks like the trip to Alaska won't be smooth at all."
Natarle, entirely serious, asked, "Ensign Tolle, do you have any concrete basis for this? Could you explain in detail?"
"Uh… how should I put it? It's basically just a feeling."
Tolle couldn't exactly say he'd already seen the plot, knew the Archangel would run straight into Athrun after leaving ORB, and that his past self had been killed by him.
And did Natarle really have to interrogate him like a criminal? With that tone, she was making him feel unwilling to answer at all.
Murrue said awkwardly, "That's a bit difficult to work with. Tolle, can you be a little more specific about your intuition? That way we can prepare in advance."
"Uh… okay." Tolle propped his chin and thought for a while, then began bluffing seriously:
"That ZAFT unit has waited for more than three months already—so why wouldn't they stay a few more days?
Maybe they've already guessed that the Archangel is almost fully repaired.
And you also mentioned the Panama Base might be attacked by ZAFT.
Under normal circumstances, since we're delivering data on the Gundams and the Archangel to the Earth Alliance command, we definitely wouldn't go anywhere near a high-risk area like Panama.
Plus it's a critical time now—ZAFT definitely wouldn't want the Earth Alliance to strengthen its forces.
And since they've chased us for this long, they won't just give up easily.
So waiting on the open-sea route toward the Alaska Base and catching us off guard would be the most reasonable strategy.
Captain Murrue, that's what I think."
Murrue and Natarle fell silent, deep in thought.
After a while, Murrue sighed. "I just hope we can endure the next attack and safely reach Alaska's defensive perimeter."
With Murrue treating Tolle's prediction as credible, the tense mood on the bridge thickened. No one spoke.
Kisaka tried to lighten the atmosphere by changing the subject. "By the way, it looks like ORB will once again enter diplomatic talks with ZAFT."
Natarle nodded, sounding a bit dejected. "I heard it's the former Representative Athha stepping forward to help clarify for the Earth Alliance—claiming he knew nothing about the construction of this warship and the mobile suits.
But… I'm not sure if that rumor is true."
Hearing Natarle say that too, Murrue protested angrily, "Lieutenant Badgiruel, how could something like that possibly—"
Tolle muttered under his breath, "Maybe that former Representative Athha really didn't know. But that the Earth Alliance officials didn't know? I don't buy it.
If they truly had no idea, then what does that make everyone aboard the Archangel? All unregistered ghosts?
Might as well just stay in ORB and forget the Alaska Base entirely."
Though he spoke quietly, everyone still heard him. Kisaka quickly tried to smooth things over. "Yes, the former Representative Athha really didn't know.
It may just have been some officials acting on their own under pressure from the Atlantic Federation.
And now the Atlantic Federation's secret ties with Morgenröte have also been exposed."
After a self-deprecating laugh, Kisaka went on:
"I know there are people among our citizens who insist ORB should take a stand and choose a side.
But if ORB really got involved, our people would be engulfed in war, just like Heliopolis.
To avoid that outcome, Lord Uzumi has been enduring everything up to now.
Maybe to you, that makes him seem weak."
"No, of course not," Murrue answered, and immediately steered the topic away. "Right… how is the Archangel's repair progressing?"
Natarle understood her intention and replied, "We should hear the results in the next day or two. The damage was severe—many sections had to be rebuilt from scratch."
Kisaka nodded to confirm. "Yes. According to Morgenröte's latest report, there's just a little left—they'll finish soon."
Murrue knew this repair was essentially a full reconstruction. The engines and power systems were practically completely destroyed.
She saluted Kisaka and thanked him. "Colonel Kisaka, we truly appreciate everything. Thank you for all the support you've given us."
"No need to be so formal. We've received help from you as well." Kisaka smiled and added warmly, "I may not have any family left, but I was born in Tassil too.
Even if it was just a temporary setback, I couldn't ignore it.
And that runaway girl finally made it home safely—I should be the one saying thank you."