Chapter 279: Breaking Out at Departure 1
A few days later, Morgenröte fully completed the Archangel's repairs, and it was finally time to depart from ORB.
Everyone aboard the Archangel grew busy at once.
On a fog-filled morning, Miriallia reported to Murrue on the bridge, "Captain Ramius, we've received notice from the ORB Navy—no hostile forces detected in the area. We can proceed with departure as planned."
Murrue immediately replied, "Tell them we understand."
Neumann activated the Archangel's engines and slowly guided the ship toward the exit gate of the camouflaged island hangar.
Operator Chatra, staring at the radar that showed numerous ORB warships around the island, quietly asked gunner Romer, "Are those ships escorting us out?"
Romer answered just as softly, "They're only there to disrupt ZAFT's surveillance satellites.
If too many ships appear at once, the satellites have a harder time identifying them. At the very least, it'll confuse ZAFT's data a bit."
At that moment, the Archangel received a message from the ORB military. Before departing, they called Kira to the deck so he could see his parents from a distance.
Cagalli, still in her uniform, hugged Kira tightly as soon as she saw him—giving his parents and Uzumi quite a scare.
They were siblings after all. Under normal circumstances, being *that* affectionate was something that would definitely lead to German orthopedics.
Once Cagalli left, the Archangel sailed out of ORB's camouflaged island.
With ORB's warships escorting them, they moved beyond ORB's territorial waters.
At the same time, Athrun's squad received a report of unusual ORB naval activity.
Knowing this meant the Archangel had set off, Athrun immediately ordered the transport submarine toward the route to intercept.
After checking the radar, Chatra reported to Murrue, "No signs of ZAFT forces nearby."
Murrue nodded and ordered, "All hands increase alert level! Once Archangel separates from the fleet, ascend immediately and proceed at maximum speed."
In the Archangel's hangar, Tolle and Kira—without discussing it—had already suited up and stood before their mobile suits.
Murdoch looked at them curiously. "Hey, what's with you two? The captain hasn't given the sortie order yet."
Tolle replied, "Once we leave ORB's waters, ZAFT will attack. We need to prep early."
"Really? That fast?" Murdoch looked incredulous, then turned to Kira. "Kira, is that true? Are you going crazy along with this brat?"
Kira answered firmly, "Tolle's right. As soon as we leave ORB's waters, the battle will begin. So we need to be ready."
"Sigh… fine, fine. I'll help prepare. Kira, get Strike Gundam re-equipped. What equipment do you want this time?"
Kira nodded. "Sorry to trouble you, Uncle Murdoch. This time I'll sortie with the Aile Launcher. I need to blast open our forward route so the Archangel can cross the Tropic of Cancer as fast as possible."
Tolle added, "I'll just take the SFS Guul. I'll handle high-altitude suppression and distract the ZAFT Gundams."
"Alright, got it. Kira, head to Bay 1. Tolle, you brat, go to Bay 2. I'll make sure you two get out the instant the battle starts."
The Archangel hadn't been out of ORB waters long before Athrun's squad appeared.
On the bridge, another operator, Tonomura, stared nervously at the radar's interference signals and reported:
"Captain Ramius, we're detecting heat signatures—three… no, four MS signatures."
Chatra confirmed after rechecking the readings. "Confirmed! It's the stolen Gundams—Aegis, Duel, Blitz, and Buster!"
At the appearance of the four Gundams stolen by ZAFT, tension gripped the entire bridge. Everyone's nerves went taut.
Natarle steadied herself and said, "So they've been hiding all along? Looks like we've walked right into their ambush!"
Murrue immediately commanded, "All hands to first battle stations! Prepare for mobile suit combat!
Notify Lieutenant Flaga, Ensign Yamato, and Warrant Officer Tolle—immediate sortie!"
After issuing the orders, Murrue encouraged the crew, "If we can shake them and reach the Tropic of Cancer, we win.
But this will be a tough fight. Everyone, do your duty—give it everything."
Natarle nodded and supported the command sequence. "Automated anti-air Vulcan turrets—maximum defensive mode!
Smoke dispersers—ready! Deploy interference smoke to the front and both sides of the Archangel.
Missile tubes 2–6 and 11–15—reload and prepare for firing!
Twin high-performance beam cannons and single-line linear cannon—prepare to fire!"
Miriallia reported, "Captain Ramius, Kira and Tolle have already launched.
Kira is requesting permission to use the MS power connectors on the deck."
"That fast? Approved. Inform him he may use them!"
On the deck of the Archangel's hangar, Kira connected Strike Gundam to the energy interface, ready for all-out combat.
Nearby, Tolle piloted the High-Performance GINN—rocket launcher in his left hand, Blitz's attack shield system in his right. Standing atop the SFS Guul, he floated beside the Archangel.
Both stood ready, bracing for ZAFT's incoming strike.