Chapter 322: The Sword That Dances Down (2)
The situation on the battlefield had become completely one-sided, and the main gate of the Alaska base had been breached.
Large numbers of ZAFT MS abandoned their attacks on the Archangel and rushed into the interior of the base, competing to be the first inside.
Only a portion of them remained outside, continuing to attack the Archangel and the Earth Alliance warships.
Even so, this eased some of the defensive pressure on the Archangel.
Even Tolle felt slightly more relaxed. He returned to the vicinity of the Archangel, escorting it as it continued breaking through toward the outer perimeter of the base.
However, ZAFT had no intention of letting the Archangel go. The submarine carriers surfaced one after another, continuously launching anti-air missiles at the Archangel in midair.
Tolle immediately rushed over again, pushing all weapons to full power and attacking the incoming missile swarms.
Still, compared to Kira's Freedom Gundam's map-clearing firepower, it felt just a bit lacking.
While nervously intercepting the missiles, Tolle said to Nami, "Nami, immediately help me create a temporary multi-lock targeting system. Make it plug-and-play, something that can be externally mounted.
"That way, switching MS later won't be such a hassle—just install it directly.
"With missile density like this, there's no time to aim manually. The ammo waste is way too high.
"And get ready—I'm opening the storage space again to resupply ammunition."
"Understood, Master. Nami will begin manufacturing the multi-lock targeting system immediately. It'll be done in a few minutes."
"Alright, I'm counting on you. Before that, let's resupply the MS first."
Following Nami's instructions, a supply conduit opened along the edge of the Astray Gundam Zero's cockpit. Tolle fed ammunition from the storage space directly down the conduit.
Once the resupply was complete, the multi-lock targeting system was finished as well. Nami immediately connected it beneath the main display in the cockpit.
With the multi-lock system, the Astray Gundam Zero could rapidly switch targets while maintaining sustained full-fire output. This prevented overkill on already-destroyed targets and significantly reduced ammunition waste.
At the same time, on the Archangel's bridge, Rommel reported, "MS heat signature detected to the rear—it's the Duel Gundam."
With the Duel Gundam appearing at this critical moment during the breakout, Murrue said anxiously, "Notify Tolle immediately. Have him ignore the submarine carriers and missile swarms ahead for now. Leave those to us and Major Flaga.
"Have him focus on intercepting the Duel Gundam!"
"Yes, Captain Ramius." Miriallia immediately spoke into the communicator. "Tolle, do you read me? Tolle, do you read me?"
"Reading you. Awaiting orders."
"The Duel Gundam is approaching from the rear of the Archangel. Please intercept immediately."
"Roger. Understood."
Looking at the Assault Shroud Duel Gundam riding an SFS GuA in the distance, Tolle smacked his lips. "Didn't chase earlier, and now you're delivering yourself right to me. Looks like I really get to play with Yzak this time.
"Just hope the Cyclops System under Alaska doesn't blow too soon. Leave me some time to enjoy this."
He immediately maneuvered the Astray Gundam Zero, turned its nose, and charged straight toward Yzak.
As Yzak flew in and neared the Archangel, he shouted loudly, "Archangel! You're dead today!"
The Assault Shroud Duel Gundam raised its beam rifle and fired several shots at the Archangel, followed by a barrage of micro-missiles.
Beams and missiles streaked toward their target at high speed.
Just as the attacks were about to hit, the Astray Gundam Zero rushed in with its left-hand shield raised, intercepting the beam shots.
At the same time, the Gatling guns mounted on the shield's thrusters opened fire at full power, shredding the micro-missiles.
In an instant, all of Yzak's attacks were neutralized.
The Astray Gundam Zero then raised its beam rifle and twin-barrel Gatling cannon, launching a counterattack at the Assault Shroud Duel Gundam.
After dodging the incoming fire, Yzak attacked while shouting at Tolle, "Blue bastard, don't look down on me! I'm not like that Buster Gundam guy!"
Tolle helplessly opened the comm channel and replied, "Yes, yes, of course. You, Yzak, are definitely not the same as your little buddy Dearka."
"It's you, you bastard! You stole the flight unit again this time—now you're really going to die!" Yzak suddenly recognized Tolle's voice and roared in fury, his attacks growing even more intense.
Beam rifle fire, shoulder-mounted armor-piercing rounds, and micro-missiles were all unleashed at once toward the Astray Gundam Zero.
Tolle immediately maneuvered the SFS GuA beneath his feet, rapidly gaining altitude to evade the barrage.
"Yzak, you're being way too petty. It was just borrowing your two MS flight units—what's the big deal?
"Besides, didn't you and Dearka steal the Earth Alliance's Gundams too? That's karma. What goes around comes around."
"You bastard! I'll avenge Dearka! You and the Archangel will be buried with him!"
An enraged Yzak unleashed another full salvo. Tolle answered with one of his own.
While attacking, Tolle deliberately provoked him and casually revealed that Dearka was still alive. "Dearka isn't dead, you know. He's doing just fine on the Archangel—eating well, drinking well, being taken care of.
"If you really sink the Archangel, then you'll actually be sending him off to the grave."
Yzak immediately ceased fire and demanded, "Is that true? Dearka's really not dead?"
"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Want the Archangel to arrange a call so you can talk to him?
"But fair warning—there's a Cyclops System under Alaska base that's about to go off.
"Better wait until we've escaped before chatting, or we'll all end up as barbecue."
Yzak looked back at the Alaska base behind him in shock. "Is that true? This base is about to explode?"
"Of course. Otherwise why would we be desperately breaking off from the defensive line? You think we enjoy getting shot at?
"You should hurry and tell your troops to get out of the base area too. Once it goes off, everything within a ten-kilometer radius will turn into a furnace."
"You… you're definitely lying! I won't believe you! Die!"
Yzak resumed his attack. Tolle sighed helplessly and counterattacked as well.
While fighting, he continued trying to persuade him. "Yzak, if you want to fight, fine—but wait until we're at least fifteen kilometers outside Alaska's radius. I'll fight you as long as you like."
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