Chapter 324: Cyclops System Self-Destruction
Kira could hardly believe his eyes and ears. With tears welling up, he looked at Tolle and said, "Tolle, you… you're alive? I clearly saw you back then—"
Tolle shot Kira a disdainful look and answered evasively, "If you're fine and made it back, why wouldn't I be fine too?
"Just like you, I got lucky. I was rescued by the people of Orb.
"As soon as I heard that the Alaska base was under attack, I rushed over to support the Archangel."
Kira opened his pilot helmet visor, wiped away his tears, and smiled. "Yeah… if I could make it back alive, then of course you could too.
"I was rescued by the people of P.L.A.N.T. back then. They even gave me this Freedom Gundam, telling me to use it to end the war."
While intercepting incoming attacks, Tolle shamelessly grinned and said, "What a coincidence. We really are good brothers—our experiences are almost the same.
"This Astray Gundam Zero of mine was also given to me by someone else, so I could rush over and save the Archangel."
At this moment, Kira also began attacking the ZAFT units that still refused to retreat, while taking time to say, "Yeah, we really are good brothers. But we'll have to catch up later. Let's get the Archangel to a safe place first."
"No problem. We'll talk properly after the battle's over."
Just then, Yzak and his unit arrived. As Kira was about to move out to intercept them, Tolle cut in front of the Freedom Gundam and said, "Kira, leave these guys to me.
"My machine doesn't have the range or firepower yours does.
"So you stay here and protect the Archangel's breakout. I'll draw these guys away from the Alaska area."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Tolle. If things get bad, let me know."
Tolle gave Kira a dead-fish stare and retorted, "How can a man say he can't do it? Just watch my performance."
With that, Tolle piloted the Astray Gundam Zero and charged straight toward Yzak.
After closing in on the Assault Shroud Duel Gundam, he opened a private channel and said to Yzak, "Yzak, did you hear that all-band broadcast just now? See, I wasn't lying—Alaska base really is about to blow.
"And in a bit, take it easy with your attacks. Let your subordinates fire however they want. You just bring a few men and chase me hard."
"Tch, you're so damn long-winded. Got it. And don't bother contacting Dearka for now. Knowing he's alive is enough for me."
When Yzak mentioned Dearka, Tolle completely forgot that he had promised to arrange a call between them—but he couldn't let that slip now.
"Alright, no problem. Then let's begin."
Tolle immediately raised his beam rifle and launched a feint attack at the Assault Shroud Duel Gundam.
Several GINNs and Shiho's Thermal Energy Beam Test-Type Zaku, not understanding the situation, attacked the Astray Gundam Zero to cover Yzak.
Tolle fired a few shots and immediately retreated, with Yzak and the others giving chase.
At that moment, the Cyclops System at the Alaska base began operating.
As it activated, massive electromagnetic heating microwaves were released from within the base.
These microwaves resonated with each other within the affected area, generating extremely high temperatures.
The intense thermal radiation expanded outward in a circular matrix, piercing straight through everything inside the base and rapidly spreading farther and farther.
The ZAFT and Earth Alliance soldiers still inside the base had their bodies swell violently, then explode instantly into clouds of blood mist, completely annihilated.
When everyone outside the Alaska base saw this horrifying scene unfolding above it, they all instinctively began retreating outward at full speed.
At the same time, on the Archangel's bridge, Sai reported nervously, "The Cyclops System inside the base has been activated!"
Murrue urgently commanded, "Engines to full power! Full speed ahead! Evade at once!"
The Archangel immediately surged forward, accelerating rapidly as it fled the area.
Seeing this scene, Yzak's squad no longer had any thought of pursuing Tolle and desperately withdrew outward as well.
Tolle glanced at Shiho's position, then transferred the neo DG cells that had been left on her unit onto the SFS GOUF instead.
Her speed gradually dropped as she fell out of formation, and finally her machine suffered an "accidental malfunction," spewing black smoke.
Tolle then braked hard to a sudden stop, turned around, and charged toward Shiho's Thermal Energy Beam Test-Type Zaku, wrapping it up together with the SFS GOUF in a dramatic hero-saving-the-damsel maneuver.
Carrying her unit, he accelerated away, deliberately opening a channel and saying to Shiho, "ZAFT pilot, don't move. I'll take you to a safe place first."
Watching the way Tolle rescued her, Shiho replied shyly, "Thank you."
"No need to thank me." Tolle smiled and replied, then closed the channel. After all, haste makes waste—if he really wanted to strike up a conversation, there would be plenty of chances later.
In the end, the Archangel safely escaped the Cyclops System's blast radius. However, due to the severe damage it had sustained, it was forced to dock near a nearby island.
Yzak also led his subordinates back to their fleet.
Before leaving, Tolle handed over the SFS GOUF he had seized to Shiho, letting her pilot it back to her fleet.
At the same time, ZAFT forces began a full withdrawal and no longer pursued the Archangel.
Tolle himself also returned to the vicinity of the Archangel, landing on the island where Kira and Mu had set their machines down.
Mu looked at the Alaska base, now reduced to nothingness, and angrily threw his helmet to the ground.
Kira stared in stunned silence at the devastated ruins left behind after the explosion.
Before long, the Archangel's crew members all arrived on the island.
They stared in shock at Tolle and Kira—especially Kira, who was still wearing a ZAFT red pilot suit, making him stand out even more.
But the very first thing Miriallia did was rush forward and tightly hug Tolle, crying as she said, "Waaah, Tolle, it really is you, it really is you. Waaah… thank goodness. You're finally back."
Tolle gently stroked Miriallia's hair and comforted her. "You've been through a lot. I won't ever leave you again. I'll always stay with you from now on."
Miriallia smiled through her tears. "Mm. We'll always be together from now on."
Then, with his arm around Miriallia, Tolle walked toward Kira, joining everyone else in welcoming him back.
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