Chapter 327: Orb and Lacus
Tolle comforted Murrue. "Don't worry about that. They'll definitely be willing to help us. Haven't there already been precedents before?
"So going again will absolutely be fine. They'll definitely be willing to accept us.
"Besides, I've got some connections in Orb now. I can even buy an Astray Gundam there—are you really worried they won't take us in?
"If they refuse, I'll go report them and see if they still dare to act like that."
Murrue listened to Tolle's explanation, and especially at the last sentence, her eyes twitched uncontrollably. Mu, standing to the side, helped out by saying, "Anyway, I've already lost any desire to go back to the military. I think everyone else feels the same."
At this, everyone on the bridge nodded, indicating they were unwilling to return to the Earth Alliance Forces.
Murrue nodded as well and replied, "Yeah. If we go back, we'll definitely be executed by firing squad."
Tolle seized the moment and said, "Then what's there left to think about? This is our only way to survive now, isn't it?
"If we don't go, are we supposed to hide somewhere for the rest of our lives?"
Mu also chimed in again. "Why don't we go to Orb and give it a try? Even if they don't agree, we won't suffer any greater losses."
Murrue pressed her hands to her face, took a deep breath, and after making up her mind, said to everyone, "This ship has decided to head to Orb to seek asylum. Does anyone have any objections?"
Everyone on the bridge remained silent. After all, there was no other way out left.
Seeing no one object, Murrue issued another order. "Then it's settled. Once the Archangel's power engines are repaired, we'll make full speed for Orb."
At the same time, after Athrun returned to P.L.A.N.T., because of the theft of the Freedom Gundam, his father Patrick ordered him to locate and kill Lacus.
Athrun went alone to Lacus's residence. Looking sorrowfully at the devastated surroundings, he saw broken furniture everywhere.
After searching the place, he discovered the pink Haro that Lacus had deliberately left for him, along with information about her current location.
Athrun immediately followed the information and rushed there in a panic.
In an abandoned opera house, Athrun heard Lacus's singing. She was on the stage, singing that tear-jerking classic: "Proof of the Water."
Night sways within rippling water
The unruffled stillness weighs upon the heart
Along the tree-shaded shore
A resplendent dawn
As long as you wait patiently
With a pure heart
Beyond the gray sea and sky
There lies a fertile land without conflict
Who is it that tells me
That no one can ever reach it
Or that it exists only within someone's heart
A song composed
To nourish the land
Where the flowing waters are calmed
Even if one no longer dwells in this world
It can surely still be obtained by one's own hands
No matter when, someday, surely…
Holding the proof of the water
Enduring all these hardships
Broadly, gently, it flows
Reaching that silent shore
No matter when, someday, surely
Taking your hand…
Athrun, too, was drawn into the beautiful yet desolate singing, recalling the painful past he shared with Kira.
When the song ended, before Athrun could even react, the pink Haro jumped out of his arms and shouted nonstop, "Haro, Haro, Lacus!"
"Oh, it's little Pink." Lacus caught the bouncing pink Haro at once, then smiled at Athrun and said, "Ah, Athrun, you really did bring it back. Thank you so very much."
"Lacus."
"Yes."
With his left arm in a sling, Athrun jogged forward a few steps, took a small leap, and landed on the stage. With a serious expression, he questioned her. "Lacus, tell me—what is all this really about?"
Lacus tilted her head and asked back with an innocent look, "Didn't you already hear about it before coming here to find me?"
Athrun gazed sorrowfully at his former fiancée and continued, "Is all of that true? Guiding a spy, and all of it. And why would you do something like that?"
"I didn't guide a spy," Lacus said seriously. After finishing that sentence, she returned to her innocent expression and continued, "I only handed a new mobile suit over to Kira.
"The Freedom Gundam is exactly what Kira needs right now. Letting him have it was the most appropriate choice."
"Kira?" Athrun repeated the name in disbelief. He had clearly killed him—so how could he have come to P.L.A.N.T.?
He questioned her in shock. "What nonsense are you talking about? Kira, he… that guy, he…."
"You want to say that you killed Kira, right?" Lacus gently finished the sentence for the hesitant Athrun, then continued with a smile. "But don't worry. Kira is still alive."
"You're lying!" Hearing that Kira was still alive, Athrun suddenly seemed to lose all reason and desperately denied it.
With a pained expression, trembling, he raised his pistol and aimed it at Lacus's forehead. "What are you plotting? What do you really want, Lacus Clyne?
"What kind of ridiculous thing are you saying? That guy… that guy couldn't possibly still be alive."
Facing the somewhat unhinged Athrun, Lacus replied calmly, "It was Reverend Malchio who brought him to my side."
Then she put on a sorrowful expression and continued, "Kira also told me about how he once fought you.
"Athrun, are my words really so untrustworthy? Then what have you seen with your own eyes?
"On the battlefield… the long-standing situation of P.L.A.N.T.… haven't you seen any of that at all?"
Kira truly was Athrun's miracle cure. At the mention of his name, Athrun trembled and lowered his pistol, saying softly to Lacus, "Lacus… I…."
Seeing Athrun waver, Lacus continued to press on. "Athrun, what is your conviction in battle? Is it to earn medals of honor? Or to carry out your father's orders?"
"Lacus, I…." Exposed at his sore spot, Athrun couldn't help calling her name again.
"If that's the case, then Kira will inevitably become your enemy again." Lacus did not give him any time to think or argue, and continued sternly.
Finally, she returned to a sorrowful expression, stood up, and slowly walked toward Athrun. "And the same goes for me. If you regard me as an enemy, then you can fire. Athrun Zala of ZAFT."
With tears welling in his eyes, the scolded Athrun lowered his pistol in despair, turned his head aside, and tried to argue weakly. "I… I…."
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