Chapter 4

The ship announced it would continue its pursuit, and the crew members should be prepared. Haru is working on the mobile suits and getting them repaired for the next mission. Vino and Yolan are working alongside him.

"I can't believe we actually went into combat. Everything is moving so fast it is quite scary." said Vino

"Right." replied Yolan while typing on his PC.

"Even that monster and giant appeared. This day is crazy."

"Right."

"Hey, Haru. You don't think this will lead to another war?"

"...I hope not. War only causes more pain." Haru remembers how bad it was when he had to flee Orb, which disheartened him. He looks at the UltraRiser, and it still reminds him of what his father last said to him, even though it has a different appearance.

"I wonder if I could prevent the war with this..."

"Did you say something, Haru?"

"No-Nothing, just checking the Impulse's systems."

While he was working, the pilot of the Impulse and his friend called out to him.

"Hey! Haru! Is it ready yet?"

"Almost just have to run the final checks."

Shinn Asuka is the pilot of the Impulse. He has black hair and reddish chestnut eyes. He is a short-tempered, impulsive, stubborn, and occasionally arrogant young man, but this is due to losing his family during Orb's attack. He feels a sense of camaraderie with Haru since they both went through the experience. Despite his shortcomings, Shinn is also very loyal to those he considers his friends and people he respects. He has also shown himself to be a highly determined individual who works hard to improve his skills and rarely, if ever, gives up.

"By the way, I forgot to ask. Are you okay? I saw you on the battlefield."

"Well, as you can see. I'm fine. I saw your battle. The pilot of that Zaku had to save you from being dismembered." Haru points at the mobile suit piloted by Alex Dino.

"You don't have to remind me. Do you know anything about the pilot?"

"Yeah, it seems they are from Orb."

"Orb…"

"Inside was the Representative of Orb, Cagali Athha."

"Athha of Orb!"

"Yes"

"Did she pilot it?"

"No, the one behind the controls was her escort. His name was Alex Dino."

"His name might be Athrun."

Lunamaria joined in the conversation. "What do you mean, Luna?" asked Haru.

"I just escorted them and in the heat of the moment. The Representative called him Athrun. This Alex Dino might be the rumored Athrun Zala. It was rumored that he lives in Orb now."

"Athrun Zala…"

Athrun Zala is widely recognized as a heroic figure, well known for his pivotal role in the Battle of Jachin Due, a significant event that ultimately brought an end to a long and arduous war. Additionally, Athrun is the son of Patrick Zala, a key figure who was involved in the conflict between the "Naturals" and the "Coordinators," which resulted in devastating consequences before his defeat and demise.

The Orb Representative and Chairman Durandal entered the mobile suit deck. The Chairman was joyfully introducing the Minerva and its capabilities, but Orb's Representative Cagali did not look happy.

Haru could see them talking, and when he looked toward Shinn. He can see the hate in his eyes.

"Shinn, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

He goes away, and Haru is worried about him. He then hears Cagali voicing loudly to the Durandal.

"You seem awfully happy about it, Chairman."

"I wouldn't call this glee. I am simply proud of everyone's earnest work and to come this far and gain this much power…"

"Power… You said that power is necessary because there will always be conflict, Mr. Chairman. "

"Yes"

"Then, how do you explain what happened here!? The damage suffered by your nation as a result of just those three new model mobile suits!"

Her escort tries to stop her from saying more. "Representative!"

Durandal argues back. "So you're saying that's reason enough to remain powerless?"

"Why are such things necessary in the first place!? Why now!? We made a pledge not to repeat the tragedies of the past! We were committed to following a path that could proceed along hand in hand!"

"Well… Consider this, princess…"

Before Durandal could speak, Shinn butted into the conversation shouting at Cagali. "More of that idealistic crap the Athhas are famous for!"

He looked at her, and Cagali could feel the animosity in his eyes.

"Shinn…" Haru is even more worried for his friend.

The Minerva found the enemy ship and made an announcement for the entire crew.

{Located enemy vessel. Distance 8000. Condition Red announced! Pilots, standby in your machines!}

The head technician commanded all the technicians to do final checks for the mobile suits. Haru complied and checked the Core Splendor again. He finished the checks and saw Shinn in his pilot suit.

"Shinn…"

"What"

"That wasn't nice, you know."

"Why? Her talking about her idealistic crap made me sick."

"That doesn't mean you can just disrespect her like that. You should apologize the next time you see her."

"Never"

He jumps into the Core Splendor and closes the hatch. "Haaa… What should I do with you, Shinn."

The Minerva is bustling with activity as the mobile suits are being prepared for launch. One by one, they are lined up on the launch pad, ready to spring into action. The first to take its place is the red Zaku warrior piloted by Lunamaria. The tension is palpable as the countdown begins for their departure!

{Lunamaria Hawke, Zaku Warrior, standby for launch. All systems online. Commencing launch sequence.}

The Core splendor was also being prepared for launch along with its other flyers. The Impulse's Silhouette Pack is also being prepared.

{Standby to launch Impulse. Blast module selected. Silhouette hanger number three to be released. Platform setup is complete. Central catapult online. Opening airtight shutters. Core Splendor, all systems online. Commencing takeoff sequence. Hatch opened. Linear systems engaged.}

Captain Talia on the bridge gave out the command to launch the mobile suits. "Zaku, Impulse, launch!"

{Gunner Zaku Warrior, catapult engaged.}

"Lunamaria Hawke, Zaku! I'm taking off!"

{You're next Impulse. Go ahead!}

"Shinn Asuka, Core Spledor! Taking off!"

Core Splendor takes off, followed by the chest and leg flyer and the Silhouette Pack. Impulse is formed with the Blast Silhouette Pack and it is now the ZGMF-X56S/γ Blast Impulse Gundam.

The operators, along with the captain and deputy captain, are inside Minerva's combat bridge. Chairman Durandal and Cagali, with her sole escort, are also inside the combat bridge.

"Bogey One… I wonder what that ship's real name is," Durandal asked, asking no one in particular.

"The name of a thing is an indicator of its existence. Then what if that name is not real? If it's not real, would that mean its existence is not real either? Is that what it would mean? Alex… or rather Athrun Zala."

Alex, or rather, Athrun, flinched when he was exposed. Cagali tried to correct Durandal, but he did not mind.

"Do not worry, Representative Athha. I'm not challenging him for his actions. I understand what happened, as well as the measures taken against him and others by former Chairwoman Canaver. It's just that, if I were to talk to you, I'd rather talk to the real you, Athrun. That's all."

In the infinite void of space, Lunamaria and Shinn maneuver their Zaku and Impulse mobile suits inside an asteroid belt, the location where they found Bogey One. Their sleek forms stand out against the backdrop of stars and asteroid debris. Alongside a squadron of other mobile suits, they meticulously scan the surrounding for any trace of the enemy vessel or ominous enemy mobile suits. Every movement is deliberate, every sensor alert, as they remain vigilant against the potential of an enemy ambush.

"My record isn't that great in debris field battles." said Luna.

"The enemy will have noticed us by now. Stay alert." replied Shinn

"I know! You're starting to sound like Rey! It's throwing me off!"

The search continued, tension mounting as minutes passed without any sign of what they were looking for. The silence hung heavy, an ominous feeling settling over them. It was clear that something was definitely not right.

"Why? Why isn't anything happening yet?" thought Shinn.

They got closer but from the Minerva's sensor. The enemy ship hasn't changed its course. Captain Talia realizes something is wrong. Athrun also realizes it and shouts out a warning.

"It's a decoy!"

Suddenly Chaos, Abyss, and Gaia appeared and shot down one of their allied mobile suits.

"Shawn!" cried out Luna. She dodges incoming beams and she retaliates back.

"Scatter and fight them separately!" commanded Shinn.

The group scatter in an attempt to engage the Gundams, but the relentless pressure from the Gundams proves too much to handle!

In the midst of battle, the Minerva lost track of Bogey One and one of their mobile suits. Suddenly, Bogey One's signal reappeared, but this time it was behind them, with two mobile suits heading to the Minerva. The tension skyrocketed as Bogey One, also known as Nana Buluku, unleashed a barrage of beams and missiles at the Minerva. The crew skillfully maneuvered through a field of asteroids to evade the onslaught. With the two mobile suits blocking their every move, the crew of the Minerva fought tooth and nail to outmaneuver their relentless adversaries.

With Shinn and Luna, the intense battle continues as they clash with the formidable Gundams. The air crackles with the exchange of relentless fire, but neither side shows any signs of backing down. Amidst the chaos, Abyss detects a mobile suit concealed behind a devastated solar panel and swiftly takes aim, unleashing a barrage of beams.

"You're mine!"

Abyss managed to shoot down the mobile suit. Leaving only Shinn and Luna to fight the Gundams.

"Damnit! We're already down to two!" said Luna

Shinn and Luna receive the return signal from the Minerva and realize this is a trap.

"The Minerva's… You mean, we walked right into their trap!?" said Luna.

"Yeah, it looks that way. But there's no way we can get back right now!" Shinn is frustrated and wants to take down the Gundams as fast as possible.

Haru is being tossed around in the hangars due to the intense movement and shaking inside the Minerva. The rest of the crew is in the same boat, feeling scared as they are completely clueless about the situation outside.

Vino is covering his mouth trying to stop his vomit from coming out. "I'm going to be sick…"

"Hang in there Vino."

Another explosion happened shaking the Minerva. 

"Damnit, what is happening out there."

The Minerva suddenly stops and Haru could see Rey being dispatched. He asked a senior what was happening.

"Sempai, what is happening."

"The Minerva is trapped between asteroids, and it can't move. Enemy mobile suits are also attacking, and Rey is the only one who can be dispatched. Now, help me open the catapult. We need to get Rey out there!"

"Yes!"

The crew opened the catapult, and they were able to send the Zaku, piloted by Rey, out. Haru felt the situation was dire and needed to do something. He looked at the UltraRiser. "I could probably get us out using this."

Haru went to a discreet corner away from anyone's eyes and tapped the screen of the UltraRiser. "Come on."

Instead of the UltraRiser expanding like last time. He received a red screen with an error and a countdown with 17 hours remaining. "Eh! What is this!? 16 hours remaining? This thing has a cooldown! Are you kidding me!? I only transformed 4 hours ago, so… I have to wait 20 hours before I can transform again! No way…"

Haru felt powerless. He couldn't do anything in this situation. He noticed the crew holding on to something to brace themselves.

"Yolan! What is happening?"

"You did not hear? We're firing everything we have on the asteroid. The explosion will hopefully push us away. Hurry up and grab onto something."

"This is crazy." Haru grabs a nearby railing and holds on for dear life.

The Minerva swiftly readied its weapons and unleashed a devastating barrage at the asteroid, resulting in a colossal explosion that propelled the ship and debris in all directions, catching Phantom Pain completely off guard. With the Minerva finally free, it locked onto the Nana Buluku and unleashed its powerful "Tannhäuser" Positron Blaster Cannon, unleashing a mind-blowing display of firepower.

"Aiming Tannhäuser! Bogey One!"

"Fire!

The Tannhäuser fired and hit the side of the ship. The Minerva flew by and once it was a good distance away from the Phantom Pain, it shot out signal flares to recall all mobile suits. Phantom Pain did the same, and all mobile suits returned to their respective ships, ending the battle.

Haru was floating inside the hangar with equipment floating around due to the explosion knocking everything around. He stared at the UltraRiser and saw its countdown. "I couldn't do much and just waited… Damnit."

***

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