Murrue froze for a moment after hearing Orga's words. She spoke with a solemn expression.
"If we head to Panama, this ship will be treated as a deserter for leaving the front line without orders. After all, the high-ranking officers who devised this operation are all gathered there. They certainly Won't let us insiders off easy for what we know. A court-martial is a certainty."
"We'd likely have a mountain of charges piled onto us as well. At the very least, it would mean the death penalty," Mu interjected, causing the faces of the bridge crew at the helm to turn pale.
"Well... Mikazuki and I were actually discussing where you should go next while we were back on the island. I think you'll agree with our conclusion."
Murrue looked down at Mikazuki, who was sitting nearby. "Mika, do you have a place in mind?"
"Orb," Mikazuki said simply, swallowing his food before picking up another giant pastry to eat.
"Orb?" Murrue blinked, finding the suggested destination a bit peculiar. But as she thought about it, she realized Orb was indeed their only remaining option.
They could no longer stay with the Earth Alliance. The Atlantic Federation would never ignore the Archangel now that they knew the truth about the self-destruction of Alaska Base. Once they returned, the Federation would surely find any excuse to eliminate them.
As for Orb... although they had shown intentions of offering help, whether they could truly provide sanctuary was another matter entirely.
"Mika, do you trust Orb that much?" Murrue decided to ask for Mikazuki's opinion.
"It's not really that. I just have a good feeling about a lot of the people there. If it's that bearded uncle, I think he'll help the Archangel."
"Captain Murrue, Mikazuki's intuition has always been accurate," Orga said, habitually closing his right eye as he looked at the contemplative Murrue with his left. "So, what do you think? Shall we go?"
Murrue let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair, seemingly having reached a decision. She looked up at the crew.
"Fine. Send a distress signal to Orb. State that the Archangel has broken away from the Earth Alliance due to the operation at Alaska and is requesting entry into their territorial waters. Ask for their assistance and send them the full details of the situation."
"Understood!" Miriallia headed to the CIC and began the transmission. Once the message was successfully sent, there was nothing left to do but wait for Orb's reply.
A day later, the Archangel received a response. Miriallia shouted in delight, "Orb has approved our request to dock!"
Murrue was also pleasantly surprised by the result. She immediately gave the order. "Archangel, course set! We are heading for Orb!"
Sitting on the steps, Mikazuki allowed a small smile to touch his lips as he tossed a Mars Date into his mouth.
Elsewhere, in PLANT.
The Intelligence Bureau of the PLANT Supreme Council had mobilized everyone to search the colonies for the criminal labeled a national traitor: Lacus Clyne.
Athrun remained at the desolate Clyne Estate. Due to the violent search conducted by the Department of Justice, the once magnificent ancient gardens had been reduced to a ruin. The Mars Dates Lacus had planted in the garden because they were Mikazuki's favorite had withered away along with the beautiful flowers.
Athrun stood before a cluster of flowers that was still relatively intact, staring at the white roses. These were the flowers that symbolized Lacus's first concert.
"Wait... her first concert..."
As if hitting upon a crucial point, Athrun turned and rushed out of the manor. He climbed into his sports car and sped away from the gates. He failed to notice two ordinary-looking cars following him from a distance.
The White Symphony Theater. This was a famous opera house in PLANT, but because of the Bloody Valentine Incident, it had not held a public performance for over a year.
Staring at the theater, Athrun pulled out his ZAFT Standard Issue Handgun. He climbed the stairs and pushed open the main doors.
"Night ripples upon the water...
Standing so still it is almost sad...
Upon the verdant shore...
If I could only wait for the beautiful dawn...
The moment he entered the hall, he heard that clear, familiar singing voice. Athrun's expression struggled for a moment, but he continued upward toward the audience seating.
Below, on a stage decorated to look like a smoke-filled, broken battlefield after the fires of war had ended, sat a girl with pink hair in twin tails. Dressed in a blue, off-the-shoulder gown, she sat upon a stone, singing a song that sounded like a prayer.
In her arms, she cradled a pink, spherical robot Haro.
"Haro, Haro! Athrun! Haro!"
Lacus stopped singing when she heard Haro's voice. She turned her head to look at Athrun standing below the stage.
"Ah, it has been a long time, Athrun."
"Lacus..."
Athrun leaped onto the stage, his face grim as he looked at the girl who was once his fiancée.
That was correct once. His father had already announced the dissolution of their engagement.
Yet, he felt no regret, only confusion. He couldn't understand why Lacus would lead the way for a spy. Why she would... commit treason.
Like Lacus, he only felt the affection of a brother and sister for her. If the engagement had been broken peacefully under normal circumstances, both would have been happy and remained friends. But for it to end like this...
Click.
The dark muzzle of his gun pointed directly at Lacus. Athrun asked in a low, heavy voice, "Lacus Clyne... you... why did you betray PLANT?"
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