Chapter 44: The Sword of the Heavens
In terms of conclusion, the Federation and the Orb Union government in exile didnât come to an agreement. It can be easily seen from Sciroccoâs annoyed face.
Ade guessed, Kira has Cagalli, and Cagalli has a strong nature and cannot accept the terms offered by the Federation. As for what conditions caused the conversation to fall apart so quickly, it might be the puppet government Lacus had speculated about earlier. Then he told Lacus about his conclusion.
âYouâre an NT?!â Lacus was shocked. It was very rare for this expression to appear on her face, but that wasnât the point now, right?
âDidnât I say that?â
âWhat was I doing before âŚâ Lacus held her forehead with her hand and let out a long sigh, deliberately talking to herself in a voice that Ade could hear, âFortunately, the current course is the right one. â
I must not say anything at this time, or I will fall into her trap.
âMajor Scirocco didnât get consensus with both Commodore Yamato and Miss Athha.â Lacus blinked at Ade, âSo his only hope is me?â
As if to validate her words, Aker knocked on the door with a twisted look, âDr. Adrien, as much as I hate to say it, Major Scirocco would like to talk to you and Miss Clyne.â
The three arrived at the conference room, and Scirocco was already waiting inside. He must have just found out that the NT in the base was Adrien Lingus himself, and gave Ade an undisguised look of âso itâs you!â. Behind him stood several officers, one of them looked particularly conspicuous. Judging from his shoulder patch, he should be a captain ⌠could he be Yazan Gable?
Scirocco apparently had no intention of explaining, but simply watched Ade and Lacus sat down opposite him. Graham was in no position to engage in such a conversation, so he saluted Scirocco and went out.
Sciroccoâs consciousness was dank, cold, and inexplicably oily to Adeâs perception, so uncomfortable that he wanted to hit his face immediately. Amuro also said he did not like Scirocco, now Ade understands what he means. But this guy is said to be good with women? Ade thought it incomprehensible.
âDr. Lingus, Iâve heard a lot about you.â Scirocco greeted with a leathery smile, âIn fact, this matter has little to do with you, but, out of courtesy, the military department still asked me to let you know that we will take Miss Clyne away.â
There was not much problem with his statement. Lacus was now without human rights as a defector from a warring enemy country. Because of her status and beauty, she was instead more of a sought-after good, and Scirocco was now fighting Ade for the right to own this good. In this case, Lacus barely even has the right to speak, and she understands that. The end result depends on how tough each of the Federation and Ade is. Ade is a Lunar person and doesnât need to care about the Federationâs reaction, which is why Lacus is counting on Ade to bail her out.
Scirocco represents the entire Federation top brass, and thatâs where his confidence is from. Adeâs own identity has a little role here, but donât forget that he has a strong homeland behind him.
âMajor Scirocco, right? Iâm just a researcher, I donât know politics. This woman, who I brought out of ZAFT at the risk of my life, is a trophy of mine. If the Federation wants to take her away, they are taking my thing from me, and you know the consequences.â Ade grabbed Lacusâs hand and put it on the table, âIâm done talking, whoâs for it and whoâs against it?â
Scirocco froze for a moment, suddenly showing a fascinated smile, and applauded, âGood, good. It seems that our armyâs intelligence work still has some problems, the staffâs even told me that Dr. Lingus is a very good talking weak man, what a great fallacy. But, since you are rescued by us, itâs not good to let me leave with empty hands, right? Or doctor, are you looking down on me?â
âWe can settle this account when we return to Anaheim, and I will not forget to return the favor of the Federation. But Iâll take Lacus with me, and no one can keep her. I promise.â
âDoctor, I certainly respect you, but Iâm afraid your trophy is not of much value to the Queen and her husband, right?â Scirocco shrugged, âDr. Lingus, youâre putting me in a difficult position.â
Ade sighed. Lacus identity was too sensitive, and in the end, he could only solve it in this way, âDifficult? Then I think youâd better given up. She is my woman, with my identity, do you still want to take my woman away from me?â
Scirocco looked at Ade with a gloomy look. Of course, he could not shout âI am an NT, I know you are lying!â, the key here is only in Adeâs statement, whether it is true or false is not important.
Scirocco sneered, got up, and left. After a day of bumping into the wall, he didnât even have the heart to pretend to be polite.
After that, Ade returned to the room with Aker leading the way, and Lacus naturally followed in.
âSo you knew it would end up like this, right?â Ade looked at her with a complicated expression, âIs this pretty much the same as the script you prepared?â
âIn my script, that last line would be said by myself, and I was very surprised by Ade-sanâs performance in front of me.â Lacus laughed very happily, âI canât imagine Ade-san has such a side. It was really a surprise today.â
âThat is acting⌠I just donât like Scirocco.â
âBut Iâm satisfied.â Lacusâs smile became a little despondent, âaccording to the agreement, I will eventually return to PLANT, and Ade-san is so important to the moon, so you canât leave with me. So even if the Federation publicized todayâs conversation, Ade-san, you can just say that youâre tired of me at that time.â
Looking at him as if he wanted to say something, Lacus put up her index finger and pressed it to his lips.
âIâm serious. Iâm not a woman who waits for a pie to fall from the sky. Since Ade-san has given me the opportunity to return to politics, I will give my all for this opportunity. This is my biggest dream and there is no way I will give up.â The young girl withdrew her fingers with a firm look, âThere is something I want to fight for with all my might. I have always come this way and will always stick to it. So much for the status of a singer, so much for the dream of a politician, so much for everything else.â
She is talking about the dream of being a politician, right?
âBy the way, can you⌠perform⌠perform the acting just now again?â For a moment, Lacusâs firm look disappeared and she poked her arm out with a slightly red face, âWho is for it and who is against it? Can you play it again?â
ââŚLacus, I told you I was an NT, right? Thereâs a more important matter now.â Ade didnât know if he should be happy or sad now, he pointed to his head, âThe almighty NT radar needs me to take care of it.â
âI think so. The alarm caused by the malice Scirocco showed just now is similar to the situation on the Eternal, but not that urgent.â Ade finds that it seems to be beneficial to provoke an NT, âHeâs probably thinking about something really bad and getting worked up about it.â
Lacus put away that expression just now and began to look down in deep thought. After a while, the young girl looked up, âThe possibility of the danger coming from Scirocco himself is minimal. Heâs just a messenger, it should be the higher-ups who want to turn against you. First of all, we have no more use, but the Federation can not take direct action against you. Secondly, ZAFTâs next target must be Australia, and the closest base to Orb Union is Torrington. Finally, the defenders of the Torrington base cannot withstand ZAFTâs assault. So the conclusion is?â
âStrategic contraction, abandon Torrington ⌠sold us by the way?â
âIf Ade-san is captured by ZAFT, it can provoke His Highness Loran. If you are killed, it would be better for them. Ade-san, have you offended any of the Federation senators?â
âNo, I donât think so âŚâ in addition to Scirocco who he just offended, he had no contact with any of the Federation officials. It must be some other reason.
âAnyway, my mission is complete.â Lacus still had a smile on her face and didnât look worried at all, âNext, Ade-san, please save us, right?â
But now they are under house arrest, robbing a Gundam to run away is absolutely unrealistic. It is impossible to let Loran drive TurnA to take him back. Oh, I guess I can only count on âthatâ at a time like this.
âCaptain Aker, this is my lifelong request. Iâm dying for not be able to browse the forum for so many days. Let me use the pc for a while!â
âAs a soldier, I canât break military rules just because we have a good personal relationship.â
âAbsolutely nothing suspicious, you can monitor the whole time.â As well as the trump card, âI can tell you V2âs boot code.â
âItâs none of my business what the world will be! By my own consciousness!â
Then as if to prove Lacusâ presumptions, Ade was awakened a day later in the morning by the sound of a piercing alarm. He went out just in time to meet Lacus, and the guards who had stood guard at the door all night were gone. Soon, Aker appeared and led them towards the port, explaining to him the current situation along the way.
Yesterday at midnight, the officers of the TITANS faction all evacuated, and also took their own direct troops, leaving only the remaining garrison with the order to resist as much as possible, and now ZAFT has almost fought the way to the door of the base.
âIf youâre not my men, youâre not men. Itâs really very TITANS.â Ade sighed, âSo, after all the TITANS officials have left, youâre now the highest rank here now?â
âThatâs right, so I now have wartime command.â Aker nodded, âThe order I gave to everyone was to retreat, it was my decision as the person in charge.â
âWhy didnât they take V2 with them?â
âBecause I slept in it yesterday.â
A short time later, everyone arrived at the port and Ade saw that the Orb Unionâs spaceship was also there. That was understandable. Since they are so disobedient, the Federation wonât care about their lives. The atmosphere in the port was gloomy, and everyone was worried about their life.
The combatants went to the front to buy time, the non-combatants boarded the ship in an orderly manner under the command of the petty officers. Ade and Lacus coincidentally got on Orb Unionâs ship.
As for Aker, âDr. Adrien, finally the time has come to keep my promise. Let me, Graham Aker, and your daughter guard her father side by side! This is the destined battle!â
The Orb Unionâs ship started to leave the port. Ade and Lacus both stood on the bridge. From a distance, they could see ZAFTâs MSs spread out like locusts in a spectacular manner. Did ZAFT send out all their combat forces? Shortly after, the Torrington base was easily captured, and some of the MSs flew out to chase after them.
Ade borrowed a telescope, and after searching for a while, he finally found Aker. He is being attacked by many ordinary Zakus and an ACE. Although he fought fiercely, he was gradually overwhelmed and started to get shot after killing several enemies. Then in Adeâs shocked eyes, V2âs cockpit ejected at high speed and V2 was blown up.
Fortunately, Aker is lucky enough. No one chased after the cockpit, and after a while, he was fished up by a friendly ship.
The battle on the front line relied on Aker and Kira. Now that Aker was lost, Kira was fighting and moving away, and the situation was rapidly tilting towards ZAFTâs side, with the battle line getting closer and closer to the ships. A lady on the bridge whimpered. Cagalli went up to comfort her, but how was she supposed to comfort someone with a desperate look on her own face? The lady cried even harder.
Lacus quietly held Adeâs hand. The young girlâs palm slightly sweating. Although she didnât say anything, the fear will still be there.
âAde-san, if your backhand doesnât work, our agreement canât be fulfilled.â The young girlâs voice had a tremor, âAt least, for now, please let meââ
All of a sudden, a wild and hideous torrent of particles rushing and whistling in front of everyone, tearing the sky apart. Countless MSs were turned to dust in the torrent, and the explosions symbolizing death were heard one after another, and the girlâs voice ended abruptly here.
âHow can it not work?â Ade smiled at the âladyâ who appeared on the other side of the sky, âThatâs another me!â