Facing the Solar Ray System, ZAFT's three fleets resembled a massive block of cheese pierced by a thick, scorching iron rod. The central main fleet lted into molten tal within re seconds.
Only the ships at the periphery survived, as Une had refrained from adjusting the Solar Ray System's angle to sweep across the battlefield, fearing collateral damage to the flanking forces. Once ZAFT's main fleet was completely obliterated, she shut down the solar reflector.
However, the remaining forces, having regained their senses, had lost all will to fight. Out of several hundred warships, nearly ninety percent had been annihilated in a single strike. Combined with earlier losses, the few dozen surviving vessels—many of which were transports and supply ships—were hardly enough to mount any resistance.
Moreover, the captains of ZAFT's remaining ships couldn't even determine how many friendly forces were left. With the fleet hollowed out, the peripheral vessels once again found themselves in complete communication blackout.
The aftermath of the Solar Ray System's sweep had also left the battlefield's thermal signatures in chaos, rendering the surviving ships effectively blind and deaf.
Seeing that the enemy had lost the will to fight, Reid considered that these survivors could likely be exchanged for substantial concessions from PLANT after the war. It would also help ease Athrun, Kira, and Lacus's concerns, preventing them from intervening if he pursued the fleeing remnants.
Thus, Reid directly contacted the command room of the Barge and ordered:
"Une, have the Mobile Dolls cut off the enemy's retreat, then disable their engines to force a surrender. Only offer once—if they resist or try to stall, shoot them down imdiately.
Also, recall Ange's right flank to defend the Star Palace Colony Satellite. The Earth Alliance forces are still watching from nearby. While it's unlikely they'll attack—they're probably just waiting to scavenge—I need to drive them off first."
After a brief mont of consideration, Une responded:
"Mr. Brian can handle the surrender negotiations on the frontlines. ZAFT has no fight left in them, and even if they resist, the Barge and our main forces can easily deal with them.
I think Ange should head to the Satellite Cannon to monitor the Eternal. I'll lead the troops back to Star Palace to reinforce our defenses. There's no guarantee the ZAFT commander didn't send forces to flank us before the battle began, and our Mobile Suit garrison at the Star Palace Colony Satellite is thin.
Reid, when you confront the Earth Alliance later, take Noin's unit with you. Otherwise, they probably won't retreat so easily."
Reid agreed with Une's assessnt. After regrouping with Noin's forces, he imdiately turned toward the spectating Earth Alliance fleet.
At that mont, the Earth Alliance observers were still reeling in stunned silence.
None of them had expected the battle to end in such a manner.
Since this fleet had rushed from the Moon, the Dominion and Muruta Azrael were naturally among them.
The first to recover from the shock was Muruta Azrael—though he looked as if he were high on sothing, wildly pointing at the now-deactivated solar reflector array on the screen and shouting excitedly:
"Did you see that?! What is this! How could there be such an amazing thing! Hahahaha, Reid Isaac, you truly are my lucky star!! This surprise is incredible!! Captain Bargiruel, you're quite familiar with Reid Isaac, aren't you? How many of these superweapons can we get our hands on?"
Bargiruel looked at the Solar Ray System with deep concern. A weapon of mass destruction like this instinctively felt like sothing that shouldn't belong on the battlefield.
However, since Muruta Azrael had asked, she opted for a cautious response:
"Clearly, these are solar ray reflectors designed for Colony Satellites. I don't know if Reid has made any special modifications to them. The principle is simple—just elentary-level optics. But turning them into weapons probably isn't that straightforward."
Azrael pondered her words briefly and quickly grasped the idea. He decided they'd have to test it later to see if it could be used against PLANT's holand.
Just as Azrael was about to ask Bargiruel more about the Solar Ray System's practical battlefield applications, the CIC of the Archangel suddenly reported:
"Captain, part of the New Misurugi Republic's forces have abruptly turned toward us. The lead unit is an MS previously spotted at the Alaska base."
Bargiruel imdiately understood the New Misurugi Republic's intentions and commanded:
"Order the fleet to retreat. We're too close to the Star Palace Colony Satellite. At this distance, we could easily be perceived as a threat or provocation. They're coming to drive us away after finishing off ZAFT!"
Her judgnt was correct. Normally, an Earth Alliance fleet with no advantage to gain would withdraw—especially since this fleet, hastily assembled from the Moon, had fewer ships and Mobile Suits than the New Misurugi Republic's forces.
A surprise attack might have been feasible, but facing the triumphant New Misurugi Republic head-on was unwise. And who could guarantee that the solar ray cannon, which had just annihilated ZAFT's fleet in seconds, wouldn't turn and take a shot at them next?
But the problem was that Muruta Azrael was aboard—an eccentric who refused to follow logic. Upon hearing the order, he imdiately objected:
"Retreat? Why retreat? Reid Isaac has won and dealt a heavy blow to ZAFT's fleet. We should go congratulate him! I even want to attend the victory banquet at the Star Palace Colony Satellite!"
Bargiruel, focused on her duty, didn't care about his status—especially since Azrael wasn't her superior. She shot back bluntly:
"Councilman Azrael, do you usually bring an entire fleet when visiting friends for a banquet? Also, given your... unique background, and the fact that the New Misurugi Republic has Coordinator immigrants, you might not be the most welco guest there."
Her words left Azrael speechless. He fud inwardly, thinking this female captain had absolutely no tact or emotional intelligence.
Still, as always, Azrael had so patience for capable Naturals—especially those on his side. As long as they weren't deliberately targeting him, he tried to appear reasonable.
So, suppressing his anger, he replied:
"Very well, have the other fleets withdraw to areas that won't provoke the New Misurugi Republic. The Archangel will remain. Captain Badgiruel, you're an old acquaintance of Reid Isaac's—he probably won't shoot you down outright.
I'd also like to exchange a few words with Reid Isaac. Surely he won't refuse that."
Badgiruel deeply resented Muruta Azrael's attempt to exploit her relationship with Reid, but she had no choice. With orders from above, she couldn't outright reject Azrael's relatively reasonable demands.
Thus, Badgiruel issued another command:
"The Archangel will hold position. All other vessels are to withdraw imdiately to the Fourth Cosmic Era Zone."
This ti, Muruta Azrael raised no objections, and the Earth Alliance warships swiftly retreated from the Fifth Cosmic Era Zone, falling back to the Fourth.
Seeing the Earth Alliance forces withdraw so cooperatively upon his arrival, Reid slowed his approach, giving them ample ti to retreat—a gesture that preserved dignity on both sides.
However, when he noticed the Archangel remained, Reid guessed that either Badgiruel or Muruta Azrael had sothing to discuss with him.
So, feigning ignorance, Reid accelerated his Mobile Suit toward the Archangel's bridge in an instant. He didn't raise his weapon, rely pressing the suit's hand against the bridge's outer hull before speaking:
"Earth Alliance's new Archangel-class warship—why has this vessel not withdrawn when all others have? This is the territory of the New Misurugi Republic. If you do not retreat, I will exercise our right to territorial self-defense and sink you."
At his words, Badgiruel imdiately responded:
"Reid Isaac, this is Captain Natarle Badgiruel of the Earth Alliance Forces' Archangel. Muruta Azrael, Director of the Earth Alliance Defense Industries Association, is aboard this ship. He wishes to speak with you, which is why we remain."
Hearing this, Reid confird it was indeed Azrael stirring trouble. Deliberately ignoring him, he instead warmly said:
"Oh, so it's you, Natarle! I didn't expect you to be promoted to captain after your transfer from Alaska Base—congratulations! Though now isn't the ti, or I'd invite you to visit the Star Palace for a tour."
His words made it sound as if there were so improper history between him and Badgiruel. The key point was that Badgiruel didn't deny it—her face rely flushed slightly before she quickly interjected:
"Reid, it's Director Azrael who wants to speak with you, not ."
In truth, Muruta Azrael wasn't angered by Reid ignoring him to address Badgiruel first. Given Reid's earlier feat of single-handedly destroying nearly a third of ZAFT's space forces, Azrael was more than happy to indulge in a little gossip.
So, after Badgiruel finished speaking, Azrael chid in:
"Mr. Reid, I'm in no hurry. If you and Captain Badgiruel wish to catch up, by all ans, take your ti. After all, I've long heard of your... eventful romantic life. But for an exceptional Natural like yourself, that's a virtue—the more descendants you have, the better for humanity. In fact, I have a few sisters myself. Perhaps I could introduce them to you soday."
Azrael's words left Reid speechless. Did this man really think of him as so kind of stud?
Reid didn't bother catching up with Bargiruel either, quickly changing the subject as he asked,
"Director Azrael, Natarle ntioned that you stayed behind specifically to see . What exactly is this about? The war between the New Misurugi Republic and PLANT isn't over yet, so I'm afraid I don't have much ti to entertain you."
Muruta Azrael didn't bother mocking Reid for having ti to chat with a beautiful captain but not for serious discussions—after all, he wouldn't be in a good mood either if soone interrupted him while flirting. So Muruta Azrael got straight to the point:
"Actually, it's nothing major. I just wanted to propose that when the ti cos for the New Misurugi Republic to counterattack, even if you don't join the Earth Alliance, I believe we can still cooperate on the issue of fighting PLANT."
Reid imdiately understood that Muruta Azrael was still trying to drag him onto his pirate ship. He sneered in response,
"That won't be necessary. After today's battle, ZAFT doesn't seem all that impressive. Director Azrael, by the way, I've already wiped out a third of ZAFT's space forces, while you've achieved nothing. At this rate, will our dinner appointnt in PLANT even happen?"
Muruta Azrael instantly recognized Reid's provocation—he wanted the Earth Alliance to prove its strength by engaging ZAFT in a major battle, paving the way for the New Misurugi Republic's subsequent offensive.
If this were a high-ranking officer from the Earth Alliance Forces being provoked like this, they wouldn't even bother responding, thinking, "Reid Isaac, are you out of your mind trying to use the Earth Alliance as cannon fodder?"
But Muruta Azrael actually welcod it. What was the Azrael Conglorate? The primary military supplier for the Atlantic Federation.
An expanded war would benefit him—why would Muruta Azrael oppose it? As for the soldiers who would die, that was the Atlantic Federation governnt's problem, not his.
So Muruta Azrael responded with a smile,
"Good provocation. I accept. Reid, our agreent still stands. Just wait and see—for a blue and pure world, the Earth Alliance will surely win this war."
After speaking, Muruta Azrael added,
"Captain Bargiruel, my conversation with Reid is over. Do you have anything to add? If not, let's withdraw as well."
Bargiruel naturally wouldn't engage in further conversation with Reid at this point and simply ordered,
"Archangel, change course. We're withdrawing to the Fourth Cosmic Era Zone as well."
Hearing that the Archangel was leaving, Reid didn't try to stop them. Now wasn't the ti to bring Bargiruel back—he could let the bullet fly a little longer.
So Reid piloted the Hers Zero away from the Archangel's bridge, retreating to a safe distance before watching it turn and disappear from the cara's range.
With the Archangel gone, Reid naturally regrouped and returned to the Star Palace Colony Satellite. The battlefield still needed cleanup—tal wreckage had to be recovered as raw materials for the Factory Module to replenish the Mobile Dolls. After that, the next phase of the Show Sword Plan would begin.
anwhile, along the Archangel's retreat path to the Fourth Cosmic Era Zone, a ZAFT-standard escape pod suddenly appeared, broadcasting a distress signal on all channels.
"I'm Katz Baskerk, a Natural! I have secrets that could end the war! Soone please save !!"
Reid would actually be quite surprised to learn Katz Baskerk appeared here, because Reid never paid attention to this insignificant figure among Kira's companions—especially since he'd left the ship midway.
Yet his appearance here was partly Reid's fault.
Katz Baskerk had disembarked from the Archangel before the Orb war. Knowing Orb might not hold out long against the Atlantic Federation, he imdiately took his family to the evacuation point upon hearing about the New Misurugi Republic's civilian evacuation. He thought being at least acquainted with Reid might help, and from what he'd witnessed, the New Misurugi Republic seed more reliable than Orb.
Unfortunately, though Katz was part of Kira's team at Heliopolis Industrial College, his skills were diocre, and he couldn't cite any concrete achievents. As for his claim of being an Archangel crew mber, the officials dismissed it as bragging.
Before Katz, countless others had fabricated stories about knowing Reid to board the ships. So the registration officers didn't believe a single word he said.
Consequently, Katz and his family were sent to the Oceania Union instead, where Creuset—who was preparing to return to PLANT—took notice of him, replacing Flay's original role.
As for why this escape pod ended up here... While Creuset wasn't involved in this campaign against the New Misurugi Republic, as a covert operations commander, he certainly had the authority to quietly observe.
After witnessing the might of the Solar Ray System, he naturally wanted to fan the flas of war. The more weapons of mass destruction, the better—only then could humanity destroy itself.
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