Chapter 39: Love that Can Be Conveyed
V2 flew at high speed against the sea, and the airflow brought up by its movement cut a shallow wound on the Atlantic Ocean. Now it was a headwind, the MS adjusted its posture to minimize the intercept area, only at a time like this would Ade envy the Zeta Gundam which could turn into a plane.
No one spoke in the cockpit. Ade felt ill in his heart, and Lacus also seems distracted. But now there was no time to sort out his mood. He knew that with Uraki's ZakuⅢ, it was impossible to stop Freedom Gundam in any case. Creuset would have sent the nuclear-powered Freedom to continue the pursuit. And since Freedom Gundam's maximum speed is a little faster than his own, it's only a matter of time before he was caught up.
Analyzing rationally, there are two options now. One is to assume that Uraki has failed, and there are Freedom plus a number of Zakus chasing after them. In this case, he could only continue to run and pray that they can fly to Australia before they are caught up. The second is to believe that Uraki can intercept the Zakus. In this case, he can turn around and try to solve Freedom, or continue to run.
He didn't know the distance between Freedom and himself, and now that the sun was almost down, it would be very bad for him if he happened to be caught up at night - he had no experience in night fighting at all. Besides, the later the battle starts, the less energy V2 would have left, so it was better to take the initiative in his own hands than to sit back and wait for death.
The most important reason is, he wants to believe Uraki. He's the legendary Phantom ACE! How could he let himself down?
He has now seen multiple ACEs and has a clearer idea of his position. His own fighting level was miserable and below average, while his shooting level was excellent, a little higher than any other ACE he had seen. Moreover, V2 has very good compatibility with him.
He doesn't know if Athrun has obtained the S.E.E.D (Superior Evolutionary Element Destined-factor). If he hasn't, there's nothing to worry about except the energy disadvantage. But he now does not know what exactly the S.E.E.D is. Shinn has not learned it and there is no other reference.
"Lacus, now we will turn back to stop the enemy. If the enemy is more than just Freedom, we're screwed. If the enemy is only Freedom, take care of yourself and be careful not to get a concussion." Then he suddenly thought of something and blurted out, "The enemy's pilot is Athrun, can you try …"
"… thanks. I understand what you mean." Lacus's voice sounded a little lonely, and Ade didn't dare to look at her, "Thank you for trusting my abilities so much, I'll try my best."
An eerie silence fell over the cockpit. He was just full of Uraki in his mind, and subconsciously said the plan he felt was the most feasible, only to realize after he said it that such a statement might be a bit hurtful.
He stole a glance at the young girl beside him, the single figure looked fragile and lonely, making him feel guilty. But now he must use all that can be used. He consoled himself with this.
It didn't take long for Freedom to appear in the field of vision. His decision was correct. Freedom fired a few random shots, V2 dodged the shots, and Lacus struggled to keep her balance in the shaking.
"Is the pilot in Freedom Gundam Athrun?" Her voice appeared on the public channel.
"Lacus! You're really in there!" Athrun magically stopped moving as expected and hovered silently in mid-air. This at least indicated that there were no other pursuers, "Why would you do such a thing? Why would you betray PLANT?"
"Do you really believe I would betray PLANT, Athrun?" The young girl's voice was confused with a hint of trembling, bringing out the feelings of being hurt by the suspicion of her best friend, "I thought you were the only one who believed in me."
"I wanted to believe you, too! But Captain Creuset said the evidence was clear, and even Uncle Clyne didn't deny it." Athrun sounded distressed, "How do you expect me to believe you now that you're running away with this man?"
"Can't you see that?" Ade didn't bother to look, and just by listening to the voice, he brainstormed a crying figure, "I was framed, and so was my father. We've known each other for so many years, don't you know exactly what kind of father and daughter we are?"
"Then go back and say it clearly! I will help you, and I will convince my father to help you. Uncle Clyne was shot down because he resisted, why don't you understand! "
"… What? You said my father was shot down by …?"
"Yes, he was shot on the spot for trying to escape during the escort! Don't make the same mistake, why don't you come back with me? I will protect you!"
What, Clyne is dead?
Ade couldn't help but look at Lacus with worry. The young girl's eyes widened and her chest rose and fell violently until she noticed his gaze. She made an "I'm fine" gesture, closed her eyes, and took a few deep breaths, and when she opened her eyes, she turned into a pitiful look again.
"You don't know yet, do you? The order for me is shoot-to-kill, there is no chance to explain. It was Char Aznable who gave the order, and there was nothing Uncle Zala could do about it." The tone was so heartbreaking, "Instead of going back to be humiliated, it would be better to die here. Athrun, if you want to shoot, go ahead, I won't resist."
"How can I want to shoot! But… I can't help it!" Athrun's anxiousness literally came from the other end of the channel, "I'm a ZAFT soldier, it's an order from the army! It's all I can do!"
"Athrun, I never thought you were just an ordinary ZAFT soldier." The sorrowful voice took on a hint of determination again, expressing trust in the other party, "Do you remember what we said by Junius 7? Why exactly did you become a pilot of Freedom Gundam? What the hell are you going to do with this great power of yours? What kind of person would Aunt Zala want you to be if she were still around?"
"But … but …!" Athrun seemed to have completely forgotten about Ade's existence and was engrossed in the conversation with Lacus, "What should I do?"
"The so-called freedom is the act of making a choice by one's own will without being forced by others. Athrun, you are too gentle." Lacus said in the same gentle tone, "Uncle Zala must have wanted you to grow up one day to be a person who has the courage to make the right decision, a person who has his own strong will like him, so he let you become Freedom's pilot."
There is no logic in Lacus' words in Ade's eyes, and she herself must have been unaware of it, but she knew better that these illogical words were useful.
"I…" Does it really work?
"Use your own will to decide it." Lacus sounded like she was smiling gently, "If your will is to shoot me, I'll take it with a smile."
"I … damn it!" Freedom Gundam began to turn around at Ade's shocked look, "I'll report that I lost you. Lacus, please don't make me regret it."
The result was too shocking. Even as the person who came up with the idea, Ade never thought it would go as well as this. He originally only intended to lend Lacus to weaken the opposite side's fighting spirit and improve the win rate, but now he was directly dissuaded?
What he understood was probably Athrun's weak character, lack of initiative, contempt for troop discipline, suspected affection for Lacus, and perhaps some other factors he didn't see. But Lacus perfectly acted with her voice alone, making the most of these factors and finally achieving a miraculous effect.
"… That's enough, right?"
Listening to Lacus's sullen voice, Ade remembered that she had just learned of her father's death. What should I say to comfort her at a time like this? Thank you? That's stupid. He clumsily didn't know how to organize his words, and could only drive V2 towards his target in silence.
He remembered again that Athrun had come alone, which meant that Uraki had really succeeded. Thinking about Uraki, he soon had no more energy to think about Lacus.
After flying for some time, the sun finally disappeared completely at the end of the sea level, and the distant topography could no longer be seen. There is no artificial light above the vast sea, only the sky is full of stars.
There was not much power left, and it would be suicide to rush blindly in the dark without seeing his destination. He estimated in his heart, he should have reached not far north of Papua New Guinea by now, and should be able to find the nearest land when the sun comes out.
V2 gradually slowed down. The South Pacific is full of small islands with tall trees. He searched for a while, chose an island to start descending. V2 circled around the island. Not to mention the beasts, he didn't even see any larger animals. He finally lowered V2 to land under the tall trees in the center of the island, which was densely vegetated and would have been a good cover.
Ade skillfully fumbled around in the cockpit, quickly finding compressed cookies, drinking water, a torch, and insect repellent. it was common knowledge that the MS pilot always carried a wilderness survival kit, and he stuffed even more in Hyzenthlays, which Alice complained about many times.
Lacus has been silent since Athrun left. Even when he landed, she didn't ask what he was doing, until then she suddenly spoke, "I want to go down for a walk."
"… Ok." He also needed to tidy up his mood.
He manipulated V2 to sort out a clearing on the ground, then pulled a trench along the clearing with his beam saber, put Lacus into the circle, followed it down himself, and finally sprinkled a circle of insect repellent around the trench. After doing all this, Ade turned around and saw Lacus with her side to himself, looking up at the sky. Starlight spilling through the trees on her face, reflecting a despondent look.
"It's time for me to tell you the information I have, so that our deal is over." She didn't look this way, as if she was talking to herself, "I won't bother Ade-san with what happens after that, I'll solve everything with my almighty acting skills."
Is that the real her in front of me? Or is she gaining my sympathy?
"Ade-san really knows me well enough to come up with such a good solution in such a critical situation." She slightly inclined her head to look at him and gave a soft laugh, "I am also satisfied with my performance today, ah, probably the pinnacle of my acting life, right? Mr. Ade also got to know me better through today's thing, right?"
"No …" he was just worrying about Uraki and said something without thinking too much.
"There's no need to explain, I understand it all. I should have understood it long ago, isn't it natural that this would happen?" She turned around despondently and looked to the sky, "It's just … just that I lost my father today and want to cry sadly, can you not look at me for a moment? If you can't do that, then please turn around, at least don't let me see, can you?"
Which is crueler, turning around or not turning around at such a time? He didn't know how to choose, and could only stand blankly in place.
The young girl stood quietly with her back to him for a moment, and when she turned around, two tear tracks were already on her face.
"Why?" She asked softly, taking a step in front of Ade, "At least it's not too much to pretend to say 'I believe you' at a time like this, right?"
I really can't tell the difference.
"If you're too bad to act, then turn around, please don't look at me with that kind of eyes!"
But I'm sad too.
"If you want to be sad, go over there and cry. I have the right to be sad too!"
Teardrops kept pouring out from the young girl's eyes like a broken thread, dripping on the ground.
"Or what? Am I acting now too? Yes, my father died, it's a good time to use his death to gain your sympathy, and by crying a little bit, a pure-hearted man like Ade-san will be moved at once, right?" Lacus somewhat hysterically covered her chest, "All acting, all using, all fake, I am this kind of woman, are you satisfied?!"
He turned his face sideways.
"What's wrong? Look at me! Or do you like to see this?" The young girl put her left hand on his chest and made a sultry sound, "Ade-san, you're all I have left! Please, please don't abandon me, I'll do anything for you~"
What have I done? …
"I can act this too! Isn't that enough? There is something cheaper to see." She reached out her hand--
"- Enough!" He grabbed her hand hard as the young girl stared stubbornly at him, tears still desperately pouring out of her eyes. He looked straight into her reddened eyes, "… I believe you."
Lacus struggled, was not able to pull his hand out. Finally, she seemed to have lost all her strength, helplessly flung herself on Ade's chest and let out a cry.
"Dad, he, he …" the young girl sobbed, "he is… dead… ah …"
The young girl is not tall, and her face is just to his chest. He felt the warmth on his chest, overwhelmed with hesitation for a moment, and finally reached out and gently patted the young girl's back, trying to make her feel better. By comforting others, it seemed to make him feel a little better himself.
He doesn't know how long it took, but the girl's cry gradually turned into sobs, and gradually became too soft to be heard.
"Ade-san," the girl took a deep breath and finally lifted her head up, "I'm sorry about Uraki-san."
"It's not your fault, the responsibility is mine."
"… That sentence just now, can you say it again?"
It was dark all around, and he couldn't distinguish the young girl's expression even by the starlight, but that didn't matter.
"I believe you."
