2024-10-04: Flight to Tomorrow

• Cast: Cagalli Yula Athha, Shinn Asuka, Murrue Ramius, Soma Peries, Rena Lancaster, Flay Allster, Ruri Hoshino, Lilium Valerie, Al, Anita Rosetta, Lacus Clyne, Ryoko Subaru, Marian Cross, Kira Yamato (NPC), Murasaki El-Amari (Cameo)
• Where: The Wedding - Orb
• Date: U.C. 0099 10 04
• Summary: It's Cagalli's big day. And a big day it is, as chaos ensued with two different groups carrying out their own plans separately to kidnap Cagalli from her own wedding with the best of intentions.

---

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

It's Cagalli's big day, but there's not a glow on her face. The wedding dress is prepared, her hair being brushed and makeup being put on her. Weddings are supposed to be a joyous occasion. Romantic. Even special. Yet the makeup artist is finding none of those feelings on Cagalli's face.

Despite the best efforts of certain groups and individuals to avert the wedding, destiny still had its way.

She has a letter written - while she still had the freedom to - she gives to her caretaker to be passed along. A voiceless whisper hoping that Athrun could find it in his heart to forgive her.

        Kira, Lacus,

        I'm sorry. I was hoping I could come and talk to you two in person, but I can't travel as freely as I used to.

        You should both know that Orb will be joining NUNE by now. I'm getting ready to marry Yuna Roma, and I'm now living at the Seiran residence in preparation for it.

        I know this is all very sudden, but it can't be helped, given Orb's situation after the Junius Seven attack.

        Right now, the nation needs a strong and dependable leader that the people can trust.

        I'm not sure how Orb will move into the future in this world. But I want Orb to continue being the bridge of co-existence between Naturals and Coordinators.

        I'm powerless to change anything. But even so, I'm still responsible for doing what must be done as Orb's Chief Representative.

        Enclosed in this letter is the ring Athrun's given me.

        I don't want it to be taken away from me, but I can't keep it either. Getting rid of it is the last thing I want to do.

        I'm sorry to ask this of you, but could either of you do me a favor and return it to Athrun when he comes back?

        I hate to do this without even talking to you two about it properly, but please.

        This has to be done so our people can live peacefully and happily.

....



The bride steps into the foyer of the Seiran mansion. Some maids leading her down the stairs as they keep her wedding dress prim and proper. A veil over her face, barely hiding her distaste for looking like a clown. Each step she takes heavier than the last.

She couldn't take her eyes off the floor, but faces of nobles and officials dressed in their finest suits and dresses surround her. Many faces she would recognize wearing cheery, expectant smiles if she looked up. Not all of them are genuine, perhaps. But the smiles of Yuna Roma Seiran and Unato Ema Seiran certainly are. How could they not? One's the groom and the other's his father. The joined houses will exert more influence than ever. Orb will firmly be theirs, and they will finally join the larger Earth Sphere as one of NUNE's members.

Yuna hums when he inspects Cagalli closely, "mmm! You look beautiful, Cagalli. But...it's a shame about your hair. You should think about growing it out. I prefer girls with longer hair."

She managed to turn away from his hand with pursed lips. She couldn't bare her fangs at him with so many people watching and on such a momentous occasion. But her anger soon returned to a woeful rumination... This is the man she'll be spending the rest of her life with.

....



        "One kills because another is killed! Then gets killed because they kill... How the hell is that going to bring us peace?!"

She recall words she yelled at Athrun in the past. Even now...perhaps especially now...she can't get Athrun out of her mind. Those were the words her father taught her. Words she's living by to this day. 'Was this really the right thing to do...?' Sudden doubts crosses her mind as she's paraded down the road to the wedding venue.

The entire world is watching and looking forwards to the royal state wedding from the sides, from their homes, phones, and even on old radios. The entire event is broadcasted worldwide. If they haven't learned about Orb signing the treaty to join NUNE on such a monumental day, they would have by now.

Those sudden doubts are swiftly dissuaded when Yuna - clearly concerned for her well-being - nudged her. "Smile and wave, Cagalli," he tells her. His hand raising to wave at the crowd out the car.

...Cagalli, of course, raises her own to match, waving and smiling at her people enthusiastically.

It's a smile she puts on with her utmost, as tears of joy run down her face.

Tears of joy...? Surely not. But it would seem that way to the cameras.

....



The groom and bride walk down the aisle. Red carpet all the way up the stone steps to the peak where the arbor stands. This is a venue constructed specifically for the wedding. The Seirans spared no expense. Bright blue sky with little clouds, stone columns wrapped in vines, and of course, enough chairs to house everyone important in Orb's politics. Cagalli's uncle is here, even if he's resigned from politics. The rest of the major noble houses of Seiran, Sahaku, Peacelands, Centrum are here too. As are many more major figures of the Senate. It's almost enough to forget millions of people just died a month ago under such perfect weather for a regal wedding.

It's not enough for some people. People who have the interest of Earth Sphere's safety in mind more than a frivolous state wedding.

People with differing ideals of what it means to keep the Earth Sphere safe are here.

There's the Gaia Sabers, tasked with defending the wedding as a sign of cooperation. And just on the coast where their main task force is stationed for the event, spots a white legged ship in the distance. And from it, a little blue sparkle. A little sparkle slowly growing to look more like an ember... And in a split second, that ember turns into a blur and shoots past them before the alarm is even raised. It wasn't a beam or a shell.

It's a Gundam of ZAFT origins. It's fast, evidently. And its pilot, even more skilled, as it disables one-by-one, Orb NDF and Nergal security forces that scrambled to respond further inland. The Freedom Gundam is disabling them. Accurately shooting their main sensors, weapons, or limbs without destroying the machines and killing the soldiers within.

And while Gaia Saber is distracted by the incoming warship, with the Freedom trying to break through Orb and Nergal forces inland, there's a lull in security off the opposite side of the venue across a similarly vast ocean. An opportunity for those who have Cagalli's best intentions in mind to infiltrate from.

The alarms are raised at this point. People in the venue are murmuring about and asking questions. But it won't be long before the nobles and officials are escorted out of here as the fighting starts.

<Pose Tracker> Shinn Asuka has posed.

"Sir, do you believe this is a good idea" Rey was calm but there was a hint of worry in his voice. "I should really be there with him."

"It will be fine. Mr. Asuka is certainly capable of handling this task by himself." Gilbert Durandal was cordial, smiling to himself as he stared at his computer screen. "After all, we can consider this use of our personnel as a gift for the lovely couple and perhaps NUNE itself. After all, Mr. Asuka is bound to make an impression they won't forget and pick up a few tidbits of information..." Durandal looked over his data pad, scanning some mysterious report. What did he know that Rey didn't? What could be going on here?

So how was Shinn Asuka? At the moment of the wedding, the boy was dressed in a rather fetching black suit and bowtie, matched by a pair of sunglasses that made him look very "my first day as a spy". He was aware of the other security, just as much as they were aware of the Minerva's pilot being offered up as another member of the detail. That didn't mean that he was seen as a respectable member of the team. Nor did Shinn act like he was.

In his ear, rather than chatter, a pop song lightly played as the boy patrolled the most dangerous part of the wedding, the refreshment table. Shinn was ready to make sure that this expensive food got to where it needed to: his stomach. A mission befitting his skill set.

Shinn stopped at a rather fancy looking hors d'oeuvres station, snatching one quickly before anyone noticed. He plopped it into his mouth, stopping as the salty taste met his tongue. Without a thought in the world, Shinn quickly removed the morsel from his mouth and placed it back on the tray, hoping no one saw this cardinal sin. He had to get rid of it somehow. As if on cue, Shinn met eyes with a disapproving stare from an old man who Shinn was certain was from the groom's side of the aisle. Maybe the father? The black haired boy smirked back without a care in the world. In his mind, this was him trying to just enjoy this wonderful day for his least favorite person in the world. If some old guy didn't understand that, he could go to hell.

Later. As the couple are walking down the aisle, Shinn has found his own love, the wedding cake. It was huge and Shinn wondered what flavor it could be. As the wedding watched the happy moment, Shinn looked from left to right, extending a finger to take a taste of frosting. If he had to be here, then he was going to enjoy it. Consider it Shinn getting one over on these Orbies...Orbites? Citizens of Orb? It didn't matter, if Shinn was going to be here, he was going to make sure he enjoyed himself.

The alarm makes Shinn shift, plopping his arm through the back of the cake. He widens his eyes, both in discovery of the flavor on his arm and in horror that this was probably going to go back to his commander.

Still, the alarm meant trouble and Shinn needed to do something before these rich people got hurt due to another of the Athha's fanciful shows of decadence. He reached to his pocket, turning off the music and radioing his ship. "I need to Core Splendor launched! We got a situation at the wedding."

"Shinn, it's under maintenance! Whats going on!"

"An enemy mobile suit just deployed at the wedding! Uhh...Wait, I think I found something!"

"Shinn? Shinn?! What are you doing?"

KTS: Shinn Asuka has deployed in GPB-04B Beargguy.
KTS: Ryoko Subaru has deployed in Aestivalis - Aerial Combat Frame (Ryoko Ver.).
KTS: EN Barrier activated!
KTS: Murrue Ramius has deployed in LCAM-01XA Archangel Assault Ship.

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

"Ma'am, we're approaching our planned launch point. Still trying to get specific numbers on the defenses but the scanner is showing at least a few GN-X's and NUNE atmospheric warships." Dalida reported from his Sensor Suite on the platform above and behind the Archangel's command chair. Half a day has passed since the Archangel covertly slipped from its home beneath Akatsuki Manor, maintaining a silent passage beneath the churning waters of the Orb Archipelago. Her motley crew had reunited once more, all with a risky task ahead of them.

To Murrue's surprise, when she told the reunited crew what their mission was, not a single person backed out. She supposed that was what they called loyalty, either to her or Cagalli, who of course managed to get all of them new homes in Orb after their defection at Alaska. As the Archangel made her way towards the venue of the wedding, to Murrue's surprise the surface fleets of Orb's navy seemed to continually break off after making what should have been obvious sonar contact. If she had to guess...there were probably more than a few task force commanders unhappy with the upcoming accession to NUNE, who didn't have the capabilities to do something about it.

"Thank you Dalida." Murrue replied, before picking up the handset on her chair and bringing it to her ear. "Action stations, action stations. Alert One through the ship." Muffled by the steel doors and bulkheads, the chime of the Archangel's alarm began to drone at a steady pace. Throughout the ship, the crewmembers and pilots preparing to launch scrambled to their posts, sealed the bulkheads and quickly began to report ready. In her seat, Murrue exhaled once more. It wasn't an exhale of anxiety, far from it. It was a chilling but beautiful sensation, one that covered her skin in goosebumps. It was her element. Her command. Her chair, her ship. Reunited with an old friend once more.

"Murrue looked up and back to the brown haired teenager sitting behind the Archangel's communications chair. "Miriallia, patch me through to Ensign Yamato, please." "Yes ma'am!" Miriallia replied cheerily, quickly tapping away at the comms console. Up on the main display, head helmeted, sat the pilot of the Freedom Gundam.

""NUNE forces look to be in place, Kira. Are you ready?"

""Yes! I'll leave them to you, Captain! I'll be going straight for Cagalli!"

"Hanging up the handset, Murrue settled back in her chair. "Arnold...surface the ship."

"At Arnold's nod, the Archangel began to gently angle nose up, its massive, hulking form breaching the waves like a leviathan of old, the water crashing down from its hull back to the sea, the armour gleaming in the mid-day sun. The right legs doors began to slide open, and the mag-rail launch system extended outwards.

"The ace pilot braces himself, hands firm on the controls

""Kira Yamato, Freedom, launching!"

"As the Gundam makes its exit, the thrusters burns to maximum, and blitz pass NUNE forces before it gets intercepted inland

"As the Freedom flies off into the distance, Murrue's brow tenses just a bit. If all goes well it should be a matter of slipping in, snatching Cagalli, and an equally rapid retreat. Slip into the deep and out into international waters, where they could plan their next move.

""Ma'am, radar contact, bearing 330it'ssizable"

KTS: Ruri Hoshino is now subpiloting for Ryoko Subaru.
KTS: Murrue_Ramius has deployed as a Boss for 4 opponents.

<Pose Tracker> Soma Peries has posed.

        One of the Gaia Sabers vessels that is part of the main task force anchored off the coast of Orb is the Vespula. A Bering-class aircraft carrier. It's currently serving as the carrier for the Gaia Sabers 2nd Advanced Response Team. Guard duty for a wedding is not really within their mandate, which is why they aren't currently out in their machines watching over it.

        Instead the pilots of the squad are in the pilots' ready room aboard the carrier, passing the time while they are on standby. Just in case something unusual does happen that requires them to respond. A few of the pilots are watching the wedding broadcast on a large screen. As Cagalli and Yuna appear to walk the aisle, there is some talk amongst the watching pilots.

        "Wow, she's actually kind of cute in that dress."
        "Hah, like you have a chance."
        "I don't know, that Seiran guy doesn't look like much. I'm sure I have him beat."
        "Except for the fact he's a rich Orb nobleman and you're a lukeless pilot."
        "Is it just me or does she not look that thrilled to be at her own wedding?"
        "To be fair I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be if I was marrying that guy."
        "That's what I'm saying! Put me next to him and I'm loads better by comparison. What do you think, Lieutenant?"

        First Lieutenant Soma Peries looks up from the data tablet she's reading towards the pilot in question. She's gotten used to interacting with those under her command, finding a good balance between personable and authoritative. The former being important for morale, the latter for maintaining her role as their leader. Which is why it only takes her a beat before responding in her usual stoic tone, "Not a chance."

        The delivery appears to go well as all but the pilot being teased laugh, the man himself simply pouting at the dismissal. As her squad goes back to watching the wedding and joking, Soma ruminates on the answer she had given. One she believed to be truthful, based on what she had gathered from her meeting with the Representative. A brief one for sure, but enough for Soma to get a good feel for the woman behind the title.

        Thinking back to that meeting, Soma looks up to the screen as well, watching the bride and groom walk down the aisle. Soma murmurs quietly, "I suppose she wasn't able to make her own destiny..."

        A feeling suddenly flashes through Soma's mind and she quickly turns her head towards one of the ready room's walls. The direction is away from Orb, out to sea. Abandoning her tablet, Soma quickly stands and walks up to the set of windows lining one side of the room. She looks out expectantly.

        The other pilots in the room begin to notice, turning to watch questioningly. They're all aware of her nature and so wait until she finally says, "Something's coming." She can't sense any hostility specifically. But there's definitely someone out there... Her comment makes all the other pilots tense as they move up to crowd the windows to look too.

        Suddenly there is a blur rushing past, a trail in the water following. A moment later the trailing soundwave hits, rattling the windows and bulkhead of the warship. Several of the pilots flinch in surprise, one asking, "What the hell was that?" It was fast. But with her supersoldier enhanced sight and reactions, Soma saw it. A blue and white mobile suit.

        With a rather distinctive V-fin on its head.

        Soma clenches her fists at the sight, before swinging her arm out and shouting, "Get to your units!" The group of pilots are already rushing out of the room when the alarm officially sounds throughout the ship. Soma herself is also swiftly walking for the exit to head for the hangar, a frown on her face.

        Why did it have to be a Gundam?

KTS: Soma Peries has deployed in GNX-604T Advanced GN-X Rosen.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena Lancaster sits inside of an unfamiliar cockpit.

The Magallanica Defense Force, officially, could not become involved. To deploy the Gaia Gear Alpha would undo all of the work that Cagalli, Eight, and Mineva had done. But after learning from Cagalli what was happening...

After speaking to her and seeing the look in her eyes...

Rena told her she would fight for her home. As it happens, Representative Cagalli is a big part of what makes that home. So Rena sits in an unusual cockpit, typing at the console. "Weapons are go, thrusters are go... the muscular system is go."

She nods once. "And it looks like the AMBAC control suite is working," she says. "I'm sorry if that messes up your data, Al."

She smiles, then hits the throttle. "Here we go," she says. "Nadesico, this is 'Grey,' launching!"

In the darkened hangar, as the thrusters begin to come alive, the machine's visor flashes green.

<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.

"Tsk. Just who does Orb think they're impressing with this kitschy little wedding?" Mutters Flay Allster, whose invitation to this state union likely blurs the line between 'honoured guest' and 'glorified security guard' - she's wearing the uniform of the Gaia Sabers instead of a fancy overpriced dress - which to be fair, the uniform is also fancy and overpriced. "Why do they have to drag it all out this much... if it's the treaty that's really important about all this?"

She can tell from the cameras alone that Cagalli doesn't look happy... but that's just how arranged marriages are, right? It doesn't really matter what kind of man Yuna Rona Seiran is - trading away personal freedom and happiness is just exactly what Flay would expect a 'princess' to do. Would she look at it differently if she knew Cagalli saw her as a genuine friend? ...It's probably better not to think about that, as long as joining NUNE is what will keep Orb safe.

Despite the apparent need for security from the Gaia Sabers, Flay wasn't expecting to actually have to lift a finger - the leaders of Orb probably just arranged it all for a show of force in any case. If someone's going to try and attack a wedding, important as it may be, a month after the world just almost ended... she feels their priorities must seriously be out of order. Because of that, she was given the privilege to 'enjoy herself', but unlike a certain ZAFT pilot... she's not exactly in the right mood.

A blue light in the sky swiftly proves that something is very much wrong, though, alarms blaring in response to a familiar battleship and mobile suit. "Hold on. That's the Freedom..." Flay murmurs, as she makes a dash for the deactivated Strike E, one of the mobile suits standing menacingly over the proceedings. "Kira?" Her fist tightens - he was never going to fly a mobile suit again, so why? "And the Archangel, too! What do they think they're doing?"

This means fighting her former friends, people she still cares about, she reflects, as the startup sequence boots. But maybe she can talk to them... force them to stand down, before Cagalli or anyone else gets hurt. "Flay Allster, Strike, moving to intercept the Archangel!" She announces over the radio. The Strike E, equipped with the Aile pack, prepares to fly off to face what was once meant to be its mothership.

KTS: Flay Allster has deployed in GAT-X105E Aile Strike E Gundam.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        But where's the flagship? Where's the flagship?

        Oh. There's the flagship.

        The Nadesico was not here securing the wedding; it approaches from afar, carrying aloft its Aestivalis Wing and its other pilots. Eight asked them to come here, because Cagalli cried out for help, and so they have come.

        It's... easier, for the Nadesico to be in a place like this. Jun Aoi, the Executive Officer who's technically in charge right now, declares: "Even if it turns hot, we can't fire our weapons on our people in a civilian area like this. Aestivalis wing, we're counting on you."

        "Ryoko Aestivalis and Anita Aestivalis, now launching," Ruri Hoshino confirms, in her usual stoic way.

        "At least my Aestivalis is going to some use," Jun sighs, as he watches the screens and rubs at his hands. "Oh, Yurika...!" He got the IFS implant to protect her... but this is how he can protect her, after all.

        Opening up a channel -- which, in the Nadesico's case, are holographic screens opening up for people to listen to, allowing for two-way audiovisual transmission -- Jun says: "We've come to peacefully watch a happy wedding. It's important to safeguard someone's happiness, isn't it?"

        Another of those holographic windows pops up, in front of Cagalli -- and a brunette woman with painted lips appears, in front of her. Minato Haruka, their helmswoman and one of the kindest women of the bridge, speaks to her: "We heard all about it," and she must know from where, must remember what she's said. "We came to safeguard your wedding... if that's what you want."

        Her level gaze meets Cagalli's, as she asks, gently: "Is that what you want?"

        Say the word.

<Pose Tracker> Lilium Valerie has posed.

On a gantry set up next to a mobile suit covered by tarp, Lilium Valerie is on her lunch break.

Not that she was particularly doing much, considering the circumstances... still, someone had to be watching the horizon. She scans it with her binoculars once again, absent-mindedly chewing on some sandwich.

Waves. Other islands. Metallic white blob. More waves...

She blinks, turning her gaze back to the white glint on the horizon.

Ship-sized. A few kilometers out. Just fired.. no, launched... no, did it fire... She should report this, either way--

Lilium cries out in shock as what she'd later be informed was a Gundam screams overhead, the shockwave from its passage saving her the trouble of having the tarp pulled away from her GN-X. Air raid sirens start to sound across the coastline. A petty officer runs out, yelling something the second lieutenant can barely make out... but the aggressive motions of their marshalling wands give her the gist.

Within half a minute of the Freedom's passage, her cockpit hatch is secure, her helmet is on, and her GN drive is spinning up.

<<Lilium Valerie, GN-X Long Barrel--I'm taking off!>>

The GN-X kicks off into the air, slicing a clear path above the ocean's waves.

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

"Admittedly, changing out the master suit interface for AMBAC suitability was an engineering challenge," Al muses to Rena. "Nonetheless, it should provide useful data." The suit steps up to the edges. "XL-3 booster pack integration, all green. Thrusters working. No maintenance indicators. Weapons mounted. The pilot should please be advised that machine output settings have not been fully tested and current settings may feature higher-than-expected G-factors for an arm slave."

And then a flare of light from the mounted backpack precedes an arm slave bursting into the air. It's a curious unit, not quite bulky, but too thick to call it slender. The arms and legs have highlights in a deep navy, but also trim in the kind of neon-orange you'd usually see on safety tape used to disable training weaponry. The forehead is a wide dome, the eyes a pair of green embers, and where the mouth would be is a small hardpoint, clutching an anti-tank dagger like a ninja holding a mystic scroll. There's a ridge running up the head, taped in the same orange like it might be meant to deploy something. Nothing comes, though. Instead, Al reports:

"ARX-8X Laevatein, designation Early Type. Launch."

KTS: Al has deployed in ARX-8X Laevatein (Early Type).
KTS: Lilium Valerie has deployed in GNX-603T GN-X.
KTS: Rena Lancaster has deployed in ARX-8X Laevatein (Early Type).

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita remembers her talk with Cagalli. She remembers how hopeless she felt about the prospect of the upcoming wedding. Between that, and what it means for Orb... it's only natural that Anita would want to do something.

Fortunately, it seems like she isn't the only one who feels that way. Rena does, and the people of the Nadesico do, too. Anita's certain that Eight would as well, if her position didn't make it risky to be involved directly.

The Magallanica Defense Force can't be connected to this, so the Svipul's out of the question... and so, for that reason, Anita is now seated in the cockpit of an Aestivalis, colored in blue with orange highlights. Technically, this machine is assigned to one Jun Aoi... but since he's busy on the bridge, that means it's open for a pilot.

Still, using someone else's machine comes with additional responsibilities. There'll be hell to pay - and that may be putting it lightly, hell is soft compared to Mr. Prospector's bookkeeping - if she wrecks it. Just one more reason to perform at her best today.

"Sorry." Anita apologises to Jun. "We'll be counting on you up there, too!"

With that, she settles into the cockpit. There's no room for her full EX-Gear, so today, she just has her pilot suit and her helmet. She rests her left hand - bare, to reveal the cybernetic hand - on top of the orb to the side of her seat.

"Initating connection." Anita announces. The visor of her helmet slides over her eyes as her arm makes connection with the Aestivalis's operations - the signals beginning to flow through her body. Anita exhales. It's a strange feeling - the Visual Link System was made with the Svipul in mind, so she wasn't sure it would be compatible. She can feel the signals mix - she's not sure what kind of handshaking is going on right now throughout her cybernetics. If the Visual Link System hadn't been devised with the help of the Nadesico's engineers in the first place, she's not sure this would even work... she'll have to count herself lucky that it does.

The Aestivalis readies itself for launch.

"I'll be in your care today." She says brightly to Ruri and Ryoko, as Ruri announces her. "Right behind you, Grey!"

And with that, Anita's - well, Jun's - Aestivalis launches from the Nadesico's hangar bay.

KTS: Anita Rosetta has deployed in Aestivalis Lunar Frame.
KTS: EN Barrier activated!

<Pose Tracker> Lacus Clyne has posed.

The idea of sortieing in a battle -- not just as the leader of a ship, but as a mobile suit pilot -- gives Lacus some degree of trepidation; it's substantially new territory for her. At the same time, though -- this is Cagalli, someone she fought alongside, someone whose country supported her as she fought to save the soul of her country.

Even now, this is a move that she's inclined to second-guess. At what point are you unilaterally deciding the shape of the world instead of trying to help your friends? Has Lacus crossed that threshold without even noticing?

... War is a complicated thing.

She settles into the cockpit of the EFREET Steward... breathes in... breathes out...

... and says, "EFREET Steward, launching to provide close tactical support."

The die is cast.

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

An Aestivalis launches from the Nadesico and Ruri echoes it, it's red painted head sticking out of the bulky Aerial Frame of Blue and Orange as she replies back to Anita, "Heh, right back'atcha given your reputation. Let's watch both our backs out there... don't worry, for someone like you piloting an Aestie should be like riding a bike."

Ryoko begins the approach low, skimming the water so as not to antagonize Orb airspace until the last possible moment, but she has a visual, magnifying in on the Groom and the Bride walking down the aisle as she flies towards it as she complains towards Anita.

"Man I can't believe I fell for the Representative's whole helpless flower act. 'Oh woe is me I'm so pathetic.'"

Ryoko grips the controls as she grouses over it. "When all along she was planning for us to bail her out!?"

There's an exhalation of breath and a dip of her eyes, "Well we have our orders. Let's just hope she doesn't get cold feet about playing the runaway bride."

Jun may outrank her on the ship but she doesn't give him the same credit as Annie, "Rein it in lover boy, you haven't deployed since before even I came aboard." Where does she get off calling out someone for their feelings for someone else?

Well... apparently she does.

She listens in as Minato makes her appeal, and wonders on it, even as she sees the Freedom streak overhead.

"Is-!?" Before she checks the IFF signal!? "Hey isn't that one of ours!?" Her Holo image appears on the bridge, "What's the deal!? Did they check in with HQ or am I missing something 'Need to Know'?"

All the same, when the moment comes where she'd cross into Wedding Airspace, she doesn't hesitate.

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

Murmuring fills the wedding venue as questions among the guests come abuzz. Nobles and officials looking to each other for answers they don't have. But when they turn around, gazing across the open skies, they would see a battlefield starting to unfold.

The Archangel is coming to a clash with the defenders NUNE provided on the horizon.

And at a distance away from them to the side, the Nadesico and its allies are on fast approach. But not for long as a blur heads towards them...

Closer inland, Orb and Nergal forces are surrounding the Freedom. Even with the Freedom's superior firepower and skills, it's having a hard time breaking through. The defender have the numbers on their side, and with the buildings and infrastructure around, even he cannot shoot haphazardly without risking a stray beam hitting something, or someone, he doesn't intend to. The defenders are not giving the Freedom an inch, but their numbers are slowly being whittled down.

"...Kira? And...the Archangel?" Cagalli questioned at the sight unfolding before everyone.

"Did she say the Archangel?" Someone in the crowd piped up.

"I thought we scuttled that ship!" Another voice.

"What about the Nadesico? What are they doing over there?"

"We should have given the Archangel bac- Are we gonna be oka- What are they doi- Hey hey, what's go- Shoul- For the be-" A simple question soon turn the crowd cacophonous.

Things are getting out of control as the guests begin to leave their seats and soldiers coming up to escort everyone out for safety. Standard procedure. But for Yuna, for his big moment, this was
something he couldn't allow.

A visible bead of sweat slides down his cheek comically. Yuna puts on the calmest voice he could muster, and loudly declares, "everyone! Please calm down! I have things under control! Look! Our forces are keeping that mobile suit at bay! And our Gaia Saber friends will take care of that ship! See?!"

Cagalli herself is more than a little stunned by what's going on. She may have asked some people to blow the venue up, but she never asked Kira or the Archangel to be involved. And they are not seriously considering of blowing the place up while the ceremony is happening, right?!

But a holographic screen appear before her eyes... Minato asks, 'we came to safeguard your wedding... if that's what you want.'

Yuna - standing just besides her - heard everything. "Yes! Yes! You've come to reinforce us! Well done!"

Minato asks once more, 'is that what you want?'

Cagalli's eyes lit up at that. They...are coming to her rescue?

"I- No! I don't need you to safeguard my wedding! I don't want this!" Cagalli protested, almost grabbing at the holographic screen as Yuna swiftly pulls her away.

"What are you talking about, Cagalli?! This is for the good of Orb! This country is not your toy! This is all for the safety of our people!"

"But- I..." And she's beset by her responsibility once more with that.

In Cagalli's daze, Yuna then grabbed a soldier besides him - a couple of them flanked the bride and groom when the alarms were raised - and a little more quietly to be out of earshot of the guests, "what's going on on that side?! Send some reinforcements! Call Nergal! Get rid of them!"

"Y-Yes, sir!" And the man runs off to grab a radio.

KTS: Rena Lancaster is now subpiloting for Al.
KTS: Marian Cross has deployed in ORB-02 Inazuma Gundam.
KTS: Marian_Cross has deployed as a Boss for 4 opponents.
KTS: Lacus Clyne has deployed in ZGMF-XX08LX EFREET Steward.

<Pose Tracker> Marian Cross has posed.

Marian has her own plans for the wedding. A plan she hatched in secret with Murrue.

The Archangel will distract the NUNE forces defending the island. And in the chaos, she'll have Murasaki sweep in in a Murasame to whisk Cagalli away and onto the Archangel. But while she didn't account for Kira and the Freedom, it was a nice addition. Seeing as he's not actually killing anyone, she doesn't have a problem with him contributing to the chaos.

She leans her rear against the guardrails in her hangar, a subordinate keeping her in the loop on the situation unfolding topside with a tablet in hand.

Marian had an excuse to not be involved in the security. She was injured in Break the World. As far as anyone knows, she's still recovering from being cooked alive in her cockpit and not fit for combat. She doesn't have to be there involved with the kidnapping of the Princess directly. Her growing reputation could be preserved. It was foolproof.

Naturally, nothing ever goes to plan.

"Ma'am! Bogeys approaching from the south-east!" The subordinate suddenly says.

"What!?"

"And... The Nadesico is among them..."

"Nadesico..." There's a pause as Marian narrowed her eye and thinks. Then she clicks her tongue and mutters while looking annoyed, "tch. Terminal. Why now...?"

"What should we do, Commander?"

Her finger rapidly taps on her crossed arms. Thinking. The plan needs to change.

She pushes herself off the guardrail and turns to approach the Inazuma's hatch. She's still dressed in her usual uniform as she enters it to power it up, omitting the pilot suit. It's not like she has the time to get changed.

"I'm getting out there. Open the bunker hatch," she barked. Buttons clicking and clacking without sparing a glance at him.

"Aye aye!" He responded. Throwing a hand in salute before he makes a run towards the hangar's control center.

The Inazuma's hatch closes, and the hangar sound its warning alarm to clear anyone within out. Vertical bunker doors slowly opening one-by-one...

-=-=-

A staggering bright beam of light suddenly rips apart the skies and falls onto Terminal forces. The ocean under the infiltrating mobile weapons erupts in a massive steam explosion as the Ion Beam superheats the water on impact.

The area is left covered in a thick layer of hot mist, and the beam lingers a moment longer, producing a spot of void in the ocean under its destructive power.

When the beam subsides, so too does the ocean come crashing back down and refill the empty space left behind. The heated vapor condenses and coat the cold metal of the mobile weapons and heavily charged particles linger in the air momentarily.

And as the steam expands and clears, the Inazuma Gundam lowers itself and greet everyone with its form... Silvery white with gold accents clad in crackling electricity that's slowly fading. Its green eyes beams, putting itself between the island and its perceived enemies.

A rainbow appears with the brief, artificial rain she induced with her Ion Beam, just above the infiltrators. But the attack didn't hit anyone. It was just a warning shot.

"Nadesico," the 'Hero' notes on the comms to everyone in the vicinity. "My former colleagues... What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with our friends back there? Or better yet, not be here at all today?" Marian first address the Nergal forces that's seemingly standing in opposition to those who are currently defending the wedding.

"The Three Angels Squadron... And Ryoko Subaru..." Marian then calls out pointedly. Her voice clear over the comms, without the usual reverb accompanied from wearing a helmet. "Here to punch the Princess again?" Her smirk is almost audible just through the voice alone.

And with a gaze towards the unfamiliar mobile suit amongst the crowd, she accuses, "there's the EFREET I read about in your (Terminal's) files. It's not the mass production version too... I can only think of one person who would be in that, given what's happening... Should you really be out here, instead of managing Terminal behind the safety of a desk? Or singing and dancing on a stage?" She has some thoughts on idols after having met Sheryl... But for now... "You damn kids with no self-preservation instincts," she added.

Then towards the rest of Terminal... "And as for the rest of you Aestivalises... No doubt you're Terminal too."

The Inazuma's head visibly turns to scan them. "...I don't see the Ra Mari II... Meaning Eight's not here... So who else is in those machines? Rena? Anita?"

The Laevataein... "There's the secret machine we're giving a space for in Morgenroete... Who's in that thing? Sousuke?"

Her railgun unclasps from the skirt armor and it raises in their direction. It's not pointing at anyone directly. Not yet. "I suggest all of you turn back. You're putting Magallanica and Orb's relationship at risk, coming here like this during a state wedding."

There's a hint of anger in her voice. But it's giving no clear indication as to why. Maybe she truly cares for Orb's good standing relationship with Magallanica and doesn't want to see it compromised. Maybe she's an ardent supporter of the marriage and NUNE ascendancy. Maybe she's just upset at them for ruining her plans and introducing variables she couldn't control. But they couldn't possibly know that if they don't know about her plans.

"Why the hell are you here?"

KTS: Marian Cross targets Ryoko Subaru with Demoralize!
KTS: Marian Cross targets Anita Rosetta with Demoralize!
KTS: Marian Cross targets Lacus Clyne with Demoralize!
KTS: Lacus Clyne accepts Marian Cross's Demoralize!
KTS: Marian Cross demoralizes Lacus Clyne, reducing her Morale drastically.
KTS: Best Defense! Lacus Clyne successfully reacts to Marian Cross's Demoralize, taking 0 damage!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Lacus Clyne's Neither Will Alone activates, and her spirit endures.
KTS: Anita Rosetta accepts Marian Cross's Demoralize!
KTS: Marian Cross demoralizes Anita Rosetta, reducing her Morale drastically.
KTS: Best Defense! Anita Rosetta successfully reacts to Marian Cross's Demoralize, taking 0 damage!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Anita Rosetta's Easygoing activates, and her spirit endures.
KTS: Ryoko Subaru accepts Marian Cross's Demoralize!
KTS: Marian Cross demoralizes Ryoko Subaru, reducing her Morale drastically.
KTS: Best Defense! Ryoko Subaru successfully reacts to Marian Cross's Demoralize, taking 0 damage!
KTS: [Spiritual Adjustment] Ryoko Subaru's Slight Personality Disorders activates, and her spirit is adjusted further!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Ryoko Subaru's The First Star Inside Yourself activates, and her spirit endures.

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

"Signature confirmed, it's the Nadesico!" Dalida called out.

The Nadesico? What the hell was Nergal doing here? Marian didn't mention them being part of the plan. Are they part of the plan? Wait...oh no what if they're making their own plan. One that has Cagalli as a bargaining chip? Murrue needed answers, and quickly. But then, the arrival of the Inazuma Gundam made things even more complicated. That's Marian's Gundam. Was this a trap? Did she pull the wool over her eyes? Or was she doing her best to make the abduction look legitimate? She was going after the Nergal forces...

"Miriallia," Murrue ordered, grabbing the handset. "Try and open up comms with the Nadesico, one of the old 3SA channels should still work. Fire control, prepare anti-beam depth charges, load the SAM's and stand by all CWIS systems. The Gaia Sabers are most likely going to be coming after us. Arnold, bring us up into the air and prepare to go evasive."

The Archangel's engines ignited, and the great legged warship began to tilt up and into the sky, seawater spraying from the hull lifting and engines firing into the ocean.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "Y--you didn't hear anything!" Jun stammers as he reprimands Ryoko for commenting on his romantic troubles.

        "Fool," Ruri says, below him.

        There's not much time for the Nadesico's antics, though.

        'I don't want this!', Cagalli cries, and Minato nods, even as she's pulled from the holographic screen. (She could have grasped it. They're precisely as physical as the gag requires.)

        "XO, we have confirmation," she says, looking up. "Are we going in?"

        "We sure as hell are!" Jun declares, way too hot-headed. "No way are we letting her get married against her will! Everyone, you're cleared for combat!" And 'Grey' and the Aestivalises will receive all the targeting data they need to get started.

        Now -- do they know that they have the exact plan Marian had, and that's making her terribly upset? They do not. The Admiral made her own plans to deal with Cagalli's cries for aid. What they do know is that the Inazumi Gundam rises, terribly cross.

        Another holographic window appears in Marian's cockpit -- this one carrying the image and voice of a sixteen-year-old girl, with white-blue twintails, pale skin, and frightfully gold eyes.

        "It's wrong to make someone get married when they don't want to," Ruri tells her, stoic and unmoved. "That's why we're here. Forced marriage is a crime. Even if it wasn't, it would still be wrong."

        Just because she's expressionless, doesn't mean she feels nothing about it.

        They all do.

        And when Murrue opens comms with the Nadesico, it's Minato who answers. "Hiya, Archangel!" She says to their fellow rogue warship, flashing them a peace sign. "Cagalli asked for help, so here we are...! You'll help out too, right?"

        It's... Cagalli who did this?

KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Al, Anita Rosetta, and Ryoko Subaru with Coordinate!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru accepts Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino coordinates maneuvers, raising Ryoko Subaru's Piloting!
KTS: Best Defense! Ryoko Subaru successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate, taking 0 damage!
KTS: [Spiritual Adjustment] Ryoko Subaru's Slight Personality Disorders activates, and her spirit is adjusted further!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Ryoko Subaru's The First Star Inside Yourself activates, and her spirit endures.
KTS: Anita Rosetta accepts Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino coordinates maneuvers, raising Anita Rosetta's Piloting!
KTS: Best Defense! Anita Rosetta successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate, taking 0 damage!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Anita Rosetta's Easygoing activates, and her spirit endures.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

Rena taps her fingers to her brow -- currently clad in the padded, open-faced safety helmet preferred by Arm Slave pilots. "Happy to give you a challenge, Al," she says. "Let me know how the edits I made to the OS work for you, too. It should help us work together even better."

A beat.

"And that Sergeant of yours, someday, too."

Then she cracks a smile as she sees Jun's Aestivalis launch. She knows perfectly well who's in it. "Roger that, 'Jun,'" she says. "And may I add, you look great today!"

Rena winks.

She looks at the screen. Her eyes narrow -- Cagalli doesn't want this, but she's already hesitating in the face of it. She sucks a breath in, then she says over the Terminal combat communcations: "Sounds like she doesn't want this! Operation Rescue the Representative--"

Don't let Rena name things.

"--is a go!"

The Laevatein Early Type slams down into the ground. Then, she speaks to Marian; her voice is, well...

...It sounds rather more masculine, thanks to voice-changing software. "You can call me Grey, and that's my associate, Jun. We're here to stop this wedding. The bride has to agree -- for herself, not for some 'duty.'"

She fires the thrusters -- putting the Laevatein through its paces, twisting and turning. Then, in the cockpit, she says: "Al, I'm lining up the shot for you!"

KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Strike Spirit Command targeting Al
KTS: Al accepts Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino coordinates maneuvers, raising Al's Piloting!
KTS: Best Defense! Al successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Coordinate, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Shinn Asuka has posed.

From a rather beautiful display, a Bearguy in a bridal gown eyes flash to life, slowly moving as it whirrs to life. It rises and tests its arms as its pilot figures out the new control scheme. Shinn isn't at all thinking about what he's in but he knows he is probably going to hear about this later. It didn't matter now. Someone was attacking a wedding. Now was the time for action! Admittedly he didn't like the Bride but the groom seemed...ok he seemed like a stuck up rich asshole but that didn't mean everyone here was.

Shinn stands the white Bearguy up, hiking up the skirt as it moves to the shore. "They brought a battleship? What the hell are these psychos thinking?...Shinn Asuka, deployed in the Bridal Bearguy!" The machine reached to its garter, drawing a beam recorder swiftly. "HEY, YOU! You guys seriously attacking a wedding?! ARE YOU PEOPLE NUTS?!" Shinn yells at the battleship, igniting the Beam Recorder and pointing it toward the Archangel. It stood on the shore as the dress caught the wind. "Don't you people know that someone is going to get hurt?! I won't let you do as you please!!" Shinn pulls back on the controls, raising the beam recorder as it charges directly for the Archangel and glory.

KTS: Shinn Asuka has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Shinn Asuka targets Murrue Ramius with Beam Recorder!

<Pose Tracker> Soma Peries has posed.

        The squad of GN-Xs from the Vespula spread out as they launch, moving to reinforce the various Gaia Sabers positions against the incoming attackers. It's quickly turning into quite the mess as additional forces start to approach from the other side. Terminal... Though it seems like Orb has deployed one of its own to hold that front.

        Unfortunately that Gundam has already made it through...

        But they need to focus on what's ahead of them. At the front of the Gaia Sabers counter charge, Soma eyes her screen at the sight of the warship ahead. She never went up against it herself... But she's heard of the former Britannian Union prototype. Turned rogue and then supposedly dismantled. Soma's not surprised it's still around. Though what it's doing here and now...

        Soma radios the on-site NUNE forces, <"Target the Archangel. If we can force a surrender, we can bring this chaos to an end!">

        The Advanced GN-X Rosen rapidly closes towards the Archangel on a stream of crimson particles. It's still quite a ways away, but nonetheless brings the long rifle in its hand up. Light begins to grow inside the barrel as the weapon charges, before it unleashes a large concentrated beam of red that lances out towards the warship ahead.

KTS: Soma Peries has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Soma Peries targets Murrue Ramius with GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Overloaded Shot!

<Pose Tracker> Lilium Valerie has posed.

The long-barreled GN-X sweeps up into the air, bringing its rifle around to sight in on the unidentified warship. The fast mover that breached the first line of defense was the second line's problem.

Within its cockpit, Lilium dismisses a window detailing the increasing complex situation on the other side of the island--when that was her sector's problem she'd be told about it--and focused instead on the task at hand.

Archangel-class vessel. The Archangel itself, based on the colouring... supposed to have been taken apart years ago. Evidently wasn't. Currently somewhere it really should not be.

She sighs, opening her communications line one again, and responds, <<Second Lieutenant Valerie, acknowledged! Engaging the Archangel!>>

The standard GN-X carrying a long barrel's GN drive spins up, and an orange-red streak slices through the air.

KTS: Lilium Valerie targets Murrue Ramius with GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Careful Shot!

<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.

As you might expect when someone fires a shot at a wedding, it all quickly falls into utter chaos - to the point where Flay can't really keep up with it all, except for the vague idea that Nergal's Nadesico went rogue, too. "Lieutenant Peries, Lieutenant Valerie... I'm going to try to open a channel with the Archangel. If this doesn't work... then there's really nothing we can do but fire at them, is there?"

Another IFF registers as allied, but it's one she's never seen before. "That goes for you in the bear suit too!" She says, before he turns on his radio. "S-Shinn? Is that seriously you in there?" He's the Minerva pilot she met on the shore of Orb... did they send him to smooth things over with the Athhas or something? "Guess we're on the same page for this one, hmm?"

Aiming her rifle squarely for the Legged Ship's hull, Flay opens her comms. It's probably Miriallia who picks up on the transmission first. "Archangel, come in. This is Flay Allster with the Gaia Sabers. You are immediately to-" She shakes her head, the practiced script not sitting right with her. "Captain Ramius, it's you, isn't it? I thought... I thought you all retired from fighting!" The emotions all come out. "And you even sent him out! All over some state wedding?"

"Please, just... lower your engines and turn around, and I'll do everything I can to guarantee your crew's safety." It's a well-intentioned offer - much like what Natarle might have done. Still, if it's coming from the Gaia Sabers, can Murrue trust it? "But if you plan on turning Orb into a battlefield all over again, then..." She raises the beam rifle, as if to show her own resolve. "I'll make you leave!"

KTS: Flay Allster targets Murrue Ramius with Shock!
KTS: Murrue Ramius has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Murrue Ramius has activated the Focus Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

Ryoko's Aestivalis swoops up in a sudden arc, making the ascent rapidly on the Aerial Frame's many verniers, as she listens to Cagalli speak to Minato.

"Heh, there it is. Why go through this whole dog and pony show at all?"

Ryoko mutters as the Rainbow and the Inazuma Gundam appears, and they're hailed as Ryoko replies to her with an annoyed tone, "<Just obeying orders, right? We were here to provide security, but sounds like 'Her Highness' just said the wedding's off.>"

Indeed, Ruri backs up that statement with her own take, as Ryoko says, "You tell her Ruri!"

What she says next however, Ryoko's face falls, before there's a certain intensity, "<Why would I need to? It sounds like she knocked her head out of her ass on her own.>"

Marian pronounces that they're putting everything at risk, "<Maybe you haven't heard that I'm a dog of Nergal? Never heard of a Messiana-whatever.>"

Ryoko lies to her with an angry scowl, "<You wanna fire on our company property while I'm doing what I do? You go right ahead and disobey your precious Princess. See where that gets you. As I recall our orders were when we helped bail Orb's ass out during the war were->"

Ryoko eyes the woman as if staring her down, "<-that Orb doesn't throw the first punch. Especially not on someone the Rep just authorized to be here. So go ahead, make my day.>"

Wait, the Aestivalis pilot known for her belligerence is NOT attacking? And despite the threat presented, Ryoko Subaru flies onwards towards the wedding site...

... as if DARING her to do it.

KTS: Murrue Ramius fails to engage Charge against Shinn Asuka's Beam Recorder!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Shinn Asuka's Beam Recorder, taking 2400 damage!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

"I'm seeing it. Yes, this should allow smoother transition of controls. Normally an arm slave's operation would rely entirely on the pilot for control force, but considering the circumstances, this will work nicely," Al says. The cockpit is refitted for AMBAC, but there's only so much you can do within an arm slave's torso space; it's a dark cavern of a thing, not the Panoramic Display cockpit of modern Mobile Suits. A few screens in front, with a central viewpoint highlighting the view from the cameras. Al has used display space to highlight targets, routes, allies, enemies, and radio lines.

One lights up, the general channel Marian opened. It doesn't hang up when Rena finishes speaking; a different voice speaks instead, still male but with an electronic distortion to it that sounds artificial. That's sure not Sagara. "Tactical objective parameter 'rescue' does not require the consent of the subject," Al answers her final question. "It seems humans very easily find themselves in situations they do not know they should escape, and so such actions are sometimes required."

The XL-3 pack disconnects with a loud CLUNK, leaving Laevatein with no means of flight, the ground bursting up as the pack crashes down the length of a house. It pulls from one of the hardpoints on the abandoned pack a shotcannon, which it levels at Marian's machine. Rena's adjustments put him in position, and the cannon fires with the roar of gunpowder.

KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Marian Cross with Pass!
KTS: Al targets Marian Cross with Boxer Cannon Snapshot!
KTS: Al's Where Are We Going activates Strike and Focus!
KTS: Murrue Ramius engages evade against Soma Peries's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Overloaded Shot!
KTS: Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Soma Peries's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Overloaded Shot, taking 3360 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius engages charge against Lilium Valerie's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Careful Shot!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Lilium Valerie's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Careful Shot,
taking 1350 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius accepts Flay Allster's Shock!
KTS: Flay Allster shocks Murrue Ramius, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Flay Allster's Shock, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru has activated the Spirit Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Lacus Clyne has posed.

The transmission -- and the correct identification of the pilot -- surprises Lacus just a bit. "... I'm sorry, but this is the path I've chosen," is all she can offer. No apologies, nothing else -- just an acknowledgment that this is where they're at.

No sooner has Lacus finished getting situated in the air out than does the EFREET Steward -- a battlefield control machine still in the Archangel's near orbit -- pick up a transmission. Lacus's eyes widen slightly. Flay... here? And in a Strike Gundam, no less.

Her eyes turn down slightly. So this is the path she's chosen... or perhaps it's the Archangel's karma.

The EFREET wobbles slightly on a stolen Guuru, taking flight toward Flay's machine as she raises her rifle. "... Miss Allster," she transmits, voice soft and gentle. "I'm sorry, but we can't allow this to continue."

The Steward draws its lance and its anti-aircraft shotgun, holding one in each hand; Lacus, not wanting to close the rest of the distance just yet and not much enthused about firing on a woman she's personally met, raises the latter and fires two quick shots on approach, hoping to clip the Aile pack's wings a bit with the pellets rather than put something clean through the center of mass.

"Why have you chosen this path?" she asks of Flay, as the Guuru takes her machine slightly to the side. It can't just be their karma, can it?

KTS: Lacus Clyne has activated the Daunt Spirit Command targeting Flay Allster
KTS: Lacus Clyne targets Flay Allster with MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Breaching Approach!

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Rena's compliment gets a laugh from Anita.

"Thanks. You're looking pretty good yourself, Grey." Anita replies with a smirk.

"Glad you think so. Then, you can count on me." Anita replies to Ryoko with a smirk. "Gotta say, it does have a nice feel to it."

She falls in formation behind her, flying over the water as listening as Ryoko complains.

"I guess that's what it came down to, huh..." Anita considers. "Well, if she does, at least we can give her some fireworks."

In addition to Rena - and Al's unit - there's another entering the battlefield, too. The EFREET Steward... It clicks in Anita's head after a moment of thought.

"Glad to have you. We'll be counting on you!" Anita sends over to Lacus.

At Minato's asking, though, Cagalli makes her feelings known - and Anita nods.

"Looks like Cagalli's made her choice, then." She says.

Operation Rescue the Representative is a go. Anita smirks. It's a very Rena name.

"Got it!"

And then, a beam shoots down from the skies. Anita's Aestivalis rears back out of the way - though it was never intended to hit anyone. When it clears - a Gundam appears in the steam. And from it, comes the voice of a 'Hero'.

"Quite the entrance... don't you think that was kind of reckless?" Anita asks. It's not her voice that comes out across the communications - changed and obfuscated so as not to give away the game. "Check the IFF. What you see is what you get."

'Grey' announces her as Jun - and that does line up with the Aestivalis's registry. And Ryoko announces that they're here for

"What they said. The girl of the hour's made her feelings known, which means this wedding is a sham. If they wanna keep this going even after that, well... I can't imagine it's good for anyone's reputation to force someone into an unwanted marriage, you know?" Anita says. Ryoko... doesn't attack. She's the squad leader, right now - so she elects to follow her example, trailing right behind her.

KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Marian Cross with Pass!
KTS: Flay_Allster has deployed as a Boss for 2 opponents.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

All the while, Anita keeps her eyes on the system as data floods in courtesy of Ruri back on the Nadesico. If this does boil into a fight, that'll be good for coordination.

KTS: Flay Allster has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Flay Allster engages guard against Lacus Clyne's MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Breaching Approach!
KTS: Flay Allster's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Flay Allster successfully guards Lacus Clyne's MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Breaching Approach, taking 2604
damage!

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

"Miss Murrue, it looks like the Nadesico is here to help!" Miriallia announced.

"And it looks like a...Bearguy in a bridal gown is approaching rapidly. Along with a flight of GN-X Rosen, and a single unit approaching bearing 275...and another backing up the Bearguy, looks like a Strike variant!" Dalida cut in. "We've got a lot of beam weapons inbound!"

"Hard to port!" Murrue ordered, "Deploy anti-beam depth charges in concentrated spreads! Dense spread of SAM's at the GN-X's!"

"M-Miss Murrue, I think...I think Flay is in that Gundam!"

Flay?

Flay Allster?

That Flay Allster?

What the hell is she doing here?!

"Mirellia, try and get her to break off, do whatever you can!" Murrue ordered, trying to hide her concern. "Get the Valliants online!"

As beams slammed into the Archangel's hull, the two side pods opened and the twin Valliants began to deploy along the ship's length. From the launchers, like giant fireworks, green clouds of beam -absorbing energy burst like fireworks. Clouds of missiles began to shoot out from the rear of the Archangel as the great ship turned.

Murrue picked up the handset and put it to her ear. "Nadesico, we're in a bit of a spot here, if you somehow manage to...retrieve Miss Attha before us, we'd greatly appreciate it if you were to bring her here."

KTS: Murrue Ramius engages charge against Shinn Asuka's Beam Recorder!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Shinn Asuka's Beam Recorder, taking 2400 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

The chaos continue to unfold in the wedding site. One mirroring the chaos on three different fronts.

The Archangel begin to exchange fire with Gaia Saber... (and a Bearguy?!) With Flay noticeably stayed her hand, instead trying to reason with the Archangel.

While on the other side, as the beam felled so bright it seemed like an actual lightning strike at this distance, the Inazuma stands off against the other rogue ship and its crew.

And Kira continues to carefully shoot and cuts the defender weapons, limbs, or main sensors off. It's making headway...

Yuna Roma seem pleased as Orb's Hero came to stop the Nadesico. It's her duty, after all. And the Gaia Sabers appears to be fulfilling their contract as well. It bodes well for Orb's relationship with NUNE.

But when it comes to the Freedom... It's worrying how the combined NDF and Nergal forces isn't showing any signs of being able to take it down. That worry is contagious, as the crowd now actually start leaving in spite of Yuna's reassurance.

"Hey! Where are you all going? It's all under control! Isn't that right, Cagalli?"

Cagalli doesn't respond. Her eyes dart towards the floating screen, and out towards the sea. They're all fighting for her sake. Though it's a little concerning as to Marian's actions, which she couldn't grasp. But she never really understood her.

"It's clearly not! We're leaving!" Some official say. Unato doesn't come up with any support for his son either, electing to follow the crowd.

"Father, you too...? Damn it! Send more reinforcements! Take that mobile suit down!" He yelled.

And more running happens in the background as they carry out his orders begrudgingly.

KTS: Murrue Ramius targets Shinn Asuka with Sledgehammer SSM Saturation!
KTS: Murrue Ramius targets Soma Peries with Anti-Mobile Suit/Small Fighter Pattern!
KTS: Murrue Ramius targets Lilium Valerie with Valliant Precision Target!
KTS: Murrue Ramius targets Flay Allster with Beam Depth Charge/Missile Interception !
KTS: Flay Allster engages evade against Murrue Ramius's Beam Depth Charge/Missile Interception !
KTS: Flay Allster's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Flay Allster successfully reacts to Murrue Ramius's Beam Depth Charge/Missile Interception , taking 0
damage!
KTS: Soma Peries engages evade against Murrue Ramius's Anti-Mobile Suit/Small Fighter Pattern!
KTS: Best Defense! Soma Peries successfully reacts to Murrue Ramius's Anti-Mobile Suit/Small Fighter Pattern, taking 0
damage!
KTS: Lilium Valerie engages evade against Murrue Ramius's Valliant Precision Target!
KTS: Best Defense! Lilium Valerie successfully reacts to Murrue Ramius's Valliant Precision Target, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Shinn Asuka engages charge against Murrue Ramius's Sledgehammer SSM Saturation!
KTS: Best Defense! Shinn Asuka successfully reacts to Murrue Ramius's Sledgehammer SSM Saturation, taking 4125 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius roots her unit, coming to a standstill and leaving her vulnerable.
KTS: Marian Cross accepts Ryoko Subaru's Pass!
KTS: Best Defense! Marian Cross successfully reacts to Ryoko Subaru's Pass, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Marian Cross accepts Anita Rosetta's Pass!
KTS: Best Defense! Marian Cross successfully reacts to Anita Rosetta's Pass, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Soma Peries has posed.

        Soma's brow furrows a little as Flay says she's going to try and talk to the Archangel. Does she know them? And as Soma listens, it becomes clear that she does indeed. There must be a history there...

        But right now it doesn't seem to be doing much good as the Archangel opens fire. Soma warns, <"Scatter!"> Soma's own GN-X starts rapidly darting through the air as gattling fire rips through the air towards it. It's moving faster than a typical GN-X, the added thrusters of the design combined with Soma's supersoldier reflexes letting her stay ahead of the barrage.

        As she weaves her way through the Archangel's counterfire, Soma radios, <"They're clearly not backing down. Target the engines. If we bring it out of the sky, the fleet can handle the rest.">

        Soma does just as she herself said, raising the long rifle in her hand. Another beam of compressed GN particles bursts forth, this time a bit more accurately targetted towards the warship's engines to try and slow it down.

KTS: Soma Peries has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Soma Peries targets Murrue Ramius with GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System Targeting Shot!
KTS: Marian Cross has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Marian Cross engages guard against Al's Boxer Cannon Snapshot!
KTS: Marian Cross's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Marian Cross successfully guards Al's Boxer Cannon Snapshot, taking 1950 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Shinn Asuka has posed.

Shinn is about half way into his fit, when he receives a broadcast from another machine. "Uh, hello? Flay?!" Shin is shocked to hear her voice despite it not being that out of the ordinary. This was a NUNE operation and they were technically both part of the treaty...despite her organization having some rather unsavory elements in it. "Yeah, it's me? Why are you trying to communicate with the terrorists who brought a freaking battleship to the wedding? They don't seem in their right mind!" Shinn keeps his eyes on the battleship, readying himself for what happens next. "Yeah I guess we are. Lets get rid of these people before someone gets hurt!"

But it is Shinn who is hurt as the retaliation from the Archangel is furious. The Bridal Bearguy attempts to power through the explosions before taking one head on. The machine is thrown backwards into the wedding, colliding with the cake and sending it splattering over guests, with a sizeable chunk heading for the groom.

For a moment Shinn is stunned, struggling to get the Bearguy's controls to raise the white machine back up. It finally responds, rising up like a demon from hell. "Ok. Now you've -really- pissed me off!" Shinn points the beam recorder toward the battleship, moving toward the machine again as fast as its cute little legs could carry it. The Bearguy keeps moving as it works its mouth, charging the weapon. Shinn leans with each movement of the stick, getting way too into this machine. "PUCKER UP!!" The Bearguy opens is mouth and unleashes hell.

KTS: Shinn Asuka targets Murrue Ramius with Mouth Scattering Beam Gun!
KTS: Shinn Asuka has activated the Strike Spirit Command.

<Pose Tracker> Lilium Valerie has posed.

Lilium had only just released the Long Barrel Rifle's trigger when Flay's request came in. Fortunately the shot didn't particularly do much--she'd be able to call it a warning shot in the report, hopefully.

Ideally, if this could be resolved non-violently, that would be for the best. It'd be rather unfortunate if Orb's big state wedding day was ruined, considering how much time and money had been poured into arranging--

A bright yellow flash from the Archangel. Once again, every alarm in Lilium's cockpit blares at once. "Wh--gyah-!!" She slams down on one pedal, forcing a control stick to the side.

The GN-X shifts directly to its right. A moment later, 110 centimeters of Linear Cannon shell tears through the air where she, specifically, had just been floating.

<<Second Lieutenant Valerie... Still alive. Continuing to engage target>> She mumbles, her eyes narrowing as she takes her thumb off the radio switch.

"Fine, then..."

Lilium sighs, and the off-crimson GN Particles flow to her rifle once more.

KTS: Lilium Valerie targets Murrue Ramius with GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System Targeting Shot!

<Pose Tracker> Marian Cross has posed.

A holographic screen appears in Marian's cockpit. She faces it with her bare expression. One not in anger, or even looking slightly annoyed. Instead, she winked. She swipes her hand at it and tries to dismiss it, then over on the comms once more, "Please, you attacking the wedding is a crime. Have you not thought about how management will punish you for this?"

"And on that note..." She turns her Gundam around, and burns her thrusters towards Ryoko without warning. Beam saber activates from its left forearm, and it comes down upon her from behind as it tries making a beeline towards Cagalli. "Obeying orders? Is that what you call attacking the ruler of my nation unprompted obeying orders!? You made the first strike already, so don't try to play that game with me!"

She then spun around and send a kick towards her. "If it was up to me, I'd have you in prison for what you did! But neither of you understands that your actions, AND your inaction, has consequences!"

Al and 'Grey' takes a shot at Marian, she spun around once more and engages her beam shield against it. Her machine does tremble under the weight of the shot, but it held strong. "'Grey', huh? I don't suppose you wear a mask too? And Jun. We've met. Back on that mission to destroy that Vajra nest. I'd say it's good to see you well, but I'd be lying, under the circumstances."

Her railgun raises, taking aim at it. It looked strong, so, it shouldn't be a big problem if she increased the output a little, right? "And what do you know about duty? The safety of an entire nation is on the line. She should be happy that her people can live happily ever after just by marrying some noble asshole!"

The next thing she says is towards the AI housed within... "Admirable. But you don't seem to grasp the nuance of politics, machine," is her response.

Then towards Anita... "A Hero's entrance. Gotta make it look good, right?" ...is that another wink? Can Anita even hear that? "Reputation? Meaningless in the face of annihilation. You've seen what the Federation- What NUNE can do!" It's left hand raises, palm open. An orb of electricity forms in front, and it goes loose towards Anita's machine.

As for Lacus, she gave a silent acknowledgment. Respectable, if nothing else. She thinks she likes her. Someone who's willing to put her life on the line for another... Just like Sheryl. "Hmph. Then do as you wish. Try not to die," she simply offered.

KTS: Marian Cross targets Ryoko Subaru with Integrated Beam Sabers Trick Attack!
KTS: Marian Cross targets Al with Type 72F3 'Tenka' Multi-barrel Railgun Charged Shot!
KTS: Marian Cross targets Anita Rosetta with DAE Standard Shot!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru fails to engage Parry against Marian Cross's Integrated Beam Sabers Trick Attack!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Ryoko Subaru moderately reacts to Marian Cross's Integrated Beam Sabers Trick Attack, taking 4230 damage!
KTS: Marian Cross rattles Ryoko Subaru, making her next maneuvers more difficult.
KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Alert Spirit Command targeting Al
KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Anita Rosetta engages evade against Marian Cross's DAE Standard Shot!
KTS: Anita Rosetta's EN Barrier activates, negating 500 base damage.
KTS: Anita Rosetta successfully reacts to Marian Cross's DAE Standard Shot, taking 4590 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.

"I used to be part of that ship's crew," Flay explains, still a bit rattled. "I didn't think they were terrorists! I don't understand why they're doing this!" Shinn's straightforward view of it does help her orient a little, though. "Yeah... whether it makes sense or not, it's what's happening. And we have to stop them."

All of Flay's attention was consumed by the loaded gun that is the Archangel - but the Freedom wasn't the only mobile suit the Archangel sent out, even if it's easier to miss the EFREET Steward by nature of its role. But the world-famous voice that comes from that strange pink battlefield-control unit is unmistakable...

"Lacus Clyne?" Flay's grip over her controls tightens, remembering how much she hated that girl when they shared a few days on the Archangel, for the simple truth that she was a Coordinator. Flay thinks Lacus has every right to hate her back... so is that why she's pointing a gun at her now? "You're sorry? For what, meddling in Orb's politics? Spare me that!" Flay snaps, almost seeming to take Lacus's gentle tone for insult.

Lacus fires, and facing down both the Archangel and the EFREET at the same time, she simply doesn't have the mental bandwith to try and evade - instead hoping the Phase Shift Armour does its work. It's a smart shot, though - the Aile pack itself isn't nearly as well protected - and clipping the Strike's wings gives the Archangel room to maneuver.

Murrue reacts - but doesn't respond to Flay, and like Soma says, she doesn't back down. But even though Murrue has a perfect opening to fire on the Strike, she only sends out depth charges. Is this her way of going easy on her? "If it's a fight they want, then..." Flay fires a frenzied round of beam rifle shots in the green particle cloud - hoping at least a few get through enough to rattle the ship.

But it seems like more of a retreating volley, as she brandishes both beam sabers and charges for the EFREET Steward, slicing one after the other towards the pink machine. "Because... it's the only path I have!" She insists, when Lacus asks her pointed question. "If no one else will protect you, what's wrong with fighting for it yourself?" Her tone sinks into desperation, despite Lacus's calm. "With everything you have, I don't think you could ever understand that!" She says that, and yet... she wonders that if Lacus is in a mobile suit, too, maybe there's something only she can protect?

KTS: Flay Allster targets Murrue Ramius with 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz!
KTS: Flay Allster targets Lacus Clyne with Whirling Blade Advance!
KTS: Murrue Ramius has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Murrue Ramius has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Al engages guard against Marian Cross's Type 72F3 'Tenka' Multi-barrel Railgun Charged Shot!
KTS: Al poorly guards Marian Cross's Type 72F3 'Tenka' Multi-barrel Railgun Charged Shot, taking 4680 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius has activated the Wall Spirit Command.
KTS: Murrue Ramius fails to engage Evade against Soma Peries's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System Targeting Shot!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Murrue Ramius moderately reacts to Soma Peries's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System Targeting Shot, taking 3050
damage!
KTS: Lacus Clyne engages guard against Flay Allster's Whirling Blade Advance!
KTS: Best Defense! Lacus Clyne successfully guards Flay Allster's Whirling Blade Advance, taking 3450 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius engages charge against Shinn Asuka's Mouth Scattering Beam Gun!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Shinn Asuka's Mouth Scattering Beam Gun, taking 300 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius fails to engage Evade against Lilium Valerie's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System Targeting Shot!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Lilium Valerie's GN-X Long Barrel Beam Rifle Sub-System
Targeting Shot, taking 2675 damage!
KTS: Murrue Ramius fails to engage Guard against Flay Allster's 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz!
KTS: Murrue Ramius's Beam Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Murrue Ramius successfully reacts to Flay Allster's 57mm Enhanced High-Energy Beam Rifle Beam Blitz,
taking 1650 damage!
KTS: Flay Allster begins a Formation attack!
KTS: Flay Allster rattles Murrue Ramius, making her next maneuvers more difficult.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"It's going to take some real adjustment," Rena murmurs to herself. She grew so used to the 360-degree dislay of modern Mobile Suits; this feels like something else entirely.

She cracks a smile at what Al says -- though, in truth, she likes Ryoko's approach too.

Then she feels the crack-boom of the Boxer firing, reverberating through the frame. She glances once towards Anita, with a brief smile.

Right, she thinks. Maybe her and Al jumped the gun -- but this is already quite confusing.

"Listen to yourself!" 'Grey' says to Marian. "Your princess told us to be here. If you want to argue otherwise, then I don't think you knew her."

Her eyes narrow. "Nor do you know what Orb stands for," 'Grey' continues. "If you're going to stand for the past, then get out of the future's way."

The railgun thunders. Rena's eyes widen, a flash of lightning across her mind -- and makes the Laevatein move to the side, sharply.

"Al," Rena says in the cockpit, "increase vernier output--"

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "We'll be retrieving her to Magallanica, as per our orders," Minato winks, to Murrue, in that private transmission between them. "Feel free to come by, won't you?" It's the safest place for Cagalli they can muster, after all...

        ... and Minato's sure she'll want to talk to Eight after they came to her rescue, just as she wished for.

        Ryoko makes the decision to go for Orbish Pacifism, and Jun nods. "I trust you, Ryoko. Go with your gut." He jumps onto the transmission to Marian, then, to answer her in Ruri's stead: "Even if Nergal doesn't like it, the Nadesico won't stand by and let her be forced against her will! Thinking like that is a mistake I made before... that we should just submit to authority, instead of fighting against it. It only led me to sacrificing myself. If not for my comrades -- I couldn't stop this today."

        Al's gut is more violent, of course, and Ruri's face appears to him and Rena in their cockpit. "Don't worry, Al," she assures him, and assures him yobisute, because she's always been more familiar with AI than humans. "Ms. Athha said she didn't want it. That's consent enough for us to act."

        She hops on over to Anita's cockpit, then, in another holographic window. "VLS to IFS translation holding steady," she reports, stoically. "Let us know if there's any mental strain... I'll optimise the settings for you now."

        Once she's done with that, she proceeds to integrate the combat data they're receiving on the Inazuma and send the defence data to their allies.

KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Attune Spirit Command targeting Anita Rosetta
KTS: Ruri Hoshino has activated the Enable Spirit Command targeting Anita Rosetta
KTS: Ruri Hoshino targets Al, Anita Rosetta, and Ryoko Subaru with Caution!
KTS: Ryoko Subaru accepts Ruri Hoshino's Caution!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino suggests caution, raising Ryoko Subaru's Intuition!
KTS: Best Defense! Ryoko Subaru successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Caution, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Anita Rosetta accepts Ruri Hoshino's Caution!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino suggests caution, raising Anita Rosetta's Intuition!
KTS: Best Defense! Anita Rosetta successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Caution, taking 0 damage!
KTS: Al accepts Ruri Hoshino's Caution!
KTS: Ruri Hoshino suggests caution, raising Al's Intuition!
KTS: Best Defense! Al successfully reacts to Ruri Hoshino's Caution, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

"My gut, yeah, definitely that and not anything else."

Ryoko replies to Jun, definitely trying not to think of what Erina's face would look like if she 'messed up' here.

Anita follows her, and indeed that was Ryoko's aim all along, to make Marian throw the first punch, as suddenly the Gundam's sabers burn in an arc towards the Aestivalis'-

Distortion Field.

That proprietary technology of Nergal's suddenly shimmers as the Beam Sabers arc down against it, sparking as it shimmers in a sudden impact that drives the smaller Aestivalis back.

"<... THERE IT IS!>"

Ryoko says as her Aestivalis comes out of a spin and squares up against it, "<What are you deaf, or just stupid?>" Ryoko asks, "<If it's that first one then how much money did they have to line your pockets with to put in the ear plugs?>"

The Aestivalis while in mid-air suddenly raises a fist, "<Honestly doesn't much matter to me, because you attacked my squad lady. So I ain't just gonna throw the second, or the third.>"

That Distortion Field shimmers to life, as suddenly the agile Aestivalis begins to spin in flanking circles, diving down, before up and around to attempt to body check it from behind.

"<I'M GONNA GIVE YOU A ONE WAY TICKET TO THE GROUND FLOOR, YOU SELF-RIGHTEOUS WENCH>!"

Except, it's not the Aestivalis' body makes contact, but the Distortion Field, as the Variable Phase Shift Armor likely begins to alarm as it's...

... forcibly warped away for every split second of contact as she tries to knock her like a ping pong ball in flight towards...

... Annie's line of fire, "All yours! Take her!"

KTS: Ryoko Subaru targets Marian Cross with Killer Move: Start!!

<Pose Tracker> Lacus Clyne has posed.

The question hits Lacus harder than the sabers. Lacus brings up her lance in a heavy defensive posture, but it's not enough -- the Strike's sabers are notoriously difficult to parry and they score the EFREET's armor.

"I wouldn't say anything is wrong with that," Lacus says, though there's a tentativeness to it. She's still struck by just how much Flay has changed since their paths through the world last crossed, though -- and even if she disagrees with the vision of the world Flay is protecting, seeing her protect it at all conjures up feelings Lacus isn't sure how to handle.

The anti-air shotgun is a poor choice against the Strike Gundam Flay uses -- but so is almost everything she has, and Lacus lacks experience besides. If she were to press this battle to a pitched conclusion... Flay would destroy her.

She doesn't need to press it, though. She just needs to keep Flay occupied long enough for them to kidnap Cagalli.

(It is kidnapping, however well-intentioned. Lacus wonders how posterity will receive this moment, though only briefly.)

She thinks back. The shotgun... is probably her best bet; continuing to press with lots of small blows over a handful of large ones might exhaust Flay's Phase Shift Armor faster, and force her to reconsider her current trajectory.

"Perhaps that isn't something I can understand," she ultimately agrees, before flipping the shotgun around and firing a point-blank snapshot at the Strike's legs.

KTS: Lacus Clyne has activated the Rouse Spirit Command.
KTS: Lacus Clyne targets Flay Allster with MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Point Blank Shot!
KTS: Flay Allster fails to engage charge against Lacus Clyne's MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Point Blank Shot!
KTS: Flay Allster's Physical Wall L2 activates, negating 2000 base damage.
KTS: Best Defense! Flay Allster successfully reacts to Lacus Clyne's MMI-M100 190mm Anti-Aircraft Shotgun Point Blank
Shot, taking 2275 damage!
KTS: Marian Cross has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Marian Cross has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Marian Cross has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Marian Cross has activated the Alert Spirit Command.
KTS: Marian Cross engages evade against Ryoko Subaru's Killer Move: Start!!
KTS: Critical Hit! Marian Cross poorly reacts to Ryoko Subaru's Killer Move: Start!, taking 4400 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Ryoko Subaru's In the End All I Do Is... activates, causing Insight L1!

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Marian's met the real Jun before, huh...? That does make this complicated. Maybe that's why she didn't buy it. Well, Anita will deal with things as they come. Right now, she's got enough deniability that she isn't too concerned. She'll let the real one speak for himself.

She cracks a smile towards Rena - but doesn't get much opportunity for more than that as Marian opens fire. The Aestivalis tries to evade, but the electric arc still manages to connect. The Distortion Field dissipates it some, but it still sends electricity crackling across the frame.

"That's one way to put it." Anita replies to Marian, as she puts herself back on balance. "...And, yeah. I've seen what they can do. And I've seen the way they treat their own people when they become an inconvenience - so why trust them with Orb?"

A helpful window pops up in her cockpit, and Anita gives her attention.

"Good to know, thanks for the update." She offers with a nod. "All good so far, but I'll let you know if that changes. Thanks, Ruri."

She can feel the difference right away, as Ruri optimizes the settings right away - and the combat data she receives will be quite helpful as she proceeds.

Ryoko moves to launch Marian her way - and thanks to Ruri's coordination, she's already got a lock.

"I've got the shot - thanks for the set!" Anita replies. As Ryoko moves to launch her, Anita opens fire - first with a barrage of missiles, followed up by unleashing a shot from the rail cannon with pinpoint accuracy.

KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Anita Rosetta has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Anita Rosetta targets Marian Cross with Formation Attack - Center!
KTS: Marian Cross engages guard against Anita Rosetta's Formation Attack - Center!
KTS: Marian Cross poorly guards Anita Rosetta's Formation Attack - Center, taking 5940 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Al advises, "Unfortunately, the Electronic Countermeasure and Electronic Concealment systems were both removed for a focus on raw capability. We won't be able to do anything about electronic warfare or broadcast attempts. We'll be relying on the Nadesico's team for such eventualities."

Maybe he's just counting Marian's presence under that banner.

The blast from the shotcannon strikes true, but so does Marian's reply. Rena advises him, and Laevatein shifts. But it's not quick enough, and a shot lands dead center the abdomen, rattling the whole frame. "Still slow," Al observes. "The sergeant would be shocked at such failure." He stows the shotcannon. "Class A damage. Not sufficient to curtail combat operations. Captain, please clench your teeth."

Ruri comes in, while Laevatein ET reaches down and grasps the two monocutters protruding up from its knees, drawing both. "Acknowledged, Ma'am," Al affirms her caution. He's a military AI; everyone outranks him. Declining to refer to her by rank might be something like an equivalent to her own familiarity, in his mind.

The monomolecular cutters begin to hum, vibration honing their killing power.

"That is correct. Political simulation is outside of my operational capacities."

Then Laevatein MOVES. The ground SHATTERS under the force of it leaping off, and Rena finds out why he told her to clench her teeth, because the G forces are enough to shock even a career pilot. Arm Slaves aren't supposed to be able to move that fast. They just aren't.

Laevatein ET is suddenly directly in the path of the Inazuma Gundam, twin blades leaving gleaming arcs to slice completely through armor.

"I am told my sense of humor is impeccable, however," Al completes his statement. "Want to hear the one about the chicken that crossed the road?"

KTS: Al has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Al targets Marian Cross with Monomolecular Cutter Thrust!
KTS: Al's Where Are We Going activates Trick and Strike!
KTS: Marian Cross engages evade against Al's Monomolecular Cutter Thrust!
KTS: Marian Cross successfully reacts to Al's Monomolecular Cutter Thrust, taking 3760 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

The venue is clear of guests by now. The only ones remaining are the bride and the groom, along with two dozen soldiers around, still trying to escort the two out. Yuna is naturally refusing to move.

The Freedom has almost cleared out the defenses at this point. Leaving many disarmed on the field, a couple more slowly trickling in to reinforce.

"Send more reinforcements at that mobile suit! Everything we have! I want that thing sunk!" Yuna continues to yell.

"Y-Yes, sir!"

His order is carried out. The bases and hangars on Onogoro island are alerted and prepares to sortie. There was more confusion than reluctance within the ranks.

There's still a Murasame on the field. One's that been there since the beginning of Freedom's assault. It never raised its gun at him. And so the Freedom never fired back...

The cake splattered in the chaos. Bits inadvertently landing on Yuna's fine suit. Cagalli, of course, being so close, got caught in the zone as well. Her pretty white dress ruined by the creamy what
-was elegant cake.

"Gah! You idiot! Watch it!" He yelled! Even in a situation like this, he tries to make himself presentable.

...Cagalli on the other hand, didn't mind so much, other than withdrawing a little after being splattered in it. She never liked that dress anyway.

<Pose Tracker> Marian Cross has posed.

'More reinforcements'? 'Everything we have'? Is that manchild trying to cripple the nation's defenses?! She could allow the Freedom to continue as is, but it would cause major damage to their military. And with NUNE so close... She couldn't actually allow it. She couldn't give NUNE more leverage on them.

And so, times up. She'll have to leave the rest to Terminal.

"Even if management send its hit squad? Even if all your funding gets cut off? You don't survive in this world with naive idealism! Just submit, fall in line!" She yelled at the Nadesico as it gains a lock on her Gundam.

It's not strictly true Marian didn't know her. Cagalli came to her for help first. She found a weak girl that needed to be protected. Someone who's doing her damnest to live up to her father's legacy. An ideal Marian herself very much shared. But as much as she wanted to be, she's not her mother. Nor is she her sister or mentor or whatever. How could she? How could she dare treat the ruler of her nation as her ward. So she avoided her. She couldn't bear to see her plea for help.

"...I knew her more than you know," she muttered. Though it's loud enough to be carried over the comms. "All my life, I've spent defending Orb! If the future for Orb is one where Lord Uzumi's legacy dies, then I'll die with it!"

Marian's eyes widen in surprise as her blade contacts the Distortion Field. There's that annoying tech she encountered up in Junius Seven's tombstone. "...money? Ah! I see. You're jealous! But why? You're paid well enough to sellout, aren't you!?"

The Inazuma is sent flying next as it gets caught up in that Field. The wobbling and shaking of the frame as it makes contact is unpleasant, to say the least. "Big words! I'd love to see you tr- tch!" She continues to say goadingly, until Anita sends missiles at her way. Her hand jerks, her Gundam unleashes an spherical arc of electricity to intercept the missiles. It disables some of them, and sends others flying wildly. What she couldn't intercept is the rail cannon that followed. Their coordination was well rewarded. It hits squarely against her shield she brought up just in time, knocking her back further and towards the island.

She replies to Anita after, "trust them with Orb? What makes you think I, of everyone, would trust them?" Her words slowly drop their facade.

The Laevatein moves finally, its blades coming down threateningly close on hers. The Inazuma is unscratched by that attack, just barely. But her railgun did not survive, exploding in her hands as the blade splits it in two.

"Heh, maybe next time," she says.

"I'd love to keep playing with you all, but I've got a nation to protect," she says next to everyone.

"...do what you have to do."

And the Inazuma once more fly towards the mainland, sweeping by the ground to pick up a beam rifle and heads straight for the Freedom before he could destroy even more Murasames.

"Belay that order! I repeat, belay that order! If I see any more destroyed assets and limbs I will end your career!" She announces to the bases. Allowing Yuna to give orders is a mistake. What the hell is even the Princess doing? If Ryoko is someone who doesn't understand the consequences of her actions, then Cagalli is someone who really doesn't understand the consequences of her inaction.

With a new beam rifle in hand, she fires at the Freedom, and starts clashing with it.

And with one of the undamaged Murasame's on the ground...

"This is it. Now. At the top of all the chaos." Murasaki thinks. She tosses the Murasume's beam rifle aside, and veers off towards the bride and groom. Maybe she could squish that smug prick while she picks up Cagalli...no better not risk it, knowing him he'll run off as soon as she gets grabbed. It's the perfect time. An Orb soldier takes the opportunity to grab Cagalli and whisk her away to safety. All she needed was enough space and time to get Cagalli into the Murasume's cockpit, transform to mobile armour, and haul ass to the Archangel at Mach 2. Just need to get close enough...

And it slowly, cautiously, makes it way backwards to the venue.

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

Beam after Beam hits the Archangel, its armour absorbing it, but beginning to heat up rapidly.

"When did Flay learn to fly like this?" Murrue wonders. But then her mind realizes that Lacus is out there, and the last time those two interacted...

"Miriallia, do your best to help coordinate with Lacus, and tell Kira to hurry up! Arnold keep us moving! Start targeting those GN-X's with the Valliants and deploy the Gottfried's! Both turrets!"

The two hatches ontop of the Archangel's legs opened, and the twin heavy beam turrets slowly rose up and began to track the swarming mobile suits. More missiles shot out from its rear launchers, as yellow high velocity railgun rounds and green beams of energy sliced out at her attackers. The possibility they'd have to find a way up to Magallanica was a whole other issue they could honestly deal with later. Unless Kira got to her quick enough.

KTS: Murrue Ramius targets Flay Allster with Designate L1!
KTS: Flay Allster accepts Murrue Ramius's Designate L1!
KTS: Murrue Ramius designates Flay Allster, making her easier to target and opening her to indirect fire.
KTS: Best Defense! Flay Allster successfully reacts to Murrue Ramius's Designate L1, taking 0 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Shinn Asuka has posed.

Shinn feels the world start to change. Something was going on but he couldn't get a feeling as to what. Maybe his intuition was on. "Flay! I think they are making a move on...to kidnap the groom? That has to be it! These terrorists are after ransom money or something." Shinn is starting to feel himself actually think this through. And he's trying to pick at a battleship with a Bearguy. It wasn't the best strategy considering it's load out. "I'm going for one of the attackers and to check on the groom!" Shinn says, feeling confident in his prediction.

But who to attack?

Shinn scans the area, letting his white formal gown flap in the winds of battle. The dress was strangely resilent, only having a few burns from the missiles he endured earlier.

Then it is like heaven itself opens up and spills light down on his target. Shinn's attention falls on the Laevatein, scanning it with his beary features. It looked dangerous and new. "Time to stop some terrorists!" Shinn removes a second Beam Recorder from the machine's garter, igniting it with a swift motion. "HEY! Thanks for ruining a lovely wedding for someone I hate!" The Bearguy charges forward as Shinn pulls back on the controls, suddenly throwing it forward to send a powerful swing toward the middle of the Laevatein's body. "AARGH!!!!" Shinn screams as he completes the swing, sending all of his rage into it as the bridal dress flows with each jagged movement.

KTS: Shinn Asuka targets Al with My Proud My Play!

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Ruri's right, Al," Rena says to him. "She said as much to Eight. But... we couldn't quite have Magallanica intervene so publicly. Now, if Cagalli flees there..."

It's a different matter entirely. After all, offering asylum is what Magallanica does.

She winces -- then she nods. "I'll be careful," she says. "And... we'll have a look at the tuning on that."

She takes a seat -- feeling the way the G forces slam her backward, with such movement; it's like she's been dragged down against the very pit of her seat, her jaw shut tight. "Gh--"

But as soon as it stops, she's at the controls -- and ready to keep the Laevatein moving, as it comes for the much larger Gundam with its twin blades alight.

They dive in -- and the railgun is cut in two, while the Inazuma pulls back. She sucks a breath in, and her eyes narrow. "We're not playing," 'Grey' tells Marian. "We--gh, she's disengaged."

Then, Rena sighs, and she wipes at her brow. "All right, people!" she says over the Terminal line. "Let's get Representative Athha and get out of here. Engage NUNE units if you need to, but we're doing a fighting retreat! Make sure the Archangel and Freedom are with us, when we do!"

She breathes out again. "Al, you read--" Then her eyes widen as she hits the throttle, to move the Laevatein. "Bearguy, incoming!"

<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.

Shinn's bold deduction that they're kidnapping the groom actually gets a slight laugh from Flay. She doesn't know if he's being serious or not. "Really, him? I don't know... he didn't catch my eye much at all. I guess the only thing he's really worth is his worth in cash."

"If there isn't anything wrong with it," Flay strains, pushing through with her beam sabers, "Then why are you getting in my way?" If her question wasn't so aggressive, it might seem as if she's asking Lacus what her own reasons for intervening on the Athha-Seiran wedding are. But Flay comes to a similar conclusion - if Lacus is only carrying physical weaponry... she might actually stand a chance against her.

Swept up in that logic, Flay follows Lacus's feint - charging through those tiny shotgun pellets, beam saber still in hand, relying on the Strike's Phase Shift Armour to protect her even as bullets rattle across the frame. The strain on the battery is heavy, though, and true to Lacus's intentions, the final snapshot forces Flay to double the Strike back to a halt, swapping beam saber for bazooka to conserve energy.

People always seem to come into each other's lives for a reason, but is there any other way this encounter could have gone? "Maybe there really is no way we can understand each other, then..." Flay starts, her tone dropping almost a little melancholy. She aims the bazooka for the weak points in the EFREET's armour, punctured by her beam sabers in their previous altercation. "But I'm... I'm not the same terrified girl you met on that ship!"

The wedding venue's in shambles, and Flay comes to recognize that even if she can overpower Lacus in combat now, she hasn't really won. Especially with the Archangel locked onto her. "You should be happy, because you've already got what you wanted. But I won't let you take away anything else!" Her fingers twitch over the targeting scope, the bazooka bursts growing rapidly more aggressive, forcing Lacus to consider whether it's even worth continuing to engage with her.

KTS: Flay Allster targets Lacus Clyne with Strike Bazooka Barrage!
KTS: Lacus Clyne fails to engage guard against Flay Allster's Strike Bazooka Barrage!
KTS: [Spirit Defense] Lacus Clyne's Neither Will Alone activates, and her spirit endures.
KTS: Flay Allster enervates Lacus Clyne, reducing her Morale significantly.
KTS: Critical Hit! Lacus Clyne poorly reacts to Flay Allster's Strike Bazooka Barrage, taking 6785 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Flay Allster's Fight Until You Die activates, causing Deject!

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "You're very confident," Jun replies to Marian, a frown on his face. "That doesn't mean you're right." He closes the communications down --

        -- and affirms Rena's call. "Let's get Cagalli out of here. Once you're all safely back with the Nadesico, we'll retreat back to Magallanica. Nergal can sort things out there." Because, in the end...

        ... are they really acting against the company?

        It's convenient for them to let Marian think what she thinks, either way.

        But once their mechs are loaded back on the Nadesico, it will be difficult for anyone to argue with their leaving.

KTS: Al engages evade against Shinn Asuka's My Proud My Play!
KTS: Critical Hit! Al poorly reacts to Shinn Asuka's My Proud My Play, taking 7010 damage!
KTS: [Dynamic Hit] Shinn Asuka's Ace Attacker activates, causing Insight L1!
Flay_Allster has changed Boss level to 1

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Laevatein ET slams its monocutters home as the railgun falls apart. "Do as you must," is his advice to Marian as she retreats. "Now then...with the way open, I should..."

He opens the preassigned channel to allied pilots. "Please proceed promptly to the rescue objective," he advises, and in his usual way, assists via the drumbeat of something old and synthy and driving. It starts to punch through the radios. But before vocals can begin, Al interrupts himself by yelping, "Bear!?"

Then Laevatein is tackled by a Beargguy in a wedding dress and punched square in Laevatein's face. There is a thunderous CLANG and Laevatein physically leaves the ground from the force of the hit, wobbling backwards in midair for a dozen meters before it slams back into the ground, hard, skidding along the length of sand. Laevatein ET levers itself up a moment later, rising tall, staring with blazing green eyes. "I will attempt to hold off the remaining aggressor," Al says, and then draws Laevatein's monomolecular cutters again. Then, to the Beargguy he opens a line and says, "You're welcome," just before surging in to chop off its arms at the elbows.

KTS: Al has activated the Valor Spirit Command.
KTS: Al has activated the Focus Spirit Command.
KTS: Al targets Shinn Asuka with Monomolecular Cutter Twin Strike!
KTS: Al's Where Are We Going activates Valor and Alert!

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Their team attack goes well - and the Inazuma is knocked further away. Ryoko's Aestivalis receives a thumbs-up of approval.

'What makes you think I, of everyone, would trust them?' Anita raises an eyebrow.

"...You're a tough one to figure out." She says. Marian retreats, though, to go after the Freedom - which means the way is open.

"Well... I'll take it. Let's go!" Anita says. Her Aestivalis accelerates to the largely-evacuated wedding venue, where Murasaki in her Murasame are, and Cagalli with an Orb soldier. She glances toward Ryoko's Aestivalis once - and nods, before moving to position herself between Murasaki's Murasame and Cagalli to give Ryoko an opening to move.

"It's alright, don't worry - we'll get her to safety." Anita assures. "So can you just let us handle this?"

It'd be nice if that's all the fighting they had to do today. The less the better, in a situation like this.

<Pose Tracker> Lacus Clyne has posed.

"Because you and I are different people," Lacus answers her, giving a tiny shake of her head in her cockpit. "Pursuing what you desire isn't wrong, but..."

... neither is pursuing what Cagalli desires, Lacus wants to say, but can't bring herself to for countless reasons. Besides -- perhaps she is that heartless, to cut into the young woman before her simply because the two of them are in each other's way -- regardless of their encounters. Regardless of Flay's encounters with Kira, or her own.

Lacus can see that she has Flay under pressure -- that the switch to the bazooka is an effort to buy time to marshal her reserves.

... That doesn't matter, though. The EFREET Steward isn't meant for support this close, ortofight alone against an ace's mobile suit (however aging the frame may be). "Both of us have changed," Lacus reflects to Flay, bringing up the tiny arm bracers on the EFREET to offer a mediocre defense of herself. "And the world has changed as well." The bazooka blasts hit her armor, and the EFREET sags; it's a devastating blow, and Lacus knows that Flay has something bigger in reserve after switching to the bazooka. She couldn't exhaust the Phase Shift Armor in time, and she's too far away to be the one to reach for Cagalli.

So, naturally, she does the only sensible thing: she pulls back toward the Archangel. She's done what she can -- and, quite frankly, Flay is the better pilot, in the better machine, with a better matchup.

She leaves Flay with a question, then:

"Are you happy with those changes?"

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

"Anytime-! Might call on you next time we play beach volleyball at this rate."

Ryoko sounds out more cheerily Anita's way.

Marian however... tries to turn it back on her, calling her jealous and a sellout. The idea is laughable, if only she knew how much Ryoko got paid lately, but she's still angry, "<Lady you don't know a thing about me, but I know all I need to know about you if you think this is defending someone's legacy.>"

Ryoko sounds, low and dangerous, "<He's the guy who called us in to defend this nation from the Federation, but now that they're named NUNE suddenly... you're the COWARD that is holding a shotgun to his daughter at her wedding!>"

Marian however, retreats under the aegis of having a nation to protect and she furiously calls after her, "<Protect this nation!? You think this is COURAGEOUS? Don't you dare - piss on our boots and tell us it's raining!>"

However, it's gone soon enough and- after taking a breath, "Whatever, we've got a real job to do. Come on Annie - let's get what we came for."

And indeed her Aestivalis swoops down towards the site of the wedding, spotting a Murasame heading towards the bride-

"<HEY!>"

... abruptly her Aestivalis cuts her off, body checking the Murasame so that it suddenly gets struck so that it's forced to veer off.

"<I OBJECT!>" The Aesti hovers on it's thrusters over the ground, "<... on grounds of...>"

Awkward pause build up of awkward frustration as she realizes she didn't think this line through.

"<... AAHHH DAMNIT - LOOK SHE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU! YOU'RE KIND OF AN ASSHOLE SELLOUT!>"

Ryoko takes a breath and...

The cockpit opens as the small Aestivalis suddenly touches down and takes a knee, it's small but, there's enough room.

Of course on the inside is the woman that decked her-! So maybe she doesn't feel incentivized to do that!

"It's-" Like she wants to say something but then just doesn't, "-doesn't matter! Hurry and get in!"

<Pose Tracker> Lilium Valerie has posed.

"What?? They're trying to kidnap the groom?!?"

Lilium, having been busy dodging 110cm rounds, hasn't been paying much attention to the situation. Unfortunately, this means that Shinn's assessment of the situation happens to be the first one she fully processes. "We can't let them do that!"

Taking advantage of the brief gap in the Archangel's barrage, her GN-X turns about and starts to accelerate towards the island, zeroing in on Yuna's last reported position at speeds far in excess of what would normally be permitted over an urban area.

<<Lilium Valerie, moving to assist in the recovery of the groom!>>

KTS: Lilium Valerie targets Murrue Ramius with Pass!

<Pose Tracker> Flay Allster has posed.

"We couldn't be any more different," Flay agrees, even if there's also a part of her that doesn't want to admit they're way more similar than she cares to say. "But that just makes it more frustrating!" She concedes, as to both the spoken and unspoken part. Perhaps it says a lot that what Cagalli wanted never even factored into their exchange.

Even as she tears into Lacus's mobile suit with her bazooka, Flay reflects on Lacus's words - that they've both changed, and so has the world. It's strikingly similar to the words she shared with Nicol. "And once something's changed, it will never go back to the way it used to be!" Flay squeezes her controls, waiting for Lacus's next move - and waiting to tear into her once again, whether it's with her words again or with the violence she's learned.

The Strike discards the Bazooka, brandishing the beam saber from the Aile striker again, preparing to chase the EFREET down even if it's pointless. It's Lacus's parting question that causes her to freeze up, hesitating for the first time in this battle. It feels like such a simple question, but it's a level of introspection she's not used to.

Is she happy, Lacus might have well asked. "...I don't know," She answers, to the suddenly cold emptiness of her cockpit. "If the world won't stop changing, I just don't want it to leave me behind."Flay makes no effort to hinder the kidnapping of Cagalli. It's a foregone conclusion.

KTS: Shinn Asuka fails to engage guard against Al's Monomolecular Cutter Twin Strike!
KTS: Critical Hit! Shinn Asuka poorly reacts to Al's Monomolecular Cutter Twin Strike, taking 6960 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

Marian took their prickly words in stride as she left. She found out what they were here for, and it's in line with what she had planned. It's enough for now. She'll allow her pride to be trampled on if it meant Lord Uzumi's legacy survives with Cagalli.

"Sorry! But I'm held up! This Gundam...!" Kira respond to the Archangel.

A blade from the Inazuma come swinging at the Freedom and Kira reacts accordingly, activating his own to parry. The two beams lock in the air and in comes Marian's voice. "Sorry, kid. You're going to cripple us at this rate. Just play with dear old me a little. Just leave Cagalli to them," she says with a flirty undertone. ...an experience she's had with Shinn. It'll be enough to throw him off, she hopes.

Kira doesn't take it further than this. Marian is putting up a good fight, but if he really put his mind to it, he have no doubt he'll be able to take her. But...that's not what he's here for. And seeing as a friendly Aestivalis landing in front of her (and Yuna)...

'I OBJECT!' Huh? 'On grounds of...' What the heck is she saying?

Yuna audibly eeks and hides behind Cagalli, his legs shaking. "C-Cagalli!"

The cockpit opens soon after, and seeing the woman inside it...doesn't inspire confidence.

Cagalli is shocked that out of everyone that came to her aid, she is the one who's saves her.

It's a liberating feeling. Like a heavy weight of her shoulders. She can put this wedding behind her. Orb will have to come later. She still doesn't understand Marian, but she's aware of the things she's doing behind the scenes, somewhat. If Orb has her, and others like Murasaki and Eight. It'll be fine.

She somehow regained her composure and strength. Her eyes are firm with resolve. She rips her cake-caked dress at the legs, and runs forwards with an energy she has not mustered since her father's death.

"Don't think I've forgotten what you did! This doesn't make us even!" She tells Ryoko.

"...but... thank you..." she says softly after getting into the cockpit, a little smile forming on her face.

The two Gundams in the air sees this. There's a pause between them as their blades unfold.

"...go," Marian tells the other pilot.

'...what a strange woman', was his thought. He took her words with that, and flies towards Ryoko.

Murasaki is unfortunately a little too late to Cagalli's rescue...

Ryoko, for her part, receives a short message from the Inazuma. "Take care of her," it simply reads.

Yuna watch as his prize is stolen, and he grabbed another soldier to the side once again and barks another ridiculous order. "S-Stop them! Shoot them down!"

"But we'll risk hurting Lady Cagalli!"

"I- Mmnngghhh!" He could do nothing but stand and watch. His fine suit similarly caked.

KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Shinn Asuka has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Shinn Asuka has activated the Trick Spirit Command.
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!

<Pose Tracker> Shinn Asuka has posed.

Shinn is pretty smug about his attack hitting the Laevatein. He is not prepared for the beat down it sends back with way. The arms of the bride are sliced off quite effortlessly. He is about to just let it go before Al opens his mouth to the unstable child in the cockpit. "I'm welcome?" Shinn grinds his teeth as he sits in the cockpit, pulling back on the controls and sending them forward. "YOU STUCK UP SON OF A!!!" The bridal Bearguy comes running at the Laevatein, armless and helpless. Or so it would seem.

The machine leeps off it's feet, sending the body coming in like a missile. Head first. This would be it's final attack.

Shinn screams loudly as the Bearguy eyes burn red.

KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Shinn Asuka targets Al with Head Attack!
KTS: Rena Lancaster has activated the Alert Spirit Command targeting Al
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Shinn Asuka has activated the Strike Spirit Command.
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Al has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Al has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Al has activated the Foresee Spirit Command.
KTS: Shinn Asuka's Resurgence L3 activates!
KTS: Al fails to engage evade against Shinn Asuka's Head Attack!
KTS: Al poorly reacts to Shinn Asuka's Head Attack, taking 5400 damage!
KTS: Al has been defeated!

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"We've got the representative, Al," Rena says, before she looks at the monitor.

Bearguy approaches.

"HOLY FUCKING SHIT--"

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

As Lacus lands in the Archangel's recovery hangar, Murrue has Miriallia call back Kira and orders Arnold to follow the Nadesico. Mission partially accomplished, she supposed. Now, the Archangel had no choice but to follow the Nadesico, and Murrue could only hope that Cagalli could tolerate that ship's...eccentricities long enough for them all to reach Magallanica.

As she ordered the ship down to minimal alert, she strangely felt...at ease. Calm.

Home.

"Arnold, get us in formation with the Nadesico. No turning back now."

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

Ryoko eyes Cagalli as they get in the cockpit, it's a tight fit, in an Aestivalis and Cagalli more has to half crouch at the side of the pilot's seat.

"Course we're not even!" She replies, as the cockpit slides to close again with a pneumatic hiss, "You didn't even take your free shot."

'... but... thank you...'

"Don't mention it. I guess you couldn't say at the time you were planning for us to bail you out. ... Gotta hand it to you, I bought the act completely."

The Aestivalis thrusters roar, as it rises, "Got the bride with me, Annie gonna need your cover...! We're getting outta here!"

Suddenly those same thrusters flare and the Aestivalis tries to speed out overseas, towards the Nadesico with everything the Aerial Frame can muster, contrails of white appearing in the air in it's wake.

It's only after the first few seconds of her not immediately getting shot down pass that Cagalli might notice Ryoko side eyeing her.

"That guy picked the dress not you right?"

...
...
...

"It really doesn't suit you."

More moments pass...

"Annie, looks like we're in the clear. Maybe uh...'

'HOLY FUCKING SHIT--'

'...maybe go help Rena with the..."

Part of her soul dies.

"...bear."

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Al has no mouth to open, which really just makes it worse, in a way.

"Affirmative. We'll disengage and follow rendezvous route alpha," Al affirms to Rena, but then he realizes the Beargguy is disarmed, but not 'armless.

Rena is yelling. Al very calmly states, "Unexpected tactical maneuvering. Warning: Extreme hazard," immediately before a bear headbutts the Laevatein in the chest and sends the sturdy but experimental machine toppling.

Al is silent for several long seconds.

"Category C and D damage to critical portions of the frame. Further combat impossible. Serious instability detected in the paladium reactor. Further combat impossible. I am sorry, Captain. We are outmatched. Recommend setting self-destruct and abandoning the vehicle."

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

Cagalli looks to the side. "...it wasn't an act..." she mumbled. But at this distance, Ryoko could easily catch her saying it.

Ryoko comments on her dress, still greasy in the cake and probably getting some on Ryoko and the cockpit and she responds, "S-Shut up! I never liked dresses anyway!"

The screen shows Shinn in the Bearguy, and Al...was DEFEATED?

She turned to Ryoko with that. Even she's questioning what she's seeing right now.

But for now, she's safe from her responsibilities.

It'll only be a brief respite before she has to return to Orb, but...this is okay for now. She needs some rest from everything. She could act like a spoiled Princess for a bit, can't she?

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"No," Rena groans, running a hand over her face. "We'll--"

The Freedom sweeps down low. But as it does, it floats in front of the sun -- giving it an almost heavenly glow -- and then it comes down and grabs ahold of the Laevatein Early Type, scooping it up with one hand.

"I've got you," Kira Yamato says. "Thanks for coming to help out."

"Glad we did," Rena says. There's a final look back at the Bearguy. "Who is he...?"

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

"Roger that." Anita replies with a nod as Ryoko confirms that she's safely retrieved Cagalli. "Don't worry, I'll cover you!"

Ryoko takes off - and then Anita offers those present a polite salute from her Aestivalis before moving to join her in the retreat.

Ryoko makes a suggestion, though, and -

Anita watches as Rena's unit gets body-checked head-first by a robot bear in a wedding dress. That's something you don't see every day.

"...Good call." Anita says - and then she breaks away to join up with her, as the Freedom retreives the Laevatein. Anita breathes a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for that." Anita says, offering the Freedom a nod. "And... good question. You alright?"

They all made it out of this, at least - even the person they came here to retrieve.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Annie, I got the shit beaten out of me by a giant bear," Rena, hero of the Second Battle of Jachin Due, whines.

"I need a hug."

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita, to her credit, doesn't laugh. Her ability to keep a straight face and a relaxed mood is legendary sometimes.

"When we get back." Anita promises.

<Pose Tracker> Al has posed.

Al pipes in, "Ah. Excellent. A turn of fortunes."

One of Rena's screens starts reviewing footage. "I didn't anticipate the explosive power of a bride...so this is humanity's will..."

Al can't receive hugs so he has to do work, apparently.

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

Ryoko sideeyes her again at that comment that it wasn't an act... as if 'What are you serious?'

However first she's forced to address that one about the dress as Cagalli tells her to shut up, "Yeah so!? That makes two of us!"

Ryoko shouts back willfully, "But this one is awful! I figured it had to be that Seiran douchebag who picked it! And what's with that eyeliner!? I almost mistook you for a bridesmaid that was trying way too hard to pick up someone at the reception!"

However, eventually she harumphs and faces forward, "And I don't know what you mean this wasn't an act! You planned this with the woman in charge right? She put our lives on the line! She's not the kind of woman that'd crash someone's wedding just because-!"

Ryoko just exhales as her Aestivalis finally crosses the boundary of the Nadesico's distortion field.

"Damnit when is someone else on this stupid ship gonna get married. At least if this was Izumi's third husband I'd get to have fun at the wedding."

...
...
...

"... Actually rather it be Minato, Hikaru and me wouldn't need a betting pool over the pun tally for HER wedding."

<Pose Tracker> Cagalli Yula Athha has posed.

Cagalli narrowed her eyes at Ryoko. No expression could convey her response to that, so she speaks plainly. Truthfully. A rare response, considering their conflict on their first meeting. "N- Agh! Of course I was serious! You try being in my shoes, where you have to choose between your own freedom and duty!"

Ryoko's reply next did give Cagalli a sense of increasing closeness with her however. And there's an audible when Ryoko commented on her makeup after. "Ugh! Shut up! Just get me back to the Archangel so I can wash this crap off!" But she doesn't pick at it or rub it. She knows it's gonna make it look worse. She's still raised as a noble, when all's said and done, even for how much she avoided most of the lessons.

She joked next. Or rather, teased, as a way to get back at her, if for a little bit. "Marriage? You'd make a good bride. I can set you up with Yuna! The position is open!"

<Pose Tracker> Ryoko Subaru has posed.

"We'll rendezvous with the Archangel AFTER we get out of Orb airspace! You REALLY want the whole Orb Navy shooting at them WITHOUT a distortion field?! They'll be swiss cheese!"

Ryoko shouts back at her as her Aestivalis tromps down one foot step at a time into the hangar bay, as the pit opens, and the hangar crew claps and cheers, as she swings out, and holds up a hand.

"Just head to the toilet and wash off, I'll swing by and throw you one of my old outfits. At least then noone on the Archangel will have to see you in this getup!"

Ryoko however makes a face, turning a bit red at being called a good bride, "Y-Yeah well you really thi-" I can set you up with Yuna! "-OH YEAH!? SHOVE IT UP YOUR SPOILED ASS!"

Seiya Uribatake as well as the hangar crew watch the back and forth between the two for a bit, as he sighs, putting a palm to his face, under his glasses.

"Way to ruin a guy's fantasies of what a Princess is like."