"Lord Jehart! It's a relief to see you safe and sound..." Upon returning to the central command room on the Second Moon, Falk Okramud, who had temporarily taken over Jehart's command of the entire army, greeted him with excitement. The troops sent to reinforce the central front had suffered heavy casualties under the Federal Army's assault. Even Jehart's personal guard, adjutant, and Zannald had lost contact. If something were to happen to Jehart at this critical moment, there would be no point in continuing the fight.
"How's the current situation?" Jehart quickly asked.
"Not good. I've mobilized heavy forces from the surrounding areas to hold off the Federal Army's advance. Even the reserves have been deployed, but all we've managed to do is slow their progress. We can't completely stop them."
"What about the charging progress of the Digmazernon Cannon?"
"It's at 67%. That's the best we can do with the cooling systems running at full capacity. As you know, the Digmazernon Cannon isn't designed for rapid fire..."
"That's too slow. We need to create a breakthrough to seize the advantage for our forces."
"But..."
"No buts. Connect the Laglamis to the Second Moon and use the Second Moon to charge the Digmazernon Cannon."
"In that case... Understood!"
Falk Okramud silently marveled at Jehart's quick thinking. Truly, he was the successor chosen by Ezelcant. In such a short time, he had already devised a solution.
The Digmazernon Cannon was VEGAN's last hope. Now that the Federal Army had concentrated their forces for a central breakthrough, this was the perfect opportunity to fire the cannon while they were unprepared. Even if the enemy managed to evade in time, at least 50% of their forces would be wiped out. This would tip the scales of victory back in VEGAN's favor.
However, the next order left Falk Okramud stunned.
"Order the 18th, 19th, 27th, and 32nd fleets to converge on the central front. The remaining forces are to disperse to the flanks."
"Lord Jehart!"
"Execute the order. I know what I'm doing. They must hold back the Diva, the Celestial Being squadron, and the Gundams at all costs. They cannot be allowed to escape," Jehart said.
"...Understood."
Falk Okramud had already grasped Jehart's intentions, which was why he hesitated. But then he thought about the nature of the forces being called upon and ultimately accepted the order.
"Laglamis separation, docking procedure initiated..."
"Cooling systems activated, energy output rate increasing..."
"Charging accelerated, 50%... 55%... 60%..."
"Energy conduction normal, cooling systems normal, Digmazernon Cannon charging normal..."
"I will not fail. Failure is not an option!" Jehart's eyes were fixed on the tactical map as he repeatedly steeled himself. He bore the fate of all of VEGAN on his shoulders. No matter the cost, he had to pave the way for his people to reach Eden.
...
On the battlefield outside, the Diva led the fleet in a charge, with the Photon Destroyer Cannon nearing its critical charging point. However, their target was still out of range.
"Captain, the Photon Destroyer Cannon is almost fully charged, but we won't be able to bring the enemy fortress within firing range in time!"
"How could this be..." Captain Enaes analyzed every possible solution, only to find that none could bring the enemy fortress within firing range in the limited time available.
"Reinforcements from the VEGAN fleet have been spotted on both flanks... Huh? That's strange..."
"What's going on? What happened?"
"After the VEGAN reinforcements arrived, the original fleet began to retreat, clearing the way..."
"Clearing the way..." Captain Enaes couldn't fathom the enemy's intentions. Shouldn't the priority be to concentrate their forces and eliminate us? Why are they retreating like a changing of the guard, with one side arriving and the other withdrawing?
At that moment, a flash of insight struck Captain Enaes. The scene of the enemy fortress cannon's first firing played in his mind.
"Could it be!" With this thought, Captain Enaes immediately connected to Admiral Argreus's communication line. "Admiral, an abnormal situation has occurred."
"Report, Captain Enaes."
Captain Enaes then detailed the bizarre situation and his own suspicions to Admiral Argreus.
"You're saying... this is another enemy decoy?" Admiral Argreus furrowed his brow deeply.
"Yes."
"But can that weapon really..."
Admiral Argreus naturally didn't believe that a weapon of such power could fire consecutively in such a short time. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had the opportunity for a central breakthrough, and VEGAN's earlier resistance didn't seem like a plan to lure them in.
Just then, a sudden change on the battlefield convinced Admiral Argreus of Captain Enaes's suspicions.
"Admiral! The enemy fortress is undergoing changes, it's separating!"
"What? Bring up the images!"
The images played on the main screen, showing the Laglamis fortress, connected like a spiral tower, separating one by one and rearranging itself, connecting with the Second Moon.
"The fortress is connecting with the colony satellite!? If that's the case..." The image of the enemy fortress cannon sweeping through their forces flashed in Admiral Argreus's mind, leaving no room for hesitation. "All fleets, immediately move away from the firing axis..."
"Please wait, Admiral, I have a proposal." Captain Enaes interrupted Admiral Argreus's order, explaining his idea. "The enemy fortress cannon is likely ready to fire again, but if we retreat now and the enemy detects it, they might abort the firing. In that case, the fortress cannon, ready to fire at any moment, would pose a significant threat to our forces. I propose that the Diva and the Celestial Being squadron act as decoys to draw the enemy's attention and provoke them into firing the fortress cannon. This way, our forces would no longer be threatened by it."
"But in that case, you and the Celestial Being squadron would..."
Admiral Argreus quickly ran through Captain Enaes's plan in his mind and already approved of it. It was a perfect plan, but the problem was... VEGAN could use their own people as decoys, but he couldn't, especially when the decoys were the Federal Army's heroic ship and heroic unit. Even if the plan succeeded, the cost to the Federal Army would be too great.
"Leave it to us!"
At that moment, Flit and Yang Hui simultaneously joined the communication.
"Commander! Lieutenant General!"
"The task of being the decoy will be left to us. Compared to the Celestial Being squadron, the Gundams are the most enticing bait. Moreover, with the Gundams' performance, we can leave the firing axis at the last moment," Yang Hui said.
"The Diva will be set to automatic operation mode. The crew will abandon the ship and evacuate, to be received by the Baize. The Baize is the Federation's only warship equipped with the Parasol system. With it, we can spirit people away without anyone noticing," Flit added.
"But... is this really okay, Commander? The AGE System cannot be taken with us," Argreus reminded Flit. The AGE System was Flit's life's greatest masterpiece, his lifelong effort, and the core of the Gundams' infinite evolution. Could he really give it up?
"We have won this battle. Both the Gundams and the AGE System have fulfilled their missions, so it's no big deal," Flit said calmly.
"Hmm... I understand. The plan is approved! Contact the entire fleet immediately, slowly move outside the firing axis. The Baize will approach the Diva to receive the crew. The six Gundams will guard the Diva until the very end. Make sure VEGAN doesn't detect our intentions!"
"Understood!" XN
The orders reached everyone. The fleet following the Diva was slowly moving outward, not slowing down their advance, fully appearing as if they were forming up for a decisive battle with VEGAN.
The Baize activated the Parasol system and quickly approached the Diva. Only when it was directly below the Diva did it deactivate its stealth mode, welcoming the Diva's crew. After picking up everyone, the Baize entered silent navigation again, disappearing from everyone's sight.
The six Gundams gathered around the Diva, escorting it as it slowly advanced.
The Celestial Being squadron dispersed, appearing to support the advancing allies. Before leaving, they also received several cockpits handed over by Yang Hui and Yurin.
"You've worked hard all this time..." Flit watched through the screen as the battle-scarred Diva continued to take hits, many memories flooding his mind.
Back then, it was the Diva that carried them forward, gathering more and more companions, uncovering VEGAN's true identity, firing the first shot of the counterattack. It was a symbol, carrying the bonds of three generations of the Asuno family, connecting the hearts of their companions.
And today, this old comrade, who had served for nearly a century, was finally about to end its journey. A sense of loss filled Flit's chest.
"Flit..."
"I know, I've already taken control of the Photon Destroyer Cannon. It can be fired at any moment," Flit opened his visor and wiped away his tears, responding to Yang Hui.
"Don't worry, she will be reborn in a new form."
"Yes, now..." Flit stared intently at the VEGAN fleet gathering ahead, waiting for the best opportunity.
Finally, a few minutes later, the VEGAN fleet in the firing axis of the Photon Destroyer Cannon reached its peak.
"Enjoy your final achievement, old friend. Photon Destroyer Cannon, fire!"
"Whoosh~"
At the belly of the Diva, energy converged and condensed, eventually erupting into a dazzling brilliance. The radiant torrent swallowed all the enemies in front of it in one gulp.
In the eyes of Flit and the others, the Photon Destroyer Cannon at this moment was more magnificent and radiant than ever before.
"All units, maintain formation and await orders. Asemu, prepare the super thrusters!"
"Roger that!" x5
...
In the command room of the Second Moon, Jehart didn't dare to blink, ensuring that the legendary battleship Diva and the six Gundams did not leave the firing axis of the Degmazeron Cannon.
Seeing the fleet in front of the Diva disappear in an instant, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but it quickly subsided.
"Commander Jehart! The Degmazeron Cannon is fully charged!"
"Proceed."
"Yes! Degmazeron Cannon, fire!"
...
"It's coming! Asemu!"
Detecting a high-energy reaction ahead, the six Gundams quickly gathered around the Gundam AGE-2, tightly holding onto it.
"All units, ignite the super thrusters simultaneously!"
"Now! Activate the super thrusters!"
The six Gundams simultaneously reached maximum output, their rear flames almost illuminating the enti
re sector, trailing long plumes as they rapidly disengaged.
Just a second after they left, a golden divine retribution descended, devouring VEGAN, devouring the Diva, devouring everything.
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