Chapter 105: SEED - Enlightenment
After setting down his wine cup, Mu looked at Sahib with a solemn expression.
"In the days ahead, you'll still have to endure hardship. Even if the Desert Tiger is gone, that doesn't mean the ZAFT army has vanished. What they've always wanted is the mine. They'll be back soon enough."
Sahib picked up the submachine gun at his side and declared with passion:
"When that time comes, we'll fight again! We'll keep resisting! Against those who try to oppress us!"
At that moment, a young boy rushed in and said to Sahib:
"Dad, the elder says it's time to hold the prayer ceremony to send off the warriors."
Sahib nodded, then led his son and Murrue's group to the outer area of the base.
Under the elder's guidance, they held a farewell prayer ceremony for the fallen warriors.
The elder called out each of the names of the dead, hoping their spirits would rest in peace and bless the living.
Everyone pressed their right fist tightly to their chest, showing their respect.
When the ceremony ended, people returned to their homes to rest, and the Archangel crew went back to their quarters.
Tolle and Miriallia, under Natarle's lead, arrived at their new living space.
"Ensign Tolle, please refrain from doing anything strange or overboard in your quarters."
Before leaving, Natarle cast a glance at Miriallia, then directed the warning at Tolle before turning away.
Tolle protested—what weird or excessive thing could he possibly do? Should he try it with her too?
Then, carrying their personal belongings, he and Miriallia moved into their new quarters.
After setting up their private space, the two hugged each other happily, savoring the fact that they finally had their own place.
Without another word, Tolle excitedly pulled out his long-unused realistic simulation console and invited Miriallia to play a fighter jet simulator with him, hoping to boost her survival skills.
Miriallia was a little reluctant at first, but since it was important to indulge girls, Tolle gave in—yes, even when it came to gaming.
To accommodate her as a beginner, Tolle angrily picked the older Model 69 fighter jet, while Miriallia chose the newest Model 100.
Once selections were made, they dove into battle.
Because the Model 69 had weaker firepower, lower attack strength, and poor speed, Tolle gradually fell behind, stuck trailing Miriallia's fighter jet.
But unwilling to lose, he sprayed her jet's tail with machine gun fire.
Her jet wobbled dangerously under the assault, shaking violently in mid-air.
Still dizzy, Miriallia refused to back down. She immediately engaged the Model 100's dive mode, forcing her plane through spins under fire, then retaliated with two missiles.
Unfortunately, Tolle's Model 69 couldn't withstand the attack. Soon, under her furious bombardment, he was defeated—spitting blood as his fighter was destroyed.
After playing for a while, Miriallia grew addicted to the simulation, especially this fighter training game.
They quickly agreed to a second round. But this time, Tolle didn't hold back.
Losing was one thing, but not that fast—not to a rookie girl. That was unacceptable.
Determined to reclaim his pride, he chose the more modern Model 99 fighter jet.
This time, Tolle's fighter charged in headfirst, suppressing Miriallia relentlessly, giving her no time to react.
Now she was the one stuck on defense, unable to strike back. But under the barrage, she slowly got used to the speed and power of the Model 100, gradually gaining control.
Before long, she mounted a counterattack—spinning furiously, trying to turn the tables.
Her fighter's heavy firepower soon pressed his Model 99. With a bold 180-degree roll, she dove down, crushing him beneath her jet. In a "go down together" mindset, she rammed his fighter.
The two battled fiercely, locked in stalemate, neither willing to yield. Both were determined to win.
At last, Tolle's Model 99 had the slight upper hand. Even pinned beneath, its firepower was relentless.
A missile hit Miriallia's fuel tank—her plane began leaking fuel, about to be destroyed.
Yet in the middle of her crash, she pulled off a desperate counter: a final tailspin strike that sent Tolle's fighter tumbling. Both jets went down together.
When the simulation battle ended, the two cast aside their rivalry and cuddled together on the bed.
Maybe the game was too realistic, too exhausting—soon, they drifted into sleep in each other's arms.
The next day, guided by Sahib, Cagalli sought out Murrue, declaring her wish to board the Archangel.
She said to the captain:
"Captain Ramius, I want to go with you aboard the Archangel. I can act as your guide, so you should bring me along. Besides, I know the situation here better than you do. When it comes to supplies or other problems, I can still help."
Murrue hesitated, glancing at Natarle and Mu for advice.
But the fiery girl left them no options. Neither could make up their mind, so they avoided Murrue's searching eyes.
Cagalli kept talking, insistent.
"Of course, I don't expect you to take me all the way to Alaska, and I don't intend to join the Earth Alliance. But right now, you need me, don't you?"
Mu, who had been watching, raised an eyebrow and asked skeptically, "Need you?"
Cagalli faltered, embarrassed, but persisted: "You need all kinds of help, don't you?"
Murrue lowered her head in thought. "Help, huh…"
At that, Mu stepped forward, mocking: "All kinds of help? In terms of luck? A goddess of victory, maybe?"
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