CHAPTER FOUR: CALM BEFORE THE STORM
June 1, Cosmic Era 70
Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty (Z.A.F.T.) frigate Galvani
Grimaldi Crater base ruins
The Galvani hovered above the remains of what were a few hours back an Earth Alliance waypoint. The Laurasia class frigate was just one of the few ships that were re-routed through the heavy EAF firebase. In less than three hours, the thoroughly weakened base fell upon the assault of the combined forces passing through the area. In fact most of the officers were shocked that it's many resources we're missing, now only the burned out hulks of three Agamemmnon carriers drifted in the stellar winds.
Deep inside the corridors of the frigate, the commander of the vessel edged his way towards the elevators that would lead him back to the bridge, his white dress uniform floating along with him in the confines of the hallway. Some pilots quickly saluted the masked officer as he flew past them in the gravity-less environment.
"What the situation?" Rau Le Crueset asked as he entered the bridge. He drifted closer towards his command chair but instead chose to stay afloat beside his Sensors operator.
"Commander, the Cervantes away team has just returned to their ship. Captain Toldys has informed us that the personnel on the base have already given up." The officer replied.
Taking his time with his reply, Commander Rau calmly stared at the space beyond the bridge's view port. He was carefully considering what had just happened. He was certain that he felt that flash of insight as soon as their flotilla entered the space above the base. Maybe his instincts were telling him something, but he felt that there was no more threat in this region. He moved towards the planning table of the bridge and brought up the sector maps of the area, but his gaze kept moving north from their position, towards a small resource base.
"CIC," he asked in a slow moderate tone "what lies at this point of the Grimaldi front?"
"That would be the Endymion Crater sir," The officer returned after accessing the data log. " Homeland's 1st fleet is currently moving there as we speak to help with the Moon fleet's push towards Ptolemeus."
"Contact, the Cervantes and the Arendt, inform them that we'll be moving in that direction as soon as we complete the reloading of supplies. I'm sure their captains would not mind our initiative, but inform them as well that they can proceed without us." Le Crueset said mindfully. I have a hunch that there's something waiting for us there.
Earth Alliance Carrier Null Dividend
Lunar orbit near Endymion Crater
After the recent naval battle broke up, the Dividend and its escorts had a brief respite. With one of the pursuing Nazcas crippled, the ZAFT flotilla ceased their pursuit of the trio of ships. While they received minor damage from Anti-ship fire, the same could not be said for their mobile armor contingent. Well and good that they managed to link up with the rest of the 3rd.
News reached the command of Colonel Barr that his was better off. The Indomitable the lead ship of one of the groups providing flanking cover-fire was caught between the arriving ZAFT mobile suits and the ships already in waiting beyond Endymion. Though the escorts fought ZAFT forces to a standstill, it was just barely enough to give the remaining crew time to board the waiting rescue vessels. The 3rd fleet already lost one of its command ships.
Within the now silent vessel's numerous passageways, Lieutenant La Flaga eased his way towards the command center. He was aware that they were lucky at this point though, he smiled at himself, it was also due to their skills. Colonel Ed Keyes though must've thought different to request the presence of his two Lieutenants. Something's afoot, and he's not telling anyone about it.
Mwu fixed his uniform before he entered. He noticed that Elsa had a bandage on her forehead, signs that the recent battle hit her hard as well. "Lieutenant La Flaga, reporting as order sir." He said as he saluted his commanding officer. Keyes nodded and motioned him to take a seat.
"As you both are well aware, the Dividend's armor forces have already been diminished. We lost Marcus in that sortie and Jillian's armor can't be repaired fast enough for what might be a dragging campaign." He ran his hand through his hair and dropped the clipboard he was holding.
"And that's not including the number of casualties our escorts received. We were lucky that Mwu was able to knock out that warship and that we managed to contain those mobile suits. If anything we might've not made it to the fleet staging ground."
"Our Zero squad only has eight armors left, including mine. Our brother and sister squadrons are at roughly the same strength. Though Colonel Barr hasn't put us at condition red yet, I'd prefer if you both treat the situation as such. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears."
Mwu felt uneasy about this. Something was wrong, "Colonel?" He ventured. "When will our reinforcements arrive? Wasn't the 2nd fleet supposed to rendezvous with us here? "
Colonel Keyes shook his head. "The fleet won't get here till 0900 hours tomorrow. Endymion below has its own forces but can't commit all of them in defense. It's a resource base not a firebase."
"So that means were basically on our own?" Elsa said coldly. She stood up from her seat and walked towards the display. Bringing up a portion of the Endymion Crater on screen, she plotted some coordinates and brought their attention to it. "This canyon might be one of the better locations to bring our ZAFT friends. It's narrow enough that we won't get overwhelmed but wide enough to allow some fancy flying…"
Lieutenant Dupre's explanation ran short as the warning klaxons wailed and the speakers bleated out their message. "All hands to stations. Condition Red has been announced. I repeat condition red has been announced. All pilots to their machines eight Nazcas and ten Laurasia frigates have been detected in the crater's shadow. Battle group Dividend has been ordered to take defensive positions above the base."
"Well Lieutenant Dupre" Mwu told her with a grim look etched on his face. "It looks like we'll get to test you plan after all."