The Solar System, the far side of Jupiter.
A brilliant warp corridor opened, and the Nahel Argama glided smoothly out of it. The energy from the warp didn't even trigger any spatial anomalies.
"Warp successful. Star map comparison complete... Current position: Far side of Jupiter, Solar System."
On the bridge of the Nahel Argama, the crew sat before various instruments. Data cables were connected behind their right ears, and streams of data flashed continuously across their eyes as they occasionally input manual commands.
"The warp was incredibly smooth. No violent energy leaks, and none of the turbulence mentioned in the records," one crew member remarked, leaning back and scratching his head after the data sync was complete.
"Even that Celestial Being research station on Jupiter hasn't raised any alarms like the briefing said it might..."
"That is because we followed the official channels through a formal application."
By this time, the "Warhammer-esque" station that previously belonged to Big Haro on the bridge had vanished.
In its place was a new, small ramp extending behind Murrue Ramius. Big Haro sat nestled in a custom groove atop it, looking down over the entire bridge.
"This world has acknowledged our presence; even the destination of our warp was provided by It. Therefore, our arrival will not cause any disasters."
"The Lord God's methods, on the other hand, are either like an invasion or a smuggling operation. If we are guests visiting a friend's home, they are the ones breaking down the front door."
"However, even if the world itself has acknowledged us as Big Haro says, we are still unclear on the attitudes of the people living within it."
Murrue nodded toward the Haro and turned her gaze back to the bow of the ship. "Set course for Earth. Activate the Mirage Colloid system; proceed in stealth."
Indeed, while constructing the new mobile suits, Roz Links had also designed a compatible Mirage Colloid system for the Nahel Argama, allowing the ship to travel while invisible.
This development had caused Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel to lament that if the Archangel had possessed a Mirage Colloid system back then, they wouldn't have been chased across space by ZAFT.
"Understood. Course confirmed. Mirage Colloid system, activate!"
Following the crew's response, the Nahel Argama began to move. After reaching the required acceleration, the thruster output was throttled down, and the battleship gradually vanished into the void of space.
Even the Celestial Being research facility on Jupiter remained entirely unaware of the Nahel Argama's arrival.
-----------------------------------
Roz Links stood in the hangar and looked up, watching the massive, steel monster of a mobile suit being secured into a cargo container.
Roz had deliberated for a long time on how to descend to Earth to battle those Agents of the Lord God.
Ultimately, he decided to use a rocket cargo pod for the drop. On one hand, by breaking atmosphere first, he could scout and create the necessary landing conditions for the Nahel Argama, preventing the battleship from performing a blind descent that might lead to complications.
"Big Brother Roz... no, Captain!"
As Roz was lost in thought, Cindy walked up to his side and gave him a sharp salute. "The Penelope has finished loading. Ready to depart at any time."
Indeed, the machine Roz had constructed for this operation was the Penelope.
He chose it because its silhouette and sheer volume could exert immense pressure on the enemy. Furthermore, considering that the information sources of the Lord God's Agents remained a mystery, Roz intended to utilize an "information gap" to gain the upper hand.
In the original timeline, the pilot of the Penelope was Lane Aim, a man known for being upright and somewhat straightforward in his maneuvers. Roz planned to use this established persona as a persona/disguise to launch surprise attacks on the enemy.
Additionally, this Penelope had undergone significant modifications. It was equipped with what Roz called the "Roz Happy Three-Piece Set"—consisting of a Beam Magnum, fragmented rockets, and beam-shot rockets—along with various weapons featuring enhanced output. It was enough to last a while and perhaps even force the opposition to take casualties.
"Good work."
Roz snapped back to reality and nodded toward Cindy.
At that moment, he noticed the cap on Cindy's head. The previously blank logo space had been filled with his own Unicorn emblem, but this Unicorn was now encircled by a pair of what looked like burning wings.
He instinctively recalled the situation when he and Big Haro went to report to Black Haro before their departure.
"...Personal suggestion: you should really pick a codename."
In his memory, Black Haro had organized the relevant files and was transferring them to Big Haro face-to-face while speaking to Roz.
"Why?"
"There are too many counterparts in the Courtyard. To better distinguish everyone, people usually pick a codename for missions or a more playful nickname for daily life. It's also better for your official records and data entry."
As Black Haro spoke, it projected a poster that Roz had once seen in the Courtyard's shopping district. "For example, this Char's nickname is 'Retired Old Geezer No. 1.' Perhaps you could be 'Newbie Who Just Joined No. 114514'?"
"What?! A nickname like that isn't cool at all!" Big Haro voiced its strong opposition to Black Haro's suggestion.
"Sorry, even if you say that, I can't think of a suitable codename on such short notice..." Roz scratched his head. "How about just adding a numerical serial number after my name?"
"I object, Roz!"
In a rare move, Big Haro countered Roz's idea. "If we're picking a codename, it has to be imposing, something that can command the room, and it has to be cool enough!"
"But we're about to leave. No matter how much I think, I can't come up with anything right now..."
"Quickly use your invincible 'Green-Skin' brain to think of something, Roz!"
Watching the two of them bicker, Black Haro seemed slightly nostalgic and remained silent for a long time.
"Alright... since you can't think of one, you can reference one of mine." Black Haro interrupted the conversation. "My previous Agent once told me some codenames. I think one of them fits you quite well."
"Raven."
Black Haro uttered a codename that seemed common enough. "You can add whatever names you want after it; either way, this codename won't be bad."
"According to him, those bestowed with this name are all people with free will and a spirit of resistance." Black Haro paused. "I've looked at your records. This codename suits you..."
Subsequently, while Roz felt indifferent about it, Big Haro single-handedly passed the codename with a unanimous vote of one.
After all, as long as Big Haro didn't try to push something bizarre—like "Ferocious Tiger of Litang"—Roz could accept it.
Even the codename "Pink Fluffy Bunny"... didn't seem entirely unacceptable?
Thus, in the Courtyard's registry, Roz's team had officially become the "Ravens."
As Roz was still reminiscing, Cindy seemed to notice he was spacing out. She stepped closer and waved her hand in front of his face.
Roz snapped back to his senses and coughed lightly to clear the air.
"According to our intelligence, tomorrow marks the first public appearance of Celestial Being in this world. The Agents of the Lord God will definitely make their move then."
As he spoke, Roz patted Cindy on the shoulder. "You're all going to be quite busy when the time comes."
"We're already busy as it is," Cindy replied with a smile. "Between modifying the Destiny, Impulse, and Psycho Zaku based on your blueprints, and preparing the ReZEL Type C and its associated backpacks, the workload is massive."
"Sorry, I can only rely on you for these modifications."
Hearing Cindy's words, Roz instinctively turned his head toward the side, looking at several mobile suits that had their armor expanded in a state of maintenance.
"Oh, don't say things like that; it's what I should be doing."
At that moment, Cindy seemed to notice something and smiled.
"Of course, if you really want to thank me, there is something I'd like you to help me with."
"Sure, as long as it doesn't go against my conscience..." Hearing her request, Roz agreed without thinking.
But in the next instant, Roz felt his face cupped by a pair of soft yet firm hands. Cindy kissed him, her scent filling his nose.
Despite her artificial body, there was no hardness from internal steel structures; instead, she felt remarkably soft, leaving Roz stunned for a moment.
"I like you—that is what I wanted to do."
Just as the rest of the maintenance crew was about to notice them, Cindy saw the movement via the radar in her prosthetic eye and pulled back. "You don't need to give me a definitive answer. Everyone on the Nahel Argama likes you; it would be too much trouble to answer everyone one by one."
"As I've said, liking someone is just that. I don't want to live a life of twists and turns in the only 'second life' I have left."
Cindy straightened Roz's pilot jacket, touching the emblem on his chest—the exact same one on her cap. "Whether it's the suspension bridge effect or just a sense of gratitude, I just know that from the moment I gained a second life—when you piloted that MS and crushed the ceiling of that research institute—I fell for you."
"Captain Roz, you are an excellent man, and far too many exceptional girls like you... my skills and personality don't really stand out among them."
Cindy took a deep breath and stepped back slightly, creating some distance. "But even so, I wanted to express my feelings."
"No matter what the final result is... my dormitory door will always be open for you."
Cindy gave a satisfied smile and gestured behind Roz.
"But for now, it's time for me to hand you over to those 'exceptional girls.'"
Following the direction Cindy pointed, Roz instinctively turned around to see Christina standing behind him with a calm expression.
"Chris... Christina? Why are you here?"
Seeing Christina walk up to his side, Roz scratched his head awkwardly. "Sorry, I..."
"I don't recall you being like this back when it was Murrue and Badgiruel," Christina said, shaking her head, her expression remaining serene. "But you don't need to apologize. Having gone through so much, I've realized that it's not just the current crew of the Nahel Argama; there will surely be even more wonderful girls who fall for you in the future."
"I cannot, and will not, suppress their feelings. That would be too selfish."
Christina walked over to Roz and leaned against him. "We all clearly recognize this, and so we have accepted it."
"We love you, and so we embrace your flaws—as well as your excessive personal charm."
"After all, the hero who saves the world has the privilege of enjoying the affection offered by beautiful girls, doesn't he?"
Saying this, Christina smiled and lightly swatted Roz's chest. Although it looked like she was venting some frustration, she didn't put any real strength into it.
"However... I still have a tiny bit of selfishness."
Christina reached out and wrapped her arms around Roz's waist. "Occasionally, we still feel lonely. How about spending more time with us?"
"...Yeah, I understand."
After a long silence, Roz reached out and returned Christina's embrace.
"After all, there is still a long time before the battle begins, isn't there?"
The Nahel Argama continued its advance toward Earth, waiting for tomorrow to arrive.
-----------------------------------
At this time, on Earth, within the borders of the AEU, inside an unknown military base.
Four mobile suits, featuring designs completely different from the style of this world, stood silently in the hangar. The soldiers responsible for the base's operations noticed the machines looked strange, but considering this was a top-secret mission, they didn't pry. After all, in most cases, the more you know, the worse it is for you.
Inside a nearby tent, eight figures—both men and women—were gathered, seemingly deep in discussion.
"Who would've thought? Our identity this time is actually 'Experimental MS Pilots' for this AEU place..."
A burly man with a beard and a scar across his face toyed with the dog tags in his hand, looking quite casual. "This makes the mission a lot easier. Looks like things are looking up for us!"
"Caution is the parent of safety, Gray-Eye... according to our calculations, the mobile suits in this world should be able to suppress us in a fight."
At that moment, a serious-looking middle-aged man in fatigues glanced at the bearded man known as "Gray-Eye" and spoke up. "The units from the Lord God's shop are too expensive... Perhaps we can use this opportunity to make sure everyone gets a machine."
"Given our current status, we should be able to demand that the AEU equip us with their main line models, right?"
A young man scratched his head and added, "That one called the Hellion is a transformable unit; the controls seem pretty difficult."
"But having a machine is better than having nothing. We've only completed three missions; all we have on hand is a GM Sniper K9, a GAZuOOT, and one Sengoku Astray."
The middle-aged man shook his head and pointed to the map on the table.
"Let's re-confirm the mission details."
"According to the plot, the AEU will showcase their new MS tomorrow. The Exia is certain to appear then."
"Phase one: Ah-Bao. As the heavy weapons specialist, you will pilot the GAZuOOT to harass the Exia as it tries to retreat."
The middle-aged man looked toward the young man who had spoken earlier. Despite his harmless appearance, this guy named "Ah-Bao" fought like a lit powder keg—he was the team's fire support.
"Phase two: Gray-Eye. You'll pilot the GM Sniper K9 and shoot the Exia down."
The middle-aged man turned to the bearded man. Contrary to his rough appearance, Gray-Eye was a bold yet meticulous sniper.
"Phase three: I will pilot the Sengoku Astray to defeat the Exia."
The middle-aged man took a deep breath. "After that, Shadow-Blade and Four-Eyes will be responsible for piloting the Exia away and disconnecting its tracking and monitoring systems."
A woman in a trench coat named "Shadow-Blade" toyed with a butterfly knife and nodded, while "Four-Eyes," wearing glasses next to her, gave a thumbs-up.
"Everyone else, pilot the Hellions to provide cover. Play it by ear."
The middle-aged man paused for a moment.
"The entire operation must be fast, precise, and ruthless. Their machines can crush ours in a direct confrontation, so the faster we move, the safer we are."
"I promised you all that I would lead you to save up enough points to leave the Lord God's Space, no matter what method it takes."
He scanned his teammates. "You all have people you care about on the outside, right? I absolutely will not allow you to fall here."
"What an unrealistic fantasy... Captain."
A man cleaning his gun sighed. "In the Lord God's Space, it's only normal to care about yourself."
"But nobody hates it, do they?"
A girl with a medical kit at her waist and a crucifix necklace wrapped around her hand patted the man cleaning his gun. "After all, we are a team."
"Then, for the sake of leaving, for the sake of seeing the ones we love and the ones most important to us alive..."
The middle-aged man nodded.
"To survive, fight with everything you've got."
"YEAH!!"
-----------------------------------
The next day arrived.
As the Lord God squad had anticipated, the AEU launched the demonstration of their new mobile suit. The Exia intervened at the venue, destroyed the new machine, and began its withdrawal.
In the woods, a gray-black GAZuOOT watched its countdown, aiming toward the sky.
"Operation start. Ah-Bao, open fire!"
The Captain's voice came through the comms. The young man named Ah-Bao shed his previously gentle expression, his smile turning feral instead.
The arms of this GAZuOOT were not equipped with anti-ship missiles; they had been replaced with four large-caliber cannons.
Accompanied by the roar of the cannons, a dense barrage of shells erupted from the forest, enveloping the Exia in the sky above.
Faced with such a concentrated barrage, even the Exia was forced to temporarily back off and begin evasive maneuvers.
"Running?! Where do you think you're going?!"
Seeing the Exia suppressed before him, Ah-Bao grew even more ecstatic. As he pulled the triggers, four beams shot out from the four beam cannons on the GAZuOOT's back.
The sudden appearance of beam weaponry clearly caught everyone off guard; even the AEU forces instinctively froze for a moment.
"Good... very good. Don't move."
In another part of the deep forest, Gray-Eye controlled the GM Sniper K9, raising the beam sniper rifle in its hands and locking onto the Exia.
"Static... Attention, something seems wrong."
Four-Eyes' voice came over the comms.
"Proceed with the mission. What's happening?"
Hearing Four-Eyes' words, the middle-aged man sitting in the Sengoku Astray waiting for his turn to move narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Something is approaching this area... Dammit! It's a rocket cargo pod! Something is coming down!"
If the Exia was withdrawing along the orbital elevator, then that "flaming" meteor was descending along it!
The sight of a fossil-fuel rocket—technology long since abandoned—reappearing here left everyone stunned.
Intense flames licked the base of the rocket cargo pod. The thrusters fired briefly as the rocket completed its attitude adjustment.
Immediately after, the four outer armor plates surrounding the cargo pod deployed, and the built-in micro-missiles poured down toward the ground like rain.
"Not good! Ah-Bao, evacuate now!"
Seeing this scene, the middle-aged man was inwardly shocked and cried out in alarm.
"I'm moving! What kind of freak is the opponent this time?!"
Though Ah-Bao's emotions were running high, he still knew when to fight and when to retreat. The GAZuOOT transformed into its MA mode and retreated rapidly, dodging the missile strikes with several agile maneuvers.
"Wait! There's more!"
Four-Eyes' exclamation came through the comms. Everyone instinctively looked toward the descending cargo pod.
A massive black shadow leaped from the falling pod, soaring through the sky at extreme speed.
A sound like the cry of a monster echoed across the battlefield.
..................