While the General Staff was formulating corresponding combat plans, the East Asia Republic fleet responsible for interception had already set sail. Simultaneously, the Atlantic Federation's Eastern Pacific Fleet stationed in Guam completed preparations and departed from the naval base.
On January 15th, ZAFT forces moving northward in a certain area of the Eastern Pacific officially encountered the interception units, bringing the conflict to the brink of eruption.
"Missiles launched!"
Aric gazed forward and issued commands to the battleship's fire control team based on reports from Vice-Captain Oakley.
The fire control team sprang into action upon receiving orders, pressing launch buttons according to data displayed on detection equipment including laser radar and optoelectronic detection systems.
Missile launcher bay doors opened as missiles were ejected one after another.
The missile propulsion system activated.
Propelling the missiles forward at high velocity.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!!!
A series of explosions erupted in the air.
The three ejection systems aboard the Athena simultaneously commenced operation, launching one CGUE after another equipped with Guuru units.
On the central ejection rail, Felix piloted the Dawn equipped with new-type Guuru, catapulting outward at high speed with ejector assistance.
After bursting forth from the Athena, Felix controlled the Dawn and new-type Guuru to accelerate toward the forward airspace.
His finger squeezed the trigger!
The Dawn raised its heavy assault machine gun, bullets firing from the muzzle.
The high-velocity projectiles headed straight for a vanguard fighter.
Seeing this, the fighter pilot pressed the trigger to launch dogfight missiles, intercepting the attack while simultaneously firing equipped missiles toward the Dawn.
Felix manipulated the controls, executing evasive maneuvers in mid-air to dodge the missiles while raising the gun to return fire.
BOOM!
A loud explosion resounded.
A fireball blossomed in the sky.
After destroying this vanguard fighter, Felix's intuition responded. His hands moved rapidly across the controls.
The new-type Guuru carrying the Dawn evaded through the air.
The Dawn performed a mid-air turning maneuver, its heavy assault machine gun roaring to life.
BOOM!
Following another tremendous blast, another fireball appeared in the sky.
After the explosion, the Dawn maneuvered left.
Felix's finger pressed the trigger again, sending another round chambering.
BOOM!
Watching the exploding fighter, Felix scanned the entire battlefield through his screen.
Then he fixed his gaze on the fleet behind the fighters.
"I'll leave this battle to you."
Opening communications, Felix addressed Heine and Doulens.
Having just eliminated a fighter while piloting his CGUE, Heine asked in confusion upon hearing Felix's words.
"Captain, what are you planning to do?"
"Capture the leader first to capture the followers!"
Facing Heine, Felix calmly replied.
The next moment, Felix terminated the communication.
Pressing hard on the pedals while pushing the throttle, he maximized power output for the Dawn and new-type Guuru.
Accelerating at maximum speed for a rapid assault forward.
"Stop him!"
A Vanguard Fighter pilot watched Dawn's movements and guessed what Felix intended to do, exclaiming loudly.
He immediately took action, piloting his fighter straight toward the Dawn unit controlled by Felix.
Just as the charging fighter was about to launch missiles, a bullet struck it.
Boom!
The fighter was instantly torn to shreds in the explosion.
"How could I let you interfere with the Captain?"
Miguel looked at the target he had shot down, a cold smile curling his lips as he spoke disdainfully.
After speaking, Miguel maneuvered the CGUE to turn and evade an attack. His finger pulled the trigger, sending bullets firing from the barrel.
Boom!
An explosion sounded.
The incoming missile was neutralized by Miguel.
Spotting the Vanguard Fighter that had just launched the missile, Miguel piloted the CGUE straight toward it and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Boom!
Meanwhile, Felix skillfully dodged attacks from Vanguard Fighters in the Dawn, while continuously firing the Heavy Assault Machine Gun.
One after another, Vanguard Fighters were hit.
Some exploded mid-air, others plummeted toward the ocean.
"They just won't give up!"
Felix remarked with a laugh, observing the persistent pursuit.
Executing a maneuver, the Dawn separated from the new-type Guuru in mid-air, performing an in-place spin.
He pulled the trigger, and bullets shot out.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Four consecutive shots were fired.
Four bullets sped off in different directions.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Four explosions erupted in the sky.
All four pursuing Vanguard Fighters were shot down.
The Dawn repositioned itself atop the new-type Guuru, and the locking mechanism re-engaged.
"Commander, an MS is approaching us at high speed."
A radar operator reported the detection to the Commander.
After cross-referencing the data, his expression grew tense and fearful.
Turning to the Commander, he said in a trembling voice,
"It's the Sword of Damocles!"
Hearing "Sword of Damocles," the Commander's face hardened, and he issued a calm order.
"Intercept with missiles!"
"Yes, sir!"
Came the immediate reply.
Missiles were launched from the missile launchers.
Dozens of missiles surged forward.
Inside the Dawn's cockpit, Felix's intuition signaled danger, and with the aid of his equipment, he reacted swiftly.
The Dawn maintained its speed!
Soon, the distance between the Dawn and the missiles closed to visual range.
Felix pulled the trigger.
Bullets fired rapidly.
High-speed rounds shot straight toward the missiles.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions lit up the sky.
Missiles were shot down one after another.
Those that weren't hit continued toward the Dawn piloted by Felix.
Felix maneuvered the Dawn to evade in mid-air.
The two large-caliber machine cannons equipped on the new-type Guuru opened fire.
Boom! Boom! Boom—
Watching the relentless explosions ahead, Felix remained calm, skillfully piloting the Dawn through evasive maneuvers.
After completing the evasion and clearing operation, the Dawn pressed forward.
The silhouettes of the fleet's warships appeared on the screen. Seeing them, Felix guided the Dawn into a steep dive.
The battleship's Close-in Weapon System activated, swiveling to aim at the sky as a continuous stream of bullets erupted like a colossal serpent coiling through the air.
Watching the barrage, Felix swiftly manipulated his controls, evading the bullet onslaught.
The new Guuru-equipped large-caliber Machine Cannon fired.
Boom!
A single shell launched.
The high-velocity projectile pierced straight through the structural areas on the battleship's deck.
Kaboom!
A violent explosion rocked the stricken vessel.
The blast tore the upper deck structures into even more fragmented wreckage.
Boom!
Another round fired from the Machine Cannon.
Kaboom!
A deafening explosion echoed once more.
The battleship's midsection was torn open by the shell, triggering a fierce internal detonation. Seawater surged in torrents through the gaping hole, flooding the ship's interior.