Editing KSGU:Volume 3 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 16===

''The unit probably malfunctioned there. That transformable unit with its lost leg has given up on pursuing. There’s no need to shoot it down.'' Marida turned back and deduced this as she ordered the scattered funnels to return. She closed her eyes, imagined the return paths of the funnels, and turned her stare right at the white mobile suit grabbed by the extra arms.

The mobile suit lost its Gundam appearance as an antenna that looked like a lone horn appeared on it. ''Looking at these straightforward attack patterns that showed no signs of retreating, it seems that it’s the same pilot as the one that pilot this mobile suit the last time. IT’s expected that the cornered enemy ship would send out the Gundam, but what’s the point of sending the same pilot who’s no different from an amateur? Even if this is a very important machine related to the Laplace Box—''

A slight shock shook the cockpit, and Marida stopped what she was thinking. The “Sinanju” flying beside her touched the “Kshatriya”s fingertips with the left hand. (I probably would not get this chance if I didn’t show that I got hit…this would be what I want to say, but that’s not all.) The calm voice that rang through the wireless communicator echoed in Marida’s ears.

(I probably would have been shot down if you weren’t around. Thank you, Lieutenant Marida Cruz.)

Full Frontal’s voice showed some signs of self-depreciation, but despite that, it was rather sincere. As far as Marida knew, his “Sinanju” had never taken a direct hit before. She stared at the red machine that was charred by the burn on the calf in a concerned manner and deduced that it was not too much of an issue. “I was just following your plan, Captain.” Marida answered without any expression. “More concerning though…” she wanted to continue (I understand) the other party’s voice reached her helmet before she could continue.

(It’s unexpected for Her Highness Mineva to be captured by the enemy ship. I want to save her as fast as possible, but we have to prioritize this unit first.)

“As far as we know, the enemy doesn’t have enough forces we know of. If you permit, I can go back to retrieve her on my own.”

(It can’t be helped. If the Box is taken away, the enemy fleet nearby may show signs of mobilizing. It’s not fun to be surrounded by the enemy before we return back to “Palau”.)

“But…!”

(There are many chances to save Her Highness, including political means. We shouldn’t force ourselves here and lose you and the “Kshatriya” together, Lieutenant. You have to be patient.)

Frontal saying these words seemed like he was telling himself to endure. ''Tactically, he’s right to say that we had to leave ‘her’ alone. But is this merely all an act? Basically, we have been assuming that all the actions this masked man of unknown origin did are all an act.'' “…Yes.” Marida answered as she turned her eyes to look at the monoeye of the “Sinanju”. Then, other voices could be heard within the wireless communicator (Captain, good thing you’re fine!) as a “Geara Zulu” followed them.

The purple machine that was blazing off its boost port turned itself as it followed the “Sinanju”. The “Kshatriya” took the blast from Angelo's thruster pressure, causing Marida to click her tongue. Angelo would always do this whenever he had a chance, and it looked like he did not care about Marida’s existence. She saw the leader of the escort squad circle the “Sinanju” as it first showed its loyalty by checking if the machine was safe. (Is that so? What happened to Ensign Sergi was really unfortunate.) Frontal said with a rising tone.

(I’m sorry. I was right beside him…) Cuarón let out this voice that sounded like he was gritting his teeth as he sharply turned the monoeye over to the Gundam. (So this is that Gundam…) Marida felt goosebumps as she heard that deep voice.

(It’s just as the predictions we had from Lieutenant Marida’s report. It does look like a rather radical unit. It’ll be great if the pilot isn’t crushed.)

Frontal said. ''This abnormal function that views a pilot’s life as secondary can’t possibly be maintained for a long time. It’s correct to guess that there’s a time limit, and we managed to capture it successfully, but we can’t guarantee if the pilot could survive until we open the cockpit.'' Marida felt annoyed by the heinous stare from Cuarón’s unit as she looked for some place to stare into at the wide space behind her.

''The enemy ship’s covered with debris; I can’t grasp the correct position, and I can’t feel any pressure…in that case, is this pilot the one letting out the ‘presence’ before?'' Marida thought about this, felt that it was just an ‘artificial being’, stopped thinking, and looked back at where the Garencieres was.

''No matter what, Her Highness Mineva is on that ship. I have to get back this symbol of Zeon’s revival Zinnerman has been risking his life on protecting no matter what—''