Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed Destiny or Gundam 00, both are owned by Sunrise.
Collision
Chapter 6
"The Federation envoy is dead."
The aide replaced the phone on her desk with a grim air, one shared by everyone in the room. "The car might have been armored," she continued. "And the windows made from bulletproof glass, but the initial impact with the assailants' vehicle damaged it enough that a few moments of sustained fire at close range from a submachine gun was enough to break the windows and get to the occupants inside."
"What a disaster!"
"It's Copernicus all over again."
"We need to hurry and make preparations."
"I agree: this could go really badly."
"Calm yourselves!" Durandal firmly said from behind his desk. Voices quieted down and eyes turned to the Supreme Council Chairman, who folded his hands on his desk. "Panicking will do us no good. And it's not certain that the situation is beyond salvageable."
Durandal paused, and briefly closing his eyes took a deep breath. "Until it's clear war is inevitable," he said. "I…we, will do everything we can to keep the peace. There will be no provocative action. No preemptive activity. Not so long as I am still Supreme Council Chairman. Is that understood?"
There were nods and voices of agreement all around, and Durandal nodded. "Very good," he said. "Now then, on to what we can do. Do we have any identification on the attackers?"
"None yet, so far." The aide said. "Their bodies have been taken to a police morgue for autopsy and identification, but from the initial report, while their weapons and gear were all black market military surplus, the way they moved and fought during the incident was indicative of military experience."
"Extremists?" one of Durandal's staff asked.
"Embittered veterans, no doubt." Durandal said with a sigh. "A fairly-large number of our citizens are, if not supportive, at least sympathetic to Chairman Zala's cause and beliefs. They, and those openly supportive of Chairman Zala, are usually content to let the matter go in general if not personally, but…"
Durandal trailed off with a sigh. "Others, however," he continued. "Others are more than willing to act on their own, lashing out with their hatred and the purpose Patrick Zala gave it. Not just with this incident, but also the recent matter of attempting to drop Junius Seven on the Earth. Whether it's the Earth Alliance or the Earth Sphere Federation…we should be thankful that it was averted in the end. Otherwise…there might have been no preventing war."
"…chairman…"
Durandal shook his head. "Their opinions and beliefs are wrong." He said firmly. "There is a place for everybody, for even as flawed as our world is, we are not that inhospitable. It's just that people don't always find or are willing to accept that fact, and of course, they are entitled to their own opinions."
Durandal paused and sighed again, before drawing himself up. "Moving on," he said. "What's the status of the Federation warships at port?"
"Situation normal," Commander Maxwell reported. "I've taken the liberty of appraising them of the situation, and asking that they not inform their government until we can submit a complete – if initial – report. Furthermore, in the interests of security and preventing a similar incident from targeting the Federation warships, I've placed the docks on condition yellow."
"Well done," Durandal said with a nod. "And?"
"They've agreed." Maxwell answered. "Though as you might imagine, they're not too happy about the situation."
"Understandable," Durandal agreed. "Make sure to return Admiral Cheng and his adjutant's bodies as soon as they're made presentable. Joanna, I need a draft of a letter of condolence for their families on my desk within the hour."
"I'll have it done shortly, sir."
Durandal nodded. "I'll also need a draft of a report to be provided to the Federation government on this incident," he said. "It'll have to wait until our investigators can provide their own report, however, make sure to include the draft assurances to the Federation government that we will be making every effort to find those responsible for this incident and the previous one involving Junius Seven, and to bring them to justice. Offer an invitation for the Federation government to send their own investigators to cooperate with and even participate along with our own, and of course, assurances that they will be given access to pertinent materials and information."
That caused something of a stir.
"Speaking as a devil's advocate, sir," Diplomatic Committee Chairman Neu Kazaefsky began. "Is that wise?"
"It's the least we can do and offer to the Federation to demonstrate our lack of knowledge and involvement with this incident," Durandal answered. "As well as to demonstrate our desire to make restitution for failing to protect the envoy's person. They were in our sovereign territory, after all, and with diplomatic immunity to boot. We do share a measure of responsibility for this incident. In the interests of peace now and in the future, we must step up to that responsibility."
There were nods all around at that, including from Kazaefsky. "Of course sir," he said. "I completely understand. However, please keep in mind the domestic situation."
"Domestic situation?" Durandal echoed.
"As you yourself said earlier sir," Kazaefsky said. "Plenty of our citizens are still sympathetic if not supportive of the late Chairman Zala's beliefs and goals. As laudable as our attempts to keep the peace are, it might be seen as…weakness, or a show of it, by such individuals. Appeasing Earth, in a way. And they may not stay silent or inactive afterwards. Even if only a few take action, it is inevitable others will follow in the aftermath."
"A painful but undeniable fact," Durandal conceded while crossing his arms over his chest. "The point is well taken. But, if war is to be avoided, or at least to preserve as much good will with this new world, we must do this little. Nevertheless, it also seems we must act to keep our citizens calm and rational about the matter."
There were nods all around, and Durandal closed his eyes in thought. After a few moments he opened them and nodded. "Alright," he said. "I'll need a draft for an address to our citizens with regard to this matter, to be made once we're ready to go public and to inform the Federation government of our response to this incident. Also, have Project Siren be ready just in case."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
"What?"
Cagalli nearly spilled her coffee as she received the report from the aide the Diplomatic Committee had assigned her in her and Athrun's suite. "Extremists attacked the envoy from the Federation government," she echoed. "And killed them?"
"Yes, representative." The aide said. "ZAFT security forces also took several casualties, six dead from either bullet wounds or inhaling poison gas. Five men have been sufficiently injured to warrant hospitalization, of which one is not expected to survive, and another two will suffer from lingering respiratory debilitation due to poison gas inhalation."
Athrun narrowed his eyes. "And the assailants?" he asked grimly.
"All dead, sir." The man said. "They refused to surrender."
Athrun looked away, and after a moment, nodded. "I see." He said. "That's good."
"It's not good at all." Cagalli said while looking at Athrun. "With them dead, they've taken what they've known about this conspiracy to the grave."
"…do you really think there's a conspiracy behind this?" Athrun asked.
Cagalli sat back, and closed her eyes in thought while crossing her arms over her chest. "I suspect there is." She finally said after a few moments. "I can buy the idea they managed to get small-arms to launch a successful – if one way – ambush against a diplomatic convoy, but poison gas? And how did they know the Federation had even sent envoys in the first place? That wasn't made public from what I know."
"A leak?" the aide asked, aghast.
"It would be unreasonable to assume there isn't one." Cagalli said with a sigh. "I suspect they might also be connected with the terrorists who tried to drop Junius Seven on Earth. I've read the reports you've forwarded – and speaking of which, please pass on my thanks to Chairmen Kazaefsky and Durandal for the courtesy – and the terrorists were apparently making use of GINNs and may have been ZAFT veterans who deserted following the end of the war, weren't they?"
"That is what the initial investigations concluded based on information provided by the Federation government." The aide confirmed.
"…it's been two years since the war ended." Athrun said softly. "I know the GINN is a rugged machine, but how have a bunch of deserters been able to keep them maintained and operational for so long? How have they been getting along? And those flare motors…how did they get them?"
"…I…apologize," the aide said after a moment. "We have no answers to those questions either."
Athrun nodded slowly, and after a moment Cagalli coughed. "And?" she said. "How does the chairman plan to deal with the situation?"
"Yes," the aide said with a nod. "The Federation government will be informed of the incident once the initial report is complete. Furthermore, the bodies of the dead will be returned, and in addition to the initial report, Chairman Durandal wishes to extend an invitation for the Federation government to participate in the investigations into this and the matter of Junius Seven."
Cagalli nodded. "I see." She said. "Conciliatory moves…here's to hoping they work, and the Federation government doesn't get belligerent like I would expect the Earth Alliance would have."
"Chairmen Durandal and Kazaefsky share those hopes, representative." The aide said. "And they also hope the planned peace conference pushes through and produces a mutually-acceptable agreement."
"As do I." Cagalli said with a sigh. Noting the troubled expression on Athrun's face, she nodded at the aide. "Alright then, is there anything else?"
"No, that is all. Thank you for your time, representative, Mister Dino."
Cagalli nodded at the man, and turning he walked out of the living room and the suite as well. "What's wrong?" Cagalli asked once their suite's door had closed behind the aide.
"It's nothing, really."
"Really?"
Athrun didn't say anything, and after a moment Cagalli stood up and sat down next to him. "Come on," she said, taking his hand in hers and squeezing it. "Stop moping around. You said you're here for me, so…let me return the favor. I'm here for you too."
Athrun glanced at Cagalli and then smiling weakly sighed. "It's just that…" he began with another sigh. "Things like this…extremists in ZAFT…whether those who couldn't let go and wanted to keep on fighting…or those who simply hid their true colors…"
"…your father…"
Athrun nodded. "It's been two years since the war ended." He said, covering his eyes with a hand. "But even now, his legacy still haunts us all."
Athrun…fire GENESIS…our…world…
Cagalli didn't say anything, but placing her arms around one of Athrun's own, leaned against him and rested her head against his shoulder. "We're all going to have to move on, someday." She said softly. "Otherwise…"
"Yeah…" Athrun agreed. "Otherwise…"
It was later in the evening that Durandal made his address not just to his nation, but to the whole Earth Sphere. At the same time, the bodies of Rear Admiral Cheng and his adjutant were turned over to the EFF, Captain Narses of the Ganges personally attending to the transfer. At the same time, a more detailed report and proposal were being sent to Earth, along with what had been agreed between Admiral Cheng and the National Defense Committee prior to the incident.
"…formally acknowledge that earlier this morning terrorists have murdered envoys sent in good faith by the Federation government to lay the foundation for a mutually-beneficial relationship between our two nations." Durandal said on live television. "Those terrorists have now been identified as part of a group of misguided individuals who after the ends of the previous war, refused to accept the opportunity for peace and reconciliation its end represented, and continue to follow extremist beliefs lacking in reason and justice. For this tragedy is merely the least of what they have done, for all that it has stained our hopes for a peaceful beginning in this new world. No, for I must inform you all that just weeks ago, terrorists of the same stripe as those who perpetrated the vile acts of this morning sought to drop Junius Seven onto the Earth. Yes, Junius Seven, that which should have been a lasting memorial to the 243,721 people who died there, and to all who did in the previous war, as well as a symbol that such bloodshed need not come again, was nearly used as a means to murder billions on Earth, but for the valor of the Earth Federation Forces. That such a tragedy as happened this morning, that greater tragedy could have been in the past, and that the hopes of all for a new and peaceful beginning have been endangered is something I consider a personal failure. With that in mind…"
"Chairman Durandal sure has a lot to say." Lunamaria Hawke remarked, slouched on an armchair in the Minerva's pilot lounge.
"A lot of things need to be addressed." Rey Za Burrel said. "Therefore, it only follows that the chairman has a lot to say, or more correctly, a lot of things need to be said."
"More importantly," Lunamaria said, turning to face Rey. "How do you think this is going to go?"
"It's hard to say." Rey answered. "If it were the Earth Alliance, then I'd say there's a fairly good chance that we might already be on the warpath."
"What?"
"The Atlantic Federation only ever acceded to ending the previous war via diplomatic means because they had no means to project power into space anymore." Rey said. "Not after the Second Battle of Jachin Due."
"True," Lunamaria conceded. "Endymion Base was destroyed early on in the war, while Ptolemaios Base was destroyed in that battle."
"Exactly," Rey said with a nod. "And in the past two years the Atlantic Federation and their clients in the South African Union have been rearming as far as they can push the letter of the Treaty of Junius Seven. Starting with the stopgap Dagger and Dagger L mobile suits, and most recently the Windam, and by reestablishing their power projection in space through the Arzachel and Daedalus Bases."
"In other words," Shinn Asuka began, sliding down in his seat and folding his hands behind his head. "War would have broken out sooner or later. It's inevitable. Isn't that what you're saying, Rey?"
"Yes." Rey said. "It's sad, but it's the unfortunate fact. Eurasian and East Asian opposition to the Atlantic Federation's hegemony might have delayed it, but it'd have broken out sooner or later. And as I said earlier, had the incident today involved envoys from the Earth Alliance, it'd probably be sooner."
"But…?"
Rey nodded. "Yes," he said. "The Earth Sphere Federation is different. We don't really know much about them, so it's very hard to say how this will go."
"Well," Lunamaria began, pointing at the screen and Durandal, who was now explaining the Federation's feelers of peace that had begun to be extended prior to the incident. "If what the chairman is saying is right, then they seem to be interested in peace."
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Rey said. "Just remember that diplomacy is merely a velvet glove for the iron fist of power."
"What are you saying, Rey?" Shinn asked. "That the Federation will use the negotiations – if they happen – as an excuse to intimidate us?"
"They might." Rey said, before briefly closing his eyes. "Or they might not. As I said, it's hard to say what the Federation might do."
"…releasing onto the networks publicly-available information the Federation government has extended us." Durandal said, causing eyes to turn to the screen. Rey narrowed his eyes but said nothing. "It is my hope that our citizens will peruse what we have been provided with calm reasoning, and come to agree that we have nothing to fear from the Federation, save only if we act on fears of the unknown, commit to unthinking reactions, and…"
"Well…that's convenient." Shinn remarked, and Lunamaria snorted.
"Yeah, as if you aren't going to be taking a look into this new world when you have the time." She said, and Shinn shrugged.
"I might." He admitted.
"You should." Rey said, turning to face his fellow pilots. "Ignorant people can't make informed decisions, and that's not something we can afford if we want to keep the peace. Whether it's the common man or woman on the street, or soldiers such as ourselves here, on the Minerva. The chairman's taking a huge risk with this, by releasing such information before anything concrete has even begun to set between us and the Federation, so let's not disappoint. Keep an open mind, take the time to examine the details, take into account the context, and don't let emotions or biases cloud your reasoning."
Shinn and Lunamaria traded glances, while Rey turned back to the screen and continued to watch as Durandal concluded his address, and began to take questions from the crowd of reporters in front.
"So Rear Admiral Cheng is dead." President van Acker said with a sigh. "We'll have to prepare a funeral, as well as arrange a posthumous promotion to vice admiral. Of course, we'll have to inform his family as well."
"If they don't already know thanks to PLANT's broadcast." State Secretary Mitchells said.
"Chairman Durandal has not given names." Capitol Chief of Staff Radiant Light pointed out. "And this mission was a classified one. Unless the late admiral informed his family before he departed, then they would not be in the know."
"That is most likely the case." Van Acker said. "We'll leave the details and their implementation to the naval admiralty."
There was a chorus of agreement, and the president folded her hands on her desk. "As you all know," she said. "We were planning on going public with regard to the conference plans after Admiral Cheng returned, in order to publicly address any matters PLANT might seek to contend over. We now have those, but we also have other matters to address. In particular, how to respond to this incident."
"PLANT seems genuine in their desire to make up for failing to protect Admiral Cheng from being assassinated." Mitchells said. "I think the conference should go ahead regardless, along with what comes before. However, security will need to be tighter."
"I agree." Radiant said. "We should also accept the invitation for a joint investigation with regard to this incident, and the Junius Seven one."
"Though that does bring up another point." Defense Secretary Kuvayev said. "PLANT does seem to be genuine in their desire for peace, but the extremists are a major concern. One thing that should be discussed in the meeting between Chairman Kazaefsky and Secretary Mitchells must be the extent to which PLANT's government and military alike seem to have been penetrated by extremist elements, or may even be controlling them from the shadows."
"That seems overly suspicious." Presidential Spokesperson Dwayne Magnusson said cautiously.
"The extremists the EFF engaged over Junius Seven were piloting interwar units, that is machines which were only entering production when the Bloody Valentine War ended, and when the men piloting them were supposed have gone rogue." Kuvayev continued. "Not to mention they were able to somehow keep them in battle readiness for two years or so. And of course, there were those…solar sails, they used to move Junius Seven into a collision course with the Earth."
"In short," Van Acker said. "They're rather well-equipped for a group of deserters."
"Indeed," Kuvayev said with a nod. "Also, we must keep in mind here that for all that Patrick Zala has been the face for the Coordinator supremacist ideology that the extremists follow and which dominated ZAFT and PLANT towards the end of the war, that is precisely the point. He gave the ideology a public face, and a direction to follow, but he wasn't the ideology."
"I can see what you're trying to say." Radiant said. "It's much like Germany in the 1930s. Hitler would have nothing to give directions to, or to provide a face for, if the Germans at the time had not proven so…receptive, or sympathetic to his own ideology. The same could be said for the Coordinators of PLANT. They were the ones who put Patrick Zala into power, after all."
"And more so through a truly democratic process, it seems." Van Acker said. "The Nazis used intimidation to win the plurality in the German Parliament in 1932, and as Radiant mentioned, without large-scale intimidation would never have succeeded in gaining absolute power in the following year. The same cannot be said for Patrick Zala. He truly had the support of his people."
The president paused and sighed. "I'd like to say things appear to have changed in PLANT." She eventually said. "They did elect moderates like Durandal and much of the Supreme Council into power, and supported former Chairwoman Canaver's moderate provisional administration which ended the war. But…"
"…a lot of Zala's influence still remains." Radiant murmured and the president nodded.
"Indeed," Van Acker said. "The extremists are probably, well, extremists even among the ranks of the Zalaists, and not just for PLANT as a whole. The problem is that they just might be supported by their non-extremist comrades, likely as disposable cat's paws or potential martyrs."
Van Acker paused and took a deep breath. "Justice Secretary Bellmont," she said. "Coordinate with the security bureau, and send two teams to PLANT. One to assist in investigating the assassination of Rear Admiral Chang, and the other to assist in investigating the Junius Seven Incident."
"Yes, ma'am." Justice Secretary Christopher Bellmont said with a nod.
Van Acker nodded back and then turned to Mitchells. "Also," she said. "Send a liaison between the two teams and the PLANT government. That liaison would be reporting directly to this cabinet, so I'll trust in your judgment, Brian."
"I won't let you down, Madam President." Mitchells said.
"I know you won't." Van Acker said with a smile. "Boris?"
"Yes, Madam President?" the defense secretary said.
"Tighten security for the orbital stations and rings." Van Acker said. "Keep it discreet, but don't give any extremists a chance to take advantage of. Coordinate with the security bureau for internal matters."
"I understand."
Van Acker nodded, and then swept the cabinet with her eyes. "Well then," she said. "We all have a lot of work to do. If there is nothing else, then this meeting of the Federation Cabinet is adjourned."
Captain Edwin Taylor checked his wristwatch. "Only ten more minutes to go before my shift ends." He thought, while pacing the operations deck of the Tower's High Orbit Station. "It's been four days since orders have come down to tighten security for the orbital ring and stations, but for all that things are still so dull. I know I should be thankful, but still…"
The captain's thoughts broke off as alarms rang across the operations deck. "What's happening?" he demanded.
"An unidentified ship has appeared at the following coordinates." A corporal in one station reported.
"Homing in with an optical camera, standby." Another corporal said. "On main screen."
Taylor blinked as the image of a ship appeared on the main screen. "I haven't seen that kind of ship before." He said. "A PLANT vessel…?"
"We're receiving an optical transmission from the ship." Another corporal spoke up. "Translating now."
"Status of that ship," Taylor barked. "And get Colonel Mercer up here now."
"Yes sir."
"The ship is moving slowly on a course perpendicular to the station. Engines are cold, likely due to approaching on inertial thrust to minimize heat emissions. Weapons systems are offline, all gun ports and hangar doors closed."
"Keep the interceptor squadron on standby, and what's the status of our patrols?"
"The 29th and 42nd Mobile Suit Squads are already closing in, ETA one minute and forty seconds."
"That's too long…" Taylor snapped.
"Indeed it is." Colonel Donald Mercer said as he stepped into the operations deck. "How did the enemy get so close without being detected?"
"No reading on the e-sensor, ladar and radar screens, or the infra-red scanners."
"Optical camouflage?" Taylor said.
"Optical transmission has been translated." The corporal from before said.
"Read it." Mercer ordered.
"Yes, sir." The man said. "Earth Federation Forces, this is the Atlantic Federation Stealth Battleship Girty Lue, under Captain Neo Roanoke. We request asylum with the Earth Sphere Federation, in exchange for this ship and its mobile suits, along with our full cooperation. Repeat, this is the Atlantic Federation Stealth Battleship Girty Lue, under Captain Neo Roanoke. We request asylum with the Earth Sphere Federation, in exchange for this ship and its mobile suits, along with our full cooperation. Repeat…"
"That's enough." Mercer said before crossing his arms in thought.
"What should we do, sir?" Taylor asked.
Mercer was silent for several more moments before nodding. "Alright," he began. "Inform the Girty Lue that they'll be guided to a military port once our mobile suits arrive. Have the 42nd escort them to port, the 29th will screen on the outside as well as serve as a reserve. Inform Captain Roanoke that he is too keep his hangar doors and gun ports closed at all times, and to prepare to receive our men on docking."
"Yes sir." The corporal at the communication station said.
"Use optical communication to inform them." Mercer ordered before turning to Taylor. "Have security teams on standby to receive the Girty Lue. Treat the officers and crew with due respect, but secure the ship regardless."
"I'll take care of it personally, sir." Taylor said, and Mercer nodded. Taylor saluted, and at a nod from Mercer strode from the operations deck.
"New message from the Girty Lue."
"Read it."
"Translating…they acknowledge our terms, and now await guidance to port."
"Very well…have Lieutenant Santiago of the 42nd take care of it on arrival."
"Yes sir."
"And get me high command on the line." Mercer ordered, narrowing his eyes at the Girty Lue. "They need to be informed of this."
A/N
To quote the Terminator, I'm back. Though who knows for how long, been a while since I played Mass Effect, I'm not sure I'm satisfied with just two recent playthroughs, only one of which was 'no Shepard without Vakarian'.
Anyway…just to clarify, the flare motors being described by the Feds as solar sails isn't inaccurate, as canonically they use the solar wind to move what they're attached to.
