Chapter 5
PLANT SUPREME COUNCIL ROOM
In the dimly-room where Supreme Council Meetings took place,the Council members sat pensively waiting for their Leader.
Well, whatever left of the Council which was now in disarray.
The situation in PLANT was still chaotic and it was hard to figure out what the next move of the Earth Forces would be.
They needed a strong,decisive Leader with enough credibility and respect in ZAFT to prevent Zala's faction to gain the upper hand again.
The silence is broken by echo of steps taken by the person who just entered and shuffling of Council members who got up from their seats to greet him.
"Please,be seated"
He said as he walked towards the seat of the PLANT Chairman and they all sat back to their positions while he seated himself at the Chairman's seat.
Once seated,he took a look around the table and acknowledged that nearly half of the seats were now empty.
"This had all been such a mess" he paused before inquiring "Any news regarding our ceasefire offer?"
The meeting finally started and Eileen Canaver stated.
"There is still no reply. It seems there is discord within the Earth Forces themselves. Particularly the Atlantic Federation and Eurasia,the latter's forces are returning to Earth."
The man on the Chairman's seat considered this information.
Gilbert Durandal,a Commander in ZAFT found himself in position of acting-Chairman until the current crisis was handled.
The man with his long black hair was older than he appeared. He was calm,charismatic and respected by his men but he also had a mysterious and calculating side which could be disarming if one wasn't noticing him closely.
While Eileen was currently the most senior Council member of the Clyne faction, they agreed to accept Durandal as acting-Chairman since only a respected ZAFT Commander could sway loyalties of officers and soldiers and take down hardline followers of ex-Chairman Zala who were willing to head towards total annihilation if it lead to victory.
Many had become too deranged to rationally think of a solution of this conflict.
Durandal moved on to the next topic of discussion.
"Councilman Alfami,is the GENESIS firmly secured? They mustn't be able to take it back or there will be no hope for our peace efforts"
Council member Yuri Amalfi nervously gave his report.
"Yes,acting-Chairman. It has been declared a restricted zone and they have been ordered to fire even on ZAFT personnel approaching without authorization."
Yuri Amalfi used to be supporter of Patrick Zala and total victory of the Coordinators but recent events put immense pressure on him and he lost his nerve to continue the war in it's totatily.
He was shocked with the ruthless Zala basically assassinated his predecessor,Siegel Clyne and became fearful for his family's safety.
His personal tragedies like his son Nicol killed in action and his wife Romina who became despondent since then also took a toll on him;he was willing to seek peace no matter how far-fetched it seemed.
Durandal acknowledged this and stated
"The GENESIS has been deactivated and the core removed for the time being. There is too much risk of Zala supporters infiltrating try firing the weapon on Earth but we will be able to re-activate it within a hour if Earth Forces advance again."
There were some reservations but they agreed with the compromise.
They continued discussions on all sorts of issues.
The meeting and discussions continued over half an hour, deciding future course of action and there even was proposal to reach out to the Eternal and offering amnesty to Lacus Clyne and her crew.
"I doubt Ms. Clyne would accept right now to return and help PLANT move towards build a new future according to Ex-Chairman Clyne's vision but it can't be helped given the circumstances. But our message must be clear that we would no longer follow Ex-Chairman Zala's footsteps which will only lead to our own demise. Our enemy is only the Blue Cosmos,not the Naturals."
The Council agreed to the proposal,they weren't comfortable with how the Zala zealots dealt with Chairman Clyne and significant number of PLANT citizens still hold goodwill to Lacus and her massage of hope and peace with the Naturals. It was the right thing to do.
After some further deliberations Durandal decided it was right time to end the meeting on this note.
"Alright,this will do for now. Everyone stay alert and inform me if you run into any problems. This meeting is adjurned."
Durandal had just gotten up from his seat when he noticed Yuri looking like he wanted to ask something.
"Is something the matter, Councilman Amalfi? There's no need to hesitancy if it's important."
Durandal encouraged and Yuri felt confident enough to speak.
"Chairman,are you certain the Ex-Chairman will not get freed by his Loyalists? What if someone betrays his location?"
Durandal gave him his signature calm,reassuring smile and said.
"I have my most loyal and reliable officers detaining the Ex-Chairman and his close accomplices like the former Council member Joule. It would be safer to keep people aware of their locations to a minimum to prevent leaking of information. I hope the Council understands."
The Council begrudgingly accepted his reasoning. The unease however remained;betrayal by anyone in the room at this point undoubtedly meant facing the firing squad and felt that their was no choice but to trust their new Chairman.
"There is one more thing."
Eileen Canaver spoke up. Durandal gave full attention to what she was going to say and he had a feeling what it was going to be about.
"It's the matter regarding the Dominion and the crewmembers who are in our custody."
It turned out his hunch was right. He let her continue while keeping a neutral, unreadable face.
"How did someone like Muruta Azrael, the Head of the National Defence Industry Association which is a leading weapon supplier to the Earth Forces ended up in this situation? What exactly was the intention behind broadcast they made which has disrupted the Earth Forces even as we are in vulnerable state? Was there a double agent or something else is at play?"
Of course they would be wondering about the 'special guests' who had fallen to their lap and set in motion events they might not even be aware of.
He considered how to answer and returned to his calm and cool expression as he replied.
"They were unconscious when they were captured along with the Dominion. It will take time to recover before we can start interrogation to fully understand what happened. I'm afraid I'll have to ask everyone here again to understand the need for secrecy regarding this matter. Forgive me"
His seemingly apologetic demeanor appeared to work and they did not question further.
While they were absorbed in their deliberations,an officer from Durandal's staff entered the room and walked in and stood next to him. He whispered something to him and he nodded. He stated to the Council.
"If there are no further questions then that will be all. Thank you everyone for coming."
Indeed there were no further questions so they were on their way.
Durandal remained seated as the Council members shuffled out of the room.
His aide stayed by his side while he read the information and reports on the e-tablet he was holding.
"What is their situation right now?"
He asked in a serious tone. The officer replied
"Chairman Sir! Muruta Azrael had to be sedated but he will not last long under interrogation;they are confident he will break easily."
He felt encouraged by the news. Such opportunities don't come by easily and he fully intended to exploit it.
"Good. Captain Natarle Badgiruel?"
"Currently recovering after her surgery. We will be able to interrogate her soon."
"No need to resort to harsh measures on her. She may have come from a military family in the Atlantic Federation but if she indeed resisted Azrael and got shot by him then she must have become disillusioned by her cause. Tell your officers to treat her well."
"Understood,sir."
Now the final mystery which led to this present situation.
Durandal took the hold of the tablet himself and read the file being displayed on screen.
Private Hachiman Hikigaya. Citizen of Republic of East Asia(Japan to be precise) and enlisted to serve in the Atlantic Federation. Second Electrical Technician of the Dominion,a new Archangel-class of Mobile Armor Battleship comparable to Nazca-class which temporarily served as Flagship during battle of Jachin Due. No evidence of him being in contact with ZAFT Intelligence or any prior intention of assaulting and holding hostage of Muruta Azrael and broadcasting a threat to Earth Forces which amounts to treason.
"What is the situation with this young man?"
"He's been cooperating well, sir. One of the first things he requested on been discharged from the medical facility was clothes so he longer has to wear his Atlantic Alliance uniform. He even agreed to give tour and share information on the Dominion without any need for persuasion."
"He claims his reason for his action is that he has a friend from his hometown and he and his family are Coordinators currently residing in PLANT?"
"That's what he said but it's hard to believe that it's for such a trifle reason. You wish to put him under enhanced interrogation?"
"No need. Seems too idealistic,sure but if it's true then it can help calm tensions among our people by showing not all Naturals are our enemies. Make sure he's treated well and see if can locate the family he mentioned."
"I'll get right to it"
They moved on to talk about other issues but that case was peculiar to him indeed.
He had plans and needed everything that could in his favour. He always wanted to win after all.