Author's notes: Hey readers! Sorry for the late release of this chapter, I have some busy days during the month of January. So that's why it took a long time to complete this chapter. Enjoy reading this chapter, everyone!
Phase 8: Verdict & Confrontation
Conference Room, Main Building, ZAFT Headquarters, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 7 February CE 71, 1415 hrs
With all the eyes looking at her, Flay takes a deep breath before explaining her intentions. "Chairman Clyne and Councilman Zala. Based on my personal beliefs and convictions, I planned to enlist in ZAFT forces as a pilot to help end the war and bring peace among Naturals and Coordinators." This surprised Siegel, Eileen and Ezalia as they never thought of Flay wanting to join the Coordinator's armed forces. Her answer leaves them with more questions about Flay's intentions of joining ZAFT. However, Patrick does not trust a single word from the red-haired Natural. He gave a skeptical look at her since he knew Naturals like her were not trustworthy at all.
"Sorry, Chairman Clyne. I don't buy her reasoning at all. Her reasoning sounds more like a Blue Cosmos sleeper agent to me. No way, I would let her become a ZAFT soldier and pilot." Patrick informs Siegel that he rejects Flay's reasoning. "She's a damn Blue Cosmos spy, and it's better we execute her!" This appalled Flay, as she knew she wasn't a spy for Blue Cosmos. Even though she had undergone military training before, Flay did not receive the proper training to become a spy for Blue Cosmos.
"Councilman Zala! You simply cannot accuse Miss Allster of being a Blue Cosmos spy just because she is George Allster's daughter!" Siegel fiercely rebukes Patrick for being biased. "Only ZAFT's Intelligence department can prove that Miss Allster is indeed a spy for Blue Cosmos. You can't simply accuse her without solid evidence." .
"Maybe the intelligence department may have not fully checked Miss Allster's completely. She still could be a secret spy waiting to destroy us when the opportunity arises." Patrick suggests. However, both Siegel and Eileen shake in disbelief, as they don't believe Patrick's words of Flay being a spy. "Sorry Councilman Zala, I don't believe a word of what you said until we receive solid proof of Flay spying on behalf of Blue Cosmos." Eileen disagrees with Patrick's suggestion. "We can check and confirm with Councilwoman Joule here if Miss Allster is indeed a spy or not." .
Disappointed by both Chairman Clyne and Councilwoman Canaver's disagreement, Patrick reluctantly allows them to check with Ezalia regarding Flay's background. "Councilwoman Joule, did the ZAFT's Intelligence Department found any information about Miss Allster being a spy for Blue Cosmos?" Siegel questions Ezalia. The silver-haired councilwoman stands up and tells him that there was no evidence that linked Flay to any espionage activities. "It's impossible for Miss Allster to be a spy for Blue Cosmos. We have searched every personal detail of Miss Allster, and found no records of her being a spy for the EA forces. Hence, we can only conclude that they trained her to be a Blue Cosmos affiliated EA soldier and mobile suit pilot. That's all I can say for now, Chairman Clyne." Ezalia concludes her speech.
Satisfied that Flay is not a Blue Cosmos spy, Siegel looks to Patrick before saying the following, "Councilman Zala, to prove whether Miss Allster is really a spy. She has to enlist in the ZAFT forces. From there, if she tried to go AWOL during her training, we could arrest her on suspicion of being a Blue Cosmos spy." However, Patrick does not agree with Siegel's proposal at all and comes up with a counterproposal instead. "How about this, Chairman Clyne? ZAFT will only accept Miss Allster fully into their ranks if she can earn the status of an elite pilot." .
"Enough of your unreasonable bias, Councilman Zala! It's not fair to Miss Allster just because she's a Natural." Siegel reprimands Patrick. "We should give her a chance to undergo military training alongside Coordinators. She could be the key to end this war!" Siegel's words fell on deaf ears as Patrick had no intention of retracting his counterproposal. He wanted to see Flay suffer at the hands of other Coordinators during the military training and planned to send her to the gallows should she fail.
"Chairman Clyne. Miss Allster, has undergone both military and pilot training before when she was young. With that experience, her fighting skills should be on par with Coordinators serving in ZAFT forces as well." Patrick points out before concluding his speech to Siegel. "My decision is final. If Miss Allster wants to be part of the ZAFT forces, she has to earn the status of an elite pilot. If not possible, she'll go straight to the gallows. So will you accept it or not?"
"You!…" Before Siegel could scold Patrick any further, Flay stands up and tells them the following statement: "Sir, I will accept Councilman Zala's proposal and I will do whatever it takes to become an elite pilot for the ZAFT forces." Flay's words left everyone, including Yzak, speechless. They thought Flay had officially lost her mind for accepting Patrick's unreasonable proposal. They knew it was impossible for her to achieve the status of an elite soldier and pilot since she wasn't a Coordinator. 'What is this silly Natural thinking? She's going to get herself killed!' A dumbfounded Yzak stares at Flay for being crazy enough to accept Patrick's proposal.
Worried for Flay, Yzak calls out to her, intending to advise her to retract her statement. "Miss Allster, are you out of your mind? Councilman Zala has no intention of letting you live if you did not make it as an elite pilot upon finishing your military training. I recommend you retract your statement and reject his proposal right now!" Yzak warns Flay and urges her to reject Patrick's proposal. However, Flay shakes her head and tells him it's alright for her and she will accept the condition imposed by Patrick's proposal. Then, she looks at Siegel to inform him of her decision.
"Are you very sure of accepting Councilman Zala's proposal?" Siegel questions Flay to confirm her sincerity. "There is no turning back if you accept his proposal." Flay nods to confirm her decision of being trained under the conditions imposed by Patrick's proposal. However, Siegel remains unconvinced, and he tries to persuade Flay to reconsider her decision. "Miss Allster, there are no records of Naturals serving in the ZAFT forces currently. You are the first and only Natural to be enlisted as a ZAFT soldier. You will train alongside Coordinators and ZAFT's military doctrine. However, they may not treat you as a fellow ZAFT soldier since you are a Natural. So please reconsider your decision." .
"There's no need for me to reconsider my decision. I will still accept Councilman Zala's proposal and do my best to become an elite pilot." Flay insists. "I'm aware of the risks posed by his proposal and willing to take full responsibility for any liability during training. Also, I wouldn't mind training alongside Coordinators despite being the only Natural there and learning new military skills offered by ZAFT's military doctrine. Given that I have four years of both military and mobile pilot training in the past, I'm willing to fight for ZAFT and end the war quickly, sir." .
Delighted that Flay has accepted his proposal, Patrick silently informs Siegel to allow her to undergo military training with his condition attached. Siegel eventually agrees and lets out a sigh before announcing a verdict to conclude the trial. "Alright Miss Allster, you will undergo military training to be both a soldier and pilot for the ZAFT forces. As per Councilman Zala's proposal, you are required to achieve the status of an elite pilot by the time you complete your military training. Failure to do so will lead you to a death sentence by firing squad. Is this clear enough, Miss Allster?" Flay nods and gives a 'yes' reply to acknowledge Siegel's order.
"Well then, I think we can end this trial. Is there anything more to add?" Siegel looks around as he asks them. However, all the officials present in the room shake their heads as there is nothing else left to discuss further and they want to end the trial. "If there's nothing else left to discuss, everyone's dismissed." Siegel dismisses everyone in the room as he ends Flay's trial.
"Thank you for helping me, Ensign Joule." Flay shakes hands with Yzak in gratitude. "Don't mention it, just stay out of trouble and good luck to you during your military training." Yzak quietly advises her. "I see. After this, you are heading back to your unit?" Flay asks. "Yeah, I'm attached to Le Creuset's team. My Commander will call me back for missions to engage the EA forces." Yzak replies. "This may be the last time seeing you again, Ensign. I hope to see you once again and have a chat with you to make amends." Flay says before she walks out of the conference room.
Flay's words affected the silver-haired Coordinator's perception of Naturals as he usually hated them upon seeing one. Yzak thought that every Natural harbors resentment towards Coordinators and they will never apologise or atone for their racist behaviour. However, he encounters a Natural today that not only pleads guilty for calling Coordinators space monsters; she enlists herself in the ZAFT forces as an atonement for her sins. Flay's deeds help Yzak to see that not all Naturals are bad people, he has some feelings for her as well.
'Snap out of it, Yzak! She's a Natural and you yourself are a Coordinator! No way you can fall in love with her!' Yzak reminds himself not to get too close to Flay before walking out of the conference room as well.
Corridor, Main Building, ZAFT Headquarters, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 7 February CE 71, 1435 hrs
As Flay exits the conference room, two Green ZAFT soldiers approach her, intending to bring her to another room. "Miss Allster! Councilwoman Joule wants to speak with you in private. She's waiting for you in her office and we will escort you to meet her. Please follow us, miss." One of the Green ZAFT soldiers informs Flay. Wonder why Ezalia wants to speak to her, Flay obliges and follows the two ZAFT soldiers as they head down to Ezalia's office.
Ezalia's Office, Main Building, ZAFT Headquarters, City of Aprilius One, PLANTs, 7 February CE 71, 1437 hrs
As Flay enters the room, she sees Ezalia sitting on her office chair with both of her arms crossed. "Thanks for bringing her in. Please leave us. We have something to discuss in private." Ezalia instructs the Green ZAFT soldiers escorting Flay to leave. The two ZAFT soldiers acknowledge the Councilwoman's order and they salute her before leaving her office. Then, Ezalia turns her face to look at Flay before asking her this question — "Do you know why I summoned you here, Natural?"
"I do not have a single clue why you summon me here, Councilwoman Joule." A confused Flay replies. However, her reply only gives Ezalia a reason to hate the young Natural lady even more. Fed up with her cluelessness, Ezalia wants to teach Flay a lesson that she will remember her place while staying in the PLANTs. "Your intention to enlist yourself as a ZAFT soldier has caused massive trouble for all of us." Ezalia says in a bitter tone.
"Though I can give you credit for showing remorse after calling my son a space monster. But your intention to enlist in the ZAFT forces under Patrick's proposal is unacceptable to me." Ezalia voices out her disapproval of Flay enlisting. "Hence, I will not allow you to join ZAFT. Your only option left is to intern in the PLANTs until the war ends. Like it or not, we will force you to accept it." .
Flay feels a bit disappointed after hearing what Ezalia had said, but she thinks it is unfair for herself to be treated as a prisoner of the PLANTs. Just because she is the daughter of George Allster doesn't mean she will act exactly like him. Aware that Ezalia still resents her, Flay wants to convince the Councilwoman that she is not a threat and lets her join instead.
"Councilwoman Joule, I know you still hated me for trying to join ZAFT, but I would not wish to be a prisoner for the PLANTs. I'm not a threat to anyone and would like to help end the war by joining ZAFT." Flay says in a persuasive tone. Despite being persuaded, Ezalia does not believe or trust her at all. "I don't understand why I should trust you. What if you turn against us and my son the moment you become a ZAFT pilot? What if you side with the EA forces again?" Ezalia furiously questions Flay. Those questions hit Flay hard enough to reconsider her decision. She even thought of giving in to Ezalia's ultimatum, but what if she gets deported back to the Atlantic Federation instead?
If she gets deported back, Blue Cosmos may accuse her of being a traitor and torture her for information. Worst, they may straight force her to be an Extended pilot for the EA forces for the rest of her life. Scared of going back to her home country, Flay intends to convince Ezalia to support her decision to enlist in the ZAFT forces. "No, I will still join ZAFT!" Flay declares firmly. Ezalia was so angry at the red-haired Natural lady that she pulled Flay's Green ZAFT outer uniform towards her.
Before Ezalia could scold her, Flay mustered the courage to speak first. "Councilwoman Joule, if I don't join ZAFT. Will you deport me back home? If I get deported, will Blue Cosmos spare me easily for being captured by ZAFT Coordinators in Heliopolis? What if they force me to be an Extended pilot against my will? What if I have to fight and kill your son in battle?" These are the questions that Flay wants to ask.
Rattled to hear these questions, Ezalia lets go of Flay and sits down to calm herself down. Though Ezalia hates the Natural lady for defying her, she acknowledges that Flay is right to some extent. If Flay was to be deported back to Earth, Blue Cosmos would surely target her and they would force her to fight against the PLANTs as an Extended pilot. Not wanting to see her son Yzak killed by her, Ezalia eventually gives in and allows her to join ZAFT, but with some conditions attached. "Alright Natural, I shall respect your decision to join ZAFT, but you have to accept two conditions from me." Ezalia takes a pause before mentioning her two conditions.
"You must accept the same level of military training and train with other Coordinators. I know you are not as strong as them, but that doesn't mean the military instructors can lighten the training for you. They will train you to be one of them, so suck it up and accept it. Next, if they resent you after finding out who your father is, don't fight back. I want you to hear their thoughts and try to change their perception about you. I want to see you able to cultivate good relationships with some ZAFT Coordinators once your military training ends. These are my two conditions you need to accept." Ezalia says.
Desired to join the ZAFT forces, Flay informs Ezalia that she accepts her two conditions. "Good. To help you a little, I will convince Councilman Zala to waive his requirement of you achieving the status of an elite pilot. So don't worry about being sent to the gallows once your training ends." Ezalia tells Flay after seeing her accept her two conditions. "Thank you, madam. I will do my best to perform well during the training sessions." Flay thanks Ezalia as both of them stand up to shake hands. "Alright then, a Green ZAFT soldier will come to pick you up. They will bring you to a military base to start your training." Ezalia says while pressing a button beneath her desk.
Soon, a lady wearing the Green ZAFT uniform enters Ezalia's office, and the Councilwoman instructs her to bring Flay to a nearby military base to have her prepare for enlistment. "Please take all your personal items with you, miss. I will escort you to the nearby Citadel Military Base to start your enlistment process. Don't worry about the lack of important equipment currently. We will help to equip you down there, so please follow me." The female Green ZAFT soldier informs Flay.
Flay nods and carries her personal bag before checking around for any of her belongings. With all her belongings in her bag, Flay looks at Ezalia one more time before leaving her office. "Thank you for everything, Councilwoman Joule." Flay sincerely thanks Ezalia for letting her join ZAFT. "Just do your best and fulfill my two conditions. Don't let me down and goodbye, Natural." Ezalia says as she bids goodbye to Flay. Flay nods with a smile before she turns around to follow the female Green ZAFT soldier as they leave Ezalia's office. As they walk across the corridor, Flay wonders how ZAFT trains their soldiers. Still, she hopes to be the first Natural to pass their military training.
To be continued…
End of Phase 8
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