Phase-09: Gambit
In CE 73, the Arzachel base, built in the Arzachel Crater on the moon, had replaced the Ptolemaeus base (destroyed by GENESIS during the Valentine War) as the Earth Alliance's outpost in space. And now, troubling movements were unfolding inside. A grand scale operation was entering its final stages of preparation. Pilots were briefed and countless mass produced GAT-02L2 Dagger L were being loaded on the ships... as well as cargo bearing the heinous symbol of nuclear energy.
The leader of the Atlantic Federation was giving a speech. The broadcast was anxiously watched by people of the PLANTs and Earth, including the crew of the Minerva, as well as Kira, Lacus, Reverend Malchio, and Murrue and Andrew in the manor. Rayner was listening too in the same time as he was reviewing papers. Cagalli was on the phone and angrily slammed it down. Unato was coolly conversing with an official from the Earth Alliance over a cup of tea. People regularly gathered in the streets and demonstrated their hostility towards the PLANTs and Coordinators, demanding revenge... demanding war... while in a shuttle, Seren and Athrun were preparing for their meeting and making every effort to stave off that war.
"That's completely out of the question!" A senator complained in the middle of a session of the PLANTs' Supreme Council. "How can we word things so that they'll understand?" Though another believed it didn't matter what anyone said since those people had no intention to listen to begin with. And that was a sentiment shared by many here. The Earth Alliance kept demanding that the terrorists be arrested and handed over... no matter how many times they were told that those terrorists had all died already. What nonsense was that? Even more outrageous were the compensations asked of the PLANTs... elimination of the armament, dissolving of the administration, Alliance observers on the Supreme Council... It was insane!
"Naturally, they don't believe we'll accept these terms. There are people itching to fight the PLANTs, they're provoking us and looking for a reason to attack, saying that we're enemies of Earth and a nuisance in space."
"Just the same, this is senseless! Does the Alliance really want to continue on this course and open hostilities with us? If they do, THEY will be the aggressors!" A woman insisted, but as a colleague pointed out, the fact was, they were clearly saying they would, unless the PLANTs complied. What more, the EA's lunar base was unharmed, and the areas worst hit were along the equator. The Atlantic Federation and Eurasia were as healthy as ever. And like this, the debate continued... in favor of a more forceful stance. They would be underestimated if they acted to timidly. They had to prepare for war. The Chairman stood up and demanded attention. He understood their feelings but if they countered the same way, they'd only be repeating things.
"No matter what the Earth Alliance tells us, we must continue to search for a solution through negotiation. Unless we remain steadfast, we will not be doing justice to those who lost their lives in the recent war." He reasoned.
"But the Earth Forces lunar base is already taking action. I understand your regard for the ideal, but currently we're unmistakably at Level Red. Naturally, we should be taking a counterattack stance." A minister wearing the purple uniform of the National Defense Committee opposed.
"If we deploy the military, it will likely cause a stir among the citizens and further incite the Earth Forces to attack." Durandal argued, recalling that Seren had told him the very same thing in the hangar of the Minerva. A council member stood up, about to protest. "But I guess it cannot be helped. The fear of Bloody Valentine still remains within us all." He looked straight at the standing senator recoiled slightly. There were murmurs. Right, no matter what, they had to protect themselves. "I'd like to leave defensive measures to the National Defense Committee. But at the same time, we must continue to make every effort to solve this issue through negotiations. Should this lead to hostilities with Earth, we'd be playing right into the hands of the ghosts who dropped Junius Seven. Please make certain that you do not forget that." The Chairman declared.
And so, ZAFT deployed their own fleet. This time, added to the Laurassia-class and Nazca-class battleships, was also the Gondwana-class supercarrier, Gondwana (named after a supercontinent that existed 500 millions years ago and combined with the Laurasia supercontinent about 300 million years ago to form the Pangea supercontinent). This 1200-meters long gigantic warship was capable of operation in the atmosphere. It might be very lightly armed, but could host hundreds of various mobile suits and possessed no less than 16 linear catapults to launch them. Right now, it also served as mothership to Yzak Joule's squadron.
'Alex' and Seren (and Chacha on her shoulder) arrived at Aprilius One where her contact, Howard Byrne, was waiting for them. Part of the PLANTs' embassy, he was also an ally of the Ledfords and acted as their middleman. The female diplomat thanked him and asked about the situation.
"Not good at all. The citizens of the PLANTs are furious. The Chairman says he will continue negotiating to resolve this conflict through dialogue but some are beginning to interpret that as a sign of weakness. I've told them of your arrival and requested a meeting, but given the situation, who knows what will happen..." Howard warned her. They didn't know that at the same time, the EA fleet was leaving the moon.
"So what now? When exactly will the attack commence?" Djibril, petting his cat as usual, questioned the leader of the Atlantic Federation through video conference (since that leader was in his office at the White House).
"It's not that easy Djibril. You're so impatient. The PLANTs continue to say they'd like to cooperate and have, in fact, gone to great lengths to satisfy us. Also there are nations still disapproving of our actions. To make such a forceful move at this point..."
"Oh my, I believe I've told you before once we get rid of the PLANTs, everything will calm down. Once they're gone, who in this world could possibly oppose us? The Equatorial Union? The Kingdom of Scandinavia? Oh, you must be afraid of Orb." The head of Blue Cosmos guessed. His interlocutor half admitted it. "Humph, a puny nation like that? This world is a system, so there is a need for people to build and people to manage. If you don't have people managing things, even your front lawn can turn ugly. Everyone would prefer to plant their favorite trees, keep the grass green and grow beautiful flowers on their lawn, right? Pull the weeds... but to plant grass wherever? Is that really beauty? Is it freedom? Everyone like that sort of things, places and things that are safe and well-managed. Haven't people always made the effort to make the world that kind of place? Building cities, creating tools, making rules, and now we have earned the chance to do this at a level unheard of before. So let's quickly get rid of them and hurry on to our next enjoyable step... To make a beautiful lawn for us, LOGOS, let's build the structure of our new world system."
But compared to the dream-like quiet and scenery of Djibril's estate, the rest of the world was in chaos. And as a freelance photographer, Miriallia Haw was covering the damage caused by the fall of Junius Seven. Humans parked in prison-like camps, the countless hastily made slums, the exploding numbers of people who turned to religion for salvation, the ravaged cities, sometimes half encased in mud or sand... or half-immerged in water... but it wasn't only humanity, the whole eco-system had suffered. On the devastated shores, not only innumerable whales, dolphins, and other sea mammals, but also fish, corals, and other sea creatures ended being washed up on the beaches by the giant waves.
This night at the Ledfords' mansion, Kira was lying awake in his bed, deep in thought. In another room, Lacus was with the children, and she gazed tenderly at the one sleeping at her side. In her residence, Cagalli was still at her desk, still dressed in her Representative uniform, spacing out with an exhausted expression. Rayner entered and placed documents on her desk although he didn't look too happy to give her more work and troubles. He petted her affectionately, encouragingly, and she hugged him around the waist. In the Minerva, aside from the captain drinking from a mug, everyone had gone to sleep too. Shinn was holding onto his late sister, Mayu's cell phone and dreaming of her.
And then, on October 10th, everything was set in motion. The Earth Alliance fleet was given permission to start the operation. The ZAFT soldiers joined their battle stations. Cagalli and Rayner hurried to their helicopter. Both the PLANTs' fleet and the Earth Forces deployed their mobile suits. Though once more, the Daggers proved to be lacking compared to the GINNs, ZAKUs, CGUEs and GuAIZs. Among the ZAFT units was a flashy orange Blaze ZAKU Phantom. The custom color marked the pilot as part of the elite. His pilot suit was orange and red. And his handsome face, framed by amber blonde hair, was brimming with an ace's confidence. At the same time, the leader of the Atlantic Federation made a serious and unfortunate announcement to the people of the world...
"We have yet to receive a satisfactory response. Since they continue to hide the criminals who took part in this unprecedented terrorist activity, we have found the government of the PLANTs to be a clear and serious threat to us. Therefore, we have given notice to the government of the PLANTs. As forewarned, the nations of the Earth Alliance will use force to eliminate this threat."
In the Minerva, Talia Gladys closed her eyes and Meyrin announced the passage to Condition Yellow. The ship's security status changed to B1 with outsiders being prohibited from boarding the ship. All maintenance personnel proceeded to their position at once, and the causeway was removed. Rey and Shinn stood up. While the blonde soldier silently dressed, Asuka had to voice his shock. War was breaking?! It couldn't be!
ZAFT's first line of defense was actually an offensive line consisting of GINN equipped with large M66 "Canus" missiles to break the first wave of enemies. The attack started.
Seren and Athrun arrived at the government building. The Chairman's office was in an uproar organizing the defense of their homeland. All city ports had been closed, the military police was also on standby in case of a panic. But as Durandal pointed out, even if they escaped, they had nowhere to go. They must protect the PLANTs at all costs! Indeed, all the ZAFT soldiers were doing well, especially the orange unit that sank an Agammemnon-class. The Joule Team sortied too. Well, Yzak had expected things to turn out like this... After all that was how they always turned out... However, for the OMNI Enforcers, the offensive of the main fleet was only a diversion, and the real attacker was a contingent that had stayed safe in the back... But now that the enemy's full attention was on that fleet, it was their turn to advance and launch their Windam corps... armed with nuclear missiles. They would teach the Coordinators once and for all that there was no place for them in this blue and pure world!
The newly developed GAT-04 Windam was the most advanced Earth Alliance mass production type mobile suit. It was more mobile than its predecessor, the GAT-02L2 Dagger L, due to the additional vernier thrusters mounted on its legs and shoulders, and had higher performance comparable to ZAFT's ZAKU-type mobile suits. It was armed with four CIWS guns, two beam sabers, "Stiletto" Rocket-Propelled Anti-Armor Penetrators, an offensive shield carrying multipurpose "Würger" missiles, and a beam rifle. It could also equip striker packs.
The Coordinators were fiercely protecting their home. Still twenty EA mobile suits entered Area Two, and the third fleet was told to proceed to Orange Beta 15. In a command center, an array of officers had gathered to minutely handle the defense. One devised that after all, the enemy's aim be Aprilius and the command structure. But another wasn't so sure and ordered his subordinates not to miss the smallest movement of that army. Another called and asked the patrol unit's report. Indeed, a tight network of reconnaissance units had been deployed... and one from the polar orbit patrol caught the advance of the battalion bearing the nuclear warheads. The intelligence was immediately transmitted to the command center. The exact number was unknown but a large quantity of missile launchers had been confirmed. The information was relayed to the Chairman.
"Intercept enemy units closing in from the Polar orbit! They're loaded with nuclear weapons! Don't let a single one hit the PLANTs!" An officer ordered. Yzak and Dearka finally understood they had been fighting decoys. They cursed and rushed to stop the attack, like many others. Three Nazca-class destroyers advanced. One had equipped a strange device, about as big as the ship itself.
"All systems, status normal. Quantum fresnel terminals one through five, multiple coordinates online, operation time: seven seconds, grid is tracking targets."
"We only have one chance! Bring them in as close as possible, got that!" The captain of the strangely equipped Nazca-class instructed.
"Pre-charge online. Activating Neutron Stampeder."
Inside the Agammemnon-class vessel commanding that separate force, the presence of those three Nazca-class at Red 22 Beta... including the fact that one was loaded with an unknown equipment... was reported. The attack couldn't be stopped though... and many soldiers happily pulled the trigger for the sake of their blue and pure world, unaware that their fanaticism had brought them over to insanity. The ZAFT soldiers who had rushed over despaired. They were too late! They still fired.
Kira was worriedly gazing at the night sky. Everyone had gone too sleep. Although Lacus had woken up and come to join him, worried about him. He smiled weakly at her.
"Fire Neutron Stampeder!" The device emitted a massive energy wave, inducing runaway nuclear fission reactions that prematurely detonated all nuclear contraptions in its field of activity... the launched missiles of course, but also the ones still in the ships. And like this, the whole contingent was completely annihilated by their own nuclear weaponry. The ZAFT pilots looked on, amazed. None of them had known of the existence of the Neutron Stampeder as it was experimental technology. The victory over the nuclear attack force was reported and the Chairman and officers rejoiced, although they still couldn't let their guard down. However, the Stampeder's quantum fresnels had melted and activated the breaker. The system could no longer be used. Still, what a heart-stopper. It was good the Stampeder had been made in time. Durandal hoped this would put an end to things, at least for now.
Kira and Lacus gasped in horror when they looked at the sky in the direction of the PLANTs, at this series of explosion of blinding light... those were... the flashes of nuclear explosions. Kira tightened his grip on the balustrade. Beyond these lights, he could see the shadow of a man... That man who wished for the extinction of humanity, who was the embodiment of those wishes... Rau Le Creuset...
"This is our destiny! People have faith in their own justice and hide from problems they don't understand! They never learn and never bother to ask! This is how people think, Kira-kun! This is a world where people live with eyes and souls of hatred, where fingers have no purpose other than to pull triggers!" It... still wasn't over...
Ignorant of it all, Seren, Athrun and Howard Byrne were waiting in a room. The member of the PLANTs' embassy was restlessly pacing back and forth and looking at the time while the teens were sitting quietly, looking very calm... only in appearance though. The girl had been petting and playing with her robotic squirrel to try and distract herself, in vain. She was first to snap and say she was going for a walk. She didn't say it but she intended to listen in on the conversations in hope to glean some information. And she just could no longer sit still. Alex sighed and followed her for a time before going to wash his face. He needed to cool down and shape up. After all, he was Seren's supervisor. Then he went to meet up with his fiancée. He saw her at the top of a flight of stairs. He called her but Seren didn't respond. He joined her, looked where she was looking and understood her shock. There, that girl with long pink hair and that voice and way of speaking, and there was even a red haro with her hopping around...
"Lacus?!" 'Alex' couldn't help but exclaim. The girl who was speaking with two men turned to them. It was really Lacus' face! But she couldn't be here! They hadn't been told anything. After a time, 'Lacus' seemed to recognize Athrun's face.
"Athrun!" She beamed, running down the stairs towards the puzzled young man. No, that wasn't Lacus! Lacus would have known, she wouldn't have reacted like this... and she wouldn't dress like this either... she wouldn't wear such a tight-fitting bodysuit or such a revealing skirt. Who was that?! Why?! Seren snapped back to reality when she saw that this Lacus was running towards her promised. In a fast and fluid movement, she blocked her way, like an unforeseen reef against which the wave crashed... caught her hands and intertwined fingers with hers...
"Hey there, Lacus, it's been a while!" Ledford grinned and waved their arms together before leaning to her ear and whispering "...Or should I say 'miss fake'? Well, of course, someone who's only interested in the glitz wouldn't know about me. The real Lacus is a precious friend of mine. It's one thing to admire and imitate her... but it's another to fully impersonate her... " She leant back and smiled sweetly but scarily while still holding hands with the pretender in a way that ostensibly showed her engagement ring. Her relationship with Athrun hadn't been made public so they'd enjoy some peace, but it might be good if some people did learn about it... The fake stammered, obviously confused. She really had no clue about who could be that woman who had stopped her. Athrun was supposed to be Lacus' fiancé, right?
In his manor, Djibril was informed of the instantaneous eradication of the nuclear force too, which enraged him. His infallible plan to root out those abominations from this world in one go had ended in an abject failure. The rest of the Earth Alliance fleet had retreated to the lunar base.
"Seren..." Athrun whispered, gripping her right arm and clasping her left shoulder and pulling her back to him. He truly was grateful that she had saved him but he didn't like her threatening people without hearing their explanations first. Well, in any case her actions had snapped him back. The impostor saw the ring on Zala's left hand... the men version of that Seren's ring... How could it be?! Then the two men came to fetch 'Lacus-sama'. It was time.
"Oh, yes, I understand." That impersonator was back into her role. She turned back to the other teens. "Then, see you later. But I'm so glad I could see you, Athrun." She beamed like a maiden in adoration before the ex ZAFT hero. "And you too, Seren." She smiled politely and left with her managers.
"Miss Ledford, Alex-kun..." Durandal saw them and called them. He had three assistants at his side. Ledford and Dino turned to him, still perturbed by what they had seen. "I'm supposed to be seeing you. I'm terribly sorry to keep you waiting for so long." He apologized. Alex stammered it was okay but his companion kept quiet. The youngsters stared at him. There was no way he didn't know the truth about that person, right? Setting that doll up as Lacus Clyne... what could he be planning? Of course, Seren had never once thought of letting her guard down before him or any of her interlocutors. But it was the first time that she was feeling true 'suspicion' and 'wariness' towards that man. "What is it?" The chairman wondered when he noticed their perplexed expressions.
"No, it's nothing." Ledford smiled, hiding her emotions. Being able to switch to and keep an unreadable face was a necessary skill she had been forced to pick up since she had started fighting on the diplomatic front... a perfect business smile that plastered itself on her face, like a safety device activating to stop her real feelings from leaking... But then, she thought of Lacus, the real one. Certainly, she might be happier enjoying peace and quiet in Orb with Kira. But when Seren had seen this impersonator, she had felt apprehension. Durandal had to know, right? Then what was the meaning of this? And to think she had come to request his help... with this she had even less reason to trust him! But things still had to proceed. For Lacus, for Cagalli, for her friends and family in Orb, she had to clear the doubts. "No... actually, I have another thing to talk to you about."
All over the PLANTs and the world, the news was about the failed attack on the PLANTs. At the present, both forces on orbit were in a hostile standstill position. And in the Chairman's office, Athrun and Seren were also told about it (Chacha was left in the girl's pocket for the duration of the meeting). And given their disbelief, Durandal showed them the news. The nuclear attack had been launched a mere one hour after the declaration of war. However, at the final line of defense ZAFT had succeeded in destroying the attacking forces and repelling the enemies who had retreated to their lunar base. The assault had ended but the situation was still very tense. The shock was almost numbing for the two members of Orb's embassy. To think the situation would degenerate so fast! And a nuclear attack again?! Gilbert told them to sit down and calm down. It was over for the time being. They obeyed.
"Although this wasn't completely unexpected, it's still a great shock. For them to force through a declaration of war the way they did and then immediately fire nuclear weapons at us... They're not even following the normal course of action to declare war, and they even used that... You can't even call this a true war. The Earth Alliance has withdrawn their troops for the time being but I can't imagine they'd completely abandon their plans. In contrast, it's our side that's in a state of panic. It's the last thing we want, but consider the fact that nuclear weapons were shot at us... again." The Chairman began, clearly stressing that fact, like a preemptive strike to warn the two that they shouldn't have much hope to accomplish what he had guessed they had come here to do. The ambassadress and her escort nodded their assent. Athrun recalled how years ago, one of those nuclear missiles had hit Junius Seven, killing hundreds of thousands of people, including his mother... event that resulted in him enrolling in the army. Indeed, fear and unrest were spreading and escalating among his citizens. No warning had been issued beforehand! What was the council doing?! What if even one of those missiles had hit?! Those people had declared war, so they should go to war! Although there still people who didn't feel this way... going to war again was crazy! Just how many more people would die?! No matter what, they just didn't want to have to go through that again. Everyone was in turmoil, giving in to fear and rage, fights would break out, marches would take place... Athrun understood their feelings. Ledford gazed at him, lowered her head, and closed her eyes. She had to control her emotions. She had to do her job. She looked up at PLANTs leader.
"And... what about the PLANTs? You were attacked, and had war declared against you... how do the PLANTs intend to cope with this?" Seren questioned slowly, her fists firmly on her lap to stop herself from trembling.
"If we retaliate against them for their attack, the world will once more be forced into the quagmire of war. I know that much. Needless to say, I want to avoid that if at all possible. But we can no longer deny what's happening. If the citizens found out that we're hiding things, they would cry out in anger that they cannot forgive. Then what would you have us do? As the second hand ticks towards another major war, what can we do to stop it? The fact is, we've already been fired at a second time... by nuclear weapons." Durandal's eyes narrowed. The gravity, the weight of those actions could never be conveyed with mere words. It was like Seren and Athrun could hear them... just there in the streets, people were crying for revenge... that to protect themselves, they had no choice but to fight!
"I understand... but... that's exactly why! One kills because someone had been killed, and then gets killed because he had killed... we must not fall into that vicious cycle again! PLANTS must stay firm and strong, endure, and make it clear that only the Earth Alliance wishes for war... Then surely the public opinion will..." The ambassadress begged, aware of just how much she was asking. The bud could still be nipped! She had to believe!
"But you must know what the citizens will think of the council if we react to weakly..." Durandal argued. Yes, she knew... they would doubt the competence the council, accuse their own government... with risks of revolts and anarchy... but, if there was another war...
"Please Chairman... we're doomed if we continue firing at each other in anger and hatred! If we fire at each other now, the world will again become just a battlefield where nothing can be gained!" Alex pleaded too. Because Kira had killed Nicol, he had tried to kill Kira, because he had killed Tolle, Kira had tried to kill him... those day when they... when everyone would just lose themselves in battle and lose everything that was precious to them the more they fought... "Please don't let that happen!"
"Alex-kun..."
"I'm... I'm Athrun Zala!" The boy suddenly confessed, surprising the two present. "I'm the son of Patrick Zala, the man who added fuel to a war that got out of control and in a pathetic move, fed hatred to the minds of people worldwide! I believed my father's words to be true and fought on the battlefield! I cut down enemies! My friend and I almost killed each other! And even after I realized that I was wrong I could not do a thing to stop him and I lost everything!"
"Athrun..." Seren placed a hand on his fist and another on his trembling back.
"Yet my father's words still linger! We must never repeat that tragedy again! Never!" He bellowed.
"Athrun!" His lover snapped him back to reality. The Chairman sighed, rose and walked away. He had heard about the criminals at Junius Seven from Shinn and sympathized with the boy who had gone through another difficult experience.
"No. It was good that I found out, or I would have stayed ignorant..."
"You're mistaken, Athrun. You have no reason to feel responsible for their actions. It probably cannot be helped that you're only able to think negatively of former Chairman Zala, but it's not like he was that kind of person from the start, right?" Gilbert said.
"Mr. Chairman."
"He's right. Your father ended up making some bad decisions along the way but it was all in an effort to protect the PLANTs, protect Coordinators, and make a better world for them. Many people have good intentions but end up making mistakes. You both fought and did your best for what you believed. You tried to save him. The life of a person belongs only to that person. But people have path, the way you live defined that path. Your father chose a path, and people chose to follow it. However, it's up to you to choose your own path. You don't have to feel guilty." Seren added kindly, placing a gentle and comforting arm around Athrun's shoulders. As he hopefully gazed back at her, his fist opened and he tightly squeezed her hand.
"And statements they make can easily be taken out of their context by the listener. Because the listener will often interpret what is said however he or she wants. The criminals of Junius Seven had no way to express their anger so they took advantage of former Chairman Zala's words to justify their actions. They said 'We're not wrong. Why? Because Chairman Zala said so himself!' So you must not let something like that control your emotions. The criminals are the criminals. Chairman Zala is Chairman Zala. And you are you, regardless of whose son you are. You can't let something like this to drag you down. It has nothing to do with you as an individual." Durandal continued. Zala looked up at him, touched. The youths stood up and took a step towards him. And he walked to them, his arms open. "Right now, you are both individuals who came to try and stop a war that's on the verge of breaking out. So that'll all you need to think about. Stop trying to take all the responsibility yourselves." He warmly smiled at them. They averted their eyes. "But I must say I'm delighted that you two have come here. All the people who feel like you will be the ones to save this world. People may think of me as a dreamer but I believe it to be true." He placed a hand on their shoulders and the teens felt their hearts being moved. What more, Seren was reminded of her own words...
"You may regard us as naïve idealists, but we want to believe. That said, it's true that our power alone cannot do much. We're still in the learning stages. That's why we hoped you could lend us your strength and wisdom... in order to turn that ideal into reality."
"Much blood has been spilt and more so will be, and overcoming that would also require an enormous amount of strength... or should I say tenacity? Willpower? But even if I'm mocked as a naïve and idealistic child, I want to believe it's possible."
"Y-yes." Athrun stammered.
"But... a concrete plan is still needed, right?" The Orb diplomat argued. She was no longer the same as back then. Just wishing and believing was not enough.
"That's right, and as you said, all the more reason we must stand firm right now." The Chairman admitted. And just as he said that, Lacus appeared on TV, or rather, the person people believed to be Lacus Clyne.
"Everyone, I am Lacus Clyne. Everybody please calm down and listen to what I have to say! The latest incident involving Junius Seven and the subsequent war declaration and attack by the Earth Alliance are very sad, tragic events. I feel the same shock and resentment against them that you do for their sudden attempt at a nuclear attack... however I ask that you all calm down and think this through! Being driven by anger and crying out in rage will only lead to more battles. As we speak, the Supreme Council is making every effort to avoid the worst case scenario. So I call upon you all to express your love for peace and believe in the Supreme Council and Chairman Durandal as they once again work on your behalf to find the best path for us." She addressed imploringly.
"Go ahead and laugh if you want." Durandal turned to his guests and smiled in self-derision. He had noticed the look they were giving him, Seren's especially was rather critical. "I'm sure you two can tell. It's pathetic we had to do such a shrewd thing. But it couldn't be helped. Her power to influence is tremendous, far greater than mine." The PLANTs leader justified himself. And indeed, everyone had stopped fighting and even talking to just listen to her words, her song. They were completely mollified. If it was Lacus, then she must be right. A number of people had heard her speech during the last battle of Jachin Due too. "I do think this is foolish, but right now, I need her strength. And in the same way, I need you two's strength as well." He declared, surprising the Orb envoys, before asking them to follow him.
They took an elevator and floated through a shaft. After a time, Seren recognized the way, because it was the same way Lacus had led her and Kira through two years ago. She knew where they were headed, and didn't like it much. Back then, the ZGMF-X09A Freedom and ZGMF-X08A Independence had been at the end of that path. Now, what were they going to find? Did the Chairman intend to give them gundams too? The soldiers saluted and mechanics opened the door by passing simultaneously their keycards. The three landed on the causeway and the projectors switched on, lighting two mobile suits.
"ZGMF-X23S Savior. The functions differ somewhat but this machine was developed at about the same time as the Chaos, Gaia and Abyss." Durandal spoke before turning to the other machine. "And this is the ZGMF-X22S Fortuna. This one has been built just a bit earlier. If I told you that I wish to entrust those units to you, what would you do?"
"What are you implying? Are you asking me to return to ZAFT?" Athrun demanded, glaring.
"Did you forget who you're speaking to? I'm Orb's ambassadress now. I strive to protect peace. And you're telling me to forsake my country and pilot a war machine again?"
"Not really. I wish to entrust those machines to you. Well, on paper, it would be as you two said. And Seren, in the event that you chose to stay here and wield this power, I also think it would be best for you to take on your mother's maiden surname, Canaver, during the time of your enrollement. Like 'Athha', 'Ledford' is another name with strong symbolism and associated with Orb. I know of your loyalty to Orb and Representative Athha, and how important your bond to them is to you, so I am much aware of how difficult it must be for you to make this choice... But always being at someone's side isn't the only way to help them. That is why you've come here, right?"
"That's..."
"However, I'm sure you understand the world's current state, and how the relationships between Orb and the PLANTs will likely evolve. I don't want you to face any unnecessary suspicion and resentment while you're with us." Gilbert spoke kindly, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked down. The situation clearly upset her, but he knew already that she wasn't one to shirk from self-sacrifice to accomplish her goal. "My feelings on this incident are just as you've heard my 'Lacus Clyne' say. However, it is not easy to accomplish our wishes while we face the complex and entangled expectations of opponents, other humans, and all the different organizations. That's why there's a need for those who share the same views to stand together. If possible I want to avoid war entirely. But that doesn't mean we have to disarm and let ourselves to be taken down completely. There are times when to protect peace, you have no choice but to fight those who threaten it. I know all the efforts you make to prevent conflicts. I know how hard you've worked. But the world is still heading into a war. So I'm asking you: how long until we can no longer keep our swords on display? Depending on how the situation will develop, how will the Orb government react? What can you accomplish in your current position, and with your current power? Like I did that time, I simply wish to give you the power you need to protect what you want. As you two experienced the previous war, you Seren, inherited your family's ideals that are etched into your heart as an immovable guidepost, and you Athrun, agonized over your father's action... I'm confident you will never choose the wrong path under any circumstances. I too trust your judgment. Should we end up taking a wrong turn, I'm counting on you two to guide us back onto the right path. And to do that, you'll need power, unfortunately."
"Mr. Chairman..." The youths said, staring at the respective 'power' they were offered. Just recently, because they had lacked this 'power', they had been unable to stop the rampage and theft of those three units. Seren couldn't do anything, and Athrun had barely been able to protect the girls. Because they had lacked this 'power', even though they had allies that needed protection, they couldn't help during the pursuit of Bogey One. Had they piloted a mobile suit, could they have saved more people? But to protect this peace, to save the largest amount of people, there had to be something else they could do!
"This is all very sudden. I don't expect you to make a decision right away. But what you can do, what you wish to do... these are things nobody knows better than you." The Chairman left on those words. The teenagers looked down deep in thought. Their past and current situation might have forced them to mature faster than they should have and make them behave like adults, but it didn't change the fact that they were only 18. And they were always confused, conflicted, wondering if they were doing the right thing, and what they should do to achieve their goal.
We sought the future. A future in which we would, at least, lose one fewer thing. But we are still screaming, even now.We know everything we don't have, and what we can't do. But is there anything we're able to do now? Just continuing to believe is not the answer. We are searching all the time. We can't change this accelerating speed. As awkward as we are, what are our weapons? How can we fight? In that case, do we have no other choice but to plunge through this door, and into the beyond?