"Amazing... truly amazing..." Athrun sat to the side, utterly stunned.
Even as just an observer waiting to be called upon to speak, Athrun felt incredibly nervous. Wang Liu Mei, with her petite frame, appeared even younger than him, yet she remained perfectly composed in such a setting, leaving the highest-ranking members of PLANT speechless with her counterarguments.
"Wang Liu Mei, the only daughter of the prestigious Wang family of Orb's diplomatic circles. Rumored to be a remarkable genius—seeing her today, she certainly lives up to that reputation," Creuset murmured to Athrun.
"Yeah, I knew her when we were kids. I never imagined she had this side to her."
"Oh? How interesting."
Creuset wasn't the least bit concerned about PLANT's council members being at a disadvantage. On the contrary, he found it highly amusing, his lips curling into a barely perceptible smirk.
In the hearing committee, silence lingered until finally Patrick Zala stood to address Wang Liu Mei. "So, what compensation does Orb seek?"
Others might struggle to face the accusations Wang Liu Mei had raised, along with Orb's protests, but Patrick Zala and Siegel Clyne had dealt with Orb—or rather, Yang Hui—many times before. They knew that compensation was the ultimate goal, while explanations and formal apologies were merely pretexts.
"Orb seeks nothing more than to receive what it has lost. Therefore—"
"Impossible! PLANT will never cede territory—not now, not ever!"
"You misunderstand, Chairman Zala. Orb's request is simply the reconstruction of [Heliopolis], with PLANT covering all labor, materials, and expenses. Orb has never considered demanding PLANT surrender an entire Colony to us," Wang Liu Mei replied calmly.
"Still impossible! Constructing a Colony requires immense resources—PLANT cannot afford such a burden!" The objection came from Yzak Joule.
The war between ZAFT and the Earth Forces was intensifying daily. Now that the Earth Forces had successfully developed their own MS, mass production couldn't be far behind. Once that happened, ZAFT Forces would face even greater pressure. There was no way they could spare such vast resources to compensate Orb at this critical juncture.
"Then may I ask... what compensation can PLANT offer that matches the value of [Heliopolis]?" Wang Liu Mei countered.
"..."
Yzak Joule had no answer—nor could he provide one.
Had Wang Liu Mei been unreasonable or demanded exorbitant terms, they could have easily refuted her. But her request was entirely fair, even restrained—merely seeking equivalent compensation for the destroyed [Heliopolis]. It was already a concession.
"...Very well." Patrick Zala agreed, though with a condition. "...But not now."
"Chairman Patrick, please provide a definitive timeline."
"One year from now."
"Agreed. However, we expect PLANT to issue a formal apology and compensation terms after this meeting, along with supplementary rare resources for Orb. Here is the list."
Wang Liu Mei was well aware that this was a tense period between PLANT and the ZAFT Forces, making it impossible to allocate sufficient manpower, resources, and funds for Orb to rebuild [Heliopolis].
Moreover, with both sides locked in fierce conflict, even if PLANT agreed, would the Earth Forces simply stand by and watch them complete the reconstruction without interference?
Even if it were rebuilt, during wartime, [Heliopolis]—existing outside Orb's current system—would only become a burden. Therefore, based on the current trajectory of the war, after a year, even if a ceasefire wasn't achieved, the conflict would likely enter a period of de-escalation. That would be the optimal time for Orb to make rapid advancements.
The attendees at the meeting reviewed the list of supplies and nodded in agreement. While the demands were substantial, they remained within reasonable limits—painful, but not unbearable.
"Very well, it's decided then. Tomorrow, I will hold a press conference to formally issue an apology and announce the compensation terms," Siegel Clyne agreed.
"In that case, I shall await the good news."
Rising slightly to bow to the assembly, Wang Liu Mei left the conference room. Her objective had been achieved. Since Siegel Clyne had not adjourned the meeting, it was clear their agenda was not yet concluded, and her presence would no longer be appropriate.
Once Wang Liu Mei had exited, the expressions of those remaining darkened considerably. This marked a significant diplomatic failure, particularly with the recorded footage serving as a harsh slap to their faces.
The footage submitted by Creuset had undoubtedly been edited, with substantial evidence from the ZAFT Forces removed to shift blame.
No one had anticipated that Wang Liu Mei could recover complete, unaltered records from the ruined [Heliopolis] in such a short time, catching them completely off guard.
However, the matter was settled, and further frustration would be futile. The next agenda item was of critical importance.
"Then, let us proceed to the next topic. Captain Creuset, are these Earth Forces' MS truly worth the sacrifices we've made to obtain them?"
Patrick Zala had already received the data reports on the X Series, but he raised the question in this setting to ensure the moderate faction understood the gravity of the situation—that the Earth Forces now possessed formidable MS, and they would face an even more challenging battlefield.
"Regarding their astonishing performance, my unit happens to have a pilot who operated one of these units and engaged in combat with the last remaining uncaptured machine. I believe this pilot, Athrun Zala, should provide the report to all of you."
"Athrun Zala is permitted to report."
"Yes."
Athrun stepped forward and began his briefing.
"First, concerning the Aegis Mobile Suit..."
...
Wang Liu Mei left the hearing committee but did not return to the accommodations arranged for her by PLANT. Instead, she waited by the fossil display outside the conference room.
This was expected—Siegel Clyne and Patrick Zala would undoubtedly seek a private conversation with her.
"Could you please contact Miss Clyne for me?" Wang Liu Mei asked the guard beside her.
"May I ask the reason for your request to see Miss Clyne?"
"No particular reason. Miss Clyne and I are friends. Since I've come all the way to PLANT, I'd like to meet with her."
"Miss Clyne has already departed for the ruins of Julius 7 to prepare for the Bloody Valentine memorial ceremony and is currently not in PLANT. My deepest apologies," the guard replied respectfully. From the very beginning, Siegel Clyne and Patrick Zala had instructed them to accommodate all her requests as long as they didn't involve military-political affairs or classified matters.
"What a shame. I was really looking forward to seeing her."
Wang Liu Mei and Lacus being friends wasn't just lip service. When Yang Hui had secretly visited PLANT before, he'd brought either Wang Liu Mei, Sumeragi, or both along. After several interactions, they'd become friends with Lacus—perhaps because her status made normal friendships difficult, so she quickly warmed to them.
Come to think of it, she also knew Athrun. But given gender differences and their respective engagements, it wasn't appropriate for them to interact too much.
About fifteen minutes later, the conference room doors opened, and the attending council members dispersed. Siegel Clyne approached Wang Liu Mei with Athrun in tow.
"It's been several years, hasn't it, Miss Wang?"
"Yes, nearly a year. And it's been a while for you too, Athrun."
"Indeed, it has been," Athrun nodded in response.
"After parting ways a year ago, I never imagined you'd grow so formidable. Makes me feel old, haha!" Siegel Clyne laughed.
"Chairman Clyne and Chairman Zala are still in your prime. There's much I still need to learn from all of you," Wang Liu Mei replied modestly.
"I don't think so. You've already reached a point where you can leave all of us speechless in such settings. You're among the finest diplomats now," Patrick Zala chimed in as he approached. Compared to his stern demeanor during the meeting, he now wore a rare, gentle smile.
"You flatter me too much."
"Am I really being too generous? Heh. Your style is exactly like that brat's."
"Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog. Though we're still engaged, he's destined to be my husband."
"Even if you can't have him all to yourself?"
"Please don't try to sow discord between me and Sister Sumeragi, Chairman Zala."
"Hah! That damn brat is truly fortunate—though... he's earned it," Patrick Zala roared with laughter.
"Your laws in Orb are quite peculiar, actually permitting polygamy," Siegel Clyne remarked jokingly.
"It's the only way to satisfy both me and Sister Sumeragi."
"Hahahaha..."
Athrun, standing to the side, felt his worldview nearly shatter. Siegel Clyne wasn't an issue—he'd always been a kindly elder in Athrun's eyes. But his father, Patrick Zala, was another matter. Usually stern-faced, he rarely even smiled at his own son.
Now he was laughing like a friendly uncle next door—it was downright unsettling.
"By the way, Chairman Clyne, Chairman Zala, what is it you wish to discuss with me privately?" The pleasantries were over, and it was time to get down to business. Wang Liu Mei didn't believe for a second that they'd kept her here just to reminisce—if that were the case, it would have been more appropriate to do so at their homes.
"Hmm, I imagine Yang Hui must have gained quite a bit from this deal with the Earth Forces?"
"Not bad at all. As you both well know, Yang Hui never makes a deal where he comes out at a loss."
"Mmm... It seems Orb's ambitions are quite substantial," Patrick Zala remarked, his gaze sharpening once more.
"We merely wish to protect our homeland. Orb's principle of neutrality has never changed and never will."
"Precisely why I say his ambitions are too great. Aren't you afraid of choking on such grand aspirations?" As he spoke, Patrick Zala's smile vanished abruptly, replaced by sternness, intensity, and a domineering, iron-willed pressure that bore down upon them.
"Of course not." Faced with Patrick Zala's imposing presence, Wang Liu Mei stood unshaken as Mount Tai, answering without hesitation.
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