"Lacus is pregnant!?"
Athrun felt like he'd been struck by a sudden blow to the head. For a moment, his vision filled with an endless expanse of lush green fields, brimming with vitality.
"Athrun, is something wrong?"
"Ah, no, nothing."
The gentle voice snapped Athrun out of his stunned reverie, reminding him that now wasn't the time for wild thoughts. Lacus was safely in their hands, and... there was something very important he still needed to do.
"Kira! Come with me!" Athrun extended his hand toward Kira.
"Huh?"
"You have no reason to stay with the Earth Forces! I remember—you're the one who hates fighting and war the most. So why are you fighting for them? You've seen their actions—do you really believe they're just?"
...
Kira and Athrun's communication was broadcast on an open channel, and both sides grew restless upon hearing Athrun's words. Among the ZAFT Forces, those who harbored resentment toward Athrun—led by Yzak and Dearka—immediately voiced their suspicions.
"What's going on? Athrun knows the enemy pilot?"
"No wonder Athrun failed—it's because they're acquainted!"
"Tch. Did he hold back?"
On the other side, Natarle Badgiruel immediately requested that Murrue recall the Strike Gundam.
"Captain! Recall the Strike Gundam at once! We can't let it fall into ZAFT's hands!"
Murrue hesitated for a moment before nodding, but when she turned, she saw that communications control was in Yang Hui's hands.
"Yang Hui..."
"Keep listening. I trust Kira," Yang Hui said to everyone.
The others were uncertain, but after a brief pause, Tolle and the others quickly dismissed the doubts that had just arisen in their hearts. That's right—Kira was their comrade. They should believe in him, believe that he wouldn't join ZAFT, that he would definitely return.
...
At first, Kira was stunned. For a fleeting moment, his heart wavered. Then he lowered his head, his expression pained.
"I... don't want to fight you either..."
"Then—"
"But... there are people I want to protect on that ship! My friends are there!"
The desperate cry struck deep into everyone's hearts—the disdain of the ZAFT Forces, the guilt of the Earth Forces, the emotion of Tolle and the others, Yang Hui's relief, and Athrun's understanding.
To many, the word "friend" carried no weight. Someone who was a friend one moment could become a stranger—or even a mortal enemy—the next. But to some, the word "friend" was as heavy as a mountain—a sanctuary for the soul, something worth holding onto, worth sacrificing everything for.
And Kira was one of those people. For Tolle and the others, he had been forced into being used by Yang Hui and the Earth Forces. For Yang Hui, he had gone against his own wishes and plunged into the vortex of war.
And Athrun... He truly didn't want to fight him. But... Athrun was stronger than Tolle and the others—even stronger than himself. Athrun didn't need his protection, but Tolle and the others did. So... he had no choice but to fight Athrun.
"Then... there's no other way..." Athrun also lowered his head, understanding Kira's resolve. As both a soldier and Kira's friend, there was only one thing he could do. "Next time we meet in battle, I'll be the one to kill you!"
"Same here..."
The once inseparable friends bid farewell, now walking divergent paths.
The Strike Gundam's cockpit closed as it returned to the Archangel.
Athrun also led Lacus back to their own cockpit, returning to the Vesalius.
But at this very moment, the ZAFT Forces moved.
"Enemy MS has withdrawn!" Captain Addis reported to Creuset.
"Start the engines, Addis. All forces, advance!"
The ZAFT Forces' movements were immediately detected by the Archangel.
"Enemy ship engines activated! MS advancing toward the Strike Gundam and Archangel!"
"Tch, just as I expected." Natarle's expression darkened. She had anticipated ZAFT's impatience, which was why she strongly opposed returning Lacus.
"Archangel, emergency turn! Course 11, full speed retreat!"
"But the Strike hasn't returned yet..."
"Yang Hui!"
"No need to panic. The battle won't start." While the bridge crew grew tense, Yang Hui maintained his confident, composed smile. Everything was proceeding exactly as he planned.
"Yang Hui!"
Murrue called out anxiously, but Yang Hui pretended not to hear. He was waiting.
Sure enough, the next moment brought what he anticipated.
"To both ZAFT Forces and Earth Forces: Please cease all combat actions immediately." Lacus's voice resonated through both sides' communication channels simultaneously—gentle yet firm, carrying undeniable authority.
"This is... Miss Lacus..."
"Whoa, this is serious."
"Damn it, we've been fooled!"
Murrue, Natarle, and Mu were no fools. Hearing Lacus's voice now revealed a completely different side of her, making it clear they'd been deceived by her innocent act during their first meeting. Back then, all three had genuinely believed Lacus to be a naive young lady unaware of the world's harsh realities.
But now, Lacus displayed unparalleled charisma and presence.
"One year has passed since the tragedy of Bloody Valentine. For both Naturals and Coordinators alike, that tragedy should serve as a solemn reminder. What purpose do war and conflict truly serve? Weapons and power exist to protect, not to wage meaningless battles. As the representative of the Bloody Valentine Memorial Delegation, I, Lacus Clyne, implore both sides to cease all hostilities!"
"Tch, what nonsense is this at such a critical moment?" Creuset cursed under his breath. The exchange was complete, and the Eighth Fleet hadn't arrived yet—this was the perfect opportunity to sink the Archangel. But now, this interference...
"Captain Rau Le Creuset, halt your advance immediately. Do you intend to turn the location where a memorial delegate stands into a battlefield?"
"Tch..."
"I will never allow such a thing. Cease all combat operations at once!"
"...Tch, what a troublesome young lady."
"Are you ignoring me?"
"...Understood, Miss Lacus Clyne. Addis, order all forces to withdraw immediately!"
Creuset truly didn't want to give up this opportunity, but Lacus Clyne had cornered him with righteousness, and her identity allowed her to broadcast across all channels, leaving him no room to refuse—unless he defected from ZAFT!
This was unacceptable to Creuset, as it would completely ruin his plans.
"..."
Inside the cockpit, Athrun stared blankly at Lacus. He realized he might never have truly known her. Wasn't his fiancée supposed to be a soft, adorable girl? How could she be so commanding and poised?
"Hehe~"
In response to Athrun's astonishment, Lacus gave him a gentle, sweet smile. She also found Athrun's naivety quite endearing at times.
Meanwhile, aboard the Archangel, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the aggressive ZAFT Forces retreated as Lacus had demanded.
All eyes turned to Yang Hui, with Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel's gazes particularly meaningful. So... he had arranged everything in advance.
Murrue and Natarle had more to consider. They had many questions for Yang Hui—like whether Lacus's actions were prearranged by him, why he trusted Lacus, and why he believed Kira would refuse Athrun's recruitment.
But Yang Hui had already warned them to distance themselves from him and avoid further close contact.
"Stand down. At least until Lacus is sent away, we're safe," Yang Hui said to everyone before leaving the bridge.
"...Understood."
Back in his room, Yang Hui reviewed his plans in his mind. His existence had been exposed, so what kind of offensive would PLANT launch against Orb? And how would the Earth Alliance view this incident?
He needed to account for all possibilities, manage the fallout from unexpected changes, and refine his overall strategy. How could he achieve maximum gains at minimal cost? How could he accomplish his goals without revealing too much?
"The 8th Fleet will arrive soon. The time Lacus bought us is limited. Once she leaves, ZAFT Forces will undoubtedly launch a full-scale attack. So... the Archangel can't be allowed to descend directly to Alaska Base—otherwise, Kira will be in danger. The 8th Fleet will inevitably be attacked, but how can I interfere with the Archangel's landing location while also protecting Duan Halberton?"
Duan Halberton was one of the few commanders in the Atlantic Federation whom Yang Hui respected. He wasn't radical, wasn't controlled by Blue Cosmos, was kind-hearted, and was a model soldier. Known as the "Wise General," he was a rare beacon of integrity in the Atlantic Federation's murky waters.
Yang Hui was determined to dismantle the Atlantic Federation—not entirely, but by removing its current leadership, Blue Cosmos, and the shadowy Logos, as they were the greatest sources of distortion in this world.
After eliminating the distortion, what then? Who would lead the Atlantic Federation?
Duan Halberton was one of Yang Hui's top candidates—high-ranking, experienced, respected, and capable. Once those who sidelined and suppressed him were removed, Halberton would have the space to shine.
"...We'll have to part ways for now."
...
On the other side, Lacus safely returned to the Vesalius, marking the completion of the Creuset Team's mission. By protocol, they should have escorted Lacus back to PLANT's homeland, but Creuset had no intention of doing so. Not only did he hand Lacus over to the Lacny Team for the return escort, but he also sent a reinforcement request to Patrick Zala.
The opportunity to sink the Archangel couldn't be missed—nor could the chance to annihilate the Eighth Orbital Fleet!
Commander Duan Halbaton of the Eighth Fleet was notoriously difficult to deal with, even among ZAFT. Though he had never defeated ZAFT in direct combat, he had also never allowed ZAFT to completely destroy his forces.
Moreover, under Duan Halbaton's command, the ZAFT Forces had suffered significant losses. His moniker as the "Tactical Genius" was well-earned, making him one of ZAFT's greatest adversaries.
This time, the Eighth Fleet abandoned their defensive tactics to rendezvous with the Archangel, presenting the perfect opportunity to eliminate them. Sinking the Earth Forces' new-model warship while also removing a major threat—Creuset was certain Patrick Zala would agree.
And then there was... the intelligence about Yang Hui being aboard the Archangel.
"Heh... How will you handle this, Yang Hui? Care to taste defeat for once?"