With the DSSD matter now concluded, Yang Hui had obtained everything he wanted except for the incomplete Voiture Lumiere system. He'd even received an unexpected gift from the Atlantic Federation.
After the Second Fleet arrived to take custody of DSSD, the Nana Buluku, Swen, and Emilio Leone, Yang Hui continued his journey toward PLANT under fleet escort.
"This is the ZAFT New Boaz Fortress garrison. The approaching fleet is about to enter our territory. You are ordered to halt immediately or we will consider this a provocation against PLANT and open fire. Repeat—halt immediately or we will consider this a provocation against PLANT and open fire."
As they approached PLANT's border, Yang Hui's group received this enthusiastic welcome.
"Impressive work by PLANT," Yang Hui remarked. "Rebuilding Heliopolis for us while simultaneously constructing an entirely new Boaz Fortress in such a short time."
Athrun and Creuset exchanged knowing smiles but remained silent. They understood PLANT's capabilities—the efficiency could have been even higher if not for the internal turmoil caused by transferring the original Boaz Fortress to Orb.
They were aware of both Heliopolis and the New Boaz Fortress. With Lacus already on Earth, it meant Siegel Clyne had likely stepped down as Chairman of the Supreme Council. As expected, that old fox had probably succeeded him. Under his leadership, besides these two visible projects, there was likely another fortress under construction—though its completion status remained unknown.
Moving to the cockpit, Yang Hui found the captain had already transmitted their credentials and purpose to the New Boaz garrison. To avoid conflict, the Orb fleet complied with the order to halt outside PLANT's border, awaiting confirmation.
Five minutes later, a new communication arrived: "We've verified your credentials with our government. While we welcome your visit, to prevent public alarm your fleet cannot enter our territory. We will escort your shuttle to the capital, Aprilius."
"Denied," Yang Hui personally responded, making his demands clear to the ZAFT representatives. "We require two warships to accompany me to Aprilius. You may relay this request to your Supreme Council for consideration."
"Understood."
Even after the war's end, Yang Hui's fearsome reputation within ZAFT remained undiminished. While new recruits might not fully grasp it, veterans who survived the Second Battle of Jachin Due still trembled at his voice. No one dared disregard his demands.
The message quickly reached PLANT's capital, prompting an emergency Supreme Council session.
"This demand is outrageous! How can we permit foreign warships to enter our territory?"
"They're not entering arbitrarily. According to New Boaz's report, the Orb fleet halted immediately upon receiving our garrison's warning without crossing our border."
"That won't do! With all nations currently in a ceasefire, there won't be any military conflicts. Our forces are perfectly capable of escorting Yang Hui into our territory. Allowing an Orb warship entry would only make our military appear incompetent!"
"But Yang Hui of Orb has made this request. Given his personality, once he states something, he won't tolerate refusal. You all understand this well."
"Moreover, Yang Hui never leaves Orb without good reason. This is his first trip since the peace conference, and he's chosen our nation as his first official visit. Shouldn't we treat this with the importance it deserves?"
"Even so, we can't keep conceding to him! Otherwise, the Supreme Council's credibility among our citizens will suffer yet another blow!"
"Let's agree to his request."
"Chairman!"
As the representatives argued endlessly without reaching consensus, Gilbert Durandal, seated in the chairman's position, finally spoke to make the decision.
"As Representative Yzak pointed out, Yang Hui choosing our nation for his first official visit after the peace conference demonstrates his regard and recognition of PLANT. This deserves our serious attention. If we reject his request and he departs, how would the international community view us? Would they use incidents from the last war to smear PLANT's reputation? And if any mishap were to befall Yang Hui under our military escort, could PLANT bear the consequences?"
Gilbert Durandal proved himself a master of persuasion, silencing the contentious debate with just a few words that left no room for rebuttal.
Indeed, his arguments were irrefutable. As the supreme leader of Orb—currently one of the world's most powerful factions—Yang Hui's every move drew global attention.
Every intelligence agency and strategic department had thoroughly analyzed Yang Hui's character, recognizing his defining traits: he never acted without purpose, always followed through on his word, planned with profound foresight, wielded authority decisively, and imbued every action with deliberate meaning.
He would never leave rapidly developing Orb without compelling reason, especially since Orb's current rise depended entirely on him. Should anything happen to Yang Hui, Orb's ascent would collapse midway.
While within Orb's borders, he remained secure—no one would dare target him there. But once abroad, countless factions who wished him dead would undoubtedly attempt assassination.
Thus, if Yang Hui was willing to risk visiting PLANT, it must be for matters of great significance. Rejecting his minor request and prompting his departure would not only deprive PLANT of critical information but also make the nation an international laughingstock. Worse, certain parties would seize the opportunity to smear PLANT with narratives like: "ZAFT's strategic weapons were destroyed by Yang Hui in the last war, and now PLANT's animosity sabotages diplomacy," "PLANT refuses relations with Orb due to wartime grudges," or "PLANT's leaders are petty-minded."
Finally, there was the matter of Yang Hui's personal safety. The possibility of an assassination attempt on Yang Hui was a very real concern. If only ZAFT provided security and an incident occurred, ZAFT would bear full responsibility. However, if two Orb warships were allowed to escort him, Orb could share part of the blame should anything happen.
"But... the Supreme Council's credibility among the citizens..."
"That can be easily handled." Durandal dismissed the representatives' concerns with ease. "Immediately hold a press conference to inform all citizens that Orb's Supreme Leader, His Excellency Yang Hui, is making a friendly visit to PLANT. Emphasize that this is His Excellency Yang Hui's first international visit to another nation. Highlight the benefits and downplay the drawbacks."
"As expected of the Chairman, what an excellent solution."
"With this, the citizens shouldn't have any complaints."
"Not only will they not criticize us, but they may even further recognize the Supreme Council's authority and strengthen national pride in PLANT."
The current Supreme Council was no longer the same as before. After Durandal took office, he swiftly consolidated control over the entire Supreme Council. He upheld Siegel Clyne's peaceful policies while also incorporating Patrick Zala's radical strategies, adhering to the principle of "wine for guests, swords for enemies." Moreover, upon assuming power, he pardoned several radical faction members who accepted his vision and were willing to uphold peace, reinstating them in the Supreme Council. Thus, he gained support from both the moderate and radical factions, effectively making the Supreme Council his personal domain.
"Then relay the decision to the garrison at the New Boaz fortress. Permit the two warships from the Orb delegation to escort the VIPs into our territory. Also, have them deploy sufficient personnel to ensure the guests' safety."
...
After waiting about ten minutes, Yang Hui received PLANT's response, agreeing to his request.
"The Dyson and the Kristen will escort the shuttle to the PLANT capital, Aprilius. All other ships will remain on standby."
The order was issued, and the two Unicorn-Class frigates at the forefront positioned the shuttle between them, joining ZAFT's escort fleet en route to Aprilius.
"About to meet your old friend. Looking forward to it?"
In the lounge, only Yang Hui and Creuset were present. Athrun and Canard Pars stood guard outside, so Creuset no longer needed to maintain his Vidar persona. He even removed his mask for the first time in a long while, revealing his true face.
"Of course. He probably thinks I'm dead, doesn't he?" Creuset smirked. Yang Hui knew Creuset wasn't anticipating a heartfelt reunion with an old friend—he was looking forward to the priceless expression on his friend's face when he saw him alive.
"Such a twisted sense of humor. What misfortune to have a friend like you."
"It seems even you can be mistaken, Yang Hui. Having a friend like me is the greatest fortune of his life." Creuset gave a devilish grin, his gaze fixed on Yang Hui.
"Alright, to receive such high praise from you is truly an honor."
Yang Hui shrugged. He understood Creuset's meaning, but he also readily accepted the man's evaluation. In this world, the only person Creuset—a man who had deceived the entire world—held in such high regard was probably Yang Hui himself.
"He definitely has his own plans. Have you thought about what might sway him?" Creuset asked Yang Hui. He knew his old friend Durandal well—like himself and Yang Hui, Durandal was the type who, once set on a goal, wouldn't easily abandon it. Personal opinions rarely swayed him.
"How about the chance to procreate?" Yang Hui smirked.
"Wha—hahaha!" Creuset was momentarily stunned by Yang Hui's answer before covering his face and bursting into laughter. No matter how he calculated, he hadn't considered that angle.
"Well? I doubt he can refuse that, can he?"
"Of course he can't. If not for me and Talia, he'd probably still be a genetic researcher at the institute. You're striking right at his weakness."
"Watch your wording—I prefer to call it 'playing to his interests.'"
"But... that treatment pod from another world—I've looked into it. It doesn't seem to have that function, does it?"
"It doesn't. But that doesn't mean it won't in the future."
"Is that so? How... utterly fascinating! My choice was indeed not wrong!"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!