Although a minor incident occurred due to the East Asian Mystical Pilot Suit, PLANT still maintained overwhelming dominance overall. The Space Force stationed near PLANT by the Atlantic and Eurasia was nearly wiped out, with only one or two surviving escort ships managing to escape. East Asia relied on hit-and-run fighter tactics for defensive coverage, withdrawing calmly once the tide turned irreversibly.
This disparity infuriated the Atlantic, who dropped all pretense and directly demanded the pilot suit technology.
Eurasia, following suit, clamored incessantly for a share of the spoils.
Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge within the Council of Nations, Siegel generously dispatched a large shipment of supplies, openly praising East Asia for its consistent fairness and neutrality.
This only deepened the Atlantic's hostility.
East Asia found itself thrust into the spotlight.
But East Asia was no pushover. Its government swiftly devised a countermeasure.
They openly shared the supply list with the Atlantic, emphasizing solidarity and the need to avoid internal conflict, offering to hand over everything if desired. Alongside this, they included finished [Spirit Resistance Suits] and a procurement price list, making it clear that technology transfer was off the table, though finished products were negotiable. With the prized items in hand, the Atlantic's demeanor shifted instantly, transforming into a benevolent elder brother.
They declared they had long seen through the ill intentions of others and assured East Asia not to worry, vowing not to fall for such divisive tactics!
Eurasia, left empty-handed, grew frantic and secretly hinted at aligning with PLANT.
The elder and second brothers shared an unspoken understanding, paying no heed to the younger sibling and even anticipating his betrayal to carve up the spoils together. Seeing this, Eurasia had no choice but to slink back dejectedly, nursing hidden grievances and dark thoughts.
Siegel's plan had failed, but he was undeterred. Pressing his advantage, he renewed his demand for "autonomy and independent trade rights," asserting that PLANT was a sovereign nation, not merely a factory.
The Atlantic and Eurasia dismissed him outright, refusing once again.
East Asia calmly proposed debt repayment, stating plainly that they wished to avoid the worst outcome and offering to personally mediate with the Atlantic if agreed upon. Siegel refused.
He argued that years of labor had already generated profits many times over the Council's initial investment, making further payments unjustified.
East Asia did not press further. Out of humanitarian concern, they offered one final shipment of food supplies.
Siegel expressed gratitude.
Relations between the Council of Nations and PLANT deteriorated further, with small-scale clashes increasing and casualties beginning to mount.
With the support of the [KG1 Type Pilot Suit], Atlantic pilots gained the ability to contend with the Ginn, quickly reducing the loss ratio. However, the fighter's inherent flaws remained evident, still falling short of the Ginn's capabilities.
Hal Barton of the Atlantic Innovator Faction recognized that Mobile Suits would become the primary combat force in future battlefields and proposed the G Project to develop experimental MS units. However, the discovery of unknown technology within the [KG1 Type Pilot Suit] drew attention from other factions, while the MS's failure to deliver an overwhelming combat advantage left them skeptical of Barton's G Project.
Ultimately, the matter was shelved within Atlantic's internal discussions, though assistance from other participants was secured, allowing the G Project to proceed covertly. Zhou Tianming had been closely monitoring the global situation while gathering additional intelligence through East Asia's internal channels.
Though details had shifted, the broader trajectory remained unchanged.
The wheel of fate continued rolling along its destined path.
One day, during a gathering at Zhou Tianming's home, he observed the peaceful, tranquil scene before him.
Kira and Athrun joked and playfully roughhoused with each other.
Lacus amused herself with Tori while chatting and laughing with Caridad and Lenore.
His gaze traveled across each face before finally settling on Lenore.
Junius...
Truthfully, he hadn't decided whether to go. Nuclear weapons posed extreme danger - a single misstep could mean death there.
He wasn't selfless enough to risk his life for strangers.
Yet...
Sometimes knowing the future could be truly vexing.
He suddenly spoke up: "How about I take you all on a trip?"
Everyone was taken aback by Zhou Tianming's abrupt suggestion.
"Athrun, Kira - you've never been to Earth, have you? Would you like to see it?"
The two boys exchanged glances, their eyes shining with anticipation before turning to their mothers Caridad and Lenore.
"That would be fine," Lenore nodded. "With Tianming watching over you, I'd feel reassured. Take advantage of the summer break to enjoy yourselves - we'll need to return to PLANT after you get back."
Hearing this, Athrun looked at Kira with reluctance, while Kira batted his large purple eyes pitifully at Caridad.
Caridad smiled helplessly: "Did I say you couldn't go?"
Kira rushed forward to hug Caridad: "Thank you, Mom!"
"When are you returning to PLANT, Lacus?" Athrun asked curiously.
Lacus maintained her cheerful smile, responding in her soft voice: "I came with my mother, temporarily—"
"She'll be leaving around the same time as you," Zhou Tianming interjected. "My mother sent word recently that the prescription formula is complete, only needing final touches." Lacus stared blankly at Zhou Tianming's face, her expression darkening with a hint of loneliness.
"Prescription?" Kira caught the term, looking at Zhou Tianming with concern. "Is Brother Tianming sick?""
Athrun's eyebrows twitched as he turned away, though his ears perked up attentively.
Caridad clenched her hands nervously while watching Zhou Tianming.
"It's a hereditary condition," Zhou Tianming shrugged with a smile. "If it can't be cured, I'll just have to take medication for life."
Kira, Athrun, and Lacus all showed worried expressions.
Zhou Tianming chuckled gently: "No life-threatening danger. With technology advancing so rapidly, they might find a cure in a few years."
Seeing the three youngsters still wearing gloomy expressions, Zhou Tianming clapped his hands sharply. "Alright, I'm not even that upset myself, no need for you all to worry." He stood up: "Since we've decided, let's start preparing. I'll submit the departure application. Quick, quick, quick! Move!"
He pushed them out of their seats.
An hour later, the three bid farewell to Lenore and Caridad, and the Black Tortoise set sail.
Their first destination was East Asia on Earth, and Zhou Tianming naturally remembered to bring Ray along.
Having not seen each other for a long time, Ray happily rushed forward, but his expression darkened upon noticing Kira and Athrun beside Zhou Tianming. The two also inexplicably felt a sense of rivalry upon seeing Ray.
During the subsequent travels, the three engaged in constant competition.
Facing two opponents alone, Ray was naturally at a disadvantage. Kira, being the good kid, quickly realized his strange emotions, adjusted himself, and joined forces with Ray to counter Athrun. Consumed by jealousy, Athrun managed to defeat Ray in a one-against-two scenario.
With Kira acting as a lubricant, did the three actually grow closer?
Mornings were spent playing wildly, and evenings were enjoyed listening to concerts by Lacus and Ray—life was blissful~
Ray's counterattack for his loss came swiftly: he dragged the other two to the Gundam Simulator.
The scene could only be described as brutal—Kira and Athrun were utterly crushed by the Feather Plumes.
Seeing this, Zhou Tianming had to step in and bring both sides back down to earth.
They could only use the Ginn mobile suit, and controls were limited to manual operation.
This eliminated Ray's advantage, accustomed as he was to the Psycommu System, forcing him to rely solely on skill to survive.
With the strongest Gundam pilots from SEED gathered together, how could Zhou Tianming pass up such a golden opportunity?
He happily collected data from the sidelines.
Kira's growth was less like improvement and more like awakening, as if reclaiming past abilities—improving dramatically each day, with the highest overall capability and no weaknesses.
After using Analyze to simulate, Zhou Tianming found that if Kira maintained this rate of progress, his final abilities would surpass his own in every aspect—truly worthy of being the finished Ultimate Coordinator.
Athrun's neural reaction speed was top-tier, his operations precise as a machine. Though his style seemed rigid and lacked variation, to beat him, one could have no weaknesses—otherwise, any flaw would be exploited for certain defeat.
Ray's skills seemed ordinary compared to the other two, but his timing was astonishingly accurate, and he planned three moves ahead with each action. If not for Kira and Athrun's overwhelming abilities, they'd easily be outmaneuvered.
Later in the trip, all three became somewhat addicted to the Gundam Simulator. Zhou Tianming had to cut off their access, like dealing with internet-addicted teens, just to drag them out for half a walk. Happy days always fly by—after touring various countries on Earth and experiencing different cultures, they returned to Heliopolis.
On August 20, CE 69, Athrun and Lenore were picked up by people sent by Patrick. That same day, Zhou Tianming, along with Ray and Lacus, also bid farewell to Kira.
Kira's mood had already been off when Athrun left, and now, with Zhou Tianming departing too, he couldn't hold back his tears.
Zhou Tianming chuckled and stepped forward to hug him. "It's not like we'll never see each other again. Why so sad?"
Kira clung to Zhou Tianming's waist, burying his face in his chest, his voice muffled. "Brother Tianming, you're so cold-hearted!"
Patting Kira's back, he said, "Alright, I'll visit when I have time."
"Promise?"
"Mm."
Nearby, Ray pouted, the corners of his mouth turned down, tapping his foot impatiently. Seeing that Kira still hadn't let go after a long while, he stepped forward, grabbed Zhou Tianming's arm, and pulled him back. "Brother, let's go!"
Lacus covered her mouth and chuckled softly nearby. "Tianming is really popular, isn't he?"
Zhou Tianming looked speechless.
Aren't they getting a bit too close?
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