For reasons beyond articulation, numerous Coordinator squad leaders outside the Nova Resource Satellite reached a conclusion amidst the increasingly heated discussions.
That conclusion was simple: unless Wang Hu died, the Nova Resource Satellite couldn't be taken.
The reason they couldn't capture the satellite? Because there were traitors among their own people.
Since the fault lay with traitors among their ranks, it wasn't their incompetence to blame.
Could losing to one's own kind truly be called losing? At worst, it was fifty-fifty. After all, Coordinators could never lose to Naturals!
After lengthy discussions, they did propose some seemingly viable strategies.
Some squad leaders suggested appealing to Wang Hu's reason and emotions. Since they were all Coordinators, why should Wang Hu serve as a hired thug for the evil Naturals? Wouldn't it be better to return to PLANT's warm, Coordinators-only community?
Particularly among these leaders were some naive individuals who, after thorough analysis, genuinely believed Wang Hu might repent. They fantasized that Wang Hu—already hailed as the Nova Qilin Child—might, on the eve of battle, be moved by righteousness to defect on the spot and lead ZAFT forces to conquer Nova.
Inspired by this vision, these imaginative squad leaders took brush to paper during the meeting and composed the eloquent "Letter to Wang Hu" in front of their colleagues.
Their literary talent was undeniable. The letter began with a poignant account of the Naturals' injustices against Coordinators, then abruptly shifted tone to fabricate Wang Hu's supposed plight—undoubtedly coerced by Naturals holding guns to his head. It concluded by assuring him that the Coordinators' community understood his difficulties. If he defected during battle, all past transgressions would be forgiven, and PLANT would even avenge him.
Of course, not all Coordinator squad leaders were so deluded. Some clear-headed ones insisted on preparing for all contingencies.
"What if Wang Hu remains obstinate, his brainwashing by the Naturals too thorough?" they questioned. Surely they couldn't actually refrain from attacking the Nova Resource Satellite just because Wang Hu lived? Using him as an excuse to save face was one thing, but to truly let this reason paralyze them—they still had their pride. Besides, wouldn't this only bolster the upstart's reputation?
"Don't worry," the meeting's chair reassured with a confident smile. "Captain Creuset is already en route in secret." As he spoke, he cast a reverent glance upward, paying homage to Chairman Patrick before continuing, "Everything proceeds according to the Chairman's plan. Should the traitor Wang Hu prove uncooperative, Captain Creuset will ensure he learns the fate of all traitors—as arranged by our Chairman."
"The Chairman's wisdom is unparalleled!" Whether sincere or not, the squad leaders unanimously voiced their approval upon hearing this secret strategy.
"Wang Hu, take a look at this."
The next day, right after the Coordinators' team leaders' meeting concluded, thanks to their excellent execution.
It was rare that the Coordinators didn't come out looking for trouble today. Wang Hu was on standby in the lounge.
His friend and adjutant, Li Chengzhi, walked over holding a tablet.
"What's that?" Wang Hu slightly raised his head to look at his friend's peculiar expression, his gaze landing on the tablet in the other's hand.
"Deputy Captain, what are you showing the Captain?" Seeing this, the other team members in the room also crowded around curiously.
"Shocking! The Misfortune of Our Coordinator Brethren."
"Brethren Forced onto the Battlefield at Gunpoint by Naturals!"
"Tragedy Outside Nova Resource Satellite, Brothers Turning on Each Other!"
"Naturals, You'd Better Watch Yourselves!"
Li Chengzhi recited several sensational headlines one after another as the team members quickly scanned the content.
"The Captain is a Coordinator?"
"The Coordinators can't break through because they don't want to harm their brethren forced onto the battlefield?"
"How shameless! Can't beat the Captain so they're smearing his reputation now?"
The clamoring team members were indignant, standing up for Wang Hu.
As the subject of these headlines, Wang Hu glanced at Li Chengzhi.
"A divide-and-conquer tactic? Should I go get a genetic test?"
"Higher-ups won't fall for such a boring trick."
Handing the tablet to the team members to look at, Li Chengzhi sat down beside Wang Hu and said,
"PLANT has been making a big fuss about this. Apparently, news about you is everywhere within the gravity sphere."
"Because of this, both the Atlantic Federation and the Eurasian Federation have sent people to inquire."
"Oh?" Wang Hu became interested. "How did higher-ups respond?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Li Chengzhi gave Wang Hu a strange look, his expression saying 'that's a stupid question.'
"Once in East Asia, you're East Asian. Whether you're a Coordinator or not, you're an outstanding East Asian soldier."
"As for your Coordinator identity, higher-ups have already responded—you're unquestionably Natural-born!"
"Oh, and because of this, they've opened up military recruitment channels for Coordinators."
"Though as a precaution, they won't be allowed into space for now."
"Beautiful." Wang Hu snapped his fingers. Honestly, he could have guessed this outcome with his toes.
The Coordinators' schemes might work on the Atlantic Federation, and maybe even the Eurasian Federation.
But they're completely meaningless against East Asia.
This is what they call "don't employ those you distrust, and don't distrust those you employ."
"They've run out of tricks."
"Right." Li Chengzhi nodded and lowered his voice. "Higher-ups told me to tell you to relax and not overthink it."
"I know."
Wang Hu watched as the team members fought over the tablet, laughing at the fabricated tragic backstories the Coordinators had created for him.
"Next they'll probably send a Red Coat Elite to challenge me, right?"
"Most likely. That's what the General Staff thinks too," Li Chengzhi agreed.
"According to the General Staff's assessment, if we can withstand the Coordinators' next few counterattacks, the fighting here should end."
"The grand masters from the Institute of Rihaku have already arrived at PLANT's home territory."
"Word is they're slamming tables and glaring at the Coordinators' leadership, arguments so heated you can see both spit and shoes flying."
"Ha ha ha!" Wang Hu burst into hearty laughter. Though he hadn't witnessed how these grand masters were "communicating" with the Coordinators firsthand.
But Wang Hu had seen the exchange between the rabbit and the eagle in cartoons before.
"I'd really love to witness that spectacle with my own eyes."
"You'll get the chance, as long as we keep winning."
Li Chengzhi was also leisurely imagining the scene of their masters forcefully refuting the Coordinators.
"Truth only exists within the range of cannons, dignity only upon the edge of swords."
Suddenly spouting such a phrase, Li Chengzhi stared at Wang Hu and said seriously.
"We have to win. Keep winning."
"No shit." Pushing his bangs back with both hands, Wang Hu grinned confidently.
"Unless some Char pops up in front of me, no one can beat me?"
"Who's Char?" Hearing this unfamiliar name, Li Chengzhi asked suspiciously.
Char? Was there an ace among the Coordinators with that name?
"A really tough boss from a game I played before."
Wang Hu explained with a laugh, just as he was about to change the subject and brush off the Char matter.
"Lieutenant Wang Hu of the 3rd Battalion, Training Corps, please proceed to the hangar immediately for sortie preparation."
"Forward reconnaissance reports enemy ZAFT Forces approaching in large numbers!"
"Repeat—"
"They're here." A gleam flashed in Wang Hu's eyes.
"This is it, most likely the final battle." Li Chengzhi roared after speaking.
"All units, assemble at the hangar immediately!"
Turning to look at Wang Hu who was already up and ready to sprint, he warned:
"Watch out for enemy elites! You might get swarmed by multiple redcoats!"
(End of chapter)