"What!?"
"That's... Yang Hui! And Lacus!"
"Miss Lacus? How could..."
"Damn Naturals, how despicable!"
...
No one questioned the authenticity of this transmission, as it wasn't just an audio message but a video feed showing Lacus standing right beside Yang Hui.
Creuset's expression turned complicated upon seeing this. On one hand, he was pleased—his suspicions had been correct. Yang Hui was indeed aboard the Archangel, and now it wasn't just him who knew. Every ZAFT Forces soldier present had seen it, meaning... Yang Hui's identity could be exploited for significant gains.
Yet, he was also troubled. Lacus's presence had now been confirmed, making it impossible for them to continue attacking the Archangel—unless they could disable the ship's combat capabilities while ensuring its structural integrity.
But... that too was impossible. The newly appeared mobile suits, resembling the X Series, were proving extremely troublesome.
"I am Yang Hui, son of Yang Hongyu, Chief of Foreign Affairs for the United Emirates of Orb. Due to the collapse of Heliopolis, I received humanitarian assistance from the Earth Alliance's Archangel and am currently under its protection. Similarly, during its voyage, this ship incidentally discovered the escape pod of Miss Lacus Clyne and took her aboard out of humanitarian considerations."
"This is really bad..." Creuset thought, grinding his teeth.
"Based on international relations and the personal safety of Miss Lacus Clyne, I hereby call for an immediate ceasefire. The ZAFT Forces must withdraw immediately. We will return Miss Lacus Clyne to your forces at coordinates 905 in five hours. However, during this period, your forces must not engage in any form of combat for any reason. Any violation will be interpreted as your forces abandoning responsibility for Miss Lacus Clyne, and she will be handed over to the Earth Alliance for disposal at their discretion. Furthermore, such actions will be regarded as a declaration of war against the United Emirates of Orb. This is our official statement."
With the transmission concluded, the ZAFT Forces indeed ceased their attacks on the Archangel, Serpent Tail, and Celestial Being. Setsuna and the others likewise stopped their assault on ZAFT, immediately returning to the Archangel's vicinity to escort it out of the area.
Strangely, the Strike remained motionless after the Aegis halted its attack, drifting aimlessly in space.
"Kira, respond if you can hear me! Kira!"
"Yang Hui..."
"Whatever issues you have, we'll discuss them back on the ship!"
"...Fine."
Kira had never imagined Yang Hui would resort to something so underhanded—using a young woman's safety to force ZAFT into a ceasefire. At this moment, it felt like he no longer recognized Yang Hui.
Athrun shared this sentiment. He never expected Lacus to fall into Earth Forces' hands, let alone that Yang Hui would exploit her safety to secure his own survival.
"Yang Hui... why... why would you do this...?" Athrun's emotions were in turmoil. Part of him believed Yang Hui must have his reasons, but another part burned with anger at seeing Lacus's safety used as a bargaining chip.
"Disgraceful. Coming to support us only to pull this trick when the situation turns unfavorable." Creuset sat calmly in his seat, sneering.
"Captain!" Captain Addis looked at Creuset with panic.
"Yes, I know. All forces cease fire, change course, and head to the designated coordinates."
"Understood!"
...
On the Archangel, the bridge fell into an eerie silence as everyone turned their gaze to Yang Hui and Lacus.
"Yang Hui, you..."
"This was your choice. I had no other option. Neither you nor I want to die here," Yang Hui replied flatly to Murrue's questioning.
"Yang Hui's decision was correct," Natarle Badgiruel interjected, supporting him. "The Archangel and the Strike Gundam cannot be destroyed here."
"...I know, Natarle." Murrue lowered her head, her expression conflicted. She understood that Yang Hui's actions and Natarle's words were both justified, but... she just couldn't reconcile it with her conscience.
The others remained silent, unable to voice their opinions. However, Natarle soon opposed Yang Hui's decision again: "But you shouldn't have agreed to return Miss Clyne to the ZAFT Forces. She is our last safeguard. As long as she remains on the Archangel, ZAFT won't dare attack us, and we can—"
"Natarle." Yang Hui turned his head sharply to look at her. It was the first time he had addressed her directly by her name.
"Am I wrong?"
"No, you're not wrong." As he spoke, Yang Hui led Lacus toward the exit, pausing briefly before leaving. "But don't forget—Captain Ramius has already entrusted me with the authority to decide Miss Lacus Clyne's fate."
With that, he left with Lacus, leaving behind a silent bridge.
Natarle hung her head in frustration. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to retract her decision and forcibly reclaim control over Lacus. If Yang Hui refused, she would simply detain him. Lacus was not just their lifeline—she was also a crucial political bargaining chip. As long as Lacus remained in the hands of the Earth Alliance, PLANT would hesitate, giving Earth Forces a strategic advantage.
As for Lacus being a civilian girl—who cared?
What did it matter if she was a civilian? Were civilians truly innocent? On this very bridge, Tolle, Miriallia, Sai, Katz, and Kira—who piloted the Strike Gundam—were all civilians. Were they innocent?
Why should Lacus be exempt when Kira and the others weren't?
Just because her surname was Clyne? Just because she was the daughter of PLANT's Supreme Council Chairman, holding higher status than Kira and the others?
No. In war, no one was innocent—regardless of age, gender, or status. Civilian? Noble? High-ranking official? There were no distinctions. If status mattered, hadn't the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of the Atlantic Federation just died aboard the Montgomery?
Moreover, believing Lacus Clyne was innocent because of her name was naive. Her surname alone could sway the course of the war.
But... she couldn't do it. She truly couldn't.
"Enough, Natarle." Murrue's low voice cut through Natarle's turmoil.
"Captain!"
"Don't... disgrace the military any further," Murrue said with difficulty.
Although this was the most rational choice, and although it was Yang Hui who made the decision, could Murrue and the others truly feel at ease, shifting all responsibility onto him?
Some people might be capable of that, but Murrue and everyone present here couldn't.
Along the way, Yang Hui had provided them with so much help. They hadn't encountered any attacks from the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty (ZAFT) before rendezvousing with the Vanguard Fleet, and they had safely replenished their depleted supplies without any danger. Not only that, but the cost of the supplies and the fees for hiring mercenary escorts were all personally covered by Yang Hui. Even this time, Yang Hui had voluntarily disclosed his name and identity, effectively taking full responsibility upon himself.
Yang Hui was merely a civilian under this ship's protection, and he wasn't even a citizen of the Atlantic Federation. He had no obligation to help them.
Yet he did—and did it to the best of his ability. Naturally, they couldn't feel at ease accepting it.
Moreover... regardless of whether it was their decision or not, Yang Hui's actions had indeed ensured their safety, but at the same time, it had also humiliated them.
Not just Natarle Badgiruel—every soldier present hung their heads in shame.
Meanwhile, Yang Hui returned to his room with Lacus and fell silent. He felt he needed to calm down as well.
"Yang Hui, are you alright?" Lacus asked with concern.
"I'm fine. I'm used to it," Yang Hui replied, shaking his head slightly.
This was his third world. In the Gundam 00 world, though he had been misunderstood and hated, that had been his goal from the start. Those who knew him well had always supported his grand mission, and as part of a shadow organization, he hadn't needed to worry too much. In the Gundam AGE world, he had become a widely revered hero. Though he had encountered the darker side of things, he had left that for others to handle—his only concern had been the battles.
But the Gundam SEED world was different. Here, he not only had to worry about combat but also had to strategize not just for a small group of a few or dozens of people, but for an entire nation. As the leader of Orb, he had to consider politics, economics, diplomacy, civil affairs... every single aspect, leaving no room for oversight—including the darker side, which he had to deal with personally.
With so much to consider and so many things weighing on him, it was inevitable that he would sometimes overlook details. In such moments, emergency measures had to be taken to mitigate losses. But once he did that, he would face suspicion, distrust, disapproval, and even hatred from others.
Honestly, Yang Hui sometimes wondered if he should just return to his old role—being a hero was enough. But then he thought about the state of this world, about Prometheus Fortress, about the challenges he would face in the future, and the heavy responsibilities on his shoulders... and he knew he couldn't.
Lacus sensed the exhaustion hidden deep within Yang Hui's heart. Instead of offering empty comfort, she gently cradled his head against her chest, hoping to ease his complicated emotions and fatigue.
"...Aren't you afraid Athrun will misunderstand this?" Yang Hui teased, ruining the moment as he felt the warmth of her embrace.
"This is just mutual comfort between friends," Lacus replied calmly.
"It seems we have different understandings of the word 'friend.'"
"Hehehe, perhaps so. But Yang Hui... do you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"Ten years ago, when you first came to PLANT..."
"Don't say any more."
"But I want to—"
"I don't want to hear it, nor do I want you to say it."
"...You know."
"I don't know. At least not now—I know nothing right now."
"Yes, now." Lacus smiled sweetly. This was the answer she had hoped for.
Just then, the door to the room burst open as Kira stormed in angrily.
"Yang Hui! What the hell is going— Mmph?!"
Mid-sentence, he froze upon seeing Lacus cradling Yang Hui's head against her chest, the two looking extremely intimate. A sudden thought struck him—"Do I know too much? Will they silence me?"