After receiving Orb's response, the four of them were completely unsettled.
"What exactly is going on? Why hasn't ZAFT seen any formal diplomatic statement?" Athrun continued to demand.
"This is a private diplomatic matter between Orb and the Atlantic Federation. There is no need for Orb to issue a statement to ZAFT, nor is there any obligation to make a formal public declaration. We demand that ZAFT Forces immediately withdraw from Orb's territorial waters. Due to your attack on the escort vessel carrying an Orb dignitary, we will lodge a strong protest with your Carpentaria base. Furthermore, if you do not retreat from our borders, our fleet will consider your forces hostile and engage accordingly."
"...We have reason to believe Orb has joined the Earth Alliance. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, we will declare Orb an enemy state and commence hostilities immediately!" Athrun refused to back down, countering with threats of his own. While four Gundams couldn't wipe out Orb's entire fleet, they could certainly cripple a significant portion and retreat safely. After all, Orb's military had long been restricted by both the Earth Alliance and PLANT, leaving their numbers limited. Losing half their fleet would be a devastating blow.
"This is merely standard diplomatic engagement between Orb and the Atlantic Federation. Orb has not abandoned its neutral stance. If ZAFT or PLANT have concerns, please address them through formal diplomatic channels. Now, we demand that all ZAFT Forces withdraw from Orb's borders immediately. This is your final warning!"
The tone had turned severe. Athrun recognized it as an ultimatum. If Orb's claims were true, they no longer had justification to attack—doing so would only give Orb grounds to condemn them.
The Aegis silently retreated, rejoining its comrades as Athrun issued the order to withdraw.
"Why? Why not just fight?"
"Coward!"
Yzak and Dearka voiced their displeasure, but they weren't fools. They understood the situation left them no choice but to comply. Having grown up surrounded by politics—their elders being members of the Supreme Council—they knew better than to act recklessly, even if they weren't directly involved in governance.
Nicol and Athrun remained silent. Nicol had no particular obsession with the Archangel, so he was indifferent—if anything, he preferred avoiding conflict with Orb. Athrun, however, was deep in thought.
"So they prepared a legitimate reason for entry a month ago... escorting an Orb dignitary... a dignitary... someone connected to the Archangel... Yang Hui? Yes, it has to be him!"
Since their encounters with the Archangel, Athrun had grown—no longer blindly following orders, especially after becoming a captain. He had worked hard to think independently, and this time, he pieced it together almost immediately. The mastermind behind all this was undoubtedly Yang Hui.
"Athrun... Athrun!" Nicol had been calling his name, growing increasingly concerned when he received no response.
"I'm fine..."
"What's wrong? Did you figure something out?"
"Yeah... Let's head back first. I'll explain everything later."
"Alright..."
...
On the other side, news of the Archangel's entry had spread throughout Orb. Given Orb's small territory, the battle near the coast had been visible from certain shorelines. Rather than conceal the unavoidable truth from its citizens, the government chose to announce it directly, offering explanations to reassure the public.
Meanwhile, Orb's high-ranking officials had gathered for an urgent meeting.
"Lord Uzumi, is it truly wise to let that Yang boy act so recklessly?" someone questioned Uzumi.
"Hmm, this time he has indeed gone a bit too far," Uzumi replied, his brow deeply furrowed. Yang Hui was usually meticulous, ensuring everything was arranged to prevent any pretext for targeting Orb. But this time... it was all out in the open.
While the mission to escort him and Cagalli back to Orb under the Archangel's protection was a legitimate diplomatic activity—with all necessary legal documents prepared in advance to counter ZAFT's objections—every high-ranking official could see that Yang Hui was aiding the Archangel.
Uzumi understood Yang Hui well. He knew how much Yang Hui despised the Atlantic Federation, so there was no chance he was acting out of allegiance to them. Instead, Yang Hui valued his comrades. Having traveled with the Archangel for some time, he had likely come to regard its crew as companions. His actions were meant to help the Archangel, not the Atlantic Federation.
But to outsiders, the distinction was unclear—after all, the Archangel belonged to the Atlantic Federation.
"Xiao Hui must have prepared a contingency plan, right?" Yang Hongyu, equally familiar with his son, offered an explanation.
"..." Silence fell over the room. Every person present had, at some point, been unsettled by Yang Hui's actions. And while Yang Hongyu held Orb's second-highest position, everyone knew it was largely due to his son's influence—though no one voiced it aloud.
"But what should we do now?" asked the head of one of the Five Great Families.
"Let's wait until he returns and hear his thoughts first," Uzumi decided.
"And our official statement...?"
"Just tell the truth. I have a feeling the world is about to descend into chaos, and Orb may not remain untouched."
"..."
...
Under the escort of the Second Fleet, the Archangel arrived directly at Orb's First Island, home to its military and the Dawn Company—a shipyard even satellites couldn't observe.
"Whew... finally made it safely," Yang Hui said, stretching as he stood up.
"Thank you, Yang Hui. Truly," Murrue expressed her gratitude. Beyond securing the Archangel's entry into Orb for resupply and repairs, Yang Hui had been instrumental in the ship's survival—from Heliopolis, no, from the very beginning in North Africa.
"We're comrades—no need for formalities," Yang Hui waved it off, urging them not to dwell on it.
"Comrades, huh..." The others exchanged smiles, but Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel wore complex expressions. While it was heartening—even thrilling—that Yang Hui considered them comrades, the stark differences in their identities made the term fleeting. In the future... they might even become enemies.
Murrue and Natarle couldn't fathom what it would be like to face Yang Hui as an adversary—or how they would endure it.
"Alright everyone, take this opportunity to rest up. There won't be any enemies for a while now."
"Yahoo!"
"Finally, we can get some proper rest!"
"Good grief, I've been exhausted lately—couldn't even sleep well."
...
While Arnold and the others, originally from the Earth Forces, cheered, Tolle, Miriallia, Sai, and Katz looked at Yang Hui expectantly. They were originally citizens of Orb who had joined the Earth Forces midway and couldn't leave the Archangel without permission. Still, they longed to see their parents.
Of course, being allowed to enter Orb's cities would be the best outcome.
"Don't rush it. I'll do my best to arrange it for you. At the very least, I'll make sure you can see your parents," Yang Hui promised.
"Great!"
"Thank you, Yang Hui."
"We're counting on you!"
...
After making his promise, Yang Hui turned to Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel. "You and Major Flaga should prepare yourselves. Lord Uzumi wants to meet you."
"Huh?" The two women were taken aback.
"Come on, even though diplomatic negotiations were arranged in advance, it's obvious I was helping you. That's made Orb's position a bit delicate, so..." Yang Hui shrugged, signaling that they understood.
"Sorry for causing you trouble."
"I told you not to worry about it. Constantly thanking me makes things feel distant." As he spoke, he patted both women on the shoulder. "This is just comfort between comrades—not harassment!"
"Pfft—hahaha..."
The two women froze for a moment, their faces reddening as they lowered their heads and stifled giggles behind their hands. The others burst into laughter, not because it was particularly funny, but because the prolonged hardship had left them desperate for release—for joy to wash away their suffering.
Murrue and Natarle freshened up, and Mu, after receiving the notice, took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes before accompanying Yang Hui to meet Uzumi. Long before the Archangel entered Orb's borders, Uzumi had already set out for Dawn Company. He was deeply interested in the Archangel's crew, curious about what made them worth Yang Hui's extensive assistance.
Accompanying Uzumi were Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Setsuna, and Tieria.
Upon arriving at the reception hall in Orb's Defense Headquarters, Yang Hui saw Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei seated beside Uzumi. A long rectangular table had four empty seats—one next to Uzumi, reserved for Yang Hui, and three opposite Uzumi. Setsuna and Tieria stood guard behind the three, and Lyle joined them after entering the hall.
Though they hadn't seen each other in a while, excitement and joy filled the air—but this wasn't the time for heartfelt reunions. Yang Hui gave them a gentle nod and a warm smile before taking his seat beside Uzumi.
When Murrue, Natarle, and Mu entered the room, they took their seats across the table. After sitting, they briefly studied the "Lion of Orb," but their attention lingered more on Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Setsuna, and Tieria.
Especially Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei, who were about the same age as Yang Hui—mere girls. They had already witnessed why Yang Hui had the privilege to sit alongside Uzumi, but these two women… could they be the same as Yang Hui?
Then there were Setsuna and Tieria, also youths, but Mu could sense most clearly that the aura they exuded was identical to Lyle's—battle-hardened warriors, and formidable ones at that.
Naturally, the gazes of these three did not escape Uzumi and the others, who merely smiled without pressing further. However, they had no intention of revealing the truth, as these individuals were soldiers affiliated with the Atlantic Federation.
"Let us begin officially, Major Ramius, Major Flaga, Lieutenant Badgiruel."
"We deeply appreciate Orb's assistance, Lord Uzumi, as well as your audience. However, may I ask… is this regarding our ship's stay in Orb?" Murrue expressed her gratitude before posing the question.
"Indeed, but not solely. It also concerns a transaction between Orb and the Atlantic Federation."
"Transaction?"
"Correct. Your ship escorted Orb's key personnel back to Orb, and in return, Orb will provide your vessel with supplies and repair assistance. That… is merely the surface-level agreement. The true transaction… is that Orb will offer the Archangel as much aid and numerous conveniences as possible. However, your ship must provide all combat data of the Strike from Heliopolis up to the present, and its pilot, Coordinator Kira Yamato, must offer technical support to Dawn Company."
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