After Uzumi left, the curtains remained drawn and the lights stayed dim. Setsuna, Tieria, and Lyle, who had been standing, also found seats. What followed was their private discussion.
"Why not directly inform him about the [Cyclops System] being prepared beneath Alaska?" Tieria asked Yang Hui, Sumeragi, and Wang Liu Mei.
Whether through Yang Hui's foreknowledge of events or Wang Liu Mei's intelligence network, they were all aware of what the Alaska Base was truly up to. Yet, this information hadn't been shared with Uzumi during their meeting.
"It's too early," Yang Hui, Sumeragi, and Wang Liu Mei shook their heads in unison. Now wasn't the time to disclose this intelligence.
"If Uzumi knew about this, what would he think? What would he do?" Yang Hui countered.
"...Notify the ZAFT Forces?"
"That would be the better outcome. What I fear is him holding a press conference to expose this to the world, attempting to curb the Atlantic Federation's reckless actions."
The preparations at Alaska Base were meant to leave sufficient bait for ZAFT—including cannon fodder from the Eurasian Federation and those within the Atlantic Federation who didn't align with their leaders' interests—to draw the ZAFT Forces' attention. Once ZAFT launched a full-scale invasion of Joshua Base, the underground [Cyclops System] would be activated, turning everything within a ten-kilometer radius, including the bait and ZAFT troops, into scorched earth.
This would deal a heavy blow to ZAFT, but conversely, it would also ignite their fury. After the operation at Joshua Base succeeded, the severely depleted ZAFT Forces would retaliate fiercely against the Earth Forces, with their last remaining spaceport, Panama, as the primary target.
If ZAFT launched an all-out assault on Panama, the base would inevitably fall.
In that scenario, the Earth Forces would lose all means of reaching space. Apart from the already ZAFT-occupied Kaguya and Victoria spaceports, only Orb would remain. At that point, the Atlantic Federation would undoubtedly turn its sights on Orb, even resorting to military force to seize its mass driver, [Kaguya].
Orb, too, would be dragged into war—a war it couldn't possibly win.
To preserve Orb, Uzumi might expose the root cause—the madness unfolding in Alaska—to prevent this chain of events and keep the conflict from escalating to its peak.
However, if Uzumi took such action, the Atlantic Federation would certainly hold a grudge against Orb, possibly launching an attack even sooner while devising alternative strategies against ZAFT.
The march of progress wouldn't halt just because a few individuals stood in its way. It would simply find another path forward. And since it would advance regardless, it was better to stay on the familiar route, keeping the unfolding events within their control.
"...What about the Archangel? I recall their destination was Alaska," Tieria pressed.
"That's where we come in."
"No more hiding?"
"There's no need. The accumulation of hatred is nearing its limit—soon, it will erupt."
"What exactly is it? This world's distortion point," Setsuna asked.
"Too many," Yang Hui shook his head with a bitter smile. "Patrick Zala of PLANT is obsessed with elevating Coordinators above Naturals. Blue Cosmos fights for power and status under the slogan 'For the Blue and Pure World.' LOGOS profits from war. And then there's..."
"And what else?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"Exactly. In the Earth Alliance, the Atlantic Federation leads the war effort. Behind them stands Blue Cosmos, and behind Blue Cosmos is LOGOS. But I can't shake the feeling there's someone behind LOGOS too—that's where the true distortion begins. That's the target we must uncover," Yang Hui explained.
"...The hidden... true source of distortion..."
"Let's focus on the present for now. The Atlantic Federation and Blue Cosmos are the immediate threats we face. And then there's that man..."
"Rau Le Creuset—the man who deceived the entire world. Yang Hui, I still can't accept it. Why recruit someone like him?" Sumeragi shook her head in disapproval.
"Because he fills the gap we lack most."
"..."
"Right now, Prometheus Fortress has nearly all roles covered—researchers, technicians, commanders, intelligence operatives, pilots, warship crews... We're only missing one type of person."
"Someone who'll do whatever it takes to get results, specializing in handling dark operations."
Sumeragi and the others understood the necessity. Before, they hadn't felt it as keenly—Celestial Being represented the greatest darkness in the Gundam 00 world. Though they piloted Gundams for various missions, Celestial Being also maintained covert units for dirty work.
After arriving in the Gundam SEED world, they realized just how crucial such shadow operatives were. Each world's circumstances differed, but one constant remained: having their own organization and influence drastically improved security and control over unfolding events.
A man like Creuset—capable of deceiving the world, meticulous in his schemes, unburdened by Yang Hui's kindness and integrity—could achieve better results faster in handling certain matters.
The problem was... trusting someone like him.
"Creuset seems complicated, but he's simple at heart—a pitiful man crushed by despair. As long as we save his life, he won't descend into madness."
"...I'll reserve judgment."
Everyone knew Yang Hui's decisions were hard to overturn. They trusted him, so if he believed Creuset was trustworthy, they'd tentatively extend that trust—while keeping a close watch on Creuset until...
"But Yang Hui, have you considered one thing? How will you even approach him?"
Creuset wasn't easy to reach. And he wasn't the type to be swayed by mere words.
"We'll find an opportunity. While I see potential in him, he's not irreplaceable," Yang Hui said.
To get close to Creuset, there were three opportunities. First was Alaska Base, where he broke away from the main force during the battle and captured Flay. Second was the abandoned Colony in the L4 sector, specifically the research facility where Kira was created. The third was the final battle, though this was the least desirable option since Yang Hui wasn't fully confident he could preserve Creuset's life while facing him in the Providence Gundam.
Moreover... Yang Hui had a premonition that every subsequent battle would bring massive deviations, making the situation increasingly complex.
"So what should we do next?" Sumeragi asked. As Orb's Chief of Staff, she commanded all military forces in practice—though nominally, Uzumi held the title of Supreme Commander while remaining hands-off.
However, this authority only applied to military operations. Major strategic decisions still required Yang Hui's guidance.
"Treat both the Atlantic Federation and ZAFT Forces as hypothetical enemies and draft large-scale combat plans accordingly. Have Liumei handle the necessary intelligence support."
"Understood." X2
"Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria—the Natural-use Operating System will be widely deployed soon. Accelerate MS unit training."
"Understood." X3
"Oh, Yang Hui—we've obtained that item," Wang Liu Mei reported as others dispersed.
"Really?" Yang Hui's face lit up as he impulsively embraced and kissed her. "You've worked hard, Liumei! This helps tremendously!"
"My, is this my reward?"
"Of course!"
"How cold—discarding old friends for new ones," Wang Liu Mei pretended to weep pitifully.
Yang Hui cut short her theatrics by cupping her face and kissing her again, savoring her soft lips and delicate fragrance.
After a long moment, they parted.
"Take two days off. Let's go on a date," Yang Hui said tenderly, guilt evident in his eyes. Since arriving in this world, they'd spent little time together.
"Not now, Yang Hui." Though touched, she declined. "After Phase One concludes—when the world stabilizes temporarily. Then we'll date."
"...Alright."
"Am I interrupting?"
They turned to see Sumeragi smirking, arms crossed.
Another troublemaker. Yang Hui repeated his approach, melting her resistance with affection.
"Enough! We have work to do," Sumeragi protested, blushing as she lightly punched his chest.
"Mn."
"Remember your promise," Wang Liu Mei teased while linking arms with Sumeragi. "After all these years, you owe us proper compensation."
"Mn. Absolutely."
Neither woman resented Yang Hui. Though he'd abandon anything if they asked, they weren't caged songbirds or decorative vases needing constant attention.
If love endures beyond the years, why cling to day and night?
Their goal was to continuously grow stronger, to become powerful enough to stand beside Yang Hui as equals in battle.
After Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei left, Yang Hui didn't linger either. He immediately headed for Dawn Company's factory.
What Wang Liu Mei had obtained was the technology for the Neutron Jammer Canceller—the final piece needed for their self-preservation in this world. With nuclear engines restored, Yang Hui, Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria could finally unleash their full combat potential.
However, when Yang Hui arrived at Dawn Company, he happened to encounter Kira, who had come piloting the Strike Gundam.
"Yang Hui?"
"Kira, you're here."
"Yeah. What are these?" Kira looked around the hangar, which wasn't just housing the Strike Gundam but was filled with MS units resembling it.
"These are the power that will protect our convictions—the MBF-M1 M1 Astray."
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