"As you can see, Miss Lacus... we are a Federation warship currently on a mission, so we cannot allow you to leave freely at this time. Only after arriving at the target military base can we send you back to your homeland through diplomatic procedures handled by our superiors."
After arranging a single room for Lacus, Murrue, Badgiruel, Mu, and Lu Tianming gathered there to first explain the Archangel's arrangements.
Taking a detour to return Lacus was naturally impossible. Even the civilians would have to follow the Archangel to a safe zone before transport ships could be arranged to take them away, let alone Lacus who was now alone.
Moreover, given her significant status, the Archangel itself likely couldn't make the final decision.
"That's alright. For me, this is also a novel journey," Lacus replied understandingly, holding Haro in her arms as she sat on the bed in the room.
"By the way, why were you piloting a ship here? And why was it destroyed?"
"I came to Junius Seven for a memorial ceremony, but encountered Earth Alliance ships here. After boarding and inspecting our ship, they learned our purpose and became somewhat displeased, leading to some conflict..."
"After that, I was put into a rescue capsule and don't know what happened afterward."
Faced with Murrue's questioning, Lacus answered honestly.
Hearing Lacus's testimony, Mu and the others were somewhat surprised - this seemed different from the intelligence Lu Tianming had brought back?
Just as they were about to ask, Lu Tianming spoke up with a serious expression:
"But according to my observations at the time, your ship seemed to have been destroyed from the outside, and there was a GINN conducting searches... Do you understand what I mean?"
Hearing Lu Tianming's words, Lacus seemed slightly surprised as she raised her eyebrows, then a flash of... disappointment? appeared in her eyes.
She sighed, her tone slightly subdued as if she had expected this:
"So that's how it was after all?"
Lu Tianming nodded: "Though regrettable, that does seem to be the case."
Seeing the two of them reaching some inexplicable understanding through what seemed like encrypted communication, Mu and Murrue were confused.
What exactly did you two figure out?
Lu Tianming chuckled softly and turned to them:
"It's not that difficult... Try connecting our two descriptions together, and you'll understand the full picture of the incident?"
"Connect them together?"
Mu muttered somewhat puzzledly, but then tried to do so.
Lacus came to mourn at Junius Seven, first encountered the suddenly appearing Earth Alliance who ordered her ship to stop for inspection, causing disturbances inside the ship. Then they suffered subsequent sniper attacks from a GINN, causing the entire ship to crash...
Why would the Earth Alliance suddenly appear in the PLANT satellite ruins? When exactly did the GINN appear, and why did it only start sniping after the Earth Alliance boarded the ship? Why was it so eager to self-destruct after being captured?
Several suspicious points emerged as the events were connected... But after some thought, they formed a shocking possibility.
Mu, Murrue, and Badgiruel simultaneously looked at each other, and seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes... they seemed to confirm their speculation was correct.
The sniper-type GINN encountered earlier had specifically targeted Lacus for elimination. However, to have a plausible excuse if discovered, it deliberately waited until the Earth Alliance boarded the ship before launching the attack.
This way, they could claim that "the ship carrying Lacus had been seized by the Earth Alliance, and the attack was a necessary attempt to regain control."
What they likely didn't anticipate was that Lacus had already been moved to a rescue capsule before the Earth Alliance boarded. Consequently, when the civilian vessel was destroyed, Lacus managed to escape via the capsule.
Perhaps during the "body inspection," they noticed a missing rescue capsule, which explains why the GINN kept searching through the debris—ultimately failing to find the capsule but stumbling upon a Strike Gundam instead.
As for why the Earth Alliance forces appeared so conveniently, they were probably lured from a distance. It's even possible that from the start, they were ZAFT deserters who had fled the Earth Alliance.
The motive is understandable: Lacus is not only the daughter of Siegel Clyne, the leader of the pacifist faction in PLANT, but also a nationally renowned anti-war songstress. Her very existence poses the greatest obstacle to the hawks led by Patrick.
Thus, she must be eliminated. Moreover, after her death, the Patrick faction could exploit her demise to incite public sentiment and further escalate the war.
But then again, all this information... was conveyed through just a few sentences from these two?
Mu looked suspiciously at Lu Tianming and Lacus. Had they really not been communicating on a private channel behind his back?
How bizarre...
"Do any of you have further questions?"
Noticing Murrue and the others remaining silent, Lacus took the initiative to ask.
Murrue and the others exchanged glances, realizing there was nothing crucial left to discuss, and shook their heads. Murrue responded:
"Nothing from our side. Instead, Miss Lacus, do you have any requirements regarding living conditions?"
"I'm quite satisfied with the living conditions. However... is it really not possible to move around freely outside?"
Lacus shook her head but then shifted the topic, continuing.
Earlier, during their journey, Murrue had advised her that unless necessary, she should stay in this room and avoid venturing out to prevent unnecessary complications.
"Well... it's for your safety, after all."
Mu nodded in response. Although the crew, under Lu Tianming's guarantee, was willing to accept Lacus, the same couldn't be said for the refugees they had taken in earlier.
Many of them held deep-seated prejudices against Coordinators, and given their history of causing trouble, Mu and the others were genuinely concerned that Lacus might encounter unpleasant situations if she left her room.
"But I get so bored staying alone in the room... Oh, could Mr. Lu stay and chat with me for a while?"
Lacus accepted the explanation with a nod, though her brows still drooped slightly in disappointment. But then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she looked up and turned her gaze to Lu Tianming, tentatively asking.
Even Lu Tianming himself was surprised by this turn of events, while Murrue and the other two exchanged bewildered glances, unsure how to respond.
After hesitating for a long time, they finally turned their gazes toward Lu Tianming—meaning it still depended on his willingness.
Seeing the matter fall back on him again, Lu Tianming simply shrugged and said helplessly:
"Why look at me... She only has this one request, how could I possibly refuse?"