"Wait... I can understand the Archangel's actual leadership, but what are those last two things?"
Dearka couldn't process it immediately. Collaborator with the Clyne Faction, mastermind behind Siegel's rebellion case... Just what were these supposed to be?
How could these two matters possibly be connected to an ordinary Natural?
"Hey, you didn't accept some bribe from this guy and are trying to fool us, did you?"
Dearka still couldn't believe it. Looking at Andrew's cheerful expression, he couldn't shake the feeling that this guy was scheming against them.
"Ah... It seems I'm still not trusted. How heartbreaking."
Seeing Dearka suspect him without hesitation, Andrew let out a regretful sigh, then snapped his fingers lightly as if he had been prepared all along.
Under the curious gazes of Dearka and Nicol, Andrew smiled faintly and stepped aside.
Appearing behind him was none other than... Lacus Clyne, who had arrived at some unknown time.
Lacus lifted her long skirt and gave a polite curtsy to the two men, smiling as she said:
"If you still have doubts about Mr. Andrew's words... might I offer my personal guarantee and ask you to reconsider placing your trust in him?"
"...Nicol, that's definitely Lacus herself, right? Wasn't it said... that she was shot down by Earth Alliance Forces on her way to Junius Seven?"
Dearka stared at the suddenly appearing Lacus, momentarily frozen in place.
According to PLANT's official announcement, Lacus had been declared missing since that memorial service at Junius Seven... or to put it bluntly, 'deceased.'
Even though some voices expressed skepticism about the official statement, most only believed that Lacus hadn't disappeared but had been killed or imprisoned by Patrick.
No one had imagined that this princess of the Clyne family... was actually traveling together with the Archangel.
Nicol's mind was also somewhat bewildered, but before he could speak—Lacus provided the explanation for him.
"To be precise, those who wanted to shoot me down at the time... weren't the Earth Alliance Forces, but troops under Patrick Zala's command."
Lacus corrected with a slightly serious expression.
"So that's how it was..."
Hearing Lacus's personal explanation, Nicol nodded as if he had anticipated this all along.
He had long considered this possibility—the Earth Alliance had no reason to kill Lacus. Recklessly harming such an important figure would only damage their public image.
"So, did you stay here because the Archangel rescued you and you wanted to repay the favor?"
Nicol sorted through the current situation and tentatively asked.
After all, even if Lacus returned, she would continue facing persecution from the Zala faction... Even without repaying any debt, staying on the Archangel seemed like the wisest choice.
"That's part of it... but not entirely."
Lacus gave a slight nod, then shook her head—if it were merely for survival or gratitude, she wouldn't have fully dedicated her strength to Lu Tianming.
"On the other hand, it was Mr. Lu's vision for a peaceful future that moved me, making me willingly contribute my strength to the future he envisions."
This guy… what ideals and vision could he possibly propose?
Hearing Lacus's words, Dearka glanced somewhat dismissively at Lu Tianming. He was about to voice his skepticism internally, but upon seeing Lacus's resolute and unyielding expression, he instinctively held back.
He sensed that if he dared to show any disrespect toward Lu Tianming or raise baseless doubts about him, Lacus might not remain as amiable as before.
Upon reflection, if Andrew's earlier introduction hadn't been exaggerated, perhaps this guy really did have some substantial ideas.
If it were just sweet talk meant to deceive, Lacus might be fooled… but as for Andrew and Siegel Clyne—both adults with mature worldviews, even politicians—there was no chance they could be tricked.
"But what's the point of telling us all this… Are you planning to recruit even strays like us?"
Dearka snorted lightly. Lacus, Andrew, and Siegel Clyne—each of them wielded significant political influence.
He could understand efforts to seek out and recruit such figures, but he didn't believe… that he and Nicol held any value or qualification to be treated this way.
Currently, they were merely prisoners captured after being shot down, their hands stained with the blood of countless Naturals. What right did they have to hope for such equal treatment?
"I won't refuse anyone who wishes to join our cause, whether they are Naturals or Coordinators, ZAFT or Earth Alliance," Lu Tianming replied calmly, before moving on to the main topic at hand—the policy regarding prisoners.
"Explaining my ideals to you verbally right now… might come across as somewhat forced, even brainwashing."
"So, I've decided to let you experience it for yourselves—then make your judgment."
"? What do you mean?"
Dearka tilted his head, momentarily failing to grasp what Lu Tianming meant by "experience it for yourselves."
"ORB's societal model, where Coordinators and Naturals coexist, closely resembles the world I envision. So, I've arranged for Andrew to take you on a two-day tour of ORB."
"I want you to see for yourselves what the world I hope to protect and build looks like."
"By then, whether you choose to stay and join us or not, I believe you'll find your own answers."
Lu Tianming had no intention of keeping them confined—on the contrary, he wanted these two to witness for themselves what a world untouched by war should be like.
He wasn't worried about them attempting to escape midway; after all, Andrew's capabilities were no joke. While his piloting skills might be slightly inferior to these two Red Uniforms, his experience and qualities as a soldier were not far behind.
Moreover, Andrew, like them, was a Coordinator. Having him as their supervisor would likely put them more at ease.
Hearing these words, Dearka actually felt a sense of relief... He hadn't considered trying to escape back to ZAFT—breaking through the current situation would be nearly impossible.
If he truly had the ability to break through, he wouldn't have been shot down by Lu Tianming in the first place.
He had even worried earlier that he might be subjected to torture and interrogation about ZAFT's confidential intelligence...
His earlier provocative question to Lu Tianming—asking if he intended to recruit them too—was actually just a bluff to test Lu Tianming's attitude.
Seeing that Dearka had no objections, Nicol didn't refuse either.
His initial decision to join the military had been driven by sympathy for the Junius Seven refugees, hoping that his enlistment could help reduce such suffering.
However... ZAFT's situation had gradually deviated from what he had hoped to see.
If ORB, if this Strike Suit pilot could rekindle the hope he once held in the past, then fighting for them... wouldn't be entirely unacceptable.
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