Matt's sharp, forceful words left Cagalli speechless. Her hands clenched into fists on the table, and her gaze shifted to Eileen.
Eileen noticed Cagalli looking at her as she read the document. Her expression did not change as she spoke.
"Orb and PLANT aren't allies. To be precise, Orb's former leader rejected our request for an alliance."
The brief, blunt truth deepened the despair in Cagalli's heart.
After a moment of silence, Cagalli turned to Matt and was about to speak, but he cut her off.
"Let me make one thing clear. The Earth Alliance has not been defeated. And even if we had been, you weren't the ones who defeated us.
"Neither you nor anyone else has the right to make demands of the Earth Alliance."
Matt's lips curved slightly, and a hint of mockery entered his voice.
"Of course, if you want to fight the Earth Alliance, we'll take you on to the bitter end!"
When he finished, Matt saw Lacus about to speak and addressed her first.
"Miss Clyne, I admire everything you've done for peace. But admiration is one thing. I won't let it lead me to harm the interests of the Earth Alliance or the Atlantic Federation."
Lacus swallowed the words she had been about to say.
After a long silence, she spoke calmly.
"Mr. Matt, perhaps we should respect the wishes of Orb's people. They are Orb's true owners, after all. Their wishes deserve respect."
Her gentle words placed her on the moral high ground in an instant. Matt looked at her, smiled, and replied.
"You're right, Miss Clyne. But reality leaves little room for idealism. As the leader of the Atlantic Federation, my first duty is to put the interests of the Earth Alliance and the Atlantic Federation first, along with the wishes