A Late-Night Talk at the Klein Residence

--Klein Residence, Siegel's study--

Although it was already late at night, Siegel Clyne was still hard at work, especially after Luther's "Celestial Being Formation Declaration" had dropped a wealth of inside information and landed like a political bombshell.

In fact, Plant's Supreme Council had held an emergency session after Luther's "Celestial Being Formation Declaration." After a heated argument, they had managed to reach a preliminary consensus on how to respond.

Siegel Clyne, as chairman of the Supreme Council, would continue to oversee the response to the public revelation of the Coordinators' fertility problem.

The chairman of the Defense Committee, Patrick Zala, who was also ZAFT's leader, would investigate Rau Le Creuset and the collapse of Heliopolis. Once the investigation was complete, its findings would be submitted to the Supreme Council for review.

Eileen Canaver would work with Siegel Clyne to pursue communication with Orb and make initial contact with Celestial Being, if possible.

Yuri Amalfi would work with Patrick Zala to assess Celestial Being's technology and military strength.

Simply put, the Clyne Faction would continue to lead on domestic affairs and moderate diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the Zala Faction would continue to lead on military matters and hardline diplomacy.

As things stood, Luther's "Celestial Being Formation Declaration" and the appearance of Celestial Being had made the growing divide between the two factions in Plant's already fractured Supreme Council even more apparent, just as in the original timeline.

But compared with the original timeline, Luther and Celestial Being had drawn far more attention than the "Earth Alliance High-Performance Mobile Suit." And with Rau Le Creuset, one of the Zala Faction's prominent figures, mired in scandal, the Zala Faction had failed to gain the upper hand in the Supreme Council before the facts about Celestial Being became clear.

Siegel Clyne pondered how to explain the Coordinators' fertility problem to the public without causing alarm, his thoughts beginning to wander.

In truth, the fertility problem was hardly a secret in Plant.

After all, marriage regulations had already been enacted and put into effect. His daughter, Lacus, and Patrick Zala's son, Athrun, had been publicly engaged at the time as an example to others.

But given how stark the ideological differences had become, even if Lacus and Athrun went through with their engagement, it would probably do little to bridge the political divide between Patrick and him...

He shook his head, putting thoughts of romance aside for the moment, and returned to blaming his old friend Patrick for the Coordinators' fertility problem.

Even if Plant eventually defeated the Earth Alliance on the battlefield, the hatred between Coordinators and Naturals would still remain. In the long run, Coordinators were a fledgling people who couldn't survive without Naturals as a gene pool. They had to make peace as soon as possible, so that the next generation would have a chance to put an end to the hatred and marry across the divide!

From that perspective, Celestial Being's political ideals did have merit. He wondered how they could make initial contact without a hitch. The Creuset Team's actions had created a huge obstacle to communication between the two sides, and it seemed those children had also fought Luther Deikun, their leader...

Just as Siegel's thoughts began to drift, a knock came from the study door.

"Father, are you busy?"

"Oh, Lacus. Come on in."

Hearing his daughter and political successor, Lacus Clyne, Siegel had no reason to hide anything from her.

His daughter came in behind the pink Haro, which rolled into the room, carrying a pot of steaming tea and some small pastries.

"That's thoughtful of you, Lacus."

"It's nothing. It's not as if I can help with anything else."

They were father and daughter, as well as political allies, so Siegel saw no need to rebuff her modesty.

After drinking some tea and eating a few pastries, Siegel noticed that Lacus didn't seem ready to leave, so he began talking with her. Naturally, their first topic was a father's concern for his daughter.

"According to Creuset's preliminary report, Athrun performed very well in this incident and wasn't injured.

"The Creuset Team will return for questioning before the end of the month. Before you head to Junius Seven, now in the Debris Belt, as the representative of the memorial delegation to conduct preliminary investigations and preparations, you should have some time together.

"Things have gone this far. If you really aren't suited to each other, you can call off the engagement. Don't force yourself."

What had started as a personal conversation about their children's relationship had once again drifted into politics. Siegel felt a twinge of regret, but Lacus replied.

"It's all right, Father. Athrun is a good person. In every way, he seems like the best choice for me.

"Besides, with your differences with Uncle Patrick growing more serious, it's all the more important that my engagement to Athrun serve as a safety net. I'll make sure to get along with him."

"I see. That's good, then."

Faced with his daughter's understanding and clearheaded analysis, Siegel had no answer. After giving Lacus a perfunctory reply, he fell silent for a moment, then brought up a new topic.

"What do you think of that Celestial Being and Luther Deikun?"

"Setting aside the fact that we don't know his full story, he seems like a suitable partner for cooperation.

"His position and views, though different in some details, are fundamentally in line with our own, Father."

At Lacus's overly serious response, Siegel joked with his daughter.

"That's true. It's a shame he has so many people around him. Otherwise, he might be a better match for you than Athrun."

"Father!"

At Siegel's teasing, Lacus finally showed her girlish side. Siegel burst out laughing, then begged her to forgive him.

"Sorry, sorry.

"But since you think so too, try reaching out to him if you get the chance. He might really be a way out of our current predicament."

As they spoke of the Clyne Faction being caught between two opposing forces, Siegel's voice naturally sank again.

"Any new developments with Mentor?"

Lacus asked for confirmation, but Siegel could only shake his head. Seeing his daughter fall silent, he had no choice but to force himself to rally.

"Whatever happens, we have to find a way to light the path ahead, for the sake of a future where Coordinators can live in peace and happiness.

"It's late, Lacus. You should get some sleep, or it'll be bad for your skin."

"You too, Father. Get some rest soon, and take care of yourself."

Faced with Siegel's forced joke, Lacus had nothing more to say. Their conversation over, she gathered the empty teacups and pastries, picked up the tray, and left her father's study with Haro.