Captain Creuset and Zala the Red-Robed

After ending his communication with Defense Committee Member and ZAFT Chairman Patrick Zala, Creuset let out a series of inexplicable, manic laughs to himself before putting his mask back on. He pressed the call button on his desk and issued instructions in a voice that had regained its composure.

"Have Athrun Zala of the Red Uniforms come to see me."

With the assistance of the Vesalius crew, Athrun Zala's voice was heard at the door shortly thereafter.

"Reporting, Athrun Zala, arriving as ordered!"

"Come in."

"Yes."

The electric door slid open, and Athrun Zala, clad in his red uniform, walked into the room with a firm stride and saluted Captain Creuset.

Creuset returned the salute from his seat, his tone shifting to a more relaxed register.

"Sit down, Athrun."

Before Athrun could even take his seat at the desk, Creuset steered the conversation toward a lighter topic.

"No need to be so tense. I was just speaking with your father, Chairman Zala, and I've asked you here because I need your help with something."

"Oh? May I ask what it is?"

Hearing Creuset mention his father made Athrun even more nervous; he had barely sat down before he hurriedly asked for clarification.

"Regarding the 'Heliopolis Collapse' incident, we will need to attend a hearing at the Supreme Council upon our return to Plant, where we will also discuss issues concerning the Earth Alliance and the mobile suits of 'Celestial Being.'

Since you have engaged both parties in combat, I would like you to attend the hearing with me, if possible."

Athrun felt no resistance to Captain Creuset's 'reasonable' request. To him, the Supreme Council was hardly a den of vipers; in some sense, it felt like returning home.

"If you feel it is necessary, Captain Creuset, I have no objections..."

"That is truly excellent.

By the way, what is your take on the leader of 'Celestial Being' who calls himself a 'Newtype,' as well as the pilot of the Strike? The fluidity with which both sides operate their mobile suits makes them seem more like Coordinators."

Faced with Creuset's 'probing,' the honest Athrun hesitated for a moment before choosing to be frank.

"Kira Yamato—the pilot of the Strike Gundam—is indeed a Coordinator. He was an old friend of mine back when we were in kindergarten on Copernicus. He's a soft-hearted, decent guy, so I have no idea how he ended up as the pilot of the Strike.

As for the pilot of the 'Purple Beetle,' honestly, I don't think he was lying.

Furthermore, there was a strange sense of pressure when I fought him. Under that pressure, there was even a moment where I felt like the one piloting the Aegis Gundam was another version of myself."

Hearing information he hadn't anticipated, Creuset understood the reason for Athrun's earlier strange behavior. However, before commenting on that, he intended to address the practical matter at hand—the joint attendance at the Supreme Council hearing.

"So you felt it too? It seems it wasn't just my own illusion.

However, at the Supreme Council, unless the councilors ask, could I ask you not to bring up that aspect of the topic?

This is also the wish of Chairman Zala. Judging by the results of our actual engagements, we in ZAFT have fallen behind in mobile suit technology. The situation where the pilots are Naturals, or where the Earth Alliance has developed a mobile suit operating system usable by Naturals, is more favorable for urging the development of our own new mobile suits."

Since Captain Creuset only asked him not to bring it up unless prompted, and even invoked his father's name, Athrun—who was himself a soft-hearted and honest person—gave a firm reply after a brief hesitation.

"I understand, Captain Creuset."

"Thank you very much. You've been a great help."

Having settled the issue of the Supreme Council hearing, and before stoking the flames—or, to put it more positively, before ensuring his subordinates could perform at their peak without being affected by factors outside the battlefield—Creuset threw out a topic that the 'masses love to hear' to soften the atmosphere.

"Speaking of which, I hear you and Lady Lacus are betrothed.

But you've been training in ZAFT since last year, Athrun. Now that you're heading back, you'll finally have a chance to go on a date with her, right?"

Although it was strange for Captain Creuset to suddenly bring up this topic, and 'Celestial Being' had indeed spoken ill of the Captain, Athrun did not resist or avoid the subject, as Creuset had long taken good care of him and, in some ways, felt even closer than his own father.

"Yes, that is correct. We do have such an agreement, and I was just planning to visit the Klein residence during my leave."

"You must prepare well for that. In your eyes, what kind of person is Lady Lacus?"

Faced with Creuset's 'enthusiasm,' Athrun appeared somewhat shy.

"Lacus is innocent, kind, and a little bit of an airhead. Ah, of course, she is also very beautiful."

"Ho, I see. That is exactly why we in ZAFT must fight with all our might to protect them.

Therefore, we must never let the Earth Alliance obtain the G-Series mobile suits; otherwise, this war will become even harder to end."

Having smoothly completed the transition of topics, Creuset began to explain the future schedule to Athrun.

"Chairman Zala shares this view. Therefore, although I apologize to you all, you and those captured machines are essential to counter the 'Long Legs' or 'Celestial Being.'

Once we return to our home country and complete repairs and replenishment of our combat strength, the Creuset Team will move to intercept as soon as we obtain the latest intelligence on the 'Long Legs' or 'Celestial Being.' We must never let the Earth Alliance possess their own mobile suits.

However, since the pilot of the Strike Gundam is your old friend, perhaps you shouldn't participate in the subsequent operations, Athrun. Leaving one Gundam here in our country as a research sample would also be a good choice."

Creuset's rhetoric was clichéd, but it was clearly very effective on Athrun.

"No, Captain Creuset, I will participate in the operation.

Both the 'Long Legs' and 'Celestial Being' are formidable enemies. How could I let everyone in the Creuset Team bear the risk because of my own personal reasons?"

Faced with an Athrun who had 'taken the bait,' Creuset's tone was very sincere.

"But while it might be fine against 'Celestial Being,' what will you do about your old friend on the 'Long Legs,' Athrun?"

"That guy must have been deceived by the Naturals. If we meet on the battlefield again, I will definitely find a way to persuade him."

Creuset naturally did not point out the holes in Athrun's logic, but 'innocently' continued to pose hypotheticals.

"But what if he still refuses? And in fact, Miguel has already sacrificed his life because of him."

"In that case, I will take him down with my own hands, and I will not hesitate again!"

Having achieved all his goals, Creuset did not deliberately say anything more. After exchanging a few more words regarding military affairs, he allowed Athrun to leave.