Logos's Response

January 26, CE 71, late night, Eastern Standard Time.

Murrue Azrael, the current leader of Logos and the mastermind behind Blue Cosmos, was holding a video conference with key members of Logos to discuss countermeasures and unify their stance against the trouble brought about by the "Celestial Being Declaration."

"So I say, in this current situation, we have no room to retreat. Not only is the front line still on the ground, but last year's earnings also proved that this war still has potential to be tapped. If we let go now, not only will we suffer immediate losses, but the projected earnings for this year will also be drastically reduced. Can you all accept that?"

Faced with Murrue Azrael's piercing question, the Logos members who had been dissenting just moments ago fell silent. After a short while, a rather aged voice raised a very realistic concern.

"Remaining behind the scenes has always been our core philosophy, which is why we have been able to pass it down to this day and maintain control over the situation. But after the 'Celestial Being Declaration,' some people have already identified the information of certain members through the internet and other means. Although no actual problems have occurred yet, if 'Celestial Being' pulls something else, it is hard to say what those mobs might do. We have to guard against this as well."

Murrue Azrael scoffed at this group of old men who grew more timid as they aged; however, since he still needed their power, he had to provide a response.

"That's simple enough. It's just a matter of changing a name. If Logos has been discovered, then from today on, we are the Titans. As for the public-facing Logos and Blue Cosmos, I will take full responsibility for them myself. But in exchange, I want you to leave your subordinates to me and cooperate with my work. How about that?"

The communication channel was filled with discussion, but a consensus was quickly reached. After all, Murrue Azrael was already the current leader of Logos and the head of Blue Cosmos; this was merely ceding a bit more interest to ensure their own safety. Since Murrue Azrael was willing to take the responsibility and remain at the forefront as a "target," this level of interest exchange was perfectly acceptable.

After confirming this most critical issue, a middle-aged man's voice came through the communication channel. "Then, how should we deal with the 'G' that Halberton has created, Director Azrael?"

Regarding this question, Murrue Azrael seemed to have a plan already in mind.

"I didn't expect that Halberton would be more than just talk. Since the performance has been confirmed and even samples have been produced, we will naturally accept them with a smile. If it's that Halberton, as long as we promise to mass-produce them immediately and equip the front-line troops as soon as possible, he will happily hand them over. Have the 8th Fleet send an advance team to receive them, and we will mobilize as well; have the fleet at the Lunar Base provide support. Also, since 'Celestial Being' said the Archangel went to Artemis, we must also exert pressure on the Eurasian Federation to keep them from pulling any more tricks. Once mass production begins, we will first drive ZAFT out of Earth, and then we can slowly deal with those ominous Hourglass."

"This way, new profit growth points and the benefits of subsequent troop re-equipping will all come, won't they? Oh, and don't forget about Orb. Send someone to contact the Sahaku family and have them hand over the stolen technology; that way, subsequent research and development costs should be manageable. If we also hint that we support the Sahaku family in their own research to counter the Athha family, they will likely be happy to share future new technologies as well."

The members of Logos—or the Titans, as they were now called—felt deep admiration and great satisfaction with Murrue Azrael's skillful double-dealing, and some even began to crack jokes at his expense.

"As expected of the Director, haha. Looking at it this way, what Luther Deikun said about you being a 'Coordinator hidden as a Natural' might actually have some truth to it."

Faced with his "allies," Murrue Azrael, who had an obsession with Coordinators, found it hard to lash out, so he just gritted his teeth and choked out a single sentence.

"You are joking."

Seeing that his casual remark had clearly touched a sore spot for Murrue Azrael, the person who made the joke immediately apologized. Taking advantage of the situation, since the general plan had been decided, the video conference ended amidst a chorus of noisy farewells.

Left alone in his room, Murrue Azrael turned on the lights, took his frustration out on the room's decorations, and then pressed the call button on his desk.

As the button was pressed, the door opened rapidly. Two rows of maids, who had heard the sound of breaking porcelain from outside, entered with their heads bowed and began to clean the room in silence. Three or five subordinates in suits followed, waiting with bowed heads for Murrue Azrael's instructions.

"How is the media control going?" Murrue Azrael picked up the black tea offered by a maid and asked his first question nonchalantly.

"On the Atlantic Federation side, it is basically under control. The Eurasian Federation and the Republic of East Asia are also cooperating with the control under the pressure we exerted through the Atlantic Federation. Other neutral countries have basically indicated cooperation or are simply powerless. Only the United Emirates of Orb, the Oceania Union, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia have explicitly expressed their refusal."

Upon hearing the man's report, Murrue Azrael smashed the cup of hot tea directly onto the man's head. The man, with blood and tea streaming down his face, did not dare to move an inch.

"What kind of job do you call this? Huh? At this level, even a border collie could do better than you! Get out and get to work! If you can't control the public opinion today, prepare to go to the front line as an anti-mobile suit special forces soldier!"

After the maid served a fresh cup of black tea, Murrue Azrael turned to his second subordinate.

"Has there been any progress in the contact with Rau Le Creuset?"

"Our mole in Plant has confirmed that the Creuset Team is returning to Plant and will be subject to an inquiry by the Supreme Council. We have also gathered intelligence on Rau Le Creuset, which is largely consistent with what Celestial Being claimed. We will initiate contact the moment he returns to Plant."

Murrue Azrael seemed satisfied with this response; after taking a sip of his tea, he issued his instructions.

"Hurry it up, and don't let those monsters discover you! Damn Celestial Being, where on earth did they get this information from!"

Faced with Murrue Azrael's 'question,' his subordinates remained silent, though fortunately, he was not actually asking them.

Setting down his teacup, Murrue Azrael walked toward the door, his subordinates immediately trailing behind him.

"What is the situation with the military?"

"The General Staff has already sent a request for investigation to the 8th Fleet, and Colonel Sutherland has begun organizing troops on the moon."

Murrue Azrael was equally satisfied with this report. Although Celestial Being was an unexpected variable, as long as he could maintain control over the Atlantic Federation's armed forces and, by extension, the entire Earth Alliance, it was simply one more reason to profit, alongside those 'Hourglass' people.

With this thought in mind, Murrue Azrael was finally able to drift off to sleep, where a perfect world awaited him—a world under his absolute control, free from the presence of those monsters.