Faced with Mu's persuasive argument, which seemed to make sense from both a public and a personal perspective, Kira's friends began to waver. Still, Kuzzey voiced the concern they all shared.
"Even so, risking our lives over this really isn't worth it, is it?"
When he saw Kira's friends nod in agreement, Mu seemed almost relieved.
"Then let's make a deal. If the 'Celestial Being' catches up with us again, we'll surrender outright, depending on the circumstances.
"But if things go smoothly, you'll help us reach our destination. Once we've made it, you'll be well rewarded. How does that sound?"
Mu had gone this far, and Captain Murrue nodded in agreement. Vice-Captain Badgiruel also gave her tacit approval with a stern expression. Naturally, Kira's friends turned their attention to the person whose decision mattered most: Kira.
Kira thought it over carefully, again and again, but couldn't come up with a better plan.
After a moment's reflection, he gave his answer.
"I understand. If everyone's willing to help, I'll do my part, too.
"But aside from the 'Celestial Being,' Captain Murrue also saw this at the time: the pilot of the Aegis Gundam, Athrun Zala, is a close friend from my childhood. I can't promise I'll be able to fight him."
Badgiruel was about to object, but Murrue kicked her. Mu, meanwhile, had focused on another point.
"You said Zala? As in Patrick Zala?"
Kira nodded, confirming Mu's guess.
"Yeah. Athrun is Uncle Patrick's son. He used to hate war, too, but I don't know why he's with ZAFT now."
Hearing Kira's answer, Badgiruel, who had been about to say something, muttered under her breath.
"Could it be because of Junius Seven...?"
Murrue kicked her again, while Mu smoothly steered the conversation toward a more interesting topic, drowning out Badgiruel's slip.
"But this really is something, now that you mention it.
"Kira, you're the 'Prince of Orb,' and according to that female pilot, your sister Cagalli should be aboard the 'Celestial Being's' flagship right now.
"Your friend is the son of ZAFT's big boss, and this Athrun guy is with the Creuset Team.
"And if the 'Celestial Being' is right, Creuset is a clone of my old man. No wonder I always sense something whenever I run into him.
"Seriously, I wonder what kind of god came up with this whole drama. What a tangled web of fate."
Considering that any discussion of Junius Seven could easily turn into a debate about the righteousness of the war—and that the deal he'd just persuaded Kira and his friends to accept might fall through as a result—Mu had wisely changed the subject.
To get everyone's attention, though, he'd had to throw in his own family gossip. Sure enough, everyone's interest had shifted to the new topic.
With Murrue and Badgiruel also looking intrigued, Miriallia asked curiously,
"Major La Flaga, if Creuset is your father's clone, does that mean you'd never seen him before?"
Mu's face twisted into an expression that was hard to describe, a smile only by the loosest definition.
"Dad probably turned to cloning because he and I didn't get along, right?
"And we didn't get along because I had neither the desire nor the ability to take over his business. In turn, that was probably why he wanted to create a clone.
"Anyway, looking back, I guess I did meet Creuset when I was little. I just thought he was a relative's kid.
"Then, as soon as I came of age, I joined the military. I never went back home, and the last news I got was that the place had caught fire and Dad and the others hadn't made it out.
"Going by what that Mr. Luther said, I guess Creuset started the fire?"
"That's awful!"
At first, Miriallia had listened to Mu's answer with keen interest.
But when he finished in a tone that spoke of painful memories, she couldn't help exclaiming in outrage.
As everyone else present agreed and looked at Mu with sympathy, he reacted in a way that was somewhat unexpected.
"Hey, don't look at me like you feel sorry for me.
"That was over ten years ago. It's all in the past now.
"And you don't think my old man was a good person, do you?
"I'd say my old man was at least seventy percent responsible for Creuset turning into the great villain the 'Celestial Being' singled out.
"From that perspective, the 'Celestial Being' isn't wrong.
"It's understandable to resent the world because of your own misfortunes, but taking revenge on everyone indiscriminately is unacceptable."
After satisfying everyone's curiosity, Mu shrugged casually.
But Badgiruel, who had also listened closely, couldn't help raising the question on her mind.
"But Major La Flaga, while Creuset is certainly one of ZAFT's aces and a formidable enemy of ours, he hasn't exactly committed any notorious crimes.
"Why do you agree with the 'Celestial Being' and think Creuset really intends to drag all of humanity down with him?"
"Natarle!"
Murrue voiced her disapproval of Badgiruel's remark.
Still, everyone seemed to share Badgiruel's question. Aside from Kira, they all turned their attention to Mu again.
Under everyone's gaze, Mu seemed troubled about how to answer. He rubbed his empty left hand hard against his temple before giving a rather "subtle" reply.
"Hmm, how should I put it? It's just intuition, I guess.
"In the 'Celestial Being's' terms, it's the ability of a 'Newtype.'
"You've felt it too, haven't you, young Yamato?"
Mu gave Kira a hearty slap on the shoulder. Kira nodded and honestly described what he'd felt.
"When I fought Creuset at Heliopolis, I could definitely feel intense malice coming from him.
"It was completely different from the Ginn pilot's killing intent or the fighting spirit Haman showed."
As Mu and Kira agreed, Badgiruel stared in disbelief. Sai spoke for the others, voicing their shared reaction.
"So this is what they call a 'Newtype'?
"After Naturals and Coordinators, this world is getting more and more crowded."
Mu's response to Sai's remark struck a chord with everyone, too.
"Isn't that a good thing?
"If all we have are two mutually exclusive identities, Naturals and Coordinators, does that mean we really have to keep fighting until one side is wiped out?
"Compared to the 'Celestial Being's' claim that 'Coordinator is a vague concept,' I think this idea of 'Newtypes' might do more to help end this seemingly endless war."
Before you continue