Creuset and Zala's Exchange

February 1, CE 71, approximately 10:00 standard time.

After bidding farewell to Yzak, Dearka, Nicol, and the others who had taken leave to return home, Athrun followed Creuset onto a shuttle bound for April First City, preparing to attend the relevant hearings of the Plant Supreme Council.

However, as Athrun stepped onto the shuttle behind Captain Creuset, he discovered that the cabin was empty, save for a single passenger: his father, Patrick Zala.

At this moment, Captain Creuset was saluting his father, and Athrun hurriedly followed suit, subsequently hearing the following exchange.

"It is an honor to travel with you, Commissioner of Defense Zala."

"No need for such formalities. After all, I am not officially on this shuttle. You understand what I mean, don't you, Athrun?"

So, this is an off-the-record meeting that theoretically doesn't exist, Athrun thought.

He nodded slightly, offering a calm response and greeting.

"I understand, Father. It has been a long time."

Amidst Patrick's silent acknowledgment, Creuset took a seat beside him across the aisle, while Athrun, after a moment of hesitation, chose to sit behind Creuset.

As the shuttle launched and a brief silence settled, Patrick opened the conversation with a tone of slight disgust.

"You should be aware of the latest situation: Celestial Being has actually breached the Artemis Fortress."

"Yes, I am aware. However, while the Artemis Fortress is sturdy, it is not impregnable. It simply hangs isolated at L3, and we have no reason to expend the effort to take it. Of course, for Celestial Being, it was certainly a good target to demonstrate their military might."

Patrick nodded slightly at Creuset's analysis, emitting a dissatisfied grunt before proceeding to "enlighten" him.

"The fall of Artemis is irrelevant to the overall war situation; in fact, it could even be considered good news for us. The crux of the problem is that Celestial Being deployed mass-produced mobile suits, which will undoubtedly invite questioning from certain members of the Supreme Council. Honestly, the Earth Alliance developing mobile suits in secret is merely a sign they intend to fight to the end, which serves as a fitting spur for our own slight complacency. But these suddenly appearing Celestial Being mobile suits are troublesome, especially since they appear to have some connection to our own designs."

Once Patrick put it that way, Creuset seemed to finally grasp the point of his concern and responded accordingly.

"If I may speak freely, the mysterious appearance of Celestial Being is not mysterious only to us; I imagine the other side feels the same. Since that is the case, neither side can produce any evidence for any argument, and at most, we can only speculate. Yet, the objective military threat posed by the appearance of Celestial Being is undoubtedly certain, especially after they conquered the Artemis Fortress, which was protected by the 'Umbrella of Artemis'."

Creuset's words seemed to open up a new line of thought for Patrick, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Indeed. In order to respond to the growing threats posed by Celestial Being, we must bring more of our own power to bear."

Although Patrick tried to appear calm after resolving a major dilemma, he could not hide his excitement, a feeling even Athrun could sense. During the remainder of the journey, Patrick and Creuset discussed several more military and political issues, including the reorganization of the Creuset Team and the latest movements of Celestial Being and the 'Long-Legged' ship.

For Athrun, who was essentially just an observer, it was clear that he would soon be attempting to engage Celestial Being and the 'Long-Legged' again as a member of the Creuset Team. On the other hand, Captain Creuset kept intentionally or unintentionally praising him and ensuring he remained in his father's good graces, forcing Athrun to focus his attention on keeping up with the Captain's conversation.

Under these circumstances, it was entirely understandable that Athrun let out a long, relieved sigh after parting ways with his father in the zero-gravity zone of the April First City port.

As a soft chuckle sounded beside him, Athrun turned to see the smile hidden beneath Captain Creuset's mask.

"My apologies, that was rude of me."

"Do not concern yourself with it, Athrun. Although we are still technically on duty, since I have occupied your leave for my own affairs, it is fine for you to relax a little."

Although Captain Creuset said this, Athrun naturally did not take the polite words too seriously. Creuset said nothing more, stepping forward first toward the elevator leading to the 'surface'.

Perhaps due to the time of day, only Athrun and Creuset were in the elevator.

When Creuset sat down and took out his portable terminal to pass the time, gesturing for Athrun to take a seat as well, Athrun followed suit, offering a nod of acknowledgment before sitting beside him.

At that moment, the news playing on the elevator's cable television caught both of their eyes.

"Next report. As the anniversary of the Junius Seven incident approaches, Chairman Clyne of the Supreme Council has issued a statement."

Following the news anchor's introduction, a familiar figure appeared on the screen, and a warm voice filled the air.

"That unfortunate incident is something we can never forget and must always hold in our deepest memory..."

Watching Lacus Clyne standing beside Siegel Clyne on the screen, Creuset put down his portable terminal and made small talk with Athrun.

"Come to think of it, I recall you mentioning last time that you intended to visit the Clyne residence upon your return. Has the date been set?"

"Ah, yes. I've tentatively scheduled it for tomorrow afternoon; I only hope it won't interfere with Lacus's work."

Athrun did not attempt to conceal anything in response to Creuset's inquiry, and Creuset continued the conversation, following Athrun's lead.

"That's right, Lady Lacus is the one in charge of this anniversary memorial ceremony. With the time drawing near, I imagine she has quite a few things to handle."

"Yes, that's correct.

She mentioned in her message that although her schedule was temporarily delayed due to the sudden appearance of Celestial Being, there isn't much time left before the official memorial event, so she has decided to depart the day after tomorrow for an advance inspection of the ruins of Junius Seven."

Faced with Captain Creuset's friendly demeanor, Athrun did not hide the details of Lacus's work, which was considered public knowledge.

To this, Captain Creuset expressed his concern.

"While it may be a necessity born of a tight schedule, this is still not a great time for such a trip.

After all, since the Battle of Artemis, the whereabouts of both the 'Long Legs' and Celestial Being remain unknown. I truly hope Lady Lacus's journey goes smoothly."

At Creuset's words, Athrun felt a flicker of worry in his heart, but he replied with the following.

"The Silver Wind is merely an unarmed civilian vessel. Even if they were to encounter the 'Long Legs' or Celestial Being, it shouldn't be a problem."

"If only that were the case."

During their conversation, the elevator passed through the steel structures and rock layers, emerging into the 'sky' above April First City.

Creuset simply put away his portable terminal, and he and Athrun turned their gazes toward the 'ground' beneath their feet in silence.

Before long, the elevator reached the surface. It was not yet 11:00, and the deliberation at the Supreme Council that Creuset and Athrun were required to attend was scheduled for around 15:00.

Thus, after driving to the temporary residence provided by the Supreme Council, Creuset instructed Athrun to meet in the lobby at 14:00 before they temporarily parted ways.

However, as Creuset followed an attendant to his room to rest alone, the attendant unexpectedly took the initiative to speak to him.

"You are the Rau Le Creuset that Celestial Being spoke of, aren't you? Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?"

"Hmm?"

Creuset let out a curious sound, and upon reaching his room, he left the door open, allowing the attendant to follow him inside.

More than ten minutes later, the attendant opened the door alone and departed from Creuset's room;

And just before the door clicked shut again, the sound of Creuset's chilling, heartfelt laughter could be heard from within the room.