ZAFT, short for Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty, was a military organization.
In C.E. 68, the "Mandelbrot Incident" provided the pretext for its establishment. The current Minister of Defense, Patrick Zala, founded it in the name of self-defense.
However, just two years later, in C.E. 70, ZAFT transformed into a military organization that could rival the Earth Alliance Army, thanks to Mobile Suits.
Although ZAFT was effectively PLANT's defense force, it had never established a system of military ranks. Officially, it was not a regular army but a militia—and could also be considered the private army of Patrick Zala, Chairman of the Defense Committee.
ZAFT's elite military academy, like ZAFT headquarters, was located in December City, on a December colony satellite.
Because it contained a Mobile Suit training base, ZAFT Military Academy covered a very large area.
The mornings on PLANT's colony satellites were cool, and the artificial breeze carried a pleasant freshness.
At a school filled with handsome men and beautiful women as far as the eye could see, Lacus Clyne's ethereal singing echoed through the air.
A songstress, and also the only daughter of Siegel Clyne, chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council.
Lacus Clyne had enjoyed immense popularity and prestige among the public from a very young age.
"Miss Lacus seems to be releasing a new song soon. I can't wait."
On the way to class, Sachi made no effort to hide his love for Lacus Clyne.
Of course, Lacus Clyne truly deserved such affection.
In this war-torn world, her songs had become a pillar of support for many soldiers on the front lines.
"That really is one of the few good things."
Ino nodded quietly as he listened. It was human nature to love beautiful things.
Although he had never met Lacus Clyne in person, he had seen her face in all kinds of promotional material and videos.
She really was stunning.
"I wonder what Miss Lacus's next song will be... Wait, why are those guys here again?!"
The eager anticipation in Sachi's voice visibly curdled into disgust.
Especially with the expression on his face, he looked as if he'd eaten a fly.
"Those guys?"
Ino looked confused, unsure what had gotten into him this time.
"Those ones over there."
As he spoke, Sachi discreetly pointed toward a few people nearby with hair in various colors.
White, blue, green, yellow—
That was right. They were the four known as the Colony F4: Yzak, Athrun, Nicol, and Dearka.
The four had inherited their parents' exceptional abilities.
They also held positions far beyond the reach of ordinary Coordinators.
All four came from families with parents who served on PLANT's highest governing body, the PLANT Supreme Council.
Athrun Zala was even the only son of the current Minister of Defense, Patrick Zala.
Saying he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth would be an understatement.
"These guys are kind of handsome, I guess."
It was Ino's first time seeing them in person.
There was no denying that Coordinators had gifts in every area that ordinary Naturals couldn't match.
Looks, for instance.
"Huh?"
Sachi stared at Ino in disbelief. Was there seriously something wrong with this guy's head?
What was the point of being handsome on PLANT?
Weren't all the Coordinators on PLANT handsome or beautiful?
Unless their parents had some unusual preferences, which Coordinator was ugly?
"Nothing."
Ino realized that his own thinking had gone a little awry.
After all, when it came to good looks, he was above average even among Coordinators.
Perhaps they had noticed Ino looking at them. Athrun and the others nodded to him from a distance.
Ino nodded back.
His memories told him that he had interacted with them several times on assignments. And since his grades were among the best, they were at least vaguely acquainted.
"They're such shallow people. I don't know what's so great about those four."
Sachi watched as a crowd gathered around the F4, and the bitterness in his expression deepened.
"What did they do to you? You sound a little off."
Ino didn't quite understand Sachi's train of thought.
Because of his father, Athrun Zala held a very high status, but in Ino's memories, he was a very modest person. People even called him the melancholic young noble.
Setting Athrun Zala aside—
Even Yzak Joule, that jerk who seemed to find fault with everyone, was only irritating because of his sharp tongue. He wasn't the sort to bully people for no reason.
In fact, Yzak often stood up for other Coordinators who were in a weaker position.
The fair-skinned Nicol Amalfi was gentle and timid all day long, and wouldn't bully anyone.
As for the wheat-skinned Dearka Elsman, he was just a smooth talker.
All in all, the four of them weren't that difficult to get along with.
"Because I'm jealous."
"..."
Sachi's bluntness left Ino with no reply.
"Athrun Zala, Minister Zala's son. He's talented and handsome, and on top of that, he's Miss Lacus's fiancé!"
Sachi spoke bitterly. "Tch. How come he gets to have all the good things?"
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