Athrun's Call, Part 2

Orb's outright denial challenged both Athrun's patience and ZAFT's intelligence network.

In that brief silence, his mind raced to weigh the true intent behind Uzmi's words.

"While I can't entirely rule out the possibility that Lacus Clyne used some secret means to enter Orb without our knowledge, given who she is and what she's capable of, it wouldn't be impossible."

Uzmi spoke with the unassailable tone of an official statement. He even followed ZAFT's line of suspicion, offering an ambiguous explanation for Lacus's "disappearance." Yet every word laid the groundwork for his own position.

"But based on what we currently know, the most likely explanation is that she boarded one of the publicly announced evacuation vessels Orb arranged to escape the Earth Alliance's fierce assault. She would have left our shores safely alongside ordinary civilians, outside the Orb Army's supervision. The Orb Union therefore cannot return someone who is not in our territory and whose exact whereabouts we cannot even confirm."

Uzmi's tone grew firmer, his gaze sharper. He met Athrun's eyes without flinching.

His final words carried an almost mocking challenge. He seized control of the debate and threw the question back at ZAFT. "And as for the Freedom Gundam, you ZAFT Forces are only now demanding that Orb return an 'item' that was supposedly stolen from you—one entrusted to someone else by an important figure within your own ranks. You're even treating it as if it's still yours. Aren't you expecting a bit too much? Do you think Orb is one of ZAFT's military bases?"

Uzmi's claims about whether Lacus Clyne had entered Orb were complete nonsense. They were simply a remarkably clever bit of sophistry.

As Orb's leader, he knew perfectly well that Lacus was hiding aboard the Archangel, and that they had been in frequent contact.