A Nation Exists Because Its People Exist

"What are your plans from here on out?"

In the reception room, Mina and Lacus sat before the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, each holding a cup of tea as they quietly enjoyed this rare moment of peace.

Recently, ZAFT had seemed to have forgotten Gibril even existed, showing no signs of movement whatsoever.

But both of them knew it was merely an illusion—the calm before the storm.

In places ordinary people could not see, Gibril had been making plenty of moves.

The most obvious was the new MS that had descended to Earth from the PLANT Integrated Design Bureau.

Perhaps out of consideration for Noer, Durandal had also deployed two of ZAFT's latest MS—the Destiny Gundams.

At the same time, ZAFT and the Earth Alliance had completely sealed off all space routes.

Now, whether returning to Earth from space or entering space from Earth, one had to undergo rigorous inspections by both factions.

"First, we wait until Noer has fully recovered."

As Lacus answered, her eyes remained fixed on the distant stars.

Beneath this vast starry sky, humanity's existence was so insignificant it could practically be ignored.

Clearly, such a boundless world lay waiting for humanity, yet countless people had died and been wounded because of this meaningless war.

"That man will have to risk his life again."

Mina Sahak understood what Lacus meant.

Because Noer had destroyed the Legend Gundam and the Destiny Gundam, ZAFT was now carrying out emergency repairs on the two MS.

That had bought them some time as well.

This war between Orb and ZAFT had long since become unavoidable.

Even without Gibril, Durandal would not have spared Orb, much less now that he had Gibril as an excuse.

That was also why Mina Sahak had not abducted Gibril.

It was not that she could not