In late December of Cosmic Era 69, PLANT's capital, April City, was shrouded in a facade of false prosperity and tranquility. The Silver Wing Special Operations Team, having just concluded three months of intense escort duties, finally secured a brief one-week leave. As the Nazca-class high-speed ship Silver Wing slowly docked at the April City Spaceport, the pier was already packed with families eagerly waiting to welcome them home.
Mei Hock returned to his doorstep dressed in a crisp, white captain's uniform. "Big brother!" A fiery red figure lunged straight into Akira's arms like a cannonball. Lunamaria Hawke had now blossomed into a poised fourteen-year-old girl, but her enthusiasm and impulsiveness remained entirely unchanged. She tightly wrapped her arms around Akira's waist, tilted her head up, and blinked her slightly reddened eyes. "You're finally back! Why did you have to be away for so long this time?"
"Duty called." Akira gently patted her back, his tone gentle. His ACCORD abilities could clearly sense Luna's rapid heartbeat and the affection that was practically overflowing from her. Having not seen each other for nearly three months, her presence seemed to have matured just a bit more.
At that moment, Meirin Hahnenfuss also timidly stepped up beside him. The twelve-year-old girl, resembling a shy mimosa, gently tugged at Akira's sleeve, her large green eyes shimmering. "Welcome back, big brother... I-I missed you so much." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzzing, but the attachment behind it was unmistakably clear.
Shiho Hahnenfuss stood a short distance away, her short dark-blue hair meticulously neat, and she was already wearing the training uniform of a ZAFT military academy cadet. She appeared much more composed than Luna and Meirin, simply giving Akira a slight nod with the corners of her lips curving into an imperceptible arc. "Captain, thank you for your hard work." Yet, Akira could see the very same joy and concern in her eyes as the other two girls.
"Alright, alright, Luna, let go of your big brother. He just got back and needs to rest." Madame Erica Hawke stepped forward with a smile, rescuing Akira from the situation, though her eyes were also filled with boundless affection. Mr. Thomas Hawke stood behind his wife and gave Akira's shoulder a firm pat. "Good lad, you've gotten sturdier. Let's go, time for home-your mother prepared a lavish feast!"
The warmth of home instantly dispelled the cold and fatigue brought by space travel.
For Akira, the week of leave was both the final calm before the coming storm and a sweet burden.
The Hawke Family felt as though it had returned to the days right after Akira had first joined ZAFT years ago, only turned up to a much heavier degree. Luna Maria practically became Akira's shadow. Whether Akira was reading documents in the study or conducting recovery training in the backyard, she always found a reason to cling to his side. She no longer engaged in playful mischief, and her demeanor carried a few more hints of a young girl's unique, bold probing. She would "accidentally" brush against Akira's hand while passing him a cup of water, or lean exceptionally close under the pretext of discussing mobile suit models, her fiery red locks occasionally brushing across Akira's cheek and leaving behind a faint, elusive fragrance. She would also sneak into her big brother's room every night after her younger sisters fell fast asleep, smoothing away her big brother's irritation in her own way while securing her own forbidden, girl-only joy—much like a child stealing candy, leaving one utterly captivated and unable to resist.
Yet what caught Akira somewhat off guard was Meirin. Perhaps due to the long separation, or perhaps because of the subtle changes brought by the age of twelve, that once shy and timid girl seemed to have summoned her courage as well. Late at night on the second day of his leave, just as Akira had lain down, his bedroom door was gently pushed open. Meirin, clad in thin pajamas and clutching a pillow, stood barefoot at the doorway and whimpered softly, "Big brother... I-I had another nightmare... It was so scary..."
Akira looked at her slightly trembling shoulders and tear-streaked appearance, sighing inwardly. He knew full well that this might not just be a nightmare, but rather a manifestation of deep-seated reliance and anxiety. Ever since late Cosmic Era 68, when Meirin turned ten, Madame Erica had tactfully reminded her that it was no longer appropriate to crawl into her big brother's bed like she did when she was little. Tonight, however, she had clearly "forgotten" that rule.
"Come here." Akira ultimately lacked the heart to harden his resolve, and he shifted slightly to the side. Meirin immediately darted in like a small animal granted a pardon. Her cold little feet brushed against Akira's calf, causing her to shiver slightly before pressing even closer, burying her face against his chest as she whispered, "Big brother... smells like stars." With that, she closed her eyes in peace.
Akira could feel her rapid heartbeat, though her breathing gradually grew steady. His ACCORD ability told him that the girl wasn't entirely acting; that anxiety was genuine, even if she had slightly amplified and utilized it. He smiled helplessly, gently patting her back until she fell into a deep sleep. What he didn't know was that in the neighboring room, Luna was practically grinding her silver teeth to dust while pounding her pillow in frustration.
Shiho participated in Akira's holiday through her own unique methods. Instead of directly asking about Akira's missions as she used to when she was younger, she would bring her ZAFT military academy tactical simulation assignments to "consult" with him. Their time together in the study was quiet and efficient. Shiho possessed a sharp mind and could frequently raise piercing, hit-the-nail-on-the-head questions. When discussions sometimes stretched late into the night, she would naturally stay behind to enjoy the late-night snack prepared by Madame Erica with Akira. The gaze she directed toward Akira harbored a deeper emotion beneath its calm exterior-a mutual understanding and following found between kindred spirits.
Amidst this brief and tender holiday, Akira did not entirely let his guard down. He utilized one afternoon, under the guise of the Silver Wing special operations captain, to personally head to the Morgenroete ship maintenance department at the April City Spaceport, issuing an encrypted modification order.
"The target vessel is the private civilian spacecraft Peace Messenger belonging to the Chairman Clyne's daughter." Akira presented the special authorization signed by Chairman Siegel's office to the responsible engineer. "Modification requirements: while preserving its civilian vessel appearance and comfort, secretly install a mobile suit emergency retrieval and rapid catapult system. The interface must be compatible with my custom unit. This matter is of the highest classification."
The engineer examined the detailed technical parameters with a troubled expression, but upon catching sight of the Highest Council seal on the authorization document, he immediately snapped to attention and saluted respectfully. "Understood, Captain Hawke! We will pull our most reliable personnel and complete the core modifications within a week!"
On the final day of his leave, the atmosphere quietly grew heavy. During dinner, Akira announced the mission scheduled for the following day: escorting Lacus Clyne to Earth to hold the Cosmic Era 70 Valentine Peace Concert.
"Earth? The situation over there is so tense right now..." Madame Erica's face was painted with worry. Father Thomas also remained silent.
"Rest assured, Mother," Akira comforted. "We have a comprehensive security plan in place, and this is a public peace event. The Earth Alliance Forces side has also provided guarantees for safe passage."
Even so, a shadow hung over everyone's heart. The activity level of Blue Cosmos on Earth far surpassed that of PLANT.
Early the next morning, the April City Spaceport was under heavy security. Lacus Clyne's Peace Messenger was parked gracefully beside a dedicated berth, not far from a silver-gray spacecraft that had completed its preliminary modifications while retaining its unassuming exterior. Every member of Akira's Silver Wing Special Operations Team was present, clad in standard military uniforms with solemn expressions. Heine Westenfluss was conducting a final inspection of the mobile suit launch catapult, and Shiho Hahnenfuss was also accompanying them as a reserve member, wearing a well-fitted green uniform with a resolute gaze.
When Lacus Clyne appeared under the escort of Chairman Siegel and a handful of attendants, the port seemed to brighten considerably. Today, she wore a light-pink travel outfit, her pink hair draping smoothly over her shoulders with her customary, soothing, and gentle smile gracing her face. Yet, within the subtle perceptions of Akira's ACCORD abilities, a hint of gravity could be detected beneath her calm exterior.
"Everything is entrusted to you, Captain Hawke." Chairman Siegel shook hands with Akira, his tone solemn.
"I shall not fail the mission, Lord Chairman." Akira stood straight and saluted.
Following a brief farewell ceremony, everyone boarded the ship. Akira personally mapped out the navigation route-a relatively circuitous yet more concealed course designed to steer clear of potential conflict zones as much as possible. The warship Silver Wing would provide covert escort at a distance behind them.
The initial days of the journey were peaceful and uneventful. Akira spent most of his time on the bridge or in his own cabin, maintaining contact with the rear via encrypted lines while continuously receiving intelligence from various factions. Lacus would occasionally play the piano in the lounge, the ethereal melodies flowing through the cabin and slightly easing the tense atmosphere.
On the fifth day after departure, Lacus invited Akira to her private lounge for afternoon tea. Outside the massive porthole lay the boundless sea of stars, with the distant outline of Earth already faintly visible.
"Captain Hawke, every time I look at a starry sky like this, I feel like personal troubles are so insignificant," Lacus said softly as she cradled her teacup.
"Yet it is precisely these seemingly insignificant individuals that converge to form history," Akira replied.
After a brief silence, Lacus suddenly asked, "Captain, do you believe... that the path of peace pursued by my father can truly be realized? Especially under circumstances like the current ones?"
Akira knew the moment to cut to the core had arrived. He set down his teacup and cast his gaze toward Earth outside the window. "Miss Clyne, peace cannot rely solely on kind intentions. It requires strength to prevent destruction, and even more wisdom to recognize traps."
He paused, deciding to take the risk of probing more directly. "Based on my analysis of historical patterns and the current movements of radical factions within the Earth Forces military, there exists a worrisome possibility... They might resort to extreme measures to shatter the current stalemate, or even... employ weapons prohibited by conventions, such as nuclear arms, to manufacture panic and a so-called 'decisive victory'."
Lacus's hand holding the cup paused slightly, a flash of shock crossing her azure eyes before she quickly regained her composure. "Nuclear weapons? That's... too insane. Father has always believed that dialogue can resolve-"
"Not everyone thinks the way Lord Chairman does," Akira interrupted, his tone serious. "Hatred and despair can cause people to lose their reason. We must consider the worst-case scenario and make preparations in advance. For instance, stepping up patrols around remote Space Colonies, especially those agricultural satellites that hold great symbolic significance but possess relatively weak defenses..."
He could not directly utter the name "Junius Seven" or the specific date, so he could only do his utmost to hint at it. Lacus listened attentively, her brow furrowed slightly as she evidently took Akira's words to heart.
Not long after this conversation, Lacus engaged in a lengthy call with Chairman Siegel using a private encrypted channel. Once the call concluded, she sought out Akira with a hint of helplessness on her face. "I spoke with father... He appreciates your vigilance, but he also feels your projections are overly pessimistic. He believes no intelligence currently supports such an extreme hypothesis, and an overreaction might instead escalate tensions. He agrees... to appropriately step up conventional patrol efforts in the L4 and L5 cosmic sectors, but large-scale evacuations or combat readiness upgrades... will not be considered at this time."
Akira sighed inwardly. As expected, the inertia of history was immense; without concrete evidence, changing the leadership's judgments based on "political rationality" was difficult. Still, he had at least planted a seed.
"I understand. Thank you for conveying this, Miss Clyne," Akira replied calmly.
Lacus looked at Akira with complex emotions in her eyes. "Captain Hawke, although father did not fully adopt your suggestions, please believe that I... I felt your concern. I will remain by my father's side and remind him in my own way."
Just as Lacus wanted to say something more, Akira's personal encrypted communicator suddenly emitted a hurried buzzer-the highest-priority communication from the bridge.
"Excuse me!" Akira rose immediately and strode toward the bridge.
Upon entering the bridge, a tense atmosphere rushed over him. The radar officer shouted out a report, "Captain! Unidentified signals detected in the sector ahead! Identification codes are chaotic, preliminarily assessed to belong to the Earth Alliance Forces, a Moebius formation! Numbering... at least a squadron (12 units)! They are closing in on our course!"
On the main screen, against the backdrop of the distant starry sky, several high-speed moving points of light were rapidly expanding.
"Combat alert!" Akira's voice was calm without a trace of a ripple, instantly shifting into command mode. "All personnel to your stations! My custom mobile suit, begin preparation, maintain constant readiness for launch! Communications officer, attempt to establish contact with the other party and issue identification signals! Navigator, calculate evasion routes!"
"Silver Wing has received the signal, inquiring if forward support is required?" The communication channel carried the call from the escort warship trailing behind.
"Not for now, Silver Wing maintain concealment, mobile suit pilots stand by in the hangars, await my orders!" Akira commanded decisively. To send the warship forward at this moment would likely be perceived as a provocation by the opposing force and escalate the situation.
"The other party refuses to respond to identification signals! Accelerating approach! Estimated visual range in three minutes!" The radar officer's voice carried tension.
"Miss Clyne, please proceed immediately to the reinforced safety cabin!" Akira told Lacus via the internal comms.
"Understood, Captain Hawke, please be careful." Lacus's voice remained composed.
Akira stood at the center of the bridge, his gaze fixed sharply on the screen. His mind raced at high speed, calculating the adversary's various possible intentions, the optimal interception route, and tactical choices in the event of an outbreak of fire. His custom unit was already standing by in the catapult chute.
Was this an accidental patrol encounter? Or a premeditated interception? Would the Earth Forces truly dare to make a move against Lacus Clyne's flagship?
Against the profound backdrop of the starry sky, the envoy of peace and the haze of war were about to welcome their first head-on collision.
Before you continue