The Player and the Board

March, Cosmic Era 70, April City, the capital of PLANT. The spring warmth created by the artificial climate-control system could not entirely dispel the oppressive, murderous tension hanging in the air. The tragic "survival" of Junius Seven-its people had been saved, but their homes and food-production infrastructure had been destroyed-was an unhealing wound seared into every Coordinator's heart, transformed into bitter hatred for Blue Cosmos and the Earth Alliance. Amid this surge of nationalist sentiment, the hardliners led by Patrick Zala gained influence in the PLANT Supreme Council by the day. Calls for harsher measures to secure PLANT's living space had become the prevailing voice.

After Akira Hawke escorted Lacus Clyne safely home, the Silver Wing special operations team received a brief period of rest. Officially, Akira was a White Uniform elite captain promoted for his achievements, drawing considerable attention. Privately, however, he knew he stood at the center of a far more complicated game. The Hawke family's apartment in the Ring of Dawn residential district became a harbor in the eye of the storm, seemingly peaceful but seething with hidden currents.

That evening, Akira returned home after a day of tactical simulations. The last rays of sunset streamed through the windows, washing the living room in warm gold. Luna Maria was chattering to her mother, Erica, about amusing incidents at school. Meirin sat quietly in a corner drawing, while Shiho read a book on military theory nearby-she had passed ZAFT's specially authorized early-admission examination and would soon begin training at its military academy. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, until the doorbell rang.

Akira opened the door and unexpectedly found a familiar figure standing outside-Li Bing. She had exchanged her East Asian Republic military uniform for simple, neat civilian clothes. Her short, dark-blue hair was impeccably groomed, and her expression remained composed, but her eyes held less of the official distance they had shown in East Asia and a little more of an indescribably complicated emotion. She carried a small travel bag.

"Captain Hawke, sorry for the unannounced visit." Li Bing's voice was steady, but Akira's keen ACCORD ability detected the slight acceleration of her heartbeat. "Under my country's latest instructions, and... at my own request, I will be staying in PLANT temporarily as a 'technical exchange officer' and a 'war refugee,' given my Coordinator status. My superiors hope I can serve as... a bridge for communication." She paused, looked directly at Akira, and added, "Of course, publicly, I may need a more plausible reason for a long-term stay. For example, a suitor who has... feelings for the 'Silver Wing Angel'?"

Akira immediately understood the intentions of East Asia's leadership. With war underway and formal diplomatic channels all but severed, stationing an exceptionally capable officer like Li Bing in PLANT-a fellow Coordinator who had already "cooperated" with Akira-was an ideal way to maintain unofficial contact and pass along information. The "suitor" cover was both plausible and convenient for gaining access to him.

He stepped aside. "Welcome, Miss Lee... Bing. Please come in." He showed little surprise, as though he had expected this all along.

Li Bing's arrival caused a small ripple in the Hawke Family household. Erica warmly prepared a guest room for her. Luna appraised this distinctive "new older sister" like a kitten guarding its food, Meirin was a little shy, and Shiho looked thoughtful. Li Bing conducted herself impeccably and soon blended into the family atmosphere, helping prepare dinner and behaving naturally. Yet Akira could sense that she remained professionally alert at all times. When no one was watching, she studied him and his interactions with Luna, Meirin, and Shiho with a probing gaze. Beyond the assessment her mission required, something else seemed mixed into that look.

The respite did not last long. Several days later, Akira's encrypted terminal received an urgent combat report and follow-up orders from ZAFT military headquarters.

Combat report: Cosmic Era 70.02.22 - Battle for Genesis Tree

ZAFT forces successfully repelled a fierce Earth Alliance Forces assault on the Genesis Tree space fortress in the L5 region. During this battle, the new Neutron Jammer was deployed for its first combat trial with outstanding results, successfully disabling the nuclear engines and some nuclear warhead fuzes of an enemy flotilla and making a major contribution to the successful defense. The report highly commended the jammer's strategic value and confirmed its potential to change the rules of warfare.

Operational order: Operation Uranus (Uranus Campaign)

Objective: At 00:00 on April 1, Cosmic Era 70, Earth standard time, simultaneously deploy and activate Neutron Jammers across Earth's major continental and oceanic regions, excluding the South American Union, which has aligned itself with PLANT. Permanently suppress Earth's use of nuclear energy and fundamentally eliminate the Earth Alliance Forces' nuclear threat to PLANT.

Participating units: The Silver Wing special operations team and its commander, Major Akira Hawke, promoted for distinguished service, are hereby authorized to undertake suppression operations, escort duties, and on-site tactical command of jammer deployments in the eastern Eurasian theater. The 4th and 7th Space Assault Fleets and their attached mobile suit battalions assigned to this theater will be placed temporarily under Major Hawke's command.

Almost simultaneously with the operational orders, another encrypted message arrived with a higher clearance level. Its sender identification linked directly to the office of the chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council's Military Committee.

Notice: Chairman Patrick Zala will receive Major Mei Hock tomorrow at 14:00 in the private study of the PLANT Supreme Council chairman's official residence. Agenda: Details of Operation Uranus and future strategic direction.

The inevitable had finally arrived. Akira shut down his terminal, his gaze deep and unreadable. Not only had he entered the core operational command structure, but he had also attracted the attention of the highest authority. At the same time, he knew the Clyne Faction would not remain absent at a moment like this.

Sure enough, that evening, Akira's private communicator received a contact request routed through multiple relays, its origin obscured. Once he answered, a digitally altered middle-aged male voice came through, gentle but unable to conceal its anxiety. The caller introduced himself as "an old friend of Chairman Siegel," asked with concern about Lacus's recent situation, and tactfully expressed worry over "the long-term humanitarian catastrophe that current radical military actions might cause." He hinted that the Clyne Faction remained active in seeking a "more rational" solution and hoped that "young officers with both courage and foresight," such as Akira, would "carefully consider the road ahead."

Akira's reply was airtight. He first expressed his respect and concern for Chairman Clyne and Miss Lacus, emphasizing that his foremost duty as a soldier was to protect PLANT's citizens and that he deeply shared the pain of Junius Seven. Regarding Operation Uranus, he described it as "an unavoidable measure of self-defense" under the present circumstances. At the same time, he voiced "concern" over its possible consequences and promised to "minimize unnecessary casualties" within the scope of his duties. He did not explicitly side with either faction, yet his words offered each a completely different interpretation-to the Zala Faction, they conveyed a loyal officer's resolve to carry out his mission; to the Clyne Faction, they signaled reservations about radical policies and an inner inclination toward peace.

This delicate balancing act came from his ACCORD ability's precise control over the influence of language and emotion, but rested even more on his foreknowledge of both leaders' personalities and the course of future events.

At 14:00 the next day, Akira arrived punctually at the Zala residence in the heart of April City. The study's atmosphere was solemn and oppressive. Patrick Zala stood with his back to the door, gazing out at the Space Colony's artificial landscape. He turned, and his hawk-sharp eyes immediately fixed on Akira, bringing an overwhelming sense of pressure.

"Major Hawke, sit." Chairman Zala's voice was low and direct, without any pleasantries. "Your warning about Junius Seven did not prevent the attack entirely, but it saved the lives of more than two hundred and forty thousand of our people. The PLANT Council will remember that achievement and foresight."

"I was only doing my duty, Mr. Chairman," Akira answered calmly, neither servile nor arrogant.

Zala walked to the enormous star chart and traced a finger across eastern Eurasia Continent on Earth. "Operation Uranus will be the key to ending Earth's nuclear threat. Eastern Eurasia, particularly its coastal regions and the Siberian interior, is an important strategic stronghold for the Earth Alliance—and a tough nut to crack. I am entrusting this front to you not only because of your abilities, but also because I value the... strategic insight you demonstrated in your Genesis Tree report."

He turned, staring intently at Akira. "Tell me, Major, where do you think our next strategic priority should lie? Once the nuclear threat has been eliminated, how do we ensure PLANT's absolute security, and even... secure a real future for Coordinators?"

This was both a test and an opportunity. Akira knew Zala needed more than an outstanding tactician. He wanted a successor who could understand and advance his grand strategy. Akira took a deep breath, activated his ACCORD ability to its fullest, and began his explanation, combining the historical course remembered from his previous life with the present situation:

"Mr. Chairman, I believe our strategy should proceed in stages:

Phase one, after Operation Uranus: Consolidate our nuclear advantage, but avoid provoking the Earth Alliance so severely that it launches a counterattack regardless of the cost. Our focus should shift to:

Securing space supremacy: Establish complete control over Earth and lunar orbits and the L4 and L5 points, confining the Earth Alliance Forces' main forces within Earth's gravity well. The key strategic node is Victoria Spaceport, the Earth Alliance's only mass driver.

Maintaining a technological generation gap: Commit fully to developing next-generation mobile suits, including high-end models that combine high-speed maneuverability with powerful firepower, to counter comparable machines the Earth Alliance may introduce.

Dividing and undermining the enemy: Exploit the energy crisis and social unrest caused by the Neutron Jammers to identify cracks within the Earth Alliance, such as Orb's inclination toward neutrality, the pragmatists in the East Asian Republic, and even the tensions between the Atlantic Federation and the Eurasian Federation.

Phase two, the medium term: Once absolute superiority in space has been established, our strategic focus can turn toward Earth.

Establishing forward bases: Build secure beachheads in key regions, such as Gibraltar and Carpentaria, and conduct localized precision strikes to weaken the Earth Alliance's war potential.

Targeted operations: Destroy the Earth Alliance's core military facilities, such as JOSH-A in Alaska and Heaven's Base, rather than conducting indiscriminate attacks, thereby reducing civilian casualties and pressure from international public opinion.

A political solution: Military superiority must be converted into political gains. Our ultimate objective should be to compel the Earth Alliance to recognize PLANT's independent sovereignty and abandon its hostile policies toward Coordinators. This requires a coordinated military, diplomatic, and public-opinion campaign.

The long-term future: The future of Coordinators lies not only in PLANT, but also in the vast sea of stars. We should begin planning more distant colonization efforts and free ourselves from dependence on the Earth Sphere."

Akira's exposition was clear and comprehensive. It incorporated strategic concepts Zala already held, such as taking Victoria and establishing bases on Earth, while also proposing more forward-looking and politically astute measures, such as avoiding excessive provocation, dividing the enemy, and conducting targeted operations. He even pointed out a potential threat-the G Project-and a more distant vision. In particular, identifying Orb and East Asia as possible openings and emphasizing a political settlement as the ultimate goal demonstrated a grasp of the larger picture that went beyond that of a mere military commander.

Chairman Zala listened quietly, his face expressionless, but through ACCORD, Akira could sense admiration and approval rising within him. When Akira finished, a brief silence settled over the study.

"Good..." Zala finally spoke, a barely perceptible note of appreciation in his voice. "Very good. Major Hawke, the depth of your thinking exceeds my expectations. When Captain Rau Le Creuset recommended you to me, he said you were a rare 'clear-headed individual.' It seems he was right."

Rau Le Creuset? Something stirred in Akira's mind, but his expression did not change.

"I can entrust the eastern Eurasian front to you with confidence." Zala went to his desk, picked up a document, and handed it to Akira. "These are the operational details and your temporary authorization orders. Remember, our nation's fate rests on this battle. Victory is the only acceptable outcome. But as you said, we must also 'minimize unnecessary casualties.' Strike the right balance."

"Yes, sir! I will not betray your trust!" Akira stood at attention and saluted. He knew he had successfully established himself in Zala's mind as a future core strategist and weapon, alongside Rau Le Creuset, though he was following an entirely different path, one leaning more toward strategy and orthodox methods.

It was already late at night when Akira returned home from the Zala residence. He went straight to the guest room where Li Bing was staying and knocked softly. She opened the door. She apparently had not yet gone to bed, and her eyes held a question.

Akira said nothing, merely handing her a physically encrypted storage chip the size of a fingernail. It contained the unit designations of the ZAFT forces assigned to eastern Eurasia for Operation Uranus, their approximate force composition, preliminary plans for their main attack routes, and the coordinates of several alternative Neutron Jammer deployment areas-not all of them, but including one with a high probability of success and relatively little impact on East Asia's core regions. It also contained a brief tactical recommendation: "Concentrate defenses along the northwestern and northern borders. Feign weakness in a specific area of the southeastern coast, coordinates X. After luring the enemy deep inland, concentrate superior forces at a prepared position, coordinates Y, and counterattack. You can inflict heavy losses on my secondary force, then 'compel our forces' to deploy successfully in the designated area, coordinates Z. This will minimize your country's losses while giving your military a morale-boosting 'victory.'"

It was an extraordinarily dangerous move, but one Akira had chosen after weighing the costs and benefits. He needed the East Asian Republic, a potential future ally, to preserve sufficient strength and retain a voice in the postwar order. At the same time, a "controlled defeat" and a "successful defense" would better conceal Li Bing's identity and lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation in the future.

Li Bing took the chip, her fingers trembling slightly. She looked deeply into Akira's eyes, her own filled with complicated emotions-shock at intelligence of such extreme secrecy, worry over the risk he was taking, and bewilderment at the strategic implications that bordered on "betraying" ZAFT. In the end, all of it settled into a heavy understanding and resolve. She nodded, asked no further questions, and carefully put the chip away.

"Take care," she said softly.

"You too," Akira replied.

The following day, Akira said goodbye to his family-including Shiho, whose eyes held complicated concern; Luna and Meirin, who were reluctant to let him go; and his mother, Erica, and father, Thomas, whose expressions were calm but whose fingertips had turned white-and headed for the military port. Li Bing accompanied him under the pretext of seeing him off. At the port, she "happened to meet" a former employee of the East Asian Republic's representative office in PLANT, which had officially closed. With a seemingly casual brush past one another, the chip changed hands.

The warship Silver Wing slowly pulled away from its berth. On the bridge, Major Mei Hock stood in his white commander's uniform, gazing calmly at the boundless stars ahead. Beneath his feet was a powerful ZAFT fleet. In his hands lay tactical command of the eastern Eurasian front. In his mind were the planet and the fates of billions, soon to be utterly transformed by the Neutron Jammers.

He was a piece in this grand game, maneuvered by Chairman Zala and even, invisibly, by the Clyne Faction. Yet he was also a player hidden behind the scenes, quietly tipping the balance on Earth through his connection with Li Bing. For ZAFT, Operation Uranus was a battle for survival. For Earth, it was the prelude to catastrophe. But for Mei Hock, it was the first fulcrum with which he would shift the course of history throughout the Cosmic Era.

"All hands, battle stations. Destination: the L3 assembly area. Set course for Earth." Akira's voice carried throughout the ship over the internal communications system, calm and firm.

"Roger! Setting course for Earth!"

The enormous fleet shot like an arrow loosed from a bow toward the blue planet, soon to be shrouded beneath the dark clouds of "neutron jamming." And Mei Hock's story was about to enter a new chapter across the vast skies and lands of the Eurasia Continent. He knew the true test had only just begun.