More than half a month had passed since the victory in the First Battle of Jachin Due, but its repercussions-and the honors it brought-were thrusting Mei Hock into the spotlight. Repelling the Earth Alliance's main force and successfully defending the strategic stronghold of Jachin Due were achievements worthy of a prominent place in ZAFT's military record. As the commander of a crucial defensive sector and the ace pilot who had turned the tide, Akira received formal orders from ZAFT headquarters: return immediately to April City, PLANT's capital, report to military headquarters, and attend a decoration ceremony.
After bidding farewell to his subordinates in the Silver Wing special operations unit, who had to remain at Jachin Due to handle the aftermath and strengthen its defenses, Akira boarded a high-speed transport and returned to April City alone. The spaceport was as busy as ever, but a new mood hung in the air, a mixture of tension and exhilaration. The shadow of Junius Seven had yet to fade, and the victory at Jachin Due had given every Coordinator a much-needed boost.
Rather than going home first, Akira headed straight to ZAFT headquarters in the heart of April City. The towering silver building stood solemn and imposing, a symbol of PLANT's supreme military authority. After rigorous identity verification and security checks, an expressionless officer escorted him through heavily guarded corridors to the Merit Review and Debriefing Hall under the PLANT Supreme Council's Military Committee.
The debriefing was rigorous and meticulous. A panel of senior officers with generals' stars on their shoulder boards questioned him in detail about the northern defensive line during the Battle of Jachin Due: its deployment, the relative strength of both sides, the reasoning behind key decisions, and especially his personal sortie that had reversed the situation at the Iron Shield-4 platform. Akira's account was calm, objective, and clearly organized. He did not exaggerate his own achievements, instead emphasizing the coordination of the fortress's overall defensive system, his subordinates' courageous fighting, and the importance of anticipating enemy tactics. His composure and precise tactical analysis left a deep impression on the panel.
Once the debriefing ended, the panel chairman, an elderly general with graying hair, showed a rare look of approval. "Major Hawke, your report was excellent. It demonstrated not only outstanding tactical command, but also a clear understanding of the battlefield as a whole. Your contribution to the victory at Jachin Due was indispensable. The decoration ceremony will take place tomorrow morning in headquarters' grand auditorium. Please arrive on time."
"Yes, General." Akira saluted and took his leave.
Only after leaving headquarters did Akira finally head home. The Hawke Family's apartment in the Ring of Dawn residential district was brightly lit. Knowing he would return that day, his mother, Erica, had prepared a lavish dinner, and his father, Thomas, had come home early from work. Luna Maria flitted around him like a happy skylark, chattering nonstop and eagerly showing off her recent school results and new MS model; Meirin Hahnenfuss sat quietly beside him, her large green eyes brimming with affection and joy, her little hand gripping the hem of his clothes; Shiho Hahnenfuss said little, but her gaze was full of pride and concern. Even Li Bing, who was staying with them temporarily, offered a rare, gentle smile.
The warmth of home briefly dispelled the lingering traces of battle and the stern atmosphere of headquarters. The family enjoyed a cheerful dinner together, never mentioning the war outside and simply savoring their rare reunion. Yet Akira's keen ACCORD ability still detected a trace of worry beneath Luna's enthusiasm over the war and his frequent deployments, insecurity in Meirin's attachment, determination to grow stronger beneath Shiho's composure, and, behind Li Bing's calm, the complicated feelings of an observer and potential liaison.
After dinner, Akira returned to the room he had not seen in so long. He was about to gather his thoughts when his personal encrypted communicator received an unexpected contact request. The number was protected by multiple layers of encryption and traced to a highly classified military line, but it belonged to none of the superiors or subordinates he knew.
Akira accepted the call. A specially processed male voice sounded, slightly resonant and possessing a distinctive cadence, with the faintest hint of amusement:
"Good evening, Major Hawke. I hope I haven't interrupted your reunion with your family."
That voice... Something stirred in Akira's heart. Despite the processing, its distinctive intonation and indescribable quality instantly brought one person to mind-Rau Le Creuset.
"Hello, unidentified caller. What can I do for you?" Akira kept his guess to himself, his tone calm.
"Nothing so formal." The caller chuckled. "I'm simply curious about a young colleague who distinguished himself at Jachin Due. Your command style is... unusual. You hardly seem like a recruit fresh out of the military academy. More like a veteran who has spent years on the battlefield. Your ability to anticipate developments was particularly impressive."
Here comes the probing. Akira understood. Rau Le Creuset, one of the greatest hidden manipulators in the CE world, would naturally not overlook anyone who might affect his plans.
"You flatter me. I was merely doing my duty as a ZAFT soldier, and I had some good fortune." Akira answered cautiously.
"Good fortune?" Rau Le Creuset's voice carried a teasing edge. "It takes more than good fortune to be personally summoned by Chairman Patrick Zala and entrusted with important responsibilities. I hear you also made some remarkably farsighted suggestions during Operation Uranus? The younger generation truly is formidable."
He changed the subject, his tone seemingly casual. "Speaking of which, what do you think of this war? We have eliminated Earth's nuclear weapons and taken Gibraltar (note: this news had not yet been made public). We seem to hold every advantage. But the Naturals' resentment is like weeds-no fire can burn it away for good. What sort of ending do you think could truly put an end to this recurring cycle of hatred?"
It was an extremely dangerous question, riddled with philosophical traps. Akira fell silent for a moment before answering slowly. "The victors write the outcome of a war. But true peace may require something beyond simple victory and defeat. It may require understanding and tolerance, though that sounds rather... extravagant at present. As a soldier, my foremost duty right now is to safeguard the right of PLANT and the Coordinators to survive."
"The right to survive... a very pragmatic answer." It was impossible to tell whether Rau Le Creuset's tone held approval or mockery. "Understanding and tolerance? A beautiful ideal, Major Hawke. I hope you can always retain that... clarity. After all, in this mad age, those who see too clearly sometimes suffer all the more. Well, I won't keep you. I look forward to seeing you at tomorrow's ceremony. Congratulations."
The call ended abruptly.
Akira set down his communicator, his gaze deepening. Rau Le Creuset's approach had seemed like an older colleague's admiration and curiosity, but it had actually been a thorough probe. He was assessing Akira's thinking, allegiances, and potential threat. Akira's answers had neither fully embraced the Zala Faction's radical exterminationism nor endorsed the Clyne Faction's idealism. Instead, he had emphasized a soldier's duties and the pragmatic right to survive. Perhaps that would make Rau Le Creuset temporarily classify him as a target who "required observation but remained unclassified."
The next morning, the grand auditorium at ZAFT headquarters was filled with generals, its atmosphere solemn yet enthusiastic. With the decoration ceremony about to begin, Akira stood in the recipients' staging area in his immaculate white elite uniform. He could feel gazes coming from every direction-admiring, envious, scrutinizing, and inquisitive.
Just minutes before the ceremony was due to begin, a confidential staff officer hurried onto the stage and handed an encrypted document to the ceremony's presiding official-a powerful vice-chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council's Military Committee. The vice-chairman quickly scanned its contents, and uncontrollable excitement and joy immediately spread across his face.
He signaled the master of ceremonies to suspend proceedings, then strode to the lectern and announced in a booming voice:
"Fellow colleagues! We have just received fresh news of victory from the front on Earth!"
The entire auditorium fell silent at once, every eye fixed on the vice-chairman.
"On May 2, CE 70, our valiant ZAFT submarine fleet successfully broke through the Eurasian Federation's defensive line in the Mediterranean Sea and launched a surprise attack on Gibraltar Base!"
A ripple of hushed gasps and whispers swept through the audience. Gibraltar! A vital strategic hub for the Earth Alliance!
"At the beginning of the battle, the enemy resisted stubbornly from fortified positions, and the fighting briefly reached a stalemate!" The vice-chairman's voice rang with dramatic force. "But at the most critical moment, a surprise force that our military had secretly deployed deep within the Eurasia Continent appeared behind Gibraltar Base as though descending from the heavens!"
The corner of Akira's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. The surprise force... those concealed MS teams I personally commanded the Seeding of during Operation Uranus!
"That force struck a devastating blow against the enemy's rear command centers and supply lines! Attacked from both front and rear, the enemy fell into disarray! Caught between our submarine fleet and the surprise force, the Eurasian Federation's Mediterranean fleet suffered heavy losses and was forced to abandon Gibraltar Base in a humiliating retreat!"
"Long live ZAFT!!" Deafening cheers and applause erupted throughout the auditorium! Capturing Gibraltar meant that ZAFT had gained a crucial permanent foothold on Earth, one from which it could directly threaten Europe and Africa!
The vice-chairman pressed both hands downward to request silence, though his own face glowed with excitement. "This battle once again proved the courage of our ZAFT soldiers and the foresight of our strategic deployments! And it is worth noting that the crucial deployment behind this surprise attack on Gibraltar, which laid the groundwork for victory, was originally planned and carried out by one of the heroes we are honoring today-Major Mei Hock! During the earlier Operation Uranus, he showed extraordinary foresight in arranging this covert deployment!"
Every gaze snapped back to Akira, now filled with even greater astonishment and respect! The hero of Jachin Due's defense had also been the hidden architect behind the capture of Gibraltar! What an extraordinary achievement!
The vice-chairman had evidently received new instructions as well. He cleared his throat and announced in an even more solemn voice, "In recognition of Major Mei Hock's outstanding military achievements in the defense of Jachin Due and the capture of Gibraltar, as well as the exceptional strategic vision and command ability he has demonstrated, the Military Committee of the PLANT Supreme Council has conducted an emergency review and obtained Chairman Patrick Zala's approval to amend the originally planned decoration!"
He lifted a tray lined with deep blue velvet. Resting upon it was an exquisitely crafted medal that gleamed like starlight.
"We hereby award Major Mei Hock ZAFT's highest honor-the Nebula Medal!"
The Nebula Medal! A collective gasp rose from the audience. It was the highest honor bestowed upon soldiers whose unparalleled achievements had made a decisive contribution to PLANT. Only a handful had been awarded since its establishment!
"At the same time," the vice-chairman continued, his voice rising further, "Major Mei Hock is granted the authority to establish the Silver Wing Independent Flotilla! This flotilla will enjoy a high degree of autonomy and may independently assess and seek out opportunities for battle. Unless directly summoned by the military's supreme command, it need not submit to the command of the colony satellite or fortress where it is stationed! Under specified emergency circumstances, it will have the authority to bypass the chain of command and take control of local ZAFT armed forces on that colony satellite or fortress to address sudden crises!"
The entire auditorium was stunned! That was an enormous amount of power! It was practically the equivalent of giving Akira a highly independent "private army" and the status of a special envoy on the battlefield! What extraordinary trust and responsibility!
The spotlight fell on Akira. He stepped forward steadily, saluted, and accepted the weighty Nebula Medal from the vice-chairman. Thunderous applause rang on and on.
The ceremony ended with morale soaring. Akira instantly became the center of attention, with countless senior officers gathering around to congratulate him. The Zala Faction's generals were effusive, making no attempt to hide their desire to recruit him. They spoke of him as Chairman Zala's most highly regarded rising military star and the hope of the Coordinators' future. Akira responded modestly and appropriately, expressing his gratitude for Chairman Zala's and headquarters' trust while emphasizing that he would continue fighting for PLANT.
But as the crowd thinned slightly, a mild-mannered, bespectacled middle-aged councilor quietly approached Akira and spoke in a low voice. "Congratulations, Major Hawke. Although former Chairman Siegel is resting for the time being, he has always taken a keen interest in outstanding young people like you. He has always believed that military victory is important, but a peaceful future requires even more wisdom and tolerance. Miss Clyne also asked me to give you her regards. She is very grateful for your earlier protection and hopes for an opportunity to discuss... music and peace with you." The Clyne Faction's feelers had reached out just as swiftly and perceptively.
Akira understood perfectly. Having just been granted immense honors and authority, he had immediately become a target both major factions were competing to win over. He smiled at the councilor. "Please thank former Chairman Siegel and Miss Clyne for their concern. I also have great respect for the ideals of peace Miss Clyne advocates. Once my military duties allow me a little free time, I will certainly visit and seek their counsel."
As Akira walked out of headquarters, bright sunshine fell across him, and the Nebula Medal shone on his chest. He had gained unprecedented honors and authority, but he had also been drawn into the heart of an even more complicated political maelstrom. Rau Le Creuset's probing, the Zala Faction's determined overtures, the Clyne Faction's tactful gestures of goodwill... the road ahead was full of opportunities, but riddled with traps as well.
He raised his head and gazed at the simulated blue sky on PLANT's artificial canopy. The fires of battle at Jachin Due had subsided for now, and news of victory had arrived from Gibraltar, but the war was far from over. And he, Mei Hock, a commander awarded the Nebula Medal at just seventeen and entrusted with independent military authority, would continue navigating this sweeping, perilous age, steering his own ark toward an unknown future filled with challenges.
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