Rest and strategic moves

The commotion surrounding the award ceremony gradually settled. Neither the brilliance of the Nebula Medal nor the authority of his independent squadron led Akira Hawke astray; instead, they made him feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders more clearly. Recognizing the strain of his consecutive campaigns, the military granted him a special month-long leave. This rare stretch of free time was a crucial opportunity to organize his thoughts and lay the groundwork for his next moves.

The Hawke household regained its familiar warmth, but beneath it ran subtle undercurrents. News had long since spread that Akira had risen to become a young flag officer with real authority and enjoyed Chairman Zala's high regard, quietly making the Hawke family a focus of April City's social circles. His mother, Erica, and father, Thomas, were proud of their son's achievements, but they could not help worrying about his position at the center of a political maelstrom.

Back home, Akira temporarily shed the constraints of his uniform, but his mind never stopped working. He knew perfectly well that the peace before him was merely a lull between storms. The Earth Alliance forces would never accept defeat, especially after losing their nuclear advantage and suffering fresh losses at Jachin Due and Gibraltar. They were certain to be preparing a fiercer counterattack, and its centerpiece would very likely be the G Project secretly underway at Orb's Morgenroete, along with its products-the Strike Gundam and the Archangel.

During his first week of leave, Akira appeared to spend most of his time with his family. He patiently listened as Luna Maria animatedly described amusing incidents at school and what she had learned from MS simulation battles, helped Meirin with difficult coursework, and even found time to discuss the ZAFT military academy's tactical courses with the increasingly composed Shiho Hahnenfuss. At night, the atmosphere at home grew more delicate. Luna seemed to regard his leave as the perfect opportunity to have her older brother all to herself. Almost every night, once the house fell quiet, she slipped soundlessly into his room like an agile cat. Her ardent feelings and bold displays of affection let Akira enjoy her warmth and dependence, but often forced him to use his ACCORD abilities to control his reactions precisely, lest he alert their parents downstairs. Things did not always go as planned, however. One night, just as Luna was about to launch her "night raid," she discovered that Meirin had beaten her to it, bringing her pillow and using the classic excuse of a nightmare to claim the other side of Akira's bed. Seeing Meirin curled in his arms like a frightened fawn, yet wearing a sleeping expression with a barely perceptible hint of smugness, Luna could only stamp her foot in frustration and retreat helplessly to her own room, silently vowing to act earlier the next day.

Behind this seemingly peaceful family life, Akira's real preparations quietly began. One afternoon, under the pretext of organizing encrypted documents he had brought back from military headquarters, he entered the study and summoned Li Bing.

The study door closed softly, shutting out the sounds outside. Li Bing wore her usual practical civilian clothes, her gaze sharp and calm.

"Major Li, there's something I need your channels for while I'm on leave." Dispensing with pleasantries, Akira went straight to the point and pushed a slim, hardware-encrypted storage chip toward her.

"Please go ahead." Li Bing took the chip without a change in expression.

"It contains some... intelligence analysis on our mutual 'friend's' recent activities-the Earth Alliance." Akira lowered his voice. "Reliable information suggests that the Atlantic Federation is secretly pursuing a new weapons development program called 'G,' centered on a series of high-performance mobile suits and their dedicated mothership. At present, the actual development work is very likely being carried out under cover of Morgenroete in the supposedly 'neutral' United Republic of Orb."

Li Bing's pupils contracted slightly. The news was clearly a bombshell. Orb professed neutrality while secretly working with the Earth Alliance to develop cutting-edge weapons. If exposed, it would be enough to trigger a diplomatic earthquake.

Akira continued, "Orb still flies the flag of neutrality. It may remain relatively open to outside technological exchanges, particularly with parties that share its ideals or common interests. Given the East Asian Republic's technical capabilities and diplomatic skill, if it sends representatives to approach Orb now under the pretext of 'technological exchange' or 'jointly addressing future threats,' there's a strong chance it could obtain preliminary specifications, design concepts, and even some non-core technical documentation for the G series and its warship. That would be valuable in strengthening your country's defenses and addressing a future military technology imbalance potentially driven by the Atlantic Federation."

He paused to observe Li Bing's reaction, then stated his central request. "I'm offering this information because I trust the principles your country will not compromise. On major issues, it has demonstrated admirable responsibility and strategic resolve. What I ask in return is simple: when the time is right and I need it, your country must provide me with a completely new, airtight identity and the necessary equipment, so I can operate in another 'role.'"

Li Bing fell silent for a moment, lightly rubbing the chip between her fingers. The intelligence was unquestionably valuable; it could even influence the East Asian Republic's defense strategy for years to come. She looked up at Akira with a searching gaze. "Commander Hawke, I must confirm the source and reliability of this intelligence..."

"I can't reveal the source, but you can verify its reliability through your own channels. With your intelligence services' capabilities and the direction I've provided, I believe confirming this should be straightforward." Akira answered candidly.

"I understand." Li Bing carefully put the chip away. "I'll transmit the information home through secure channels with the highest priority. As for your request..." She paused, her tone growing solemn. "My personal assessment is that, given the strategic value of this intelligence, approval is extremely likely. My superiors may even instruct me to offer further assurances in return: no matter how the situation changes, should you need it, the East Asian Republic is willing to withstand all outside political pressure to provide you with political asylum and a new legal identity, help you integrate fully, and ensure your safety and freedom."

The promise was more generous than Akira had expected. This was not merely a transaction, but a gesture of goodwill rooted in long-term investment and strategic trust. He nodded. "Thank you for your country's sincerity. I hope our future cooperation can help turn the tide of this increasingly irrational situation."

Li Bing's communications were highly efficient. Within days, she brought preliminary feedback from the East Asian Republic's leadership: the information had been confirmed as highly valuable, and an agreement to cooperate had been reached in principle. The East Asian side would immediately initiate secret contact with Orb and pledged to meet Akira's future needs for an identity and support to the fullest extent. They, too, were curious about why he was so willing to "help" them, but ultimately attributed it to his appreciation of their national characteristics, such as firm principles and long-term thinking, as well as a far-reaching plan for future peace that transcended the current divisions between camps. This secret transaction laid crucial groundwork for the "escape route" or "second identity" he might someday need.

With this most important matter settled, Akira finally had more time for his family and fulfilled another important promise-a visit to Lacus Clyne.

The Clyne family residence remained peaceful and elegant, but its atmosphere had changed considerably. Since Siegel Clyne had resigned as chairman, fewer political figures came and went, leaving the place more tranquil. Lacus welcomed Akira personally in the courtyard. She wore a casual pale-purple dress, her long pink hair stirring gently in the breeze, and a warm smile graced her face. Yet through his ACCORD abilities, Akira could sense a trace of worry deep in her eyes.

"Akira, congratulations on your medal." Lacus's voice was as ethereal as ever, but less lighthearted and more subdued. "And welcome."

"Thank you, Lacus. Have you been well lately?" Akira asked with concern.

"I'm all right. It's just... seeing everyone grow increasingly tense because of the war makes me a little sad." Lacus led him to the garden's tea table.

Over the next several visits, Akira and Lacus talked at length. They discussed music; Lacus played new pieces for him, while he offered observations informed by musical insights ahead of their time, often making her eyes light up and drawing laughter like silver bells. More often, they discussed the situation. Akira did not directly reveal specific future events, instead analyzing the present with remarkable insight:

"The Earth Alliance forces have suffered one setback after another, especially with the loss of nuclear weapons and Gibraltar. Internal pressure is immense. Blue Cosmos's radical ideology will spread even further. They urgently need a 'decisive victory' to raise morale and stabilize their ranks. Orb's neutrality... probably won't last much longer. The Atlantic Federation won't tolerate a 'neutral nation' that may possess advanced technology yet refuses to take a clear position."

"Chairman Patrick Zala's strategy has secured PLANT's safety in the short term, but the worldwide energy crisis caused by the Neutron Jammers is creating an enormous humanitarian disaster on Earth. That will only deepen the Naturals' hatred of Coordinators. In the long run, unless the cycle of hatred is broken, peace will remain an illusion."

"I believe the key to the future may lie in whether a platform or symbol can emerge that transcends the current divisions and can sustain 'dialogue' and 'understanding.' Military victory alone cannot bring true peace."

These views combined a clear-eyed understanding of brutal reality with a profound longing for peace and far-reaching vision, deeply moving Lacus. Before her, Akira revealed himself not merely as a powerful warrior and commander, but as a thoughtful man of wisdom and compassion. In his presence, Lacus also shed part of her "songstress" persona, becoming more lively and playful. His sharp yet humorous analogies often made her laugh freely, her smile seeming capable of dispelling the shadows of war. A peculiar bond founded on deep understanding and resonance quietly grew between them.

After one particularly in-depth conversation, Lacus said softly, "Akira, your ideas... coincide with many of my father's concerns. He'd like to meet you and speak with you himself."

Through Lacus's careful arrangements, Akira secretly met with Siegel Clyne, who was living in seclusion. The former chairman had aged considerably, but his eyes remained perceptive. He praised Akira's achievements at Jachin Due, though he was more interested in his views on the course of the war and the prospects for peace.

Akira explained his views once again, emphasizing the importance of maintaining necessary deterrence while seeking openings for dialogue, supporting potential neutral forces-such as perceptive individuals within Orb and pragmatists in the East Asian Republic-and gathering strength for future peace. Rather than rejecting Zala's policies outright, he pointed out their limitations and offered more constructive, longer-term ideas to complement them.

Siegel Clyne listened quietly, then let out a long sigh. "Akira, you're very young, but you see far ahead. Zala has been blinded by hatred and fear, seeing only the threats before him. But you're right. We need to prepare the 'seeds' of peace, even if the soil is still barren. Though the Clyne Faction has temporarily lost influence, some like-minded council members are still holding firm. I'm glad to see a young man like you attain high rank in the military while continuing to pursue peace. Please... keep going. In the future, we may need someone like you to counterbalance the voices that have grown too radical."

This secret meeting marked the establishment of a more direct and deeper connection between Akira and the Clyne Faction. Not only had he gained the Zala Faction's trust and been entrusted with important duties, but he had also placed a crucial piece within the peace faction.

During the final days of his leave, fresh battle reports arrived. Large-scale offensive and defensive operations had erupted between the Earth Alliance forces and ZAFT around the Suez Canal and along the Alamein front in North Africa-the Suez Campaign and the Battle of Alamein. With their mobile suits' ground-combat advantage and support from the newly acquired Gibraltar Base, ZAFT fought a brutal tug-of-war against the numerically superior Earth Alliance forces. When the news reached PLANT, the atmosphere, which had only just begun to ease, grew tense again. Everyone understood that the war was escalating, growing larger and more savage.

On the night before his leave ended, Akira stood alone on the balcony, gazing at PLANT's artificial night sky. The month of rest had not only eased the mental fatigue of consecutive campaigns, but also allowed him to complete several crucial preparations: through Li Bing, he had established deeper secret cooperation with the East Asian Republic, securing a vital fallback; his relationship with Lacus Clyne had grown closer, and he had gained the Clyne Faction's recognition and support; his assessment of the current situation and his thinking on its future course had also become clearer.

He knew that once his leave ended and he returned to the military, he would face a more complicated situation and more demanding tasks. The fighting at Suez heralded a further expansion of the war on Earth, while in space, the threat to Jachin Due remained. The Earth Alliance's cutting-edge weapons-the G Project-were also about to take the stage.

"An even greater storm is coming..." Akira murmured, his gaze unwavering. He now held more cards in his hand. As commander of the Silver Wing independent squadron, he would become more deeply involved in this vast game that would determine civilization's course, so that in the final battle that would inevitably come, he could protect the people and future he cherished.