Plans and a rescue mission

The Laurasia-class warship's engines slowly shut down, their pale blue energy glow fading as the docking passage at PLANT's April City Spaceport gradually extended. Wearing a white ZAFT officer's uniform, Mei Hock strode down the gangway, his posture straight and the elite insignia on his shoulders gleaming beneath the artificial lights. His fingertips still remembered the coolness of Murrue's palm and the touch of Flay's hair. Those secret encounters on Heliopolis had been like two stones dropped into the lake of his heart, sending ripples across its surface. For now, however, he had to set romance aside. His discoveries on Heliopolis were the chief bargaining chip he had brought home, and a crucial step toward shifting the balance between the Zala Faction and the Clyne Faction to secure influence for himself.

While undercover on Heliopolis, Akira had used the precise perception granted by his ACCORD ability to evade the Earth Alliance Forces' patrol lines and slip into its secret facility. He had not only taken clear photographs of the G Series Gundams, but also used his technical analysis skills to extract power core specifications and weapons configuration data for some of the machines. He had deliberately stayed clear of Rau Le Creuset's squad. In the original course of history, Rau Le Creuset should have been the first to submit this intelligence, which could alter the opening stages of the war, using it to distinguish himself under Zala. Akira's goal was to claim that achievement first, firmly establishing himself in the eyes of the Zala Faction's inner circle while laying groundwork with the Clyne Faction, advancing his plans on both fronts.

Immediately after returning to PLANT, Akira did not rush to contact anyone. Instead, he went to the ZAFT Military Intelligence Bureau and submitted the intelligence, marked "Highest priority." The intelligence officer who received him initially paid little attention to the young White Uniform elite. But upon seeing the clear photographs of machines such as the GAT-X105 Strike Gundam and GAT-X103 Buster Gundam, along with the power specifications labeled "Preliminary analysis," his expression instantly turned grave. He rose to salute and swiftly passed the intelligence up through the chain of command. Akira remained calm throughout. Only when asked about his source did he offer the explanation he had prepared: relying on the Silver Wing special operations team's covert reconnaissance capabilities, he had spent days undercover on Heliopolis and obtained the information after evading the Earth Forces' defenses. He deliberately downplayed his own role while highlighting the dangers of the mission and his strategic judgment through the details. He avoided appearing eager for credit while ensuring that headquarters clearly recognized his value.

After submitting the intelligence, Akira did not linger at headquarters. He knew that although the Zala Faction valued intelligence, maximizing the leverage this information offered required simultaneously passing a more complete version to the Clyne Faction. Lacus Clyne, the seemingly delicate songstress, was actually the faction's spiritual center and a pivotal figure capable of influencing PLANT's future. Their earlier time together had shown Akira her kindness, foresight, and dedication to peace. Complete G Series specifications and data on the Archangel would not only allow the Clyne Faction to prepare ahead of time, but also transform him in Lacus's eyes from a "loyal bodyguard" into a "trusted partner." That bond mattered far more than military recognition alone.

The Clyne Family estate stood on the outskirts of April City, surrounded by extensive, meticulously tended gardens. Under the artificial climate controls, flowers bloomed throughout the year, releasing a delicate, sweet fragrance that seemed wholly at odds with the grim atmosphere outside. Thanks to his former position as Lacus's bodyguard, Akira entered the estate without much announcement. Following the winding stone path, he spotted a figure in a white dress sitting on a garden bench, her head bowed as she gently stroked a flower's petals. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and blossoms, scattering tiny flecks of light across her golden hair. She looked like an angel descended to earth.

Hearing footsteps, Lacus looked up, a flash of delighted surprise crossing her clear blue eyes. Her skirt fluttered as she rose, carrying a faint floral fragrance. "Akira? You're back." Her voice was soft as a spring breeze, without the elegant distance she maintained onstage and with more of a young girl's liveliness.

Akira quickly approached, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. Only after assuring himself that she was well did he take a small data storage chip from his encrypted briefcase and place it in her hand. "Miss Clyne, this is all the intelligence I gathered on Heliopolis. It includes the complete technical specifications for the G Series Gundams, the Earth Forces' deployments, and preliminary hull data on the Archangel. It's more complete than the version I submitted to headquarters."

As Lacus accepted the chip, her fingertips accidentally brushed Akira's palm. Both paused briefly, a faint blush rising to their cheeks. She quickly averted her gaze and carefully put the chip away, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Akira. This intelligence is incredibly important. Not only will it help us prepare for the Earth Forces' movements, but it will also give Father a stronger footing in the PLANT Council when he argues for an opportunity to negotiate peace." She knew he was taking a considerable risk. If the Zala Faction discovered that he had passed the complete intelligence to her rather than submitting everything to headquarters, they would inevitably question his loyalty.

"I only did what I should." Akira smiled, his voice gentle. "Whether it's for PLANT's safety or the peace you believe in, this intelligence should be put to the best possible use." He said nothing of his schemes, simply framing his efforts as a matter of duty and trust. His composure and thoughtfulness stirred an unfamiliar feeling in Lacus's heart, making it beat faster despite herself.

After that meeting, they began spending more time together. Akira no longer visited the estate solely as her bodyguard. Sometimes he came between military duties to walk with Lacus; sometimes he brought news from outside and discussed PLANT's future with her. They sat on the bench and talked about the cruelty of war, their hopes for peace, their pasts, and the things weighing on their hearts. Both were at an age when romantic feelings were first awakening. That pure affection quietly grew with each meeting, like buds slowly opening in the garden, tentative yet unstoppable.

One evening, the setting sun bathed the estate in a warm golden glow. Akira accompanied Lacus on a walk through the garden, where violets bloomed profusely along both sides of the stone path, filling the air with fragrance. They walked side by side, chatting intermittently at first. The atmosphere was gentle and peaceful, and even their occasional silences felt comfortable. Akira's gaze kept drifting toward Lacus's profile. Her lashes were long, her eyes as clear as sapphires in the sunset, and a faint smile rested on her lips. Every moment made his heart flutter.

As they reached a bend in the path, a breeze swept past and tousled Lacus's hair. A few golden strands clung to her cheek, lending her a touch of endearing innocence. She instinctively raised her hand to brush them away, but before her fingertips reached them, Akira extended his hand and gently tucked the strands behind her ear. His fingertips accidentally grazed her cheek, and the warmth of that contact made them both stop, their breathing growing faint.

A deep blush instantly spread across Lacus's cheeks, and a hint of flustered uncertainty entered her blue eyes. She instinctively tried to step back, but Akira gently held her wrist. His touch was light, a cautious question rather than any attempt to force her. "Lacus," he said, his voice low and tender, carrying a nervousness he had not noticed himself. "I..."

Before finishing, he released her wrist and gently took her small hand instead. Her hand was soft and slightly cool, enveloped in his warm palm with a reassuring sense of solidity. She instinctively struggled a little, curling her fingers as if to pull away. But as she felt the warmth of his palm and the cautious care in his touch, her resistance gradually weakened. In the end, she let him hold her hand. Her cheeks burned scarlet, her eyes lowered because she did not dare meet his gaze, and her heart raced as though it might leap from her chest.

Sensing her acceptance, Akira felt an indescribable joy well up inside him. His fingers tightened slightly, holding her hand more securely, though he carefully controlled his strength for fear of hurting her. They continued along the path at a slower pace, saying little. There was only the sound of their breathing and the soft rustle of wind through petals. Akira could distinctly feel the coolness against his palm and the faint trembling of Lacus's fingertips. That pure flutter of emotion swept through him like an electric current, making him forget politics and war for a while and lose himself in the innocent sweetness unique to young love.

Lacus gradually raised her head and stole a glance at Akira beside her. His profile was sharply defined, his jawline clear, and his eyes deep and gentle in the sunset as he watched the path ahead with a serious expression. The unfamiliar feeling in her heart grew stronger, mingling shyness, joy, and a trace of indescribable reliance. The hand holding hers seemed filled with strength, leaving her less afraid of the shadow of war and less uncertain about the road to peace. They walked on side by side, their long shadows stretching across the ground and intertwining beneath the setting sun. They formed a tender picture, keeping the cruelty of war outside the garden for a little while.

His sweet moments with Lacus did not make Akira forget his plans. He knew that claiming Rau Le Creuset's achievement would inevitably draw Zala's attention, and that was exactly what he wanted. Sure enough, before long he received a summons from headquarters. Chairman Patrick Zala wanted to see him personally.

Zala's office occupied the top floor of the PLANT Supreme Council building. Its atmosphere was solemn and oppressive. Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows lay a panoramic view of PLANT's Space Colony, but inside there was only cold metal and an invisible weight of pressure. Dressed in a dark military uniform, Zala sat behind his desk, his gaze sharp as a hawk's as he fixed it on the young officer before him. He radiated the chilling authority of a man accustomed to command.

Akira remained calm. He stood at attention and saluted, neither servile nor arrogant, without the slightest sign of panic. He knew that Zala's gaze held both scrutiny and appreciation. The intelligence he had brought back from Heliopolis was more than enough to make Zala take this young White Uniform elite seriously.

"Major Hawke, I've reviewed the intelligence you submitted." Zala's voice was deep and weighty, carrying unquestionable authority. "You did well. This intelligence gave us advance warning of the Earth Forces' movements and provided the core specifications of the G Series Gundams, preventing us from being caught at a disadvantage later." He paused, lightly tapping his fingers against the desk as his gaze sharpened. "Do you understand that this intelligence is valuable enough to change the opening course of the war?"

"I do, sir," Akira answered in a low, steady voice. "It is my honor to ease PLANT's burdens. Obtaining the complete intelligence was only possible through the combined efforts of the Silver Wing special operations team. The credit does not belong to me alone." He deliberately praised the team while subtly emphasizing his own command abilities and reconnaissance strategy, displaying humility without diminishing his confidence.

The corners of Zala's mouth lifted slightly in approval. "Humility is a virtue, but I won't let achievements go unrecognized. To possess such courage and strategic insight at your age puts you well ahead of your peers. You understand how to secure PLANT's interests better than certain so-called 'elites.'" His reference to "elites" clearly hinted at Rau Le Creuset, the man who should originally have submitted this intelligence but had now lost an excellent opportunity to impress Zala because Akira had beaten him to it. Akira understood, but did not point it out. He simply listened quietly and waited for Zala's next instructions.

"To recognize your achievements and allow you to serve more effectively, headquarters has decided to assign you the latest commander-use machine, the ZGMF-515 CGUE (GuAIZ), to replace your current Ginn." Zala's words rang with certainty. "This is ZAFT's newest machine for elite pilots. Equipped with phase shift armor, its offensive and defensive capabilities far surpass the Ginn's, making it fully capable of facing the Earth Forces' G Series Gundams. However, our engineers will use the G Series data you brought back to make targeted upgrades, improving its mobility and weapon compatibility. You'll need to wait a while."

Joy stirred in Akira's heart. He understood the GuAIZ's value. This was not merely a reward from headquarters, but a sign that the Zala Faction had accepted him. With this machine, his combat strength would increase substantially, and his influence within the military would grow as well. He immediately stood at attention and saluted, his voice firm. "Thank you for your trust, Chairman! I will not disappoint you. I'll put this machine to good use and repel the Earth Forces' invasion of PLANT!"

Zala nodded in satisfaction. "You may go. Get some proper rest and wait for the upgrades to be completed. I'll assign you more important missions afterward."

As Akira left the council building, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. The first step was complete: he had claimed Rau Le Creuset's achievement and gained Zala's recognition and a new machine. The second was complete as well: he had passed the full intelligence to Lacus, strengthening his connection to the Clyne Faction. Next, he needed to expand his own power by bringing Li Bing, Shiho, Luna, and Meyrin under his command and taking control of his own warship and troops. That was the true foundation for establishing himself in PLANT, and even changing history.

Headquarters granted Akira a brief leave, coinciding with Li Bing, Shiho, Luna, and Meyrin completing their cadet internships at the ZAFT Military Academy. Their outstanding results had earned all four the qualifications to serve in elite units. Akira had already made arrangements to transfer them all under his command and assign them to his warship.

More notably, at the same time, headquarters replaced Akira's original Laurasia-class warship with a newly launched Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship. This class was one of ZAFT's principal high-speed warships at the time. Compared with the Laurasia-class, it was faster and more maneuverable, with enhanced firepower and Mobile Suit capacity. Equipped with two large beam main guns, four secondary guns, and multiple Mobile Suit launch bays, it could execute high-speed assaults while providing ample support for Mobile Suit forces, making it especially well suited to Akira's combat style. He once again named his new flagship the Silver Wing, matching his special operations team and marking it as belonging to his own force.

During his leave, Akira spent most of his time at home with Luna and Meyrin. The sisters were especially affectionate when they saw him. Luna, in particular, was spirited and outgoing, throwing herself into his arms the moment she saw him. "Big brother, we can finally fight alongside you!" she said brightly. Her eyes were filled with admiration and love, and she made no attempt to conceal her feelings. Their physical contact became increasingly intimate. Occasional hugs and moments nestled against him carried a young girl's passionate boldness, sparking intense emotional exchanges between them. Those feelings that went beyond blood ties grew stronger as they spent their days together.

Shiho remained composed and reserved. In uniform, she looked more striking and assured, with less of her former youthful awkwardness. She took the initiative to ask Akira about tactics, her eyes full of seriousness and respect. Occasionally, when their gazes met, a faint blush rose to her cheeks. Her romantic feelings lay hidden in her eyes, restrained but deep. She was not skilled with words, but expressed her affection through actions, preparing hot meals for Akira, setting his combat uniform in order, and quietly remaining by his side.

Li Bing retained her calm, capable manner. As a liaison officer sent by the East Asian Republic and a member of Akira's command, she was proficient in electronic warfare and intelligence analysis and could also hold her own on the battlefield. Her relationship with Akira lacked Luna's fervor and Shiho's reserve; it rested more on unspoken understanding and trust. When they were occasionally alone together, they discussed tactical planning and the movements of the various factions. As their eyes met, a subtle romantic tension quietly spread between them.

Meyrin was the liveliest of them all. Though the youngest, she was exceptionally clever and quick-witted, with a sensitive heart. Watching Luna's intimacy with Akira and the romantic tension between him, Shiho, and Li Bing, the shrewd girl gradually developed a wish of her own. She wanted to be like the older girls, staying beside Akira every night and receiving his affection. She began deliberately trying to please him, sometimes pestering him for battlefield stories, sometimes offering to massage him so he could relax, and sometimes pretending to be innocent and clueless as she nestled beside him. Her lively eyes concealed little schemes and abundant affection.

Akira saw all four women's feelings clearly. His ACCORD ability allowed him to sense the affection in their hearts. He neither deliberately avoided it nor casually made promises, choosing instead to let things develop naturally. He needed their abilities and treasured their bonds. These complicated feelings might also become a tie that united his team and secured his power. He responded gently to Luna's enthusiasm, patiently answered Shiho's questions, worked seamlessly with Li Bing, and indulged Meyrin's little whims, keeping all four firmly gathered around him.

The peace of his leave did not last long. One day, as Akira played with Luna and Meyrin in the living room, his phone suddenly received two encrypted messages at once: one from headquarters, the other from Chairman Siegel Clyne.

Akira immediately dropped his playful expression, stepped aside, and checked the messages one by one. The message from headquarters was concise: the upgrades to his commander-use GuAIZ were complete, and Major Mei Hock was ordered to report to the MS Armory immediately to collect it. Detailed specifications were attached: overall height, 20.23 m; weight, 89.9 t; equipped with phase shift armor, two MMI-GAU2 20 mm CIWS units, an MA-MV05 beam saber, and an MA-M21 beam rifle. This machine would gradually replace some Ginn units and become a mainstay of ZAFT's elite forces. Akira's unit had received additional targeted upgrades, optimizing its power system and weapon compatibility to suit his combat style.

The message from Chairman Clyne, however, instantly made Akira's expression turn grave. It stated that Lacus had traveled aboard a private spacecraft to the vicinity of Junius Seven for a memorial event. Shortly before, the spacecraft's signal had suddenly vanished. Its final transmission indicated that they had encountered Earth Alliance Forces and were in grave danger. Chairman Clyne hoped Akira would immediately lead a rescue team. He had also issued the relevant orders to headquarters, authorizing Akira to deploy his troops and spare no effort in the rescue.

Akira's heart sank. Although he knew that Lacus would be safe in the original course of history, he could not gamble on it. His intervention had already caused history to deviate. If something happened to Lacus now, not only would the Clyne Faction be left without its guiding figure, but all his previous plans would be thrown into disarray. More importantly, his genuine affection for her made it impossible for him to stand by. He had to reach her as quickly as possible and ensure her safety. At the same time, he keenly recognized an excellent opportunity. This rescue might give him a chance to board the Archangel and lay groundwork ahead of time, preparing him to respond to the Earth Forces' later movements and gain control over the course of the war.

Without a moment's hesitation, Akira took out his communicator and contacted Meyrin. "Meyrin, notify every member of the Silver Wing's crew to report to the flagship immediately. Make full combat preparations and begin predeparture resupply and hull inspections. Pay particular attention to the weapons systems and Mobile Suit hangars. Make absolutely certain nothing goes wrong. I'll collect my new machine from the MS Armory as quickly as possible, then join you aboard the ship. Once we're together, we depart immediately for the space around Junius Seven."

"Understood, Captain!" Meyrin's reply came at once. There was a trace of tension in her voice, but she remained composed and efficient. "I'll notify everyone right away. We'll be ready!"

Ending the call, Akira turned toward Luna. His tone was gentle but carried unquestionable resolve. "Luna, all of you head to the ship first. Miss Lacus's safety depends on this mission. Stay fully alert and prepare for combat."

"All right!" The young women nodded together, and determination flashed in Luna's eyes. "Big brother, we'll protect Miss Lacus and help you keep the battle under control!" Shiho also nodded firmly, her eyes earnest as she sought to prove herself and shoulder some of Akira's burden.

Akira ruffled both girls' hair, then quickly changed into his uniform, picked up his encrypted briefcase and weapon, and strode out of the house. His steps were firm and his gaze intent. He had already worked out a comprehensive plan: collect the GuAIZ, lead the Silver Wing at full speed to Junius Seven, rescue Lacus, and use the opportunity to make contact with the Archangel and gather more intelligence. That would further strengthen his standing in both the Zala Faction and the Clyne Faction, advancing his plans step by step.

Beneath the setting sun, Akira's figure looked increasingly upright and resolute. Every step he took had been carefully calculated, and every decision concerned the future course of the war and his own fate. New turmoil was destined to arise in the space around Junius Seven. Mei Hock and his Silver Wing fleet were about to head into a battle that involved his plans, his bonds, and peace itself.

As night deepened, the lights came on in the MS Armory at PLANT's spaceport. A Silver-Blue GuAIZ stood silently within, its sleek contours gleaming with cold metal as it awaited its pilot. Not far away, the Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship Silver Wing had already started its engines, a pale blue energy glow surrounding its hull. Every member of the crew stood ready. As soon as Akira arrived, they would set sail into the sea of stars.