The middle deck of the Starry Sky was exceptionally quiet, carrying even a hint of oppressive, murderous intent, compared to the noisy bridge and the busy hangar. The lighting fixtures on both sides of the corridor emitted a cold white glow, illuminating the neatly arranged ZAFT military emblems on the walls. Every step on the alloy floor produced a crisp, heavy echo, as if tapping against the vigilance deep in people's hearts. Mei Hock wore a freshly promoted major general's uniform, the silver-gray fabric making his posture all the more upright, and the gold stars on his shoulder boards gleamed brilliantly under the cold light without seeming flashy in the least. Having endured the bloody battle of the Boaz Fortress, the calm between his brows was deeper than ever before, with the sharpness forged by the battlefield hidden in the depths of his eyes, along with unknown layouts and considerations.
Ever since the Boaz garrison and the Seventh Fleet safely retreated to the PLANT defense line, this airspace adjacent to the PLANT satellite cluster had become the final iron barrier for ZAFT to resist the Earth Alliance's offensive. Behind the defense line, the twelve primary PLANT satellites emitted a soft glow in space, representing the homeland upon which Coordinators depended for survival and a pure land that countless people swore to protect with their blood and lives. In front of the defense line, the Jachin Due Fortress stood majestically in the center of the airspace like a dormant giant beast, the turret arrays all over the fortress charged and ready with muzzles pointed directly into the distance, exuding a heaven-shaking deterrent force. Surrounding the Jachin Due Fortress, all three ZAFT space fleets deployed in a ring formation, with 150 warships neatly arranged. The heavy bulk of the Laurasia-class and the swiftness of the Nazca-class intertwined, forming an airtight defense system. 750 Mobile Suits patrolled around the fleets like a swarm of bees, the deep green hulls of the Ginns and the streamlined paint jobs of the DINNs interlacing, complemented by a small number of GuAIZ units. Every Mobile Suit stood ready for battle, coalescing into an indomitable fighting force.
Opposite this defensive formation, the seven fleets of the Earth Alliance slowly approached like a cloud blocking out the sky, carrying the breath of death and crushing down so heavily that it was hard to breathe. Following two disastrous engagements with the forces under Mei's command, two Earth Alliance fleets had already been thoroughly battered, with over half of their warships destroyed and devastating Mobile Suit losses. Even so, the remaining fleets still possessed over 220 warships and 1,200 Mobile Suits, retaining an absolute numerical advantage. The mega cannons of the Nelson-class warships, the missile launchers of the Drake-class warships, and countless Strike Dagger Mobile Suits hung like swords suspended above ZAFT's head, ready at any moment to fall and turn this airspace into scorched earth. The forces of both sides stood in standoff posture in the airspace surrounding the Jachin Due Fortress, the smell of gunpowder in the air growing increasingly thick, energy fluctuations rising one after another, and a major battle was on the verge of breaking out. Every second of silence brewed an even more brutal slaughter.
At the end of the corridor, a cabin was guarded by two elite Silver Wing fleet soldiers in black combat uniforms. The cabin door remained tightly shut, with only a weak red indicator light blinking at the doorway to signal that the interior was under quarantine. The two soldiers stood tall with postures straight and gazes sharp as eagles, exuding the coldness unique to elite units. Even when facing passing crew members, they maintained high vigilance without the slightest relaxation. Seeing Mei approach, they immediately straightened their torsos and raised their hands in a salute with standard, respectful movements, their voices booming yet subdued so as not to disturb the person inside. "Major General Hawke!"
Mei nodded slightly, his tone flat yet carrying unquestionable majesty. Sweeping his gaze over the two soldiers, he slowly spoke. "Fall back for now. Without my orders, no one is allowed to approach or answer any communications from inside the cabin, not even emergency calls from the bridge. Report to me first." He knew very well that Natarle Badgiruel inside the cabin possessed a stubborn personality and was full of vigilance toward ZAFT. If disturbed by outside voices or approached by irrelevant people, this recruitment effort would likely fail completely, or even spark unnecessary conflict.
"Understood, Major General Hawke!" The two soldiers answered in unison without a moment of hesitation. They immediately turned and neatly withdrew along both sides of the corridor, moving in step with crisp, orderly footsteps that quickly vanished around the corner, leaving only Mei standing alone before the cabin door. His figure appeared slightly solitary under the cold white light, yet carried a composure that kept the entire situation under control.
He raised a hand and pressed the unlock button beside the cabin door. With a soft click, the cabin door slowly slid to one side, revealing the small space within. The cabin furnishings were simple, consisting only of a metal desk and chair, a single bed, and a small storage locker. The walls displayed the cold, raw color of alloy without any decoration, and the sole ventilation vent emitted a faint airflow carrying a trace of faint disinfectant scent. This could hardly be considered a prison cell; there were no cold iron chains or grim interrogation equipment, but it was certainly no comfortable residence either. It resembled a temporary isolation and reception room, guaranteeing Natarle Badgiruel's safety while cutting off outside interference to create a quiet environment for this conversation.
Inside the cabin, two figures sat facing one another. The atmosphere appeared slightly stagnant without any conversation, save for the sound of airflow from the ventilation vent echoing slowly through the room. Natarle Badgiruel wore a slightly creased Earth Alliance Forces major's uniform, her military cap placed on the corner of the desk, and her short black hair neatly combed. Even in such a predicament, it failed to mask her officer's efficiency and pride. Yet her complexion was somewhat pale, her eyes tinged with fatigue and forbearance. Her hands were folded on the desk, fingertips slightly pale and knuckles somewhat prominent from exertion, clearly showing that her inner self was far from calm. Countless doubts, anger, and resentment intertwined and collided deep within her heart, yet she forcibly suppressed them, refusing to reveal a single shred.
Flay, sitting beside her, had shed her former arrogance and fragility. Dressed in a simple light gray military uniform with her hair draped over her shoulders, her expression was calm, though a trace of unnoticeable tension and caution lingered in her eyes. Mei had deliberately asked her to come here with the purpose of pacifying Natarle Badgiruel. Mei knew clearly that Natarle Badgiruel had a tough personality and stubborn temper, making her difficult for ordinary people to approach, let alone pacify. Although Flay and Natarle Badgiruel had no deep friendship, they had crossed paths once in the Earth Alliance military camps. Furthermore, Flay now possessed a calm state of mind and handled matters reliably, no longer the crying little girl swayed by emotions. Having her accompany Natarle Badgiruel could ease the stagnant atmosphere in the cabin and perhaps cause Natarle Badgiruel to lower her guard a little and accept more.
Hearing the sliding sound of the cabin door, the two women raised their heads simultaneously, their gazes locking onto Mei with differing expressions. A flicker of brightness flashed in Flay's eyes, and she instinctively moved to stand up, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something-likely to report on the brief time spent with Natarle Badgiruel or to inquire about Mei's intentions-her tone carrying a trace of imperceptible eagerness. However, Mei raised a hand slightly, making a "hush" gesture. His gaze was gentle yet firm, and keeping his voice very low, he spoke softly. "Flay, you go wait for me in the captain's quarters first. I have something to discuss with Major Badgiruel alone. Don't worry, it won't take long."
Flay froze for a moment, then understood, nodding without saying more. She knew Mei's personality; since he said they would talk alone, he naturally had his reasons. Yet she cast a deep look at Natarle Badgiruel, her eyes carrying a trace of worry and comfort, then looked at Mei with a flicker of trust in her gaze. Afterward, she stood up, smoothed her skirt, and stepped softly out of the cabin with light footsteps, afraid of disturbing the two of them. Passing by Mei, she paused, lowered her voice, and spoke in a tone only the two of them could hear. "I'll wait for you in the captain's quarters. Call me if anything comes up. She... her emotions are unstable, so keep an eye on her."
Mei nodded slightly, his gaze softening a fraction as he replied softly. "I know, thank you for the trouble." Watching Flay's figure vanish outside the cabin door, he pressed the button. The cabin door closed slowly with a soft click, completely severing the cabin from the outside world. The entire space instantly grew even quieter, and that stagnant atmosphere intensified further.
He walked over to the chair opposite Natarle Badgiruel and sat down, leaning forward slightly and gazing at Natarle Badgiruel with a calm expression. He did not speak immediately, but his gaze was too profound, resembling a vast starry ocean capable of seeing through the most secret thoughts deep within a person's heart. This caused Natarle Badgiruel to instinctively avoid his line of sight, lowering her head with her teeth gently biting her lower lip while her vigilance grew even heavier, resembling a trapped beast ready to launch a counterattack at any moment.
The cabin fell into a brief silence, with only the sound of airflow from the vent echoing clearly. Every passing second felt exceptionally prolonged. After a long while, Mei finally spoke slowly, his tone flat and carrying a trace of imperceptible emotion as he broke the stagnant atmosphere. "Major Badgiruel, long time no see. Since our parting at Heliopolis, I never imagined that upon meeting again, you would actually have become the captain of the Dominion. I must say, your abilities are truly admirable."
He paused, his gaze landing on Natarle Badgiruel's taut profile to carefully observe the changes in her expression, and continued. "However, judging from the current situation, you do not seem to have been heavily utilized within the Earth Alliance; you could even be said to have been marginalized. As a cutting-edge warship of the Earth Alliance with exceptional performance, the Dominion should have been commanded by the most trusted and capable person. Yet the crew members, pilots, and even junior officers on board are basically Muruta Azrael's people, aren't they? Although you hold the title of captain, you cannot truly control this warship, and many decisions are likely out of your hands."
These words struck like a sharp dagger, precisely piercing Natarle Badgiruel's sore spot. Her body stiffened slightly, the pressure in her fingertips increasing as her nails nearly embedded themselves in her palms, and a flash of undisguised anger and resentment flickered in her eyes. All the grievances, suspicions, and constraints she had suffered aboard the Dominion surged forward like a tide. She had worked diligently, faithfully performing her duties with a single-minded desire to serve the Earth Alliance and protect everything she believed in. Yet in the end, she remained guarded against and marginalized by Azrael's people, lacking real political power, and even her own commands were frequently met with compliance in public but opposition in secret. Every single word of Mei's spoke to the bottom of her heart, leaving her unable to refute him.
Mei did not stop, continuing his patient guidance with a tone containing a hint of pointing out the truth without a shred of mockery or taking advantage of her vulnerability. "I believe that having stayed aboard the Dominion for so long, you should also understand what truly supports the Atlantic Federation-the extreme ideology of Blue Cosmos, those fanatics who loathe Coordinators and wish to exterminate all Coordinators; the ambition of arms oligarchs like Muruta Azrael, who cares never about the victory or defeat of the Earth Alliance nor the lives of soldiers, but rather his own profits, making a fortune through war, and seizing power over the entire Earth Sphere; and those high-ranking politicians who care only for their own self-interest, scheming and engaging in deceit while completely disregarding the safety of civilians and the sacrifice of soldiers. As long as they can preserve their positions, they do not care if countless more people are sacrificed."
"You should know even better to what extent this seemingly powerful military organization has rotted from within." Mei's tone grew gradually heavier, his gaze carrying a trace of pity. "It resembles a hollow tree; seemingly lush with foliage and seemingly impregnable, but actually collapsing at a single push. The blood of soldiers and the suffering of civilians are merely pawns in the eyes of those ambitious men competing for power and profit. Do you feel it is worth it to continue serving such an organization and following those ambitious men?"
Natarle Badgiruel finally could not help raising her head, her eyes carrying a trace of restrained anger and resentment. Speaking in a hoarse voice that nonetheless retained a soldier's toughness, she gritted her teeth and asked. "What on earth are you trying to achieve by saying all this? Since you understand the current state of the Atlantic Federation, you should also know that I have no utility value to ZAFT-regardless of my military rank or the family behind me, I have long been marginalized within the Atlantic Federation with no speaking rights, and in ZAFT, I am utterly worthless. Bringing me back serves neither to blackmail the Atlantic Federation nor to gain any benefits from my family; it is purely a superfluous action."
Her voice carried a trace of trembling, filled with both anger and an imperceptible despair. She knew very well that her current predicament was like that of an abandoned chess piece. The Earth Alliance did not need her, and ZAFT might not accept her either. The road ahead was shrouded in uncertainty; she did not know where she should go next, nor what kind of ending awaited her family after this war ended.
Looking at the anger and vigilance in Natarle Badgiruel's eyes, and looking at the fragility beneath her forced strength, far from becoming angry, Mei simply smiled gently. That smile was warm yet carried the composure of one who held the entire situation in the palm of his hand, alongside a touch of sincerity. He shook his head and spoke. "Don't get excited. I have no intention of making things difficult for you, nor do I treat you as a prisoner or a bargaining chip. I have never thought of using you, nor have I ever thought of harming you. I simply want to discuss a deal with you-a deal that is completely beneficial and harmless to you and the Natarle Badgiruel Family, a deal that will allow you to preserve yourselves in these troubled times and even make a comeback."
He leaned back slightly against the chair, his gaze remaining calmly fixed on Natarle Badgiruel as he slowed his tone to give her sufficient time to think. "You might as well think carefully: if this war ends and the Earth Alliance is defeated, what benefits can your Natarle Badgiruel Family obtain in the postwar period? Will you be used as scapegoats by ambitious men like Muruta Azrael, pushed forward to shoulder all the war crimes, ultimately ending up with a shattered family and ruined reputation? Or will you be able to preserve yourselves amidst the chaotic times, or even secure better development to allow your family to revitalize?"
At this point, Mei shifted the direction of his words, a deeper meaning entering his gaze as his tone grew even more earnest. "Furthermore, if I remember correctly, your Natarle Badgiruel Family seems to possess ancestry from the East Asian Republic? I vaguely heard that your mother is a person of the East Asian Republic, hailing from a branch of the Lee Family in East Asia. You have always deliberately concealed this matter, haven't you?"
Natarle Badgiruel's gaze abruptly froze, her pupils contracting slightly. Clearly, she had not expected Mei to know about this matter. She had always deliberately concealed it, and even within the Earth Alliance military camps, very few people knew of it. After all, within the Earth Alliance, although the East Asian Republic was an ally, it had always been squeezed and suspected by the Atlantic Federation and the Eurasian Federation. Possessing East Asian ancestry could bring no benefits whatsoever; instead, it could become a reason for suspicion and suppression, and might even implicate her family. She remained silent for a moment, the tension in her fingertips gradually relaxing. Her tone softened slightly while retaining a hint of vigilance as she nodded slowly and spoke in a low voice. "Yes, my mother was a person of the East Asian Republic, from a branch of the Lee Family in East Asia. How do you know about this?"
The smile on Mei's face grew even warmer. He nodded gently and spoke. "That settles it then. I have some good connections within the East Asian Republic, including the Kaohsiung Military-Industrial Complex of East Asia, as well as several high-ranking officials. They all owe me a favor, and as long as I speak up, they will certainly give me this face. Would you consider allowing your Natarle Badgiruel Family to migrate to the East Asian Republic to live?"
He paused, explaining in detail for fear that Natarle Badgiruel might not believe him. "The East Asian Republic is different from the Atlantic Federation; it is pragmatic, inclusive, and does not repel Coordinators nor Naturals. It has always warmly welcomed capable families with deep foundations. Furthermore, the sphere of influence of your Natarle Badgiruel Family originally lay near the borders of the East Asian Republic. It was only later, due to various reasons, that you became attached to the Atlantic Federation, gradually drifting away from that place and losing your foundation. When the war concludes and the Earth Alliance is defeated, the East Asian Republic will inevitably seize the opportunity to expand its own influence. By then, the East Asian Republic can step forward to coordinate and have the Atlantic Federation cede a small border territory to serve as a foothold for your Natarle Badgiruel Family to settle down and provide you with an opportunity to rebuild the family. Securing that should not be a difficult task."
Mei leaned forward slightly, looking earnestly at Natarle Badgiruel without a trace of deception in his eyes, displaying only sincerity and expectation. "How about it, Major Badgiruel? Are you interested? For you and your family, this is an excellent opportunity-an opportunity to preserve yourselves in troubled times and even make a comeback. You will no longer need to serve those ambitious men, endure those grievances and suspicions, or worry about the future of yourself and your family. Isn't this what you have always wanted?"
Natarle Badgiruel quietly looked at Mei, her expression reaching the extreme of complexity: doubt, vigilance, temptation, and unwillingness all mingled within it. She knew that what Mei spoke was the truth, and every single word struck straight to her heart. The Earth Alliance currently suffered from internal trouble and external invasion, rotting away to the core, and defeat was already certain. Once defeated, families like theirs-marginalized and lacking a powerful backing-would inevitably become scapegoats, facing a miserable end where shattered families, ruined reputations, and destruction awaited them. Meanwhile, the East Asian Republic was currently rising in momentum, possessing formidable military-industrial strength, solid internal order, a tolerant cultural climate, and an openness that did not repel outsiders. If she could relocate her family to East Asia, they could indeed preserve themselves and even rediscover the glory of their family.
Yet she also understood that there was no free lunch in this world; Mei could not help her and her family for no reason. He naturally had his own goals and demands. She remained silent for a long time, drawing a deep breath to suppress the complex emotions churning at the bottom of her heart. Finally, she raised her head, looking at Mei with a steadfast gaze as she spoke in a serious, deliberate tone. "What do you want to gain? Major General Mei Hock, you will not help me and my family without cause. State your conditions. No matter what the conditions are, as long as I can accomplish them and as long as they do not harm my family, I can consider them."
The smile on Mei's face gradually faded, his expression turning serious. Looking deeply at Natarle Badgiruel with a firm tone devoid of the slightest hesitation, he spoke word for word. "I want you."
This statement was too direct and too abrupt, entirely lacking in groundwork, causing Natarle Badgiruel to instantly freeze. The color on her face vanished in an instant, turning as pale as paper before flushing with a wave of redness-not out of shyness, but out of anger, the fury of being violated. She abruptly clenched her fists, her teeth biting hard against her lower lip, and the temperature in her eyes plummeted to freezing point. Staring at Mei with an icy gaze, she spoke through gritted teeth. "Mei Hock! You are impertinent! Even if I die, I will not submit to you! Don't even think about insulting me!"
In her view, Mei's words undoubtedly constituted an insult to her and a trampling upon her dignity as a soldier. Although she found herself in a predicament and her path forward was obscured, she possessed her own pride and her own bottom line. Even if she died, she would never accept such an insult, nor would she ever become someone else's plaything.
"You've misunderstood." Seeing this, Mei immediately raised a hand to cut off her words. A helpless smile surfaced on his face as he hurriedly explained, his tone laced with urgency for fear she would continue down that train of thought. "I didn't mean it that way. Don't get the wrong idea; I have no intention of insulting you whatsoever, nor have I ever thought of making you submit to me. I want you to become my executive officer, to help me command the Silver Wing fleet and help me command the Starry Sky. That is my condition, and also my sole demand."
The anger frozen on Natarle Badgiruel's face locked in place, her expression filled with astonishment as if she had heard some absurd fantasy. Staring at Mei in disbelief with slightly parting lips, her tone trembled with a mixture of disbelief and doubt. "What did you say? You want me-a Natural, someone who once served the Atlantic Federation, even fought against ZAFT and has ZAFT soldiers' blood on my hands-to serve as your executive officer, to command your fleet? Aren't you worried? Aren't you afraid that I will seize the opportunity to betray you, leak fleet secrets, cause losses to ZAFT, or take revenge on ZAFT?"
She paused, her tone brimming with perplexity and incomprehension as she continued. "Furthermore, I have long heard of your command abilities. In the Battle of the Boaz Fortress, you defeated superior numbers with inferior forces, leading your troops with minimal losses to twice frustrate the Atlantic Federation's main fleets before safely retreating to the PLANT defense line. Your command capabilities and tactical literacy are not beneath mine-they are even superior to mine. Why would you seek me out to be your executive officer? You shouldn't lack capable people around you, should you?"
This series of questions piled up at the bottom of her heart, leaving her unable to comprehend Mei's actions. In her eyes, Mei's decision was far too crazy and too adventurous, bordering on utter unreasonableness. Allowing a former enemy to act as one's executive officer and command one's most elite fleet was an unprecedented occurrence in any military organization; a single careless misstep would invite disaster or exact a heavy price.
Watching her expression of utter disbelief, Mei smiled lightly, his tone earnest and resolute as he patiently explained. "The very reason I sought you out is precisely because of your superb command capabilities and outstanding tactical literacy. I understand your strength; among the numerous captains of the Earth Alliance, your command ability, tactical vision, and execution are definitely top-tier. I can place complete trust in your commanding talent, and I believe that with you present, my fleet will become even more formidable and my soldiers even safer."
"Furthermore, I cannot remain with the fleet at all times." Mei continued in an even tone. "As the commander of the Silver Wing fleet and a major general of ZAFT, I sometimes need to personally pilot Mobile Suits, participate in frontline combat, charge at the very forefront to set an example for my soldiers, and use my own strength to protect PLANT and those we hold dear. At other times, I must handle various other matters-such as communicating with the upper echelons of PLANT, coordinating relationships among various factions, maintaining contact with the East Asian Republic to lay out the postwar situation, and even executing certain secret missions. When I am away from the fleet, my fleet requires a reliable and capable person to command it-someone who can command presence, make correct decisions, stabilize the situation at critical moments, and lead my soldiers into battle to share my burdens. And you are the most suitable candidate."
At this point, a deeper meaning entered Mei's gaze, and his tone grew even more sincere. "Right now, my helmsman is Li Bing. She hails from the East Asian Republic and was specially dispatched by the East Asian leadership to assist me. I believe you should recognize her-you crossed paths once during military exercises in East Asia, and you should have some understanding of her capabilities: calm, rigorous, possessing exquisite technique, and absolutely reliable. As for Flay, I will train her gradually, allowing her to take charge of the fleet's weapon command. Although she lacks prior related experience, she is intelligent, calm, possesses strong learning abilities, and is meticulous. Deep down, she does not lack a soldier's resilience nor the courage to fight. Given time, she will certainly become competent in the weapon command position."
"In this way, the entire bridge of the Starry Sky will consist entirely of people I trust." Mei spoke slowly, his tone carrying a touch of certainty. "My adjutant is a core member of the Clyne Faction, loyal, reliable, firm in stance, and will never leak any secrets, nor will she allow anyone to engage in petty tricks on the bridge, nor permit anyone to betray me or ZAFT. Therefore, I have no fear that you will inform on us, nor do I worry that you will betray us-I trust my own judgment, I trust your character, and above all, I believe that you would no longer be willing to serve that rotten Atlantic Federation, to be utilized by those ambitious men, or to watch your own family meet a miserable end."
"I know you have ZAFT soldiers' blood on your hands, that you were once ZAFT's enemy, and that you may harbor some prejudice and resentment toward ZAFT in your heart." Mei's tone gradually softened, his gaze carrying a touch of tolerance. "But I also know that you are not someone fond of slaughter; you were simply fulfilling your duties and fighting for what you believed in. Now, the Atlantic Federation has rotted away, and you have seen the true faces of those ambitious men. Continuing to follow them leads only to destruction. Instead, join me, join ZAFT, and together with me, protect PLANT, protect this sea of stars, protect those innocent civilians, stop this cruel war, and forge a more peaceful, more just future. Isn't that far more meaningful than serving those ambitious men?"
Natarle Badgiruel listened quietly, her expression gradually growing calm. The astonishment and vigilance on her face slowly dissipated, replaced by earnest contemplation. Every word of Mei's made sense, each phrase earnest and devoid of deception or perfunctoriness. She had to admit that Mei's proposal was indeed an irresistible opportunity for her: not only could she preserve her family, allowing it to endure through troubled times and even make a comeback, but she could also display her commanding talents without having to eke out a meager existence in the cracks of the Earth Alliance, without being exploited or suspected by ambitious men, without suffering those grievances and constraints, and she could actually accomplish meaningful work to stop the war and protect innocent people.
She recalled all her experiences within the Earth Alliance, the soldiers sacrificed by ambitious men, the civilians displaced by the flames of war, and the future of her family. The final trace of vigilance deep within her heart gradually vanished. She knew that Mei genuinely wanted to recruit her, genuinely wanted to help her, and genuinely wanted her to accomplish meaningful things, rather than seeking to exploit or insult her.
After a long silence, she drew a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, and her gaze grew resolute. Looking at Mei, she nodded solemnly and spoke in a serious, measured tone. "Very well, I accept. I am willing to serve as your executive officer, help you command the fleet, help you command the Starry Sky, help you stop this war, help you protect PLANT, and protect those innocent civilians. But I have one condition-you must guarantee that after the war ends, you will help my family migrate to the East Asian Republic, ensure the safety of everyone in my family, absolutely forbid anyone from harming them, and strictly prohibit anyone from using my family for personal gain. If you fail to do this, even if I must risk my life, I will never let you go."
A relieved smile surfaced on Mei's face. He nodded heavily, reached out, and patted Natarle Badgiruel's shoulder, speaking in a firm tone. "Rest assured, I give you my word. As long as you assist me well and uphold your commitment, I will certainly fulfill my promise. I will never allow you or your family to suffer any harm, I will never let anyone use your family, and I will definitely help you migrate to the East Asian Republic to provide your family with an opportunity to rebuild and secure a stable future. I, Mei Hock, keep my word and never break a promise."
He stood up, his tone growing slightly lighter as a smile appeared on his face. "It's settled then, Executive Officer. Hurry up and get up, change your clothes, wash your face, and tidy up. I'll wait for you on the bridge. Shortly, I'll have Flay send over your executive officer uniform. Although it is currently a temporary establishment, the treatment and authority are arranged exactly according to an official executive officer's rank-you will not be wronged in the least."
Natarle Badgiruel stood up as well and nodded, a look of release finally appearing on her face. The oppression, grievances, and confusion of the past few days seemed to vanish like smoke in this very moment. Slowly raising her hand toward Mei, she executed a standard military salute-this time without vigilance, anger, or resentment, carrying only sincerity, steadfastness, and expectation for the future. "Understood, Major General Hawke! I will not let you down! I will certainly assist you well, command the fleet properly, and never betray your trust, nor let down the position of executive officer!"
Mei nodded slightly with a satisfied smile, turned toward the cabin door, and pressed the unlocking button. As the door slid slowly open, he glanced back at Natarle Badgiruel and spoke with a smile. "I trust you. I'll be waiting." With those words, he stepped out of the cabin and gently closed the door behind him, leaving Natarle Badgiruel time to tidy herself.
Upon exiting the cabin, Mei immediately retrieved his personal terminal and dialed Flay's communication channel, his tone warm, calm, and devoid of fluctuations. "Flay, go to the quartermaster's storage right now and get a set of executive officer uniforms-make sure it fits well. In addition, prepare a set of toiletries and deliver them together to the isolation cabin on the middle deck for Major Natarle Badgiruel. Remember to keep your movements gentle; she just agreed to be my executive officer, and her emotions are still somewhat unstable. Keep an eye on her condition, and report to me immediately if anything arises."
"Understood, I'm heading over right away. Don't worry," Flay's voice came through the communicator, warm, calm, and carrying an imperceptible trace of joy. "I'll prepare properly. I won't let you down, nor will I disturb Major Natarle Badgiruel."
"Alright, thank you for the trouble," Mei replied softly before cutting the connection.
After ending the communication, Mei retrieved his personal terminal once more and dialed Councilman Amalfi. Councilman Amalfi was a core member of the military department, possessed high authority and wide-ranging connections within the upper echelons of PLANT, was sophisticated in handling affairs, and excelled at resolving complex identity issues and interpersonal relationships. Entrusting this matter to her gave Mei complete peace of mind. The call connected swiftly, and Councilman Amalfi's warm, steady voice emerged from the communicator. "Major General Hawke, do you need something? I presume the subsequent defensive deployment following the Battle of the Boaz Fortress has all been properly arranged? Being able to lead your troops to a safe retreat and twice frustrate the Earth Alliance's main fleets is truly cause for celebration. As expected of our PLANT hero and the core strength of the Clyne Faction."
"Thank you for your concern, Councilman Amalfi. The subsequent defensive arrangements are proceeding in an orderly fashion, and everything is going smoothly." Mei's tone was respectful yet neither servile nor overbearing, completely free of arrogance or complacency. "The reason I am contacting you this time is because of a small matter I would like to trouble you with-I have recruited an executive officer named Natarle Badgiruel, formerly the captain of the Earth Alliance warship Dominion. Her command ability is exceptionally outstanding, making her a rare talent. I would like to ask for your assistance in securing a formal ZAFT officer status for her, wiping clean all her previous records within the Earth Alliance, and clearing any criminal record to ensure she can smoothly assume her post in the Silver Wing fleet without encountering any obstacles, suspicion, or exclusion."
Councilman Amalfi paused for a moment, then chuckled, her tone carrying a hint of surprise yet not the slightest hesitation. "Natarle Badgiruel? I have indeed heard that name-a cutting-edge captain of the Earth Alliance with very good command abilities and high tactical literacy, though she was consistently marginalized by Azrael's people and lacked opportunities to display her talents. Major General Hawke, you certainly have an eye for talent to recruit such a person under your command. Rest assured, leave this matter to me. I will handle it as quickly as possible, utilizing all my connections and resources to ensure there are no issues. By tomorrow at the latest, her official status will be issued, and her authority will be synchronized to match your executive officer's status completely. She will not be wronged in the least, nor will anyone be allowed to question her identity."
"Thank you for your assistance, Councilman Amalfi. Words cannot express my gratitude," Mei said earnestly, a great weight finally lifting from his heart. Natarle Badgiruel's identity issue was the most critical matter at present; as long as Councilman Amalfi stepped in, it would undoubtedly be resolved smoothly. Once her status was settled, Natarle Badgiruel could legitimately serve as executive officer and command the fleet without having to worry about being suspected or sidelined.
"Don't mention it, Major General Hawke," Councilman Amalfi said with a smile, her tone carrying a trace of gratification. "You are a hero of PLANT, the core strength of our Clyne Faction, and the person Miss Lacus trusts most. Your affairs are our affairs, and the affairs of the Clyne Faction. As long as I can help you, help PLANT, and help Miss Lacus, it is my bounden duty; this trifling matter is nothing. Well, I'll go handle this affair and strive to give you a reply as soon as possible. If any issues arise, contact me again."
"Understood, thank you for the trouble, Councilman Amalfi." Mei expressed his gratitude once more before ending the communication.
After cutting the connection, Mei exhaled a breath of relief, a relieved smile surfacing on his face. Natarle Badgiruel's affairs were finally properly arranged; next, he could throw himself wholeheartedly into the frontline combat, confront the Earth Alliance's offensive, and safeguard PLANT's safety. He turned and walked along the corridor toward the bridge with a firm, steady stride, every step carrying the composure of one who held total control over the situation.
At that moment, the urgent voice of the bridge radar operator crackled through the communicator, carrying tension and gravity that shattered the corridor's silence and interrupted Mei's thoughts. "Major General Hawke! Emergency report! On the primary battlefield, the Atlantic Federation fleets have begun launching a fierce assault against the Jachin Due Fortress and the surrounding ZAFT forces! The battle between both sides is exceptionally brutal; multiple locations among the outer defense platforms of the Jachin Due Fortress have been destroyed, resulting in heavy casualties among soldiers and multiple breaches in the defense line. The situation is extremely critical!"
Mei's gaze instantly froze, the aura around him turning cold in an instant. Quickening his pace, his voice turned solemn and resolute as he spoke into the communicator in a low tone. "Understood. Immediately transmit the real-time footage of the primary battlefield to my personal terminal. At the same time, notify all bridge personnel to enter Level 1 combat readiness status. Activate all weapon systems, propulsion systems, and defensive systems, stand by at all times, and prepare to reinforce the primary battlefield! In addition, closely monitor the movements of the Earth Alliance fleet, especially their nuclear strike units. Report to me immediately upon discovering any anomalies without the slightest delay!"
"Understood, Major General Hawke!" The radar operator's voice came through the communicator with a hint of awe before instantly executing the order.
Meanwhile, the airspace surrounding the Jachin Due Fortress was already engulfed by the flames of war. Once a serene and peaceful sea of stars, it had now transformed into a living purgatory. Exploding fireballs, warship wreckage, and Mobile Suit debris filled everywhere, while the air grew thick with the scents of gunpowder smoke and death. The roaring of beam cannons, the clashing of beam swords, the deafening blasts of exploding Mobile Suits, and the shouts and screams of soldiers intertwined, echoing across the entire airspace and chilling the soul.
ZAFT's defensive formation, centered around the Jachin Due Fortress, unfolded in a ring formation with 150 warships neatly aligned. The main cannons at the bows charged and ready, while secondary guns and missile launchers fired alternately, weaving dense artillery fire into a massive defensive net that poured down toward the incoming Earth forces fleet. Every beam and missile carried heaven-shaking destructive power, attempting to block the Earth forces' advance. 750 Mobile Suits, primarily consisting of Ginns and DINNs paired with a small number of GuAIZ units, flew out from the fleet's hangars like a swarm of bees, deploying formations in the airspace to engage in fierce close-quarters combat with the Earth forces' Mobile Suits. Relying on superior piloting techniques and mechanical advantages, they fought bravely to kill enemies, using blood and courage to guard the fortress behind them and the PLANT satellite cluster in their rear.
DINN Mobile Suits shuttled through the airspace relying on exceptional mobility and precise long-range firepower. Their shoulder-mounted beam cannons fired continuously to accurately strike Earth forces' Mobile Suits, while their airframes flexibly evaded enemy attacks, serving as the core force of ZAFT's long-range containment. Ginn Mobile Suits relied on heavy armor and formidable melee capabilities to engage in frontal combat with the Earth forces' Strike Dagger Mobile Suits. Every collision was accompanied by splashing sparks, and every swing delivered fatal damage to the enemy, forming the backbone of ZAFT's melee defense line. At this moment, the Eternal remained concealed in the outer perimeter airspace of the battlefield, closely monitoring the movements of the war situation. Inside the ship, Athrun Zala stood near the hangar of the Justice Gundam, his gaze locked onto the real-time battlefield footage with his hands tightly gripping the controls, standing by at all times-the Three Ships Alliance had long been paying attention to the combat situation at the Jachin Due Fortress, yet had not intervened rashly, waiting for a fatal crisis to emerge before stepping in to assist, avoiding premature exposure of their combat power.
Inside another hangar of the Eternal, Kira Yamato wore a similarly solemn expression as the combat data of the Freedom Gundam continuously flickered across the control panel. With his fingertips lightly touching the screen, his gaze filled with a struggle and firmness-he did not wish to see more casualties, yet he understood that the intervention of the Three Ships Alliance must be precise and timely to minimize losses. These two core mechs of the Three Ships Alliance remained in a state of standby, concealed alongside the Eternal and abstaining from the early chaotic skirmishes, entering the fray only when ZAFT plunged into an irretrievable desperate situation.
As for the Earth forces fleet, although crippled by Mei during the Battle of the Boaz Fortress with the loss of two fleets, it still possessed over 220 warships and 1,200 Mobile Suits, retaining an absolute numerical advantage. The Atlantic Federation fleet advanced in a wedge formation like a ferocious giant beast, charging fiercely into ZAFT's defensive formation. The main cannons of the Nelson-class and Drake-class warships continuously poured out firepower, massive beams thrusting like swords straight into ZAFT's warships and defense platforms. Every hit triggered violent explosions, and countless warship remnants and Mobile Suit fragments drifted through the airspace like dust in a starry sea, shocking the eye.
The Earth forces' Mobile Suit units, primarily consisting of numerous Strike Dagger units, rushed toward ZAFT's Mobile Suit forces like a swarm of bees. Disregarding their own safety and relying on numerical superiority, they surrounded and attacked ZAFT's Mobile Suits. Although individual performance lagged behind ZAFT's models, the sheer numbers overwhelmed ZAFT's Mobile Suit forces, which gradually fell into a passive state as casualties steadily mounted. More and more Mobile Suits were destroyed, and an increasing number of warriors sacrificed their lives amidst the flames of war.
The main cannon of the Jachin Due Fortress, the Junius Seven-class giant beam cannon, slowly activated as blinding gold light gathered at its muzzle like a miniature sun, exuding heaven-shaking power. The entire airspace trembled slightly under this powerful energy fluctuation. The fortress commander wore a solemn expression and a resolute gaze, staring intently at the real-time battlefield footage as he gave deep, authoritative commands into the communicator: "Main cannon energy accumulation complete! Target-the Earth Forces fleet vanguard! Fire at will!"
Following the fortress commander's order, the giant beam cannon roared as it fired. A massive beam of gold shot straight into the sky, instantly piercing through the formation of the Earth Forces fleet. Everything in its path-warships and Mobile Suits alike-was swallowed by the beam and blasted into smithereens in an instant, with nothing capable of blocking its destructive might. Three Nelson-class warships were instantly struck by the beam, their hulls reduced to ashes on the spot, while several surrounding smaller warships, caught in the shockwave, lost control and collided with other vessels, triggering chain explosions. Countless Earth Forces soldiers lost their lives in the blasts without a single chance of resistance.
"What immense power! The main cannon of the Jachin Due Fortress truly lives up to its reputation!" Witnessing this scene, the morale of the ZAFT soldiers skyrocketed. Cheers and shouts echoed through the communication channels as they seemingly saw the hope of victory, intensifying their attacks and fighting fiercely against the Earth Forces fleet.
Yet the offensive of the Earth forces did not wane as a result; instead, it turned even more fanatical. Muruta Azrael sat upon the bridge of the newly repaired Dominion, his gaze icy and expressionless, his tone carrying a trace of madness and paranoia. Staring intently at the real-time battlefield footage, watching his fleet suffer heavy losses, watching those destroyed warships and sacrificed soldiers, he felt no pity whatsoever-only anger, resentment, a lust for power, and an obsession with victory. Speaking into the communicator with a cold, frantic tone, he issued his commands: "All fleets, increase firepower! At all costs, break through ZAFT's defensive formation and destroy the Jachin Due Fortress! Mobile Suit units, concentrate firepower to pin down ZAFT's Mobile Suits and cover the advance of the warship formations! Dispatch the Peacemaker squadron!"
Hearing Azrael's commands, the Earth forces soldiers instantly grew fanatical. Disregarding their own safety, they piloted their warships and Mobile Suits in a frantic charge toward ZAFT's defensive formation. Even with dense artillery fire ahead, comrade wreckage ahead, or the abyss of death ahead, they showed not the slightest retreat. Rushing forward like rabid dogs to launch frenzied attacks purely for the sake of so-called glory and wealth, driven solely by Azrael's promises.
In the airspace, the Mobile Suit dogfights grew increasingly fierce. The roars of beam cannons, the clashing of beam sabers, and the deafening blasts of exploding mechs intertwined into an extremely brutal spectacle. Although ZAFT's GuAIZ Mobile Suits possessed superior performance, they gradually found themselves overmatched when facing the numerous Earth forces Mobile Suits. One GuAIZ after another was surrounded and attacked by Earth forces Mobile Suits, their hulls destroyed and pilots sacrificed. The Ginn and DINN squadrons also fell into hard battles, with the long-range containment DINNs ambushed by Earth forces Mobile Suits and the melee Ginns swarmed by multiple Strike Daggers. An increasing number of ZAFT Mobile Suits were reduced to wreckage in the fires of war, the gaps in the defense line widened, and ZAFT soldiers' morale slowly flagged. The outer defenses of the Jachin Due Fortress neared collapse, and the main cannon of the Jachin Due Fortress was destroyed.
At that moment, the radar operator's voice, fraught with utmost panic, spread across the communication channels of all ZAFT forces, shattering the battlefield's clamor and plunging all ZAFT soldiers into despair: "Warning! Warning! Earth Forces nuclear strike signal detected! A massive quantity of nuclear warheads is being launched toward the Jachin Due Fortress and PLANT satellite cluster! Quantity unknown! Enormous destructive power! Estimated time of impact: 10 minutes! Repeat, estimated time of impact: 10 minutes!" Just as those words fell, dense signals reappeared on the radar screen, and the operator's voice grew increasingly hurried with desperate tremors: "Supplementary report! Upon further detection, the nuclear strike delivery vehicle is the Atlantic Federation Peacemaker nuclear strike Mobile Armor formation! Quantity is no less than 50 units, breaking through our outer defense line at full speed and heading straight for the Jachin Due Fortress! Interception impossible! Requesting support! Requesting support!"
The communication channel instantly plunged into chaos. Terror appeared on the faces of the ZAFT soldiers, their eyes filled with despair-the Peacemaker nuclear strike Mobile Armors were top-tier weapons of the Atlantic Federation, weak in defensive capability but possessing rapid speed, and the nuclear warheads they carried were sufficient to destroy everything across the entire airspace, bringing catastrophic doom to the Jachin Due Fortress and PLANT satellite clusters. ZAFT's remaining Mobile Suits and warships swung around at full power, charging toward the direction of the Peacemaker Mobile Armor formation in an attempt to intercept the nuclear warheads. However, Earth forces Mobile Suits entangled them relentlessly, and the Peacemakers continuously broke through the defense line thanks to their formidable defenses. ZAFT's interception proved akin to striking stones with eggs, as countless warships and Mobile Suits were destroyed by the Mobile Armors' main cannons, with casualties numbering in the countless. Turning pale, the fortress commander roared commands into the communicator: "Intercept with all your might! Even if we exhaust all our forces, we must block the Peacemakers! Do not let the nuclear warheads approach PLANT!"
At that moment, the Three Ships Alliance also detected the nuclear strike force via radar. Lacus's expression tightened, her formerly gentle gaze instantly turning resolute without the slightest hesitation as she spoke into the communicator in a deep, authoritative tone: "All personnel, prepare! Launch the Eternal and sail at full speed toward the Jachin Due Fortress battlefield! Athrun, Kira, immediately pilot the Justice and Freedom Gundams, equipped with the METEOR System, and sortie! Target-the Peacemaker nuclear strike Mobile Armor formation. Intercept the nuclear warheads with all your might, and at all costs, protect PLANT!" "Understood!" Athrun and Kira responded in deep unison without a shred of hesitation, immediately boarding their respective mechs. The hangar doors slowly opened, and two figures instantly shot forward, flying toward the docking bays of the METEOR System. Simultaneously, the Eternal ignited its engines, breaking through the concealed airspace and speeding toward the battlefield. The Archangel and Kusanagi launched in synchronization, following closely behind.
At this moment, the ZAFT battlefield had already fallen into a desperate plight. The Peacemaker Mobile Armor formation broke through the final Mobile Suit defense line, and the detonators of the nuclear warheads began their countdown. Golden nuclear radiation halos flickered faintly within the Mobile Armor compartments, and the shadow of death shrouded the entire airspace. Disregarding retreat entirely, the ZAFT soldiers continued piloting their battered Mobile Suits in desperate charges against the Mobile Armor formation, buying time with their lives to secure a chance of survival for PLANT, even if it meant gaining merely a single second. At this critical juncture, the silhouettes of the Eternal, Archangel, and Kusanagi appeared at the edge of the airspace. The Three Ships Alliance finally arrived with full force, bearing the resolve to protect, breaking through the Earth forces' artillery blockade, and heading straight for the Peacemaker Mobile Armor formation.
A gentle yet resolute female voice rang through the communication channel to every ZAFT force, resembling a light in the darkness that dispelled despair and ignited hope: "This is the Eternal, Lacus Clyne calling all ZAFT forces! Our side will provide full assistance to intercept the Peacemaker Mobile Armor formation and destroy the nuclear warheads! I ask all ZAFT soldiers not to give up, hold your positions, and fight shoulder to shoulder with us. We will surely protect our homeland and safeguard PLANT!"
Hearing Lacus's voice, a glimmer of light flashed in the eyes of the ZAFT soldiers, and the fear in their hearts was gradually replaced by hope. Cheers and shouts echoed through the communication channel once more-Miss Lacus had finally arrived! With the assistance of the Eternal, Archangel, and Kusanagi, perhaps they truly could stop those nuclear warheads, truly defend PLANT, and truly halt this cruel war.
Across the airspace, the three warships sprinted at full speed. The Eternal broke through the Earth forces' artillery blockade first, its hangar doors opening as the Freedom and Justice Gundams-having already completed docking with the METEOR System-shot out instantly like two bolts of gold and blue lightning. The Archangel's main cannon activated instantly, pouring out dense beams like a torrential rain to strike directly at the Peacemaker Mobile Armor cluster in an attempt to carve a path for the Freedom and Justice Gundams. The Kusanagi's missile launchers fired continuously, sending armor-piercing missiles to accurately strike the Mobile Armor hulls and weaken their defenses. The Eternal's auxiliary Mobile Suit units flew out one after another, pinning down the intercepting Earth forces Mobile Suits to buy time for Freedom and Justice to intercept the nuclear warheads.
"Kira, Athrun, target the nuclear warheads carried by the Peacemaker Mobile Armor formation! Activate all firepower of the METEOR System and intercept with full force, ensuring all warheads are destroyed before detonation!" Lacus's voice carried a trace of urgency yet remained resolute as it transmitted through the communicator to the two men. "Time is tight, every second is crucial, protecting PLANT depends upon you both!"
"Understood!" Kira and Athrun responded in deep unison. Immediately afterward, the two piloted the Freedom and Justice Gundams toward the Eternal to complete docking with the METEOR System.
The METEOR System (Mobile Suit Embedded Tactical Enforcer) was an unmanned tactical support armament module developed by ZAFT for the Freedom and Justice Gundams, measuring approximately 99.46 meters in length, 60.12 meters in width, and weighing 552.42 metric tons, equipped with warship-class beam cannons and 77 anti-ship missiles designed exclusively for large-scale annihilation combat in outer space. Operating at full firepower, the Freedom and Justice Gundams instantly intercepted a vast quantity of nuclear warheads, while the remaining stragglers were intercepted by ZAFT forces and the Strike Rouge.
The nuclear threat was thoroughly neutralized, and the airspace temporarily fell into a brief silence, broken only by the burning fires of warship wreckage and drifting smoke. The taut nerves of the ZAFT soldiers relaxed slightly, though none dared to relax their vigilance-the main fleet of the Earth Alliance still loomed on the opposite side of the airspace, ready to launch a new offensive at any moment. At that moment, within the highest command room of the Jachin Due Fortress, Patrick Zala wore the uniform of ZAFT's supreme commander, his posture straight as a pine and expression as cold as ice. Gazing through the massive observation window directly at the Earth Alliance fleet in the center of the battlefield, his eyes showed no ripples, only bone-deep resolve and icy murderous intent.
He raised a hand to press his communicator, his voice echoing with thunderous majesty to pierce all battlefield communication channels and spread across every ZAFT warship and Mobile Suit without hesitation, every word carrying the weight of a thousand jun: "All ZAFT forces take note: immediately contract the defensive formation and cover the startup of the Jachin Due Fortress Genesis system! Convey the order to the Genesis command team: gather full energy, target-the Atlantic Federation main fleet cluster, fire at full power!"
These words exploded like thunder in the ears of every ZAFT soldier, causing even Mei Hock on the bridge of the Starry Sky and the newly arrived Natarle Badgiruel to narrow their eyes in shock. Genesis was the ultimate weapon forged by ZAFT at the cost of countless efforts, utilizing neutron beams as its core offensive mechanism with a destructive power capable of instantly obliterating an entire fleet cluster; it was never to be deployed lightly unless pushed to absolute extremes. Natarle Badgiruel instinctively looked toward Mei, her eyes filled with shock. "Genesis? What kind of weapon is this? This power is far too destructive!" Mei nodded slightly, gazing solemnly at the battlefield footage on his personal terminal as he spoke in a low voice. "Chairman Patrick has long since resolved to use the most absolute power to thoroughly crush the Earth Alliance's offensive. I simply did not expect him to launch it right now without the slightest hesitation." Immediately send a message to the Three Ships Alliance's warships and Mobile Suits for them to evade the firing trajectory.
Aboard the bridge of the Eternal, upon receiving Mei's message, Lacus's face turned instantly pale as she urgently shouted into the communicator: "Everyone, retreat to the assembly point!" Just as her words fell, at the base of the Jachin Due Fortress, a massive energy hangar door slowly opened, and the core components of the Genesis system gradually emerged. A blinding silvery-white beam began gathering at the muzzle, energy fluctuations intensifying violently until the entire airspace began to shake intensely. Even the distant PLANT satellite cluster could feel this heaven-shaking pressure. Above the Freedom and Justice Gundams, Kira and Athrun simultaneously felt the powerful energy shockwave. Freedom grabbed an Earth Forces Mobile Suit that lacked time to evade; the unit was merely grazed along its edge, and its lower half instantly disintegrated. Inside the cockpit, the pilot's screams gradually faded. With reddened eyes, Kira released Freedom's grip and retreated alongside Athrun toward the Three Ships Alliance's fallback assembly point.
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