Above Earth, the ZAFT fleet deployed in dense formations, while swarms of MS launched from catapult decks before taking position in the landing pods beneath the warships.
"Operation will commence as scheduled. All personnel complete final preparations immediately."
"Descent forces deployed. Operational zone clear."
"Final check of laser communication lines... no anomalies detected."
Not just in space, but ZAFT Forces on the ground had also mobilized. Massive troop deployments advanced from the Carpentaria Base toward Alaska.
After receiving confirmation that all preparations were complete, Patrick Zala rose from his seat and declared the operation's commencement.
"May this operation bring swift conclusion to the war, and reveal true freedom and justice to the world. [Operation Break the Situation], begin!"
"[Operation Break the Situation] initiated..."
"Target: Alaska, Joshua..."
"Bureau Plan No.6 approved for declassification..."
"Operation codename: [Break the Situation]. Target: Alaska, Joshua..."
"Joshua!?"
"How could..."
"What?"
"Earth Forces headquarters?"
"Not Panama?"
Beyond the space command center, shock rippled through the ZAFT fleet, Carpentaria Base, and deployed ZAFT troops. Until this moment, their orders had consistently pointed toward attacking Panama.
Patrick Zala had deliberately disseminated false intelligence and executed numerous diversionary maneuvers to deceive everyone. The true objective of [Operation Break the Situation] had been sealed as top-secret until the operation's launch to ensure absolute secrecy.
Compared to Panama Spaceport, Earth Forces headquarters held far greater strategic value. A successful strike would eliminate the Earth Forces' high command in one fell swoop, instantly crippling their chain of command.
Meanwhile, forces pre-positioned at Gibraltar Base would launch a lightning assault on Panama before the enemy could react, securing the facility in a single stroke.
Thus, the Earth Forces could effectively be declared defeated.
What Patrick didn't anticipate was that intelligence had already leaked. The Earth Forces had prepared a trap, dooming his carefully laid plans to failure.
...
The rain had stopped, leaving the skies clear and bright, yet human hearts remained untouched by the warming light.
Upon learning of Patrick Zala's reckless actions, Siegel Clyne immediately returned to the Supreme Council to demand answers. Accompanying him was Mentor Malchio—though not a PLANT citizen, his influence still carried weight.
Lacus found Kira in the glass greenhouse, only to discover him in tears.
"I... have to go."
"Go where?"
"To Earth. I need to return."
"Why? Even with you there, the war won't end."
Kira nodded at Lacus's counsel, yet his resolve remained unshaken: "But... I can't keep standing by either. If I convince myself I'm powerless and do nothing, I'll become even more powerless. Then nothing will change. Nothing will ever end."
"Are you going to fight ZAFT again?"
"No."
"Then... the Earth Forces?"
"Not that either. We... what exactly should we be fighting against? I think... I'm starting to understand."
"Huh?"
"Yang Hui once told me that his battles... were for protection. To guard everything he cherished, and to take control of his own destiny—so he wouldn't have to cower under a table trembling when danger came, praying for someone else to save him. I didn't understand before, but now... I think I know that feeling."
After experiencing life and death and arriving at PLANT, he had thought he could let go. His duty was over, yet he felt lost, realizing that now he could do nothing but fight—and wanted to do nothing else.
But when he heard about the attack on Alaska Base, Kira thought of his companions heading there, of the two warring sides, of how he had accidentally killed Athrun's comrades, how Athrun had slain his own in fury, how they had fought to the death... Why had it all happened?
Now... he understood many things. All these tragedies were because of war. Without war, he would still be happily studying and living with his friends at school. Without war, his reunion with Athrun would have been a joyful one. Without war, so many tragedies would never have occurred.
"...I understand." Lacus could sense that Kira had truly grown, and a weight lifted from her heart. "Though I never agreed, the thing Yang Hui asked me to prepare for you... it's time to give it to you."
"Huh? Yang Hui? Something for me?"
"Yes. On your first day arriving at PLANT, I informed Yang Hui of your arrival. He asked me to prepare a gift for you, to be handed over when you needed it. To be honest, I refused at first."
"Lacus..."
"Because you're kind, Kira. And too innocent. You weren't a qualified soldier. You barely escaped that whirlpool by chance—you shouldn't have returned to the place you loathed so deeply. That's why I never spoke to you about Earth or the war, hoping you could continue living peacefully. But now... I feel your resolve. So I'll honor our agreement and give it to you." Lacus spoke earnestly.
"Lacus... you and Yang Hui..."
"We are comrades, united in purpose—working together for a peaceful world and a brighter future." Lacus said, though in her heart she added, "For now, at least."
"I see." Kira knew a little about Yang Hui and Lacus's relationship—it was certainly more than just comrades. Then again, he also remembered Lacus was still Athrun's fiancée. It was complicated. Best not to ask.
"Thank you, Lacus. For saving me, for everything you've done." Kira bowed deeply to her.
"You're welcome. It was my duty. We're friends, aren't we?"
"Friends... yes, we are. And Yang Hui too..."
"As for Yang Hui, you'll have to return to Earth and thank him yourself."
"Ah... I'm afraid he might just laugh at me."
"It seems you truly understand him, hehehe. Come with me, there's no time to waste."
"Alright."
Inside the house, Lacus handed him a red ZAFT uniform.
"Kira, put this on," Lacus said to Kira before instructing the butler, "Please contact them. Lacus Clyne will sing the song of peace."
"Yes, miss."
The butler left. Without asking further questions, Kira obediently changed into the uniform and followed Lacus to a high-security military base.
As they stopped, the darkness in the room was dispelled by the lights. Seeing the familiar face before him, Kira exclaimed, "Huh? A Gundam!"
"It's a bit different," Lacus said, knowing the origin of the term "Gundam"—it was Kira's abbreviation for the initials of the G Weapon's full name. This wasn't a G Weapon, but it was close. "This is the ZGMF-X10A Freedom. It incorporates the performance of Earth Forces' MS and is the latest cutting-edge Mobile Suit developed under the orders of the new Chairman, Zala."
"So this is..."
"Correct. This is the gift Yang Hui prepared for you. He told me you would definitely need it—to use it for the right purpose."
"...Conviction alone is not enough, nor is power alone. One must unite knowledge with action."
"Oh? You know that saying too?" Lacus asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Yes. Yang Hui told me that when I was in elementary school..."
"So go. Go where you want to go, do what you want to do—with this Freedom."
"Thank you. Stay safe too."
"Mhm. I look forward to our next meeting, Kira."
"You too, Lacus."
Kira boarded the Freedom Gundam and activated the system.
"Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module... So it's still a GUNDAM, huh?" Kira chuckled self-deprecatingly. He never thought he'd wield the very power he once despised most—yet now he had no choice but to use it for his own purpose.
"A Neutron Jammer Canceller! Incredible... The output is over four times that of the Strike!"
After checking all of Freedom's systems, Kira activated the Phase Shift Armor.
The moment the Freedom Gundam powered up, the base immediately noticed the anomaly and descended into chaos, calling nearby patrol units to intercept.
The airlock opened, and the Freedom Gundam soared into the sky—only to be intercepted by four GINNs the moment it left the base.
"Don't stop me! I have to go!"
To the GINN pilots, the Freedom Gundam moved like a streaking meteor, weaving through their machine-gun fire.
Kira pushed the control stick forward and slammed the pedals down. Flames erupted from Freedom's back as it closed the distance to the two leading GINNs in an instant. The beam sabers at its waist flashed—and in that single stroke, the heads, right arms, and weapons of both GINNs were severed. The pilots sat dumbfounded in their cockpits, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
At that very moment, a shuttle passed by the Freedom Gundam. Athrun, sitting by the window, caught only a fleeting glimpse of a blue silhouette and thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He was about to take a closer look when his thoughts were interrupted.
"How much longer until we're back home? I can hardly wait," Dearka said lazily, his voice tinged with anticipation as he clasped his hands behind his head.
"Don't worry, Dearka. We'll be home soon enough," Nicol reassured him.
"That's true. I just wonder what kind of mission Chairman Zala will assign us," Dearka remarked, glancing at Athrun.
"Huh? I don't know either."
"Is that so? What a shame."
Meanwhile, after the Freedom Gundam was activated, Lacus left the military base under the protection of soldiers.
"Miss Lacus, we must evacuate now."
"What about my father?"
"We've already sent someone to retrieve him."
"Good. Let's go then—we'll lay low in Junius."
"But Miss Wang's orders..."
"A general in the field is not bound by orders from the court," Lacus said playfully, sticking out her tongue.
(End of Chapter)