"Everyone, be careful!"
Heine watched as Wang Hu ahead continued to flee frantically without any intention of changing direction.
Growing suspicious, he quickly issued a warning to Yzak and the other in their three-person communication channel.
"Huh?"
Due to his injuries, Dearka wasn't pursuing very quickly, so when he heard Heine's warning, he immediately slowed down a bit.
As the saying goes, one's reputation precedes them - it was impossible to be too wary of that Wang Hu.
Even if it meant letting Wang Hu escape, Heine and Dearka were determined to remain cautious.
But Yzak was different.
Because of that Wang Hu, he had lost face countless times.
The most recent instance was just moments ago, when his dignity had been ground into the dust by Wang Hu in front of so many people.
And ultimately, Wang Hu had even managed to attack the ZAFT Forces headquarters building!
Just thinking about it, if he returned without any achievements, even with his own mother as guarantor...
A shiver ran down his spine, and Yzak didn't dare to think further about the consequences.
"Wang Hu!"
So everyone else could retreat, but he alone could not!
With this thought, Yzak even accelerated slightly.
"Yzak!Seeing this, Dearka wanted to persuade him but couldn't stop him, so he had no choice but to grit his teeth and increase his speed again.
"Sigh!"
Watching his two stubborn comrades charge forward, Heine let out a heavy sigh and resigned himself to jumping into the pit with his eyes closed.
Helplessly, he followed them.
Meanwhile, ahead of the three, to avoid being hit by beam weapons from the pursuing forces behind him,
Wang Hu was showily shaking his ZAFT butt from time to time while changing direction, all while communicating with Lelouch from his cockpit.
"How are the preparations on your end going?"
"The plan is ready, just..."
Lelouch's voice from the communicator sounded somewhat evasive.
"Huh?"
Several question marks seemed to float above his head in a human-like manner. Wang Hu didn't quite understand what changes had occurred on Lelouch's end.
According to the plan, he was responsible for drawing the enemy's fire, and to escalate the situation to create favorable conditions for Lelouch and his group,
he had performed beyond expectations and completed the mission perfectly, successfully drawing the ZAFT Forces' attention.
How could the plan still encounter problems?
Probably sensing Wang Hu's dissatisfaction, Lelouch hesitated for a moment before finally speaking with a what's-done-is-done attitude.
"The plan was for you to draw their fire while we came to the Eternal to intercept Lacus Clyne and the others."
"With Mu disguised as Captain Creuset, we successfully entered the Eternal's dock and took control of the ship."
"Everything went smoothly up to this point, but then a small unexpected situation occurred."
Trying to use a relaxed tone to indicate the problem wasn't serious, but when mentioning the unexpected situation, Lelouch frantically grabbed his hair.
"These Coordinators would rather die than lose face! They actually haven't reported Mu's impersonation of Creuset yet?"
Wang Hu didn't know whether to admire Lelouch's boldness or the Coordinators' stubborn pride.
"Are they ignoring the fact that Mu once pretended to be Creuset and swaggered around in prison, just to cover up the news of Creuset's death?"
"If they don't issue an internal notice this time, could Mu disguise himself as Creuset and do it again?"
"That's not the point."
Hearing Wang Hu's teasing, Lelouch responded, but then he fell silent.
Twice now! Twice his predictions had gone wrong!
How could he bring himself to speak up again!
"Lacus isn't there, is she? She's not on the Eternal, right?"
Wang Hu voiced what Lelouch couldn't bring himself to say.
"Yes."
Seeing that Wang Hu had guessed the unexpected turn of events, Lelouch confirmed his speculation.
"Don't blame yourself. You haven't been here long and aren't very familiar with this world's political environment in PLANT."
"If you apply the conventions of political struggles from your world, it's normal you didn't anticipate this."
Glancing at the three ZAFT Forces Red Uniforms still trailing behind him, Wang Hu then smiled and comforted Lelouch.
Based on the conflict patterns of the Britannian Empire in his world, a dictator like the curly-haired emperor dealt with political opponents with extreme ruthlessness.
For example, when Lelouch's mother, the Flash Marianne, physically died and her soul transferred to a girl in the palace at that time, the curly-haired emperor immediately exiled Lelouch and his sister to the hostile Area 11 as hostages.
The Ashford family, who supported the Flash Marianne, were instantly marginalized from the center of power.
Some claimed this was to protect Lelouch, his sister, and the Ashford family, but Lelouch and his sister remained in Area 11.
The curly-haired emperor did not hesitate to launch an invasion of Area 11.
And from the words of the curly-haired emperor and Marianne in the sea of consciousness...
It would be quite difficult to whitewash this couple.
If they treated their own children and loyal supporters like this, let alone other disagreeable opponents.
By analogy, Lelouch had considered a hypothesis, but ultimately didn't incorporate it into his plans.
"The Eternal only has the rescued key members of the Clyne Faction, right?"
Running through the possibilities in his mind, Wang Hu spoke with interest.
"Yes, Lacus's whereabouts are unknown. It's highly likely she went to the ZAFT Military Headquarters."
However unbelievable it seemed that the girl would make such a decision, after eliminating most impossibilities, Lelouch had to propose this most unlikely scenario.
"Not highly likely - she definitely went there, openly appearing at the ZAFT Military Headquarters to reveal her identity."
"Given the influence of the Clyne Faction in this world, and Patrick's methods."
"Actually, Lacus is safest there, while also mitigating the impact of the Clyne Faction members' escape."
"After all, Lacus is now the banner of the Clyne Faction - a one-for-one exchange."
"Just like when Lacus escaped, the Clyne Faction members went to prison."
"All to demonstrate their loyalty while being in the enemy's camp."
While being pursued, Wang Hu suddenly maneuvered the Training ZINN to turn around as he spoke.
He stopped fleeing and assumed a stance ready to confront Yzak and the other two head-on.
"Did you plant landmines around this area?"
Assuming a defensive stance, Wang Hu was well aware of Lelouch's signature "floor-flipping" tactics and figured there was a ninety percent chance minefields had been laid.
"Yes."
Responding to Wang Hu's query, Lelouch transmitted the coordinates of the pre-laid minefield.
"What are you planning?"
Lelouch's intelligence had already been proven, and seeing Wang Hu's posture, he instantly grasped the other's intention.
"Exactly what you're thinking."
Chuckling lightly while fending off Yzak and the other two, Wang Hu began retreating step by step toward the minefield.
"Good."
Having suffered setbacks only from his second brother Schneizel before, and now having made two consecutive errors today, Lelouch was eager to properly return the favor to that Lacus.
His eyes shining as bright as lightbulbs, he swiftly made final preparations.
"Major Mu, set up the Eternal's automatic launch program."
"Mr. Zhang Peng, take the remaining personnel and properly settle our Clyne Faction members!"
"Liu Peiqiang, prepare a shuttle. Once the Eternal launches, we'll depart."
"Why?"
Mu and the others, who had taken control of the Eternal, couldn't process things as quickly as Lelouch and Wang Hu.
Hearing these orders and seeing three powerful ZAFT Forces Mobile Suits outside, they thought abandoning the Eternal for a mere shuttle would be suicidal.
"Just follow the orders. We'll leave safely. Do as I say, and nothing will go wrong."
Glancing dismissively at the questioning crowd, Lelouch had no intention of explaining.
"Alright."
Seeing Lelouch's confident expression—this being the third time he'd made such assurances—Mu and the others exchanged glances. Though still somewhat doubtful, they obediently went out to carry out Lelouch's instructions.
After all, Wang Hu was still out there dealing with the situation—it should be fine, right?
Thus, as Wang Hu lured Yzak and the other two toward the minefield, Mu's group worked nervously aboard the Eternal to prepare for departure.
Meanwhile, in front of the blazing ZAFT Forces headquarters, the Desert Tiger Baltfeld escorted Lacus into the bustling crowd of firefighters.
Standing at the entrance of the military headquarters, watching countless people rushing in and out to combat the flames, Baltfeld felt his eyelids twitch. He couldn't shake the feeling that Miss Lacus's decision this time was ill-advised.
With their base burned to such a state—equivalent to a public slap in the face from the East Asian Alliance—how could Patrick be in a good mood?
Coming here now was like walking into a lion's den. If Patrick, in a fit of rage, impulsively decided to eliminate Miss Lacus, wouldn't that be a tragic injustice?
"It's fine, Captain Baltfeld. Chairman Patrick won't act impulsively."
Scanning the surroundings and noticing how the firefighters had frozen in shock at her appearance, Lacus offered a soothing, sweet smile and spoke softly.
"Just follow my instructions. Nothing will go wrong."
"Very well."
Seeing that Lacus remained steadfast in her decision and they had already come this far, turning back was no longer an option. Baltfeld straightened his collar.
Ever since his defeat in North Africa, where he'd narrowly escaped death, he and his wife had been sidelined in the Satellite Colonies.
As the sole remaining key combat operative of the Clyne Faction lying low, it wasn't sustainable for him to never lead troops out again.
Under these circumstances, Balthلد glanced at Lacus beside him and decided not to waste this opportunity.
Once he returned to the ZAFT Forces, he would definitely recruit more units to align with the Clyne Faction.
"I'm Captain Balthلد, and this is Lacus Clyne beside me."
"She's here to meet the Chairman. I'm taking her inside!"
(End of Chapter)