Don't get angry! Don't get angry!
Lacus repeated this warning to herself over and over in her heart. Facing Wang Hu, who was being unreasonable and acting like a shrew determined to make a scene even when wrong, tested even her composed nature.
She seemed oblivious to the fact that this was being broadcast live to the public. Even through the video feed, one could clearly see Lacus's chest rising and falling rapidly beneath her elevated collar.
She was clearly seething with anger.
But she was struggling to restrain herself, while the ZAFT officers below were also trying desperately to control their subordinates' rising fury.
Lacus had accounted for everything—except for one thing she hadn't anticipated.
That was the Library Organization!
Seeing that he was on Wang Hu's list, explicitly named and threatened with execution by firing squad, the Chief Librarian wouldn't pin his hopes on Lacus, expecting her to withstand the threats from the East Asian Army and single-handedly protect them!
In terms of mutual trust, the Chief Librarian believed their side and Patrick might still share a tiny foundation for trust and cooperation.
After all, they at least shared a common vision: targeting the East Asian Alliance.
But judging by Lacus's current behavior, her primary goal was undoubtedly to protect PLANT at all costs.
In other words, she might still negotiate the terms offered by the East Asian Army to PLANT.
In the worst-case scenario, as long as the East Asian Army didn't commit unspeakable acts against Coordinators, as long as people survived, there was still hope.
Perhaps, if the situation became irreparable, Lacus might even make concessions when necessary.
So, what did that mean for their side?
Considering the worst case, Lacus might even order the ZAFT Forces to capture them and hand them over to the East Asian Army in exchange for lenient treatment.
"Tell Lily Savary to take action."
Imitators were still people, and they didn't want to die if they could avoid it. The Chief Librarian assessed the current situation, then returned to their Library Battleship and addressed his subordinates on the flagship.
"Yes!"
The Library attendants responded loudly. They had no attachment to PLANT, so they showed no hesitation in carrying out their superior's orders, even though they knew it would undoubtedly give the East Asian Army a reason to wake up laughing in their sleep.
But the Library members still relayed the command to the organization's only non-Imitator—Lily Savary—and her Imitator sisters.
"Miss C.C., could you step forward and say a few words?"
Unaware that trouble was brewing within her own ranks, Lacus steadied her breathing. Before the situation reached the point of no return, she was still trying to make one last effort.
She continued to attack Wang Hu's point about the missing soldiers, using it as a foothold to refute all of his conditions, much like how she had dealt with Durandal during the Second War.
Back then, she had seized on the issue of the real and fake Lacus to attack Durandal, exploiting a flaw in her opponent's argument to seize the moral high ground, then muddying the waters regarding the good things Durandal had done.
This also served as a prelude to the execution of a conspiracy.
"Alright."
Facing Lacus's request, a playful glint flickered in C.C.'s eyes as she stepped before the camera in her ZAFT Forces Red Uniform.
Under the watchful eyes of the masses, just as C.C. cleared her throat to speak—
A sudden anomaly occurred, one that sent the East Asian Army into ecstatic delight while turning the faces of all ZAFT Forces Coordinators, including Lacus, as pale as gold leaf.
"Boom, boom, boom."
Against the black canvas of space, countless man-made steel weapons dotted the scene.
On the already intensely tense battlefield, Wang Hu was actually under attack?
Hovering in space before the Nu Gundam, a red modified Blitz Gundam suddenly appeared not far away.
Having likely evaded all detection through the Mirage Colloid System, this mobile suit abruptly unleashed a volley of beam rifle shots at the Nu Gundam.
Watching as flames erupted across the unprepared Nu Gundam's frame, before Wang Hu could even react—
The mobile suit that had shattered the battlefield's tranquility vanished back into the depths of space.
"They've made their move! The Coordinators have acted!"
Even though Wang Hu was the one attacked, with his mobile suit even sustaining breaches, strangely, the East Asian Army soldiers celebrated as joyously as if it were New Year.
"How could this be? How could this happen?"
Athrun had witnessed everything up close right before Wang Hu. Had he known such an earth-shattering reversal was coming, why would he have personally disabled his comrade Yzak's mobile suit to end the battle and preserve the ZAFT Forces' combat strength?
"Damn it!"
Seeing how the East Asian Army had already re-engaged in combat with ZAFT comrades due to this heaven-sent surprise, Athrun gritted his teeth. Recognizing no possibility of reversal remained, he cast aside his hesitation and launched an attack against Wang Hu.
To him, with their side having lost Genesis, the East Asian Alliance would inevitably refrain from using the Boaz Cannon now.
Then it would be soldier against soldier, general against general. Believing in a ZAFT Forces fighting with their backs against the wall, they might not truly lose to the East Asian Army.
Fight, then fight—at minimum until both sides lay devastated.
Perhaps PLANT could still find a turning point!
Thus, the most crucial task now was to eliminate Wang Hu, crush the East Asian Army's morale, and then support other battlefields!
"Athrun!"
Though Athrun's reasoning was sound, the battlefield had stagnated for so long that his childhood friend had seized the opportunity to find him.
At the war's onset, Kira had resolved that this time, he would be the one to confront Athrun. Initially, due to Lacus's sudden appearance and proposal, Kira thought his duel with Athrun might end inconclusively, sparing them a life-or-death struggle on the battlefield.
Yet heaven had other plans—it seemed the fight was inevitable after all.
Especially when Kira saw Athrun attempting to exploit the moment to attack his sworn brother Wang Hu, he immediately charged forward, determined to intercept his childhood friend!
In an instant, the Rainbow Cannon materialized between Athrun and Wang Hu, with Kira using this method to block the Justice Gundam's advance.
"Kira?"
Athrun's bewildered, heightened-awareness gaze swept over the last person he wanted to see, leaving him trapped in a dilemma.
Wanting to eliminate Wang Hu, but Kira came to intervene. If he engaged Kira, he wouldn't be able to focus on Wang Hu, who now seemed like a cornered tiger.
"Clang!"
The collision of sword and shield scattered sparks like stars.
This also made Athrun, who had been hesitating over which target to choose, suddenly alert. The red mobile suit that had attacked Wang Hu earlier had reappeared.
This time, it seemed intent on piercing Wang Hu with its long and menacing katana.
Fortunately, Wang Hu, having been ambushed once before, was now vigilant. The Nu Gundam promptly raised its shield to block the strike.
Seeing its attack fail, the unidentified red modified Blitz Gundam didn't press the assault.
It quickly retreated a step and swiftly reactivated its Mirage Colloid system.
Concealing itself in the vastness of space, it became impossible to track.
"What a pity."
Athrun sighed inwardly. Now he didn't have to choose, as Kira was already charging toward him.
Steeling himself for battle with Kira, Athrun kept a watchful eye on Wang Hu's situation.
Since the red mobile suit had repeatedly attacked the Nu Gundam, Athrun was convinced it would strike again.
Could this be the critical moment?
A determined glint flashed in his eyes as Athrun continued to monitor the situation.
True to his expectations, he didn't have to wait long. Almost immediately after the red mobile suit vanished,
In what seemed like an incredible miracle, the mysterious red modified Blitz reappeared right behind the Nu Gundam.
It raised the Trikeros Offensive Shield System mounted on its left arm and fired three Lance Darts Hypersonic Kinetic Armor-Piercing Projectiles with lightning speed!
"Excellent move!" Athrun couldn't help but exclaim in admiration even while locked in combat with Kira.
Though he couldn't comprehend how this mysterious red machine could disappear from the Nu Gundam's front and
seemingly teleport to its rear - according to data from their friend Nicol's Blitz Gundam,
this should be impossible - yet it was happening right before his eyes.
But Athrun didn't want to ponder the secrets behind this. He only wanted to know if this attack could eliminate Wang Hu!
At the critical moment, the Dragoons mounted on the Nu Gundam's left shoulder launched upward, as if Wang Hu had eyes in the back.
Beams scattered down from the Dragoons, intercepting the three hypersonic kinetic armor-piercing projectiles from the mysterious red mobile suit.
Once again, Athrun's eyes filled with regret as the projectiles were shot down.
"Sigh." Another long sigh escaped him, filled with profound disappointment.
Just when he thought the red mobile suit would need some time to regroup after this failure,
Athrun's eyes widened as he saw the mysterious red machine appear yet again.
This time, it materialized beside the Nu Gundam.
From beneath the large wing-like armor on its shoulders, it extended long Whip-Chain Claw Anchors.
Then it charged toward the Nu Gundam.
Completely baffled, even Kira became distracted this time.
Mainly because, putting himself in their position, while Kira had never piloted the Blitz Gundam, he had operated the Strike Gundam from the same series with different specifications.
Not to mention he had previous experience engaging with the Blitz Gundam.
No matter what, the original Blitz Gundam never demonstrated such miraculous capabilities!
Three times!
Not counting the initial attack, this mysterious red mobile suit had already launched three consecutive assaults against Brother Wang Hu from different positions almost simultaneously.
What was this? Shadow clones?
Even if he were piloting the nuclear-powered Freedom Gundam, he couldn't achieve such performance!
What followed was even harder for Kira to accept.
When the whip-anchor's claw-like grapple still failed to subdue Wang Hu, this persistent mysterious red mobile suit—
Suddenly evolved from near-simultaneous attacks into three identical units emerging simultaneously from three different directions.
Then they coordinated to launch a combined assault against Wang Hu.
(End of Chapter)