On the land of Orb
On Yalafath Island
The Freedom Gundam and Justice Gundam descended upon this war-torn island, standing opposite each other as the two Gundams calmly observed one another.
Inside the Justice Gundam cockpit
Athrun powered down the Justice Gundam's systems while operating the communicator.
"Captain Griffith, aren't you landing?"
"My mission is to prevent the Freedom Gundam from falling into others' hands, and I don't have much to discuss with your friend anyway."
"I understand."
Hearing this, Athrun's expression turned serious as he replied with a grave tone over the comms. After responding, he pressed the button to open the hatch. The cockpit canopy opened above him, and the seat began to rise slowly.
Meanwhile, Kira inside the Freedom Gundam was performing the same actions.
Both emerged from their cockpits and sat on their seats, gazing at each other from a distance before simultaneously standing up and grabbing the descent cables to lower themselves to the ground.
Inside the Genesis Gundam cockpit
Felix watched Kira and Athrun's movements with a faint smile on his face, thinking to himself.
'The Chairman might lose both his wife and his troops in this gamble!'
With this thought, Felix calmly continued observing every movement on the ground.
On the ground
Athrun and Kira simultaneously released their descent cables and stood on the ground, looking at each other with serious expressions.
Beyond the two of them, a group of people approached.
The leaders among them were crew members from the Archangel, while the Orb soldiers in the group raised their weapons and aimed them at Athrun.
Athrun glanced sideways at these soldiers before hearing Kira's voice.
"He's not an enemy! Please don't aim your weapons at him!"
As he spoke, Kira made a stopping gesture toward the soldiers.
Under this gesture, Kira began walking toward Athrun.
Athrun likewise started walking toward Kira.
As the two moved toward each other, Felix received a communication.
"Could we have a talk?"
Hearing this, Felix smiled faintly and asked Athha through the comms.
"Mr. Athha, what would you like to discuss?"
In response, Uzumi's voice came through with a somewhat mysterious tone.
"There are quite a few things I'd like to talk about."
Hearing this, Felix chuckled before piloting the Genesis Gundam to descend toward the ground.
On the ground
Both Athrun and Kira, who had been quietly walking toward each other, noticed the Genesis Gundam's descent. Seeing the Genesis Gundam, they almost simultaneously stopped in their tracks.
Beyond the two of them
"Father, why have you come here?"
Cagalli, who had been contemplating what to do next, noticed her father's presence and set aside her thoughts to ask.
Hearing this, Uzumi turned to look at his daughter, his expression softening slightly as he reached out to stroke her soft hair before turning his gaze to the Genesis Gundam.
"There are some matters I need to discuss with this ZAFT soldier."
After speaking, Uzumi withdrew his hand and calmly watched the Genesis Gundam. Following her father's gaze, Cagalli also turned her attention to the Genesis Gundam.
Observing the Gundam, his gaze fell upon Felix descending from the Genesis Gundam.
"Captain Griffith, you..."
"Mr. Athha wishes to discuss something with me."
Glancing at Athrun, Felix interrupted his inquiry and informed him. He strode over to Athrun's side, patted his shoulder, then looked at Kira before fixing his eyes on the Freedom Gundam.
Without another word, he departed from the area.
"Kira?"
Upon seeing Felix's face, Cagalli instinctively called out Kira's name. After uttering it, her gaze shifted to Kira, who was locking eyes with Athrun, and the next moment she stared at Felix in shock.
"This young lady might have mistaken me for someone else."
Noticing Cagalli's reaction, Felix remarked with a gentle, teasing smile. Hearing this, Uzumi stopped his daughter from asking further and addressed Felix with respect and a hint of apology.
"Please forgive her!"
"No matter."
Felix waved his hand dismissively in response.
After replying, his smile faded as he looked at Uzumi and asked.
"Might I ask what Mr. Athha wishes to discuss?"
Following his question, Felix glanced at everyone present and warned.
"By the way, please do not touch my MS. If you trigger the special program inside, it could cause the nuclear reactor to explode. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Cagalli and the others stared at Felix in astonishment upon hearing this, but Uzumi assured him.
"Rest assured, I will not allow anyone to approach your MS."
After responding, Uzumi patted Cagalli's shoulder.
"Cagalli, go and properly greet your friends."
After this instruction, he slightly turned and gestured for Felix to proceed. Felix glanced at Cagalli, Murrue, and the others, gave them a calm smile, and then strode forward.
Watching her father and Felix walk away together, Cagalli remained puzzled about one matter. Just then, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Murrue looking at her.
"Cagalli, if you want to uncover the truth, you could ask Kira."
"Ask Kira?"
Muttering to herself, Cagalli's gaze fell upon Kira and Athrun ahead.
Seeing the two standing in prolonged silence, Cagalli started walking toward them, gradually breaking into a jog.
In the Orb Union Defense Headquarters
"Mr. Uzumi, are you seeking assistance?"
Sitting on the sofa, Felix leaned back lazily and smiled as he asked Uzumi. Uzumi shook his head in response.
"My apologies, we have no intention of requesting aid from PLANT.Seeing Uzumi's stubborn, unyielding demeanor, Felix couldn't help but complain inwardly.
'Truly the most stubborn, hard-headed man in the Seed universe!'
After this internal remark, Felix felt a stir of curiosity and intrigue. He continued to watch Uzumi and inquired with a slight smile.
"Then, may I ask what you wish to discuss?"
As he spoke, Felix teased Uzumi.
"You're not planning to have me work for Orb for free, are you?"
"If you would agree, that would be ideal, but clearly such a thing is merely wishful thinking."
Smiling, Uzumi spoke in a teasing tone just like Felix. Seeing his playful demeanor, Felix wiped the smile from his face and his expression turned serious.
Noticing this, Uzumi also dropped his earlier teasing manner and asked with a serious expression.
"What is the purpose of your visit?"
"To carry out the mission assigned by the Chairman—to prevent the Freedom Gundam from falling into the hands of the Earth Alliance."
Looking at him, Felix replied calmly.
Upon hearing the answer, Uzumi's face still showed a trace of disbelief. Seeing his skeptical expression, Felix shrugged and retorted.
"Mr. Athha, what do you think Orbn has that would be of interest to us in PLANT?"
"For example, destroying Orbn's Kaguya Spaceport or targeting Orbn's Dawn Organization!"
Uzumi responded to Felix.
Felix chuckled upon hearing this.
"Given Mr. Athha's character, I don't believe you would hand over Kaguya Spaceport to the Earth Alliance. After all, if you had intended to, you wouldn't have fought against the Earth Alliance.
As for Orbn's proud Dawn Organization, it's nothing special to us in PLANT. Your Dawn Organization doesn't possess any technology that we would covet."
As he spoke, Felix adjusted his sitting posture slightly and looked at Uzumi to ask.
"Mr. Athha, is there anything else you would like to ask?"
"Not really."
Shaking his head, Uzumi replied.
Seeing this, Felix smiled and probed Uzumi once more.
"Mr. Athha, are you really not considering cooperation or an alliance with us?"
"I'm sorry, Orbn will not abandon its neutral policy!"
Shaking his head, Uzumi firmly refused.
Looking at his stubborn demeanor, Felix muttered to himself.
'Stubborn mule!'
"In that case, there's nothing more for us to discuss."
With that, Felix stood up and headed toward the exit. Seeing Felix about to leave, Uzumi turned and called out to him, asking.
"What is your relationship with Kira Yamato?"
"The kind of relationship you're thinking of."
Turning to look at Uzumi's inquisitive expression, Felix smiled meaningfully in reply. After answering, just as he was about to continue walking out, Felix paused and said to Uzumi.
"Mr. Athha, I think it's better to be straightforward about some matters, or else problems might arise."
"There's no need for you to worry about that.Looking at Felix, Uzumi declined his kindness. Seeing this, Felix didn't want to say anything more and turned back to continue walking out.
When he reached the door, Felix held onto the doorframe with one hand, looked back at Uzumi, and smiled.
"Felix Leo Griffith—that's my name! If we meet again, Mr. Athha, you may call me by my name directly."
"Certainly!"
Nodding, Uzumi replied.
Hearing this, Felix withdrew his gaze and strode out of the office. After leaving, he made his way toward the exit of the Defense Headquarters.
Inside the Office
Sitting on the sofa, Uzumi rubbed his temples, his face quickly clouded with worry. In his distress, he recalled Felix's earlier words and murmured softly to himself.
"Perhaps it really is time to clarify some things."
Outside the Defense Headquarters
Once outside, Felix headed toward his Genesis Gundam.
"Captain Griffith!"
A voice called out from his side.
Felix turned and saw Dearka standing not far away.
"So you're still alive, kid!"
Felix joked with a grin as he looked at Dearka.
Dearka responded with a carefree tone.
"I've got thick skin—I surrendered back then."
"If your father finds out, you're definitely in for a scolding."
Felix chuckled, teasing him again.
Dearka remained relaxed and unbothered.
"It's fine. A scolding won't kill me. Besides, if my dad knows I'm alive, he probably won't have the heart to yell at me anyway."
Then, Dearka asked curiously,
"Captain Griffith, what's your relationship with Athrun's friend, really?"
"I've told you before!"
Felix replied with a laugh.
Dearka looked exasperated.
Seeing his expression, Felix leaned in and whispered near Dearka's ear.
"Blood relation."
After saying that, Felix patted Dearka's shoulder and asked,
"So, are you coming back with me, or do you have other plans?"
"I…"
Under the question, Dearka wanted to say he'd go back together, but an image of someone stubbornly surfaced in his mind. Influenced by that, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Seeing his hesitation, Felix didn't press further.
He patted Dearka's shoulder calmly and said,
"The choice is yours. Whatever you decide is up to you. Just remember—once you make a choice, don't regret it. Take responsibility for your decisions!"
He looked at Dearka and continued,
"Understand?"
"I understand, Captain Griffith."
Dearka nodded, his expression serious.
With that, Felix ended the conversation and continued walking toward the Genesis Gundam.
Dearka watched Felix's retreating figure, pressed his lips together, then turned and walked in another direction.
In Front of the Genesis Gundam
Just as Felix grabbed the lift cable to return to the cockpit, a voice called from behind.
"Captain Griffith, please wait."
Felix turned and saw Athrun, Kira, and Cagalli standing nearby.
Releasing the cable, he faced the three.
"What is it?"
"Captain Griffith, may I ask a favor of you?"
Athrun clenched his fists, gathering his courage before speaking. Hearing that Athrun wanted to ask something of him, Felix studied the three and replied with a playful smile.
"You're not going to ask me to pretend I saw nothing, are you?"
"Is that possible?"
"I didn't come alone, and I wasn't the only one who witnessed the Freedom Gundam being here, so this arrangement won't work."
Shaking his head, Felix replied with a hint of regret in his voice. After speaking, he turned to look at Kira, a flash of satisfaction crossing his eyes.
'Tight-lipped! Good kid!'
Shifting his gaze back to Athrun, Felix observed the expression on his face and changed his tone as he spoke again.
"However, locating and retrieving the Freedom was originally the Chairman's assignment to you. I'm merely supplementary support for this mission.
I'll only step in if your mission fails!"
Hearing these words, Athrun's eyes immediately lit up. Understanding the situation, he saluted Felix and responded solemnly.
"Captain Griffith, I can still continue with my mission. Please do not interfere!"
"Understood!"
Nodding, Felix agreed readily.
After giving his consent, Felix turned to Cagalli and asked with a smile.
"Miss, is there something you need?"