"...Let me say this upfront, I won't do anything particularly outrageous!"
Cagalli crossed her arms in front of her chest, palms facing outward, clearly afraid that Lu Tianming might make some strange request.
Hearing Cagalli's words, Lu Tianming couldn't help but chuckle... He knew Cagalli's true identity all too well. If he actually tried anything inappropriate with her... even if he wasn't immediately arrested by her bodyguards, he would definitely face retaliation from her prime minister father later.
"Don't worry... But there shouldn't be any problem asking you to be a 'tour guide,' right?"
Lu Tianming waved his hand, signaling for her to relax, and said with a smile.
Hearing that Lu Tianming meant no harm, Cagalli felt somewhat reassured... Then she nodded thoughtfully and asked somewhat puzzled:
"No problem with that... but what exactly do you want me to guide you through?"
"Not exactly a tour guide in the literal sense... Could you just give me an overview of the situation here first?"
Lu Tianming smiled and sat down nearby as he continued speaking.
When it came down to it, Lu Tianming didn't know much about the situation here either. He only knew that Desert Tiger had somehow clashed with the resistance organization, and then he had descended from the sky to deliver Justice and save the day.
At this point, Cagalli sighed helplessly and began to explain:
"The current situation is truly not optimistic... Previously, because we inflicted some damage on Desert Tiger's forces, they held a grudge. Taking advantage of when our defensive forces were absent, they launched an attack on our base."
"Cities, supplies, water sources... everything was destroyed by them, leaving only countless refugees behind..."
"I really don't understand what Desert Tiger is thinking. If they sympathize with civilian lives, they shouldn't launch attacks. What kind of operation is this where they issue warnings for citizens to evacuate before attacking, then proceed to destroy cities and supplies?"
"If this continues, in the end they still won't survive..."
Cagalli gritted her teeth as she spoke, completely unable to comprehend Desert Tiger's actions.
Currently, the refugees had lost their homes and supplies. Without shelter or food, if left unattended, their mortality rate would essentially be 100%. The only way to keep them alive was for the resistance organization to temporarily take them in.
However, this wasn't a long-term solution either. The resistance organization's current supplies were all secretly traded from black markets in enemy-controlled territories. As the demand for supplies increased and available trade goods decreased, the resistance organization would eventually lose its ability to resist.
Although when it came to tradeable supplies, they did have Cagalli as their powerful backer.
"It's a psychological warfare tactic. While it seems like they want to engage in a war of attrition with you, it feels more like... they don't take you seriously at all."
Tianming sighed. Had the plot here already progressed to this point? Ever since descending to Earth, it felt like all aspects of the storyline were gradually accelerating.
As for Desert Tiger's intentions, Tianming felt that they genuinely didn't regard the resistance organization as a significant threat.
The disparity in combat power was truly overwhelming. Even going all out, we might not be able to take down a single BuCUE, let alone deal with ZAFT's heavy firepower units like the ZAUHT, which are comparable to tanks.
If they were to fully commit, a single BuCUE could probably wipe out the entire resistance force.
"How are the civilians faring? Is everything alright?"
A gentle female voice suddenly spoke up, tinged with concern.
"Not great, but not terrible either. Under the protection of the resistance, they at least have temporary shelter—won't die of thirst, starvation, or exposure in the desert... Wait, who are you, by the way?"
Cagalli sighed softly as she explained, then suddenly realized the voice asking the question didn't belong to the familiar Lu Tianming. She turned to look in the direction the voice had come from.
There stood Lacus Clyne, who had appeared beside them at some point, her expression filled with worry.
"Just call me Lacus, Miss Cagalli."
Lacus smiled sweetly, a sight that lifted the spirits of anyone who saw it.
Cagalli nodded blankly. Unfamiliar with affairs in PLANT, she didn't recognize Lacus's true identity.
Seeing Lacus appear so suddenly, Lu Tianming was also curious and was about to ask when another familiar figure hurried over from behind—none other than Badgiruel.
"How many times must I say it—please don't run off like that!"
As Badgiruel chased after her, she was also fending off occasional headbutt attacks from Haro—it seemed the little guy was providing cover for Lacus's successful escape.
Unfortunately, its opponent was a trained soldier. After a few rounds, Haro was firmly clasped against Badgiruel's chest, weakly struggling and protesting, "Let me go!"
"Miss Natarle, you're here too. Has the leadership meeting already ended?"
Seeing Badgiruel, Lu Tianming waved and smiled at her.
Hearing the address "Miss Natarle," Badgiruel's cheeks flushed slightly—likely recalling the teasing tone Lu Tianming had used when discussing how to address her earlier.
But in that moment of distraction, Haro managed to wriggle free from her chest and leaped into Lu Tianming's arms as if seeking refuge.
Watching Haro escape, Badgiruel sighed and nodded, explaining:
"Yes, and just as I returned, I saw Lacus running off... I chased her all the way here."
As she spoke, she shot a somewhat resentful glare at the Haro in Lu Tianming's arms—the little troublemaker had probably caused her no end of frustration during the chase.
By now, Badgiruel was starting to suspect whether Haro had led Lacus here deliberately, knowing Lu Tianming would be around...
"Lacus isn't a prisoner of war. There's no need to restrict her movements anymore, is there?"
Lu Tianming sighed helplessly. Since Lacus kept slipping out on her own... he had almost forgotten she was still under house arrest.
Badgiruel, who had originally intended to take Lacus back, paused at his words, then let out a soft sigh, as if giving up on the pursuit.
Indeed, now that we're semi-detached from the Earth Alliance, there's really no need to continue restricting Lacus's personal freedom anymore.
"You're right... But what are you going to do next? Just keep chatting?"
After realizing this, Badgiruel suddenly felt her presence was somewhat awkward. After a moment's thought, she asked somewhat aimlessly.
"According to our plan, after the meeting concludes, we're supposed to visit and comfort the survivors..."
Cagalli suddenly spoke up. As she spoke, her gaze swept between the three of them, and she extended a hesitant invitation.
"If you don't have anything else to do... would you like to come along and help?"