"My apologies for bringing up an inappropriate topic," Mu said with some regret upon noticing Lu Tianming's troubled expression. Just as he was about to offer comforting words, an Archangel crew member arrived with a notification:
"Captain Murrue requests Mr. Mu and Mr. Lu's presence for talks with ORB officials if you're available."
Exchanging glances, both men sighed inwardly. They had hoped for some rest after arriving, but political matters were unavoidable.
After nodding in agreement - recognizing they owed ORB an official explanation for their abrupt entry using Cagalli's name - the crew member led them to Murrue and Badgiruel. Under ORB's guidance, the four proceeded to the ministerial conference by vehicle.
Entering the meeting room, they found Uzumi Yula Athha, ORB's current prime minister and Cagalli's father, already seated at the negotiation table awaiting them.
His gaze swept briefly across the four before settling on Lu Tianming:
"So this is the Strike Suit pilot. I'd heard it was a youth, but never imagined one so young... truly remarkable for your age."
Though clearly diplomatic language, Lu Tianming detected genuine surprise in his tone regarding his youth.
Gesturing for the four to sit, Uzumi continued the formalities.
"You flatter me, Mr. Uzumi," Lu Tianming responded with a smile, taking the seat opposite Uzumi first. The other three followed suit only after he was seated.
Uzumi's eyes revealed heightened surprise. He had expected either the higher-ranked Murrue or higher-military-rank Mu to respond and lead their side's dialogue.
Instead, this Lu Tianming had taken initiative.
What puzzled him more was the others' reactions - they seemed to have no objection to Lu Tianming potentially leading the discussion.
Before he could ponder further, Lu Tianming's voice came:
"May we know the important matter for which you've summoned us, Mr. Uzumi?"
"Naturally regarding your ship's purpose. While we accepted Archangel due to circumstances, we must confirm your intentions."
"With ORB currently caught between the tense standoff of the Alliance and ZAFT, suddenly accepting an Alliance battleship requires us to answer to our people."
Uzumi's tone grew serious as he addressed the main issue.
Lu Tianming nodded - their assessment had been correct. With the Alliance and ZAFT's conflict disabling mass drivers, ORB had become their common target.
His expression remained neutral as he corrected Uzumi:
"In fact, we are not entirely under the Alliance's jurisdiction at present. The Eighth Fleet of the Space Force, to which we originally belonged, was decimated in previous battles. After the heroic death of Commander Admiral Halberton, our vessel has effectively become unaffiliated."
The Archangel's current state of independence actually has an official explanation.
The Eighth Fleet had very few surviving units left... It's estimated that only the vanguard troops originally assigned to scout for the Archangel might have survived—assuming they weren't sacrificed in Alaska.
Additionally, due to Lu Tianming's volley, a few battleships on the periphery of the battlefield might have survived.
But in any case, the original chain of command has collapsed. Until new orders are received from higher authorities, the Archangel can be considered personnel awaiting reassignment.
"Oh? So... you're not actually aligned with the Alliance?"
Uzumi raised an eyebrow slightly, seeming somewhat surprised by Lu Tianming's declaration.
"You could interpret it that way, or rather... we're also deeply disappointed with the Alliance's current conduct."
Lu Tianming sighed regretfully. Since the Alaska Battle, the Atlantic Federation's influence within the Alliance had gradually increased. After seizing control, they began persecuting their rival, the Eurasian Federation, by sending Eurasian Federation forces to the front lines as cannon fodder.
This was the latest intelligence he had gathered through local channels before leaving the desert region.
By now, the Earth Alliance had likely become completely dominated by the Atlantic Federation... or rather, by Blue Cosmos.
There was no longer any necessity to rejoin them.
"At the same time, we absolutely do not endorse ZAFT's genocidal ideology toward Naturals. Therefore, we hope to cooperate with you... with ORB, to jointly resist the aggression of both the Alliance and ZAFT."
"We appreciate your goodwill, but... you may not fully understand ORB's current situation."
Uzumi sighed, speaking with some regret.
He could see that while Lu Tianming spoke of cooperation on the surface, he was actually saving face for ORB... not stating "support" too explicitly.
From the previous battles outside ORB's borders, it was clear that the Archangel possessed considerable military strength. With such power, what couldn't they seize if they wanted? Why bother cooperating with ORB?
It was merely an excuse to provide military aid and support to ORB.
From a politician's perspective, he had no reason to refuse such a cost-free, high-reward cooperation.
But as a father, he felt obligated to warn these people who had safely returned his daughter.
"Since the Alaska Battle, the Alliance and ZAFT have been in constant conflict, launching vicious retaliatory attacks on each other's military bases on Earth. Nearly all Mass Drivers on both sides were destroyed during this period."
"Now, with no functional Mass Drivers available, both factions have set their sights on ORB, attempting to capture it and seize the only remaining large-scale Mass Driver on Earth."
"The forces you encountered earlier were ZAFT's advance troops deployed here."
Uzumi couldn't help but shake his head at this point.
"These advance forces haven't directly invaded ORB territory to launch attacks, not because they couldn't capture it—but because that wasn't their tactical objective."
"According to our intelligence and speculation, their sole purpose in arriving here first was to understand the environment and prevent hostile forces from attacking ORB before them."
"Their true main force will only assemble and sail here after some time. When that happens, ORB won't be facing just one battleship, but an attack group composed of ten, or even a hundred battleships."
"Facing that number of enemies... what difference could one more battleship, one more MS, or a few more fighter planes from you possibly make?"
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