January 26, C.E. 71, late at night, Eastern Standard Time.
Muruta Azrael, the current leader of Logos and the head of Blue Cosmos, was holding a video conference with the main members of Logos to discuss countermeasures and unify their opinions in response to the trouble caused by the "Celestial Being Formation Declaration."
"So, as I was saying, in the current situation, we have no room to back down. Not only is the front line still on the ground, but last year's profits also prove that there is still potential to be exploited in this war. So if we let go now, not only will we suffer immediate losses, but this year's expected profits will also be greatly reduced. Can you accept that?"
Faced with Muruta Azrael's soul-piercing question, the Logos members who had just been singing a different tune all fell silent.
A moment later, a rather old voice raised a very practical problem.
"Hiding behind the scenes has always been our core philosophy. That's how we've been able to endure until today and always maintain control over the situation. But after the 'Celestial Being Formation Declaration,' some people have already identified certain members' information through the internet and other means. Although no actual problems have occurred yet, if 'Celestial Being' pulls something else, it's hard to say what those mobs will do. We have to guard against this as well."
Muruta Azrael was utterly contemptuous of this group of old geezers whose courage shrank with age. However, he still needed their power for now, so he had no choice but to respond.
"How simple is that? It's just a matter of changing our name. If Logos has been discovered, then from today onwards, we are the Titans. As for the public-facing Logos and 'Blue Cosmos,' I alone will take responsibility for them. In exchange, however, I hope you will leave your people under my command and cooperate with my work. How about it?"
The communication channel was abuzz with discussion, but a consensus was quickly reached.
After all, Muruta Azrael was already the current leader of Logos and the head of Blue Cosmos. It was merely a matter of ceding a few more benefits to ensure their own safety. Since Muruta Azrael was willing to take responsibility and remain in the spotlight as a 'target,' this level of exchange was perfectly acceptable.
After confirming this most critical issue, a middle-aged male voice came through the communication channel.
"Then, how should we deal with the 'G-Project' that Halberton came up with, Director Azrael?"
On this matter, Muruta Azrael also seemed to have a plan ready.
"I didn't expect that Halberton to be more than just a smooth talker. Since its performance has been confirmed and even a prototype has been produced, we will naturally accept it with pleasure. If it's Halberton, as long as we promise him immediate mass production and deployment to the front-line troops as soon as possible, he'll happily hand it over. Have the Eighth Fleet send an advance team to receive it, and we'll get moving on our end too. Have the fleet at the Lunar Base go and provide support. Also, didn't 'Celestial Being' say the Archangel went to Artemis? We need to put pressure on the Eurasian Federation to stop them from pulling any more of their little tricks. Once it's mass-produced, we'll first drive ZAFT off Earth, and then we can slowly deal with those ominous hourglasses. This way, won't we have both a new source of profit and the benefits of re-equipping our subsequent forces? Oh, right, we can't forget Orb. Send people to contact the Sahaku family and have them hand over the technology they stole. That should keep subsequent R&D costs under control. If we then hint that we support the Sahaku family in developing their own technology to counter the Athha family, they'll probably be happy to share new technologies with us in the future."
The members of Logos—or the Titans, as they were now called—were deeply impressed and very satisfied with Muruta Azrael's skillful double-dealing. Someone even started joking about Muruta Azrael himself.
"As expected of Director Azrael, haha. Looking at it this way, maybe there's some truth to what that Luther Daiken said about you being 'a Coordinator disguised as a Natural'."
Facing his 'allies,' Muruta Azrael, who truly held a grudge against Coordinators, couldn't lash out. He could only grit his teeth and force out a reply.
"You're joking."
Seeing that his casual remark had apparently hit a sore spot with Muruta Azrael, the person who made the joke immediately apologized. Taking advantage of the situation, since the general plan had been decided, the video conference ended amidst a clamor of goodbyes.
Alone in his room, Muruta Azrael turned on the lights, first venting his anger on the room's decorations before pressing the call bell on his desk.
As the bell rang, the door opened swiftly. Two rows of maids, who had heard the sound of shattering porcelain from outside, entered with their heads bowed and silently began to clean the room. Three or five subordinates in suits followed them in, waiting with their heads down for Muruta Azrael's instructions.
"How is the public opinion control going?" Muruta Azrael picked up the black tea a maid offered him and asked his first question nonchalantly.
"On the Atlantic Federation's side, it's basically under control. The Eurasian Federation and the Republic of East Asia are also cooperating with the controls under the pressure we've applied through the Atlantic Federation. The other neutral nations have mostly expressed cooperation or are simply powerless to do anything. Only the United Emirates of Orb, the Oceania Union, and the Kingdom of Scandinavia have explicitly refused."
Hearing the man's report, Muruta Azrael smashed the cup full of hot tea on the man's head. The man, with blood and tea trickling down his face, didn't dare to move an inch.
"What kind of job do you call this? Huh? A border collie could do a better job than you! Get the hell out and get to work! If you can't get public opinion under control today, you can prepare to be an Anti-Mobile Suit Special Forces Soldier on the front lines!"
After a maid served him a new cup of tea, Muruta Azrael turned to the second subordinate.
"Has there been any progress in contacting Rau Le Creuset?"
"Our informant in Plant has confirmed that the Creuset Team is returning to Plant and will be reviewed before the Supreme Council. We have also gathered information on Rau Le Creuset's situation, which is basically consistent with what 'Celestial Being' said. We are just waiting for Rau Le Creuset to return to Plant to make contact with him immediately."
It seemed Muruta Azrael was satisfied with this subordinate's response. After taking a sip of tea, he gave his instructions.
"Hurry up, and don't let those monsters find out! Damn 'Celestial Being,' where did they get all this information!"
Faced with Muruta Azrael's 'question,' his subordinates were speechless. Fortunately, Muruta Azrael wasn't actually asking them.
Putting down his teacup, Muruta Azrael walked towards the door, with his subordinates following closely behind him.
"What's the situation with the military?"
"The General Staff Headquarters has already sent an inquiry to the Eighth Fleet. On the lunar side, Colonel Sazaland has also begun to assemble his troops."
Muruta Azrael was also quite satisfied with this response. Although 'Celestial Being' was an unexpected development, as long as he could still control the armed forces of the Atlantic Federation and, by extension, the entire Earth Alliance, it was merely one more reason to make money, in addition to those 'hourglasses.'
With this thought in mind, Muruta Azrael could finally drift off to sleep. A perfect world wh
ere he controlled everything, a world without a trace of those monsters, was waiting for him in his dreams.