Vol 8 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2

Part 1

May 9th, GMT 13:45 There were clear skies above Dakar, but the streets was shrouded in a gloomy smell of a fire disaster, and the rubble, which may take a while to be rehtly black s the skies for several days had subsided The sun, close to the Equator, was not blocked by anything as it shone upon the streets littered with ash

Kai shi+den did not hate the heat of su blaze of this African continent was too extreme for hi, on his shoulder, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and stopped at the Avenue Pasteur of the autonomous street

He looked up at the large block froo, a le-handed, and now, its large hill-like body was covered by dust-proof sheet used for construction, while its skeletal frame that was dissected was left on this autono out from the sides were reh rise building of the Hotel Empire was isolated, but this ene alooked like a rehtmare left in the wasteland of the summer heat, whether it was the ap of the plastic sheet, or the claw that still looked alive as it embedded itself on the road surface

The path the edy akin to that of a carpet boh the reoing on; fire trucks and cranes were gathered, sirens were blazing everywhere, and the disaster victile file in front of the hydrant trucks On the other side, a GM type with a rifle waswith its chin up, chest out, and disc-shaped transfor a caot rid of this notion wryly I’ the current situation in Dakar is the current reporters working for the news agencies If there were people lass scattered on the road, running out fro, they would be able to ht news Their immediate priority would be to prepare the report they wanted to send to their headquarters in their trailers, charge into the news center at the Central Senate Council hall

This was the biggest terrorist attack since the ‘colony drop’ 3 years ago, and it had been a week since the Federation governency order Ru Dakar to not only becoovernment policies, an ilanced aside at the reporters ere frantically getting on the vehicles, and once he left the avenue, went off to the Senate Council hall he saw The Greek-styled pure white buildings lost lass in front of, but it still preserved so that it was the nest of authority The mobile armor used up all its power approxi, and its crustacean-like ar the dissatisfaction of being unable to reach the throne

He passed by the “Guntank II” that was as ridiculously large as the tank, went by a series of security checkpoints, and entered the hall The lobby was filled with the buzzing of the lobbyists, reporter teams, protestors like usual, but the scene of the repair workers going in and out, the arave a vibe that this was different froiven, rode on the elevator and went up to the 8th floor He stepped onto the corridor that ell furnished like a hotel, and saw flags of individual countries and the entrance of the Central Senate office, where the Earth Federation flag was After walking down the long corridor for another 2 minutes, he found the office of Upper House Senator Ronan Marcenas of the first constitutional area in North America

He passed through the ajar door, and first saw a ladder used by the workers to change the light panels on the ceiling He looked across, and found cracks covering a third of the floor, and approxieneral stuffcalls He could see that the tables, totalling inal positions, and the dust and rubble scattered on the floor was already cleared up; however, this could not hide the signs of chaos brought about by the unprecedented tre at this point, and the contents most likely included the usual contacts, catch-up, those trying to get benefits for the reconstruction, protests, or people donating et involved with the military Ever since the Defence Minister John Bauerthe special needs of war started to take action secretly, and the owner of this office had the political power to pass judge the i at the ter equally tense

Kai arrived a little earlier than the appointed time There was no one at the counter, and Kai did not want to distract the staff that was cohed as he decided to wait a little longer He remembered that there was an ash tray beside the elevator hall, and took out the cigarettes he kept with him at all times ever since he started as a writer; he intended to leave the office first, “Are you Mr Kai shi+den?” but a line stopped him

“I’ve been waiting for you I’m the secretary who conversed with you on the phone, Patrick Marcenas”

The appropriately tanned face showed a bright smile; Kai read the reports on this man as approximately 30 years old He was the son-in-law married into the Marcenas faet ready for a local election Kai held the outstretched hand froht at the latter’s s a tense expression in it, and smiled back “Please follow me” After this, Patrick said and turned around as he passed through the office that was still buzzing with phone calls

“I’m really sorry that we couldn’t come out to invite you in As you can see, we’re still in a devastating ht okay for you?”

“Yeah It’s been a while since I rode on a military transport carrier It was certainly a special treate the Senator had”

Kai’s voice had some spite in this Unlike theand leaving, all reporter-related personnel wanted to enter Dakar While every et a few of their people in, only Ronan could let a freelance reporter ride in on a transport carrier

“I’ht seats for civilians” Patrick answered as he faced forward He glanced aside at Kai, and then, seemed to make up his decision as he spoke up,

“It’s personal, but it’s really an honor to see you Actually, I’m a fan of yours, Mr Kai, not only for your talent as a reporter, but also—”

“As the weak Kai shi+den, a crew inal “White Base””

Kai spoke up first, “Ah, that’s not…” and Patrick, as flustered, hurried up and looked away This vieas kept aside for a moment, but it was not unco war docus written in the books are wild stories” Kai showed a wry smile as he reminded Patrick

“Some writers have their own conclusions before they interview, and they won’t change it even when I do an interview check for such people All books related to “White Base” see”

It just so happened I came to this profession after the war Patrick did not look at Kai , who continued on, and put his hand behind his back, lowering his reddened face “I’ I shouldn’t havethis reply, Kai looked forward at the office approaching in front of him

There were intervieho look down on their interviewees, and there were also interviehoto turn the interviewer into a tower of propaganda for them What was the reason the owner of this room, the Senator of the Settlement Issues Council, summoned hi to ask Kai to write a biography after this Dakar Incident and all sorts of strange events It seemed that this was a secret battle between Neo Zeon, the Vist Foundation and the Senate Council, and Kai heard of the situation through acquaintances in the industry

Whatever the case was, this would be a tough battle for Kai He raffled his grey hair and put on his coat This undistinguished 35 year old looked like a proper reporter after adjusting his appearance This was the first thing this young h School, and survived the events of the One Year War on the “White Base”, learned after leaving the secular world

Part 2

(…In the past, the Principality of Zeon brought great da operations Soainst the Federation, which outnu e do this? Up till noe’re just slandered with the name of butchers who took the lives of half of huht say that this price was overly e We, the people of the Zeon Republic understood this clearly When the Dakar incident happened, our govern that we are reflecting on our past h we’re conize the existence of Neo Zeon However, a group of people in the Federation Council associate us, the Republic, with Neo Zeon, and insist on investigating us They use the er 4 years later as an excuse, and it’s not just one one out of control, which really upsets us War is not beneficial, and we know—”

The any let out a knocking, and the guest and Patrick appeared

This man Puerto Rican's face had a unique look, and he certainly was the one Ronan saw on the recent photograph “Welcome” Ronan Marcenas spoke up and went to the door to invite hih his life as a politician, that being straightforward to sorip was a way to take the initiative on someone; however, Kai shi+den did not look intiht smile

Ronan sensed that it would be a major obstacle for him to overcome, and let the otheryou wish to drink?” he asked, but was faced with an unfaltering expression, “No need for that” It seemed that this man fully understood how not to be led by the other party You can head back down Ronan told Patrick with his eyes as he sat down on the chair at the office, his back facing theKai did not look at his actions as he looked towards the television, still switched on, with a relaxed expression

Thethe interview fro the difficulties the Zeon Republic had, and his voice and expression were full of pretense “Certainly a melodrama suitable for the afternoon” Ronan finished, and watched Kai’s reaction The latter lance and withstood the initial volley without expression

“That’s the Defense Minister of the Zeon Republic, Monaghan Baharov He’s a edy of a defeated country, but he’s working secretly with people of the old Principality, and has splurged a lot ofin the rightists pro papers from the Republic Army”

“Ainning papers?”

“The the the issues over safety and security, and basically, it’s a selection test used to sort out the rightists After that, the ones he picked out will be sent to important places, and if there’s a need, he can use them as chess pieces”

“And this necessary moment is?”

“I don’t understand that ht the Federation The recent econoht about an increase in the radicals, but ht after what happened in the Wars However, the “Sleeves” are using their main forces, the “Geara Zulu”, which development’s is partly related to Anaheim The central party are the people from the old Zeonic cohan’s coames only”

He switched off the television with the remote and looked at the face on the other side of the table If this were any ordinary reporter, he would be hooked on to this inside scoop However, Kai did not have a single note as he merely looked back cautiously So aexperiences of life and death in his youth can ree of Bright Noa Ronan saw in his own house, leaned his back on the leather, “I’ve read through your popular work” and got down to business

“The “Sunset of the Giants”, “hell in Heaven”…each of these pieces had a unique entry point There are a lot of these supposed anti-war reports, but it’s rare to see such works with anti-war senti as a pilot on the White Base team?

Kai showed a stoned uns expression as he did not answer this question This boy was involved in the flames of Side 7 when the War started, was taken onto “White Base” as a refugee, and became a locally-enlisted soldier, the pilot of a newly developedany war fanatic would like, a gla about him in many records stated that he was an opportunist with a vicious mouth Despite that, he was trained by the military, and after the War, he enrolled in the Belfast University under the social reentry prograency, and finally became a fa people respected him and felt familiarity with him

However, such appraisal to Kai was ine this froht As Kai re his own attitude, “But there’s so voice

“It’s your viewpoint regarding Zeon You doubted the space Administration after the war, and revealed the truth about the oppressed spacenoids, but criticized the activities of the Zeon remnant forces harshly…to a point where you seem to hate them; you’re especially critical of Char, who led the Neo Zeon ar the spacenoids are mostly a little sympathetic to him…”

“Basically, the intellectuals who’ll criticize such writing are the dissidents against this fad”

Kai shrugged as he crossed his long legs, and continued,

“That’s why it’s easier to accept a writer rites in a way that sympathizes with the Zeon remnants As for why I’ht against Char on White Base? It’s a conditional yes Since I’nore the norm of the industry and write on If there’s any basis for me, it’s that I believe that the media isn’t supposed to be a wind vane”

“Wind vane…being blown by the wind called the public…is it?”

Kai did not answer, and as their expressions of suppressed emotions met, Ronan decided that it was time as he stood up and turned to thebehind hilass di Ronan’s actions

“A certain politician wants to reveal extre to do with security What will you do if you’re that politician?”

“I’ll call in the reporters froe a news conference No matter what, that person definitely won’t look for a freelance reporter”

This voice suppressed Ronan’s thoughts and split his thoughts in half His lips twist in a smile, “But that politician doesn’t trust the media” and answered,

“No matter what that politician says, it’ll merely be broadcasted for 30 seconds at most on the news Even if it becomes a featured story, once the coin, no one will think anything of it There’s the ratings, hits, printing nuets, the wind called the public will get stronger, and will air these many viewpoints as a correct view In this sense, a freelancer’s work—”

“Isn’t as free as what the ter as the economic activity forbids such releases, there are some rules we have to abide by”

“I feel that ues that are only thinking of earningif it’s a weak idealist, but there are solid professionals who insist on following their own principles even if they do follow the rules”

Kai reood Ronan exhaled and sat opposite Kai

“Have you heard of the “Laplace Box”?”

Ronan saw that this reporter, who rens of faltering “I did hear rus andKai as he asked

“An acquaintance planned to use this as a featured topic The release was set, and the first issue was serialized on a azine, but there was no second print A azine itself was out of business, even though it printed quite a lot”

“Once the advertising revenue is cut off, a ood it sells What about that peer of yours?”

“He’s not in this industry now I don’t knohat happened to him now”

“Maybe he’s drowned in soiven a little bit of money to live a carefree life It’s not impossible It’s not easy to eliminate someone, even for the Vist Foundation”

Kai’s silent expression showed that he had athe Foundation’s “Box” “There’s still 30 minutes left” Ronan looked at the clock on the wall, and said,

“There’s a vote at the conference hall at 3pm, and I can only talk with you until then After that, you can decide how to deal with this However, I hope that you can hurry and notify more and more people about this You’re the only one who can do this and not let the truth be twisted”

Kai suppressed his doubt and tension from his face as he looked at Ronan’s eyes for noat his feet, took out a notebook and a tape recorder Just when he was about to press the switch of the recorder, their eyes ain, and Kai wordlessly put the recorder back in Ronan shtly and clenched his fists that were on the table

“I have sufficient evidence to prove that the Vist Foundation is interfering with the Senate Council through i out battles however they want The aiets released, and for this reason, they createdseveral set the “Box” “Industrial 7”, “Palau”, the “Laplace” relic; It’s the saton”

Kai stopped his hand fro on, and the sound of the crane far away rumbled the air inside this air-conditioned room Ronan took this sharp stare from Kai head out and took out a stack of information from his table drawer

“This is a list of the Senate Council members involved with the Foundation, and they apply special counter-terrorist laithout the recognition of the Senate Council to deploy forces; even till now, they’re profiting off the Foundation If we don’t reassign them and rebuild the command structure of the military, it’ll be hard to hope for the revival of security If this can get the media to use this as a chance to move, the prosecutors who had their heads pressed down by the Foundation finally have some purpose”

Kai flipped through the list of officials printed on the A4 paper, and looked back with a doubtful look Ronan leaned his body on the table, and said,

“We’ll do our utmost to protect your personal safety Of course, the Foundation will use all sorts of means to obstruct us—”

“What can you get?”

Kai raised a finger to stop Ronan fro, and asked on, “This “Laplace Box” is said to have the power to topple the Federation governoal to prevent it fro released It’ll certainly be an issue if there’s improper interference with the military’s command structure, but can’t you do this before they secure the “Box”?”

“If it were that easy, of course, but the results are just as you see There’s a need to eliminate interference froovernment, and face this situation with a reformed attitude”

Kai snorted as an answer and leaned his back on the chair His expression was saying that he would not accept such an answer; he was approaching using the nose of a reporter, but he was keeping his distance, watching if he was to be ht Ronan sensed so-awaited intellect agitating his sense, and tapped his fingers on the armrests of the chair

“You’re asking et is that I can get a good night’s sleep I think about the horror if the “Box” falls into Neo Zeon’s hand, what happens if a htain…this is what I want to eliminate I suppose you should understand, since you’re not affected by the trends and continue to notice the danger of Zeon”

Ronan did not wait for Kai’s response as he again stood up and looked outside theThe reislation building opposite

“The Federation isn’t as stubborn as what those calling for a change in establish as there’s an opportunity, this united government that’s less than 150 years old can be toppled easily As an installation and avenue of resenterous Before the Republic hands over its autonohtmare’s about to end, this radical…the Vist Foundation has to bear responsibility Also, the “Laplace Box” should be under the control of the Federation govern”

“What do you mean by ‘our’?”

“You can consider it to be the view of the ruling faction and military personnel not corrupted by the Foundation, with the Settlee”

“So you’re using the chaos of the space ar unnecessary equipment in this counter-terrorism plan…is it?”

The pursuing expression was laid upon Ronan’s back, and he hid the pain of being cornered, “This sure is tough” Kai did not show a smile, and his stare remained unmoved

“It’s true that a shi+p that can’t respond quickly or a mobile suit isn’t very suited for counter-terrorises, hue that easily There’s also the thinking to preserve the prestige of the nation’s authority”

“Preserve the authority…”

“A fleet that’s deployed like a tall wall, a powerful ical impact on humans are not to be underestimated, even in this era of where information battles or special forces operations are important A power that can be seen by the naked eye can cause fear in others, and prevent a second Zeon froain”

“In other words, you want to use a high wall to surround the Earth by using the authority of the Earth Federation as guarantee, a tall ith the words ‘obeyeven if there’s a conversation?”

Ronan resisted the urge to confirm Kai’s view as he narrowed his eyes at the latter, and felt a bitterness of being tricked “I ation on your career before I cas and said,

“You brought about a wave of new life for the Federation after the War, and was a liberal, just like the first Prime Minister Ricardo…when you were nominated for the Senate for the first ti you by In fact, you can be considered an anomaly for the Marcenas fa you did after being elected was to ht? There are several other places for candidacy, but you insisted on co to Dakar, this land that may be buried by sand a hundred years later as desertification continues”

Ronan resisted the ied to eke out a wry ss and continued without looking away,

“Earth was starting to show signs of recovery due to the space Migration Plan, but the fact was that the destruction of the One Year War brought it to the brink of danger again As so for policies, you had to often experience the urgent needs Earth had, to think of what you had to do next…at that ti this for the sake of popularity, but this isn’t all, I suppose You do have belief, you believe in iether with Earth You believe that Earth shall be the eternal homeland for humanity, and everyone should head to space—”

“That’s a mistake by a reporter affected by Zeon I’m not that much of a radical”

Ronan immediately interrupted Kai, but he could not seal off the sedi out from the scar in his chest as he looked away and let his eyes waver Right, I did once think of it this way… he muttered in his heart that was full of sediment, and secretly clenched his fists under the table If I were the change the nature of the Federation, the curse of the “Box” will vanish If I can grab the ‘future we should have’ with my own hands, I won’t have to fear the “Box”, and I won’t have to restrain my children with the curse of the Marcenas—

“And that you now choose to protect your power”

Kai said Ronan’s wavering eyes looked back at him