Vol 9 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 1

Part 1

The poison called tobacco, which was once alered in the days of Universal Century 0096 This was the result of tobacco quality ie, like the reduction of tar to reduce the negative effects on the human body and the intricate machines, and the development of chemicals that combust at low teest reason for the revival of tobacco was the One Year War

The generals frowning at each other in the Operations Conference rooasted by the da were the same as the frontline soldiers To humanity, which lost almost half its population, and its latter half was at the brink of danger, tobacco became a solace that could reduce the pressure they never had before The principle to ban sovernment offices and the parliamentary halls were quickly abandoned, and in periods of war, tobacco stench were around, whether it was the conference rooms or the rest rooms This bad habit continued even after the war, and in Dakar, there were continuous signs of senators taking at least on stick Even the Settleures fro and opposition parties, were of no exception—no, it was because there were a lot of experienced veterans froe of sh—it was already a co the exhaled smoke float around the conference room

“I suppose silence ht?”

Even so, the smoke today was extremely severe Ronan Marcenas waved his hand to shake off the smoke, and looked at the faces of the crowd seated around the round table

“The military has also observed the destruction of the ‘L1 Junction’ The “Nahel Argaion, and a Neo Zeon fleet is out in full arms to ah chance of the “Laplace Box” being in the shoal space region”

32room in the Dakar Senate Headquarters, and the ranks, led by Ronan on the Upper House Chair parties, their sleep disheveled hair and droopy eyes lingering in the smoke The time was GMT 0500 and 2 hours had passed since the phone call notifying the The Settleanization which deals with thespacenoids, sends them to the Senate for clean up, and decided the fates of the spacenoids that numbered in more than millions—they hat the media called the shadow parliareat responsibility, to gather in the ht, and because of the terrorist attack on Dakar, athered here, whichwith the topic at hand, many of them looked dull and unreliable, co votes

All of the s expressions that clearly showed they did not want to make decisions It was true this was a co, but the topic at hand was not ordinary These guys know this already, Ronan cursed in his heart They knew that the strange happenings that had been around this past month were all because of the “Laplace Box”, and they knew that the end of all these events was right in front of them He knew that all of them inherited their current positions froether In this sense, we’re the ones who have to clear the 100-year lie

“In that case, please hurry in the mobilization of the space arion We’ll elia it under our governance We’ve decided on e have to do, and if nobody’s going to propose a plan B, I want to discuss about how to execute it What do you think?”

The situation continued to develop during this tiht watch, and Ronan still felt repulsed about having to ain, but he could not let the senators look on with sleepy eyes He said it with the intention of waking them up, but their responses were still slow In thecould ostensibly be heard, “It’s easier said than done to mobilize the entire army to maintain security” A senator, as also the president of the ruling party’s construction ue voice,

“Looking at the nature of this incident, we mustn’t reveal this to the world, and on’t be able to satisfy the condition ofthe army What do we do?”

“And Muar’s the current legislation chief!” The senator in charge of agriculture leaned on his seat beside the other ree easily, especially with thethe issues of the Second Neo Zeon war to shake the hearts of the people If we’re to e force, they’ll be looks from the people of the world”

All their stares were gathered on John Bauer, seated opposite Ronan This important man from the national defense co the hearts of the people, did notstares as he continued to look aloof Ronan held back his sigh, “It’s because of this…” he probed his body onto the table as he said

“It’s because Senator Bauer paved the path for us that it’s easier for us to mobilize the enemy The recent spate of terrorist attacks has caused public opinion to lean towards the eradication of Neo Zeon With the assistance of everyone here, I suppose we can break down the interference of the legislation council, right?”

Of course, these were not sincere words, all of them knew that Bauer’s actions were only to ensure the continual existence of Londo Bell, which his helped set up, an act for the sake ofthe military industry Ronan did not continue to look at Bauer, who deliberately looked away, and looked at the faces of all those present “Isn’t this too ?” One of the six fearette on the ash tray

“The media does adore Neo Zeon as they are biased towards spacenoids They’re still insisting on that old logic, saying that the source of all the mishaps is the incompetence of the Federation”

“And it was just revealed that ECOAS was involved in the battle of “Palau””

“Using the term eradicate is very…the initial plan was to settle all issues gradually with the dissolve to do such an extre the space arnment plan and have no support in this end?”

“The Vist Foundation has a clear view on all this, which is why they can control the Senate Council however they want to How about we give up on ensuring the “Box” at this ti to be opened, the Foundation will be grabbed by the throat”

“But what Chairood chance to take the over a family squabble now, and they haven’t forht?”

“You say it as if it’s easy If Neo Zeon is defeated, your party will be the first one to ask for a revision over the realignht?”

“You’ve been insisting that the money used to build a ht?”

“This is already the instinctive action of the largest opposition party; it’s a different the about”

This barefaced saying caused a tired ah the Senate rooate that uneasy tremor

“People, I hope you can understand the importance of this incident”

The athered their stares on the Chair fist with his other hand as he looked at the stares of the arettes

“We’ve been protecting the secret of the “Box” Theof the existence of this Senate Council, the authority that can decide the spacenoid ad to get power in our hopes to secure the “Box”, we’re on the same path as the Vist Foundation”

Ronan stood up without letting anyone have the roo on the wall entered his eyes, “Sometimes, I wonder…” and he immediately looked away to say calmly,

“If Zeon grew prosperous before the One Year War began, and if I took up this position before that, ould I do? Will I open the proence?”

All the people seated at the round seat inadvertently felt chills and turned their faces away in an aard manner Ronan continued to look at the photos of the past Chairlance with his already deceased father, “Of course, the answer is no” he answered himself and lowered his stare

“Our fathers had this thought before, and continued to iimentation of the Federation inherited from our forefathers But in the end, the One Year War happened ‘Zeon assault can’t be predicted’, or ‘these happened before we knew about the existence of the “Box”’, we can’t use theht have been able to do so, but the Senate Council sat by to watch half of humanity killed, and has the same crime as Zeon”

“That’s…” an elderly senator spoke with a bitter sht of it” Ronan hushed up the other man, and slowly strolled down the circumference of the round table

“And ho had the complete inheritance, are unable to acquit ourselves of this criuilt we have to bear forever, and we’re not allowed to bring it into our graves As long as the Earth Federation continues to existence, ill have to bear the secret that taints our descendants with blood”

Riddhe’s expression when he learnt the truth in that office lit by the sunset appeared for a fleetingtheir elbows on the table as they leaned forward, and there were those leaning on their chairs as they looked into space They were children, but also parents; Ronan looked around and stared at the faces of these people, “This isn’t so we can leave it to others” He continued, and set aside the face in his memory

“It’ll be best if we can use this chance to get the “Box” and bury it co is to maintain the current situation and prevent anyone fro the “Box” This isn’t the time to consider the benefits for our political parties, or even our personal problems; we have aon the billions of lives that died during the One Year War”

He circled the round table once, and placed his hand on the Chairain “I hope that we’ll have a fruitful discussion after we consider all these” Ronan concluded and let his heavier body sink into the seat

nobody wanted to look at each other or speak up, but even so, the political considerations and the forces, tangible and intangible, supporting the council were not to be ignored He thought of the costs and benefits of the options, whether it was necessary to protect the “Box” in such an adhersive manner, and compared it to the current reality; in the end, tired breaths merely came out with the smoke, and a silent time proceeded At this moment, John Bauer lifted his head and spoke up for the first time on this day, “I can understand your concerns, Chair the words of this old friend and colleague as he looked back with a wary look

“But we’re able to get to the lowest seat of this senate because of the support of the people If we act while ignoring the wills of the supporting parties, on’t be able to fulfill the mission you said of, Chairman At this situation, we need to first calm down and make our decisions—”

“What if Neo Zeon gets the “Box” while we’re doing so? Do you think you can use politicalof Char? It’s rumored that that man has relations with the Republic”

“That’s the point If the Republic’s supporting frootiations, like the delay of self-autono…”

“And what if they ask for inordinate requests? It’s fine to continue keeping your votes for the sake ofthe needs for war, but I don’t want a replay of the One Year War to happen again”

“You’re too hasty in your conclusions No matter whether it has the “Box” or not, Zeon’s fate is flickering in the windlike a candle It is rude ofa little too paranoid? It see the existence of the “Box””

Bauer said with an emotionless expression, and there were several senators around the looks that they understood this very well as they looked at Ronan These unexpected words rendered Ronan speechless, and he suspected if these words were of reality as he looked back at Bauer’s face wordlessly

Bauer was the head of the Defense Ministry, based in the Anaheim Electronics, and would be the one most scared of the opportunists’ words when the space arraht that he would say this was just paranoid Is he saying the restraining bolt and sacrifices over these hundred years were all the result of paranoia? Is he saying that the world won’t change no edy of the One Year War will never be avoided nothat has no value, threatening those who did not know its true identity? Are we flaunting our authority without purpose?

Iht thisof being dangled in the air To a ible block called the public, that firht be the case The words carved on the “Box” ht just be a chain of words, and it itself had no power to change the world The “Box” could only fulfill its power that can topple the current regimentation with the help of those people with the hearts to respond to the ‘promised future’ He knew all about this, but he continued to fear the “Box”; was it because he was a direct member of the Marcenas family that had a direct involve somewhat melancholic about the dreaered in his heart? Ronan could not conclude as he looked forith a stiff e of his vision was opened

The door was forbidden to be opened until the ether with everyone else, who turned around in shock, saw the face of a wouards opened without any concerns, and felt his gulped breath stuck at his throat

“Pardon ”

Martha Vist Carbine said this line to brush off the many stares on her as she walked over Why is this wo at the door, looked at the officer’s uniforain There were three large stars on the rank, reflecting the light off his shoulders; this was not the first tiuards with his authority as he entered This face belonged to the man, the Chief of Staff for the entire Federation military

Even though he was the leader of the army brass that was under the coe for him to enter this room Ronan looked at the stiff expression of this Admiral, ascertained that he had the same interests as that of the Foundation, and turned his stare towards Martha, alking to the Chairman’s seat This was probably the first time they met face to face, but Ronan did not feel this way It felt as if they both involved the military, and Ronan had been able to see this face all this tiave a thin sht her face close to Ronan’s eyes The tobacco stench filling the roo scent of perfu around his nostrils

“I have soent to talk about, Chairman Ronan Can I have a ith you?”

“Sorry, but we’re in theyou want here, but keep it short”

Ronan did not look away fro hiht ingrained deep within hiain the initiative here, everyone else would have an opportunity Martha however s that she knew beforehand “You understand too, right?” she ain

“It’s useless to talk with these people The “Box” is our family’s issue, and we have to settle it ourselves”

Ronan resisted the urge to raise his eyebrows as he continued to stare at Martha, who narrowed her eyes as she see “I have a secret way to deal with this” she spoke without leaving an opening

“If you allow us, Chairman, this plan can be executed immediately Do you have any interest?”

“…You’re asking the obvious This isn’t so”

“Wo in time”

She said sweetly, but there was a sense of urgency deep within her eyes Martha too was anxious, and nobody other than her could experience this urgency to prevent the “Box” frohed heavily, looked around at the faces that arasp a foothold, and used this chance to get up from the Chairman’s seat

“I’ll be back” He said to the vice-chairman beside hi back He followed Martha out as the latter proceeded first, and walked out of theroom He sensed the cold atoosebuh the door The unnerving expressions of the past chairmans caused his back to ache more than the cold stares of the other senators

Part 2

The 3 diraphic ht fro in from the left side The intersection point let out a red flickering light, and the side showed the estimated time of arrival and the closest distance values

“This is the predicted path of the Tennyson fleet fronal 6 hours ago, so the values shouldn’t be wrong”

Flaste Schole said Since this was the ao, and intended to ith that fleet, there was no greater prediction than this Otto Mitas got up from his Captain’s seat, and looked carefully at theon the e crew held their breaths as they stared at the ene their path

“There are 9 Musaka-class shi+ps, and another 6 different disguised shi+ps of all sizes They’re not holding bac on this large attack at all, and if we keep this up, we’ll face theion The ETA is 08:17…less than 3 hours”

Flaste said as he looked at his watch and then looked over at Otto Are you serious? The latter avoided the stare as he gave this expression, and proceeded to ask his sensor operator, “What’s the movement of Frontal’s squadron?” The operator started to work on the console Flaste worked on before,

“Looking at the final observations of the optical sensors, it see the durability of the subflight systeht to “Industrial 7””

“What about Frontal’s mothershi+p, the “Rewloola”?”

“It’s outside our range I don’t knohere Frontal’s fleet launched frouess is that they’re 80,000km away from the main fleet It’ll take them half a day to proceed here at maximum speed”

“I heard that the “Rewloola” is bringing 2 Musaka-classes along Maybe they don’t intend to meet up with Tennyson’s fleet, but is headed to “Industrial 7” straight away In this case, Frontal may use the “Rewloola” as a base to look for the “Box””

Flaste continued, and while Otto noticed the side of the er than he looks he wondered about this co “What do you think, First Officer?” he turned behind to look, and Liam, with her hand on her injured shoulder, “It’s very likely” She answered without hesitation

“Once the squad regroups, they’ll head straight for “Industrial 7” There’s a chance they’ll be stranded, but that’s a fine move not to scatter their forces That man will definitely do it”

“In that case, we’ll have to face one large fleet”

The Captain’s siht a heavy and silent ate It had been more than 5 hours since they left the collapsed ‘L1 Junction’ and head off to the shoal space region They did not have any ti the Zeon Republic soldiers in the shi+p and restoring the operations of each departht at them Otto felt abnormally awake due to the extreme sleep deprivation, and looked at the a ammunitions and transport vehicles, there were 15 ene him, how reckless it was “Aid from Londo Bell…I don’t think we can hope for it” Lia over beside Otto’s ears

“Yeah We’re the ones being hunted down by the entireredeployed There’s no one we can reason with; if we’re not careful, we ht even be attacked”

“But we know the location of the “Box” As long as we report there’s a threat that Neo Zeon will capture it, Londo Bell can act independently, right?”

Mihiro Oiwakken said as she sat on the communication operator seat Her firm expression showed that there was a need to say this, and Otto was dumbstruck by this “It’s useless” However, Liam first spoke up,

“If we don’t know the true identity of the “Box”, there’s no e can deters If ant Londo Bell to take action, it’ll have to be once we confirm the contents”

“How can that be…! In that case—”

“There’s no room for us to make a detour and avoid the enemy’s ambush If we don’t hurry to “Industrial 7” as soon as possible, Frontal will reach there first”

Lia for any optimism, and turned her stare to the Captain’s seat Otto looked at her eyes that showed that she was ready to go all in, “Howto expect?” he asked Flaste

“The uised shi+ps have varying ones, but they can probably hold about 3 or so”

“In other words…” the sensor operator looked up at the screen, ostensibly calculating in his mind, “…72 of them” and went pale,

“The only ones we can deploy are the “ReZEL”, the “Stark Jegan” and the “Unicorn” They outnumber us 24 to 1…”

Liam muttered, and Otto felt the chill of despair rise fro atmosphere “No, it’s 12 to 1” He said as he left the Captain’s seat

“We can still mobilize another 3 units”

His netic soles landed on the floor, and he looked back at the stunned faces of everyone present “The “Kshatriya”?” Liam asked in lieu of every person present, and Otto affirmed it with his stare

“What about the other two?” The ECOAS “Lotos” can’t be counted in this as they can only replace the cannons”

With Lia a suspicious look, Otto turned his back on her and looked towards Flaste, who seemed to have realized this He approached Flaste and asked, “Can you help?” As the latter’s face cringed, Mihiro ostensibly sed some words and looked away

“Your “Geara Zulus” are still around, and though one of them lost an arm, but it can still defend a shi+p, I suppose?”

“…Is this really alright? It’s said that those who betrayed once will do so again”

Flaste answered with a bitter smile as he lowered his face Otto too lowered his head as he looked at the expression devoid of any s intent “I won’t force you” He said as he reached his hand to touch his cap

“We’ll immediately send a launch that will depart for the Republic’s army You can ride on board and leave this shi+p as well It’s all your shi+p”

Flaste widened his eyes as he averted them, and lifted his head as if he was had Otto however did not look at hioes for the rest as well” He spoke with a voice that bellowed through the bridge

“I said before that there’s no need to acco, and this feeling remains the same even at this point For those ant to leave the shi+p, I’ll lend a launch Just tell ion, there’ll be a shi+p who can receive a distress signal immediately”

The navigation and cannons operators seated at the consoles in front wordlessl looked over Liam’s shoulders and stared at Otto If I don’t want to lose anyone else, how can I lose anyone? Otto suppressed the true thoughts rising in his heart, “But those ant to stay, please be prepared” he continued and looked at everyone present

“We’re the only ones present As for whether ant to take action, or whether this is the correct decision, we have to decide it itself Everyone has to think and e you on your responsibilities as a soldier, but the responsibility you need to take up should be in your hearts”

There were people with unfaltering looks, and there were those who looked down in doubt Once he was certain of their reactions, “Notify the shi+p I hope all personnel leaving the shi+p are to gather at the deck in 20 minutes” Otto finally turned to Mihiro and said this, and the petite figure answered in a flustered manner as she looked away Otto re head, and walked towards thein front of hi at anyone else in the eyes

There was still soama” was surrounded by a stretch of endless space, without any space debris passing by The “Laplace Box” that had the power to topple the world, the Second Co the “Box”—he reflected on the things that had nothing to do with hio, wondered about how peculiar it was, and looked at the stars afar His wife’s face appeared in his oesvoice was the only thing that echoed in his heart

Part 3

The aft landing deck was as its nae used for transport craft to return to the shi+p, but it also had a function to let small launchs fly off The insides and external appearances were not too different from the catapult deck, but the scene of the 4 old-styled launchses docked on both ends of this extremely tall deck resear

At this point, two of these launches were dragged to the reen norravity, but the feet of those 30 men or more were abnor for every step they took with theirrecoiless rifles standing around the the launch However, anyone could tell they were not going to do anything

They—the Zeon Republic soldiers, lost They lost their mothershi+ps, their comrades, and were to be divided into two launches and abandoned into space Banagher Links did not dare to say he could understand the attitude of a soldier, as what their ideals entails were co expressions gave hih sense of familiarity He looked at the faces of those soldiers ere‘Disjointed’…this would ical mood They could not associate theh they were present, there was a sense of isolation—

“We’re included the water and food for thearound Once you leave the shi+p, please proceed to save them The ‘L1 Junction’ collapse et into action There’ll be a shi+p that will save you here”

Audrey Burne spoke to the Sub-Lieutenant acting as representative for the Republic soldiers She had real cape, but she was still dressed in formal Neo Zeon uniform, and this must have been one of the reasons why the Republic soldiers felt disjointed Banagher, Conroy Haagensen and Gael Chan were sending the off uneasy looks as they stared at Audrey from behind “Yes…” The sub-lieutenant looked down as he answered, looked back at their one and only royal heir Mineva Zabi, and then looked around with a lost expression

“…None of the crew on this shi+p is leaving”

It had been alather all departers echoed through the shi+p The Sub-Lieutenant saw that no one else was going to leave fro deck, and looked back at Audrey “Why?” He asked with a troubled expression

“It’s suicidal to take on the le shi+p, so hat do you believe in? The Side co-prosperity ring the Second Co a whole new future to spacenoids, but why, as the Princess of Zeon, are You denying this—”

“I’ it if there’s really this ideal, it’s possible to try it in this world However, I can’t accept using the power of the “Laplace Box” to simply protect ourselves”

Audrey silently answered as she stood unflinchingly on the deck The Sub-Lieutenant was the highest ranked alers, but he was still considered a youth Banagher saw his face contort sidelong, and his , but he was speechless

“The world will change, and it has to change Thus, e change, we have to be change cautiously If ant to change simply because we’re unhappy about the state of the world, that’s no different fro in the darkness We need to open our eyes wide and walk towards the path with the light…once you do that, and once you think of using the light you see to spread it through the entire world, that’s when you need to sue to take action”

Audrey’s words were clear It was true that if he felt ‘disjointed’ by the world and hoped for changes, he could not fear his own change Banagher deeply felt his heart engraved by this change over this past ently clenched his palertips, and ain as he looked forward “Change yourself first, you say…?” The Sub-Lieutenant asked, and she nodded back, “This is my personal view” Audrey smiled