The Eurasian Federation's ulterior motives were transparent to the other two nations of the Earth Alliance present—after all, they were all old foxes who had been playing the game for centuries.
The leader of the Atlantic Federation immediately followed up, as if he hadn't just been furious moments ago, adopting a warm and amiable tone:
"Well, if it's about deploying troops to assist Mr. Athrun and Ms. Lacus in inheriting their fathers' positions, then the Atlantic Federation would certainly lend a hand. Under the leadership of such reasonable individuals, PLANT's future would undoubtedly be different from what it is now. The conflict between Naturals and Coordinators would likely ease as well."
With both the Eurasian Federation and the Atlantic Federation having spoken, the East Asian Republic couldn't remain silent, though their words remained as reserved as ever:
"Since both of you have expressed your views, I'll state mine as well.
The East Asian Republic has always adhered to a policy of non-interference in other nations' internal affairs, so sending troops is unlikely. However, if there's a need for weapons, you're welcome to consult us. And should there be any future requirements for personnel training, our nation would be happy to assist."
Reid almost laughed at the sight of the three old foxes of the Earth Alliance bullying what they thought were naive youngsters. Did they really think Lacus and Athrun were fools?
Children in PLANT matured early, and their education system differed greatly from that of Earth's nations. Moreover, Lacus and Athrun had received the elite Coordinator version of education. Though they were only sixteen, they understood nearly everything—except perhaps for lacking some experience in handling affairs and reading people.
And given how blatantly the Earth Alliance's three nations were behaving, even Kira—who hadn't received elite education—and Cagalli, who was politically clueless, could sense something was off.
But Lacus remained composed. She maintained her gentle smile and said:
"You flatter us. Athrun and I have no intention of overthrowing Uncle Patrick. After all, we're still very young, and what we'll do in the future is still under consideration. Besides, PLANT has a complete electoral system—there's no rule of inheriting one's father's position.
However, gentlemen, what do you think of the peace negotiations I proposed earlier? Frankly, we currently have no evidence that PLANT is building a larger Genesis Alpha. Moreover, due to the war with the New Miserly Kingdom, ZAFT has fully shifted to a defensive stance, significantly reducing its offensive capabilities.
So, in truth, there's no situation where either the Earth Alliance or PLANT is holding a gun to the other's head at the negotiation table."
Lacus possessed a natural gift for persuasion, especially when she was genuinely trying to convince someone—and it worked even through a screen.
Her words left the three Earth Alliance leaders momentarily silent. For a brief moment, they even considered that negotiations might not be such a bad idea.
However, these men had reached their positions precisely because of their unshakable resolve. They quickly dismissed their earlier thoughts, inwardly sighing, We can't afford to treat Lacus Clyne like some ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Coordinators mature far earlier than Naturals.
Thus, the leader of the East Asian Republic spoke again:
"Ms. Lacus, I regret to say that my nation currently sees no sincerity from PLANT in pursuing negotiations."
Admittedly, due to the misguided decision to wage war against the New Miserly Kingdom, ZAFT suffered heavy losses in both its Earth and space forces. However, its actual foundation remains intact, with PLANT still possessing a substantial fleet. Recruitment efforts have also been ongoing over the past two weeks.
Moreover, Chairman Patrick Zala remains as assertive as ever, frequently making public statements against Naturals."
In response to the skepticism from the leader of the East Asian Republic, Athrun stepped forward resolutely and declared,
"I can return to PLANT once more and plead with my father at the risk of my life to convey our willingness to negotiate. The war between Earth and PLANT must not continue. Given the current trajectory, both sides will face mutual destruction if this persists. This is now a matter concerning the human race as a whole, transcending ethnicity, nationality, family, or individual."
At this moment, Athrun was truly prepared to face death. He knew full well that returning to PLANT now offered little chance of persuading his father. It was highly likely he would be thrown into prison immediately, and execution on the spot was not out of the question.
Yet Athrun expressed his unwavering resolve, knowing that only his return might grant him a chance to exchange a few words with his father. Anyone else would be ordered killed on sight without even a meeting.
However, Athrun overestimated human nature. When faced with mutual annihilation, compromise naturally follows. After all, if everyone perishes, nothing else matters.
But for now, that point had not yet been reached. The data on Genesis Alpha merely proved the existence of such apocalyptic technology. Eliminating PLANT and sealing away this technology would suffice.
Such technology should remain locked away until breakthroughs in space agriculture ensure humanity's survival independent of Earth. Only then could it be unsealed.
In truth, the conference proposed by Kira, as Reid had predicted, would only accelerate the war.
If the three nations of the Earth Alliance had previously been entangled in internal disputes, they were now fully united in their resolve to strike at PLANT's homeland.
The evidence lay in the ensuing squabbles during the conference. The three seasoned foxes dragged out discussions, testing the patience of Lacus and Athrun to its limits.
As for Kira and Cagalli, they remained silent throughout the latter half of the meeting.
Seeing the conference devolve into meaningless drivel, Reid promptly announced a temporary adjournment, suggesting everyone consult their domestic advisors before resuming negotiations.
However, as Reid turned off the display, he noticed the communication lines of the three major powers remained active.
Understanding the implication, Reid kept his own line open. After settling Lacus and the others, he returned to the conference room and reactivated the display.
Sure enough, the three leaders of the Earth Alliance had not left. This was now the true closed-door meeting.
Noticing Reid's return, the leader of the East Asian Republic remarked with a smile,
"Mr. Reid, you're quite swift. I thought arranging for those four youngsters would take you longer. The children of PLANT's former and current chairmen—truly, like father, like son. Neither is easy to handle, and they will surely shine brighter in politics than their fathers ever did."
Reid gave a slight shake of his head at the half-jesting remark. The East Asian Republic was subtly warning him not to back the wrong side—after all, future brilliance couldn't illuminate the present. He replied,
"Lacus Clyne's influence within PLANT is far greater than any of you imagine. And she genuinely desires peace."
As for Athrun Zala, after experiencing the war, he was deeply wounded by its brutality, and the kindness in his heart erupted, leading to his falling out with his father.
As you all know, I personally do not advocate for the complete annihilation of Coordinators. Our current hostility with PLANT is purely because Patrick Zala refuses to let me go.
Therefore, I won't view Lacus Clyne and Athrun Zala through the same prejudiced lens as their fathers."
The leader of the Eurasian Federation, hearing Reid's words, remarked:
"Haha, who doesn't want peace? It's just that those four youngsters don't yet realize the heavy price of peace. That Lacus Clyne is too naive—does she really think a few words can convince us to sit at the negotiation table?"
While the leaders of the East Asian Republic and the Eurasian Federation still had the leisure to casually discuss peace, the Atlantic Federation had no such mood. Moreover, its leader harbored a bellyful of resentment toward Reid.
Thus, the Atlantic Federation leader directly cut short the idle chatter among the three and got straight to the point:
"Alright, gentlemen. The four of us here represent the most powerful nations on Earth. I assume no one objects to pooling our forces and swiftly launching a campaign against PLANT?"
The Atlantic Federation leader knew no one would object now, because PLANT's superweapon posed a real threat to Earth—everyone was in the same boat.
As for the peace Lacus and Athrun desired, the conditions were inherently insufficient from the start. No one would willingly tolerate the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads while the enemy still had the capability to strike back.
However, Reid still had reservations about combining forces and stated bluntly:
"The New Miserly Kingdom is not part of the Earth Alliance, so we won't be merging our troops with yours. That said, I will dispatch a high-speed fleet to flank PLANT from the rear.
My demand is simple: Patrick Zala must step down. Regardless of the war's outcome, I will not participate in any post-war division of PLANT's resources."
Hearing this, the Atlantic Federation leader was pleased that the New Miserly Kingdom wouldn't partake in PLANT's spoils—one less party to share the pie with.
Yet, he was somewhat displeased that the New Miserly Kingdom refused to combine forces. It was clear they didn't intend to contribute significantly, merely sending a token fleet for appearances. Moreover, from Reid's tone, it seemed the Boaz Fortress hovering over Australia wouldn't be moving.
The Balkis still posed considerable pressure on the Atlantic Federation. After the Pacific Fleet's defeat, their decision to back down was largely due to having no effective countermeasures against the fortress.
The Earth Alliance wasn't under the Atlantic Federation's sole authority. If they were to mobilize the Alliance's main forces from the lunar base to attack Boaz, the East Asian Republic and the Eurasian Federation would undoubtedly oppose it.
Without their support, relying solely on the Atlantic Federation's forces offered no guarantee of victory. And if pushed to the brink, what if the "Planet Destroyer Cannon" aboard the Balkis fired a shot at their capital?
Given the Balkis' speed, it wouldn't take long for it to reposition from geosynchronous orbit over Australia to a direct firing angle on their capital.
Thus, the Atlantic Federation leader said directly:
"If the New Miserly Kingdom is unwilling to contribute troops, we won't insist. However, could your Balkis provide support by heading to PLANT's homeland? After all, when attacking a fortress, it's reassuring to have equivalent firepower covering our rear."
"Moreover, your nation's main forces consist mostly of unmanned Automated Mobile Suits, so personnel losses wouldn't be a concern."
Reid wasn't surprised that the Atlantic Federation leader openly mentioned the New Miserly Kingdom's extensive use of Mobile Dolls. After all this time, if the three major nations of the Earth Alliance still couldn't figure out the nature of the New Miserly Kingdom's numerous Mobile Suits, their intelligence directors should be executed.
The mouths of immigrant soldiers could never be as tight as natives', so Reid fully expected some information to leak through deception. Besides, with nationwide recruitment underway, it was normal for new recruits to be a mixed bag—subsequent training and political education would weed out spies.
In any case, immigrant soldiers wouldn't rise to high-ranking positions quickly enough to learn critical technologies, so no major secrets would be leaked. At most, others might discover that Reid had installed independent self-destruct systems in those Automated Mobile Suits.
Thus, Reid refused without hesitation:
"Apologies, but our Mobile Suits are already stretched thin defending our entire nation. Now we're expected to dispatch a fleet to PLANT. The Balkis must remain in high orbit to prevent any underhanded schemes."
"However, your nation needn't worry about our lack of commitment. For this campaign, I'll personally lead elite forces. After all, I must witness Patrick Zala's downfall with my own eyes."
Seeing Reid prepared to take the field himself, the Atlantic Federation leader had no further arguments. No one could question the enmity between Reid and Patrick Zala—both genuinely wanted to see the other dead.
With even the typically troublesome Atlantic Federation raising no objections, the other two nations naturally fell in line.
The East Asian Republic leader stated directly:
"Very well, since we're agreed, let's all return to prepare. Just say the word if you need help near the Suez Canal, but don't bother me with other matters. The East Asian Republic will have its forces ready within half a month."
With the East Asian Republic's commitment made, the Eurasian Federation leader couldn't appear hesitant:
"Understood. We appreciate the assistance. We'll handle the Gibraltar Base independently. Rest assured, our space forces will also be ready in fifteen days."
Faced with both nations pledging half-month preparations, the Atlantic Federation couldn't request more time—of the Earth Alliance's three powers, they'd maintained the largest space force at their lunar base.
Thus the Atlantic Federation leader declared with unusual confidence:
"No problem, our forces can deploy anytime. What about you, Mr. Reid?"
Reid considered this rhetorical—he'd simply recall Orb's fleet and rotate ships for deployment.
A fleet under fifty ships including supply vessels could be launched directly via heavy rockets.
He responded plainly:
"No issues. The New Miserly Kingdom can deploy anytime. In fact, we can depart a day earlier than the Earth Alliance fleet to make a flanking approach toward PLANT, diverting some of ZAFT's attention for you."
The three nations of the Earth Alliance, seeing that Reid had also agreed to the plan of directly attacking PLANT's homeland in half a month, naturally withdrew from the meeting satisfied.
Although the New Miserly Kingdom had not actually signed any mutual defense pact with the Earth Alliance, when it came to fighting Patrick Zala, all three nations firmly believed Reid would give his full effort.
With the real meeting concluded and his communication completely severed, Reid left the conference room immediately.
Unexpectedly, however, Lacus was already waiting for him at the end of the corridor outside the meeting room, softly singing "In the Quiet Night" to herself.
Originally, this song was often heard bearing witness to the cruelty of war and praying for peace. Unaware of her own supernatural ability, Lacus unconsciously infused her voice with the power to sway hearts and minds. Even Reid, with his formidable mental strength, was momentarily affected, wishing for an end to all wars—after all, he was not someone who craved conflict.
However, Reid regained his clarity the next second. The problem in the Cosmic Era universe was not war itself. To eradicate war, he first had to fight through the current conflict and the one two years later.
After all, it was impossible to end all wars immediately—it had to be a gradual process.
Thus, Reid slowly approached the singing Lacus and sincerely remarked,
"That's a beautiful song. I can hear the longing for peace in it. Unfortunately, the reality is that war is about to escalate, Lacus. The exposure of Genesis Alpha has made the Earth Alliance set aside their differences—this time, they're fighting for their homeland."
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