Chapter 288: Changing Winds (Part 3)

Regarding the Chairman's speech, the Minerva crew all kept silent, restraining their desire to express opinions. After all, expressing opinions that might involve political views in front of the Chairman was not a wise behavior, regardless of what point of view you held.

Only Shinn, that hothead, expressed his doubts head-on, "But, wouldn't doing this mean missing a good opportunity to end the war?"

After he blurted out his question straight, he noticed everyone's subtle gazes and realized that he seemed to have overstepped, feeling a bit embarrassed. "So... sorry, I misspoke."

"It doesn't matter." The Chairman appropriately showed his tolerance. "This incident happened too suddenly, and I also want to hear everyone's opinions."

This kind of tolerance of big figures was very easy to convince grassroots personnel who didn't have deep thoughts. At least Shinn and Lunamaria clearly showed moving expressions.

"Shinn, you can continue to talk about your specific point of view, or rather, please let me listen." The Chairman smiled calmly.

"Ah... yes!" Shinn was also

After a pause, Shinn scratched the back of his head and said embarrassedly, "This might be wrong to say, but if it can be proven that it really is the Alliance's fault, uh... that should be beneficial to us PLANT, right?"

"Indeed, that makes a lot of sense." The Chairman nodded to show his approval of Shinn, then changed the subject, "But things might not be as simple as what Colonel Li Boyong has published."

"First is that list. Actually, our intelligence personnel are not completely ignorant of the organization called Logos. Based on current intelligence alone, Colonel Li Boyong deliberately hid one person on that list."

"Liumei Wang Lopez. This head of the Lopez Conglomerate is also one of the main members of Logos, yet she was excluded from the list. And coincidentally, this head has an extraordinary relationship with Colonel Li Boyong, who exposed the ugliness of Logos. According to further intelligence, she is currently within Colonel Li Boyong's troops."

Having said this, the Chairman paused, leaving some space for everyone to think.

Sure enough, the straightforward Shinn cooperated by voicing his own guess, "Does the Chairman mean that this crusade against Logos might be an internal conflict of interest within the Alliance?"

"I can only say that such a possibility exists..." The Chairman shrugged meaningfully, then changed the subject and began to show concern for the combat life of the front-line personnel of the Minerva.

Everyone was very cooperative, but Athrun, while coping with the situation, could not help but feel a thousand emotions.

He already knew that Cagalli had regained control of the Orb fleet and announced her participation in the crusade against Logos. If that was the case, it meant that Kira and the others probably agreed with Cagalli's judgment and stood on Colonel Li Boyong's side.

Then his current status as a ZAFT soldier seemed to have become somewhat awkward.

Taking advantage of looking at the scenery, he wanted to change his somewhat melancholy mood. However, his gaze was involuntarily attracted by the orange Gouf parked next to the City Hall.

Humans are creatures prone to association, and smart people even more so.

Since the Alliance has an organization like Logos that treats the battlefield as an industry, what about PLANT?

Behind his father who lost control back then, were there similar interest groups in PLANT pushing it?

His thoughts gradually drifted in an uncontrollable direction, and the guilt of betraying his father, which he had barely suppressed with Justice, could not help but well up from the bottom of his heart again.

"Athrun, Athrun, the Chairman is asking you a question!"

Just as he was distracted, Athrun felt his elbow being gently touched, and then he heard Luna Maria's whispered reminder.

"Sorry, I was distracted."

Realizing what had happened, Athrun hurriedly apologized.

"No matter, after days of fighting, Athrun must be a bit tired. It was my lack of consideration to forcefully require you all to come and dine with a leisurely politician like me at such a time." The Chairman considerately explained for Athrun.

"No, Chairman, you are too kind!"

Facing such a considerate Chairman, even someone as steady as Athrun could not help but feel a bit apprehensive instead.

"Haha, Athrun, you are still too cautious. Just as I told you before, Chairman Zala is Chairman Zala, and you are you. Moreover, regarding Chairman Zala's actions, I don't think they can be denied one-sidedly. So I also hope that you, having returned to ZAFT, don't have to be so cautious; PLANT is always your motherland. If you are so careful, it instead makes it seem like our work is not being done well." The Chairman smiled faintly and joked.

"This..." Athrun was speechless. Expressing his attitude toward the former Chairman Zala in such an occasion could be said to have given Athrun full respect, which indeed made Athrun, whose position was somewhat awkward after returning to ZAFT, feel a subtle gratitude for being appreciated.

"Alright, alright, let's continue talking about the matters on the Minerva. For someone like me who has had the good fortune to ride that warship, there are still many things I don't know." Seeing that the timing was about right, the Chairman continued to change the subject.

After a dinner where both host and guests were happy, the Minerva group left the City Hall under the guidance of an orange-haired Red Uniform Pilot.

About half an hour later, 'Lacus', who had finally finished the troop-cheering concert, arrived by car at the City Hall where the Chairman was located.

In the temporary office at the City Hall, the Chairman met this 'National Diva'.

"Truly an outstanding performance. I believe the soldiers on the front line must be greatly encouraged." The Chairman praised the diva he had personally discovered, "This is all your credit!"

"Not at all, it's all thanks to Ms. Lacus." 'Lacus', whose real name was Meer Campbell, said with some fearful modesty in the face of the Chairman's praise.

She knew very well that she was just a substitute for that 'National Diva', a tool discovered by the Chairman to replace that princess to boost morale.

"No, to me, this is your credit, Ms. Lacus."

Facing her modesty, the Chairman shook his head firmly and expressed his point of view.

Although she knew that such a statement was not quite right, this feeling of being recognized made her choose to acquiesce as if by magic.

Watching the tool he had discovered reveal a nervous, ashamed, yet proud appearance, the Chairman could not help but smile with contempt in his heart, then continued: "By the way, I suppose you also know that Athrun has also come to this city with the Minerva. Perhaps he is a bit tired from continuous fighting. As his fiancée, I hope you can accompany him to properly relax his body and mind, which are exhausted by the war."

This...

Facing the Chairman's new task, Meer appeared somewhat stunned.

"Alright, your manager will teach you what to do in a moment." The Chairman pressed the button on the desk with a beaming smile, and the manager who had been waiting outside for a long time came in and took Meer's hand.

Looking at the unquestionable smile on the Chairman's face, Meer obediently left the Chairman's temporary office, not daring to show a single thought of unwillingness.