Chapter 35: The Peaceful Nation (Part I)

After the Archangel was recovered into the secret shipyard of Morgenroete, Murrue Ramius, Natarle Badgiruel, and Mula Flaga—the Archangel's leadership—held a meeting with Representative Uzumi Nara Athrun, the former head of Orb.

Although called the former head, he still firmly controlled Orb's national power and could decide the Archangel's fate with a single word. After all, the newly appointed Representative Homura was merely a puppet under his control.

After the meeting, Murrue agreed to Representative Uzumi's conditions: hand over the Strike's combat data to date and have Kira assist the Naturals in OS development, in exchange for Orb's protection of the Archangel and comprehensive repairs.

Natarle expressed opposition to such a leak of information. She believed these things were precious assets of the Atlantic Federation and shouldn't be handed over to Orb so easily.

But hindered by the fact that Murrue was her superior, she had to reserve her opinion.

Leaving the captain's quarters, Natarle prepared to return to her room to write a report on this matter, but she happened to run into Li Boyong, who was passing by.

"Second Lieutenant, can we talk for a moment?"

Li Boyong, who was preparing to go to the cafeteria to eat, felt a bit strange. "Lieutenant, what's the matter?"

Strange, I shouldn't have done anything to provoke Natarle recently, right?

"Follow me."

Natarle nodded and led Li Boyong to an empty corridor.

Then, Natarle complained about the dispute in the captain's quarters just now and her dissatisfaction with Murrue being too soft.

So that's it. I thought something had happened...

But this question was also quite difficult to answer. Li Boyong had to awkwardly scratch his cheek and comfort her: "The Captain has her own difficulties. After all, Lieutenant, you should know the Archangel's situation best; it can't withstand another battle. If that happens, it won't reach Alaska."

"Moreover, the Archangel was originally built by Orb, so there shouldn't be any issue of leaking secrets. After all, Orb should have had the relevant technology long ago."

Natarle confiding her complaints about Murrue to him surprised Li Boyong a bit. It seemed Natarle had also accumulated considerable pressure, but Li Boyong still patiently explained to her that this was probably the best method for now.

But such persuasion naturally couldn't satisfy Natarle. "Then what about providing the Strike's combat data and Kira developing the OS for Naturals for Orb?"

Li Boyong continued to persuade: "Kira was originally an Orb citizen, and Orb has no reason to provide us with help for free. Corresponding payment is necessary."

"Second Lieutenant!"

Natarle interrupted him with dissatisfaction. Li Boyong's persuasion made her feel a bit irritable.

Li Boyong had to shut his mouth. He also knew these words might sound harsh to Natarle, but he didn't want to agree with her point of view against his will.

As a soldier, she was indeed excellent and managed every aspect of the Archangel very well. But perhaps because of her military family background, she was sometimes prone to being stubborn and inflexible.

"Sorry, I lost my composure. I just wanted to chat casually, but then..."

After shouting, Natarle felt a bit regretful. She didn't know why, but hearing Li Boyong not support her made her feel exceptionally disappointed, which was why she couldn't help but shout.

"Lieutenant, no need to apologize."

Li Boyong waved his hand with a smile to indicate it didn't matter. "From a soldier's perspective alone, Lieutenant, your point of view cannot be said to be wrong. It's just that the Archangel's situation this time is indeed more complicated and involves problems in many aspects."

"But we are soldiers..."

Natarle originally wanted to refute, but halfway through, she also realized that the Archangel's problems indeed couldn't be interpreted from just one aspect.

"Forget it. I feel a bit better after talking to you. I still have some work to complete."

Natarle seemed not to want to continue. She adjusted her emotions, saluted Li Boyong, and then prepared to go check the repair work on the ship and the units.

As for the report to the Alaska headquarters, let it wait for now; talk about it later.

"Oh, oh..."

Li Boyong also returned a military salute and then prepared to go to the cafeteria to eat, just happening to run into Mula Flaga.

As soon as Mula Flaga saw Li Boyong, he couldn't help but complain: "You really hit the nail on the head, kid. The negotiation with Orb really exhausted me. I'm just a pilot; I'm really not good at political stuff."

"Cut it out, don't I know your character?" Li Boyong didn't buy it. "Anyway, the various specific tasks after the negotiation must be handled by the Captain and the First Officer. You just chatted with the Orb representative for a few sentences. In terms of workload, you're already the most relaxed of the three."

"You, saying that is a bit uncalled for. You didn't even have to go to the negotiation. How do you look at it, you're the one who's having the best time."

Mula Flaga continued to shout.

Li Boyong rolled his eyes and waved his hand at Mula Flaga. "Please, I am a true pilot. Unlike you, the Endymion Hawk, I have no qualifications to attend such an occasion."

The two clowns chatted while getting food from the cook and found a table to sit down. Mula Flaga thought for a while and said: "By the way, Kira is going to assist Orb in developing the OS this time, and I'm going to follow along to take a look. You should come over and do some work too."

Li Boyong became interested and said happily like a sycophant: "Sure, sure. Being able to go out and stroll around is a great thing. If there's nothing, the Orb people won't let people on the ship go out easily. You're still the one who treats me well, Major."

"How about that? I'm different from you, you ungrateful guy. I never left you behind when there was something good." Mula Flaga put on airs and raised an eyebrow. "Anything to show for it?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Come, Major, have some food." Li Boyong continued to pick food for Mula Flaga like a sycophant.

"Get lost, you stingy guy." Mula Flaga scolded with a smile and then said with some regret: "Speaking of which, I don't know if there will be a chance to stroll around the streets then. The commercial street on Orb's main island is very prosperous, but I guess it's unlikely."

Li Boyong touched his chin and pondered: "It's not impossible. Don't forget that the Princess here was once a guest on our ship."

Mula Flaga's eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Boyong. That young lady seemed very easy to fool.

Then, the two clowns chatted about the daydream of where they could go to have fun while eating the simple cafeteria food with relish.

The next day, Kira drove the Strike out of the underground shipyard and went to Morgenroete's secret hangar.

Li Boyong and Mula Flaga also went along in the vehicle. They were received by Erica Simmons, the development director of Morgenroete, a mature woman exuding intellectual beauty.

Of course, there was also Cagalli, that silly princess, and the rows of Astray units behind her.

At the same time, on a certain coast of Orb, five uninvited guests wearing work uniforms also visited this peaceful nation. ===== CHAPTER 36 =====