Ledonir Kisaka let out a heavy sigh. He was one of the few who knew the truth; he had accompanied Uzumi Nara Athha to this satellite years ago as a bodyguard, so he naturally understood what had happened there.
However, because Uzumi had asked him to keep it a secret, he had always feigned ignorance. The moment Uzumi handed those photographs to Cagalli, Kisaka understood the leader's intention. He had assumed Uzumi would explain everything to her once they returned.
He never expected that the truth would be dragged into the light under these circumstances, coming from the mouth of someone directly involved. Was the reality simply too much for Cagalli to accept?
He opened his mouth to say something, but held back in the end, silently leaving Cagalli's room.
"So... that's how it is? Kira and I were both in that sector..."
Cagalli pulled out the photograph, staring at the two infants and the woman whose face glowed with maternal love as she held them. Tears she couldn't suppress began to fall, drifting through the zero-gravity air.
Across the way, aboard the Archangel, Kira Yamato was in a similar state. He held the photo found within the research institute, his face twisted in agony.
"I was actually... born like that? Dammit..."
Kira buried his head in his pillow. Though his expression was hidden, his grief was likely no different from Cagalli's aboard the Kusanagi.
Aboard the Eternal, Mikazuki Augus sat in an empty seat on the bridge, popping dates into his mouth. They had just finished hearing Athrun Zala's explanation of the situation. Andrew Waltfeld smacked his lips.
"Well, this really is... explosive news. The Ultimate Coordinator, huh?"
Lacus Clyne paused to collect her thoughts before speaking.
"The Mendel Research Institute... I heard my father mention it when I was a child, though I didn't know the details. I only knew it was a facility that performed genetic surgeries on Coordinators and that it was wiped out during an attack by Blue Cosmos forces. To think it was actually a lab dedicated to creating the Ultimate Coordinator."
"But this is a bit too cruel for children like Cagalli and Kira," Aisha added, her feminine compassion overflowing. The bridge fell into a heavy silence.
Athrun opened his mouth to speak but found he didn't know what to say. He could only float silently behind them.
Mikazuki, having finished the last of his dates, stood up from his seat.
"It's about time. I should head down and stay on standby."
"Wait, Mikazuki."
Athrun called out to him.
"Hmm?"
"What do you think about all of this?"
Mikazuki tilted his head curiously. "About what?"
Athrun frowned at the response. "About Kira and Cagalli's origins!"
"I don't have an opinion."
"What?"
Athrun felt a flash of anger. Beside him, Lacus didn't want to see a conflict break out between the two, but she remained silent. She understood Athrun; his agitation stemmed from his deep concern for his friend, Kira.
Mikazuki spoke with an indifferent expression.
"Because the ones who have to make the decision aren't me, and they certainly aren't you. It's up to them. You can only watch from the sidelines. Trying to 'help' in matters like this usually just makes things worse... So... I don't have an opinion."
"Ugh..."
Athrun found himself unable to argue. Mikazuki was rightas outsiders with no blood relation to the situation, they couldn't help. Their interference would likely only complicate the siblings' process.
"We're done here, right? Then I'm going."
Mikazuki glanced at Athrun before floating toward the bridge elevator. Lacus left her seat and gripped the back of a chair, watching his retreating figure.
"Mika, there's still half an hour before the five-hour mark Miss Murrue set. You should rest a bit more."
Mikazuki looked back over his shoulder.
"It's fine. Barbatos is waiting for me."
With that, he entered the elevator and left the bridge, heading toward the hangar.
Lacus sighed and sat back down.
"Mika is right. We can't help with this. We have to let Kira and Cagalli handle it themselves. Athrun..."
"I know. I was too impatient... Sorry. I'm going to go get ready as well."
After Athrun left, Andrew, Aisha, and Lacus looked at one another.
"What has Kira so despondent probably isn't just his origin," Andrew said with a strange expression. "That madman Le Creuset must have said something to shake his resolve."
Andrew let out a dry chuckle. "Still, it's hard to believe. That lunatic is actually a clonea failed clone of Major Flaga's father, no less. No wonder his personality is so twisted. It seems he suffered quite a bit as a child. How should I put it... it's like the plot of a soap opera. Too melodramatic?"
"Andy, you still have the heart to joke at a time like this?" Aisha chided him.
"Yes, yes."
"Rau Le Creuset... he is a very dangerous individual," Lacus said, her expression solemn.
Her words struck a chord with Andrew. He straightened his posture and spoke seriously.
"You're right. That guy is incredibly dangerous. You can only see his surface; it's impossible to see through to his true intentions. Just like that mask of hisyou can't see his real face through it... Regarding our current situation, I have a theory. Of course, it's just a guess."
Lacus arched an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Please, go on."
Andrew nodded slightly, pausing to gather his thoughts before looking up and speaking slowly.
"If Le Creuset truly hates all of humanity, then is it possible that he is the one responsible for the irreconcilable state between Coordinators and Naturals? That he's been sabotaging things from within? For example...
the Cyclops System at the Alaska Base. I suspect he knew about it all along, yet he kept the truth hidden from everyone in ZAFT. His goal was to deepen the hatred between both sides until... they both end up destroying each other."
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