PLANT satellite cluster capital, Lacus's hiding place.
Click.
Lelouch closed the rather classic flip phone in his hand, having just made several calls in one go.
Besides the ZAFT Forces counter-espionage department and the police station, he had also notified numerous official Coordinator news outlets.
Along with all the internet influencers he could find in such a short time, ensuring these people would immediately spread the news about Durandal secretly meeting with the East Asian Army's Wang Hu.
His goal was to make this known throughout the entire satellite cluster in the shortest possible time.
After finishing the calls, Lelouch seamlessly performed the entire sequence of removing the SIM card and destroying the phone.
Only at this point did Zhang Peng, who had been observing the other's actions from start to finish, finally speak up, unable to watch any longer.
"Do you have to go this far? Aren't you worried at all that Colonel Wang Hu might not make it back?"
Originally, Zhang Peng thought Lelouch would at most just tip off the ZAFT Forces, but he never expected him to go to such extremes.
With this move, wouldn't Wang Hu end up with everyone as his enemy?
"Didn't I avoid revealing Wang Hu's appearance?"
Saying words even he didn't believe, Lelouch then turned to look at Lacus sitting nearby.
"Wait a little longer, and we can go rescue the Clyne Faction."
"Thank you for your concern, Lelouch-san."
Wearing an appropriate smile, Lacus's eyes were also filled with amusement.
So Wang Hu went to meet Durandal?
Although Lacus now realized she had misunderstood Wang Hu—
he hadn't failed to come, but had gone elsewhere instead.
But sometimes women don't need to be reasonable; they have that privilege.
Not to mention women can also hold grudges sometimes.
Lacus hadn't forgotten how Wang Hu had treated her back on the Archangel.
And Durandal, the prime suspect in smearing her reputation, was no good person either.
So if she could use this opportunity to make things difficult for these two—
both of whom could be considered her enemies now gathered together—
in principle, Lacus was quite happy to see it. Didn't you hear?
Lacus even used honorifics with Lelouch, showing how pleased this usually expressionless girl truly felt.
It's over!
Seeing both people in charge holding this attitude, Zhang Peng acknowledged his limited capabilities.
Colonel Wang Hu, you'll have to fend for yourself.
"Don't worry, that guy Wang Hu isn't so easy to kill."
Also unexpected during this mission was that besides dealing with ZAFT's schemes, they now had to handle their own side's ill intentions.
One could say Mu, having broadened his horizons, crossed his arms and came over to Zhang Peng's side to comfort him.
"I hope so." Zhang Peng scanned everyone present, genuinely feeling that perhaps only the guy beside him was somewhat reliable.
Just as he decided that for this mission, he and his simple-minded apprentice would stick close to Mu for mutual support—
"Major Mu, please come take a look at this."
Over there, Lelouch suddenly called Mu over from Zhang Peng's side. Mu, who had been content to watch the drama, was about to land in major trouble!
"What is this?"
Following the request, Mu walked over, with Zhang Peng also moving closer to look besides him.
When the two clearly saw what Lelouch had taken out, they were instantly stunned.
The white uniform of the ZAFT military wasn't surprising—changing outfits for an infiltration mission was to be expected. But what was the meaning of the mask and the golden semi-long wig?
While Zhang Peng, who wasn't very familiar with the characters of this world, was completely baffled, Mu instantly thought of someone as he stared at the items before him!
"You want to…?" he asked uncertainly, looking at Lelouch, whose smile was subtly enigmatic.
"Rau Le Creuset."
Striking the classic pose of the formidable Lelouch, legs crossed and hands resting on his knees, Lelouch's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"I've reviewed that man's files, Major Mu. Your height and build are strikingly similar to his. Even your facial contours are nearly identical."
"Although the Allied Forces declared Creuset dead after the last battle, ZAFT has never acknowledged it. In fact, the military has officially refuted the Allied Forces' claims."
"By the way, ZAFT stated that Creuset is currently on a secret mission. See? This gives us the perfect opportunity."
"You can't be serious."
Mu stared complexly at the mask, identical to Creuset's, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation. That Creuset, with whom he had such a tangled history—and now he was being asked to impersonate him! Mu's heart was filled with a thousand refusals.
"Even if our builds are identical, what about our voices? My voice is different from his. Besides, I can't imitate his way of speaking!"
Mu tried to find excuses to wriggle out of it.
"Not a problem. Attach this to your Adam's apple, and you'll naturally speak with Creuset's voice. As for his manner of speaking…" Lelouch smirked arrogantly, indicating that Creuset's speech patterns were beneath his own mastery.
"This…"
Glancing around helplessly, Mu found himself backed into a corner with no way out. Reluctantly, he picked up the clothes from the table.
"Is this really feasible? What if Major Mu is recognized?"
Zhang Peng, watching Mu's clear reluctance, wanted to say a few words to help his well-meaning friend.
"No problem!"
Lelouch waved his hand, cutting off Zhang Peng mid-sentence, too excited to pay any heed. Seeing this, Zhang Peng fell silent, murmuring to himself.
Soon, Mu emerged, fully changed into the outfit.
The moment he appeared, Lacus—the only one present who had seen Creuset in person—couldn't stay seated. She stood up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"It's… it's uncanny. So similar."
Lacus repeatedly exclaimed in amazement at Mu's near-perfect resemblance to Creuset.
"Hmph, just as I predicted."
Lelouch flashed a wildly confident grin, stood up, and commanded with a sweep of his hand, "Let's move out."
Thus, while Wang Hu and Durandal were still busy with intense preparations, Mu—now impersonating Creuset—arrived at ZAFT's secret prison, accompanied by Martin, Adjutant to Captain Balthfeld.
"Captain Creuset!"
Even Lacus couldn't tell the difference, let alone the ordinary ZAFT soldiers in the prison. Gazing at the legendary figure who hadn't made a public appearance in so long—yet remained a top idol within the military—several guards in Green Coats shouted with admiration.
"Hm."
Following the instructions from Lelouch through the earpiece hidden beneath his hair, Mu nodded calmly and said:
"Chairman Patrick, allow me to inspect those members of the Clyne Faction."
"Yes."
As Captain Creuset, who was a close confidant of Chairman Patrick, had merely come to check on the criminals from the Clyne Faction, none of the several Green Coats present grew suspicious. They responded loudly while opening the gate.
Fortunately, they were still soldiers and knew to report to their superiors.
Thus, Mu's version of Creuset had nearly reached the room where the Clyne Faction members were detained when—
"Captain Creuset!"
The black-uniformed warden in charge of security here rushed over in a hurry.
"Hey, Lelouch, he didn't call that Patrick, did he?" Mu whispered anxiously to Lelouch, who was hiding somewhere outside.
If the other party had made a call, wouldn't he be walking straight into the lion's den?
"Rest assured, I've reviewed all his records."
Lelouch's voice immediately came through the earpiece.
Thanks to the support from the Clyne Faction and the full cooperation of East Asian underground operatives, even in the original timeline, the Clyne Faction had dared to boldly rescue the captured Athrun right at the entrance of the ZAFT Forces headquarters.
Afterward, they had even successfully transported him to the Eternal.
This time, with both the Clyne Faction and East Asian underground operatives joining forces, the energy they unleashed naturally far exceeded that of the original timeline.
Having anticipated this issue, Lelouch had already arranged for the interception of all telecom base stations and landline circuits in this area.
Even if this black-uniformed warden inside the prison had tried to make a call to verify, his call would have been rerouted to Lelouch.
"Captain Creuset, it's been too long. I hope you are well."
Running up to Mu, the black-uniformed warden still failed to recognize that the Captain Creuset before him was an imposter.
With a standard salute, the warden introduced himself while extending his hand.
"I am the warden in charge here, Nelly Haren. It is an immense honor to meet you here."
"Hello, I am Rau Le Creuset."
Shaking the other's hand, Mu forced himself to remain calm, then quickly withdrew his hand and turned his head aside.
Pretending to inspect the prison's security measures, he instead followed Lelouch's instructions and spoke again.
"You've received the news from the Satellite Colonies, haven't you?"
"News? You mean—!"
Staring at Mu with sudden realization, Nelly instantly recalled the news he had just seen.
"Qilin Wang Hu of the East Asian Alliance is currently on this satellite."
Curling his lips into the mysterious smile characteristic of the real Creuset, Mu gradually got into character.
He seemed to radiate the same charm as the genuine Creuset.
"Wang Hu!"
Just as Lelouch had predicted, upon hearing this news, Nelly perked up.
"That evil traitor has set his sights on this place? No wonder Captain Creuset, the right-hand man of Chairman Patrick, has come personally."
"Are they planning to break someone out of prison?"
"That is a possibility."
Nodding, Mu directly strode forward, heading deeper into the prison. As he walked, he added:
"According to reports from concerned citizens, there are private communications between the local Clyne Faction and the East Asian Alliance."
"It's possible that the neutral faction is also conspiring with the East Asian Alliance, such as that recently prominent neutral faction councilor, Durandal."
"Reliable intelligence indicates that Wang Hu is currently at his residence."
"Ah!"
The successive revelations threw Nelly's already shaken mind into complete disarray.
Wasn't it enough that PLANT had traitorous groups like the Clyne Faction? Now even the neutral faction couldn't be trusted!
"These bastards, do they truly not want to see us Coordinators prosper?"
"For their own power, they're all groveling before the Naturals one after another!"
"Indeed, the future of Coordinators ultimately rests with our Sara Faction!"
Filled with righteous indignation, regardless of what this Nelly truly thought inwardly.
Before Mu, who was impersonating Creuset, he seized every opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty to Chairman Patrick from afar.
"Hmm."
Arriving at their destination—the prison holding all members of the Clyne Faction.
Mu appeared moved by Nelly's display of loyalty.
"Preventing the Lacus faction of the Clyne Faction from staging a prison break falls heavily on your shoulders."
"For the future of Coordinators, you must remain vigilant. Only then, when we achieve final victory,"
"can you proudly stand tall and declare to all the outstanding contributions you've made to this great cause!"
"Yes, Captain Creuset! I will strictly follow your instructions."
Hearing such high praise, especially from Creuset, the military's top idol.
Nelly was overjoyed, immediately taking two steps back and bowing at a perfect 90-degree angle to express his gratitude.
"Alright, open the cells. To prevent surprise attacks from either the East Asian Alliance or the Clyne Faction,"
"Chairman Patrick has ordered their emergency relocation. Subsequent units will arrive to set up ambushes here."
"We'll catch them in our trap."
Waving for Nelly to rise, Mu spoke calmly.
"Transfer the prisoners?"
Getting up, Nelly hesitated slightly. Without seeing written orders or receiving higher-level notifications,
was this appropriate?
Just as he considered requesting time to seek instructions,
suddenly all lights in the prison complex instantly went out!
(End of Chapter)