I first informed Uzumi that Cagalli and Erica had secretly come aboard the Archangel.

—"Ha... she’s truly uncontrollable. Please take good care of my daughter."

"Understood."

Uzumi also seemed troubled by Cagalli’s actions.

I spent the next few days without any particular incidents. Both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance were quiet, as if preparing for something. The atmosphere was tense, like the calm before a storm. But Siegel and Lacus were different. They were busy launching a media campaign to sway public opinion in PLANT. I knew from the original that this would be largely futile, but I couldn’t say anything while they were working so hard.

"Ugh! I got shot down again!"

Cagalli was diligently practicing on the Mobile Suit simulator. But perhaps because she was a Natural, she had clear limitations.

"Hmm... I’ve never seen a simulator like this. It’s almost perfectly replicated, just like piloting a real Mobile Suit. And it covers various scenarios. Practicing on this would definitely improve one’s skills. I’d like to take one, but I suppose you won’t allow it?"

Erica, as expected, was more interested in the equipment.

"I could give you the simulator unit. But I can’t give you the data on the machines inside."

"Of course, that’s confidential. But I’ve already memorized the performance of the mass-production GN-X. Hehe."

"Tsk..."

Certainly, this woman was dangerous. But the truly important machines—the Double O Quanta Full Saber and the Reborns Gundam—were on the Aznable, so there was no risk of technology theft, but I was a bit worried about the other machines.

Since I had time, I copied the Duel Gundam (brought by the Archangel), the newly built Strike Gundam, and the Buster Gundam (from the Eternal), and stored them in my inventory. I had also restored the Aegis Gundam with my [Restoration] ability, so with this, I had collected all the GAT-X series.

Truth be told, from the moment I got the Blitz Gundam, I had wanted to collect the whole set. I suppose I have a strong collector’s instinct.

’Maybe I’m in no position to criticize Erica?’

Bored, I headed to the lounge to watch some broadcasts. There, I saw Nicol looking troubled.

"Huh? What’s on your mind?"

"Ah, Jin. It’s just that no matter how hard I try, my memories won’t come back. When I talk with Athrun, Yzak, and Dearka, I feel a sense of familiarity, but I can’t recall any specific memories of them. Athrun is helping me a lot, but I feel guilty."

Seeing this continuing, I wondered if I had erased too much.

"Don’t be impatient. Take your time, and someday they’ll come back."

"But, to be honest, I sometimes hope they don’t come back. I’m afraid I might become a different person than I am now. But they’re working so hard to help me, so..."

"Hmm... I see. Then I think you should be honest with Athrun about your feelings. That would be easier for both of you."

"I suppose so."

Nicol looked determined after my words.

After talking with Nicol, I was watching TV in the lounge when interesting things came up on the PLANT news.

—"Right now, Lacus Clyne is being used by the Naturals! Her desire for peace! We know that truth. That is why we want to rescue her. From the hands of the Naturals who would deceive and use even her! To that end, please give us any information or leads, all of you who love her!"

ZAFT, apparently finding Lacus Clyne’s agitation very threatening, was spreading false information that she was being used by Naturals. I remember they did the same in the original, and it was quite effective. Eventually, Lacus had no choice but to leave PLANT on the Eternal.

’It’ll work here too... this is as far as the agitation goes, I suppose.’

Nicol, who was resting with me, also found the news absurd.

"How can they... this is outrageous. Will people believe such lies?"

"They will. That’s why the media is scary."

"I see. People will have no way of knowing the truth."

"Right. That’s the first thing dictators take control of when they seize power."

Nicol sighed at my words. Just then, Kira and Athrun came into the lounge, talking.

"Here for some coffee?"

"Yeah. Cagalli wanted to pilot the Buster Gundam, so I was modifying the OS for a Natural and came to rest."

Poor Cagalli was indeed impossible. She really was something else.

"Wanting to pilot the Buster Gundam... she probably wants to provide support from long range."

"That’s right. Even when I tell her it’s dangerous, she won’t listen."

"But I was asked by Orb’s chief representative to take good care of her. This is a dilemma..."

At that, Kira and Athrun also sighed. They too couldn’t break Cagalli’s stubbornness.

"Hmm... if you can’t break her stubbornness, then the best thing you can do now is train her well to increase her survivability."

"Ha... I suppose there’s no choice..."

Judging by Kira and Athrun’s expressions, they thought that was the only option.

Just then, Nicol stood up and said to Athrun,

"Um, Athrun, I need to talk to you about something..."

"Huh? What is it?"

Following my advice, Nicol seemed to have decided to be honest.

"The truth is, I’m afraid that if I recover my memories, the feelings I have now might disappear. So I hope you won’t feel pressured that I can’t remember."

"I see. I guess I was pushing my own feelings and not considering yours."

"No, still, thank you for helping me all this time."

"Still, if you have any questions, let me know."

"Okay."

I was a little disappointed that nothing more happened.

’What was I even expecting...’

From the next day, Athrun spent more time helping Cagalli with her training than trying to help Nicol recover her memories. With Athrun acting that way, it was even harder to understand their feelings. Thinking about it, it might be unrealistic for Nicol, who had only recently become a woman, to immediately develop feelings for a man. And he hadn’t been transgender from the start, either.

"Nicol, it’s time for your injection."

Nana informed Nicol that it was time for her female hormone shot. Nicol’s face turned bright red as she said she understood.

"It’s already that time. Okay, I’ll be right there, Nana. No, sis."

’Ah... so that’s it!’

I immediately understood. Nicol had feelings for Nana. Having received so much care from Nana, it wouldn’t be strange at all if she developed such feelings.

’So this girl’s type is an attentive older sister.’

But Nana was an android. No matter how much Nicol liked her, it was a doomed love. Because Nana was the first-generation android I had ever made, an AI built for the Marvel universe, and she was not good at expressing emotions. Her skin was meticulously crafted and not unpleasant, but in the end, it was silicone. In short, she was a convenient android. So it was a bit sad.

I thought about telling Nicol the truth, but decided to wait and see for now.

"Haah... no combat, just training. I’m bored."

"Right. Did we go too hard? Maybe they’re too scared to come out..."

"That’s possible."

As Yzak and Dearka were lounging in the lounge, Athrun said,

"Peace is a good thing."

"I wonder... how long it will last..."

Just then, Siegel made an announcement over the base’s PA.

—"There will be an important meeting. Please gather in the auditorium. Captains and council members, please attend without fail."

At his words, we all gathered in the auditorium.

"The Earth Forces are continuing to send troops to the moon base from the recaptured Victoria base. So many are moving that it was easy to find out. They seem to be preparing for a full-scale attack. In response, ZAFT is also concentrating its forces at Boaz (an asteroid base)."

At that, people murmured.

"A total war..."

"Many will die."

"Can we stop them this time..."

Siegel raised his hand to gather attention again and continued.

"We must prepare for the large battle that may soon occur. So, captains, please thoroughly check for any deficiencies and maintain a state of full readiness at all times. And recognizing the gravity of the situation, Orb is also sending a support ship."

At those words, Cagalli clenched her fist.

"Yes!"

She was very pleased that Orb was sending support.

"Ahem... anyway, everyone, prepare yourselves. Your mindsets as well."

I called the captains together.

"Check if you need any equipment or supplies. The base is running low on supplies, so I need to go to the main base. Also, since Orb is sending a support ship, we’ll need to clear a spot for it."

"Understood, Jin."

"Got it."

"And we should distribute the Mobile Suits among the ships. Right now, they’re too concentrated on the Eternal."

Lacus thought for a moment and said,

"Hmm... then let’s keep only the Freedom, Justice, Kämpfer, and GN-X units on the Eternal. After all, the Eternal was built to operate the Freedom and Justice."

"Got it. Then the Archangel will keep the Strike, Duel, and Buster it originally operated. Yzak’s girlfriend is on the Archangel, so it would be good for the Harute and its partner, the Seravee, to be there too. Our side will only take the Zabanya. How does that sound, Captain Ramias?"

When I asked, Ramias nodded in agreement.

"That sounds good. I’ll find out about any necessary equipment or supplies as soon as possible."

With that decided, the Mobile Suits began moving to their designated ships. Erica watched, taking pictures and diligently writing something in a notebook. I thought about going over and smacking her head, but held back. Unless she took the machines apart, stealing the technology wouldn’t be easy.

Soon after, the ships gave me a list of necessary equipment and supplies. I stored the Odyssey, which I no longer used, after first using [Matter Copy] to copy its AI and install it deep in the base. Then I took the Odyssey and the Aznable out of the base.

After carefully storing the Odyssey in my inventory, I loaded the Aznable with supplies and returned to the base three days later.

Arriving at the base, I saw that Orb’s ship, ’Kusanagi,’ had already docked. I docked the Aznable, unloaded the supplies, and began distributing them to the other ships and the warehouse. Checking the Kusanagi, I saw M1 Astrays. Orb seemed to have sent Mobile Suits as well.

Just then, I heard a commotion behind the Kusanagi. Going to look, I saw Ledonir Kisaka, the captain of the Kusanagi, talking with Cagalli.

"I cannot allow it. You are an important figure in Orb. If I had my way, I would send you back to Orb on a shuttle immediately."

"What are you talking about! Of the pilots from Morgenröte, I’m the most skilled! And yet you want me to hold a position on the ship..."

It seemed Ledonir Kisaka was trying to persuade Cagalli.

"Anyway, I’ve decided to pilot the Buster. So there."

"Haah..."

As expected, even he couldn’t stop the stubborn Cagalli. So the Buster was moved to the Kusanagi.

Once the supplies were all moved, we had a simple welcome party and meal for the people who had come from Orb, complete with king crab, lobster, and plenty of alcohol. It was prepared because the final battle was now very close.

"Wow~ king crab! How did you get this? The Earth Alliance has almost a monopoly on it, so it’s hard to get..."

"I have my ways. I can’t tell you, though, it’s confidential."

"As expected, Jin is capable! Well, I’ll enjoy it."

Cagalli, delighted, began eating. But many of the Coordinators had never eaten it before and couldn’t manage at first. When the people from Orb and the Earth Alliance kindly showed them how, the Coordinators began eating enthusiastically.

"Wow~ this is really delicious. This king crab, I mean. If the war ends, will I be able to eat it again?"

When Dearka said that, I shook my head and told him.

"After the war ends and fishing becomes more active, you might be able to eat it, but it’s very expensive."

"Really? Well, it is big and delicious, so I suppose it’s expensive. Then I should eat a lot now."

"Yeah, go ahead."

Lacus was also having difficulty, so I prepared it for her.

"It’s so delicious. But how do you prepare it so nicely..."

"I like king crab and lobster too. I’ve eaten a lot, so I’ve gotten the hang of it."

"I see."

"Try this too. It’s lobster grilled in butter. It’s delicious."

When I recommended it, Lacus tried the lobster.

"It really is. So delicious."

Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, crab truly is the best. Perhaps they had been under a lot of stress; some of the council members from PLANT drank too much and passed out.

"Tsk, drink moderately..."

"Things haven’t been going well for them. Please let it slide, just for today."

"Put that way, I have no reply. Things turning out like this is partly my fault, after all."

"It can’t be helped. The enemy controls the media... Still, we’ve built up a decent force, haven’t we?"

"That’s true, but I’m worried how long it will last. The one thing we have going for us is that Orb has sided with us."

They had their own concerns.

After the meal, everyone went to rest. I cleaned up with my [Life Magic] ability. Crab is wonderful, but the smell wasn’t.

Three more days passed, and the AI brought some interesting news.

[Master, Earth Alliance and ZAFT ships are gathering at Mendel, a decommissioned colony at Lagrange Point L4. There’s been no battle yet, so they probably don’t know of each other’s presence, but based on their trajectories, the probability of a battle is very high.]

’Ah, this is the episode related to Kira’s birth.’

The decommissioned colony called Mendel was where G.A.R.M. R&D, a company that, riding the first Coordinator boom, commercialized Coordinator births and conducted various researches to create superior Coordinators, was located.

Here, they developed artificial wombs and conducted clone research to produce Coordinators. Key individuals such as Kira Yamato, Cagalli Yula Athha, Canard Pars, some Accords, Rau Le Creuset, Rey Za Burrel, Gai Murakumo, and Gud Vair were born here.

However, due to a biohazard of unknown cause, gamma radiation far exceeding lethal levels sterilized the colony, evaporating all life forms inside, barely purifying it. In the original, you could see the desertified interior of the Mendel colony.

There’s an interesting piece of lore: the exact nature of the biohazard was never detailed, but given that it was a colony famous for genetic engineering, and the bloodstains and severely damaged facilities throughout the colony, it was speculated that something with zombie-like characteristics, a failed experiment related to enhanced humans like Coordinators, had escaped and massacred the population.

It was a plausible theory, because otherwise, there would be no reason to go to the extreme of evaporating all life inside.

’I wonder, did the Gundam SEED world really have zombies?’

I was more curious about the zombies than the secrets of Kira and Cagalli’s birth.