Thanks to the information obtained from Mendel, the couples seemed to be sorting themselves out quickly. There was also more good news: Dearka was dating Asagi Caldwell, the leader of Orb’s M1 Astray pilot trio. Judging by how they were constantly whispering to each other whenever they had a chance, they hadn’t been dating long. Apparently, they had taken a liking to each other during simulation training.

Otherwise, no new couples formed. Many men made advances on 2B and A2, but were cleanly rejected. The same was true for Nana, but Nicol stuck to her like glue, preventing anyone from getting close.

"2B is beautiful, but she’s an ice queen. No chance."

"But I fell for her at first sight. Isn’t there a way?"

"Give up. Remember that handsome guy from the maintenance crew? He tried, but she didn’t even flinch."

"I heard 2B and A2 are lesbians, you know, in that kind of relationship."

"Really? Hmm... come to think of it, maybe..."

Some strange rumors were circulating about 2B and A2, but neither of them paid any attention.

I was in the infirmary, doing check-ups. Nana was helping me.

"Hmm... this is from sleeping wrong, causing muscle pain. I’ll give you a patch, so put it on for a while. And try to sleep in a proper position."

"Okay."

I noticed Mwu in the patient line.

"What’s wrong with you?"

"I’m not sick. I came to make a suggestion."

"Really?"

Mwu spoke quietly.

"Listen, isn’t there a condom vending machine in this base? There are a lot of couples, and I think this is a problem. Something like what happened with Kira could happen anytime. And I heard from Athrun that you have condoms."

I hadn’t thought of installing such a thing. I didn’t need them myself.

"Now that you mention it, you’re right. But if you’re asking for that, how have you been handling it so far?"

Mwu, being an adult, answered honestly.

"Well... you know, on her stomach... or... in her mouth... anyway, doing laundry every day is a pain, so this is serious."

From what he said, it seemed Ramias was having a hard time with the cleanup.

"I see... understood. I’ll take care of it quickly. There should be some in storage."

There weren’t any, but I said there were. I could just make them.

"And bring your partner sometime. If you’ve been doing it without, there might be problems."

"Got it. We’ll come together."

After finishing the consultations, I pretended to go to the storage room, used [Matter Creation] to make a condom vending machine, and installed it in the infirmary. While I was at it, I also set up vending machines for sanitary pads and feminine wash. I then announced this to everyone over the PA.

As expected, Mwu was the first to come and start taking them.

"Oh~ they have ribbed and glow-in-the-dark ones? I made a mistake not suggesting this sooner, knowing such things were sleeping in the base storage."

Judging by his expression, he would probably be using one today.

The women also came to take pads and wash. From what they said, they had run out of supplies and were worried about what to do. In the future, I would need to consider such things when building a large base.

Something else amusing: Yzak and Dearka also came to take some. In the Gundam SEED world, fifteen is considered adult, so no one said anything.

The next day, Ramias and Mwu came to the infirmary.

"Judging by how quickly you came, you must be worried."

"Yes, we haven’t been able to use long-term contraception."

I had Ramias lie down on the bed, brought the scanner, and did a scan.

"Hmm... there are no abnormalities on the scan."

"Phew~ that’s a relief. My period has been irregular lately, so I was worried."

"Really? Then shall I also do a cervical or vaginal examination?"

"Wh-what? That’s..."

Ramias was flustered. Even from a doctor’s perspective, she seemed quite uncomfortable with another man examining that area. Mwu’s expression also soured.

"I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it’s not like that, so don’t worry."

I said that, showing her a device that looked like a well-packaged metal rod.

"You just insert this. Then any problems will show up as numbers on the monitor. Unlike in obstetrics and gynecology, I won’t insert a speculum to open you up and look, so you can rest assured. If you still don’t want to, I suppose it can’t be helped."

"I-is that so."

Ramias thought for a moment, then decided to go through with it. She went to the changing room, changed, inserted the monitoring device, and came back.

"Ugh... this feels strange..."

I ignored her and looked at the monitor.

"Hmm... no abnormalities, but your acidity levels are low. This could lead to inflammation. Probably from frequent washing inside due to frequent sexual activity. You should cut back a bit. And try to use only water. Using too much feminine wash isn’t good either."

"Understood. I’ll do that."

"Your irregular period is probably due to stress. So spending time at the base’s gym, swimming, or using the recreational facilities with your partner might help."

Hearing that, Mwu pounded his chest confidently.

"Leave that to me."

They finished their consultation and left the infirmary. In the process, I inadvertently learned about the private lives of key individuals, which was a bit unusual.

Several days passed. Unlike in the original, we received news that ZAFT had used Genesis first, attacking the Earth Alliance’s moon base. The moon base was completely devastated, and the Earth Alliance became aware of Genesis’s existence.

—"Compatriots of PLANT, today we have written a new page in history. The light of Genesis has annihilated the moon base. This is not merely a display of military power, but a clear warning to the Earth Forces who have oppressed us. They have denied our existence and threatened our survival. But we will no longer tolerate their violence and domination. We have the power to protect ourselves, and through that power, we have proven our freedom. The Earth Forces have seen our resolve. Whatever choice they make, we are already prepared. Genesis is only the beginning, and our will remains unbroken. Today’s victory is PLANT’s victory. Tomorrow’s future will be shaped by our own hands."

PLANT broadcasts were showing a speech by Athrun’s father, Patrick Zala.

"Patrick Zala!!! To actually commit such madness!!!"

"Calm down, Chairman Siegel!"

Siegel was furious, and the council members were sweating as they tried to calm him down. But they were equally shocked. The Archangel and Kusanagi crews also watched the broadcast in disbelief.

It seemed that, contrary to my expectations, Creuset had manipulated Patrick into using Genesis first. The Earth Alliance, in response, prepared to attack ZAFT with all its forces. With no way of knowing when Genesis might fire again, they were in a desperate hurry.

"Father..."

Athrun was furious, clenching his fists at his father’s choice.

Just then, a council member ran to us urgently and shouted,

"The Earth Alliance is attacking Boaz right now!"

At those words, everyone in the lounge stood up. They were determined to stop the war before it escalated further. We quickly boarded our ships.

"Is everyone ready to launch?"

When I asked over the open comm, the captains answered in turn.

—"Eternal is ready."

—"Archangel as well."

—"Kusanagi is ready."

We had maintained peak readiness, so launch preparations were very quick.

"Then, we will launch in the following order: Aznable first, followed by Archangel, Kusanagi, and Eternal. The target is ’Boaz,’ PLANT’s final defensive line."

I said that and launched the Aznable. The other ships launched in the order I had specified.

With the Aznable and Archangel, the strongest in terms of defense, at the front, we moved toward Boaz.

Boaz was a ZAFT asteroid base located between PLANT and Earth. Along with ’Yakin Due,’ it was one of the key strongholds in PLANT’s defense line. If Boaz fell, defending both Yakin Due and PLANT itself would be difficult. Therefore, ZAFT had stationed a large force at Boaz to protect it thoroughly.

KABOOOOOM—!!!

—"Impossible..."

But even that large force was meaningless against a powerful weapon. The Earth Alliance had finally begun using nuclear weapons.

Even before we arrived, an intense flash engulfed all of Boaz, and the shockwave reached us as vibrations that seemed to shake the entire universe. All of Boaz’s defenses collapsed helplessly against that power.

"Damn... we’re too late. The Earth Alliance probably thought they had no room to retreat because of Genesis. To use nukes without a moment’s hesitation."

When I said that, Cagalli sighed and sent a transmission.

—"Shouldn’t we attack the Earth Alliance right now?"

Lacus immediately objected.

—"No. If we engage the Earth Alliance now, ZAFT will immediately use Genesis against both us and the Earth Alliance."

—"Then why didn’t they use Genesis earlier?"

—"Probably because they thought Boaz was strong enough and had enough troops to hold out. They never considered the possibility that the enemy would use nuclear weapons. As Jin said, it seems the data on the N-Jammer Canceller has already been handed over to the Earth Alliance."

As Lacus said, Rau Le Creuset had been busy laying groundwork while we were resting.

—"Then, what should we do..."

Then I spoke.

"Our course is already set. While the Earth Alliance takes time to rearm, we move to PLANT first. We stop the nukes and simultaneously destroy Genesis. For now, that’s the most realistic and only option."

—"I agree. Let’s depart immediately."

With that consensus, we quickly moved and took up position at a suitable distance from PLANT, waiting. ZAFT was busy maneuvering to defend PLANT. They had probably noticed us, but with bigger problems, they were focusing all their efforts on establishing a defensive line.

—"Then we need to split into teams."

"Yes, teams to destroy Genesis and teams to intercept the nukes. The Genesis team will be small. I think the reason is obvious."

The Earth Alliance would be using many nukes, so it was natural to allocate many machines to that.

Then a transmission came from Athrun in the Justice.

—"I’ll take care of Genesis. It’s my father’s doing, so it’s right that I handle it."

"One machine won’t be enough..."

When I said that, Cagalli suddenly volunteered.

—"If Athrun is going, I’ll go too."

"No. This requires speed. The Buster Gundam you’re piloting is unsuitable."

—"But..."

Then Yzak, who had been listening, said.

—"Then I should go. The Harute Gundam is faster than any other."

"Alright. Then Justice and Harute go. The Astrays, Buster, and Zabanya will handle ship defense and rear support. The rest focus entirely on nuke interception. If enemy Mobile Suits attack us, Buster and Zabanya will provide support fire. If that’s not enough, fall back toward the ships and receive support from them."

—"Got it."

—"Understood."

—"Alright."

"Don’t die. Each machine is a precious asset."

While we were formulating the plan, the Earth Alliance forces appeared on radar. They too, knowing they had no time, had completed their repairs quickly and launched.

"The Earth Alliance is here. Prepare."

We quickly launched our Mobile Suits and tried to take positions.

—"High-energy reaction! It’s Genesis!!!"

Just as we were preparing for battle, Lacus shouted urgently. A high-energy reaction had been confirmed from Genesis, located behind the Yakin Due base.

Genesis resembled a giant parabolic antenna, so massive that it was one-third the size of ’Yakin Due,’ ZAFT’s final base.

"They’re targeting the Earth Alliance! Put distance between us and the Earth Alliance!"

I shouted urgently. It was natural they would target the Earth Forces, who had the nukes, not us. The Earth Alliance, realizing this, was also hurriedly spreading out their ships to minimize damage.

KABOOOOOM—!!!!

In that instant, Genesis fired a massive laser at the Earth Alliance fleet. The diameter of the super-large beam was beyond imagination, and the Alliance’s evasive maneuvers were merely futile struggles. One-third of the entire fleet was instantly swept away by the storm of light and devastated.

—"Damn it!!!"

Shouts mixing despair and anger erupted from our side’s communications.

"This is no time for that! A weapon this powerful can’t be fired consecutively. Athrun, Yzak! We’ll clear a path. Don’t worry about the nukes. Handle Genesis."

—"Got it! Let’s go, Athrun!"

—"Yeah!"

While we were doing that, the Earth Alliance didn’t retreat. Despite taking massive losses, abandoning repairs and rescue, the entire fleet began a simultaneous charge toward PLANT. With no way of knowing when Genesis might fire again, they had no time. But ZAFT wasn’t idle either. To stop the Alliance’s charge, they deployed their entire fleet. In the middle of space, the fates of both sides were about to collide.