After the meeting concluded, the Atlantic Space Force began intentionally moving closer to PLANT's homeland, with Eurasia following closely behind.
Only East Asia sent a few warships that circled around as if window shopping, putting on a superficial show.
Although Atlantic was dissatisfied, East Asia consistently stood on reasonable grounds and maintained an appearance of compliance with orders, leaving Atlantic with little recourse at this juncture. This military pressure created an oppressive atmosphere within PLANT, initially causing fear that gradually transformed into anger as resentment accumulated. Online platforms saw a surge in inflammatory rhetoric targeting both sides, intensifying the hostility.
Atlantic grew even more furious when their military intimidation proved ineffective—how dare their subordinate actually consider turning against them?
With a wave of their hand, Atlantic decided to cut off food supplies outright, testing whether pride would outweigh hunger.
East Asia quickly intervened to mediate, sternly declaring that political stances should not harm ordinary civilians. In this era, starvation was an utterly unacceptable and unforgivable crime.
Eurasia, harboring its own agenda, also defected to ally with East Asia against Atlantic.
The matter was eventually resolved with the implementation of a food trade restriction act, limiting supplies to essential rations while cutting off categories like vegetables and fruits. Unwilling to accept the Council of Nations' restrictions, Siegel secretly engaged in trade with the United States of South America and the United Nations of Oceania, both of which opposed the Council.
Unfortunately, incompetent allies emerged as South America and Oceania boastfully publicized their dealings with PLANT, boldly proclaiming that the Council of Nations' era was over and they were now the rulers of Earth.
Siegel was left fuming with frustration.
Naturally, this provoked extreme displeasure from Atlantic, which unilaterally demanded Siegel's removal as chairman and the dissolution of the PLANT Council. At this critical moment, the PLANT-registered food transport ship Mandelbrot was sunk at sea, resulting in hundreds of Coordinator civilian casualties.
Atlantic demonstrated to the world what "super sleuthing" meant: half an hour for investigation, fifty minutes for conviction and execution, totaling ninety minutes to announce the verdict.
Such a farcical process naturally drew strong protests and fury from PLANT.
Seasoned politicians recognized that Atlantic was no longer interested in negotiations but was preparing for war.
The only factor preventing outright conflict was both sides' desire to save face and claim the moral high ground.
Amid this tense standoff, the world entered an uneasy calm.
Both sides tacitly began internal consolidation.
Atlantic moved to discipline East Asia for repeatedly challenging its authority.
Within PLANT, Patrick took the lead in reorganizing ZAFT from a political association into a national defense military organization.
While the outside world was in turmoil, and East Asia faced suppression from the Atlantic on the international stage, internally, nothing had changed at all.
People continued with their daily lives—eating, drinking, and celebrating holidays as usual, with music and dancing carrying on uninterrupted.
Living in such a peaceful environment, Zhou Tianming couldn't help but reflect: No matter the world or what it's called, Huaxia remains Huaxia at its core, unchanging.
In mid-January CE69, schools began their winter break.
Ray, bundled up like a dumpling by Gao Jing, happily threw himself into Zhou Tianming's arms as soon as he saw him.
"Brother~"
Beside them, Gao Jing looked on with a hint of melancholy. "You're really not staying home for the New Year?"
Zhou Tianming shook his head. "No, the situation is tense. I need to make some preparations in advance."
"What does that have to do with a Junk Dealer like you? Everyone's so busy these days." A lonely expression crossed Gao Jing's face. "Poor me, left all alone at home like a solitary old woman."
She lifted a hand to gently wipe her eyes.
Just then, a voice called from outside: "Gao Jing! What's taking so long? Hurry up! The plane won't wait for you."
Zhou Tianming and Ray shot her a look of disdain.
Covering her mouth awkwardly, Gao Jing laughed. "Well, with all of you never home, I have to find something to do, don't I?"
She pulled a suitcase from the corner. "I'm off now, bye!"
As she walked out, she called back, "What's the rush? Old Liu has a private jet anyway. We're going for fun, not to a market."
"It's more lively with more people. Otherwise, we might as well stay home. Let's go, let's go."
Zhou Tianming shook his head with a smile. "Take care out there."
"Bye, Grandma," Ray waved.
Gao Jing raised a hand in farewell without looking back.
"Let's go. We're heading to PLANT."
Ray followed Zhou Tianming out the door, curious. "Are we going to have fun?"
Zhou Tianming tapped Ray's forehead with a finger. "Have you even finished your winter break homework? All you think about is playing."
Rubbing his reddened forehead, Ray pouted. "It's only just started. How could I have finished it already?"
Locking the door behind them, Zhou Tianming said, "Mom asked me to pick someone up."
"Who?"
Zhou Tianming shrugged. "She wouldn't say, but there's only one or two people I know in PLANT…"
He sighed. "It's going to be a big hassle."
A day later, at 7:44 in the morning, PLANT's capital city Aprilius One Spaceport—
Zhou Tianming spotted two figures from a distance, one tall and one short, both wearing dark hats, glasses, masks, and bundled up tightly.
He walked over. "Sister Ogsha, are you fleeing from justice?"
"It's been so long, Tianming. You've grown even more handsome," Ogsha replied with a laugh. "But you're not as fun anymore. What a shame."
Beside her, Lacus, dressed similarly, remained silent, quietly observing Zhou Tianming.
Zhou Tianming noticed her gaze and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Let's go. Dressed like that, you two are only drawing more attention."
Glancing around, Zhou Tianming's lips curled into a playful smile.
Weaving through the crowd with the two in tow, he quickly shook off all the trackers and bodyguards, disappearing without a trace.
Sweating profusely, the bodyguards frantically notified Siegel: "Sir Siegel, Lady Ogsha and Miss Lacus have disappeared!"
"What! Find them now!" Siegel roared angrily before slamming the phone down.
The bodyguards scrambled, using every method at their disposal to search.
On the other end, after hanging up, Siegel relaxed into a smile. "I'll leave Ogsha and Lacus in your hands, Tianming."
A shuttle veered off course into the unmanned deep space shortly after departing from PLANT.
After traveling further, the silhouette of the Black Tortoise gradually emerged in the distance, silently hovering in cosmic space.
As the shuttle approached, the rear hangar of the Black Tortoise opened and swallowed it whole.
Then its thrusters ignited, and it vanished swiftly into the pitch-black cosmos.
Inside the Black Tortoise—
Ogsha shed her heavy disguise, her pink wavy hair tied into a ponytail cascading down her back. Her face showed no signs of aging, instead exuding a mature and captivating charm.
Beside her, Lacus also removed her disguise, revealing shoulder-length pink hair, fair and supple skin, and large, dewy gray eyes that curiously scanned her surroundings. Lacus's appearance gave Zhou Tianming a momentary pause. Ogsha teased with a playful smile, "Lacus is adorable, isn't she? Regretting not agreeing with me back then?" She rolled her eyes.
Although Lacus had many different looks in the original work, her short-haired version was truly unseen.
"I do have a girlfriend."
"Oh?" Ogsha clicked her tongue, "I never would've guessed. Which girl did you trick?"
As she spoke, Ogsha caught sight of the Gundam frame in the hangar and fell silent.
Zhou Tianming followed her gaze and said, "It's not ZAFT's Ginn. This one is mine."
Ogsha's expression turned serious. "How many people know about this?"
"Don't worry, not many are aware. It won't interfere with PLANT's plans, and most people aren't optimistic about humanoid weapons anyway." Ogsha sighed, "Sorry, this is just too sensitive."
As they continued walking, they took the elevator up to the living quarters. Throughout the journey, Lacus remained silent, quietly observing her surroundings.
Upper Living Quarters—
"It'll take some time to reach Mendel. This room is for you to rest in. If you need anything, just call for White Rabbit—it'll assist you." The room was a standard two-bedroom apartment layout. Ogsha looked around and nodded in satisfaction.
"Having a private spaceship is really nice. I'll have Siegel get one for us when we return."
"Rest for now. We'll talk later."
After settling the two in, Zhou Tianming turned and left.
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