October 1, C.E. 71.
On this day, I found myself clad in the formal military uniform of the Shadow Mirror, making my way toward the administrative district of Olofat, the capital of Orb.
Under a canopy of cloudless blue, I sat behind the wheel of an Eleca. Seated beside me, acting as my aide-de-camp, was Cornelia, also dressed in our organization's dress colors.
"I have to wonder," I muttered, eyes on the road. "Why am I the one driving?"
Cornelia turned toward me, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "In a world of lovers out for a drive, isn't it customary for the man to take the wheel?"
"This isn't a date, Cornelia. It's a peace conference."
"Details, details," she hummed.
Today was the day. Representatives from the Earth Alliance and the PLANTs had gathered for the final negotiations to end the war. My suggestions from the previous meetings had been adopted into the draft, and today was about the final push to get those ink-to-paper.
The reason for my attendance was simple: I was the "deterrent." While it might seem obvious to some, there were still factions within both the Alliance and ZAFT who refused to believe they had been bested by Orb. They saw themselves as victims of Shadow Mirror's interference rather than being defeated by a sovereign nation. While Eileen Canaver was doing an admirable job keeping the hardliners in the PLANTs under control, the Earth Alliance was a different, far more volatile story.
With Muruta Azrael currently rotting in an Orb prison cell, the man leading the Atlantic Federation was President Joseph Copeland. In the original SEED Destiny timeline, he had been nothing more than a puppet for Logos, but here, he was surprisingly proactive and enjoyed high approval ratings. He was likely acting as a temporary proxy for Logos's interests, but it was notable that Lord Djibril—the future leader of Blue Cosmos—had yet to crawl out from the shadows.
"You know," Cornelia said, her gaze lingering on me with an almost hypnotic intensity, "I wouldn't mind if this actually were a date."
For a fleeting moment, the temptation to skip the conference and disappear into the city with her was dangerously strong. I had to physically shake the thought from my head.
"We can't," I said firmly. "If the conference falls apart because we didn't show up, we'll be right back at square one. I've had enough of war for one lifetime."
"I suppose you're right," Cornelia sighed, leaning back. "I thought I could have you all to myself since Lemon and Murrue are buried in their research. I'll just have to settle for the drive back after the meeting."
"There's a formal gala after the signing, so I wouldn't count on it..."
"Hmph. Truly, life rarely goes as planned." She gave a light shrug.
Initially, Lemon and Murrue were supposed to attend as part of the technical advisory board. However, the development of my new machine had hit a snag, forcing them to stay behind.
"Integrating the T-LINK system into the frame is proving to be a nightmare, apparently," Cornelia noted. "Murrue looks like she hasn't slept in days trying to help."
While the Phase Shift Armor implementation was straightforward, casting computer chips with T-LINK base functions into the metal at a molecular level—the "T-LINK Frame"—was a bridge too far for current manufacturing. Even with Ingram's data from the White Star, there wasn't a manual for this specific kind of alchemy.
"I'm the one who gave them the idea," I said, a bit sheepishly. "I didn't expect the T-LINK Frame to be finished overnight, even with a genius like Lemon on the job."
I had named the project the "T-LINK Frame" as a direct homage to the Psycho-Frame from the Universal Century. It felt right, given the conceptual similarities.
As the Eleca glided into the city center, the atmosphere shifted. Security was airtight. Diplomatic entourages from the Alliance and the PLANTs had turned the capital into a fortress. Military checkpoints were everywhere, and I could see patrols with working dogs pacing the perimeters.
Fortunately, our vehicle bore diplomatic plates. We passed through the gates of the Government House without being stopped and were met at the staff entrance by Uzumi Nara Athha himself, flanked by his ministers.
"My apologies for making you travel all this way, Axel," Uzumi said, offering a dignified nod.
"Think nothing of it. Today's the day we finally finalize the terms of—"
I cut myself off mid-sentence. Standing just behind Uzumi was a figure I hadn't expected to see in this setting. It was Cagalli Yula Athha. She had traded her usual rough-and-tumble attire for a sharp, professional suit. Standing beside her, likely acting as her shadow and bodyguard, was Athrun Zala, partially concealed by a pair of sunglasses.
"What?" Cagalli snapped, noticing my staring. Her expression was defiant as ever.
"Representative Uzumi?" I asked, looking for an explanation.
"Cagalli decided she wanted to study the inner workings of politics," Uzumi explained with a faint, proud smile. "She's currently acting as my administrative assistant."
"Cornelia," Cagalli said, stepping forward. "Are you here as Axel's escort today?"
Despite the difference in titles—Princess versus Princess Imperial—there was a clear bond of mutual respect between them. Cagalli clearly looked up to Cornelia as an ideal of what a woman in power could be: a leader who could hold her own both in the cockpit and in the boardroom. Cornelia, for her part, seemed slightly overwhelmed by the younger girl's blatant admiration.
"And the delegations from the Alliance and the PLANTs?" I asked, steering the conversation back to the matter at hand.
"They've already arrived," Uzumi replied. "The session begins in thirty minutes. The PLANTs have sent Representative Gilbert Durandal. The Alliance sent a close confidant of Joseph Copeland—a man said to have the President's total trust."
"Gilbert Durandal?" I repeated.
Uzumi raised an eyebrow. "You know him?"
"I met him once in the PLANTs. He was an acquaintance of Rau Le Creuset. A man who plays his cards very close to his chest."
Uzumi nodded thoughtfully. "If he earns such a wary review from you, Axel, he must be a formidable political player."
"I'd bet my life on it," I replied.
In the Destiny timeline, Durandal had become the Chairman of the Supreme Council and orchestrated a global conflict to implement his "Destiny Plan," turning the world against Logos like a master puppeteer. He was less a politician and more a grandmaster of schemes.
"Still," I added, "they have little choice but to accept our terms. The Alliance will be the hardest to crack, but they don't have many legs left to stand on."
The terms I had drafted were heavily skewed in favor of the victors—Orb and Shadow Mirror—followed by the PLANTs, leaving the Alliance at the bottom of the hierarchy.
"Even so," Cornelia interjected, "the Alliance can't afford to be too stubborn. If they reject our conditions, they face the combined might of Shadow Mirror and the PLANTs. They're negotiating from a position of near-total collapse."
"Exactly," I said. "They'll haggle to soften the blow, but they know they're the losers here."
I looked over at Athrun, who was standing quietly by Cagalli. "By the way, how are Dearka and Yzak? I heard the three of you are living together now."
The three former ZAFT pilots were currently under "supervision" in Orb. Since Cagalli was the one technically responsible for them, it was more of a formality than an arrest. While Lacus and the Eternal crew had returned to the PLANTs, Athrun had stayed for Cagalli, Yzak had been ordered to stay by his mother, and Dearka had simply stayed because Yzak did.
"They're fine," Athrun replied with a small smile. "They're actually out participating in MS drills with the Orb forces today."
"Wait... didn't they return the Buster and the Duel?"
After Jachin Due, Morgenroete had taken possession of the two GAT units for data extraction. They were veteran machines with invaluable combat logs. In exchange for the tech, the pilots had been granted a significant amount of freedom within Orb.
"They're using M1 Astrays," Athrun explained. "Dearka is still adjusting, but Yzak finds the Astray's high mobility very similar to the Duel's combat profile. He's taken to it quite well."
I paused, a thought occurring to me. I still had a massive stockpile of Strike Daggers sitting in my dimensional storage. While they weren't frontline units anymore, they'd make excellent trainers. I'll have to mention that to Uzumi later, I thought. (Unbeknownst to me at the time, Orb had already salvaged a mountain of Strike Daggers from the battlefield.)
"Well then," Uzumi said, checking his watch. "It is time. Are you ready?"
The atmosphere shifted instantly. We moved toward the conference hall. The roster was small: Uzumi and a few ministers for Orb; Cornelia and myself for Shadow Mirror. The opposition had similar numbers. Despite her role as an assistant, Cagalli and her guard Athrun would not be entering the room for the official proceedings.
"Good luck, Cornelia," Cagalli said earnestly.
"Ah... thank you," Cornelia replied, her tone softening. "But remember, I am merely Axel's support today."
I felt a surge of adrenaline. This wasn't the original story. This was a world where Shadow Mirror and Orb were the architects of peace. We were the third power that had ended the cycle, and we couldn't afford a single mistake. Despite all my combat experience, this was my first time on a stage this large, and the weight of it was pressing down on me.
Sensing my unease, Cornelia reached out and squeezed my hand. Her touch was firm and grounding.
"Don't be nervous, Axel," she whispered. "I'm right here with you. And you have Lemon and Murrue backing you up from the lab."
The tension in my shoulders dissolved. I squeezed her hand back. "Thanks."
"You can thank me later," she teased, "with that date you owe me."
"Consider it done. I'll find us the best spot in the country."
With my head held high, I followed Uzumi into the conference room, Cornelia at my side.
Pilot Status: Axel Almar
Level: 38 | PP: 615
Melee: 262 | Ranged: 282 | Skill: 272
Defense: 272 | Evade: 302 | Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consume SP to increase machine performance)
Growth Type: All-Rounder / Special
Terrain Ratings: Air: S | Land: S | Sea: S | Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Effort (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30)
Awaken (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regene, Concentration)
Telekinesis (T-LINK) LV.10
Attacker
Gunfight LV.9
Infight LV.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Gray)
[Locked]
[Locked]
Kill Count: 374
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