Since they continue to hide the criminals...
...who took part in this unprecedented terrorist activity...
...we have found the government of the PLANTs to be a clear and serious threat to us.
Outbreak of war?! No way!
So this is how it all ends up after all!
Sierra Antares One here. Joule Team, Yzak Joule, taking off!
Kira.
What is it? What's going on?
Oh, my. Did I wake you up?
Mr. Chairman!
All Forces, counterattack enemy units coming from Polar Orbit!
They're loaded with nuclear weapons. Don't let a single one fire at the PLANTs!
Okay, get 'em! This time for sure, for the preservation of our blue and pure world!
Fire Stampeder!
That's...
They're... the flashes of nuclear explosions.
Oh, no.
Lacus?!
Athrun!
Oh, I'm so glad!
Ah... huh? What?
The PLANT Supreme Council has deemed this attack...
...a serious and unlawful violation of the Coordinators' basic rights to exist.
Last night's attack on the PLANTs by the Earth Forces was met with resistance...
...from the ZAFT Forces, resulting in a great number of casualties on both sides.
The two Forces are currently situated in orbit, in a hostile standstill position.
The Orb Government is observing the situation as it carefully determines...
Nuclear attack?!
Yeah.
That can't be true!
I'd like to think so myself. But it's a fact.
Once again, our top news.
Yesterday afternoon, the nations of the Earth Alliance...
...led by the Atlantic Federation, declared war against the PLANTs...
...and staged a nuclear missile attack a mere one hour after the declaration.
However in an act of defense...
...under the command of Supreme Council Chairman Durandal, ZAFT Forces...
...succeeded in destroying the attacking forces at the final line of defense.
The Earth Forces have retreated to their Lunar Base, and the attack has ended...
...but the mood continues to be very tense.
Have a seat, Alex.
It's over for the time being. Relax.
Although this wasn't completely unexpected, it's still a great shock.
For them to force through a declaration of war the way they did...
...and then immediately fire nuclear weapons at us!
Damn it!
I can't believe it.
Outbreak of war?!
And then a nuclear attack?! Again?!
How could they?!
They're not even following the normal course of action to declare war...
But to follow it up with...
You can't even call this a true war.
Right.
The Alliance has withdrawn their troops for the time being...
...but I can't imagine they'd completely abandon their plans.
In contrast, it's our side that's in a state of panic.
It's the last thing we want, but consider the fact...
...that nuclear weapons were shot at us, again.
But no warnings were issued ahead of time! What's up with that?!
What was the council doing, allowing this to happen?!
Imagine if even one of those missiles had hit us!
Our problems have only begun.
What will happen to us now?!
They've declared war on us! We should go to war!
No way! You can't be serious!
And what about the PLANTs?
After this attack, and with them declaring war against you...
...what steps do the PLANTs intend to take to cope with this?
I don't want another war! We can't go through that again!
But it can't be helped! If we don't do anything, they'll fire at us again!
We have no choice but to fight!
If we retaliate against them for their attack...
...the world will once again be forced into the quagmire of war.
I know that much. Needless to say, I'd rather avoid that if at all possible.
But we can no longer deny what's happening.
If the citizens found out that we're hiding things, they would cry out in anger.
They cannot forgive our enemies.
So what do you suggest we do?
As the second hand ticks toward another major war...
...what can we do to stop that second hand from ticking?
The fact is, we've already been fired at a second time, with nuclear weapons!
Revenge!
It's to protect ourselves! We'll fight!
It'll be too late after more people are sacrificed!
We can no longer afford to talk things over!
However... But still...
Please reconsider, Mr. Chairman!
If we continue firing at each other in anger and hatred, we're all doomed!
If we fire at each other now, the world will once again...
...be nothing but a place for battles, with nothing to gain!
Please don't let that happen!
Alex.
I'm... I'm Athrun Zala!
I am the son of Patrick Zala...
...the man who added fuel to a war that got out of control...
...and in a pathetic move, fed hatred to the minds of people worldwide.
I believed my father's words to be true!
I boldly fought in the war! Killed enemies! Battled against a close friend!
And even after I realized that I was wrong, I could not do a thing to stop him.
And I lost everything.
Yet my father's words still linger.
Athrun.
We must never repeat that tragedy again! Never!
Athrun!
I heard about the criminals at Junius Seven.
Shinn told me.
You went through yet another difficult experience.
No. I wouldn't say that. It was good that I found out.
Otherwise, once again I would go on not knowing...
No, you're mistaken, Athrun.
You have no reason to feel responsible for their actions.
It probably cannot be helped...
...that you're only able to think negatively about your father, Chairman Zala.
But Chairman Zala was not that kind of person in the beginning, was he?
No, he wasn't.
He ended up making some bad decisions along the way.
However, it was all in an effort to protect the PLANTs...
...protect us, and make a better world for us.
Many people have good intentions, but end up making great mistakes.
And statements they make can easily be taken out of context by the listener.
Because the listener will often interpret what is said however he or she wants to.
Mr. Chairman.
The criminals at Junius Seven had no way to express their feelings of anger...
...so they took advantage of Chairman Zala's words to justify their actions.
They said, "We're not wrong."
"Why? Because Chairman Zala said so himself."
So you mustn't let something like that take control of your emotions.
The criminals are the criminals. Chairman Zala is Chairman Zala. And you are you.
Regardless of whose son you are.
You mustn't allow something like this to drag you down.
It has nothing to do with you as an individual.
Mr. Chairman.
You are an individual who has come here...
...to try and stop a battle that's on the verge of breaking out.
So that's all you need to think about.
Stop trying to take all the responsibility yourself.
But I must say that I'm delighted, Athrun.
I'm delighted that you have come here.
All the people who feel like you will be the ones to save this world.
People may think of me as a dreamer, but I believe it to be true.
Yes.
We will retaliate against the one-sided declaration of war by the Earth Alliance!
Protect the PLANTs!
No war!
What is the Supreme Council doing?! Where's Chairman Durandal?!
A weak-kneed diplomacy will only be trifled with! It will only result in a war!
Take a stronger stance and protect us Coordinators!
All the more reason why we must stand firm right now.
Everybody!
I am Lacus Clyne!
Everybody! Please calm down...
...and listen to what I have to say. Lacus Clyne?
What in the world?!
The latest incident involving Junius Seven, and the subsequent war declaration...
...and attack by the Earth Alliance...
...are very sad, tragic events.
I feel the same shock and resentment against them that you do...
...for their sudden attempt at a nuclear attack!
However, I ask that you all calm down and think this through!
Being driven by anger and crying out thoughts of rage...
...will only lead to more battles.
As we speak, the Supreme Council is making every effort...
...to avoid the worst case scenario.
So I call upon you all to express your love for peace...
...and believe in the Supreme Council and Chairman Durandal as they once again...
...work on your behalf to find the best path for us.
So at this time, please remain calm!
Go ahead and laugh if you wish.
I'm sure you can tell.
In the water
The night sways
Athrun!
I think it's a shrewd thing to do...
But I have no choice.
It is so silent
Her power to influence is tremendous.
Far greater than mine.
It makes me sad
On the green riverbank
I can only wait
Well, if Lacus Clyne says so.
I agree.
Yeah, that's right.
What she says is true.
With a pure heart
I heard her speak at Jachin during the last war.
For the beautiful dawn
I do think of this as a foolish act, but right now...
...I have need of her strengths.
In the same way that I require your strengths.
My...
Beyond the dark sea
Would you mind coming with me?
And sky...
Why, this is...
ZGMF-X23S, Savior.
The functions differ somewhat, but this machine was developed...
...at about the same time as Chaos, Gaia and Abyss.
If I told you that I wish to entrust this machine to you, what would you do?
What are you implying? Are you asking me to return to ZAFT?
Not really. It's exactly as I just said. I wish to entrust this machine to you.
Well, on paper it would be more or less like you say.
My feelings about this latest incident are what you heard my "Lacus Clyne" say.
However, in a society where the thoughts of opponents...
...various people and organizations get tangled up...
...it isn't easy to move things along as one wishes.
That's why I want those who believe in what I believe to stand strong with me.
If at all possible, I'd like to avoid a war.
But at the same time I cannot just sit back unarmed and wait to be destroyed.
Should we end up in that situation, I want you to be someone with power.
Mr. Chairman.
Having experienced the previous war, and agonizing over your father's actions...
...I'm confident that you will never choose the wrong path under any circumstances.
Should we end up taking a wrong turn...
...I'm counting on you to guide us back onto the right path.
However, for you to be able to do that, you'll need power. Unfortunately.
This is all very sudden.
I don't expect you to make a decision right away.
But what you can do, and what you wish to do...
These are things that nobody knows better than you.
Hey, hey, hey!
Athrun!
Welcome back! I've been waiting for you!
Huh? Ah... You? You're...
Meer. Meer Campbell.
But call me Lacus when there are others around.
Hey. You haven't eaten yet, have you? Didn't think so. Let's go for a bite!
Huh? But, uh...
You're Lacus' fiancé, right?
Um, I'm no longer...
Let's see. Athrun, do you prefer meat or fish?
By the way! Did you see my performance today?
How was it? Was I like her?
Or was I not even close?
Haro?
Ah... no. You were pretty good.
Huh?! Really?!
Yeah. You looked just like her. You were almost identical.
You just made my day! I'm so glad! Coming from you, I couldn't be happier!
I understand. You understand. Thank you very much.
The truth is, I've always been a great fan of Lacus.
I love her songs, and always used to sing them.
People told me that my voice sounded like hers, even back then.
Then one day, I got a call from the Chairman.
And that's how you started doing this?
Yes.
He told me that he needed my strengths. For the PLANTs' sake. That's why...
Not your strengths. It's Lacus' strengths he needs.
I know that. But for now...
No, I know it's not just for now.
Lacus' strengths are needed at all times. By everyone.
She's strong, beautiful and kind.
No one really needs me personally.
So I don't mind if it's only for the time being.
If I can be of help to the Chairman and everyone on behalf of Miss Lacus...
...who isn't here right now, that would make me happy!
I'm also happy to have the opportunity to meet you, Athrun!
Athrun, I imagine you know a lot about Miss Lacus.
Would you mind telling me what she's like?
What sort of things does she like? And...
...what doesn't she like? What is she good at?
The name of a thing is an indicator of its existence.
Then what if that name is not real?
Well... We were just talking about you, Athrun Zala.
That certainly would be very difficult to do.
Do you seriously think I could authorize that, under the circumstances?
Oh, and we're very grateful for your services, Alex.
We thank you for protecting Cagalli during this time.
The truth is, we all know quite a bit about you.
Will you also be returning to Orb?
Why is that? What do you do there?
But what you can do, and what you wish to do...
These are things that nobody knows better than you.
What can be done? What should be done?
Awaiting is happiness.
Is he what he is today, because he knows of the past tragedy?
Or in spite of the fact that he knows of the tragedy?
If the desired dream is the future...
...what color is it?
Next, on Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, "The Chosen Path".
Sail to the stormy seas, Minerva!