--Clyne Residence, Siegel's Study--
Although it was late at night, Siegel Clyne was still busy, especially after Luther's 'Declaration of Celestial Being's Formation' had dropped a massive amount of inside information, creating what could only be described as a political bombshell.
In fact, the Plant Supreme Council had held an emergency ad hoc meeting following Luther's declaration. After a heated debate, they had managed to reach a preliminary consensus on how to respond.
Siegel Clyne, as Chairman of the Supreme Council, would continue to be responsible for handling the aftermath of the public disclosure of the Coordinators' fertility defects.
Patrick Zala, Chairman of the National Defense Committee and head of ZAFT, would be responsible for investigating Rau Le Creuset and the Heliopolis collapse. After the investigation was complete, the findings would be submitted to the Supreme Council for review.
Eileen Canaf would work with Siegel Clyne to handle communications with Orb and potential initial contact with 'Celestial Being'.
Yuri Amalfi would work with Patrick Zala to assess the technology and military strength of 'Celestial Being'.
Simply put, domestic affairs and moderate diplomacy would continue to be led by the Clyne faction, while military affairs and hardline diplomacy would likewise remain under the purview of the Zala faction.
As a result, the emergence of Luther's 'Declaration of Celestial Being's Formation' and 'Celestial Being' itself had, in fact, made the growing divide between the two factions in the Plant Supreme Council even more pronounced, just as in the original timeline.
However, compared to the original timeline, the presence of Luther and 'Celestial Being' had clearly overshadowed that of the 'Earth Alliance's high-performance mobile suits'. Furthermore, Creuset, one of the Zala faction's symbols, was now embroiled in scandal. Thus, until more information about 'Celestial Being' was clarified, the Zala faction was unable to gain an advantage in the Supreme Council.
Siegel Clyne pondered how to calmly explain the issue of Coordinator fertility defects to the public, his thoughts beginning to wander.
In truth, the problem of Coordinator fertility defects was hardly a secret within Plant.
After all, the Marriage Control Act had already been promulgated and implemented. The engagement between his daughter, Lacus, and Patrick Zala's son, Athrun, had been announced at that time to set an example.
However, judging by their increasingly divergent ideologies, even if his daughter Lacus and Athrun went through with the marriage, it would likely be difficult to bridge the political divide between himself and Patrick...
Shaking his head, he momentarily pushed aside thoughts of his children's affairs. Following the thread of the fertility issue, Siegel once again found himself mentally complaining about his old friend, Patrick.
Even if Plant could ultimately defeat the Earth Alliance on the battlefield, as long as the hatred between Coordinators and Naturals could not be eliminated, Coordinators, as a nascent race, would not be able to survive in the long run without Naturals as a gene pool. Therefore, peace had to be achieved as soon as possible to give the next generation a chance to eliminate hatred and intermarry!
From this perspective, 'Celestial Being's' political philosophy did indeed have its merits. He wondered how they could successfully make initial contact. After all, the 'good work' of the Creuset Team had created a huge obstacle to communication between the two sides. And it seemed those children had also clashed with the other party's leader, Luther Daiken...
Just as Siegel's thoughts began to drift, a knock came from the study door.
"Father, are you busy?"
"Oh, Lacus. Please, come in."
Hearing the voice of his daughter and political successor, Lacus Clyne, Siegel naturally had nothing he needed to hide.
His daughter entered, following a pink Haro that rolled in ahead of her. She was carrying a tray with a pot of steaming black tea and some small pastries.
"How thoughtful of you, Lacus."
"It's nothing. It's not like I can help with much else, after all."
As they were both father and daughter and political comrades, Siegel saw no need to formally refute his daughter's modesty.
After drinking some tea and eating a few pastries, he saw that his daughter had no intention of leaving, so Siegel began to chat with Lacus. The first topic, naturally, was a father's concern for his daughter.
"According to Creuset's preliminary report, Athrun performed admirably in this incident and was not injured. The Creuset Team will return before the end of the month to be investigated. You should have some time to spend together before you go to Junius 7, which is now in the debris belt, as a representative of the memorial delegation to conduct preliminary surveys and preparations. Things have reached this point now. If you two really don't get along, the engagement can be broken. Don't force yourself."
Although it started as a topic of personal affection, it eventually drifted back to politics. With a hint of annoyance, Siegel received his daughter's reply.
"It's alright, Father. Athrun is a good person. In every respect, he is the best choice for me. Besides, it is precisely because the rift between you and Uncle Zala is growing more severe that we must ensure my engagement to Athrun can serve as a final safety line. I will get along well with Athrun."
"I see. That's good, then."
Faced with his daughter's understanding and calm analysis, Siegel was at a loss for words. After giving Lacus a perfunctory reply, a moment of silence passed before Siegel brought up a new topic.
"That 'Celestial Being' and Luther Daiken, what do you make of them?"
"Putting aside the fact that we know nothing about their background, they seem to be suitable partners. The stance and views he has shown, while different in the details, are on the whole the same path as ours, Father."
In response to Lacus's overly serious reply, Siegel teased his daughter.
"Indeed. It's a pity he has so many people around him. Otherwise, he might have been a more suitable match for you than Athrun."
"Father!"
Faced with Siegel's teasing, Lacus finally showed her girlish side. Siegel laughed heartily, then 'begged for mercy'.
"My apologies, my apologies. But since you think so too, then if the opportunity arises, try to make contact. It might just become a way out of our current predicament."
Speaking of the Clyne faction's current situation, caught between two opposing forces, Siegel's tone naturally grew somber again.
"Has there been any new progress with Mentor?"
In response to his daughter Lacus's question, Siegel could only shake his head. Seeing his daughter fall silent, Siegel had no choice but to force himself to be cheerful.
"In any case, for the sake of a bright future where Coordinators can live in peace and happiness, we must find a way to illuminate the path forward. It's getting late, Lacus. You should go to bed, or it will be bad for your skin."
"You too, Father. You must rest early and take care of yourself."
Responding to the joke her father had squeezed out, Lacus, having finished their conversation, didn't waste any more words. She collected the empty teacups and pastry plate, and holding the tray, followed Haro out of her father's study.