Athrun was confident in his strategic plan, so after finishing his explanation, he calmly waited, giving Reid ample ti to think.
However, Reid didn't ponder for long. Although Athrun's proposal was bold, its chances of success were not low, and if successful, the deadlocked Eurasian-African battlefield would be revitalized in an instant.
ZAFT's invasion of Europe aligned with Reid's interests, whether for the phased mission or for the subsequent strategy against the Atlantic Federation.
But people often don't value things that co too easily. Even though Athrun's proposal was a win-win, Reid still aid to secure more benefits.
After so thought, Reid responded earnestly:
"The plan is indeed feasible, and the chances of success are not small. However, what will the New Misurugi Kingdom gain after putting on this show? Surely, our nation can't risk facing attacks from two or even three sides afterward, eliminate the Eurasian Federation's Black Sea forces, and end up with nothing."
Upon hearing this, Athrun knew Reid had essentially agreed to the plan. The next step was the preemptive division of spoils—as long as they communicated well, the matter would be settled.
Of course, after two years of intelligence work, Athrun had learned a thing or two, even if he hadn't experienced everything firsthand. So, he didn't imdiately reveal his bottom line. Instead, he said:
"If the New Misurugi Kingdom helps this ti, ZAFT's Earth forces will ensure the Eurasian Federation cannot interfere with the Atlantic Federation's battles. Additionally, ZAFT will take responsibility for monitoring the Atlantic Federation forces at the Paradise Island Base, guaranteeing that the North Arican continent receives no reinforcents."
Reid couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. Athrun had learned to play mind gas too—these two things were clearly what ZAFT was already planning to do.
If the plan succeeded, any attempt by the Eurasian Federation to support the Atlantic Federation would require passing through ZAFT-controlled territory. Even if the Eurasian Federation claid they were just visiting their ancestors' graves, ZAFT wouldn't let them pass. Instead, they'd have a "friendly discussion" and send them to et their "ancestors" directly.
As for the Paradise Island Base, how could ZAFT, occupying the British Isles, dare not keep an eye on it? If they didn't, the Atlantic Federation might launch a counterattack, and things could go south. Could they really expect Reid to keep the Gran Chaos stationed near Ireland indefinitely?
So, Reid replied with unusual bluntness:
"That's quite insincere. If that's the case, I have no interest in participating in the European affairs. You'll have to find another way."
Athrun wasn't surprised by Reid's direct refusal and instead asked in return:
"Then, Reid, propose a plan, and I'll see if I can agree within my authority."
Having engaged in intimate exchanges with Une multiple tis, Reid's cunning had grown day by day. Without changing his expression, he laid out his conditions:
"Simple—ZAFT helps capture the Paradise Island Base. However, our nation still has no intention of allying with PLANT; you'll have to fight it yourselves. Of course, any base you capture will be yours. Our nation won't freeload."
Reid's words nearly made Athrun lose his composure.
Have ZAFT attack the Paradise Island Base alone?
It could be done, but given the current combat strength of ZAFT's Earth forces, even if they won, it would likely be a pyrrhic victory. By then, they'd be unable to expand further on Earth, and holding onto their existing territory would be a blessing.
In fact, Reid deliberately proposed terms that ZAFT would find difficult to accept.
It's important to know that while in the animation, the Minerva seed to break through Paradise Island Base with overwhelming ease, the reality was far from it—the base was nowhere near as weak as portrayed.
Back then, the attack on Paradise Island Base wasn't carried out by ZAFT alone. Many other nations, seeing the Atlantic Federation governnt already defeated, took the opportunity to join in and kick them while they were down (including the Eurasian Federation, which had been subdued by then—this battle served as a gesture of reconciliation and a pledge of loyalty).
With these forces serving as cannon fodder on the front lines, coupled with Lodo Gibriil's misguided command—which prematurely exposed the base's firepower configuration and abandoned favorable defensive terrain in an attempt to launch a preemptive strike to crush the allied forces in one go—ZAFT managed to seize every advantage.
They had favorable timing (no snowfall that day, with clear visibility), terrain (the enemy abandoned their stronghold to attack, while ZAFT held nurical superiority), and unity (the allied forces held the moral high ground). Even so, the entire battle was far from as effortless as depicted in the animation.
However, Reid felt no guilt about proposing such unfavorable terms. After all, if Athrun wasn't being honest, why should he be?
Athrun would never agree to such conditions, so he outright rejected them.
"Attacking Paradise Island Base is definitely not feasible. The forces I have on hand aren't enough to take it down. To capture that base, we'd need to mobilize troops from South Arica as well."
After Athrun rejected Reid's proposal, the two of them fell into a staring contest.
Only, Reid maintained a smile the entire ti, looking thoroughly amused.
anwhile, Athrun was practically sweating bullets, because he couldn't shake the feeling that Reid had already seen right through him.
In the end, it was Athrun who broke the silence.
It suddenly occurred to him that Reid was a Newtype. In Dr. Nanai Miguel's published paper, "The Evolved Human—Newtypes," it was explicitly ntioned that Newtypes possess abilities akin to mind-reading—sothing Reid himself had acknowledged during a press conference.
If Reid could indeed see right through his thoughts, then their earlier back-and-forth must have looked like a clown show to him.
So, Athrun adjusted his mindset and sighed helplessly.
"Reid, be honest—did you just read my mind?"
At that mont, Reid could only think, "If only I really could read minds." That way, the next ti he encountered those seasoned political foxes who could lie without batting an eye, he wouldn't have to guess whether they were telling the truth.
Still, Athrun had indeed given himself away earlier. He clearly hadn't yet reached the level of lying without a trace of unease.
So Reid simply smiled and said,
"No mind-reading, but your guilt was pretty obvious. Looks like you still need more practice. You know, the diplomats from the Earth Alliance Three Nations were the kind of people who could lie without the slightest fluctuation in their hearts."
Athrun genuinely believed Reid, so he didn't even bother refuting him and went straight to the point.
"Alright, I'll be honest. Although the PLANT Supre Council didn't explicitly send to find you, before I left, they gave a hint: PLANT is willing to relinquish all interests related to the Atlantic Federation."
Reid understood imdiately and pointed to the British Isles.
"So, these islands are the reward?"
Athrun nodded, then grinned mischievously.
"Yes, after this cooperation is successful, the British Isles will directly belong to the New Misurugi Kingdom. To be precise, after occupying the British Isles, the New Misurugi Kingdom can directly station forces on the island of Ireland, while only needing to transfer airborne troops to the island of Great Britain.
Once we advance into Europe and secure a foothold, the island of Great Britain will also be imdiately handed over to the New Misurugi Kingdom.
However, in that case, our ZAFT will no longer manage the Paradise Island Base."
Upon hearing this, Reid thought that the PLANT Supre Council was quite sensible, knowing that the Atlantic Federation was now the prey of the New Misurugi Kingdom. Therefore, they proactively indicated they wouldn't take advantage, in exchange for the New Misurugi Kingdom not interfering with PLANT's expansion in Europe.
Since Athrun had now spoken the truth, Reid no longer intended to drag things out and directly agreed to the terms.
"Alright, if that's the case, my country can accept it.
However, Athrun, as a friend, I can give you so information.
After this cooperation, the New Misurugi Kingdom will abandon the Old Capital Base, with the aim of concentrating its forces to attack the Atlantic Federation's holand."
Upon hearing Reid's words, Athrun instantly furrowed his brow and tentatively asked,
"Reid, are you saying you plan to give the Old Capital Base to ?"
Reid shook his head and replied,
"Giving it is out of the question, but before my country decides to reclaim the Old Capital Base, whoever occupies it is beyond our control. I believe you understand what I an."
With Reid's explanation, Athrun understood.
This ant that during the period when the New Misurugi Kingdom abandoned the Old Capital Base, the territory would nominally still belong to the New Misurugi Kingdom, but ZAFT could use it freely, only needing to return it after the war ended.
Of course, this carried risks, because if ZAFT's forces on Earth truly beca capable of rivaling the New Misurugi Kingdom after the war, reclaiming the base would be quite difficult.
Nevertheless, Athrun had to send troops to occupy the Old Capital Base.
After all, without the Old Capital Base blocking the way, the allied forces of the East Asian Republic and the Eurasian Federation from the Middle East could directly support Europe. Moreover, if the Old Capital Base were occupied by the East Asian Republic, the Suez Canal would inevitably beco an "insurmountable barrier" for ZAFT's North African forces advancing eastward.
It could only be said that Reid was soone unwilling to suffer losses. By occupying the British Isles, the New Misurugi Kingdom would only help ZAFT monitor the Atlantic Federation forces at the Paradise Island Base.
But relinquishing the Old Capital Base ant having ZAFT help defend the base, and this base was not easy to defend.
It should be noted that when the New Misurugi Kingdom's forces withdrew, they would likely draw most of the Eurasian Federation's holand forces to the Romania area. At that ti, ZAFT forces entering the Old Capital Base would inevitably face attacks from the Eurasian Federation.
Moreover, by then, Europe would certainly be engaged in suppressing the Eurasian Federation forces near the Gibraltar Base. ZAFT, wanting to have it both ways, would inevitably suffer significant losses in troops.
But Athrun had no choice. He couldn't very well tell the New Misurugi Kingdom not to abandon the base proactively, so he could only nod now to indicate he understood.
As for who would be best to send to defend the Old Capital Base, Athrun said he needed ti to think it over carefully.
At this point, the serious matters between Reid and Athrun were essentially concluded, so Reid began setting a trap for the Coordinators, offering a reminder:
"By the way, Athrun, there's one more thing I forgot. The Orphee Lam Tao you ntioned earlier—I know about him.
He's actually a special Coordinator created using a unique Genetic Modulation Program. This batch of Coordinators was referred to by their creators as 'Coordinators.'
Moreover, these individuals possess traits similar to Newtypes. For example, they have so ability in charm and hypnosis, and can even read minds to a certain extent."
Upon hearing Reid's words, Athrun frowned deeply and asked,
"They have Newtype characteristics? Reid, are you saying this person is an experintal subject created by PLANT using cloning technology?"
Here, Reid didn't disparage Coordinators but spoke truthfully:
"Not at all. The similarity to Newtypes is accidental, and their abilities are a degraded version. The individuals themselves haven't evolved.
It's just that the concept of Newtypes was already being researched by geneticists over a decade ago. The ndel Genetics Research Institute, which created Kira, had more than just the Super Coordinator project back then.
Your Chairman Durandal was also a mber of the ndel Genetics Research Institute back in the day. However, he likely wasn't deeply involved in the Super Coordinator research.
These Coordinators are the work of Orla Maha Haibel, who was once a rival to Kira's father, Ulen Hibiki.
All of this, I discovered while investigating Orla Maha Haibel's background after that genetic comparison experint."
Hearing this, Athrun suddenly wore an expression of realization and remarked,
"So that's how it is. No wonder I'd never heard of this Orphee Lam Tao before, and he could parachute into Armory One to take my position.
Dr. Orla Maha Haibel has now joined the PLANT Genetics Research Institute, so naturally, her achievents have followed her there.
Since she was a rival to Dr. Ulen Hibiki, does that an these Coordinators correspond to Super Coordinators like Kira?"
Athrun's words made Reid laugh, and he directly refuted,
"You're overestimating Coordinators a bit. In terms of combat ability alone, they're likely stronger than ordinary Coordinators. But they're nowhere near the level of a Super Coordinator like Kira.
Of course, relying on their unique traits, if they catch soone off guard, even Kira could suffer a major setback.
The sa goes for you. However, against Newtypes, these Coordinators are nothing.
What I'm reminding you now is that Coordinators can charm and hypnotize. They have female mbers among them, so you'd better warn Yzak to be careful. He shouldn't risk his reputation by falling under hypnosis.
Also, for you, starting from Orphee Lam Tao's appointnt, you need to be cautious about all intelligence coming from Armory One. There's no guarantee that so of the informants haven't been controlled by Coordinators."
Athrun was completely overwheld by Reid's words. He couldn't help but wonder, what on earth was happening in this world? The existence of Newtypes—products of human evolution—was already chaotic enough, and now there were Coordinators who could mimic Newtypes.
The worst part was that these Coordinators operated like a cult, with hypnosis and charm abilities. It was utterly disgusting.
Now, Athrun could sowhat understand why Patrick used to pinch his temples so often. As a high-ranking military official, having to face enemies on the front lines while dealing with those dragging their feet from behind was truly a headache.
Actually, Athrun really wanted to ask Reid right now how he dealt with this kind of situation.
But the next second, Athrun felt that question was incredibly stupid.
Because Reid's solution was obvious at a glance—he built a Harem, and all the mbers of his Harem were highly capable won. Then he placed all the key positions under the control of his own won.
This way, as long as Reid could ensure the stability of his Harem, at least he wouldn't have his own people dragging him down from behind.
However, Athrun admitted he couldn't learn this trick. Putting Cagalli in the position of PLANT's Chairman? That would be the downfall of PLANT.
In the text, the definition of the British Isles is: the collective term for Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, and other smaller islands.
(End of Chapter)
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