The meeting of the Supreme Council thus came to an end.
Ultimately, their decision was to dispatch a special operations team for a covert investigation, while simultaneously making additional demands during the negotiations with Orb.
As for the investigation into whether Orb was involved, it could not be halted.
Meanwhile, the peace negotiations still needed to proceed.
As for that secret investigation team... "Rick!! Our son has only just returned, and you're already sending him out on another mission!"
"And to investigate that organization that sounds so dangerous!"
It was said that the people in that organization could brainwash others. At this moment, Lenore tightly hugged her son.
Both Athrun and Patrick, who were being tightly embraced by their mother, wore identical expressions of helplessness.
"According to He Kui, the effectiveness of that brainwashing technique diminishes the stronger one's will is."
Although the brainwashing ability could physiologically affect the victim, a person's own psyche could still resist that power.
"Even if He Kui said so, he hasn't personally encountered it, has he!"
Upon hearing He Kui's name, Lenore's expression softened slightly, but she hugged Athrun even more tightly.
"Mom, it's really fine. Besides, I've had enough rest."
With no wars currently ongoing anywhere, he couldn't just return to being a young master, and he had no interest in becoming a politician.
Might as well continue serving in the military.
At least the people he cared about were all here, and he wanted to protect this place.
"Besides, anti-brainwashing drugs and new Mobile Suits are being developed. It'll be fine."
"Don't listen to your father's nonsense!"
"Lenore..."
Patrick, whose words were dismissed as nonsense, smiled wryly with a mix of amusement and resignation.
Unaware of the lighthearted moment of the family of three, He Kui had already returned to the asteroid with Lacus after she finished speaking with her father.
The two now sat facing each other, their expressions serious.
"What did your father say?"
"...I didn't ask."
"Alright."
He Kui didn't press further regarding Lacus's concerns.
"Perhaps now isn't the best time to reveal everything. We have too few clues."
They hadn't even grasped the basic outline of the situation. Revealing everything now would leave them unsure whether Siegel's words were true or false.
"Mmm."
Lacus nodded, then asked, "What about my sister?"
"Wait a moment."
Upon hearing this, He Kui pressed a few buttons on his wristband.
"He Kui, what do you want? I was just researching a new recipe~!"
Wearing an apron and transformed into a little chef, Setona appeared at the door.
Hearing a voice so similar to her own yet so sweet and soft, Lacus's smile deepened.
However, the mischievous spirit within her grew even stronger.
She hadn't expected her long-lost sister to be so sweet.
"Miss Lacus~ Hello~"
Seeing Lacus, Setona wasn't too surprised.
After all, He Kui had already given her a heads-up about this through remote communication when he first returned.
Meanwhile, He Kui, looking at the two who shared similar appearances but had completely different styles and ages, couldn't help but swallow hard at the thought of them both appearing in his bed one day.
"Councilor He, what are you thinking about?"
Noticing He Kui's increasingly strange gaze, Lacus asked with a smile.
"Hey, He Kui, what are you thinking about? It's been a while since you last came to my room."
Hearing her sister's words, Lacus' gaze towards He Kui became a bit more dangerous.
"Anyway, that's pretty much it. Serena is a year younger because she was put into hibernation."
Who is the older sister and who is the younger sister is something even twins can't clearly determine.
Since Setona happened to be younger, she naturally became the younger sister.
After calming his emotions, He Kui explained Setona's situation to Lacus.
"So, Setona, you don't know anything about what's happening on Mars?"
"Yeah, the old men in the council might know, but even if Setona asked, they wouldn't give her a straight answer."
"Most of the council members are top talents from various fields, including scholars who have conducted research at Mendel," He Kui added.
"So, the force behind this might also be connected to Mars?"
Lacus frowned tightly upon hearing this. If Mars was also part of the force behind this, they would inevitably face another war.
Of course, considering the distance between the two sides, a large-scale war with Mars would be difficult to sustain.
"Probably not, just like how Lacus appeared in PLANT."
This might just be part of the plan of the person behind it.
Both Lacus and Setona are princesses who could potentially inherit their respective nations.
By uniting PLANT and Mars, along with the influence of their clan on Earth, that force could completely dominate the entire human world.
Who knows what the next step would be.
The previous ones either aimed to destroy the world or implement the Destiny Project, so they probably aren't much better.
But it's not too late to discover this now. Although we still don't know who is behind it, at least Lacus and Setona, whom the force behind it wants, are on our side.
So, thinking about what Creuset said about them not letting him go, He Kui felt slightly amused.
No matter what, that force wouldn't let him go.
He couldn't relax yet.
"Let's leave it at that for now."
Lacus could definitely take care of herself, so He Kui didn't offer any further advice.
"Alright~ Sister Lacus, would you like to join us for dinner? I've recently developed a new Mexican dish~"
Setona, who had been looking serious just moments ago, quickly changed her demeanor.
She even called her "sister" so naturally.
"What did Setona do on Mars?"
Lacus asked curiously.
This girl was somewhat like her but also not like her. After all, although she could cook, she couldn't match the girl's enthusiasm.
"I was just being taken care of, so I want to take care of others here."
This was Setona's own resistance against fate.
Hearing this, Lacus nodded in understanding.
If someone tried to restrict her freedom, she would probably make the same choice.
Thinking this, Lacus' gaze towards Setona became a bit more affectionate.
But then again, considering that Setona might have already done that kind of thing with He Kui, her feelings became even more complicated.
After all, no matter what, she was still his twin sister, even though they had never met before.
But she couldn't bring herself to give up.
And letting go was also impossible, as she still needed to realize her ideals through this man.
"Let's go, let's have a meal together."
Without giving Lacus time to think further, He Kui smiled.
"Alright!"
She didn't believe He Kui would do anything to her there, and besides, she had a lot she wanted to say to her sister.