Just as Yang Hui had said, Andrew Waltfeld sought them out because he noticed the trio when they disembarked, deliberately approaching to strike up a conversation.
Cagalli wasn't wrong—Andrew Waltfeld was the ruler of this city. While he might not know every resident intimately, he could instantly distinguish outsiders from locals at a glance.
Moreover, from the moment Andrew Waltfeld first laid eyes on Yang Hui, he sensed an overwhelming aura of threat emanating from him. As for Kira, though he couldn't be certain, he suspected Kira was the pilot of the Strike Gundam. Having fought against the Archangel and the Strike twice—once personally—he was deeply intrigued by Kira as well.
That was why he had initiated the conversation.
However, the attack by Blue Cosmos was unexpected. Yet the assault wasn't without its benefits—or rather, it brought him an even greater surprise.
That surprise was Yang Hui's combat skills. Such prowess was typically seen only among the most elite soldiers of certain nations. But... was that possible? Yang Hui appeared to be just a youth, with delicate features and soft skin, bearing no resemblance to someone who had endured brutal training. At the same time, his demeanor and speech didn't match that of a soldier but rather a leader, exuding an air of command in every gesture.
"You handed me your gun. If I didn't invite you to my home, I doubt you'd be willing to let that slide, would you?" Andrew Waltfeld waved Yang Hui's pistol in his hand.
This was another point of curiosity for Andrew Waltfeld. Yang Hui's action was both an overture of goodwill and a clear signal: I want to talk to you.
"Lower your weapons. These are my guests—don't harm them."
"But, Captain—"
"Lower them! If this young man wanted me dead, I'd already be gone."
"...Understood." (xN)
Though the soldiers still considered Yang Hui dangerous, Andrew Waltfeld's assessment was correct. With Yang Hui's skills, if assassination had been his goal, Andrew and his plainclothes subordinates would have been dead long before reinforcements arrived.
"Yang Hui, you..."
"Scared?"
"No, not... just surprised. When did you learn all this?" Cagalli asked hesitantly.
"Heh, so you still have a lot to learn."
"You jerk!"
"Let's go. We're guests at the 'Desert Tiger's' place now. Maybe we can even get you a change of clothes while we're at it."
"Eh...?" Cagalli blinked, only now noticing her outfit was smeared with sauces and tea stains. "Aah~!!!"
Before leaving, however, Andrew Waltfeld quietly issued a covert order to Dakosta.
"Dig up everything you can on that young man."
"Understood."
...
Under military escort, the trio arrived at the most luxurious official residence in the city, guarded not only by soldiers but also by four or five Zoworts stationed before the building.
"Whistle~ Quite the tight security." Yang Hui's sweeping glance took in the entire defensive layout—not just the visible elements. The positions of hidden sentries, traps, barracks, and armories were all laid bare to his scrutiny.
"Ha! Young man, with talk like that, I might really regret inviting you to my home," Andrew Waltfeld laughed heartily, inwardly impressed by Yang Hui's professionalism.
"Afraid of what? It's not like I'm here to steal from you."
"Well, I should thank you for that, otherwise I wouldn't be able to sleep at night."
Arriving at their destination, they disembarked. Kira and Cagalli still hesitated.
"Come on, we're already here. Not getting out means baking in the car under the sun, right?"
"Uh..." The two were taken aback but eventually followed. Kira remained silent throughout, figuring it was best to just follow Yang Hui's lead without overthinking. Cagalli, however, was resentful—why had Yang Hui brought them to the enemy's stronghold without even asking for her consent?
But there was no choice now. They were here, and leaving immediately wasn't an option.
By then, Andrew Waltfeld had already entered the house first. When Yang Hui and the other two stepped inside, they were momentarily stunned by a voice as sweet and clear as a nightingale's song.
"Is this her, Andy?"
"Yeah, help the young lady clean up. She got drenched in chili sauce, yogurt sauce, and tea."
"My, my, did you have a barbecue?"
A woman in a blue bodysuit approached them, her long, straight black hair cascading down, revealing her back and shoulders. A blue choker adorned her neck, partially covering her fair skin. Fluffy white sleeves covered her upper arms, and the sides of her bangs were dyed a vibrant orange. Sexy and alluring, her charm was amplified by that sweet, clear voice—utterly captivating.
Aisha Tyler, known as "Tiger Wife," was Andrew Waltfeld's beloved and also a top-tier MS gunner. In serious combat, the couple would pilot a single MS together, with Andrew at the controls and Aisha handling the weaponry.
Despite her seductive appearance, she exuded warmth and approachability. Without hesitation, she led Cagalli deeper into the residence.
"Wait—" Kira, still confused by the situation, moved to follow as Cagalli was taken away, but Yang Hui held him back.
"Let her go. She'll be fine."
"Alright."
"This way."
Regardless of where Aisha took Cagalli, Yang Hui and Kira were led to the reception room, where Andrew Waltfeld had already prepared coffee for them.
"I take some pride in my coffee-making skills."
"Thanks, but personally, I prefer tea. Or alcohol, for that matter." Yang Hui accepted the coffee without ceremony and sat on the sofa.
"That's a shame."
Kira held his coffee but remained standing, his attention drawn to a small slate on the mantelpiece.
[Evidence01]—a massive fossil brought back by the world's first Coordinator, George Glenn, during his return from a Jupiter exploration mission. The fossil, resembling a winged whale over a hundred meters long, was dubbed the "Winged Whale" and served as proof of extraterrestrial life.
This small slate was a scaled-down replica.
"Huh, this is well-made. The accuracy is impressive," Yang Hui remarked upon seeing the slate.
"Have you seen the real thing?" Andrew Waltfeld asked.
"I have. When I visited PLANT."
"Heh, seems you're really something, kid."
The original version of this small stone slab was displayed in the lobby outside the PLANT Supreme Council's conference room, directly facing the entrance. Having seen the original meant Yang Hui had entered PLANT's highest administrative center—something not easily achieved by ordinary people.
"Aren't you already investigating my identity?" Yang Hui asked with an ambiguous smile.
"Ah... hahaha, can't hide anything from you, can I? Though I haven't gotten the results yet. As you know, while North Africa is occupied by ZAFT, everywhere on Earth besides Gibraltar Base and Carpentaria Base gets treated like a red-headed stepchild."
"Then this makes things easier." Yang Hui clapped his hands, feigning excitement.
"What makes things easier?" Kira and Andrew Waltfeld looked utterly confused.
"Ever thought about switching jobs?"
"Huh?"
"Come work for my family. Instead of being a tiger raised by a stepmother in this desert, the benefits on my side are quite good!"
"Uh..." Andrew Waltfeld's brain short-circuited momentarily. "Are you serious?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Hahaha, fascinating! You're truly fascinating! But I'll have to thank you for the offer—I'm quite comfortable staying with ZAFT Forces."
"Alright, what a shame."
"Speaking of which," Andrew Waltfeld turned to Kira, "young man, what about you? Have you seen the real thing? You seem quite interested in it."
"Me? No..." Kira didn't understand why—he'd been trying to stay unnoticed, yet the conversation still circled back to him. He could only answer honestly.
"Really? I've always wondered—why do people call it [Whale Stone]? Does it look like a whale to you?"
"Well... I'm not sure..." Kira replied.
"And you, young man? What do you think?" Andrew Waltfeld asked Yang Hui.
"I think it somewhat resembles one, just with an extra pair of wings," Yang Hui answered.
"Right? Since when do whales grow wings?"
"Probably for easier recognition. Replacing unfamiliar creatures with familiar imagery makes people feel safer, doesn't it?" Yang Hui suggested.
"Fair point. But... is it truly safe?" Andrew Waltfeld questioned.
"Who knows?" Yang Hui smiled mysteriously.
"After all, it's from outer space—evidence of extraterrestrial life..." Kira's response was textbook, as he couldn't grasp the underlying conversation between Yang Hui and Andrew Waltfeld. He sensed they weren't just discussing the stone, but the specifics eluded him.
"Still... this thing is an astonishing discovery, yet also quite troublesome." As he spoke, Andrew Waltfeld sat opposite Yang Hui. Noticing this, Kira moved to sit beside Yang Hui.
"Troublesome?" Kira asked, puzzled.
"Naturally. That's why it's sparked hope—or rather, possibilities."
"Huh?"
Andrew Waltfeld's answer left Kira completely baffled, but Yang Hui's following remark would turn his brain into complete mush.
"How optimistic. But can we really ignore the dangers that accompany such hopes and possibilities?" Yang Hui casually remarked.
"This..."
"Haha, young man, you certainly look far ahead. Whether it's dangerous or not, I can't say, but the current situation is definitely perilous."
Isn't that right? The Earth Forces and ZAFT Forces are locked in fierce combat. If it weren't for the [Neutron Jammer] sealing nuclear energy, Earth and PLANT would probably have annihilated each other by now. What unknown dangers could even compare?
"Not bad. It's precisely because I look far ahead that I can take a few more steps than others."
"I see. I've learned something today."
"No need for thanks, Mr. Waltfeld. We might even become comrades in the future."
"..."
Hearing this, Andrew Waltfeld's hand paused. The coffee cup stopped just before his lips—open but untouched—before being set down. His gaze burned into Yang Hui as the atmosphere grew tense.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and Aisha Tyler's sweet voice called out again.
"Andy, the young lady is ready."