Gundam SEED DESTINY Phase 19: The Hidden Truth

The Minerva docks at ZAFT’s base at the coastal city Diocuia along the Black Sea. As Talia and Arthur disembark from the ship, they wonder what all the commotion at the base is about. A stage is prepared for a Lacus concert, Meer descends from the skies in the hands of a pink ZAKU Warrior carried by a DINN and a GOUF Ignited. Athrun watches the descent on video and is shocked to see Meer. After the ZAKU Warrior lands, Meer stays in its hands and performs a remix of one of Lacus’ old songs. Lunamaria asks Athrun if he knew about “Lacus” coming to Diocuia, but he says he didn’t know anything. Vino and Yolant run by to watch the concert, and Athrun is reminded about their earlier discussion of Meer. A technician bumps into Meyrin while running to the crowd, so she takes the chance to jump on Athrun’s arm for him to protect her. From the sidelines, Talia watches Durandal speaking with someone. On the other side of the fence, Miriallia watches the concert and takes pictures. After Meer finishes singing, she thanks all the ZAFT soldiers for their hard work and asks them to keep working towards peace. Sting, Auel and Stella watch the concert from the other side of the fence and drive off after it ends. Auel asks if they’re going to keep attacking the Minerva, and Sting says that’s what Neo intends to do. He believes that for them the outcome of the war is irrelevant and that their only concern is whether they kill or get killed. At a government building, Talia and Rey meet with Durandal in a secluded courtyard. Talia comments that she’s surprised Durandal came down to Earth, and Rey runs up to Durandal and hugs him.

Outside the building, FAITH member Heine Westenfluss greets Shinn, Athrun and Lunamaria when their car arrives. Durandal greets them all in the courtyard and congratulates Shinn on his recent performance in battle. He mentions that a request has been made to confer upon Shinn a decoration for his achievements. He mentions reading about Shinn’s performance at the battle of the Lohengrin Gate, but Shinn modestly says he was just following Athrun’s battle plan. Durandal says that because of their hard work Diocuia and other towns were freed from the Alliance. Talia asks Durandal what’s going on in space, and he mentions that there have been a few sporadic battles. He says the Alliance shows no signs of conceding, and he says that the path of avoiding fighting is harder to follow than the path of going to war. Shinn hesitantly speaks up at first and says that although it’s best to avoid fighting, you don’t have a choice when you’re threatened by an enemy. He thinks that if they don’t fight they can’t protect anything, not even themselves. Athrun chimes in and mentions the question Cagalli asked him years ago about what the point of fighting was. He says he still hasn’t found the answer to that question despite being on the battlefield again. Durandal asks Shinn why he thinks humanity isn’t able to rid itself of war, and Shinn believes it’s because there are foolish people in every age like Blue Cosmos. Durandal points out Heine’s GOUF Ignited and says that if war is viewed as an industry, it is the most profitable business in the world. He says that Logos, the organization that created Blue Cosmos, is hiding in the shadows and manipulating events. He wants to do something about them, but he knows that will be difficult. After the discussion, Durandal invites all the pilots to stay for the night, but Rey decides to return to the ship. Meer’s car pulls up to the front of the building, and she runs out of it, followed by her manager King T@KED@. When she greets Athrun, he slips up and almost calls her by her real name. Gilbert suggests they have dinner, but he wants to speak to Athrun alone first. He asks Athrun if he’s heard what happened to the Archangel after it left Orb. He wonders if the real Lacus is aboard it, and Athrun believes she is. Durandal asks Athrun to inform him if he comes into contact with the ship, and Athrun asks Durandal if he’ll do the same.