Part 81: Pre-Intermission

: Yes, sir. Our satellite images have confirmed a base-like structure as well as several large ground-based warships. In addition, excavations are underway in northern mountain cycles. They seem to have gathered quite a number of mobile suits. The Innocent are gathering their forces on this continent to oppose us... There's no other way to perceive this.

: (.........)

: The majority of their forces seem to be of the race known as Civilians who have come from the Gallia continent, across the ocean.



: Newtypes... Those who fought during the war between the moon and the Earth... The one that occured hundreds of years ago...

: The Innocent are giving Civilians weapons from that period of war that they've unearthed... They intend to destroy our Moon Race. If the no combative action order isn't rescinded, we'll wind up at a serious disadvantage. This is no time for peaceful negotiations.

: Are you disagreeing with Lady Diana's intent?

: No, sir. I'm informing you that we're being faced with a threat to our very existence.

: (.........)

: The situation is moving in areas not under our or Lady Diana's control. The attack on Knox is proof enough of that... Then there's Corin Nander. I have heard nothing about a man such as he being sent to the front lines.

: Neither have I. Was it Agrippa or Ghingnham's doing, then...? They couldn't be seeking to eliminate Lady Diana or us...?

: Could be. If we don't move fast to occupy the Sunbelt and get our affairs in order... Worst-case scenario, we could come under attack from both the Innocent and Ghingnham's men.

: ...Alright. I'll advise Lady Diana of this matter.

: By the way, where is Lady Diana?

: She upped and left all of a sudden to inspect conditions in Vicinity. Lieutenant Harry is with her as an escort.

: Hardly praiseworthy behavior, in such unstable, difficult conditions... To say nothing of the fact that land ships from Gallia have been confirmed near Knox...

: (.........)


[SCENE CHANGE]



: Yes. The Vicinity of today is even moreso...

: You hardly need his excellency Gwen to tell you that ruining such scenery with fighting would be...

: Yes... We must avoid it burning in battle...

: Then, your Majesty... May we resume negotiations?

: Yes. We shall reach a settlement through peaceful discussions...

: Lady Diana, we must return to the Soleil soon...

: Before that, I would like to visit Kihel's house.

: The Heim residence...?

: If you would, please, Harry.

: Huh...?

: (Watch yourself. You are Diana Sorrel. You must speak more proudly.)

: (Er... Proudly...? Speaking in a haughty manner...? I wonder if I even can...) ...It is the duty of a leader to see the lifestyles of the people. Lieutenant Harry, would you have me be a figurehead with no knowledge of the world?

: But, Vicinity is a hotbed of Militia activity. If something were to happen to you...

: I'll keep the Militia in check, and keep Lady Diana's presence a secret, as well.

: But...

: Lieutenant Harry...

: ...Understood. But, Sir Gwen... I will use a SUMO to escort Lady Diana.

: By all means.

: Harry... As you will.

: Ma'am...

[SCENE CHANGE]



: Loran... Sochie... Sochie Heim.

: I-I'm terribly sorry. I hadn't heard her excellency Diana Sorrel was here, so...

: Nice to meet you. Wow, you knew my name.

: I asked your sister beforehand. Loran, you may be at ease.

: Th-thank you very much...

: Sorry, boy. Lady Diana insisted on coming to see Miss Kihel's home...

: Oh, no, please don't mind me, Lieutenant Harry.

: You know my name? Have we met somewhere...?

: E-er... I read an article in yesterday's paper about the party...

: (.........)

: Sis, come over here for a second...

: Yes?

Sochie takes Diana outside.



: (.........)

: It's because she came to the Earth that Father's dead! Even Mother's lost all sense of reality because of that...

: (.........)

: Miss Sochie, please bear with it.

: You're part of the Moon Race, how could you understand how I feel!?

: ! I-I'm sorry...

: (.........) It's true, isn't it...?

: It is... You're not wrong, Miss Sochie.

: Bear with it. We're trying to set things in the right direction. Just bear with it until then... Sochie Heim.

: (...These are the kinds of people that I have started a fight with...?)

: ...Sis, you should go and pay your respects to Father...

: (.........)

[SCENE CHANGE]



: (.........)

: (......... Father...)

: Um... Lady Diana, I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you offered your condolences...

: D-do you think so...?

: (.........)

Diana begins running towards the grave

: !

: Miss Kihel...?





: Please, rest in peace...

: M... Miss Kihel...