[MONTHLY] Beltorchika's Children Ch.06

　Cameron Bloom trailed behind Adenauer Paraya and a group of Earth Federation officials as they entered the exclusive Canberra Hotel, nestled in an upscale residential area of Londenion. 

　Undercover police heavily guarded the small hotel, and there wasn't a single guest in sight. Nevertheless, despite being left in the dark about the purpose of their visit since he had welcomed Adenauer at Londo Bell's pier, Cameron followed the group as they split into three and rode the elevator to the top floor. Cameron could hear the light-hearted chatter of the officials already filling the corridor. Upon reaching the top floor, Cameron was directed toward a room.

　"This way."

　"Thank you."

　Despite thanking the doorman, as soon as he stepped inside, he had a gut feeling that he was in the wrong place. Adenauer and other high-ranking officials from the Earth Federation government and ministers from Londenion's government were engaged in lively conversations with men clad in Neo Zeon uniforms.

　"...!"

　Taking the chair on the far left as directed by the waiter, he kept his head down, hoping to conceal his astonishment. A lengthy, narrow table was adorned with intricate plastic models of Sweetwater, Axis, and Luna II. 

　The Neo Zeon's representative was Horst Harness, and Glarv Guss sat at the opposite end of the table like Cameron. 

　"It is my pleasure to introduce to the representatives of the Earth Federation Government, under Adenauer Paraya, our Supreme Commander of Neo Zeon, Char Aznable."

　"The Supreme Commander?!"

　The high-ranking Earth Federation officials, who were just about to sit down, gasped and immediately rose to their feet at Horst's words. From Cameron's vantage point, Neo Zeon soldiers in formal attire opened the door to the right.

　Char himself strode in confidently, his blond hair contrasting against the scarlet Neo Zeon uniform and cape he wore, moving at a deliberate pace. The Federation officials gaped in disbelief until he finally sat in a chair before the fireplace.

　"His Excellency Char is here?!"

　Adenauer's muttered utterance broke the silence.

　"Of course. We have posed a threat to the Earth Federation government. However, we approach today's negotiations with the utmost respect for the Earth Federation government..."

　Horst's amicable tone reassured Adenauer, and he took his seat with a wide grin.

　"Your presence indeed puts our mind at ease, Your Excellency."

　"I trust the treaty document you've prepared is genuine?"

　Horst, who sat diagonally across from Char, suppressed a smile and got straight to the point.

　"Of course, it is, Your Excellency. Our government moved its headquarters before Fifth Luna hit Lhasa and put together what we consider an official document." 

　"So you were able to see that we were serious about this?"

　"We didn't think for a moment that your previous broadcast was mere posturing, Your Excellency. As such, our terms and conditions are outlined in the treaty. Should you accept them, we will transfer Axis to you."

　Cameron was appalled and cast a glance at the high-ranking Earth Federation officials beside him, but they remained composed and unfazed. His head snapped at the sound of snapping fingers, and several soldiers entered through the same door Char had emerged from, pushing carts loaded with briefcases. 

　In the meantime, Horst and several high-ranking Neo Zeon officials were discussing something around Adenauer's signed documents. At times they seemed to be trying to get Char's agreement.  

　"Following the surrender of the Neo Zeon fleet to Luna II, we can then move Axis to Sweetwater, correct?"

　Horst read aloud, revealing a particular article that seemed problematic for them.

　The soldiers carrying the briefcases placed them in front of the Federation officials one by one before leaving one in front of Cameron. A key dangled from the grip, prompting him to inspect the contents. Gently opening the lid, he was taken aback to find it tightly packed with gold bars. 

　"...?!"

　Cameron immediately understood what was going on.

　"Should you choose not to accept the conditions, the Federation government will have no choice but to engage in all-out war." 

　This was no laughing matter. Even if he wanted to put on a show of integrity at this point, each high-ranking official has already received bribes. However, as a government official, Kamuran couldn't simply ignore his superiors and turn down the gold bars.

　"I see. Well, in that case, we will have to concede defeat."

　"Precisely," Adenauer spoke haughtily as if he didn't know his own position,  like a peacock flaunting its feathers.

　"Very well. We only ask you recognize the Neo Zeon government at Sweetwater and permit us to obtain mineral resources from Axis for colony development. However, there are additional terms and conditions." 

　Before Horst could say anything else, the Neo Zeon officials were having another cart brought in. 

　"This is our payment for Axis. Do you wish to confirm it?"

　"That man there is from the Audit Bureau."

　Cameron hastily stood up at the voice of the Londenion Government Audit Bureau Director in the back right.

　"S-sir!"

　A container several times the size of the briefcase was brought to his side. He was dumbfounded by the mountain of them on the cart and waited for the two soldiers to open their lids one by one. All of this was torture for him.

　"What are the collateral conditions?"

　Guided by Adenauer, Horst finally spoke up.

　"We'd like to ask that our fleet remain in order to transport Axis to Sweetwater."

　"If that's what you're worried about, there's no need. Nuclear weapons from the previous century are in storage on Axis, so you can move it easily with the engines that utilize those nukes. So, your fleet should still head for Luna II for disarmament."

　"What a relief! So those old nuclear pulse engines are still operable?"

　The Federation officials laughed at Horst's impressed voice.

　"Heavens! With a fleet such as your own, Your Excellency, we were led to believe you had received at least that much intel!"

　"Not at all. We're just a private army, after all. This is the best we could do to round up the number of ships..."

　One of the Neo Zeon soldiers interjected. Although everyone seemed relieved that the main topic had ended, their positions were immediately apparent.

　"All the better then. We'll withdraw the collateral conditions then. Once Axis makes contact with Sweetwater, colony development projects will be underway, and our unemployment issues will be settled quite rapidly. So with that, we would be most pleased if you would allow members of our fleet to find work within the Federation Forces."

　"Find them work within the Federation Forces?"

　Adenauer leaned toward Horst with his hands clasped together.

　"The men have voiced concern about low wages, so..."

　"I wasn't made aware of that, Horst." 

　Char muttered from behind, showing a displeased expression.

　"I'm certain that should have been reported."

　"This is the first I've heard of it."

　"Hahaha"

　"Well, well, now!"

　Once again, laughter spread through the Earth Federation government's seats like ripples.

　"I completely understand, Your Excellency. We need to consider that upon our return to Earth, but we promise to discuss it further."

　After both deputy ministers confirmed the two letters of agreement, Adenauer and Horst signed the documents with their gold fountain pens.

　"Very well then, we understand that today we will sign the basic treaty and will have further discussions on an administrative level thereafter."

　"Then it is settled."

　After saying this briefly, Char stood up and left the room. The high-ranking officials of the Federal Government, including Adenauer, applauded Char as he departed. Cameron counted the gold bars in despair.

×        ×        ×

　"I've been looking for you, Hathaway! They wouldn't let me call the ship directly. Sorry, I had to bug the Captain!"

　Quess was on the phone in her bed, dressed only in her underwear. Her hotel wasn't far from the hotel where the signing had taken place. 

　"Let's get together! I'm so bored here by myself! Whattaya say, Hathaway?"

　"I feel you there. It doesn't seem like they'll let me become a crew member anytime soon..."

　Hathaway had received the call in the lounge of his accommodation with the Londo Bell forces. Behind him, Bright looks quite displeased as he met with his crew. 

　"You're at the Dorak Hotel? Where's that?"

　While he was being told where the hotel was located, Beltorchika, who was coming down from the pier, noticed him.

　"Amuro might be able to show you around."

　"Does he have time?" 

　"Yup. He said he needed to take some time off, so he took a break."

　"Sounds great, Quess. What time?"

　"When you see her, tell her not to call your dear old dad to ask you about going out on a date," Bright said to Hathaway as he handed the receiver back to the female soldier at the information desk in the lobby. 

　"Sure thing! Mr. Amuro, you sure you're okay with this?" Hathaway asked, rushing over toward Amuro, who was standing and talking with Beltorchika.

　"It's fine. I was on my way home anyway."

　"Will you be joining us, Miss Beltorchika?"

　"I have somewhere else to be."

　"Where are you off to?"

　"The doctor's office to pick up some meds."

　"Your usual nutritional supplements?"

　"That's the plan!" she said as she turned to leave. 

　"Sure she'll be okay?"

　"Yeah, she'll be fine. They contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, and they always nag about that. Besides, women have more complex bodies than men."

　"Wha? Oh..."

　Amuro handed over a roughly thirty centimeters in diameter yellow-green sphere to Hathaway with a look of understanding on his face.

　"Ah! What's this? Wait, a Haro?!"

　"Yup. A memento for your reunion with your dad. Just make sure you register your voice print; otherwise, it won't respond to your commands."

　"Mom used to tell me about that! That much I know."

　"Good. Take good care of it. It took me six months to make it. We'd better go. She's waiting for you, isn't she?"

×        ×        ×

　From his private room at the Hotel Canberra, Char looked down at the procession of Adenauer Paraya and the other limousines leaving. Then, adjusting his tie, he glanced at Horst, who stood by the entrance.

　"If the Londo Bell found out we were here, do you think they'd attack?"

　"Well, any rational person would understand the foolishness of what the Earth Federation government did today. We might get ambushed."

　"It's ridiculous... Why are those who are in charge of politics like that?"

　"If all they do is shuffle paperwork, they won't see how the real world works. Businessmen have been one or two steps ahead of politicians for over a hundred years, but politicians still haven't realized that."

　As Char looked out at the ranch on the right side of the room, he picked up his sunglasses from the tea table.

　"Amuro. I'm doing something extremely wicked. If you're nearby, feel my presence."

　Suddenly mentioning the name of an old acquaintance, Char headed toward the adjacent room. Horst took the briefcase and opened the door. Several high-ranking Neo Zeon officers who had been waiting in the next room stood up and saluted Char in unison.

　"Sieg Zeon!"

　Char returned the salute and reciprocated their greeting as he walked through their midst.

　"Sieg Zeon!"

×        ×        ×

　In the end, Amuro found himself outside the Dorak Hotel, picking up Quess Paraya for a sightseeing jaunt around Londenion.

　"Sound good to take one lap around the lake?" he asked.

　"They have something like that in the colonies?"

　"It may not be as breathtaking as the scenery on Earth, but it's still a nice distraction."

　Quess was straightforward, which made Amuro think it was okay to go along with her. They could stop by her house later.

　Amuro steered their elec-car towards the mountains. The cityscape on either side mimicked England's Georgian and Victorian eras yet exuded a sense of the times. It was no coincidence that the trio came across a lake where swans were flying. As they watched the swans and their young, Amuro recalled his dream with Lalah. Suddenly, more than a hundred birds took flight from beneath their elec-car, prompting Hathaway and Quess to cheer.

　"Yeaaaah!"

　Quess stood in the backseat, bracing herself against the bar and reveling in the car's intense vibrations.

　"Let's go over there! Even further!"

　"I didn't imagine the colonies would look like this. My perspective has shifted."

　Amuro steered the vehicle up the mountain slope towards the sound of cowbells, carried on by the children's joyful cries.

　"Kyaaah!"

　Vroooomph! 

　The elec-car skidded across the grass, causing Quess to grab onto the bar while Hathaway held onto her waist. On the umpteenth bounce, Quess shouted,

　"Chaaaaa!"

　Amuro felt a sensation akin to cold water being poured over his head at Quess's cry. His intuition proved correct.

　As the elec-car careened towards some bushes, a horse neighing emerged from the shadows, followed by a mounted figure who reared up on their steed.

　"What the?!"

　"Whoa!"

　Sitting atop the horse was none other than Char.

　Amuro recognized him instantly. He released the brake and attempted to make their elec-car speed forward, but Char had already calmed his horse and turned its head.

　"You bastard!"

　Frustrated by the elec-car's sluggish response, Amuro reached for his pistol, only to have Quess hold his hand from behind.

　"Quess?!"

　In the instant that Amuro turned to look at Quess, Char's horse had already leapt over a brook and was galloping across a meadow.

　Amuro slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding plunging into the stream. He spotted a wooden bridge a short distance away and headed in that direction.

　"Sir, what's going on?" Horst asked.

　Amuro watched as Horst's horse leapt over the brook in pursuit of Char.

　"Why is he here?!"

　He had met Adenauer Paraya but couldn't fathom why he was right here. The fact that Char was in this colony, where he had lived with Beltorchika, was intolerable to him on a visceral level.

　The two riders raced side by side, but soon Horst's horse veered off to the right, and Char urged his horse towards the woods ahead.

　"What's your plan? What are you doing here?!" Amuro shouted.

　He drove the elec-car at full speed through the rolling grassy fields, but the dense young woods that Char had entered were impenetrable, and they had to go around.

　"I'm more than just a pilot, unlike you!" Char's voice reverberated through the trees.

　"That's Char? Zeon's Char?"

　Quess crouched low in the rear seat, mesmerized by the young man's appearance, which looked much younger and more vibrant than the images she had seen on television. Seeing him on horseback made him even more attractive to her.

　"You called yourself Quattro Bajeena and fought with us against the Earth's enemies! So why are you trying to destroy the Earth?"

　"Back then, I learned the true nature of those who remained on Earth! The ones who pushed for migration into space are monopolizing the Earth all for themselves!"

　Char deftly maneuvered his horse through the trees, changing course left and right, while the elec-car could only detour around the forest.

　"You say all that, but it's just your own self-righteousness!"

　Quess looked at Amuro's shoulders and sensed the difference in social status between the two men.

　"Char! That's Char?"

　Hathaway muttered and followed Char's movements with a groan. Quess could tell from his contorted face that he was in pain.

　"That's what created discrimination between people on Earth and in space! It's what causes wars and pollutes the Earth! Their souls are weighed down by gravity!"

　"Ahh, that's why even couples can quarrel in the small confines of Earth!"

　Char's words gave Quess the answer she had been looking for since India, and her heart was filled with emotion.

　Suddenly, the trees broke, and Char's horse charged into a herd of moving cows. The horse neighed, and the loud mooing of the cows spread before their elec-car. Char's horse collided with a cow and staggered wildly.

　"So that man is Char?!"

　 Quess stood up, watching him intently. Amuro honked the horn and drove the elec-car into the herd of cows. The cows parted left and right, and the stench of livestock filled Quess's nostrils. It smelled like India.

　"Char!!"

　Amuro yelled as he leaped from the elec-car toward Char on horseback.

　"Nngh! Ooof!"

　Hathaway panicked, trying to grab the empty handle, while Quess was entranced by the sight of the two men wrestling on the grass. The herd of cows stampeded past them, their thundering hooves shaking the ground.

　"The Earth isn't big enough to swallow all of humanity's ego!"

　"The wisdom of mankind can overcome even that!"

　"Then impart your so-called wisdom to those ignorant people!"

　Quess sympathized with Char's words as she watched the two men grappling on the ground.

　 "He's right. It's true! Because that can't be done!"

 　 "I'll do what you say after I get rid of you!"

 　Amuro managed to throw Char off and drew his gun from his waist, but Quess saw it coming and jumped in.

　"Hey, that's not fair!" Quess exclaimed as she pushed Amuro down and swatted his gun away.

　"What the...?! Ugh!"

　Char stood up and kicked Amuro's gun away while Quess quickly picked it up. The speed with which Quess acted surprised both men.

　"Ah!"

　Char ran straight towards Quess while Amuro backed away.

 　 "Will you come with me, young lady?"

 　"Huh?" Quess responded, her breath catching in her throat. Char's soft hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him. Quess ran alongside him, and she was so caught up in the moment that she forgot about Amuro and Hathaway.

　"Char!" Amuro shouted from behind.

 　 Suddenly, they heard the sound of a mobile suit approaching. 

 　 "Quess! Where are you going?" Hathaway's voice was drowned out by the sound of the mobile suit descending between Char and Amuro. It was a Hi-Zack with a gaudy paint job for hobbyists. Looking out of the cockpit was Glarv Guss, wearing a leather flying cap and glass goggles to disguise himself as a hobbyist.

 　 "Captain!"

 　 The Hi-Zack's manipulators scooped up Char and Quess and then blasted its tail nozzle, propelling Amuro and Hathaway backward with the force of the exhaust.

 　 "Ah!"

 　 "A true victory for me is to fight on equal terms and win!" 

 　 As Char's voice reached Amuro's ears, he was struck with disbelief that his earlier speculation shared with Beltorchika had been right all along.

 　 "Damn Char!"

 　"Quess! Where are you going?" Hathaway's anguished voice reminded Amuro of the relationship between Lalah and Char.

　"To seduce a young girl... that's what he thinks is a fair fight!" Amuro groaned.

 　×        ×        ×

　Bright recognized Cameron Bloom as soon as he opened the door and shook his hand with a firm grip.

 　 "It's been a while."

 　 "I hate to bother you like this, Captain. I'm currently working at the Audit Bureau for Londo Bell's government."

 　 "I see nothing's changed..."

 　 "H-how is Mirai?"

 　 "I haven't seen her for two months. She's been living on Earth this entire time." 

 　 "So she's well, I take it? That's good. I find it hard to believe, but... something has happened."

 　 Cameron seemed to be struggling to find the right words.

 　 "What has?"

 　 "I wasn't sure who I could talk to, but then I thought of you, Captain. And, well... Char is here on this colony."

 　 Now it was Bright's turn to gasp.

 　 "What?!"

 　 "Char Aznable met with high-ranking officials from the Federation government about half an hour ago."

 　 "With Adenauer Paraya?"

 　 "He wasn't the only one, though. There were several others. Those on Earth think they've signed a peace treaty with Char."

 　 Bright couldn't believe what he was hearing. "A what?!"

 　"I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't been there for the signing," Cameron said. He pulled a copy of the paper from his bag and explained the details to Bright.

　Cameron had been engaged to Mirai before she married Bright, and they had even been caught arguing by Bright himself. 

　Around the same time, the Hi-Zack entered the airlock of an industrial block.

 　 "Thanks," said Glarv as he greeted the airlock monitors with an amiable grin.

 　 "You've got good taste! Those colors of Haman's forces Hizack? How much would you sell it for?" the watchman asked, serious.

 　 "It's still not combat-ready, so it won't sell for much yet!"

　From atop the manipulator, Quess watched as Glarv Guss boasted about his hobby and then whispered to Char.

 　"I thought he was dressed like a fool, but it's all for show, isn't it?"

　"Yes, it is. I didn't expect Glarv to be able to pull off tricks like that." Char, now down to his white shirt, also waved to the monitors and returned their smiles.

　Once they passed through the airlock, they entered a 500-meter diameter industrial area. Factories lined the four walls of the small space, and manufacturing factories that utilized zero gravity and mineral sorting factories were scattered around. It was an entirely artificial environment with no greenery.

　As the Hi-Zack approached the Notomi Mining building, the factory ceiling opened as if it was waiting for them.

　Waiting for them as they descended into the building was the same launch they came in on.

　"We're heading into space. What do you wish to do?"

　"Mm, you're Char, right? I'll go with you."

　"Please hurry, Captain!"

　Glarv stepped forward with his Hi-Zack and bent his upper body. Char kicked off the manipulator and floated into the launch, followed by Quess.

　"Well done."

　Holst, who was waiting with the hatch open, greeted them with a visible sense of relief.

　"We're taking her with us."

　"Really?"

　"Sorry. It's nice to meet you?"

　Holst watched Quess's hair fluttering as she entered the launch with a slightly unpleasant feeling. 

　Meanwhile, Glarv brought the Hi-Zack into contact with the top of the container at the back of the launch and connected the cockpit and container hatch with a tube. When the mineral transport hatch's airlock opened, the launch carrying the Hi-Zack slipped into space. Then, with the tail nozzles of the two vessels jetting simultaneously, they quickly left the colony of Londenion behind.

×        ×        ×

　Bright and his Operations Officer Tooth were hot on the Adenauer Paraya heels as they walked along the pier.

　"None of you have any idea what Char is up to!"

　"With the money used to buy Axis, we can fulfill our colonial welfare policies!" Adenauer retorted.

　"You're only making Neo Zeon stronger!"

　Adenauer ignored Bright's protests and grabbed the lift grip of the gangway that led to the Clop cruiser, climbing up with determination. Using a wire lift, Bright attached the tip of the wire to the side of the ship and climbed onto the deck before Adenauer.

　"Oh, get off it! We can avoid all-out war with just Axis! Besides, Char said he'd wipe out some colonies!"

　Adenauer shouted, pointing a finger at Bright.

　"Char would never harm the colonies. He only wants to wipe out all those who remain on Earth," Bright countered.

　Adenauer was a man who believed that sitting in the Staff Headquarters seat was his job. This was his first negotiation in quite a while, so it was natural for him to have confidence in his occasional work. Nevertheless, he wasn't about to let someone like Bright, a mere captain, get in his way.

　"I'm headed to Luna II to have them get ready for their disarmament." He couldn't help but become arrogant. Adenauer kicked the deck and floated toward the Clop's bridge. It was a bold move for the man, who was not accustomed to zero gravity.

　Bright followed right after him, persistent.

　"Then why not engage Londo Bell to oversee their fleet disarmament?!"

　"We can't invite Char's fleet near the colonies! Wah!"

　Finally, Adenauer realized that his body had risen quite a distance from the bridge of the Clop.

　Bright clung to the hatch of the Clop's bridge and ordered one of his officers to rescue Adenauer.

　"Watch yourself there, Pops."

　"That's the Vice Minister!"

　"Oh, right, right."

　The junior officer rescued Adenauer with a smirk and returned to the bridge.

　"Oh, could I borrow a phone?"

　Even though he had been saved, Adenauer found the intercom on the wall and asked without thanking the junior officer.

　"Huh? Sure thing. Here you go."

　Taking the intercom from the officer's hand, Adenauer jabbed at the keys in front of Bright.

　"Then you'd permit us to act independently, Vice Minister?" Bright asked as Adenauer held up the receiver to his ear.

　"Yes, of course. You may act any time you judge the Earth to be in danger."

　Adenauer muttered something in disgust as he put the receiver back on the wall.

　"Why isn't Quess in her room at the hotel? Ah, well, Captain, pass on a message to Quess for me. Tell her I'll be back in a few days so just sit tight at Dorak Hotel and wait for me. Sound good?"

　"Yes, sir."

　Bright, along with Tooth, left the hatch of the bridge and descended to the pier.

　"You get all that recorded, Tooth?"

　"Yes, sir. Especially that part about leaving things up to Londo Bell?" replied Tooth, grinning as he took a recording device from his pocket and registered the date and time.

　As they approached the pier, Executive Officer Meran pulled up in an elec-car and called out to them.

　"Captain! I have Lieutenant Amuro on the line!"

　Meran handed Bright the receiver as he slipped into the backseat of the elec-car. 

　"He says he made contact with Char..."

　"What?! For me? Where are you?"

　"Down at a lower gate. Char took that girl named Quess."

　Amuro was at the gate of the Londo Bell inside the colony. Hathaway sat in the passenger seat of the elec-car outside, trembling as he held his Haro. Inside the gate, a few MPs began arranging a search for Char over the phone.

　"Adenauer's daughter? What the hell is going on? Hm. I'm on my way!"

　Bright watched the Clop begin to launch and decided there was no need to inform Adenauer now.

　"Why did Quess go with Char?!"

　Hathaway pounded the table repeatedly, his hands surely hurting by now. Nevertheless, he probably wouldn't stop banging the table for a while.

　Beltorchika didn't know what to say to console him, so she just watched him in silence. Although she had received a doctor's confirmation of her pregnancy, the joy of that news was overshadowed by the recent events.

　"Char's been this close to us all this time..."

　Beltorchika felt a heavy weight in her chest, like a burden was pressing down on her.

　"Dammit!" Hathaway slammed the table again, causing the Haro at his feet to roll around.

　"Char... he has this ability to win anyone over... That's why."

　Beltorchika's comment sounded contemptuous to Hathaway's ears. He glared at her and shouted, "How the hell can you say it like that without a shred of concern? Like it's someone else's problem?!"

　Hathaway stormed out of the officer's lounge, shaking the table and causing the door to close halfway. The Haro chased after him but only bounced off the door.

　"Hathaway..." Beltorchika got up, intending to return to work.

　"What that girl told me was true, and now she's been taken away by Char..." 

　Even though Beltorchika denied the need to read too much into the situation, she couldn't help but feel something unsettling deep in her heart.