2025-06-08: Lacus Clyne Alive
- Cutscene: Lacus Clyne Alive
- Cast: Gilbert Durandal, Lacus Clyne???
- Where: PLANT
- Date: June 08, 0100 (2025)
- Summary: One star burns bright, and another star rekindles.
Thanks to the presence of the One Fine Day and other ZAFT ships among the fleet sent by the Space Assembly League to fight the Vajra, news of what truly transpired in the Vajra Homeworld reaches the desk of Gilbert Durandal rather quickly. "Hm.... I see. Silencing Leon Mishima remains the first priority, but I find this to be quite troubling." He shifts through the report in one hand, with the other steady over his chessboard. "The feats performed by the 'Songstress of Hope' were nothing short of incredible... losing her as an ally is a tremendous loss." He reflects - and it goes without saying that the 'Songstress of Despair' is much too wilful to serve the same role. Despite this, he's always been prepared for the possibility Ranka Lee would exit stage left.
Next, the Chairman's screen flips to another report - displaying an inconspicuous enough concert performed to the people of Orb, if not for the fact that the performer herself was fully backed by the Gaia Sabers, and the immediate impact it seemed to have on the island nation's state of affairs. Both Lilium Valerie's performance in Orb, and Ranka Lee and Sheryl Nome's feats in the Vajra Homeworld seemed to have one thing in common - they demonstrated the power song holds over hearts. And Gilbert Durandal knew that if the world was to prosper under the Destiny Plan, he would need such power for himself. The screen zooms to one of the concert-goers near the front - a hooded woman with pink hair. "The time has come for you to return to the stage... Lacus Clyne."
The Chairman's gaze tracks over to the White Queen on the chessboard. No matter the circumstances of her birth, Durandal knew that woman could be one of his most dangerous ideological opponents - that the future she envisions is wholly incompatible with his, despite being engineered to serve exactly that purpose. "Perhaps you were wrong, Aura Maha Khyber. It is not Lacus Clyne, the Imaginary Number I need to stand by my side... but rather, Lacus Clyne the Songstress."
---
A young woman with long, pink hair dances on a stage in a near-empty auditorium, practicing her singing and dancing skills before it's time for her to re-debut. The top level of the PLANT government have been in a scramble lately, and this time, it isn't due to conflict with the Gaia Sabers - though officials hope this upcoming announcement will alleviate the general PLANT sentiment of fearing war. There's been mass production around the clock of posters and merchandise promoting the "Lacus Clyne Alive" tour - and the star herself has certainly seemed busy as well.
"~Hold me close, so deep in your heart
I will find you
No matter where I have to go
And dream of me
For will be there
Follow the stars
That lead into the quiet night!~
"How'd I do?" 'Lacus' replies to the quiet applause of one man. "Did I sound like the real Lacus Clyne? Oh, please tell me I did!" She looks on, expectantly. Gilbert Durandal, the sole audience offers a gentle smile. "None could ever tell the difference." He says, and of course he doesn't /mean/ it. But she just needs to be close enough to fool the masses. "Lacus Clyne's work- your work is very important indeed. But I believe you are up to the task. After all, I am sure you understand exactly how it feels to be inspired by her. And in these uncertain times... I also believe the PLANTs need that more than anything."
Meer psyches herself up, to hear such praise. "I-if you say so, then I'm truly happy to hear that. Lacus Clyne is beautiful... and she's strong, too. The last time the world fell into war, it was her voice that helped put an end to it. If I can do that, too... then I'll do my very best! Even if I'm only filling in for her 'till she comes back." She looks a little sad to say the latter, but quickly recovers. "Now, when do I get to meet Athrun? I'm just dying to see him in person..."