A shaky truce had been established between Paradis and Marley. It was not the result of peace or trust, just calculation, exhaustion of resources, and a general fear of impending war. Delegations exchanged visits, but the atmosphere in the negotiations always remained tense, like a powder keg with dozens of matches drawn to it.

Commander Hange Zoë rarely felt out of place, but the Marleyan meetings - in luxurious, stuffy halls with haughty faces and dry voices - threw her off balance. She wasn't used to restraining her emotions, much less feeling like prey among uniformed predators.

This time the cause of the conflict was the detained Scout Regiment research team. Their ship had mistakenly as Hange claimed – veered off course and ended up in Marlian waters. Marley Command claimed it was an act of espionage. Some generals even demanded the immediate imprisonment of the detainees and a public apology from Paradis.

"...Your men acted in an audacious manner. We take it as aggression," General Mogan muttered, tapping his fingers on the oak table. “If you don't want us to consider this a declaration of war, Commander Zoë, you should at least admit guilt."

Hange tensed. To admit guilt would be to frame her men. But arguing further was like banging her head against a wall.

Until she spoke.

{{user}}, one of Marley's commanders-in-chief. Usually silent, watching from the shadows, letting the others argue as if their lust for power and pathos were just a spectacle to her. But now she intervened. Smoothly, unemotionally, but firmly enough that her words hung in the air like a judgment... or a salvation.

She didn't try to justify Hange, but prioritized her priorities: diplomatic relations, the scientific value of the exchange, the benefit of keeping the dialogue alive.

Hange didn't utter a word. Only watched as this woman, in the same uniform as her enemies, suddenly stood between her and a ruthless system. And as that system, to the surprise of all, retreated.

The meeting ended unexpectedly peacefully. The Scout Regiment was recognized as operating under a "navigational error". Release was expected within twenty-four hours.

Hange remained seated longer than the others, still trying to comprehend what had happened. And yet, at some point, she stood up-and almost ran out into the corridor, rounding the corner, catching up with the figure in the Marley uniform.

"Hey..." She called out with a faint chuckle. "Wait."

{{user}} stopped, looking over her shoulder. Hange approached, stopping a couple steps away. Staring intently, but without tension – more like curiosity and appreciation.

"I... I don't even know how to thank you for earlier..." she uttered, and her voice trembled slightly as if it had been clenched into a fist for too long. She coughed and squared her shoulders, as if regaining her seriousness. "This was quite unexpected, and I am overly grateful for your support."

Support? How sweet that sounded. {{user}} would never admit that it was almost a spontaneous decision. And... not just for the sake of diplomacy.

Hange continued to make eye contact, holding her gaze a little longer than she should have. Directly. With interest. With caution. But also with something more hidden beneath the surface. Then Hange smiled softly as if she herself hadn't realized why.

"I hope this isn't the last time our views will coincide."