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Gloval forged ahead。 〃Now； I know what you're thinking： ‘Why is he choosing this time to remind us of these terrible things？' I remind you of them； ladies and gentlemen； because we must learn to forgive our enemies。〃
His image and his voice went out over screens throughout the fortress…in the barracks； the lounges； the giant monitors in the public squares of Macross City。 〃Not blindly； not out of ignorance； but because we are a strong and willing nation。 We cannot blame the Zentraedi for their inexplicable lust for war。 They have never known another way of life； and it has been their only means of survival。〃
All through the battle fortress； people gazed up at the screens in amazement…some with burgeoning hope； others with growing antagonism。
〃Nor can we condemn individuals of that society for the mass insanity of their leaders。 Instead； we must look to their good nature。 As you may know； dozens of Zentraedi defectors are now aboard the SDF…1； having been reduced to human size。 They have made a request to stop the fighting； and I believe it is a genuine request。〃
He turned to indicate the newlyweds。 〃The blood of these young people was tested before the ceremony。 Zentraedi blood was found to be the same as human blood。〃
That started murmurs and whispers in the reception hall； in the ship and the city at large； it ignited a thousand arguments and marked a turning point in human thinking。
In the White Dragon； the Chinese restaurant belonging to Minmei's uncle Max and aunt Lena； Mayor Tommy Luan and some others had e over to watch the ceremonies on television。 They heard Gloval say； 〃There is no reason why we cannot coexist in peace。 Let this occasion represent a future where all people live in harmony。〃
Cheers and applause were rising； evidence of the general hunger for an end to war。 Gloval held his hands up to silence it。 〃Please； let me speak a moment longer。〃
Voices in the background were heard； saluting Gloval for his leadership； courage； and convictions。 In the restaurant； Mayor Tommy Luan nodded his head and wiped at a tear。 〃Captain Gloval is truly a man of peace。 A great man。〃
There were others in the ship who didn't feel the same way； others who smashed bottles in the street or shook a fist at Gloval's image。 There had been so many losses； so many deaths； and so much suffering since the aliens' first attack that the hunger for revenge would not die easily。
Gloval had anticipated that； of course。 〃All of us have lost loved ones； and it will be difficult not to harbor ill feelings toward the Zentraedi。 But somehow we must overe these feelings！ We must stop this senseless destruction。〃
Far beneath the surface of the bleak Alaskan tundra； in the lowest levels of the United Earth Defense Council's headquarters base； Admiral Hayes pointed a remote unit at the TV； and it went dark。
He turned to his daughter and spat； 〃He's crazy！ I don't understand Gloval talking about peace at a time like this！〃
Lisa was quick to spring to Gloval's defense； both because he was her former manding officer and because he was inarguably right。 〃Father； it's the only way to avoid our own destruction！ If we don't start talking peace； it will mean the end of this planet； and not even you would want that！〃
He suddenly looked pained。 〃Lisa！〃
〃I'm sorry；〃 she told him； 〃but you must stop the Grand Cannon operation immediately！〃
Admiral Hayes stubbed out a cigarette and avoided his daughter's gaze。 〃Plans for use of the Grand Cannon are already set。 There's nothing to be done about that now。〃
CHAPTER TEN
I heard someone next to me saying something about a marriage literally made in the heavens。 I held my tongue and was glad no one took the obvious bait； to mention a honeymoon in hell。 I silently said my chants for the newlyweds and for us all。
Jan Morris； Solar Seeds； Galactic Guardians
Gloval still held his audience transfixed。
〃Each and every citizen must develop a responsible attitude toward the efforts for peace。 We must learn greater tolerance and meet this challenge。 I'm not proposing we lay down our arms but rather that we extend the hand of friendship。
〃There is a chance for a peaceful solution； and we must make it e to pass。 As Max and Miriya； here； have done。〃
〃The Zentraedi are a strong and intelligent people。 Let this ceremony stand as a symbol of our desire for peace。 We must emulate Max and Miriya： They are the heroes of today and our hope for tomorrow。〃
It took a moment to realize he was finished； as Gloval turned to let the newlyweds retake the spotlight。 Then all at once the cheers and applause were deafening。 Streamers and confetti showered around the SDF…1 cake； and everybody was hailing Max and Miriya and blessing their union。
The crowd hailed Gloval as well； and friendship between human and Zentraedi。 The Terrible Trio threw themselves into the arms of the three onetime Zentraedi spies…Vanessa to the husky Bron； little Sammie with Rico； and Kim embraced by purple…haired Konda。 The joyous crowd called out toasts and salutes to peace。
Gloval hoped that it had been enough…hoped that the mitment and the determination would still be there when the cheering had stopped。
The headquarters of the Zentraedi supreme mander； Dolza； hung like some titanic hive in the blackness of space。 It was the size of a planetoid； an armored moonlet so immense that Breetai's flagship and hundreds of thousands more like it could fit within。 Around it； the Zentraedi Grand Fleet was assembling； a force so incredibly vast as to dwarf even Breetai's armada。
Dolza； the Old One； largest of his race； paced within his headquarters。 Standing at attention before him were his assembled subordinates。 Dolza stopped pacing and looked down at them。
〃We can no longer permit this condition to exist。 It's being a significant threat to Zentraedi power。 It seems that we have underestimated the powers of these Micronian vermin。〃
In the end； it seemed Breetai's trusted adviser Exedore was right： The ancient Zentraedi warnings against any contact with Micronians had been handed down for good reasons； though the reasons had been unknown until now。
A race that could subvert the Zentraed