Chapter 76: Bernei
Regardless of how Amuro intended to soothe Fraw, Eli had already left the scene and was heading toward the man detained in the prison.
"The name has been obtained—Bernard Wiseman. He's here for NT-1."
By the time Eli arrived, someone else had already conducted an interrogation. Bernard had no intention of keeping silent. After all, the cargo ship he piloted had been caught carrying a fully dismantled Zeon MS. In this situation, denying the obvious would only test the patience of the Federation military.
Eli nodded to the guard, unlocked the prison door, and entered.
"Bernard… too much trouble. Let's just call you Bernei."
Eli found a place to sit, glanced around casually, and said this without much thought.
"Hey, what's with you!"
"Bernei" was indeed a nickname people used for him, but only those who knew him well. Who did this Federation officer think he was?
"Alright, let's end the small talk here. I have a question for you. 'The people abandoned by the Federation'—are you referring to the theory of the 'Spacenoids as abandoned citizens'?"
"Is it fun asking questions you already know the answer to?"
The theory of Spacenoids as abandoned citizens wasn't a formal ideology proposed by anyone but rather the collective resentment of space inhabitants.
Before the Universal Century, Earth's overpopulation had put immense pressure on the planet. To address this, the major countries of the world formed the Earth Federation and initiated a space colonization program.
Initially, the Federation established the Frontier Immigration Bureau, offering incentives like interest-free housing loans, tax exemptions, and guarantees of education and healthcare to attract Earth's underprivileged to participate in the migration plans. These favorable policies indeed inspired many to see the program as a chance to change their lives.
However, as more colonies were built and the immigrant population surged, the Federation soon faced a financial crisis. In response, they spun off the Frontier Immigration Bureau, privatizing it.
Just like in the stock market, the privatized bureau eventually declared bankruptcy, and the Federation stepped in to rebrand it as the Space Immigration Corporation. Most of the previously promised government-backed benefits were rescinded.
At the same time, the Federation began implementing forced migration policies, targeting everyone except the elite class. This led to an overwhelming influx of people into once-spacious colonies, which became overcrowded.
Despite this, the Federation only granted them municipal-level administrative status, with no channels to present their demands to the Federation Council. Over time, space residents began referring to themselves as the "abandoned citizens of space."
"Well, you clearly understand it all already," Bernei replied mockingly, lying on a single bed with a thin mattress. His gaze shifted to Eli, who had just finished explaining the theory.
Eli's grasp of the concept was so profound that even Bernei thought it surpassed his own understanding. Yet, what did it matter? Someone like Eli, who had managed to become a lieutenant at such a young age, surely couldn't truly comprehend the struggles of space inhabitants.
With his hands behind his head, Bernei thought to himself.
"Oh? So Zeon gave you guys tax exemptions? And you still use this as an excuse to join the battlefield?" Eli remarked, stroking his chin.
At almost 20 years old, Eli was beginning to grow stubble on his chin.
"You!"
Bernei's composed demeanor crumbled in an instant. His feigned indifference evaporated.
Tax exemptions? How could Zeon's homeland afford such a luxury now? Even with the size of a single Side, the Zabi family's financial group was struggling to support the war effort. The government was imposing increasingly heavy taxes, to the point where even military service no longer exempted citizens from all taxes.
Bernei's enlistment had little to do with patriotism. It was mostly about alleviating his family's financial burdens. Basic protein supplements had become staple meals for many ordinary families.
Just by observing Bernei's reaction, Eli could infer the real situation.
"Whatever. If I didn't join Zeon's army, do you think I'd join the Federation? Even if there are issues with Zeon, it's still the Federation's fault in the first place."
Bernei spoke with a sulking tone. In truth, he didn't harbor much hatred for the Federation. For him, being a soldier was just a job.
Eli didn't argue. On this point, the Federation had indeed acted unfairly.
Regrettably, even if the Federation recognized the problem, they currently lacked the means to address it. The One Year War had plunged the Federation into a financial crisis. At this rate, bankruptcy seemed inevitable.
Improving the living conditions of the colonies? The Federation couldn't even guarantee post-war reconstruction efforts.
Not to mention, the rift between Earth's residents and the space inhabitants had widened considerably.
"Alright, there's nothing more to say on this matter."
"Obviously. You're not a Spacenoid."
Bernei shut his eyes again and lay back down.
"I'm from Iffish Island."
Bernei opened his eyes, staring at the calm Eli. Then, without a word, he turned over to face the wall.
Eli lowered his gaze, noticing Bernei's faintly trembling face.
It reassured him somewhat.
It seemed that even within Zeon, the sentiment of war-weariness was growing.
Bernei, like the person depicted in that film Eli had watched in his past life, had not been brainwashed by Zeon nor consumed by the war. He still held onto some genuine warmth in his heart.
"You stay here for now. We don't have time to transfer you elsewhere."
Eli stood up and headed for the door.
"Hey… I'm sorry for what you've gone through."
Bernei spoke with his back still to Eli, as if it wasn't him who had just spoken.
Eli paused briefly but ultimately said nothing.
When leaving, he closed the prison door and turned back to glance at the young man in the red pilot jacket.
Come to think of it, both he and Bernei were the same age—just 19.
"Eli, did you learn anything?"
As soon as he stepped out, he saw Sayla waiting nearby.
She wasn't particularly concerned about the interrogation results but used it as a pretext to start a conversation.
"Just a pawn sacrificed on the chessboard. What could he know?"
Eli walked alongside Sayla, speaking calmly.
After all, the entire Cyclops Team was unaware that if they failed to destroy NT-1, Zeon would resort to launching a nuclear strike.
When it came to ruthlessness, Zeon was unmatched.
At least for now, the Federation hadn't stooped to such extremes.