Patrick calmly hummed in acknowledgment, his finger pressing the disconnect button. The moment the communication ended, a mix of anger and unease flickered across his face as he looked ahead and murmured, "Athrun, I hope you won't disappoint me."
...
On Earth
Carpentaria Base
Felix paused his writing while working on a report, his gaze shifting to the communicator as he pressed its buttons. With two beeps, the call connected.
"Is something the matter?"
"Chairman, I request to be deployed to Victoria Spaceport for defense!"
Saluting Patrick, Felix made his plea with a firm, resolute voice. In response, Patrick immediately refused.
"No!"
After the refusal, Patrick explained, "I've already assigned Creuset's team and others to guard Victoria Spaceport, with twice the number of combat personnel compared to Carpentaria Base. So, there's no need to worry about the spaceport's security!"
'Damn it! It's precisely because Creuset is there that I'm worried!'
Hearing that Creuset was at Victoria Spaceport, Felix couldn't help but complain inwardly. After this thought, he pondered how to persuade Patrick.
A moment later, Felix addressed Patrick again, "Chairman, I request to swap defense areas with Captain Creuset!"
"Too troublesome!" Shaking his head, Patrick still refused, adding, "Swapping you and Creuset's defense tasks isn't just about your two teams—it would involve adjustments with other units as well. Such a large-scale reorganization would inevitably create defensive gaps, which isn't good for ZAFT!"
"I understand."
Facing Patrick, Felix reluctantly accepted the reality while grumbling to himself, 'Why wasn't I assigned to Victoria Spaceport from the start?'
"Felix, rest assured. The assigned forces are ample; Victoria Spaceport won't fall."
Receiving Felix's response, Patrick offered words of comfort. Felix nodded calmly at the reassurance and then ended the communication with Patrick.
Gazing out the window, Felix thought to himself, 'Damn it! That old fox Creuset—there's just no way to catch him red-handed!'
As frustration set in, an idea suddenly sparked in Felix's mind. Contemplating it, a slight smile curled his lips. 'Perhaps I can fabricate some clues. I don't need to directly bring down Creuset—just get him recalled to PLANT for investigation.'
With that thought, Felix began working on the plan.
Meanwhile
In Orb Homeland
Yalafas Island
Capital, Europhatu
Orb Government Office Building
Azrael sat in the chair once reserved for Orb's chief representative, looking out the window at the scenery. His mind drifted to the Dawn Organization and Kaguya Spaceport, both destroyed by Uzumi.
At this thought, Azrael's expression instantly darkened.
"Damn Uzumi!"
Muttering under his breath, Azrael stood up and walked to the window.
Looking down at everything below, watching the Earth Alliance Forces soldiers moving through the streets and seeing the citizens of Orb being brutally beaten, a look of satisfaction briefly crossed his face.
Knock, knock, knock!!!
A series of knocks sounded at the door.
Withdrawing his gaze, he looked toward the door and spoke.
"Come in!"
Click!
A faint sound of a lock turning was heard, and then the office door opened.
A soldier in Earth Alliance Forces uniform entered, carrying some documents. Looking at him, Azrael inquired.
"What is it?"
"Councilor, these are the compiled documents regarding the political family factions within Orb."
Hearing Azrael's question, the soldier placed the documents on the desk and reported to Azrael. Glancing down at the materials on the desk, Azrael nodded slightly and then asked.
"Is there anything else?"
"Councilor, the head of the Seiran family, Unato Ema Seiran, wishes to meet with you."
The soldier looked at Azrael and promptly reported Unato's request for a meeting. Upon hearing this, Azrael smiled, sat back down in his chair, and said to the soldier.
"Let him in!"
"Yes!"
Saluting, the soldier replied verbally. Lowering his arm, he turned and walked out of the office.
After he left, a bald middle-aged man with hidden ambition in his eyes entered the office. Unato, seeing Azrael seated in the chair, immediately put on a fawning smile and greeted him obsequiously.
"Councilor Azrael, how do you do?"
"What do you want?"
Glancing at the sycophantic expression on Unato's face, Azrael spoke indifferently. Hearing this, Unato took two steps forward, standing before the desk as if pledging his loyalty to Azrael.
"Councilor Azrael, on behalf of the Seiran family, I wish to assist you in governing Orb and share your burdens."
"I don't need more people!"
Listening to Unato's proposal, Azrael smiled and replied with a hint of amusement. After speaking, he quietly waited for Unato to continue.
Hearing this, Unato's smile took on an ingratiating tone as he recommended himself.
"Councilor, our Seiran family has long been active in Orb's political arena and has a deep understanding of the domestic situation and circumstances.
If you were to entrust us with greater responsibilities, I can assure you that we will help you achieve the greatest gains at the smallest cost!"
As he spoke, Unato placed a storage device on the desk.
Azrael looked at the storage device Unato had placed on the desk, reached out, picked it up, and toyed with it in his hand.
A faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and he said.
"You're much more sensible than that Uzimi fellow."
"Councilor, Uzimi is nothing but a stubborn old fool who doesn't know how to adapt. Had I been representing Orb at the time, I would have certainly complied with your demands and allied with the Earth Alliance."
Upon hearing this, Unato immediately responded with flattery.
Azrael smiled at this, then placed the storage device back on the desk.
"I'll give your proposal careful consideration. I'll notify you as soon as there's a result."
"Very well, Councilor."
Bowing and nodding with an ingratiating smile, he replied before slowly backing toward the office door. Upon reaching the doorway, he spoke once more to Azrael.
"Councilor, please rest well. I won't disturb you further."
"Hmm."
Azrael nodded as he watched Unatt leave.
After his departure, Azrael inserted the storage device into his computer and retrieved all its contents. He calmly scanned through the information but soon lost interest, pulling out the device with a dismissive air.
"Rather useless, though it has some minor value."
With that, Azrael called in the soldier on duty outside.
The soldier stood respectfully before him and asked, "What are your orders, Councilor?"
"Deliver this storage device to the relevant unit. Instruct them to act according to the list contained within."
Azrael handed the device to the soldier and issued the command.
The soldier picked up the storage device from the desk and promptly exited the office.
Once alone, Azrael leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. An idea surfaced in his mind, prompting him to place a communication call.
After a few beeps, the call connected.
"Mr. Azrael!"
Hearing the greeting, Azrael replied calmly, yet with an undertone of ruthlessness.
"The opposition within the Earth Alliance Forces remains quite vocal."
"I understand."
The person on the other end immediately grasped what needed to be done and responded respectfully.
Azrael gave a slight nod, uttered an affirmative "Hmm," and ended the communication.
"Any voice of opposition is an enemy!"
His eyes gleaming with menace, Azrael spoke in a cold, murderous tone.
After a moment, he turned back to gaze out the window.
...
Meanwhile
At Carpentaria Base
After an hour or two of contemplation and organizing, Felix frowned with dissatisfaction. Leaning back in his chair, he muttered to himself.
"No good. No matter how I arrange it, these documents are full of holes. Submitting them as they are will definitely cause problems."
Despite his troubled expression, Felix continued pondering how to improve the report. Yet, no solution came to mind.
There was simply no breakthrough to be found.
"Enough. I'm done with this."
A couple of minutes later, Felix gave up on the task. He turned to look out the window, as if trying to see through the sky all the way to Victoria Spaceport.
It's not that I didn't try—the enemy is just too well hidden. My apologies.
A pang of guilt rose within him as he silently lamented.
"Sigh..."
He sighed, turning away from the window. His focus returned to the documents on his computer, and with a few clicks, he deleted the file entirely. To ensure it could never be recovered, he performed a deep-level wipe, erasing any trace of its existence.
Once finished, Felix thought for a moment and then placed a call to Doug at Victoria Spaceport.
After a series of beeps, the communication connected.
"Doug, it's Felix."
After the communication was connected, Felix explained to Doug over the comms. Upon hearing this, Doug spoke with enthusiasm.
"It's been a long time, Felix!" After saying this, Doug asked Felix, "How are you doing now?"
"Pretty good. Currently, I'm in charge of guarding Carpentaria Base."
Hearing Doug's inquiry, Felix replied with equal warmth in his voice. After responding, Felix then asked Doug, "How are things at Victoria Spaceport?"