"Lacus Clyne appeared near Boaz Fortress?" Feigning confusion, Felix murmured to himself before his expression shifted, speaking gravely. "Chairman, what are they doing near Boaz Fortress?"
Observing Felix, Patrick answered without any suspicion.
"To stop the war!"
"Stop the war?" Felix said, a cold smile appearing on his face. "That sounds quite naive."
"Indeed, it is quite naive."
Nodding, Patrick agreed.
As he replied, Patrick changed the subject.
"Don't worry about them." Taking a deep breath, Patrick continued, "Felix, once the battle at Boaz Fortress concludes, I will immediately send you all available troops."
Raising his hand in a salute, Felix responded earnestly.
"Thank you, Chairman."
Nodding slightly, Patrick then ended the communication.
Watching the now-blank screen, Felix sat in his chair, waiting for Patrick to send the files.
Meanwhile
In PLANT
At the PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
Inside the Chairman's Office
Patrick compiled the relevant materials and was about to send them to Felix when a new combat report came in.
Seeing the information from Boaz Fortress, Patrick set the matter aside for the moment. He opened the file, read the written report, and then played the combat footage.
A few minutes later,
Patrick leaned back in his chair, his expression complicated as he muttered his son's name.
"Athrun."
After saying the name, Patrick let out a deep sigh.
"Sigh!"
After sighing, Patrick composed himself and resumed the unfinished task.
Once done, Patrick stood up and left the office.
At the Clyne Residence
"What brings you here?"
Sitting on the sofa, Siegel spoke without any change in tone upon seeing his friend Patrick's arrival.
Hearing his friend Siegel's voice, Patrick remained silent and sat directly on the sofa opposite him.
After a moment of silence between the two, Patrick took a Storage Device from his pocket and handed it to a guard.
The guard took the Storage Device and played its contents through a computer.
As the screen lit up, the first thing that came into view was the Eternal.
The moment he saw the Eternal, a ripple of emotion crossed Siegel's calm expression.
Patrick spoke up at that moment.
"Your daughter Lacus is currently leading the Eternal with the followers she has gathered near Boaz Fortress."
"Why are you telling me this?"
Glancing at Patrick, Siegel's expression returned to normal, his tone still indifferent.
Ignoring Siegel's coldness, Patrick continued.
"She is pursuing her naive idea, trying to stop the war."
Hearing this, Siegel smiled slightly and voiced his support.
"That's a good thing. I support her idea."
Hearing the stubborn support in Siegel's words, Patrick's expression suddenly turned serious, his low voice carrying a stern question.
"Siegel, are you going to make us PLANT bow our heads and admit defeat like your daughter?"
Shaking his head, Siegel firmly denied with resolute expression.
"We never had such an intention."
Upon hearing the denial, Patrick chuckled coldly with a hint of sarcasm as he retorted.
"Then may I ask how the war should end? Can you tell me?"
Seeing the look on his friend's face, Siegel gave his answer with unwavering determination.
"Ending a war isn't only about deciding victory on the battlefield - it can also be concluded at the negotiation table. Throughout history, many of humanity's wars have ended at the table, so this war between us and the Earth Alliance can also be resolved through negotiations."
After listening, Patrick tapped the armrest and said.
"In that case, shall I give you an opportunity?"
Frowning, Siegel asked warily.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Naturally, giving you the chance to end the war at the negotiation table." Patrick replied with a smile before making his demand. "But I have conditions."
"You can speak directly."
Siegel looked at Patrick and spoke calmly.
Patrick then stated:
"First, make the Earth Alliance recognize our PLANT's legitimacy as a nation!
Second, return Gibraltar and Carpentaria Base to us PLANT!
Third, restore our allied regimes!
Fourth, immediately cease all attacks against our PLANT!
Fifth, publicly apologize for the Junius Seven Incident!"
After speaking, Patrick smiled as he looked at Siegel, while thinking to himself with a cold laugh: 'When we were in a favorable position before, we didn't succeed. I don't believe you can negotiate this through now.'
At this moment, however, Siegel frowned, thought for a moment, and said.
"Zala, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"
"How can this be called making things difficult for you!" Patrick chuckled in response. After speaking, Patrick looked at Siegel and continued. "You're the one who said to end the war at the negotiation table - I'm merely stating our demands."
At this point, Patrick's expression changed, and his tone shifted.
"Could it be that your so-called negotiation table ending means making our PLANT retreat again and again, letting all our efforts go to waste?"
Upon hearing this, Siegel firmly denied.
"Of course not!"
"In that case, I request you take up this task! Follow my demands and end the war with the Earth Alliance at the negotiation table."
As he spoke, Patrick stood up, straightened his clothes, and looking at Siegel continued.
"Clyne, let me witness how a war should be ended at the negotiation table!"
Without waiting for Siegel's reply, Patrick turned and left. Watching Patrick's retreating figure, Siegel gazed at the sofa, silently contemplating.
Outside Clyne Residence
Patrick took out his phone and called Ezalia.
"Is something the matter?"
"Joule, arrange for a negotiation team to be assigned to Siegel and have him conduct talks with the Earth Alliance according to our demands."
Upon hearing this, Patrick spoke up.
Ezalia furrowed her brow slightly and asked with some confusion.
"Why this sudden decision?"
Patrick responded with a cold smile on his face.
"To shatter Siegel's illusions once more, and simultaneously show this outcome to the fugitive Lacus Clyne. Let that little girl understand how naive she truly is.
Let those who follow her witness how utterly impractical their actions are."
After listening, Ezalia replied calmly.
"I understand."
"Notify me once everything is arranged."
Patrick said upon hearing her response.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ezalia's reply came through the communication.
"Yes, I will report to you once all arrangements are complete."