After pondering for a moment, Patrick spoke.
"All are hostile targets. Attempt surrender first, then proceed with armed assault if they refuse."
"Understood."
Ezalia nodded slightly in response.
After glancing at Patrick, Ezalia bid farewell and turned to leave the office.
Watching Ezalia depart, Patrick leaned back in his chair and murmured to himself.
"Athrun, this is your final chance."
With these words, a fleeting expression of pain and resolve crossed Patrick's eyes before his demeanor returned to normal, his gaze settling on the desk.
Meanwhile
After leaving the Chairman's office, Ezalia returned to her own office.
Seated at her desk, Ezalia issued orders via communication to ZAFT forces near Boaz Fortress.
"Designate the Eternal group as hostile targets. Attempt surrender first, then proceed directly with armed action if they refuse."
The moment the command was given, a reply came through the communication.
"Yes!"
Hearing the simple response, Ezalia softly acknowledged.
"Mhm."
ZAFT forces receiving the orders began moving, their units advancing in formation toward the Eternal, Archangel, Kusanagi and other battleships.
Inside Duel Gundam cockpit
"Athrun, what are you still waiting for!"
Yzak urged Athrun through the communication.
Inside Justice Gundam cockpit
Hearing Yzak's voice, Athrun contemplated before speaking.
"Yzak, I have my own path to follow."
Hearing Athrun's stubbornness, Yzak gripped the control sticks tightly, growling through clenched teeth.
"Bastard! What could possibly be more important than protecting PLANT?"
"Yzak, merely protecting PLANT won't ensure its safety. Only ending this war can truly secure PLANT's future."
Taking a deep breath, Athrun continued.
"So please stop trying to persuade me."
"Bastard!"
Faced with Athrun's obstinance, Yzak found himself at a loss for words, ultimately only managing to spit out those two simple words of frustration.
Inside Justice Gundam cockpit
Confronted with Yzak's anger and displeasure, Athrun chose to respond with silence.
He piloted the Justice Gundam into the forefront, deploying its full combat capabilities.
Alongside the Justice Gundam stood the Freedom Gundam.
"Eternal, Archangel, Kusanagi - retreat from this area immediately."
Facing the overwhelming enemy forces ahead, Athrun urged through the communication.
On Kusanagi's bridge
Hearing the urgent message, Cagalli pressed her lips together and spoke with gentle concern.
"Athrun, please be careful."
Hearing her worried words, warmth blossomed in Athrun's heart. A touch of tenderness showed through his tense expression as he replied gently.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
After hearing this, Cagalli ordered Kisaka.
"Kisaka, turn us around and retreat from this sector at maximum speed."
"Yes, Lady Cagalli."
Kisaka, upon hearing this, turned and responded to Cagalli.
Turning his gaze forward, Kisaka gave the order to the helmsman.
"Turn around, full speed ahead!"
"Yes!"
"Mr. Waltfeld, let's withdraw!"
Lacus stared ahead, her expression calm as she gave the order.
Andrew nodded slightly upon hearing this, his eyes falling on the helmsman as he immediately issued the command.
"Turn around, full speed ahead!"
The commander of the ZAFT joint fleet observed the current situation, his expression stern yet resolute, and gave the order.
"Attack!"
The two words echoed through the communicators to all ZAFT Forces MS pilots present.
Following the command, the ZAFT MS pilots sprang into action.
GINNs and other MS swiftly charged toward the Eternal and other battleships.
In the Justice Gundam Cockpit
Athrun watched the ZAFT Forces' movements, a pained reluctance flashing across his face. The expression quickly faded as his gaze hardened, and he activated the Multiple Lock-on System.
Targets ahead were rapidly locked on. As the final target was secured, Athrun pulled the trigger.
The Meteor unit, combined with the Justice Gundam's armaments, unleashed an overwhelming barrage.
Missiles and beams crisscrossed the battlefield.
The arms, heads, and weapons of the advancing GINNs were struck by missiles and beams.
In an instant, numerous GINNs and other MS were crippled.
Eyes fixed on the screen, Athrun maneuvered the Justice Gundam into action.
Charging toward the GINNs that broke through the assault, Athrun's finger pressed the firing trigger.
The Fortissimo Beam Cannon fired, striking three GINNs in the head.
"Please do not attack! Please stop the assault!"
Sitting in the cockpit, Athrun pleaded with heartfelt emotion.
No sooner had he spoken than Yzak's highly displeased voice came through the comm.
"Athrun, you're nothing but a scoundrel!"
Hearing Yzak's voice, Athrun's expression grew grave yet concerned as he spoke.
"Yzak, please do not attack. Let us leave this place."
Yzak quickly retorted.
"Athrun, do you even realize what you're saying?"
After this reply, Yzak piloted the Duel Gundam, continuing to advance toward Athrun's Justice Gundam.
As he moved, Yzak pulled the trigger.
The Duel Gundam's Beam Rifle aimed and fired at the Justice Gundam.
The beam shot forward rapidly, but Athrun maneuvered the Justice Gundam to the left, evading the attack from the Duel Gundam.
Athrun's finger pressed the trigger.
The 120cm High-Energy Beam Cannon fired at two GINNs.
The deflected shots grazed the arms of the two GINNs.
Their arms damaged, the next moment the entire limbs were blown to pieces.
As this shot concluded, Athrun saw the Duel Gundam closing in and maneuvered the Justice Gundam backward and to the left.
Evading the Duel Gundam while swinging the Beam Saber, the thick beam blade swept horizontally.
Yzak's expression shifted slightly at the sight; he quickly pulled the Duel Gundam back and ascended to dodge the sweeping Beam Saber.
After evading, Yzak pulled the trigger.
The Duel Gundam's Beam Rifle fired at the Justice Gundam.
The Justice Gundam swung its mechanical arm, using the Beam Saber to shatter the incoming attack from the Duel Gundam.
"Scoundrel!"
Repeated failed attacks had Yzak growing increasingly irritable, and he let out a low, frustrated growl.
"Yzak, I don't want to fight you."
As he spoke, Athrun noticed the situation unfolding in other directions.
While turning the Justice Gundam around, his finger pulled the trigger.
The 93.7cm High-energy Beam Cannon fired its attack.
The beam shot across the battlefield, forcing several GINNs attempting to approach the Eternal to retreat.
After this attack, before Athrun could process anything else, two GINNs launched their assault.
His hands moved swiftly, maneuvering the Justice Gundam to evade the incoming attacks.
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