After speaking, Felix ended the communication with Kira.
Piloting the Genesis Gundam, he launched from the forward deployment hatch of the Eternal and flew directly toward the moon.
Aboard the Eternal:
Lacus arrived at the Bridge and said to Andrew, "Mr. Waltfeld, please connect me with Chairman Zala."
Hearing the request, Andrew was momentarily stunned before asking, "Miss Clyne, what do you intend to do?"
Lacus glanced at Andrew and replied with a faint smile, "I wish to negotiate with Chairman Zala."
Understanding her intention, Andrew didn't press further. After acknowledging her request, he proceeded to arrange the communication for Lacus.
PLANT Homeland
Aprilius City District 1
PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
Chairman's Office
"Chairman, we've received a special communication request!" a voice came through the communicator's speaker.
Upon hearing the word "special," a flicker of curiosity appeared on Patrick's face. "What makes it special?" he inquired.
"The other party claims to be Lacus Clyne!"
The moment Lacus' name reached his ears, Patrick immediately recalled the theft of the Freedom Gundam, the hijacking of the Eternal, and the defection of his son. His expression instantly darkened as anger surged within him.
However, the anger quickly faded from Patrick's face. Regaining his composure, he ordered, "Patch the communication through to me!"
"Yes!" came the reply through the communicator.
The next moment, Lacus' face appeared on the large screen in the office.
The two faced each other, and Lacus was the first to speak with a gentle smile. "It's been a long time, Uncle Zala."
"It has been a long time, Lacus," Patrick responded with a polite but expressionless tone.
Without delay, Patrick got straight to the point. "Lacus, what is your purpose in contacting me at this time?"
Hearing his question, Lacus maintained her smile and replied, "I wish to have a discussion with you, Uncle Zala."
At the mention of discussion, a cold smile appeared on Patrick's face, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "It seems there is nothing for us to discuss."
His expression then turned stern as he continued more severely, "If you genuinely wish to talk, then return the Freedom Gundam, the Eternal, and Athrun to PLANT and admit your mistakes voluntarily."
Listening to Patrick's demands, Lacus shook her head seriously and refused. "Uncle Zala, what you're asking is something I cannot do."
Hearing her refusal, Patrick's expression turned cold, and his voice carried a note of rejection. "In that case, there is nothing for us to discuss."
Sensing his refusal to engage, Lacus insightfully remarked, "I believe you still want to talk with me, Uncle Zala. Otherwise, you would have ended this communication immediately."
Patrick remained silent, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk in response to Lacus' observation.
Lacus observed Patrick's silence and understood he had tacitly agreed to continue the conversation, prompting her to press further.
"Uncle Zala, I have a question for you."
Patrick lifted his gaze to meet Lacus's, his expression unreadable as he replied.
"Can I refuse to answer?"
No sooner had he spoken than Lacus's question echoed through the speaker.
"Uncle Zala, have you considered what should be done after the war ends?"
Patrick let out a cold laugh at the question.
"What do you think I would do?"
Lacus sidestepped his retort and continued questioning him.
"Uncle Zala, have you considered how we should resolve the conflict between us and the Naturals if we continue fighting like this?"
Hearing her question, Patrick looked up at Lacus but remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Seeing his reaction, Lacus went on.
"Uncle Zala, if the conflict between us and the Naturals remains unresolved, there will be no peace in the future. The clashes between us will only intensify, and armed conflict will persist.
War is a tremendous drain on a nation—it consumes not only resources but also its population.
You are well aware of PLANT's situation. Prolonged warfare will deal a devastating blow to PLANT."
At this point, Lacus took a deep breath and spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Do you truly wish to see such a thing happen?"
The pointed question hung in the air, and Patrick pondered it carefully. Lacus watched him think, saying nothing more as she waited silently for his response.
Time passed, minute by minute!
After a long while, Patrick emerged from his thoughts and turned to Lacus with a counter-question.
"Do you have a way to resolve the conflict between us and the Naturals?"
Lacus shook her head but then added.
"Though there is no complete solution, ending this war would send a signal of goodwill—it would show our willingness to turn hostility into friendship."
At the mention of ending the war, Patrick's expression turned stern, his voice resolute.
"Ending the war is possible, but the Earth Alliance must agree to our demands. If they are met, I can order an immediate cessation of hostilities."
With that, his tone shifted, laced with sarcasm.
"Your idea of ending the war wouldn't involve sacrificing PLANT's interests, would it?"
Shaking her head, Lacus replied with firm determination.
"I will not sacrifice PLANT's interests!"
Hearing her steadfast response, a flicker of curiosity crossed Patrick's face.
"Not sacrificing PLANT's interests?"
He chuckled lightly before asking.
"In that case, you plan to persuade the Earth Alliance to agree to our demands?"
Leaning back slightly in his chair, he continued.
"I've already given your father Siegel the opportunity—he's currently working on it, but as is evident, he hasn't succeeded."
Lacus looked surprised at this and responded.
"I can contact the doves within the Earth Alliance!"
Patrick sneered at the mention of the doves.
"A faction that can't even sit at the table for meals—what's the use of contacting them? Even if they agree to a million demands, it's all empty talk, completely useless!"
Lacus listened to Patrick's sarcasm without showing the slightest anger, replying with an unchanged smile.
"Though it may be as you say, being able to establish contact with them is ultimately beneficial."
After speaking, Lacus paused briefly before shifting the tone to ask in return.
"Isn't it?"