Mikazuki piloted Gundam Barbatos, following the Freedom's signal on his radar from a distance.
"Mika, any further and we'll hit P.L.A.N.T.'s Jachin Due defense line. P.L.A.N.T. itself is right behind it. What's the plan?"
Having visited P.L.A.N.T. once before, Mikazuki knew a bit about Jachin Due. It was arguably P.L.A.N.T.'s most formidable line of defense; if it were breached, the Earth Alliance could strike directly at P.L.A.N.T.'s heart.
"Can we reach Lacus?"
"No, the distance is too great to establish a link... Wait, I almost forgot. Doesn't Barbatos have a stealth function? We can slip right through their line."
"Oh, right. I haven't used that in so long, I forgot."
Barbatos, which had been lingering behind a meteorite, suddenly vanished into thin air. It drifted boldly through the gaps in the Jachin Due line, its presence remaining completely undetected by the defense grid's radar and monitors.
In less than half an hour, Mikazuki successfully crossed the line.
However, during the crossing, he spotted the shuttle Athrun was aboard docked at the Jachin Due space fortress. It was surrounded by two GINNs with their rifles trained on it. Kira had already headed back long before they reached Jachin Due.
Mikazuki did not deactivate his stealth. He didn't like overthinking things, but he wasn't a fool. If he revealed himself now, it would only put Athrun in greater dangera classic case of doing more harm than help.
He narrowed his eyes and steered Barbatos into a hidden sector, tucking the machine away.
"What? Not going further in?" Orga asked, sounding confused. "If we get closer, we might be able to contact her."
Mikazuki shook his head and pulled off his helmet, reaching for a bag of energy bars.
"No, we wait here. I have a feeling she'll show up at this spot."
"Show up? You mean..."
Mikazuki didn't answer, silently eating the energy bar to recover his strength. Orga closed one eye and stopped asking questions. Sometimes, Mikazuki's intuition was uncannily accurate.
Time ticked by. Mikazuki leaned back in his seat and drifted into a light sleep, though he was ready to wake at the slightest movement. Meanwhile, Orga remained on high alert.
Back in P.L.A.N.T., Athrun was brought to see his father. Having arrived in an Earth Alliance shuttle, he was immediately detained and taken to Patrick Zala's office.
Father and son erupted into a fierce argument. Patrick demanded to know the location of the Justice Gundam. What chilled Athrun to the bone was his father's unshakable conviction that the war could only end with the total annihilation of all Naturalsan ideology that seemed rooted too deep to be swayed.
The confrontation ended with Patrick shooting Athrun. Wounded in the right arm, Athrun was ruthlessly ordered to be thrown into prison until he revealed the location of the Justice. Patrick even authorized the use of torture.
It was heartless in the extreme, yet from Patrick's perspective, it was logical. Both the Justice and the Freedom were equipped with Neutron Jammer Cancelers. If those machines fell into the hands of the Earth Alliance, the consequences would be catastrophic.
On one hand was the physical suffering of his son; on the other was the survival of millions of fellow Coordinators. Patrick knew which carried more weight. Furthermore, all of ZAFT knew Athrun was his son; even if they used torture, they wouldn't actually kill him.
Patrick set his pistol on the desk and leaned down to pick up a photo that had fallen and shattered during the earlier commotion. Staring at the image of the woman holding a young Athrun, a look of confusion crossed his face.
"Why does Athrun doubt me? Peace is so close, if only we eliminate the Naturals... why can't he understand me?"
Even now, Patrick failed to realize that he had been consumed by an endless cycle of hatred, leaving him with only the most radical solutions for dealing with the Naturals.
In a hidden factory within the satellite barrier, a pink warship sat quietly at its berth. This was the Eternal, ZAFT's newest and most advanced vessel.
Andrew Waltfeld, who had been recalled to his home country, served as the ship's captain. He was leisurely sipping coffee when a communication chirped on his monitor.
"Ah, Aisha. What's the status? Are you almost here?"
"That's right, Andy. I'm with Ms. Lacus now; we'll be there in a moment. DaCosta has gone to rescue 'that person.' Based on the timing, it should be about finished. You can make your move."
"Understood."
A smirk played across Andrew's lips as he picked up the intercom.
"Dalli, notify everyone to prepare for action. The Eternal Diva is about to depart to sing her song of peace."
Moments later on the Eternal, ZAFT soldiers were systematically being forced off the ship at gunpoint by people wearing the very same uniforms. Those driven off were utterly baffled, having no idea what was happening.
Elsewhere, Athrun successfully escaped his captors with the help of a small group.
Patrick received the news almost instantly.
"What? He escaped? How did this happen?"
"My sincerest apologies... there were moles among the escorts. We were caught completely off guard."
Patrick's face darkened instantly.
"Tch. Initiate an emergency manhunt across the entire city immediately. Seal the ports and have the military issue an alert. He must not escape!"
"Sir!"
After cutting the transmission, Patrick looked up at the dim ceiling.
"Athrun..."
Two hours later, Lacus and Andrew's partner, Aisha, arrived at the Eternal. Dressed in a sharp captain's uniform, Lacus sat in the command chair and smiled at Andrew.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. Your safety is what matters most."
Andrew shared a tender look with Aisha, who was seated at the gunner's station. Both could see the deep care and affection in each other's eyes.
Lacus smiled at the sight and spoke.
"Thank you. Now then... let us depart."
Sitting inside Barbatos, Mikazuki's eyes snapped open, a faint smile touching his lips.
"It's time to go."
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