"Could you let the others go?"
Upon hearing this, 'Lacus' spoke in a gentle voice tinged with pleading. Felix smiled at this but then shook his head in refusal.
"I'm sorry, but this isn't something I can decide."
After refusing, Felix wiped the smile from his face and questioned sternly.
"Miss Clyne, do you surrender?"
"Do I have any other choice?"
'Lacus' glanced at the weapons in the hands of the people beside Felix, her expression somewhat forlorn as she replied in a discouraged tone.
Hearing this, Felix said nothing more and yielded the floor to Baron. Understanding the cue, Baron stepped forward with his assault rifle raised, aiming it at Lacus as he demanded sharply.
"Miss Clyne, please have the others inside the house lay down their weapons and come out, or we will continue to take action."
"Stop firing!"
Upon hearing this, 'Lacus' showed a trace of anxiety on her face and spoke up to stop Baron's actions. Baron's expression remained unchanged, his voice still stern as he replied.
"Then please have them lay down their weapons, Miss Clyne!"
"I understand."
Nodding, 'Lacus' looked despondently toward the house and gently persuaded her companions.
"Lay down your weapons and come out!"
After her plea, several reluctant replies echoed from inside the house.
"Yes, Miss Clyne."
Following the voices, several people emerged from the house with their hands on their heads. Each of them bore expressions of unwillingness and defiance.
Amy turned to 'Lacus' and said with a hint of apology.
"Miss Clyne, it's all our fault for not being able to protect you."
"Amy, don't say that." 'Lacus' shook her head and continued in a very gentle voice. "This was my own decision, and if anyone should apologize, it should be me. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been dragged into this."
"You'll have plenty of time to catch up once you're in the cells."
Seeing them conversing, Felix interrupted their talk. Upon hearing this, Amy glared fiercely at Felix and spat out viciously.
"We'll talk wherever we want! It's none of your business!"
"Alright! Alright!"
Seeing Amy's ferocious expression, Felix shrugged and magnanimously refrained from disturbing them further.
Ignoring the group, Felix turned to Baron and teased.
"Back to your old trade!"
"Yes, sir!"
Baron immediately understood, replying in a booming voice. After his response, Baron looked at his subordinates and gave the order.
"Several of you, follow me and handcuff these people."
"Yes, sir!"
After replying, they took out the pre-prepared handcuffs and followed Baron into action.
Watching Baron step forward, Felix suddenly remembered something and called out to him.
"Baron, wait a moment."
"Captain Griffith, is there something you need?"
Baron halted his steps, turning back to look at Felix with a puzzled expression. Felix glanced at Baron, then pointed toward the group above and spoke cautiously.
"To prevent any accidents, just toss the handcuffs over and have them put the handcuffs on themselves."
Upon hearing this, Baron thought for a moment and grinned foolishly.
"Captain Griffith, you're as thoughtful as ever."
"It's nothing." Felix waved his hand dismissively, then shifted the topic. "Actually, I didn't give thorough instructions earlier, so it's only right that I remind you now."
After speaking, Felix paid no further attention to Baron, pulling out his phone from his pocket. He swiped across the screen and quickly dialed Patrick's communication line.
After a brief ring, Patrick's somewhat displeased voice came through the comm.
"What is it?"
"Chairman, I apologize for disturbing your rest—"
"Just get to the point."
Before Felix could finish his apology, Patrick cut him off from the other end. Collecting his thoughts, Felix rephrased his report to Patrick.
"Chairman, we have successfully captured Lacus Clyne!"
"Alright, I'm aware." Patrick's reply came through the comm, followed by his inquiry. "Is there anything else?"
"Nothing more!"
Felix responded decisively.
As soon as he finished, Felix heard the beeping tone from the comm. Moving the phone away from his ear, he stared at the disconnected call and muttered under his breath.
"Why did he hang up so abruptly?"
"Captain Griffith, we've completed the arrest of Lacus Clyne and her entire group!"
Just as Felix was pondering this, Baron's voice sounded beside him. Snapping back to attention, he looked up at Baron and the group including 'Lacus,' calmly slipped his phone back into his pocket, and said indifferently.
"Take them away from here!"
"Yes!"
......
Meanwhile
Athrun, who had just returned home, retreated into his room and sat at his computer desk, operating the keyboard with one hand.
Simultaneously, he made a call.
After a few rings, the communication connected.
"Hello?"
"This is Athrun Zala!"
Hearing the voice on the other end, Athrun promptly identified himself. Upon hearing this, the other party's tone immediately became serious.
"Mr. Zala, how can I assist you?"
"Could you send me a copy of the surveillance footage of Lacus Clyne stealing the Freedom?"
Athrun stated his request clearly.
After hearing Athrun's request, a swift reply came through the comm.
"Certainly!"
"Thank you!"
Athrun expressed his gratitude.
In response to Athrun's thanks, the other party replied.
"You're too kind, Mr. Zala."
"Please hurry!"
Urging them briefly, Athrun then ended the call. Gazing at the computer screen, he waited quietly for the message.
Beep beep!!
A few alert sounds came through the computer speakers.
Athrun quickly operated the controls, opening the incoming file promptly. The video within the file began to play immediately.
Watching the video content, Athrun continued to operate the controls. Under his manipulation, the playback speed slowed significantly.
Through this slowed playback, Athrun's pupils suddenly contracted, his eyes filling with intense shock.
He manipulated the mouse to rewind the video slightly, then pressed pause. After pausing, Athrun continued his operations, gradually enlarging the frame.
Staring at the face on the screen, Athrun leaned back in his chair and murmured.
"Kira?"
After this murmur, Athrun recalled his previous battle with Kira, the scene and his own actions flashing through his mind. A bitter smile touched his lips.
"It can't be him."
After denying it, confusion surfaced in Athrun's heart.
'Who could this person really be?'
Carrying this bewilderment and doubt, Athrun repeatedly rewatched the video, continuously zooming in on the segment.
After going back and forth like this for an hour or two, Athrun stopped his actions. His eyes fixed on the screen with newfound determination, he whispered firmly to himself.
"I need to see for myself who he really is!"
......
The next day
PLANT's Central Government Office Building
In the Chairman's office
"Do you need something?"
Patrick looked at his son before him, his expression calm, his voice carrying a gentle inquiry. Hearing this, Athrun met his father's gaze, gathered his thoughts, and spoke.
"Chairman, I request to return to the Combat Roster and be deployed to Earth for combat!"
"Your request is denied!"
Patrick glanced at his son, rejecting him with a composed expression.
The refusal ringing in his ears, shock appeared on Athrun's face as he asked with confusion.
"Why?"
"Your next mission is to retrieve the Freedom for me. If it cannot be recovered, destroy it on site!"
Seeing the shock and confusion on his son's face, Patrick calmly picked up a new appointment document and conveyed its contents to his son.
Upon hearing this, Athrun looked down at the Letter of Appointment in his father's hand. Just as he reached out to take it, his father's voice sounded again.
"Besides this matter, you also need to investigate the circumstances of the Freedom's pilot. Find out why this person resembles Felix so closely!"
"Yes!"
Hearing this, Athrun saluted and accepted the mission. After speaking, he lowered his arm, stepped forward, and took the Letter of Appointment in his hand.
Turning, Athrun walked toward the office door.
Watching his son's retreating back, Patrick clenched the hand resting on the desk, then called out to stop him.
"Athrun!"
His father's call echoed behind him. Athrun halted his steps, turned to face his father, and spoke respectfully.
"Chairman, is there something else?"
"I've heard about Kira."
Patrick looked at his son, contemplated for a moment, then spoke. At his father's words, Athrun's body stiffened, his fists clenching tightly at his sides.
A look of intense pain instantly washed over his face.
Seeing the pained expression on his son's face, Patrick felt a pang of sorrow, an uncomfortable emotion rising in his heart. He stood up from his chair, walked around the desk, and stood before his son.
After standing quietly for a moment, he reached out and patted his son's shoulder, his voice softening as he comforted him.
"Athrun, you need to let go. Don't dwell on the pain any longer. Think more about your companions."
"Father, you don't need to comfort me deliberately. I've already come to terms with this matter."
Hearing his father's somewhat clumsy words of comfort, Athrun felt warmth in his heart. At the same time, he suppressed the inadvertent sadness and pain on his face, replying to his father with a smile.
Patrick looked at his son's current state, at the forced smile on his face. He wanted to continue comforting his son but found himself unable to say anything more. In the end, he channeled all his unspoken words into action.
He opened his arms and embraced his son, patting his back.
"Athrun, everything will pass! Everything will pass!"
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