His father's comforting words warmed Athrun's heart, yet memories of the battle and the decisions he had made flooded back, filling him with pain and sorrow once more.
Suppressing these emotions deep within, Athrun replied gently to his father.
"Dad, I'll be fine."
As he spoke, Athrun raised his arms to embrace his father.
Feeling his son's embrace, Patrick's heart ached even more. Just as he was about to offer more words of comfort, he felt Athrun pull away, and his son's voice rang out.
"Chairman, I'll take my leave now to attend to my duties."
Hearing his son's formal response, Patrick understood that Athrun did not wish to continue the conversation. Swallowing his unspoken words, Patrick looked at his son with gentle eyes and nodded.
"Alright! Stay safe on your journey!"
"Yes!"
Athrun nodded, replying calmly.
At this, Patrick reached out and patted Athrun's shoulder, his expression still tender.
"Go home and say hello to your mother. Spend some time with her before you depart."
"I understand, Dad."
Hearing his father's reminder, Athrun's demeanor softened, and his tone grew warmer as he replied.
Seeing the change in his son's expression, Patrick nodded gently.
"Mm."
...
Two hours later
In the hangar where the Justice Gundam was docked
Corridor
Athrun gazed calmly at the MS before him, then shifted his gaze to his uncle Yuri beside him.
"Uncle Yuri, what is this MS?"
"ZGMF–X09A, official name Justice. It's another MS developed concurrently with the Freedom, equipped with a Neutron Jammer Canceller and a Fission Nuclear Reactor, just like the Freedom."
Yuri turned to Athrun and calmly introduced the Justice. Upon hearing this, Athrun fixed his eyes back on the Justice.
Seeing Athrun's attention on the Justice, Yuri continued his explanation.
"Both the Freedom and the Justice are MS designs derived from the Genesis.
The Freedom inherited the Genesis's high mobility and firepower assault capabilities, while the Justice, while maintaining high mobility, inherited the Genesis's abilities in separated unit coordinated combat."
At this point, Yuri turned to Athrun, his expression tinged with apology, and went on.
"This war should have been a matter for us adults, yet it has fallen upon you children. I am deeply ashamed of this."
"Uncle Yuri, please don't say that."
Hearing this, Athrun turned to look at Yuri, replying with a tone of pleasant surprise. After responding, Athrun continued speaking.
"Uncle Yuri, this is what we should do as members of PLANT. Besides, you and others are also contributing to PLANT in other ways, aren't you?"
"Athrun, hearing you say that makes me both comforted and more ashamed."
Looking at Athrun, Yuri thought about his earlier response and replied with mixed feelings of comfort and shame. After hearing this, Athrun smiled slightly at Uncle Yuri, then remembered Nicol and asked Uncle Yuri about him.
"Uncle Yuri, how has Nicol been doing recently?"
"Still the same as before."
Hearing this, Yuri's face showed sorrow and grief as he replied in a somewhat desolate tone.
Seeing his uncle's expression, Athrun's eyes also welled up with sadness. He pressed his lips together, then turned to look at the Justice before him.
"Uncle Yuri, I'm heading out!"
"Mm." Hearing this, Yuri nodded and watched Athrun as he cautioned, "Be careful on your way!"
"I will."
...
"Athrun Zala, Justice launching!"
Meanwhile
District 5, Junius City
In an ordinary restaurant
"That's a pretty good disguise."
Felix looked at Lacus, who was wearing server's attire with her hair temporarily dyed and makeup applied, and praised with a smile.
Hearing this, Lacus smiled faintly and replied.
"Thank you for the compliment!"
After expressing thanks, Lacus asked Felix.
"How are things on Meer's side?"
"Temporarily detained in the detention center here in District 5 of Junius City, awaiting formal imprisonment."
Looking at Lacus, Felix smiled as he explained the situation while raising his glass of plain water to take a sip.
Hearing this, Lacus frowned slightly, her expression showing some unease as she said.
"Temporary detention shouldn't cause problems, but once formal imprisonment begins, they'll definitely test DNA and fingerprints. That's when problems will certainly arise."
"I know that."
Felix smiled, his expression calm and without any worry. Seeing this, Lacus raised her head and stared at Felix with her beautiful eyes, as if they were saying:
'What other preparations have you made?'
"My plan is only to capture Lacus Clyne. Whether Lacus Clyne remains in prison or not isn't important."
Seeing her curious expression, Felix said composedly. At this point, Felix picked up the teapot to refill his cup, then looked at Lacus with a smile while holding the cup.
Lacus suddenly understood, her face immediately showing some resentment. Her resentful gaze made Felix feel as if he had committed some unforgivable sin.
"Before you said these preparations were for me, but it turns out this was all for your own benefit!"
"Don't say that, I did make preparations for you too!"
Listening to her complaint, Felix smiled and said.
Upon hearing this, Lacus leaned back in her chair without a word, looking at Felix with an expression that said, "Go on, explain." Seeing this, Felix took out his phone and handed it to Lacus.
Lacuse looked at the phone Felix offered, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She glanced at Felix before reaching out to take the phone.
As she read the content on the screen, a trace of shock surfaced in her gaze. Turning to Felix, she spoke with a mix of surprise and doubt.
"Will this plan of yours actually work?"
"Absolutely. I've already prepared the necessary personnel. When the time comes, we'll move from District 5 of Junius City toward Aprilius City District 1, while the shuttle heads in the opposite direction, out of PLANT.
We'll carry out the personnel transfer at the designated location, creating the illusion that you've escaped PLANT."
Seeing the uncertainty on Lacus's face, Felix replied with a confident smile. Despite his reassurance, Lacus still felt a lingering unease.
"It still feels too risky to me!"
"Nothing worth doing comes without risk. If it were guaranteed to succeed, would we even need to go through all this trouble?"