Hearing Dearka's cheerful agreement, Murrue, Mu, Ro, and Gai Murakumo looked up at him. Feeling their gazes, Dearka grinned openly at them.
After a moment, he spoke.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Mu shook his head in response.
Having said that, Mu turned his gaze to Lacus. Lost in thought, Lacus nodded as well, her voice tinged with helplessness.
"This is indeed the only effective solution."
Then, she abruptly changed the tone of her words.
"However, this method can only halt the war temporarily. After we withdraw, the conflict between PLANT and the Earth Alliance will inevitably resume.
This outcome is far from what we desire."
"That's true," Mu agreed with a nod.
After speaking, Mu crossed his arms and began pondering a way to end the war completely.
The others followed suit, lost in similar thoughts.
"Lacus, what is my brother's idea?" Kira asked, looking at Lacus amidst his contemplation.
Lacus thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"He hasn't shared the specifics with me." Then, she shifted the conversation. "But based on some of his thoughts, it seems he intends to intervene and stop the war only when both PLANT and the Earth Alliance are exhausted."
"When both sides are exhausted?"
Everyone murmured the words almost in unison.
A moment later, they grasped the implication and turned their attention back to Lacus.
"That is indeed a very effective approach," they said almost simultaneously.
Lacus remained silent, merely nodding calmly in response. After a brief pause, she added,
"This method is indeed effective, but before it can be implemented, many lives will be lost in the war."
With that, Lacus pushed aside her sorrow and changed the subject.
"We still have some time to think about this matter. For now, let's discuss the plan to raid the Ptolemy Military Base."
"Alright."
...
On the Moon
Bridge of the Athena
"Where is Felix?" Patrick asked Aric, noticing Felix's absence on the communication screen.
Aric explained,
"Chairman, the Captain is exhausted from the intense combat and has fallen asleep."
Understanding the situation, Patrick moved on without further inquiry about Felix and asked,
"What is the current status?"
Aric responded firmly,
"Chairman, we have successfully held the Lorentz Military Base so far."
"Can we continue to hold it?" Patrick nodded slightly and pressed further.
Hearing this, Aric's expression turned grave. After a moment of thought, he replied.
"Our casualties are heavy, but we can still hold our position."
Upon hearing about the heavy casualties, Patrick thought for a moment before speaking.
"Continue holding the line. I will arrange for reinforcements to be sent to Lorentz Military Base."
As he spoke, Patrick's tone grew serious.
"You must hold Lorentz Military Base at all costs, tie down the Earth Alliance Forces on the lunar front, and prevent the war from spreading to our homeland."
"You can rest assured, Chairman."
With a solemn expression, Aric saluted as he replied.
Patrick nodded upon hearing this and promptly ended the communication with Aric.
After the call ended, Aric organized the information he had just received and thought to himself,
'I need to inform Miss Clyne and the others about this news.'
...
Aboard the Eternal
While everyone was in discussion, Martin approached Andrew. Noticing Martin, Andrew paused the discussion and asked,
"Is something the matter?"
"Captain, we've received the latest update from Captain Griffith."
Martin looked at Andrew as he spoke.
Hearing this, Lacus addressed Martin,
"What is the message?"
"The Chairman has ordered us to continue holding Lorentz Military Base and has also decided to send reinforcements."
Martin turned to Lacus and relayed the message.
Athrun was taken aback by this news and fell into quiet contemplation. As Athrun pondered, Mu glanced at him and said,
"It seems our assumptions were incorrect."
Athrun looked at Mu upon hearing this and nodded with resignation.
"My analysis was indeed wrong."
After saying this, Athrun began operating the display screen. The content on the screen changed dramatically, drawing everyone's attention.
While manipulating the display, Athrun explained,
"If my earlier assumptions were wrong, then holding Lorentz Military Base means they intend to engage the Earth Alliance Forces in a decisive battle here.
In other words, the conflict on the moon will not only continue but will escalate in scale.
The side that loses will completely lose this war."
As he finished speaking, the content on the screen finalized.
Athrun then looked up at the group, but they continued studying the information he had prepared.
After a moment, Andrew looked up at Athrun and said gravely,
"If that's the case, we'll have to abandon our previous plan to launch a surprise attack on Ptolemy Military Base."
"If we give up that plan, then our only remaining option is direct intervention in the war."
Mu looked at Andrew as he spoke.
Hearing Mu's words, Murrue turned to look at him before nodding toward Andrew.
"Mu is right. I support his view."
"But given our current situation, intervening in the war now won't help stop it, and might even cost all of us our lives."
Ro glanced at Mu before addressing Lacus.
Lacus looked at Mu upon hearing this and nodded calmly.
"You're right."
"It seems my brother's idea is the only option we have left."
Kira looked at everyone as he spoke.
Lacus glanced at Kira upon hearing this, then turned her gaze to the others. What she saw were eyes reflecting the same expression as Kira's.
Feeling such gazes, Lacus clenched her fists tightly before letting them fall open weakly.
"Yes."
Seeing this, Andrew looked at Lacus and comforted her.
"Miss Clyne, we are not entirely without means to change things, so you needn't feel so sorrowful."
As he spoke, Andrew reached out and patted Lacus's shoulder, continuing.
"As long as it's not the final moment, there is still time."
Lacus nodded gently upon hearing this.
"Yes."
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