Chapter 384: The Eternal Sets Sail 2
Patrick said angrily, "Athrun, do you even know what you're saying? Where did you pick up these absurd ideas? Could it be that you, too, have been deceived and confused by that woman Lacus Clyne?"
Athrun replied just as angrily, "I haven't! Fighting back and forth with nothing but force—do you really think, Father, that this can end the war? If things continue like this, it's impossible for the war to ever end."
"It can end! As long as all Naturals are wiped out, this war will be over!" Enraged beyond restraint, Patrick grabbed Athrun by the collar and continued roaring, "Answer my questions right now, Athrun! What happened to the Justice Gundam and the Freedom Gundam? Where are they?
If you don't answer clearly, even if you are my son, I won't let you off easily."
"Father, do you really want to do this?" Hearing his father declare that exterminating all Naturals was the way to end the war, Athrun's face filled with sorrow and disappointment. He asked angrily, "Do you really intend to wipe out all Naturals?"
"Don't be naïve, Athrun. That is the very purpose of this war. Have you forgotten that already? We've fought until now precisely for that goal."
Patrick, beside himself with fury, shoved Athrun hard to the ground, then pulled a handgun out of his desk drawer.
Athrun, having fallen to the floor, was plunged into even deeper confusion by his father's words and actions. With a hollow, lifeless look, he slowly sat up.
Patrick held the handgun, disengaged the safety, chambered a round, and aimed it at Athrun as he said furiously, "You stubborn, incorrigible idiot! Stop spouting useless nonsense and answer my questions! Where exactly are the Justice Gundam and the Freedom Gundam?
If you still don't answer me, I will not show mercy again. I'll treat even you as a traitor and have you arrested. Athrun!"
But Athrun remained silent, not saying a single word.
Furious, Patrick immediately called for the soldiers outside. They rushed in with submachine guns raised, all aiming at Athrun.
After waiting a moment, Patrick issued his final ultimatum. "Athrun, this is your last chance. Answer my questions now."
Facing a father he could no longer communicate with, the utterly despairing Athrun suddenly snapped. With a roar, he charged straight at his father.
Patrick had never expected such a reaction from Athrun. In his panic, he instinctively raised the gun and fired. The shot hit Athrun in the shoulder, knocking him back to the ground.
"You—seize him! I still have questions I need him to answer. I don't care if you have to use torture—I must know the whereabouts of the Justice Gundam and the Freedom Gundam!"
The two soldiers immediately stepped forward and hauled Athrun up. In full view of everyone, they dragged him toward the interrogation rooms.
At the same time, DaCosta, who was outside the headquarters, saw Athrun being detained. He immediately blended into the crowd and began preparing a rescue plan.
When they reached the transport vehicle, Athrun suddenly thought of Kira and immediately began resisting.
Taking advantage of the soldiers' momentary inattention, he rammed into one of them, knocking him aside. Then he followed up with a flying kick, sending another soldier crashing away.
DaCosta, who had infiltrated the escort unit, stared wide-eyed at Athrun—his hands bound yet attempting to flee on his own. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how absurdly brave this brainless crown prince really was.
"What are you doing?! Get out of here, now!" DaCosta raised his submachine gun and rushed in front of the staggering Athrun, covering him while tossing out a flash grenade.
Then he turned and sprinted to Athrun's side, firing as he ran and shielding Athrun as they fled.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Eternal, Desert Tiger Andrew picked up the phone and issued a coded order to the entire ship. "This vessel is now entering final test preparations. Do you hear me? Final test preparations. Everyone, begin work immediately."
Beside him, Aisha smiled as she leaned close to Andrew—his face bearing several scars, his eyes sharp and bright. "Andy, is the plan finally starting? We're finally about to welcome Her Highness the Princess."
Andrew gently touched Aisha's flawless cheek and replied happily, "Yes. The Pink Princess will be here soon. The hope of peace is about to set sail."
Immediately afterward, Desert Tiger's subordinates raised their pistols and drove off all ZAFT soldiers who were not part of their unit from the ship.
"What's going on? What are you doing?!" the soldiers being forced off the ship shouted in shock, staring at the gunmen around them.
"Just get off. Don't worry about anything else," the Desert Tiger's soldiers said, pushing them off the Eternal without explanation.
At the same time, Lacus and Tolle's group successfully arrived aboard the Eternal.
Now dressed in a captain's uniform, Lacus thanked Andrew and Aisha on the bridge. "Thank you for all your trouble, Andrew, Aisha."
Andrew turned back and replied, "It's no trouble at all. As long as you're safe, that's what matters most."
Aisha also smiled and said, "Miss Lacus, welcome aboard."
At this moment, they noticed Tolle standing behind Lacus. Andrew looked surprised and joked, "Oh? A pilot from the Earth Forces' Archangel—who would've thought you'd come along too? Looks like the story of Miss Lacus being kidnapped by the Earth Alliance is about to become a fact."
"Andy." Aisha shot Andrew a glare, then smiled and extended her hand to Tolle. "You're Tolle, right? Welcome to join us."
Tolle immediately reached out, felt the softness of Aisha's hand, and replied, "It's my honor to join you."
Then he turned his head and said to Andrew with a grin, "Tiger, a small correction—I'm not an Earth Alliance soldier anymore.
Let me introduce myself properly. I'm now a colonel and commander of a special independent force of the Orb Union."
Andrew spread his perfectly intact hands and replied, "Ah, then my apologies. Still, I didn't expect you to rise through the ranks so quickly—colonel at such a young age. I really can't compare."
Then he added seriously, "In that case, let's depart at once."
Lacus replied with an excited smile, "Yes. Eternal, sortie."
At once, the crew on the bridge sprang into action, activating all of the Eternal's power engines.