"Daring to give away the Covenant? Be careful or Noel will flatten little Yzak into a pancake!"
Having said that, Patrick looked up at Ezalia and asked her, "For the two newly completed MS, the Covenant and the Rebirth, do you have any recommendations for who should pilot them?"
Ezalia glanced at Patrick and lowered her head to carefully consider suitable pilots when Patrick spoke up again. "How about letting Yzak pilot it?"
Ezalia looked up and stared at Patrick, firmly rejecting the idea. "No!"
Seeing how resolute Ezalia was, Patrick smiled faintly and teased, "Are you worried about people gossiping?"
Noting the playful expression on Patrick's face, Ezalia explained with reason and evidence, "Zala, Yzak's current military achievements are completely insufficient to justify him piloting a Nuclear Powered Machine. Therefore, I oppose entrusting the Covenant to Yzak."
Seeing how serious Ezalia was, Patrick dropped the suggestion of letting Yzak pilot the Covenant Gundam. Ezalia, in turn, stopped arguing with Patrick.
After a moment of silence between them, Ezalia stood up and took her leave from Patrick. "Zala, I'll go attend to my duties now."
Patrick glanced up at Ezalia and nodded slightly. "Mm."
Ezalia had just returned when she received a communication.
Pressing the answer button, her son's face appeared on the screen. "Yzak, is something the matter?"
Her expression softening, Ezalia asked gently.
Hearing his mother's voice, Yzak looked serious and made his request with utmost determination. "Councilor Joule, I request to be deployed to the lunar front for combat!"
Upon hearing this, Ezalia frowned slightly.
Sitting in her chair, she gazed at her son on the screen for a long while before speaking. "Do you know how intense the fighting is over there?"
Yzak's resolute and serious voice came through the speaker. "I am a soldier of the ZAFT Forces!"
Hearing her son's response, Ezalia felt both proud and a surge of worry rising in her heart.
Images of Nicol lying in the hospital flashed through her mind, ringing like alarm bells in her heart.
When no response came from his mother after a long pause, Yzak reminded her sternly, "Councilor Joule, please do not let personal feelings interfere!"
Hearing his words, Ezalia snapped back to attention. Her pride turned into a smile on her face, while she buried her worry deep inside.
Looking at her son, Ezalia said with a smile, "You've grown up, Yzak."
Hearing his mother's reply, Yzak's stern expression relaxed considerably. He saluted his mother and ended the communication.
Watching the screen go blank, Ezalia glanced down at the battle plans, her eyes resting on the Joule Team listed among the support units. A relieved smile spread across her face, but in her heart, she prayed, 'Please keep Yzak safe and bring him back!'
...
Meanwhile, at the Jachin Due Defense Line
Inside a Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship
After ending the communication, Yzak stood up and walked out of his room.
A few minutes later,
In the operations meeting room
Members of the Joule Team gathered here.
Standing on the platform, Yzak looked at the new and familiar faces among them, cleared his throat, and spoke.
"I have just requested Councilor Joule to deploy us for combat operations on the Moon front, where the fighting between our ZAFT and the Earth Alliance Forces is currently most intense."
"Going there could be described as a near-suicidal mission, so I will not force any of you to follow me."
At this point, Yzak took a deep breath and continued.
"So, if anyone wishes to withdraw, tell me now. I will submit a report to have you remain at the Jachin Due Defense Line!"
After speaking, Yzak scanned everyone seated in the room.
Among the crowd,
Shiho, seated near the front, was the first to speak.
"Captain Joule, I am willing to follow you to the Moon front for combat operations!"
Hearing Shiho's voice, Yzak nodded slightly and offered her a faint smile.
The smile reached Shiho's eyes, filling her with joy while also inadvertently revealing a hint of shyness.
Just then, responses from others began to ring out.
"Captain Joule, I will also follow you to the Moon front!"
"Captain Joule, I will follow you to the Moon front as well!"
...
One reply after another echoed.
Listening to these responses, Yzak felt both happy and deeply gratified. Facing everyone present, he bowed sincerely.
"Thank you for your loyalty!"
Inside the Hangar of December City District 1
The Providence Gundam, docked in the hangar, was transferred by the staff to the spaceport, where it was loaded onto a transport ship stationed there.
"ZGMF–X13A is in your hands."
The staff member handed over responsibility to the ZAFT soldiers aboard the transport ship.
The ZAFT soldier in charge of the handover nodded with a serious expression.
"Leave it to us!"
Hearing this, the staff member nodded back.
He then turned and walked out of the transport ship.
After the staff member left, the ZAFT soldiers began securing the Providence and conducting routine inspection procedures.
Creuset Team
Vesalius
In Creuset's room
Creuset sat at his desk, reviewing the latest combat orders on the screen, leaning back in his chair and lightly tapping the desktop.
After a moment, Creuset murmured to himself.
"Reinforce ZAFT forces on the Moon?"
After this murmur, Creuset summoned the captain of the Vesalius to his room.
A minute or two later,
"Commander, you called for me?"
The captain of the Vesalius stood before Creuset, saluted, and inquired.
Creuset looked up at him and gestured toward a seat in the room. Understanding the cue, the captain stepped forward and sat down.
Sitting upright, he focused his gaze on Creuset, awaiting instructions.
Looking at him, Creuset spoke.
"According to the latest combat orders, we will be heading to the Moon front for operations. Relay this news to everyone in the team."
Upon receiving the instruction, the Vesalius captain nodded.
"Yes!"
Hearing the response, Creuset posed a counter-question to him.
"How is my MS maintenance progressing?"
"It should be fully completed within one or two more days."
Upon hearing this, the captain of the Vesalius reported the maintenance status to Creuset. After finishing the report, his face showed clear indignation as he spoke up on Creuset's behalf.
"Captain, what exactly are the Defense Department and the Chairman thinking?"
Hearing his resentful tone, Creuset smiled gently and asked in return.
"What are your thoughts on this operation order?"
In response to the question, the captain of the Vesalius shook his head and said.
"I just feel it's unfair to you. It seems as if you're being looked down upon."
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