Alex and Steve left the port and found a hotel to rest for some time.
5TH March C.E. 71
The next day, Alex had breakfast at the hotel's restaurant and then left for the Zala mansion for his meeting with Patrick Zala, for which he also informed Patrick about his visit to his house today, when he arrived at the plants yesterday.
While he was going to the Zala Mansion, Alex was also finally checking the data for the SEED factor, for which he collected samples from Kira, Athrun, Cagalli, Lacus, and Shinn after extensive research by him he confirmed that the SEED factor is a Special Gene which works like a key to enable a person to utilize their abilities to their maximum potential which is not possible normally. Finally, he also found out that this key will only open when a person's body and mind are pushed beyond their regular limits continuously for a period of time in a highly emotional state. { Author notes: Although my explanation is not the exact situation of the SEED factor for this novel lets just assume this as a fact.}
Alex also compared the gene samples of himself and his family, along with Stella and Frey, and found that, except for his father, everyone else has the seed factor. As for his father, Alex decided to talk to him personally later and explain to him the effect and ability of the SEED factor gene, and then ask him if he wants to have his gene edited.
When Alex reached the Zala mansion, he was greeted by Lenore, who was informed of his visit and took him and Steve to the garden, where she arranged a table for a simple, leisurely family talk environment rather than a serious setting of a meeting between business partners. There, Patrick Zala was sitting in informal clothes to show his stand that he will take this meeting as one between friendly families rather than a diplomatic problem involving the Plants and ZAFT. As Alex and the others arrived, Patrick saw them and said.
Patrick, " Come, Alex, you and your friend can sit here, although it's only the second time we are meeting, our families can be considered friends who have helped each other for more than a year since you and your father saved Lenore. Your father's help with food during the beginning stages of the war was really helpful too."
Alex and Steve took their offered seats while Lenore went to get some snacks and drinks for everyone.
Alex said, " Uncle Patrick, I am happy to find that you think so well of our family, and also I want to apologize for any damages I might have caused the ZAFT during the time I piloted the Aegis Gundam Trueblue. As you know, my family is having the private space colony under construction between L3 and L4, and we need to have the ability to defend it ourselves if we want to be neutral after all we all saw the fate of Heliopolis, which was powerless when caught in a fight between the EA and ZAFT. Although the ZAFT might not attack us because of your reason, we still need to defend against the EA and Blue Cosmos. While our family might be able to acquire the MS from ZAFT for a certain price I would feel more at ease if we can have full control of the Manufacturing and maintenance of our MS. For which i even took great risk to steal the prototype MS data of the EA even using the family connections to get a spare machine in case I fail to get the data."
Patrick said " I can understand your desire to have power of your own to defend your colony Alex but i don't understand why you need to be neutral after all once you are in space with my and ZAFT protection you will not have to worry about EA anymore and knowing your father the space colony will be inherited by you who are a coordinator sooner than most expect so even in the ZAFT few would find a problem with it."
Alex said " Uncle Patrick though i am not old enough i do understand people well and i know the current chairman Siegel is losing his control and favor of the people of plant and you will soon be made the supreme chairman so even if you don't destroy the natural whom you despise i am sure you want to have your control exerted on them by winning the war and taking over the land on earth as much as possible. But i would like to gamble with you i for one feel this war will not end in anyone's victory and don't deny me soon let me explain my opinion on this matter and the conditions of my gamble as you can see from my choice to gamble with my life for the data of the G weapons that i always consider things fully before taking an action which is similar to gambling."
Although Patrick's face was a bit dark from hearing Alex say he would lose. As for Patrick, not winning is equivalent to losing, even if the EA also doesn't win. He still waited for Alex to continue his view on the war, as he too wanted to know what Alex thought about it and why he felt this war would end without any side winning.
Alex said, " Uncle, you should understand how the plants came to exist for the better development of space resources and how the plants declared independence to provide the coordinator a place where they are not oppressed by the naturals. So, although most of ZAFT consists of people who want to avenge the tragedy of Junius 7. You should also know that many people also don't want to lose any more of their families because of prolonged war, so even if, at a certain point in time, you can have your voice heard. Slowly as the war drags on and both sides suffer heavy casualties the Clyne faction will still win over people's sentiments and i am sure they would us what ever weapon you make to gain a vast advantage on the battlefield as a bargaining chip to get the EA to the negotiation table and might even sign truce most stupidly even if they might had a chance to have better conditions. As for the EA, they might accept the truce only because they need time to rest and build even stronger weapons than whatever you might have made."
Patrick said, " Yes, what you said is possible. But it is only possible if and when the war drags on for long, but I plan to end quickly, and I even have a plan ready for it, so the possibility you speak of is not going to happen."
Alex said, " I know, Uncle, that is why I said I want to gamble. As for why I think your plan won't work, you don't really need me to explain it, do you? As for the gamble, if you win, the Ashford family will transfer all its properties, including the space colony, under your disposal, and if you lose i hope you can pretend to be dead for some time and stay away from the Plant politics and live in the space colony with us as for your living conditions you should know we won't make you suffer and for security if you feel you can't trust us you can bring in your trusted aides and their family."
Patrick said, " If you put it that way, it really makes me unable to not accept the gamble after all your family property is not small once the space colony is completed. But why do you want me to pretend to be dead ?"
Alex said, " Trust me, Uncle, you don't seriously believe those Clyne faction members are all kind people, do you? Some of them might be crazier than you in their opinions of peace and war. If necessary, they won't hesitate to kill you. As for why I want you to live is naturally because our families are close, and more importantly, if you are alive, we can still use your connections later for serious situations ."
Alex also told Patrick how their company is making a new inner armor, which is of high quality while being thin, and also asked Patrick to use it after he confirms it's not bugged, while also hiding some thin blood packs in between the armor and clothes that can't cause doubts, so in case someone attacks, he can pretend to be dead.
Patrick thought about it and accepted Alex's conditions, as he didn't feel he would lose the war, and he didn't think there would be any information leak for his plan against the EA. Just as they were done with their little chat Lenore came back with some snacks and drinks and asked Alex how long he would stay when she heard he would be leaving soon she felt sad they couldn't spend more time and talked about how even her son is now always away with military operations and how lonely and worried she is currently, Patrick who heard Lenore mention about Athrun's situation also felt guilty but didn't say anything.