Zhou Tianming's words made Lacus hesitate for a moment, but the next second she picked up the phone with a determined expression and smiled at him.
"I'm grateful that Brother Tianming doesn't treat me like a child. Mom and Dad always hide the truth from me to keep me from worrying."
"But I understand - as Siegel Clyne's daughter, there are many things I cannot avoid. I've enjoyed privileged comforts, so naturally I must bear corresponding responsibilities."
Looking at this girl, Zhou Tianming couldn't help but sigh inwardly - truly worthy of being Lacus Clyne.
When the call connected, Lacus explained the situation and their speculations to Siegel.
Silence lingered on the other end before a calm voice responded: "I understand. Please thank Tianming for me."
"Dad..." Lacus whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Silly child." Siegel sighed. "Your father and Uncle Patrick have held different ideologies for quite some time. Some things are clear to everyone involved. Don't overthink it - I'll handle this."
"Mhm."
After hanging up, Siegel's expression darkened in his office. He frowned deeply, thought for a moment, then pressed the communication button on his desk:
"Contact Patrick Zala and have him come see me as soon as possible."
"Understood."
Leaning back in his creaking chair, Siegel tilted his head back and closed his eyes in contemplation.
He trusted Patrick, but he also understood how important Lenore was to him.
Considering this factor, he couldn't predict how Patrick would react.
One thing was certain - he knew he wasn't as important to Patrick as Lenore was.
"The Holy Order plays this hand well indeed. Since they couldn't persuade Patrick, they're trying to turn us against each other through these means."
His brow remained furrowed. "But this will only make Patrick less likely to spare them. What are these fanatics thinking?"
Siegel felt genuinely troubled, unable to get inside the minds of religious zealots.
Click
The circular doorknob turned as Patrick strode briskly to the desk with a stern expression: "Siegel, what requires my personal presence?"
Opening his eyes, Siegel looked at him and asked: "Did you send people to pick up Lenore?"
Patrick's eyebrows shot up as his hands tightened. "Yes, why?"
"I just received a call from Lacus. She told me Lenore previously commissioned Zhou Tianming to escort her and her child back to PLANT, but he never made contact with them."
Patrick exhaled in relief. "So that's it. No need for alarm - my people probably picked them up first given the timing."
"Are you absolutely certain they're your people?"
"Of course." Patrick's brow furrowed. "Lenore contacted me personally and verified both the mission code and password."
"But Zhou Tianming confirmed that one of the three people who took Lenore was from the Holy Order."
"Impossible!" Patrick's eyes widened. "How could I let their people take Lenore when I was just about to move against them?"
Ding-dong—
A notification sound came from the computer indicating a received email.
Siegel opened it to find over a dozen photos in the attachment.
Through the translucent floating screen, Patrick could see the content too, though the reversed image made it unclear.
He hurried to Siegel's side for a closer look.
The photos showed Lenore and Athrun leaving with three people wearing ZAFT red uniforms.
The headshots of the three ZAFT soldiers had been enlarged and processed, making them very clear.
Patrick's face darkened as he slammed the table. "How could it be them! Smith-Landon, Tris Abville, Bonnie West!"
Siegel recognized them too—they were the Holy Order's most elite assassins, notorious on most wanted lists.
Gritting his teeth audibly, Patrick clenched his fists tightly. "Good, very good. They actually dared to lay hands on Lenore."
Siegel suddenly spoke up: "Have they contacted you? Taking Lenore means they have demands..."
He stared intently into Patrick's eyes.
Patrick's eyes blazed with boundless fury and a cruel cold light. "No! If they dare harm a single hair on Lenore's head, I'll make them wish they were dead."
The rage was genuine—the Holy Order had touched his reverse scale and would be torn to shreds.
This was what Siegel couldn't understand.
The Holy Order had always shown signs of trying to win Patrick over, but this move severed all possibilities.
Patrick would never forgive anyone who harmed Lenore.
"According to Zhou Tianming's speculation, they might threaten you into relaxing your protection of me to create an opportunity to deal with me."
Patrick sneered. "Looks like they're desperate, still thinking about killing you in this situation. Such short-sighted fools!" "Go check the information quickly. Zhou Tianming is nearby right now. As long as we locate them, he'll definitely rescue Lenore and Athrun."
"I'll investigate personally!" Patrick rushed out of the room, pausing at the doorway to look back. "Grant me heavy weapons authorization. Once we rescue Lenore, I want them dead and buried!"
Siegel responded with a mix of amusement and exasperation: "Don't. PLANT can't withstand that kind of damage. We'd have to repair everything you blow up."
"Hmph, petty change. Just approve it quickly!"
With that, he strode away briskly.
About half an hour later, the Black Tortoise received a communication from Patrick.
On the bridge, his large face appeared on the screen.
Just through the screen, Zhou Tianming could feel the surging anger radiating from Patrick's expression.
His tone was equally forceful and aggressive: "I'm sending you their information now. These audacious bastards actually targeted Lenore. You don't need to take prisoners—eliminate them all!"
Zhou Tianming felt uncomfortable with this commanding tone but couldn't be bothered to argue with someone about to explode.
He nodded. "No problem."
Patrick's tone softened slightly. "We owe you for this. Thank you."
"After all, I accepted the commission from Lenore's sister. Remember to pay up."
"Hmph, you'll get your share." Patrick's face stiffened, his tone slightly awkward. "Don't call Lenore 'sister'—it's too frivolous. Call her aunt instead." Zhou Tianming raised an eyebrow, his expression peculiar.
Was this... jealousy?
This guy really loves Lenore deeply, no wonder he went completely mad in the original storyline.
Looking at it this way, poor Athrun was truly an accident—without Lenore, Patrick worked him to the bone.
Zhou Tianming curled his lips into a smile. "Alright, I'll call Lenore 'aunt' from now on."
Patrick nodded with satisfaction.
"But if she asks, I'll say Uncle Patrick insisted."
Patrick's face froze. He coughed twice, his voice deep: "Whatever!""
With that, he cut off the communication and vanished from the screen.
Lacus, seated in the corner, let out a light laugh. "I've never seen Uncle Patrick like this before."
Remembering his fate in the original story, Zhou Tianming murmured, "How fate plays with people."
Lacus glanced at him curiously.
Noticing her gaze, Zhou Tianming shook his head. "It's nothing."
He then began reviewing the documents Patrick had sent.
The Holy Order's infiltration into PLANT was truly comprehensive, rivaling even Blue Cosmos.
According to the information, they had not only replaced field agents without authorization but also easily obtained classified intel like ciphers—the entire process followed official channels.
If not for the clues Lenore left behind, which he discovered and traced, this operation would have remained completely undetected.
In the documents, Zhou Tianming also noticed that the opposition had privately mobilized ten Ginn Mobile Suits from the warehouse. Patrick had even boldly highlighted this classified detail.
It was clear he was furious, completely disregarding the risk of exposing secrets.
Lacus leaned over curiously and saw the MS descriptions. "Are these the same type as that giant in your warehouse?"
"Don't joke," Zhou Tianming said dismissively. "Mine is a Gundam!"
Lacus looked puzzled.
He couldn't be bothered to explain—what would a woman know about Gundams anyway!
Seeing Zhou Tianming ignore her, Lacus wrinkled her nose and glared fiercely at the back of his head.