Black Tortoise Bridge
Lenore, seated in a wheelchair, and Athrun connected with Patrick.
Before his avatar appeared, Patrick's urgent voice came through first: "Lenore! Are you alright?"
As the screen lit up, his hawk-like eyes locked onto Lenore in the wheelchair. His gaze swept over her hands, his voice trembling with suppressed anger: "How bad is it?"
"I'm fine," Lenore raised her hands slightly. "Just broken. Some rest and recovery will fix it."
"Don't move around, rest properly," he said before turning to Athrun with a stern tone: "Athrun! How could you let this happen to your mother!"
Facing Patrick, Athrun stiffened his posture, standing straight with his chest out: "I'm sorry."
"Hmph!" Patrick snorted coldly, his tone severe: "After you return, report to the military academy for intensive training. You've grown lax recently! Failing to protect your own family is disgraceful!"
Athrun lowered his gaze upon hearing this, remaining silent where he stood.
"Your response!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Patrick!" Lenore's voice rang out with anger. "Athrun did his best this time, don't be too harsh!"
Patrick fell silent, shifting his gaze to Zhou Tianming and Lacus.
"Zhou Tianming, as expected of you. Well done."
Zhou Tianming frowned. Patrick's words always carried a condescending tone that felt deeply uncomfortable.
Back in the day, he wasn't this imperious, but since rising in rank, this oppressive demeanor had become increasingly pronounced.
Not wanting to engage further, Zhou Tianming raised his hand and rubbed his fingers: "Just doing the job I'm paid for."
"Any interest in joining ZAFT?"
Zhou Tianming shook his head in refusal.
"Pity." Patrick glanced at Lacus before saying, "The payment will be transferred shortly. Return Lenore as soon as possible."
Athrun suddenly spoke up: "Father, I want to—"
A stern glare shot his way.
Athrun immediately shrank back, not daring to continue.
"Patrick," Lenore said, "Athrun and I are safe here. We'll stay for now to avoid interfering with your operations."
"But..." Patrick glanced at Lacus again.
Zhou Tianming followed his gaze—Lenore, Athrun, Lacus...
Suddenly it dawned on him.
With the children of both the Chairman and the Defense Committee Head in his custody, no wonder Patrick was anxious to get them back.
If he had any ill intentions, he could essentially take down all of PLANT in one move.
Lenore smiled, her eyes curving but radiating coldness: "Patrick~"
Patrick's eyes flickered as he averted his gaze.
"Zhou Tianming, don't betray the trust Siegel and I have placed in you!"
With that, he cut the communication.
Athrun let out a sigh, his entire body relaxing.
Zhou Tianming observed quietly from the side, sighing inwardly.
Facing Patrick, Athrun seemed like a completely different person—clearly both admiring and afraid of him.
No wonder the family became practically nonexistent after Lenore's death in the original story. Without her as the lubricant between them, it'd be strange if father and son didn't have problems. "Athrun." Lenore smiled, her gaze as gentle as warm sunlight. "Don't blame your father for being strict. He's just worried about us. You've done wonderfully."
Athrun's furrowed brow relaxed slightly, but when he noticed Lenore's hands, his lips drooped with self-reproach.
The Bridge fell silent, the atmosphere growing stiff.
Lenore looked at Athrun with heartache. "Athrun, you've already done your best."
"But I failed to protect Mother, and even got her injured while protecting me."
This child was being too hard on himself.
Zhou Tianming shot Lacus a look - time for the understanding big sister to step up!
Lacus blinked her gray eyes, completely clueless.
He rolled his eyes - useless!
So all the intimacy in the original story was just acting. These two had zero chemistry.
Zhou Tianming said, "Athrun, you look exhausted. Go rest first."
Athrun shook his head and stood beside Lenore. "I need to take care of Mother."
"I'll take you to see Kira when you wake up."
He hesitated.
"Leave Aunt Lenore to me," Lacus said cheerfully as she approached. "I'd like to chat with Aunt Lenore. Your parents must have had many interesting stories - I'm so curious!"
Lenore added, "Athrun, go rest."
After looking around, he nodded softly. "Alright."
Zhou Tianming stepped forward and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Come on, I'll show you to your room. Rest well and regain your strength. You don't want Kira worrying about you, do you?" Watching them leave, Lenore sighed. "This child..."
PLANT, October, October City -
An entire street block had been evacuated. Soldiers in ZAFT military green uniforms, wearing black bulletproof vests and carrying assault rifles, surrounded a European-style church building.
Patrick in his purple uniform stood with hands behind his back behind the crowd. "No need to take prisoners."
"Yes sir!" The black-uniformed commander saluted and began assigning tasks.
The soldiers advanced rapidly toward the main door with covering fire.
Just then, the church's white-and-gold arched door over three meters tall slowly opened.
A young man walked out smiling, completely unafraid of the surrounding guns as he bowed. "Lord Patrick, Bishop Leoni is waiting for you inside."
Patrick snorted disdainfully. "I don't want to see him anymore. It's too late to beg for mercy now!"
The man's mouth fell open in surprise. "Beg for mercy? How could we? We would never do anything that damages Coordinators' dignity." Patrick laughed scornfully. "You still think you're qualified to negotiate with me?"
"Of course. Like you, Lord Patrick, we're working for Coordinators' future. I believe you can understand us." "Fine, I'll talk with you."
Cold light shone in Patrick's eyes.
The black-uniformed commander nearby urgently said, "Sir."
Patrick raised his arm to cut him off, addressing the man before the church. "We can talk if you die here first to show your sincerity."
"Hahaha." The man laughed heartily.
The surrounding soldiers grew alert, aiming their guns at various parts of his body.
Patrick watched coldly with a mocking smile.
"As you command! Lord Patrick!"
As he spoke, the man drew a small knife from his chest and slit his own throat without hesitation.
Crimson liquid sprayed from his neck.
His clothes were stained red in an instant, the glaring scarlet splattering wildly across the ground.
His face showed no trace of pain, his mouth stretched wide in a grin.
Patrick and everyone else were stunned by the scene, staring with wide eyes.
Only when the man collapsed lifeless on the floor did the silence break.
A deathly hush fell over the crowd, a chill creeping into every heart.
Patrick's mocking smile faded, his expression turning blank as he watched.
After a moment, he stepped forward.
"My lord!" A figure in black moved to block Patrick's path. "It's too dangerous for you to go in alone!"
"If he could do it, why should I hesitate?" Patrick pushed past the black-clad figure. "Wait here. I'll hear what else they have to say."
Striding ahead without fear, Patrick walked into the church, stepping through the man's blood and leaving a trail of crimson footprints behind him.
Inside the church hall, rows of seats on both sides were filled with people.
They sat in complete silence, watching Patrick enter with looks of reverence, admiration, and fervor.
Patrick swept his gaze over the crowd but did not slow his pace.
At the far end of the hall, on a raised platform, sat Leoni in a wheelchair, his hair entirely white.
His eyes were sunken, his body emaciated. An oxygen mask covered his face, and an IV stand attached to the back of his wheelchair held four bottles of medicine.
"You've come, Patrick."
His voice was dry and raspy, each word labored with breathlessness.
Patrick approached and glanced over Leoni. "It seems I arrived just in time—before you died."
"Heh…" Leoni let out a grating laugh. "Patrick, I am entrusting the Holy Order to you."