After a long silence, Patrick Zala spoke in a somewhat heavy voice.
"Was there anything pointing to Rau Le Creuset?"
An answer came over the comms.
"We have no clear evidence at present."
Patrick silently ended the call. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
After considerable thought, Patrick made his decision.
The fingers tapping his desk moved to the communicator's buttons, and he placed a call.
"Speaker!"
A voice came over the comms, and Patrick spoke.
"Continue the investigation, but withdraw the surveillance on Rau Le Creuset."
"Yes, Speaker."
With that reply, the call ended.
Patrick then began making arrangements on other fronts.
Half an hour later, the communicator rang in his office. Patrick glanced at it and pressed the answer button.
"What is it?"
"Zala, did you order the surveillance on Rau Le Creuset withdrawn?"
"That's right."
Patrick nodded slightly as he answered.
After hearing his reply, Eileen fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Are you planning to put Rau Le Creuset back into service?"
"You know our current situation. We need high-end combat power to maintain our defensive lines and keep our homeland secure."
Patrick nodded slightly and spoke frankly.
Eileen did not answer immediately. She thought for a long time before speaking.
"Zala, give some more thought to what happened to Athrun."
At those brief, calm words, Patrick's composed expression changed instantly, and his grip on his pen tightened.
He took a deep breath to compose himself, then explained in an even voice.
"I won't let what happened to Athrun happen again. Although Rau Le Creuset will no longer be under surveillance, I won't give him P
LANT's latest machines."
With that, Patrick asked Eileen a question.
"Joule, was there anything else?"
"No."
Eileen's reply came over the comms.