After hearing this, Patrick Zala pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Mark them all as hostile targets. Attempt to persuade them to surrender first; if that fails, launch an armed assault."
"I understand."
Eileen nodded slightly in reply.
After glancing at Patrick Zala, Eileen said goodbye and turned to leave the office.
Patrick Zala watched Eileen depart, leaned back in his chair, and muttered to himself.
"Athrun, this is the last chance I'm giving you."
With that, pain and resolve flashed through Patrick Zala's eyes. The expression vanished in an instant, and once his face had returned to normal, Patrick Zala's gaze fell upon the desk.
Meanwhile, after leaving the chairman's office, Eileen returned to her own.
Sitting in her chair, Eileen issued an order through the communications channel to ZAFT forces near Boaz Fortress.
"Classify the Eternal and its group as hostile targets. Attempt to persuade them to surrender first. If they refuse, take direct armed action."
The moment the order was issued, a response came through the comms.
"Yes!"
Hearing the brief reply, Eileen softly answered.
"Mm."
Near Boaz Fortress, the ZAFT forces that had received the order began moving. Their units advanced in orderly formation toward the Eternal, Archangel, Kusanagi, and the other warships.
Inside the Duel Gundam's cockpit, "Athrun, what the hell are you still waiting for?!"
Yzak urged Athrun over the comms.
Inside the Justice Gundam's cockpit, Athrun listened to Yzak's voice, thought deeply for a moment, and spoke.
"Yzak, there's something I need to do."
Hearing Athrun's stubbornness, Yzak clenched both hands around the controls and growled through gritted teeth.
"Damn it! What could possibly be more important than defending PLANT?"
"Yzak, merely protecting PLANT's security can't truly make PLANT safe. Only ending this war can make PLANT safe."
Taking a deep breath,