Battle Report, Discussion within the Ministry of Defense

"Captain Waltfeld."

He called out to Andrew.

Andrew looked toward Felix, and under his gaze, Andrew asked.

"Is something the matter, Captain Griffith?"

"What do you think of this deployment plan?"

Pointing to the map before them, Felix inquired. Upon hearing this, Andrew turned his gaze to the electronic virtual map on the table. He studied the arrangements Felix had made, ran a brief simulation, thought for a moment, and nodded.

"It looks fine for now."

"Since there are no issues, we will proceed with these tactical arrangements to prepare for the upcoming operations."

Seeing this, Felix finalized the defensive deployment, and Andrew, offering no objections, nodded in response to Felix.

Meanwhile

PLANT

Aprilia City, District One

Ministry of Defense

In the Chairman's office

"Eileen, Yuri, Herman, I have just received the latest battle report."

Patrick Zala looked at the three of them and spoke.

The three listened intently, looking at Patrick Zala in anticipation of the results. Patrick Zala continued.

"According to the report sent back by Felix, they have successfully completed the occupation of Victoria Spaceport. Our initial operation is a success."

As the news reached their ears, a flash of joy appeared on their faces. A moment later, Yuri's expression turned solemn, and he spoke into the quiet atmosphere.

"Zala, although we have initially occupied Victoria Spaceport, this is merely the beginning. How we hold it from here on out is the most critical part.

The Earth Alliance will not let us occupy a spaceport so easily."

"You are correct. Felix expressed the same concern in his report and hopes we can send reinforcements to Victoria Spaceport.

We must ensure we have enough strength to hold Victoria Spaceport."

Nodding, Patrick Zala agreed as he spoke. Just as he finished, Herman asked.

"Zala, what are our losses from this operation?"

"The MS units suffered losses of about one-quarter, and the ground ZAFT forces lost over one-quarter, with a relatively high number of casualties."

Patrick Zala said, glancing at the report in his hand.

After finishing, he added one more point.

"The increase in ground force losses is because the Victoria Spaceport garrison was entrenched inside the facility, making the clearing operations difficult and resulting in significantly higher casualties."

"We should indeed reinforce our troops, especially the ground forces. Otherwise, while we might hold the skies, we may very well be unable to hold the ground."

Herman replied with a serious face.

Once he finished, Herman asked Patrick Zala.

"How did the experimental ground-combat MS BuCUE perform?"

"Overall, it was quite good, but I would like to see more diversity in its weapon loadouts," Patrick Zala replied.

"Don't worry about that. In addition to the three Missile Pack BuCUE units already produced, three more units equipped with the Railgun Pack BuCUE have completed production and can be transferred to the surface for use and testing."

Upon hearing this, Herman replied directly.

Patrick Zala nodded, then looked at the three of them and spoke to them collectively.

"What are your thoughts regarding the reinforcements for Victoria Spaceport?"

"I believe we should dispatch an MS force equal in size to the original assault force to drop down and guard Victoria Spaceport. At the same time, we should produce a large amount of equipment to expand the facility so our troops can defend and garrison it!"

Following the inquiry, Yuri was the first to speak.

After Yuri, Herman said.

"I think that amount of force is still too little; we should double it. The three major member nations of the Earth Alliance possess over ten thousand combat aircraft between their air and naval forces. The number destroyed at Victoria Spaceport is less than one-tenth of their reserves.

Therefore, to be safe, I believe the reinforcements should be doubled to ensure we can hold Victoria Spaceport.

We must avoid failure in this operation!"

"I agree with Herman's view."

Eileen expressed her agreement the moment Herman finished speaking. Yuri turned to look at Herman, thought for a moment, and offered no objection to this view.

After a brief silence, Eileen said.

"Zala, now that the war between us and the Earth Alliance has officially begun, further military expansion is inevitable."

"I am aware of that. I have already compiled it into a report, and I will submit the proposal for expansion once the Supreme Council convenes."

Looking at Eileen, Patrick Zala nodded and said.

After saying this, Patrick Zala took out a document. He placed it before the three of them, and they reached out to take it into their hands.

The contents of the document were none other than Operation Ouroboros.

Looking at the details within, Yuri frowned and spoke up.

"Zala, spreading Neutron Jammer across Earth will inevitably cause some civilian nuclear power plants to cease operation. Such an approach will plunge Earth into an energy crisis, and the lives and safety of many civilians will be affected.

By then, the anti-PLANT and anti-Coordinator sentiments on Earth will only intensify, which could prove highly disadvantageous to our operations."

"Yuri, your concerns are somewhat womanish."

Before Patrick Zala could speak, Eileen retorted first. Following this rebuttal, Eileen continued.

"Using Neutron Jammer to blockade Earth's nuclear fission energy is about saving the lives of our ZAFT soldiers. Otherwise, given the industrial capacity controlled by the Earth Alliance, it would pose a great threat to our ZAFT forces and lead to further losses of our personnel.

Therefore, we must blockade Earth's nuclear fission energy to curtail the Earth Alliance's industrial capacity."

As these words of rebuttal reached his ears, Yuri opened his mouth, but no further words of opposition came out. Compared to the argument between the two, Herman sat calmly, waiting for the meeting to conclude.

"Are there any other objections to Operation Ouroboros?"

In the quiet atmosphere, Patrick Zala looked at the three, focusing his gaze particularly on Yuri as he asked.

Under his inquiry, Eileen and Herman shook their heads, while Yuri neither directly agreed nor opposed, responding to Patrick Zala with silence.

"Since that is the case, we shall submit the proposals we have prepared to the upcoming Supreme Council meeting and strive to have all three passed."

Seeing no opposition, Patrick Zala stood up, his words declaring the end of the small discussion. Seeing him rise, the three also stood up and followed behind Patrick Zala as he walked out of the Chairman's office.