PLANT Supreme Council Hall
Siegel, Patrick, and the other Council members arrived one after another. Once there, they took their respective seats. When everyone was seated, Patrick looked around and was the first to report the results.
"According to feedback from the troops that attacked Victoria Spaceport, the entire spaceport has now been completely occupied."
The good news reached the ears of the Council members who did not also hold positions in the Ministry of Defense. Joy appeared on every face; news like this was heartening.
Watching them celebrate, Patrick continued.
"But according to Griffith's report, this victory is only preliminary. To secure our gains, we need to send reinforcements to Victoria Spaceport.
We need to increase the forces deployed there to ensure that we can repel a counterattack by the Earth Alliance Forces."
At this point, Patrick paused. He operated the touchscreen before him, and the corresponding reinforcement plan appeared on the central virtual screen.
"This is the reinforcement plan drawn up by the Ministry of Defense!"
Patrick finished speaking and waited for the others to weigh in.
The several Council members present quickly skimmed through the plan.
Chief Justice Louise was the first to speak.
"I support the reinforcement plan proposed by the Ministry of Defense."
After she spoke, the other Hardline Faction members also voiced their support.
Among the Neutral Faction, Administrative Commissioner Ted raised his hand in support, and Chief Administrative Commissioner Olsen did the same.
After the vote, the result was clear: more than two-thirds of the Council supported the plan.
Siegel, who had supported the reinforcement plan from the start, spoke up.
"Then the plan to reinforce Victoria Spaceport is approved. Prepare the forces and logistical support according to the Ministry of Defense's plan, and send reinforcements to Victoria Spaceport."
With Siegel's decision, the discussion came to an end. Seeing this, Patrick brought up the proposal to expand the military and explained to everyone that, given the current situation, expansion was urgently needed.
After some discussion, the proposal to expand the military passed in the Council.
Next came the proposal for Operation Ouroboros.
As soon as the proposal was raised, the earlier consensus vanished. The debate grew increasingly heated, and the Moderates and Hardliners present could not reach agreement.
The Council chamber erupted into a war of words.
"The plan proposed by the Ministry of Defense is far too radical and inhumane. If carried out, it will plunge Earth into an energy crisis and could cause the deaths of innocent civilians.
This will only escalate the war and make it even harder to resolve. It will not benefit the future development of PLANT."
Diplomatic Commissioner Eileen looked at Patrick, Eileen, and the others. Her opposition was resolute as she rebuked the operation.
After hearing Eileen's criticism, Eileen repeated to her what she had said to Yuri before. When she finished, she spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Eileen, we're at war with the Earth Alliance. In war, we have to make sacrifices. If we worry about the civilians on Earth, the only result will be even greater losses and casualties among our own forces.
Being merciful to the enemy is cruelty to ourselves!"
"Eileen, you don't need to lecture me about these principles. I understand what you're saying. But have you considered that, aside from our enemies, there are also allied nations and neutral countries on Earth?
These countries aren't our enemies. Do we really want to drag them into this as well?"
Eileen raised her head and met Eileen's gaze. Her words were firm, and she rebutted her crisply. Afterward, Eileen took a deep breath, easing some of her earlier agitation. Her tone grew calmer, but she still stood by her position.
"The spread of Neutron Jammers under Operation Ouroboros did suppress the enemy, but it also increased the number of potential enemies we may face.
This will make PLANT a target for everyone. For PLANT's future, I will not support an operation that could expand the war without limit."
"Expand the war?"
Seeing how firmly Eileen opposed the plan, Eileen gave a cold snort, then changed tack and continued in a mocking tone.
"While you're showing them mercy, have you ever considered that they've shown us none? Junius Ten, bombarded by nuclear missiles, is drifting out there. If you can't see it, I can take you there and show you what the Earth Alliance has done to us—and what your mercy will get you!"
By now, Siegel, who had been sitting at the table, saw that the argument had quieted somewhat. He had remained silent until then, but now he spoke up to mediate.
"Enough! You two should stop arguing. You're both Council members. What kind of example are you setting by fighting like this?"
After saying this, Siegel continued.
"Of the three main parts of Operation Ouroboros, I approve the two involving the establishment of military bases and the suppression of the Earth Alliance's spaceports and Mass Driver Bases, as well as the blockade to keep the Earth Alliance Forces confined to Earth.
The part involving the spread of Neutron Jammers will be put on hold for now!"
When Patrick and the other Hardliners heard this, they turned their eyes to Siegel. After watching him for a few seconds, they realized they could not secure a majority in the Council at present, so they had no choice but to accept his decision.
Siegel's Moderates also did not object to the Speaker's decision to put the proposal on hold, but deep down, they were deeply worried.
They feared it would not be long before the suspended proposal was approved.
While the proposals were being debated in the Council,
on Earth,
inside the ZAFT Forces' Temporary Command Post at Victoria Spaceport, near Lake Victoria in Africa.
"Captain Griffith, the reconnaissance squad we sent out has reported back."
Andrew walked in and looked at Felix.
Felix looked up at Andrew and asked,
"Captain Waltfeld, what did they find?"
"The Earth Alliance Forces have gathered troops in several cities four to five hundred kilometers from Victoria Spaceport. Large numbers of aircraft have landed at airports in those cities."
As he spoke, Andrew moved his finger across the electronic virtual map, and the corresponding cities lit up. Looking at the illuminated cities, Felix furrowed his brow, a troubled, helpless expression appearing on his face.
"The Earth Alliance Forces are moving fast!"
He sighed, then continued with a frown,
"And they've gauged the distance precisely. They've calculated the predicament we're in and deployed their forces in relatively safe positions like these.
They're waiting for the right moment to attack us."
"Exactly!"
Andrew nodded in agreement and continued.
"But it's not unexpected. The Earth Alliance Forces aren't a bunch of fools. They wouldn't deploy their troops somewhere we could easily hit them."
Before you continue