Patrick Zala

The PLANT colonies are based on the L5 Libra-type colony cluster, with civilian and military strongholds established throughout the Earth sphere.

The PLANT nation consists of 12 cities, each containing 10 Libra-type colonies (the number of colonies fluctuates depending on the era).

The body representing the highest authority in PLANT is known as the Supreme Council.

The PLANT Supreme Council consists of twelve councilors.

The two most powerful individuals among them are the Chairman of the PLANT Supreme Council, Siegel Clyne.

And the Commissioner of the Ministry of Defense who leads ZAFT, Patrick Zala.

Because the two men hold different attitudes toward the war with the Earth Alliance, the Supreme Council has split into two factions.

The moderate faction led by Siegel Clyne, and the hardline faction led by Patrick Zala.

"Not dead?"

In the Ministry of Defense office building, Patrick Zala paused his work and looked calmly at the adjutant reporting before him.

"Yes."

The special forces officer in the red uniform did not offer an explanation, simply nodding as he stood there honestly.

"The specifics."

Patrick Zala continued his inquiry.

"According to follow-up investigations and feedback from surveillance members, at 3:51 PM that day, Eno Kamal suffered a severe toxic reaction after consuming food, and was confirmed to have lost all vital signs at 4:05 PM."

The soldier stated the information he had investigated and organized in brief terms: "However, at 11:20 AM the next day, based on an analysis of a conversation with Thatch Trillan, Eno Kamal was out of danger, though he is suffering from extremely severe aftereffects."

"At 11:50 AM, our medical personnel conducted a physical examination under the guise of a check-up and found that although his body was severely overexerted, he was essentially out of danger."

"Was a blood sample taken for analysis?"

Patrick Zala felt a spark of interest; this was the first time he had encountered someone who couldn't be killed by poison.

"We sent the collected blood and bodily fluids to the laboratory, but found nothing unusual," the officer replied.

Patrick Zala frowned slightly at these words, leaning back in his chair and saying calmly: "So you mean to say that you failed?"

"Yes. According to subsequent laboratory analysis, the drug was indeed lethal, but because the dosage was insufficient and the subject's body underwent an unknown neutralization reaction, the agent did not cause fatal damage," the officer replied, summarizing his findings.

"Neutralization reaction... has there been any genetic testing?"

It was the first time Patrick Zala had heard such an absurd explanation, but considering the situation of his subordinates, he didn't seem to have much reason to blame them.

After all, it was he who ordered the secret execution to be carried out without leaving a trace; it would have been a bad thing if too high a dose had alerted others.

"It has been sent to the genetics laboratory, but no conclusions have been reached yet," the officer replied.

"Leave it at that for now. Notify me when there are results."

Patrick Zala finished speaking and did not waste any more time on such trivial matters, turning instead to pick up the documents on his desk.

If it weren't for the fact that Eno Kamal was involved with Instructor Natarle, and that he was the top student at the military academy, he wouldn't even have known the man's name.

However, the officer below did not leave, but continued to stand in place.

"Is there anything else?"

Patrick Zala asked with a frown.

"Yes. According to the latest intelligence, Eno Kamal has abandoned the command track and chosen to enter the MS pilot track, and has declared that he will be in the top ten of the school by graduation," the officer reported the recent situation.

"Can you guess the specific reason?"

Patrick Zala's eyes narrowed slightly at this.

Abandoning his top-tier status in the command track to join the MS pilot track, and aiming to be in the school's top ten—this was somewhat abnormal.

"This is the transcript of the conversation obtained from the adjutant of Chief of Staff Natarle."

The officer said, handing over the document he had already prepared.

Patrick Zala opened the file and began to read it without a word.

A moment later.

Looking at the contents of the file, Patrick Zala raised an eyebrow: "A very interesting reason."

The Earth Alliance's reaction, an MS that can fight a thousand, not using current thinking to speculate on the future...

He had long heard rumors that the Earth Alliance was preparing to build its own MS, but it had been shelved due to issues with the MS operating system.

Could it be that the Earth Alliance has found a new breakthrough?

If that is the case—

"Strengthen surveillance of the Earth Alliance. Until we achieve absolute victory, we must not allow the Earth Alliance to possess its own MS."

Patrick Zala did not know exactly what Eno Kamal meant by that statement.

But those words did indeed serve as a reminder; the Earth Alliance, having been suppressed so severely by MS, would definitely strive to manufacture their own.

Although they had been under surveillance before, it seemed now that the intensity of his surveillance might not be enough.

"Yes!"

The officer saluted upon hearing this and replied, "What about Eno Kamal?"

Patrick Zala looked toward a file in the corner of his desk, where a photograph captured the youthful face of Eno Kamal.

Observing that serious, soldier-like expression paired with such a young face, Patrick Zala couldn't help but think of Athrun Zala and his own attitude toward him.

"Everything is for the future of the Coordinator."

Patrick Zala's voice echoed abruptly through the deep, dim office.

"Sir?"

The officer looked puzzled.

"Change it to surveillance and observation."

Patrick Zala replied.

He did not know what Eno Kamal's objective was, nor could he be entirely certain if Eno Kamal was truly a spy.

But as long as the boy did not enter the high command of ZAFT, he was willing to give Eno Kamal a chance—a chance to prove he was not a spy.

"Understood!"

After reporting, the officer turned and left the vast, deep office.

"The final victor will surely be us, it will be PLANT!"

Meanwhile.

Back at the academy, Eno Kamal, unaware that he had just skirted the gates of death, felt the deep malice emanating from Instructor Natarle.

In less than half a day, the tall tales he had spun in Instructor Natarle's office were already known to the entire school.

If anyone claimed this had nothing to do with Instructor Natarle, Eno Kamal would bet his life on it.

Walking back to the dormitory, Eno Kamal was pointed at by passing students more than once.

There was no helping it; in a sense, Eno Kamal was arguably a celebrity at the military academy.

A survivor of Junius.

First in overall grades for the Command track.

And now, add to that his boast of rising from zero to the top ten in the MS pilot track within two months.

The fact that he hadn't been jumped by MS pilot students and stuffed into a sack was a testament to the academy's decent atmosphere.

After all, if you go from zero to the top ten in just two months, where does that leave the pride of the other students in the MS pilot track?

"I think I'd better not walk back to the dorm with you anymore."

Thatch felt the weight of the surrounding stares and groaned that it was killing him.

In the past, they had often been pointed at, but it was usually with goodwill and envy.

But now, the situation had completely flipped.

"Are you the type of person who cares about the gazes of others?" Eno asked in return.

"No."

"Then—"

"I'm afraid of getting beaten up."

"..."