"Captain, course confirmed. We are moving toward the PLANT homeland." The captain's voice came from ahead, steady and respectful.
"Good." Rau Le Creuset's reply was brief and clear, yet his gaze never left the deep expanse of space.
The journey back to PLANT was long and dull. Yzak Joule and Dearka Elsman were also returning aboard the ship. These two young men were indispensable fighting strength in the Creuset Team, and ideal specimens for observing changes in human emotion.
Yzak spent most of his time shut inside the simulation training chamber, where terrifying kill records constantly refreshed across the screen. He used this method to vent the pent-up frustration that had lingered within him since Gibraltar.
Dearka appeared far more laid-back. He often showed up in the ship's recreation room, but his seemingly casual eyes would always, inadvertently, sweep over Rau Le Creuset's mask, trying to decipher something from it.
When the shuttle finally reached PLANT and the twelve enormous spindle-shaped colony satellites appeared beyond the viewport, an urgent communication from the Supreme Council shattered the ship's calm.
The communication was routed directly to Rau Le Creuset's private channel. Patrick Zala's sharply defined face appeared on the screen, his eyes revealing restrained anxiety.
"Rau Le Creuset, there is an urgent mission." Patrick's voice came through the encrypted channel, carrying unquestionable authority. "Andrew Waltfeld, along with ZAFT's newest warship, the Eternal, has defected."
The corner of Rau Le Creuset's mouth lifted slightly beneath his mask, though his voice carried no emotion. "The Eternal?"
"Yes. Andrew Waltfeld escaped aboard the Eternal after rendezvousing near Jachin Due Fortress with a Mobile Suit that had come to receive him. We intercepted the battle records. The situation is complicated." Patrick furrowed his brows, his voice deepening. "The PLANT Council has unanimously decided that you, Rau