The commander nodded slightly and looked at Felix, reiterating his instructions.
"Felix, over half of your squad consists of new recruits. Make sure to look after them during the battle and do everything you can to minimize casualties among the newcomers."
"Understood, Commander."
Felix nodded in agreement.
Two hours later,
the video conference concluded.
After stretching and moving around a bit, Felix contacted the MS squad leaders of the other two combat ships.
Once the communication was established, the faces of Phipps and Miles appeared before Alex. Both saluted Felix respectfully.
"Squad Leader!"
"Hmm!"
Felix returned the salute with a nod.
Looking at the two, Felix relayed the details of the recent combat meeting.
"Our squad will be attacking from the flank and will not participate in the frontal assault."
"Not in the frontal assault?"
Miles muttered with a hint of frustration on his face.
Phipps asked directly,
"Squad Leader, is it because our squad has a lot of new recruits that the commander assigned us to this position?"
"Exactly. Since our squad has many newcomers, to ensure the stability of our offensive strength and to protect the recruits, we've been positioned on the flank."
Felix nodded, not hiding the reason and explaining it to them both.
Though they still looked somewhat frustrated and discontented, the two accepted the arrangement. Seeing that they had no further complaints, Felix continued.
"Even though we'll be attacking from the flank, that doesn't mean we can let our guard down. The enemy forces blocking our path will still be substantial, and we'll have to fight hard to secure victory.
So no one should take this lightly.
At the same time, we must strengthen our efforts to protect the new recruits and minimize their losses on the battlefield."
"Don't worry, Squad Leader. We'll stay fully alert during the battle and do everything possible to protect the newcomers."
Both spoke solemnly, making their pledge.
With their assurances, Felix continued to brief them.
Meanwhile, on Earth,
the Earth Alliance Forces headquarters received new intelligence from space. Upon learning the information, the Alliance Commander immediately contacted the Council.
"What is it?"
the Atlantic Federation leader asked over the communication.
The other two leaders waited calmly for the Commander's report.
The Commander proceeded to report based on the intelligence.
"Leaders, according to the information relayed by our reconnaissance satellites and other surveillance equipment deployed in space, the movements of the ZAFT Forces have become largely clear."
"What is the target of ZAFT's operation?"
the Eurasian Federation leader asked gravely.
The Commander continued his report.
"The target of this ZAFT operation is the L1 point, which is most likely our Yggdrasil Space Station constructed there."
"Dispatch nearby fleets to establish defensive positions around Yggdrasil. We will also arrange for the evacuation of personnel from Yggdrasil to prevent further casualties."
As soon as the report concluded, the Atlantic Federation leader issued the command directly. The Eurasian Federation leader and the Republic of East Asia leader concurred with the order without voicing any objections.
The Commander-in-Chief received the command, stood up, and saluted.
"Acknowledged!"
With that response, the communication ended.
The Commander-in-Chief began making corresponding arrangements.
"Which fleets are closest to Yggdrasil?"
"Commander, the First, Second, and Third Fleets are the nearest to Yggdrasil. The remaining fleets are at some distance and cannot complete the defensive deployment around Yggdrasil on time."
The secretary standing beside the Commander-in-Chief reported the situation.
Upon learning that three fleets could deploy for defense, the Commander-in-Chief ordered directly.
"Order the First, Second, and Third Fleets to deploy around Yggdrasil. Their mission is to hold off the ZAFT Forces and preserve Yggdrasil at all costs."
"Acknowledged, Commander."
The secretary replied while drafting the corresponding orders and presenting them to the Commander-in-Chief. After confirming the drafted orders were correct, the Commander-in-Chief signed them.
The signed orders were quickly dispatched to the respective fleets.
...
In Space
The advancing ZAFT Forces received intelligence from the reconnaissance team that had moved ahead.
Sebastian
Felix's Room
Having just ended communications with Phipps and Miles, Felix received a communication request from the Supreme Commander before he could rest.
Slapping his cheeks to refresh himself, Felix accepted the communication.
"We've just received intelligence from the reconnaissance team."
At this point, the Supreme Commander paused before continuing.
"According to the intelligence, the Earth Alliance Forces' First, Second, and Third Fleets began moving an hour ago and are heading toward Yggdrasil.
Based on their distance and speed, they will complete defensive deployment around Yggdrasil one to two hours before we arrive."
The Supreme Commander then displayed images of the Earth Alliance fleets, using them for further explanation.
"These three Earth Alliance fleets total eighty vessels. The First Fleet has thirty ships, while the other two fleets have twenty-five ships each.
The combat vessels consist mainly of Drake-class and Agamemnon-class, numbering sixty ships.
The remaining twenty ships are support vessels.
There are forty Drake-class combat vessels, each capable of carrying eight Mobius Mobile Armors. The twenty Agamemnon-class large warships can each carry over twenty Mobius Mobile Armors.
Based on current calculations, the enemy's defensive strength amounts to no less than six hundred Mobius Mobile Armors. This poses a serious challenge for our upcoming battle."
'This configuration is far superior to the Eighth Fleet that appears later in the storyline! Compared to these three fleets, the Eighth Fleet could only be described as shabby!'
Listening to the combat capabilities of these three fleets, Felix couldn't help but inwardly complain about how shabby the Eighth Fleet appearing later in the plot seemed in comparison.
It was completely incomparable to these three fleets.
"Commander, while the enemy's defensive forces are indeed not weak this time, our offensive strength is equally formidable. Success is not impossible - we've mobilized fifteen assault units with thirty warships and over 150 MS units. Though not an absolute overwhelming force, it's sufficient to handle the situation!"