After completing the adjustment work, Felix manipulated the Dawn to perform the same maneuver again. After executing it, he confirmed there were no issues and nodded in satisfaction.
His eyes fixed on the screen, his hands continued their movements.
...
April 23rd
21:15
Felix, resting in his room aboard the Alighieri, received a communication from the Ministry of Defense.
"Chairman!"
Seeing Patrick's face on the screen, Felix stood up and saluted while greeting him. Patrick nodded slightly in response and immediately said.
"According to our reconnaissance, we've detected warships gathering at the Earth Alliance's Ptolemaeus Lunar Base on the Moon. They might be preparing to launch an attack against us!
The Jachin Due Resource Satellite you're currently guarding will likely be the first point of contact with them. Be prepared!"
"Yes!"
Lowering his hand and raising it again, Felix responded to Patrick. Seeing this, Patrick nodded slightly and continued.
"You don't need to worry too much. The Ministry of Defense is currently mobilizing forces to provide support around the Jachin Due Resource Satellite, ensuring we can repel the enemy's attack beyond that area!
We won't leave you fighting alone!"
"I understand!"
Nodding, Felix responded.
After a sound of acknowledgment, Patrick ended the communication.
Looking at the terminated communication, Felix reached out and made another call.
The communication was quickly connected!
The faces of Miles and Phipps appeared on the screen.
"Captain!"
They spoke in unison through the communication.
Nodding at the two of them, Felix spoke calmly.
"I just received a communication from the Ministry of Defense!"
"Is there a new combat mission?"
Miles asked through the communication.
Looking at Miles on the screen, Felix nodded in response to his question and continued speaking.
"Warships have been gathering at the Earth Alliance's Ptolemaeus Lunar Base on the Moon. Based on the situation analysis, it's highly likely they're preparing to attack us.
The Jachin Due Resource Satellite that we're responsible for patrolling and guarding might become the first point of contact in this battle.
We need to be prepared!"
"Captain, don't worry! We're always prepared!"
Miles raised his hand and patted his chest enthusiastically, assuring Felix. Seeing his confident demeanor, Felix didn't need to worry about morale on his end. Shifting his gaze to Phipps, Phipps spoke up at that moment.
Compared to Miles' bright and loud assurance, Phipps' voice was much calmer.
"We're always prepared here too!"
"Since that's the case, I won't elaborate further." Nodding, Felix said this before his tone shifted. "But there's one point I need to emphasize - we're now back in space! Everyone needs to adopt space combat readiness, don't bring your Earth combat mentality with you!"
"Moreover, do not think that just because we won the Victoria Spaceport battle, we can become complacent and look down on the Earth Alliance Forces.
If anyone holds such thoughts, don't blame me for not warning you when you die!"
"Please rest assured, Captain. We will definitely not let such a thing happen!"
Seeing Felix's extremely serious expression, Phipps and Miles responded with firm assurance in their voices.
Satisfied with their assurance, Felix nodded at them.
He reached out and ended the communication.
Rising from his seat, he left the room and headed to the bridge.
There, he explained the upcoming operation to Aric.
"Captain! How many troops will the Earth Alliance send this time?" Aric, standing beside Felix, asked.
Shaking his head and gazing outside, Felix replied, "I don't know that yet. The Defense Ministry's communication didn't specify the enemy's numbers." He paused, then continued, "But based on my estimation, the Earth Alliance Forces will likely deploy at least two fleets for this operation. Any fewer would risk mission failure and a pointless waste of manpower!"
"Is the Earth Alliance trying to strike us in space because they see we're focusing most of our efforts on Earth right now?" Aric speculated aloud, looking ahead.
Felix affirmed Aric's speculation, nodding as he replied, "It's probably similar to what you're thinking."
After this response, Felix sat in his chair, still watching outside, and went on, "The Earth Alliance likely believes that ZAFT suffered significant losses in the Victoria Spaceport battle and is overextended on Earth, leaving our space forces weakened and vulnerable. They want to engage us in another space battle!"
At this point, Felix fell silent.
After hearing Felix's words, Aric found them quite reasonable—they were indeed facing such a situation.
"The Defense Ministry has spread our forces too thin, and our military expansion hasn't kept up with the expanded commitments. Otherwise, we wouldn't be in this predicament!"
"Captain, these matters aren't for you or me to decide. You shouldn't trouble yourself too much over it." Sensing Felix's troubled mood, Aric comforted him. Felix turned his head, smiled, and teased, "I didn't know you were good at comforting people?"
"I just picked it up randomly! I'm not really good at comforting people!" Aric replied awkwardly, scratching his cheek. Seeing his embarrassed expression, Felix smiled faintly.
He stood up and left the bridge.
After watching Felix depart, Aric sat in the captain's chair and resumed his command duties.
Back in his room, Felix contacted the Defense Ministry. After being transferred, he finally reached Chairman Patrick.
"Griffith, do you have something?" Patrick's voice came through the communication as soon as it connected. Looking at Patrick, Felix said, "Chairman, I believe ZAFT should temporarily halt our external occupation campaigns!"
"Temporarily halt our external occupation campaigns?"
Patrick furrowed his brow and muttered a question before turning to Felix with a counter-question.
"Are you suggesting this idea because you believe ZAFT has overextended itself, leading to insufficient military strength?"
"Yes, Chairman."
Felix nodded in acknowledgment.
After confirming this, Patrick explained to Felix, "Rest assured, the current situation is only temporary. As the military expansion progresses, this brief difficulty will soon be resolved." Having said that, Patrick shifted his tone and continued, "Therefore, the Ministry of Defense will not adopt your proposal. Just continue focusing on your duties."
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