In the corridor outside the room, Miles turned to Phipps and asked in confusion, "Phipps, what do you think the Captain is planning?"
"I'm not sure!" Phipps shook his head as he replied.
He then turned to Miles and continued, "For now, we can only take things one step at a time." At this point, Phipps shifted the topic and added, "But one thing I'm certain of is that the Captain would never harm us, nor would he jeopardize the interests of PLANT!"
"I feel the same way," Miles nodded in agreement.
After this exchange, Miles and Phipps fell silent, walking quietly through the corridor toward the hangar to board a shuttle and return to their assigned warship.
...
Two days later
While performing patrol and alert duties near Jachin Due with his team, Felix received a communication from Aric.
"What is it?" Felix asked as he accepted the call.
Aric reported through the communication, "Captain, the Chairman just called!"
"What did he say?" Felix inquired.
"He requested that you return to PLANT immediately and go to the Ministry of Defense!" Aric's booming voice continued.
"Alright, I understand."
Felix calmly acknowledged and ended the communication with Aric. He briefed the others on the patrol arrangements and, after ensuring everything was in order, checked Dawn's energy levels before piloting it directly back to the homeland.
PLANT
Aprilius City, District One
After confirming his identity with the local defense forces, Felix piloted Dawn into the spaceport.
Through the access channel, Dawn docked in the hangar inside the spaceport.
"Take care of it," Felix said, handing his helmet to the maintenance crew before floating out of the hangar.
He exited the hangar and headed toward the elevator, preparing to take it into District One.
Inside District One
Ministry of Defense
Outside the Chairman's Office
Standing at the door, Felix reached out and pressed the doorbell.
"Come in!" a voice came through the speaker, and the office door slid open. Felix stepped inside, stopping in front of Patrick, saluted, and greeted, "Chairman, good day."
"Take a seat," Patrick glanced up at Felix, his tone indifferent as he gestured toward a chair. Felix lowered his hand, pulled out the chair, and sat down.
"To further enhance PLANT's security, and after considering the current situation and obtaining approval from the Supreme Council, we have decided to convert the Jachin Due Resource Satellite into a frontline defensive fortress.
In addition, we plan to establish a defensive line centered around this fortress, positioned at a greater distance from PLANT, to intercept any incoming threats and safeguard PLANT's security!"
Patrick paused here, looked up at Felix, and asked, "What are your thoughts? Do you have any other ideas or suggestions?"
"Sounds good. I have no other thoughts or opinions on this matter."
Looking at Patrick, Felix nodded in support while shaking his head in response. After hearing this, Patrick turned his gaze to Felix and continued asking.
"Do you have any thoughts on who should be stationed to defend this frontline and fortress?"
"I volunteer to be stationed here!"
Seeing him ask this, Felix immediately applied to be stationed at this location without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Patrick frowned and flatly refused.
"No!"
The rejection was something Felix had anticipated. He never thought Patrick would leave him here for defense duty. Looking at Patrick, Felix spoke again.
"Chairman, in that case, I think we can assign the Mobile Suit Teams led by Phipps and Miles from the Griffith Team here. Both units have fought many battles with me and have been through the baptism of the Victoria Space Port Battle - they're all seasoned veterans.
They would be most suitable for staying here to defend the frontline!"
Listening to these words, Patrick carefully considered the matter before looking back at Felix and asking in return.
"If we transfer them out, what about the Griffith Team?"
"We can simply replenish with new personnel when the time comes. I believe that with me leading them, a few battles will be enough to train them up."
Looking at him, Felix said with full confidence.
Gazing at Felix's confident expression, Patrick carefully considered the matter. Upon reflection, he felt this was indeed a good approach - it could both add battle-hardened veterans to the defense line and provide training opportunities for new recruits, achieving the best of both worlds.
Raising his eyes to look at Felix, Patrick spoke after finishing his thoughts.
"Your proposal is indeed quite excellent!"
"Chairman, does that mean you agree?"
Looking at Patrick, Felix asked uncertainly. Patrick nodded in response, making an affirmative sound.
"Mhm! We'll arrange it this way for your unit! Transfer the Mobile Suit Teams led by those two to Jachin Due Fortress, while simultaneously replenishing your unit with new personnel."
At this point, Patrick's expression turned serious as he reminded.
"This time we won't be able to provide you with veteran soldiers for the replenishment - only some soldiers who have recently joined ZAFT. You'll be responsible for training them up.
Understood?"
"Please rest assured, Chairman. I will definitely train them up properly."
Standing up, Felix raised his hand in salute while giving his assurance.
While inwardly thinking with a smile:
'The first step has been successfully taken!'
Nodding, Patrick waved his hand to signal him to sit down.
After sitting back down, Felix looked at Patrick, waiting for him to speak. Patrick looked at Felix and continued.
"In the near future, we will be launching operations on the Moon to compete with the Earth Alliance Forces for lunar control and attack the Earth Alliance's Ptolemaeus Lunar Base. Your unit has been included in this operation sequence, and I intend to appoint you as the Commander of this operation, with full authority over its execution."
"Chairman, I'm still quite young! There are still many areas where I'm lacking..."
After hearing this, Felix replied very modestly. Before he could finish speaking, Patrick raised his hand to stop him, interrupting.
"There's no need for modesty! Your achievements and the medals you've earned are more than sufficient to support your appointment as Commander of this operation. Moreover, the Victoria Space Port Battle has already proven that you're capable of taking on this role and performing it excellently."
"So there's no need for such humble formalities here."
"Since the committee chairman places such trust in me, I will certainly live up to your high expectations!"
Seeing that Patrick had already spoken to this extent, Felix could no longer find words to refuse. He looked at Patrick and accepted the appointment.
Nodding with satisfaction, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Patrick waved his hand.
"I have nothing further here. You may return to your duties."