"I understand, Captain."
Aric nodded in response.
Turning his head to gaze at the dark cosmos outside alongside Felix, Aric spoke with a mix of anticipation and emotion in his voice.
"When will our ZAFT configurations be restored to the original standard specifications?"
"It won't be possible to return to the original standard configuration for a long time," Felix replied calmly, glancing at Aric before turning away again. "The mass production speed of warships is much slower than that of MS. So for the foreseeable future, there's no chance of ZAFT restoring the initial standard configuration."
At this point, Felix changed the subject, looking at Aric as he continued.
"Before the war, ZAFT had developed to a total of forty units through expansion. Among these forty units, only sixty percent were equipped with warships. Moreover, within that sixty percent, only forty percent of the units were outfitted with relatively professional warships. The remaining units were equipped with temporary warships converted from civilian vessels with added firepower."
Felix then turned forward and asked Aric a question.
"Do you know how many units ZAFT has expanded to now?"
"Yes!" Aric nodded and continued. "ZAFT forces have now expanded to one hundred units. Thirty of these units have been deployed to Earth, while the remaining seventy remain in space."
Hearing Aric's response, Felix smiled slightly and said nothing more. He knew Aric had fully grasped the situation and no further explanation was needed.
"Alright, let's not dwell on these matters anymore. Just focus on what needs to be done next."
"Yes, Captain."
Aric replied in a resounding voice.
...
03:00 Hours, May 14th
After a long journey, the massive fleet arrived above the Lorentz Crater in the northern hemisphere of the Moon's far side.
"Everyone, stay alert!"
Felix sat in the cockpit of the Dawn, cautioning all troops via communications.
After speaking, he stared at the screen with a grave expression.
Simultaneously
At the Earth Alliance Forces' Ptolemaeus Lunar Base on the Moon
In the office of the base's highest-ranking officer
Richard questioned his subordinate over the communication.
"Have we determined where these Coordinators are heading on the Moon?"
Adjutant Seramon, hearing his superior's inquiry, reported to Richard.
"Reporting, Commander. We haven't received any information yet."
"Major General Seramon, latest intelligence!"
A voice sounded from Seramon's end.
Before Seramon could speak, Richard on the communication line took the lead.
"Read it out directly!"
The soldier delivering the report, hearing the Commander's order, naturally did not delay and read out the intelligence.
"ZAFT Forces are currently near the Lorentz Crater!"
"Lorentz Crater?"
Richard murmured to himself upon hearing this, feeling puzzled. Seramon turned to the soldier and continued questioning.
"What's different about the ZAFT Forces this time?"
"Major General Seramon, it appears there are many civilian transport ships within the ZAFT Forces' formation this time."
The soldier looked at Seramon while relaying the information.
Upon hearing about the civilian transport ships, Richard immediately sensed trouble, his expression turning grave as he issued an order to Seramon.
"Seramon, order the First, Second, Fifth, and Eighth Fleets to assemble!"
"Yes, sir!"
Seramon saluted, his voice resounding clearly.
The communication ended abruptly!
Inside the Room
After concluding the call with his subordinate, Richard placed a communication to Joshua Base in Alaska. (Note: Joshua Base is the formal name for Alaska Base. According to updated research, Joshua is the official designation while Alaska is the colloquial name. From this point onward, Alaska Base will be formally referred to as Joshua Base.)
Joshua Base
Office of the Supreme Commander of the Earth Alliance Forces
"Richard, what is it?"
Commander Williams answered the forwarded communication and inquired. No sooner had he finished asking than Richard's report came through.
"Commander, based on the current intelligence, the ZAFT Forces intend to construct a military base on the Moon!"
"Stop them from building that military base at all costs!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Williams issued the command decisively.
Richard nodded, his firm voice transmitting through the communication.
"Rest assured, Commander. I have already ordered the First, Second, Fifth, and Eighth Fleets to assemble and will soon launch an operation against the ZAFT Forces!"
"Hmm!" Williams grunted in approval before continuing. "Richard, our current situation is different from before. Our offensive strategy must prioritize preserving our combat strength as much as possible—we can't afford to proceed as we have in the past." He then posed a question. "Understood?"
"I understand, Commander!"
Nodding, Richard responded earnestly.
Williams nodded in turn and promptly ended the communication.
The Moon
Ptolemaeus Lunar Base
Office of the Supreme Commander
After the communication ended, Richard immediately contacted his adjutant, Seramon.
"Commander!"
Seramon's voice came through as the call connected.
Richard looked at him and asked,
"How is the fleet assembly progressing?"
"The fleets are currently assembling and are expected to be ready for deployment in one hour and twenty minutes!"
Seramon reported via the communication.
Upon hearing this, Richard ordered,
"Launch the operation as soon as assembly is complete!"
"Yes, Commander!"
...
The Moon
Lorentz Crater
Felix led the ZAFT Forces, dividing them into multiple squadrons to conduct patrol, reconnaissance, and alert missions above Lorentz Crater.
Inside the Dawn Cockpit
Felix maneuvered the Dawn into a diving motion, his gaze fixed on the ground inside Lorentz Crater.
Below, numerous transport ships were parked on the surface, with several GINN units nearby unloading and transporting construction modules.
"How much longer until all unloading is complete?"
Felix opened a communication channel to inquire with the person in charge of the transport fleet. A reply came through promptly.
"Based on the current progress, unloading will take another six to eight hours to complete."
"Please complete your work quickly during this calm period. There won't be another moment of peace like this soon."
Upon hearing the results, Felix cautioned over the communication channel.
After speaking, Felix maneuvered the Dawn into a backward tilt, directing all detection systems—optical sensors, optoelectronic detection system, and laser radar—toward the area ahead.
Watching the feedback on the screen, beneath his calm expression, Felix concealed a mix of unease and tension.
Beep, beep, beep!!!
A simple communication alert sounded inside the cockpit.
Answering the call, Felix asked, "What is it?"