Richard turned to glance at Seramon before looking forward again. Seeing the Commander's silent demeanor, Seramon understood he was weighing the pros and cons internally.
He ceased his inquiries, standing quietly beside the Commander to await the conclusion of his deliberations.
Inside Grimaldi Crater
Aboard the Alighieri Bridge
"How long has it been since the battle began?"
Felix, seated calmly in his chair, directed his question to Aric. Turning to face him, Aric reported, "Approximately twenty minutes!"
"Twenty minutes?" Felix murmured, then rose to his feet, straightening his uniform. A faint smile played on his lips as he declared, "It's time we stirred things up and gave the Earth Alliance Forces something to worry about."
"Shall we deploy?" Aric inquired.
Felix met his gaze, nodding then shaking his head as he explained and issued orders simultaneously. "We deploy, but not fully. Dispatch the Balzac to join the battle. The Alighieri and Maxim will remain hidden here."
Aric snapped a salute, responding crisply, "Yes, sir!"
After acknowledging, he lowered his arm and opened communications to relay the command. "Captain's orders: Balzac, deploy!"
"Understood!"
With that brief reply, the Balzac ceased its silent hover within Grimaldi Crater. At full power, it quickly ascended to the designated altitude before accelerating toward the combat zone at maximum speed.
...
Frontline Combat Zone
Flagship of the Earth Alliance Forces' First Space Mobile Fleet
"Commander, a ZAFT Forces warship has been detected rapidly approaching the engagement zone!"
"Acknowledged."
Fleet Commander Iacus responded with a calm nod, his expression unchanged as he continued observing the battlefield from his seat.
Aboard the Balzac
Hangar
Heine, clad in his combat suit, floated into the cockpit of his orange-painted GINN. The hatch sealed behind him as the hanger rack carried the mobile suit onto the launch rail. Once released, the GINN's feet locked into the mobile catapult with a firm click.
The rack retracted to its original position as the catapult propelled the GINN forward. At the equipment configuration area, it halted, bay doors sliding open. Mechanical arms retrieved designated armaments from the storage bay and mounted them onto the GINN.
With preparations complete, the arms retracted and the bay doors resealed. The rear partition door closed simultaneously as the forward launch hatch hissed open.
"Heine Westenfluss, ready for launch!"
"Launch authorized!"
The communications officer's reply crackled through the comm. Acknowledging, Heine executed the launch sequence. The GINN's backpack thrusters ignited, foot locks disengaged, and the machine lifted weightlessly—tethered only by the straining power cable at its back.
The electromagnetic catapult activated with a surge. Under immense force, the power cable snapped taut then severed, catapulting the GINN from the warship at maximum velocity. Clearing the ship, Heine piloted his mobile suit straight toward the raging battlefield.
Aboard the Flagship of the Earth Alliance Forces' First Space Mobile Fleet
"Commander, identification confirmed. The newly arrived ZAFT Forces warship belongs to their elite unit," the Adjutant reported to Iacus from his left side, while relevant information was displayed in real-time on the screen before them.
Observing the screen, Iacus's expression shifted briefly before quickly returning to calm. His fingers manipulated the communicator, sending out a transmission.
Relayed through intermediary equipment, the communication soon reached Ptolemaeus Lunar Base.
"What is it?" Richard's voice came through the comm.
Hearing his superior's voice, Iacus reported the situation. "Commander, a new ZAFT Forces warship has appeared on the battlefield. Based on data comparison, it belongs to their elite unit."
"Has that distinctive white MS appeared?" Richard's voice was gravely serious.
Iacus shook his head as he responded, "No!"
Hearing this single word deepened Richard's unease. Maintaining outward composure, he ended the communication with a calm reply. After the transmission cut off, Iacus remained seated, continuing to command the fleet.
At Ptolemaeus Lunar Base
Richard's fingers tapped lightly on his chair's armrest as he weighed his options internally.
After considerable thought, he reached a decision.
"Abandon pursuit of the ZAFT transport fleet!" Richard declared, then pivoted. "Dispatch part of the Second Mobile Fleet to the front lines to support the First Mobile Fleet and prevent enemy ambushes. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Second Mobile Fleet is to launch immediately for aerial patrol around the base perimeter. All base anti-air defenses are to assume combat readiness."
"Yes, sir!" Seramon responded crisply.
He turned and relayed Richard's orders throughout the base. The Second Mobile Fleet promptly launched, splitting into two groups mid-air: one heading to reinforce the frontline, the other maintaining aerial vigilance around the base.
Inside the base, other personnel sprang into action as well. Everyone assumed their positions, awaiting further orders.
Inside Grimaldi Crater
Aboard the Alighieri's Bridge
"Captain, latest update from base," Aric reported to Felix.
Felix looked up at Aric and nodded. "Go ahead."
"The transport fleet is completely secure—no pursuit or interception by Earth Alliance Forces. They'll be clear of the Moon in two hours, entering relatively safe space."
Aric relayed the message calmly. Hearing this, Felix's smile widened slightly, his inner anxiety easing.
Then Aric asked, "Captain, should we join the battle?"
"I believe the Earth Alliance has made that choice for us," Felix replied with a smile, his words carrying a hint of ambiguity. It took Aric a moment to grasp the meaning before understanding dawned. He raised his hand in a salute to Felix.
"Yes!"
After this response, Aric turned and spoke.
"Cease silent hovering, ascend and proceed to the front lines!"
"Yes!"
The helmsman replied verbally while operating the controls.
The Alighieri ceased maintaining silence and no longer remained hovering in place, steadily gaining altitude. The Maxim alongside the Alighieri executed the same maneuver.
After reaching the designated altitude, the two warships advanced at full speed, heading straight for the battlefield.