"Mr. Clint, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Seeing Clint's proud expression, Felix seemed to recall something and posed his question.
Clint turned to face Felix, smiling as he nodded.
"Captain Griffith, feel free to ask anything."
"Is the Athena's construction cost very high?"
"The funds spent on building the Athena could have produced thirty Nazca-class High-Speed Battleships. It can be said this is currently our military's most expensive warship."
When asked about the cost, Clint responded with a bitter smile.
Learning how expensive it was, Felix was quite surprised, but didn't voice any further questions.
The next day at the dock
"Captain, is this our new warship?"
Aric looked at the massive vessel before him, his face showing astonishment as he asked Felix.
Seeing Aric's shocked expression, Felix smiled slightly. "That's right, this is our newly equipped warship."
"Amazing!"
Speaking excitedly, Aric couldn't wait to board the vessel. Watching Aric's enthusiastic reaction, Felix turned his gaze to Clint, raising his hand in a salute.
"Mr. Clint, from today onward our unit officially takes command of the Athena. Thank you for everything you've done."
"Captain Griffith, you're too kind."
Clint replied with a slight smile.
Lowering his arm, Felix nodded to Clint. He then turned and led Aric and the others toward the hatch where crew members entered and exited the warship.
Once inside the vessel, Felix and his team took the elevator to the bridge. As the elevator moved, they arrived at the bridge suspended between the two hangars, connected in the middle.
Standing on the bridge and looking at the outside view through the portholes, Felix thought to himself:
"This is quite good! Much better than the Ptolemaios II's bridge design that splits functions between two sections. Plus, the forward-low, aft-high design of the side hangars is excellent, ensuring the bridge's side views remain unobstructed." Thinking this, Felix continued his detailed inspection of the bridge.
"Captain, this bridge design is much better than the Nazca-class bridge. It even has rear visibility."
Aric happily reported to Felix after noticing they could see behind them through the rear portholes.
Felix turned to look at Aric, then observed the bridge's interior with its circular, three-tiered layout, saying with a smile:
"It seems this warship requires one captain, two deputy captains, and multiple tactical commanders working simultaneously to maximize its performance."
After speaking, Felix teased Aric:
"This will really test your coordination skills. If you don't work well together, the Athena's capabilities won't be fully utilized."
Hearing this, Aric looked up toward the highest level of the three-tiered bridge layout, gazing at the captain's station positioned there before turning to face Felix with determination.
"Captain, rest assured, we will fully utilize this warship's capabilities."
"I believe in your abilities."
Felix smiled slightly as he replied while looking at him.
After speaking, he glanced at everyone who had entered and issued the order.
"All personnel to your stations!"
Under the command, everyone saluted Felix and replied in unison.
"Yes!"
Following this response, everyone rushed to their positions.
Aric and the other two politely deferred to each other for the captain and vice-captain positions, until Aric finally relented and took the highest seat as captain.
The other two sat at the second level as vice-captains responsible for forward and rear sectors.
"Captain, awaiting your orders!"
Seated Aric looked down at Felix on the first level and requested commands.
Looking up at Aric, Felix ordered.
"Launch!"
"Yes!" Aric responded resoundingly, then faced forward and issued the launch command.
"Athena, set sail!"
The helmsman received the captain's order, placed a hand on the thrust lever to push it forward, then grasped the steering wheel with both hands.
The Athena slowly advanced under the helmsman's control.
The dock's forward hatches opened one after another, revealing the vastness of space.
After exiting the port, the Athena didn't immediately accelerate but instead hovered in the space near Martius City.
"Requesting permission to return to ship!"
Heine and Doulens' voices came through the comms.
Hearing this, Aric nodded.
"Permission granted!"
The four words were spoken by Aric.
In space, Heine saw the Athena's hatch open and commanded his subordinates.
"Return to ship!"
The two words left Heine's mouth.
He then piloted his orange CGUE toward the central hangar. Doulens followed behind in his own CGUE, also heading for the central hangar.
The remaining Griffith Team members split into two groups under orders, flying toward the side hangars.
On the Athena's bridge, Felix gazed at the external space, quietly enjoying the moment of peace when a communication came through.
Pressing the answer button, he accepted the call.
"Chairman, greetings!"
Seeing Patrick's face on the screen, Felix saluted in greeting. Patrick nodded, his smile carrying a gentle tone.
"Has the Athena been successfully received?"
"Already successfully received, Chairman."
Nodding, Felix replied verbally.
Hearing this, Patrick smiled slightly before his expression turned serious. Noticing the Chairman's stern face, Felix's expression likewise grew earnest.
"Next, you will lead the Griffith Team for an atmospheric drop to Earth's Carpentaria Base. There, you will join other units to form an assault fleet and attack the East Asia Republic's spaceport.
Understood?"
"Understood."
Nodding, Felix responded in a clear, strong voice.
After replying, he recalled matters concerning the Lorentz Military Base and inquired with Patrick.
"Chairman, if I lead the team to Earth, what about the Lorentz affairs?"
"No need to concern yourself with that."
Patrick replied firmly in a serious tone.
Hearing this, Felix didn't press further about the Lorentz Military Base matters.
"Do you have any other questions?"
"None, Chairman."
Shaking his head, Felix responded to Patrick.
After hearing the reply, Patrick finally spoke.
"Let's depart!"
Hearing these words, Felix saw that the communication had already been disconnected. Looking at the terminated call, Felix raised his head to gaze at Aric.
"After resupply is complete, we depart for Earth."
"Yes."
Aric looked at Felix, raised his hand in a salute, and replied.
Lowering his arm, Aric gazed out at the cosmos while seated there, commanding the Athena as it received supplies in this location.
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