On January 10th, the assault forces gathered at Carpentaria Base ceased their waiting. Ships began departing from the port one after another.
"Captain, should we adopt surface navigation or low-altitude cruising?"
Aric, seated in the captain's chair, looked down and inquired of Felix. Felix raised his head to meet his gaze, then turned his eyes forward to the viewport, replying calmly.
"We need to coordinate with the other units. This voyage will use surface navigation."
"Understood!"
Aric acknowledged, withdrawing his gaze as he issued the order.
"Surface navigation. Maintain speed matching other fleet vessels."
"Yes, sir."
Joss responded upon hearing the command.
Observing his subordinates at work and the calm conditions outside, Felix rose from his seat and addressed Aric.
"I'm leaving matters here to you. Report immediately if anything arises."
"Yes, Captain."
Aric looked up, saluting as he replied to Felix.
Receiving Aric's response, Felix gave a slight nod and turned to exit the bridge.
After leaving the bridge, he took the elevator down to the central hangar.
"Captain, what brings you here?"
Taiber, the maintenance crew chief, showed a hint of confusion upon seeing Felix's arrival. After saluting, he spoke.
Returning the salute to Taiber, Felix lowered his hand and gazed at the new model Guuru stationed in the central hangar.
"I've come to make some adjustments to this new model Guuru."
After speaking, Felix turned to Taiber and asked.
"How are the condition of all the Guurus that were loaded?"
"These Guurus were well-maintained at the base. They're ready for deployment at any time."
Taiber replied while looking at Felix.
Hearing that the loaded Guurus were all in good condition, Felix felt reassured. Waving off Taiber, he proceeded toward his new model Guuru.
Stopping a few steps away, Felix looked at the Guuru before him and smiled.
"This should be the prototype for the Justice Gundam's Destiny-00 Equipment."
Thinking this to himself, Felix turned to two maintenance crew members and instructed them.
"Connect the appropriate lines to this Guuru. I need to adjust its various parameters."
"Yes, Captain."
The two stood straight, replying to Felix.
After responding, they immediately set to work.
With their assistance, Felix quickly began the adjustment procedures.
On January 12th, in the presidential office of the East Asia Republic's capital government administrative building:
"Mr. President, a ZAFT force has departed from Carpentaria Base and has currently navigated into the Banda Sea. According to General Staff analysis, this ZAFT force's objective is likely our spaceport in Kaohsiung."
After finishing the report, the presidential secretary closed the document, stepped forward, and placed it on the desk.
Zhou Zhenguo looked at the report, reached out to pick it up, and casually waved his hand to indicate that the secretary could leave.
The secretary, understanding the gesture, turned and walked out.
Less than a minute later, Zhou Zhenguo's expression turned grave, and he placed the report back on the desk. He picked up the telephone.
"We cannot allow the ZAFT Forces to approach the Spaceport. We must repel the enemy beyond our borders."
"Yes, Mr. President."
Hearing the response, Zhou Zhenguo nodded slightly and continued, "This matter is in your hands. Complete the operational plan and troop assembly at the fastest possible speed to intercept the ZAFT Forces' northward advance as quickly as possible."
"Yes, Mr. President."
"Mm."
With a hum of acknowledgment, Zhou Zhenguo hung up the phone. Without pausing, he picked up the receiver and dialed again.
"Dear Zhou, what can I do for you?"
As the call connected, Moonenidy's voice came through the line.
Hearing the feigned warmth in his tone, Zhou Zhenguo had no patience for pleasantries and cut straight to the point. "The ZAFT Forces are advancing north to attack our Spaceport in Kaohsiung. Your forces stationed in Guam should mobilize as well."
"They're attacking the Kaohsiung Spaceport?"
Moonenidy's expression turned serious at the news, his voice shedding its earlier frivolous enthusiasm and becoming much more earnest as he asked.
Zhou Zhenguo nodded slightly and replied, "That's correct. They aim to attack the Kaohsiung Spaceport, attempting to block our ability to enter space on a large scale by destroying all Spaceports."
Here, Zhou Zhenguo paused briefly before shifting his tone. "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold—you understand what that means, right?"
"Of course I understand. Moreover, as members of the Earth Alliance, working together against the ZAFT Forces has always been our goal."
Moonenidy nodded, responding calmly and seriously.
Reassured by the reply, Zhou Zhenguo exchanged a few more words with Moonenidy before ending the call. Once the communication was over, he immediately dialed Bragano.
The content of their conversation shifted slightly, but the overall message remained largely the same.
Meanwhile, in the East Asia Republic's General Staff Headquarters: "Chief of General Staff, I believe the ZAFT Forces are likely to employ a tactic similar to 'feinting east while attacking west' this time."
"Reason!"
Chief of General Staff He looked at this staff officer, his expression stern as he asked.
Chief of General Staff Wang met He's gaze and explained his reasoning. "Because ZAFT is aware that we have strengthened our military deployment to defend the Spaceports, their assaults can no longer achieve the same success as their attack on Victoria Spaceport. To increase their chances of success, they will inevitably adopt new tactics. The tactic I suspect is a very viable option."
After stating his reasoning, Wang looked at He, awaiting his response. Chief of General Staff He nodded slightly, internally acknowledging the validity of the argument.
He turned to the others and asked, "Does anyone else have conjectures?"
No sooner had the question left his lips than Chief of General Staff Zhang raised his hand. With permission granted by his superior, Zhang began to speak.
"Chief of Staff, my thoughts align with Chief of Staff Wang's." After saying this, Chief of Staff Zhang shifted the topic and continued, "However, what I truly want to emphasize is the need to watch out for ZAFT Forces' underwater units. We must prevent them from using deep-diving tactics to launch a surprise attack on our spaceport."
"Hmm." Chief of General Staff He nodded slightly and replied, "You're right. ZAFT Forces' underwater units do require attention, especially the underwater MS they are equipped with."
After saying this, he shifted the focus again, looking at everyone as he continued, "Next, we need to develop corresponding tactics to ensure we can continuously intercept ZAFT Forces outside the safe perimeter and prevent them from stepping within it."
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