"My mistake! My mistake!"
Hearing the captain's thoughts, Aric quickly admitted his fault, though the smile on his face didn't fade in the slightest. Felix looked at Aric and smiled at him.
After saluting, Aric turned to carry out Felix's plan.
Felix sat in his chair, leaning back as he gazed at the scenery outside through the porthole.
The view of the blue sea meeting the sky came into sight, and Felix's lips curved into a slight smile.
A beautiful scene.
In the presidential office of the East Asia Republic's capital administrative building: "Zhou, what do you plan to do about this matter?"
On the communication screen, Moonenidy's expression was serious, his deep eyes fixed on Zhou Zhenguo. Zhou Zhenguo looked at Moonenidy on the screen, his face calm and devoid of any emotion, speaking in a steady tone.
"Naturally, we must find a way to exchange the captured soldiers with the ZAFT Forces."
"That's not an easy task."
Upon hearing this, a trace of worry appeared on Moonenidy's face as he spoke.
Looking at Moonenidy, Zhou Zhenguo leaned back in his chair, lightly tapping the table before speaking after a moment.
"Indeed, it's not easy, but what must be done must be done. Otherwise, it will affect the morale of the military, and we will never abandon any citizen of the East Asia Republic."
"You're right."
Nodding slightly, Moonenidy agreed verbally.
After speaking, he looked at Zhou Zhenguo and continued.
"If you come up with any good solutions, remember to inform me."
"Mm."
Nodding, he made an affirmative sound.
—
The communication ended at that moment. Zhou Zhenguo shifted his gaze from the screen and pressed a button on his desk.
"Come to my office for a meeting!"
After this brief notification, he released the button.
In space, PLANT
In the Council chamber of Aprilius City, District One: "Siegel, there's no need to agree to such insincere terms!"
After reading the document, Patrick, his sharp eagle-like eyes fixed on Siegel, firmly rejected the proposal.
Following Patrick, Ezalia added.
"If they want these captured soldiers back, they must agree to our demands. Otherwise, there's no room for negotiation!"
"I support the views of Zala and Joule!"
Herman looked at Siegel, raising his hand in support.
After Herman, Yuri also raised his hand in agreement, saying at the same time.
"The Earth Alliance truly has no sincerity, so I support the views of Zala and Joule."
"I also support the views of Zala and Joule!"
"Same here!"
Siegel, who was already dissatisfied with the proposal upon seeing it, announced at the meeting now that the outcome was clear.
"Since we all share the same view, this meeting's discussion ends here."
After speaking, Siegel turned to the diplomatic committee member Eileen and instructed.
"Eileen, the matter of responding to the Earth Alliance is entrusted to your Foreign Ministry."
"Mm."
—
———
Eileen nodded in response upon hearing this.
Withdrawing his gaze, Siegel announced once more.
"Meeting adjourned!"
With those two words spoken, Siegel was the first to stand up, and the others followed suit. Everyone moved in unison as they walked out of the venue.
In the captain's office aboard the Athena in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Earth:
"Captain, we've received a message from the Ministry of Defense via Carpentaria Base."
"What does it say?"
Felix looked at Aric and asked calmly.
Aric proceeded to report.
"The demands put forward by the Earth Alliance are highly unreasonable. After deliberation by the highest Council, they unanimously rejected the Earth Alliance's proposal. They are ordering us to continue our operations!"
"Aside from this, have they launched any propaganda campaigns?"
This outcome did not surprise Felix. He looked at Aric and inquired about other preparations.
Upon hearing this, Aric shook his head and then nodded.
"They are working on it, but it seems the Earth Alliance nations have imposed information control, rendering our propaganda efforts almost entirely ineffective."
"Alright, I understand."
On January 17th, in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the ZAFT Forces led by Felix encountered the Earth Alliance's second interception unit. War was imminent.
In the skies above the ocean, under Felix's control, the Dawn veered left and fired its Heavy Assault Machine Gun.
Boom!
An explosion erupted ahead.
The shattered fighter plummeted toward the sea.
The Dawn executed a turning maneuver in the air and opened fire again.
The bullets left the barrel, flying at extreme speed.
The Vanguard Fighter pilot, seeing this, pulled the trigger and launched a Missile.
After firing the Missile, the pilot swiftly maneuvered to disengage.
The evading fighter collided with the second bullet fired by the Dawn. The bullet pierced through the aircraft, triggering a violent explosion.
Inside the Dawn's Cockpit, Felix observed the battlefield and spoke.
"Heine! One fighter, Indigo, Alpha."
"Received!"
Heine, hearing the Directional Terminology from his captain, maneuvered the CGUE to evade accordingly and opened fire with the Heavy Assault Machine Gun.
Boom!
The fighter was blown apart by Heine's shot.
"Captain! Fighter—"
After taking down the fighter, Heine noticed another aircraft appearing behind the Dawn. He opened the comms to report to Felix.
Before he could finish the Directional Terminology, Heine watched as the Dawn turned and blasted the fighter with a single shot.
"What were you going to say?"
As Heine was momentarily stunned, Felix's voice came through the comms, pulling him back to reality. Shaking his head, Heine replied.
"Nothing."
"If it's nothing, then focus on the battle. Don't space out in the middle of combat."
Felix's stern reminder echoed through the comms to Heine.
Felix pulled the trigger, taking down a Vanguard Fighter that was attempting to approach Heine from behind.
"Yes!"
Chastised by Felix, a flush of shame spread across Heine's face as he responded in a booming voice.
Under Heine's control, the CGUE evaded the attack and fired its Heavy Assault Machine Gun at the target.
Boom!
An explosion rang out.
Heine maneuvered the CGUE to dodge the second Missile fired by the fighter, then pressed the trigger once more.
Boom!
With this explosion, the fighter that had launched the Missile was destroyed by Heine.