"Arrange for all of them to be brought to the interrogation room. There are some matters I need to ask them," Felix ordered, turning his head to Jonah, the captain of the Athena's marine squad.
Upon hearing this, Jonah raised his hand in a salute and replied in a loud, clear voice, "Yes, Captain!"
Lowering his arm, he looked at Gai Murakumo and the others and commanded his subordinates, "Escort them to the interrogation room."
"Captain Griffith, may I make a request?" Elijah, with his hands on his head, glanced at the two soldiers flanking him and cautiously looked up at Felix.
Hearing that Elijah still wanted to make a request, Jonah immediately slapped the back of Elijah's head, causing him to stumble. A flicker of anger rose in Elijah's eyes as he turned and glared at Jonah.
Jonah glared back fiercely and said sternly, "You're prisoners now, what right do you have to make requests? You should be grateful we're letting you mercenaries live!"
Turning back to his subordinates, Jonah continued his orders, "Take them away!"
The soldiers nodded, promptly handcuffing and shackling everyone before pushing them by the shoulders toward the interrogation room, urging them harshly as they walked, "Move it, all of you!"
"Stop pushing me, I can walk!" Gai Murakumo, feeling the soldiers' shoving, turned and snapped at them irritably.
Watching Gai Murakumo's defiant attitude, Jonah broke into a pleased smile and called one of the soldiers over, whispering instructions, "Give this feisty one some special treatment."
"Understood!" The soldier immediately caught on, nodding repeatedly with a grin.
Observing their exchange, Gai Murakumo suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that something unpleasant was about to happen.
In the Interrogation Room
Looking at the young blond boy before him, Felix wore a faint smile and pointed to a photo of the Warrior Gundam on the table. "Who sent you out in the Warrior Gundam?"
"I can't tell you," Praya replied calmly, glancing up at Felix before flatly refusing.
Unfazed by the refusal, Felix continued calmly, "Do you know what the consequences will be for you?"
"Yes," Praya nodded slightly, his response clear and resolute. He then looked up at Felix with a sincere, pleading expression. "Please, let me take the Warrior Gundam and leave this place? I'm begging you."
"I'm sorry, but my mission is to recover the Warrior Gundam, so I can't grant your request," Felix replied with a shrug, his tone casual yet tinged with pride. After a moment, a playful smile crossed his face as he carefully phrased his next words. "Chairman Clyne, right?The probing question reached Praya's ears.
Though he knew it was a test, Praya couldn't suppress some instinctive reactions, which ultimately betrayed him.
Noticing every subtle reaction, Felix leaned back in his chair and continued, "To hand it over to those non-belligerent nations on Earth?"
"Stop asking!"
Praya shook his head, continuing to refuse.
He kept his head lowered, adopting a completely uncooperative stance.
Seeing Praya's uncooperative attitude, a thought suddenly occurred to Felix. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Praya with a trace of sorrow in his eyes and sighed.
"Alas!"
The sigh made Praya look up.
Upon seeing the expression in Felix's eyes, Praya pursed his lips as if wanting to ask something but refrained.
Noticing Praya's reaction, Felix smiled inwardly.
'Truly the number one bleeding heart across both side stories and the main series!'
"Chairman Clyne is likely in grave danger this time."
"What do you mean?"
Hearing Felix's words tinged with faint regret, Praya could no longer remain silent. He looked at Felix and voiced his question.
Seeing this, Felix continued.
"The theft of an MS equipped with PLANT's latest technology is certainly no small matter. Chairman Zala will undoubtedly investigate this to the fullest extent.
Moreover, this isn't something an ordinary person could accomplish. When the time comes..."
"Chairman Clyne entrusted this MS to me because he couldn't bear to see neutral nations continue suffering unjust calamities. He wanted me to deliver it to Mr. Malchio."
Watching Praya's anxious demeanor and listening to his words, Felix smiled. Seeing the smile on Felix's face, Praya realized he had fallen for the trap.
"How can you be so despicable!"
"Can this be considered despicable?"
Hearing Praya's assessment, Felix found it somewhat amusing. Clearly, it was your own impatience and weak resolve - why blame me for it?
"Captain, we have a situation! Captain, we have a situation!"
A voice suddenly came through the interrogation room's intercom.
Hearing Aric's voice, Felix raised his wrist, pressed the button on his portable short-range communicator, and asked.
"What's happening?"
"Our detection systems have picked up a warship heading in our direction."
Aric reported through the communicator.
Hearing Aric's report, Felix thought for a moment and formed a hypothesis.
"Have you identified the warship model?"
Glancing at Praya, Felix asked through the communicator.
Aric replied through the communicator.
"According to our detection data, it appears to be an Earth Alliance Forces transport vessel model."
"Have Heine lead a team to investigate. I'll join shortly."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing Aric's response, Felix closed the communication, stood up, straightened his uniform, and smiled slightly.
"I have matters to attend to now. We'll continue this later."
"Wait! Wait!"
Seeing Felix about to leave, Praya called out to him. His shouts received no response as Felix calmly walked out of the interrogation room.
....
"ZGMF–X08ACreation (Genesis), cleared for launch!"
"Felix Leo Griffith, Genesis (Genesis) launching!"
....
Meanwhile
Aboard the Junk Guild mothership Holm
AI Captain George reported the situation to Ro.
"Ro, we've detected a warship presence!"
"A warship?"
Hearing this, Ro asked with some confusion on his face.
AI Captain George continued.
"According to stored warship models, this vessel is ZAFT's newest warship."
As he spoke, AI George displayed the corresponding comparison data. Seeing the image of the Athena, Ro's expression instantly changed before he calmly issued an order.
"Transmit non-hostile signals!"
"Detecting high-speed objects approaching rapidly!"
AI George's voice once again echoed through the Holm's bridge.
Hearing about the rapidly approaching high-speed objects, Ro responded with composure.
"Fire corresponding signal flares! Inform them we are not Earth Alliance Forces."
After speaking, Ro began walking out of the bridge.
Noticing Ro's movement, Yamabuki Juri turned and asked him.
"Ro, what are you going to do?"