Upon hearing this, Doug let out a deep sigh, his face clouded with worry as he began explaining to Felix in detail.
"The Earth Alliance Forces have begun gathering around the outskirts of the spaceport. We've been under missile bombardment from the Earth Alliance Forces these past few days."
Listening to Doug's troubled words, Felix realized the situation at the spaceport was far from ideal. Looking at Doug, Felix spoke with a hint of apology in his expression.
"I'm sorry I can't stand with you in defending Victoria Spaceport."
Hearing this, Doug immediately shook his head.
"Felix, don't say that."
After responding, Doug added.
"You have the tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Chairman, and we're all contributing to PLANT in our own ways. There's no need for apologies."
Then Doug changed the subject and asked Felix.
"By the way, what did you call about?"
Hearing Doug's question, Felix nodded calmly.
"There are indeed some matters I need to discuss with you."
"Please go ahead!" Doug's expression turned more serious as he gestured for Felix to continue.
Looking at Doug, Felix gathered his thoughts before speaking.
"Doug, who's primarily responsible for the current defense deployment at Victoria Spaceport?"
"Captain Creuset has been working with me on it." Doug answered with some confusion, then asked in return. "Is there a problem?"
Upon hearing this, Felix pondered briefly before asking Doug again.
"Are you the base commander?"
"Yes, that's me." Doug nodded in confirmation, then explained. "The Chairman considered that since I've been stationed long-term at Victoria Spaceport and am more familiar with spaceport operations and the surrounding situation, he placed me in overall command. Captain Creuset is supporting me in our operations."
Hearing Doug's response, understanding dawned on Felix. With a serious expression, he spoke earnestly to Doug.
"Doug, make dual preparations for destroying the Mass Driver. Keep one set of preparations completely secret."
Hearing this instruction, a look of confusion appeared on Doug's face. After thinking carefully, Doug asked Felix.
"Are you worried about unexpected circumstances, or..."
"I'm worried about unexpected incidents!" Felix interrupted Doug's words and continued. "The Earth Alliance Forces are very cunning. They might infiltrate the spaceport covertly and sabotage our preparations. To prevent such a scenario, it's necessary to have a hidden contingency plan!"
"You make a valid point." After careful consideration, Doug nodded in agreement. "I'll secretly arrange a backup plan right away to avoid the possibility you mentioned."
Seeing Doug agree, Felix breathed a slight sigh of relief and added earnestly.
"Doug, 'If you preserve territory at the cost of lives, you lose both; if you preserve lives at the cost of territory, you keep both.' So if it becomes clear we can't hold the spaceport, order a retreat immediately. Don't waste resources fighting the Earth Alliance Forces excessively over it.
We can't match the Earth Alliance in terms of manpower."
"I'll give this serious thought."
Mulling it over, Doug found the reasoning sound and responded to Felix. Hearing Doug's noncommittal reply, Felix grew stern, his tone resolute.
"Doug, don't just consider it—you must act on it. As long as people survive, everything can be regained. But if we lose our personnel, not only will the spaceport fall, it would be a devastating blow to our ZAFT Forces.
PLANT's security would be compromised too."
Seeing the gravity on Felix's face, Doug replied seriously.
"Alright, I understand."
After speaking, Doug checked the time and added.
"Felix, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll end our conversation here."
With that, Doug cut off the communication.
Staring at the terminated call, Felix wore a troubled expression, uncertain how much of his advice Doug had truly taken to heart.
Turning to gaze out the window, Felix murmured with concern.
"I hope Doug heeds my words and doesn't lead the troops into a futile stand against the Earth Alliance Forces at Victoria Spaceport."
Pulling his eyes from the view, Felix began typing on his computer keyboard.
About ten minutes later, he completed a report.
Reviewing the contents, Felix transmitted it via network to PLANT headquarters.
"I've done all I can. Now, we wait to see how events unfold."
...
The hands of the clock swept forward, and nearly ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
On June 27th
At Carpentaria Base
"Commander Griffith, Victoria Spaceport has fallen!"
Benny stood before Felix with a grim expression, delivering the devastating news. Hearing this, Felix glanced up at the calendar and asked Benny.
"What were the casualties among the spaceport's defense forces?"
In response, Benny's somber demeanor deepened with sorrow, his voice tinged with grief.
"Over forty percent of the forces were lost. Multiple squad leaders sacrificed their lives in the battle."
Upon hearing the forty percent casualty rate, Felix's pupils contracted slightly, a wave of anguish rising from within. After a moment, he suppressed his grief and spoke as calmly as possible.
"Where have the remaining forces withdrawn to?"
"The remaining forces broke through the encirclement and headed to the Gibraltar military base," Benny replied to Felix while looking at him.
Learning that the remaining forces had withdrawn to the Gibraltar military base, Felix felt slightly relieved and turned to Benny to inquire about the Spaceport.
"Was the Spaceport destroyed?"
Benny shook his head in response to the question.
Seeing Benny shake his head, Felix furrowed his brow.
"The Spaceport wasn't destroyed?"
Nodding, Benny suppressed the frustration welling up inside him and reported to Felix, "The Earth Alliance Forces sent special forces to infiltrate. They disabled the bombs we had placed on the Mass Driver, which ultimately caused the destruction plan to fail."
After confirming this, Felix waved his hand at Benny and said, "Alright, I understand."
"I'll get back to work now. Let me know if you need anything." With that, Benny bid farewell to Felix and walked out of the office.
Hearing the soft click of the door closing, Felix slammed his fist on the desk in frustration. A look of angry resentment crossed his face as he muttered through gritted teeth, "Damn it!"
Just as Felix was about to contact the Gibraltar base, a communication came through.
Seeing the name displayed on the communicator, Felix answered immediately.
"Chairman, hello!"
Saluting as he looked at Patrick on the screen, Felix greeted him. Patrick nodded slightly, his expression serious as he issued the order.
"Felix, within the next week, you are to lead all forces at Carpentaria Base back to space. Additionally, you are responsible for communicating with the Oceania Union to inform them of our imminent withdrawal to space."
"Chairman, are we abandoning the base outright?"
Hearing Patrick's command to abandon the base directly, Felix felt surprised and asked in response.
Nodding, Patrick said, 'If we cling to the land and lose our people, we lose both; if we preserve our people and lose the land, we keep both.' That's what you told me in your report a week ago."
After speaking, a faint smile appeared on Patrick's stern face.
Seeing the expression on Patrick's face and hearing his words, Felix felt deeply gratified.
'You finally listened to me for once!'
"Please rest assured, Chairman. I will accomplish these tasks within the week."
Continuing to look at Patrick, Felix saluted and replied with utmost seriousness.
Hearing this, Patrick nodded slightly and ended the communication. After the call disconnected, Felix immediately contacted Benny.
"Benny, arrange for me to speak with the President of the Oceania Union. There are matters I need to discuss with him!"
"No problem, I'll reach out right away," Benny nodded and replied.
Hearing Benny's response, Felix added, "Also, starting today, recall all our deployed forces."
Though puzzled by this, Benny nodded and accepted the task. "Understood, Captain Griffith."
...
June 28th
Presidential Palace, Capital of the Oceania Union
"Good day, President Morells."
Entering the presidential office, Felix looked at the middle-aged man before him with respect, his voice carrying a tone of reverence as he offered his greeting.
Morells responded with a slight smile, replying, "Hello, Captain Griffith."
As he spoke, Morells gestured for Felix to take a seat. Felix returned a faint smile and reciprocated the gesture. Moments later, both were seated on the sofa.
After a brief moment of eye contact, Morells was the first to speak. "Captain Griffith, what brings you here today?"
"President Morells, the current situation has become highly unfavorable for PLANT. To ensure the defense of our homeland, the PLANT Supreme Council has resolved to withdraw our forces back into space. As a result, we will be departing from Carpentaria Base and will no longer be able to provide military protection for your nation."
Felix met Morells' gaze as he explained their impending actions. Towards the end, a hint of apology surfaced on his face, and he added regretfully, "I hope you can understand."
Morells frowned upon hearing this, his expression turning displeased as he asked in an unhappy tone, "So you're just pulling out like that?"
Seeing his discontent, Felix nodded. "The current circumstances are not in our favor, so this is our only viable option."
Before Morells could respond, Felix continued, "As a gesture of our apology, the submersible carriers, underwater MS, and air combat mobile suits we leave behind will be gifted to your nation free of charge. Additionally, after our withdrawal, your country may directly annul our alliance and join the Earth Alliance for self-preservation."
With that, Felix placed a storage device on the table. "This is a mobile suit operating system we developed based on the capabilities of Naturals. It will meet your nation's needs for MS system modifications."
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