With a carefree smile, Felix answered without hesitation. Looking at Canard, Felix chuckled and asked in return.
"May I ask who you are?"
The calm question reached Canard's ears, causing him to freeze momentarily before sinking into deep thought. Watching Canard lost in contemplation, Felix smiled and asked again.
"Could you tell me who you are?"
Canard looked up at Felix, his words caught in his throat. What he wanted to say ultimately remained unspoken.
Observing Canard's hesitation, Felix wore a meaningful smile as he sat there waiting for Canard's response.
The silence persisted for a minute or two before Canard broke it.
"Canard Pars."
After speaking his name, Canard's expression grew resolute, and his voice became louder as he declared.
"My name is Canard Pars!"
"Hmm!" Nodding with a smile, Felix stood up and walked over to Canard, extending his hand. Canard looked at Felix's outstretched hand, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. Noticing the doubt in Canard's eyes, Felix smiled gently and spoke softly.
"Hello, Canard Pars."
A simple, ordinary greeting, yet at this moment, it struck Canard's heart like a tidal wave. Canard's pupils contracted, his eyes reddening slightly as he suppressed his emotions. He reached out and firmly grasped Felix's hand.
Holding Felix's hand, Canard pressed his lips together, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Hello, Felix Leo Griffith."
Hearing Canard's response, Felix maintained his smile, patting Canard's shoulder with his other hand as he said warmly.
"Remember your name. Remembering it means remembering yourself."
With that, Felix withdrew his hand and turned to walk toward the interrogation room door. Canard watched Felix preparing to leave, his reddened eyes filled with gratitude as he spoke heartfelt thanks.
"Thank you."
"You figured this out yourself; it has nothing to do with me." Turning back to look at Canard, Felix shook his head. "If you want to thank someone, thank yourself properly."
After saying this, Felix strode out of the interrogation room.
Outside the Interrogation Room
"Captain, are you alright?"
Jonah looked at Felix, his eyes filled with concern. Seeing the worry in Jonah's gaze, Felix shook his head and smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
As he spoke, Felix patted Jonah's shoulder and glanced toward the interrogation room.
"Take the person inside back to his cell."
"Yes!"
Nodding, Jonah raised his hand in a salute.
Giving a slight nod, Felix then walked forward.
Jonah watched Felix depart before turning and heading into the interrogation room.
...
Near Mendel Satellite
The Athena came to a halt, and the space battleship following behind it also stopped under the control of temporary operators.
Athena Bridge
"Felix."
Lacus wore a joyful smile on her face, her cheerful call spoken aloud. Felix sat in his seat, watching Lacus with a gentle expression that radiated happiness, nodding slightly toward her.
"Lacus."
After the greeting, Felix shifted his gaze to Aric. Aric immediately understood the unspoken command and opened communications to relay the orders.
Once all instructions were given, Aric gave a slight nod toward Felix.
Returning the nod to Aric, Felix turned his gentle gaze back to Lacus and spoke softly.
"Lacus, I've brought you a fully intact battleship."
"A fully intact battleship?"
A trace of confusion appeared between Lacus's brows, just before Andrew's voice chimed in.
"Miss Clyne, an unidentified battleship is approaching our position."
Glancing at Andrew, Lacus looked up at Felix on the screen, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Is that the unidentified battleship you mentioned?"
"Yes, that's the one."
Nodding, Felix replied to Lacus.
Hearing this, Lacus understood, warmth blooming in her heart as her face lit up with joyful happiness. With tender affection in her eyes, she said to Felix.
"Thank you."
"No need to thank me, it's only what should be done."
Shaking his head, Felix replied in a calm yet gentle tone. At that moment, Felix thought of Canard and asked Lacus.
"Is Kira available now?"
"Kira?"
Muttering the name, Lacus thought for a moment before answering.
"He should be free, but I'll need to check with him." As she spoke, a hint of curiosity surfaced between her brows. "Do you need something from him?"
"There's someone here who wants to meet him."
Thinking of Canard's face, Felix replied.
Lacus felt a flicker of curiosity but didn't press further since Felix didn't elaborate. Smiling warmly at Felix, she nodded.
"I'll ask him for you."
After her response, Lacus kept her eyes on Felix, who noticed her gaze. Locked in this mutual stare, Felix found himself at a loss for words, unsure what to say next.
Aric watched his speechless captain, then glanced at Miss Clyne on the screen, immediately guessing what might be going on.
'There's definitely something between the captain and Miss Clyne!'
Just as Aric was speculating, Felix broke the silence.
"Have you eaten?"
The three simple words left Aric wide-eyed, staring at Felix in disbelief as he thought.
'Captain, that's what you ask?'
"I've eaten."
Meanwhile, Lacus smiled and nodded at Felix's awkward attempt at conversation.
Hearing this, Felix smiled and nodded.
"That's good."
With those words, Felix fell silent again, uncertain how to continue the conversation.
Noticing Felix's struggle, Lacus took control of the conversation and asked him.
"Was the battle to capture this battleship smooth?"
"Very smooth."
Felix smiled, his voice filled with confidence and ease. Lacus nodded and followed up.
"You weren't injured, were you?"
"Not at all!"
Shaking his head, Felix responded to Lacus.
After replying, Felix looked at Lacus and thought about the extremely dangerous battlefield ahead, a trace of worry rising in his heart. The idea of not wanting Lacus to step onto the battlefield emerged spontaneously.
"Lacus, what comes next..."
Hearing Felix's words, Lacus had already guessed what he was about to say. Gazing at Felix, she interrupted with a firm expression.
"Felix, please trust me, alright?"
Hearing this, Felix swallowed the latter half of his sentence. After a long silence, he spoke.
"Alright."
Lacus's face broke into a smile upon hearing this, her gentle voice carrying a reassuring tone.
"Felix, I'll be fine, I promise you."
"It's fine, I'll protect you when the time comes."
Nodding, Felix assured Lacus.
Lacus felt warmth in her heart upon hearing his promise.
At that moment, Andrew's voice cut into their conversation.
"Miss Clyne, I'm afraid we won't be able to pilot this battleship!"
"What's wrong?"
Lacus shifted her gaze from Felix's face to Andrew and inquired.
Andrew turned to look at Lacus and explained.
"Miss Clyne, we don't have enough personnel. We can't spare a crew to operate this battleship."
"It's fine. Among my people, there are those capable of piloting a battleship. They can take charge when the time comes."
Felix communicated this to Andrew through the comms.
Andrew chuckled upon hearing this.
"How many people have you recruited, kid?"
"Enough to take on Orb without any problem."
Felix laughed and replied jokingly.
Lacus listened to Felix's playful remark, a smile on her face as she said in a teasing tone,
"If Cagalli hears you say that, she'll definitely get angry."
"Let her be angry. I'll just give her another beating when the time comes."
Felix chuckled dismissively.
On the Kusanagi
"Achoo!"
Cagalli, who was in the hangar, suddenly sneezed.
Erica Simmons, standing beside Cagalli, turned to look at her with concern.
"Did you catch a cold?"
Hearing this, Cagalli shook her head and replied to Erica.
"No."
As she spoke, Cagalli fixed her eyes on the Rouge Strike, which was undergoing final adjustments.
"It was just a sudden sneeze."
"Make time to visit the medical bay later, just in case it gets worse."
Erica nodded gently but continued to express her concern.
Cagalli nodded softly in response.
"Mm."
...
On the Athena
"If Chairman Zala finds out what you've done, kid, he'll probably skin you alive!"
Andrew said with a grin, teasing him.
Felix smiled nonchalantly.
"As long as none of you talk, it'll be fine."
As he spoke, Felix heard a beeping sound from his communicator. Glancing down at it, he turned to Lacus and said,
"Lacus, let's continue our chat later."
"Mm." Lacus responded understandingly. "Go attend to your matters first."
With that, Lacus ended the communication.
After concluding the previous communication, Felix immediately patched through to Patrick's line.
Seeing Patrick on the screen, Felix raised his hand in salute and spoke respectfully.
"Chairman, good day!"
"How is the mission progressing?"
Patrick gave a slight nod before inquiring.
Hearing this, Felix responded with serious expression.
"We are currently conducting search operations in the L4 Zone."
"Set that mission aside for now. Depart immediately for the Lorenz Military Base."
Upon receiving Patrick's new order, Felix accepted the task with calm composure.
"Yes!"
After giving this response, Felix looked at Patrick through the comms and asked.
"Chairman, how long must we hold the Lorenz Military Base?"
"Hold it until I issue the retreat order to you."
Hearing this firm and uncompromising answer, Felix's expression turned grave, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity.
"I understand."
"Mhm." Patrick gave a light nod, the severity on his face easing somewhat as his tone became more measured. "Felix, the Lorenz Military Base on the Moon is our first line of defense against the Earth Alliance Forces, the bridgehead that prevents their advance toward our homeland. You must lead your troops to hold this position at all costs."
"You can rest assured, Chairman. I will defend it with everything I have."
With grim determination, Felix nodded emphatically.
Seeing this, Patrick returned the nod to Felix before terminating the communication.
As the comms ended, Aric's voice rang out across the Bridge.
"Captain, are we returning to the Lorenz Military Base now?"
"Correct."
Glancing at him, Felix confirmed.
After speaking, Felix placed a call to Lacus.
After two beeps, the communication connected, revealing Lacus' face on the screen.
Looking at her, Felix spoke before she could.
"Lacus, I'm heading to the Lorenz Military Base now. I won't be able to look after you during this time. Please be careful."
Hearing about the Lorenz Military Base, Lacus immediately thought of the Earth Alliance Forces' Ptolemy Military Base, and a deep worry welled up in her heart.
"Is it dangerous?"
"Not at all."
Sensing the concern in Lacus' voice, Felix offered a faint smile, lying through his words.
Hearing this, Lacus lowered her gaze, tightening her hold on the Haro in her arms. Seeing her downcast expression, Felix softened his voice to comfort her.
"Don't worry. I've survived countless battles before - this one will be no different."
As he spoke, Felix struck a heroic pose for Lacus.
"They call me the Sword of Damocles in the Earth Alliance Forces! How could they possibly defeat me?"
Hearing his bravado, Lacus' eyes grew red beneath her lowered lashes, her voice filled with self-reproach.
"I can't do anything to help you.Hearing her self-blaming tone, Felix couldn't maintain his heroic act any longer, the smile vanishing from his face.
Felix fell silent, and the others likewise refrained from speaking, quietly leaving the space for Felix and Lacus alone.
The heavy silence persisted for some time.
In the midst of this silence, Lacus gathered all her self-blame deep within her heart, composed her emotions, and looked up
at Felix with a smile as she said.
"Felix, I'm quite good at cooking."
"Then I'll have to taste it properly."
Felix understood her seemingly random remark implicitly.
Hearing this, Lacus nodded with a smile.
"I'll cook for you when we return to PLANT."
"Alright, I'll make sure to eat my fill then."
Smiling, Felix made this promise to Lacus. Hearing him, Lacus gazed at Felix with her beautiful eyes, took a deep breath, and said with a laugh.
"You'll pay for the groceries then!"
"No problem!"