With that, Felix continued to pilot the Genesis Gundam in combat.
...
In the blink of an eye, another two hours passed.
Observing the current state of the battlefield and assessing his own condition, Felix maneuvered the Genesis Gundam back toward the Athena.
During the return journey, Felix evaded incoming attacks while simultaneously squeezing the trigger.
Over ten minutes later,
The Genesis Gundam crossed the battlefield and returned to the Athena's side.
The Meteor unit was detached and, under Felix's control, returned to its original position.
Felix piloted the Genesis Gundam into the Central Hangar.
On the Bridge of the Athena
Seeing Felix return, Aric temporarily handed over command to Oakley. Standing up to face Felix, Aric saluted.
"Captain!"
Glancing up at Aric, Felix asked,
"What's the overall situation like now?"
"Our offensive is proceeding smoothly. We're steadily wearing down the Earth Alliance Forces."
Aric responded to the query.
Felix nodded, sat down in his seat, and watched the display on the screen ahead. Seeing no major developments, he closed his eyes to rest.
Noting Felix's rest, Aric resumed his seat and took back command from Oakley.
"Move left!"
"Yes!"
Josh acknowledged the order and manipulated the rudder to steer the Athena.
A little over an hour later,
Felix, who had been resting with his eyes closed, was awakened by a communication alert.
Opening his eyes, he accepted the call and, upon seeing Patrick's face, raised his hand in salute.
"Chairman, greetings!"
"How are things at the moment?"
"Everything is proceeding smoothly so far."
In response to Patrick's inquiry, Felix replied. Patrick nodded at this and then asked over the comm,
"After your battle concludes, will you need the Defense Department to arrange for troops to support you?"
"Chairman, I'm afraid I can't answer that for now!" Felix shook his head and responded.
Seeing this, Patrick gave a slight nod, his tone calm yet stern.
"Inform me once you have a result."
"Yes, Chairman."
Nodding, Felix replied earnestly.
Just as he finished speaking, Felix saw the communication cut off. Staring at the ended transmission, he stretched and flexed his limbs before standing up.
After checking the situation displayed on the screen, he turned and headed out of the Bridge.
On the Bridge of the Athena
Felix, who had just taken a break, received a communication.
"What is it?"
"Captain, there's been a major troop movement on our end. Based on the orders we've received, it seems high command may be anticipating an attack from the Earth Alliance Forces on our position, hence the mobilization."
"An attack on your position?"
Frowning slightly, Felix muttered to himself. Composing himself, he spoke into the comm.
"Alright, I understand."
After his reply, Felix ended the communication.
Looking up at Aric, Felix spoke.
"Relay the recent message to Lacus and have her lead the team to the vicinity of the Jachin Due Defense Line to await an opportunity."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing this, Aric raised his hand in a salute.
"Captain, the Earth Alliance Forces have currently contracted their battle lines and are retreating. Based on the current situation, we will soon be able to launch an attack on the Ptolemy Military Base!"
Aric stood before Felix, reporting with a serious expression. After hearing the report, Felix looked up at Aric.
After a long moment of contemplation, he spoke.
"Maintain the offensive and push the Earth Alliance Forces back toward the vicinity of the Ptolemy Military Base."
"Yes, sir!"
Aric raised his hand in a crisp salute and replied loudly.
Meanwhile, in front of Boaz Fortress
A combined fleet composed of the Earth Alliance's Space Fifth, Sixth, and newly formed Ninth and Tenth Fleets continued to advance toward Boaz Fortress.
Aboard the Dominion, the flagship of the fleet
"Council Member, according to the plan, the battle will commence in thirty minutes. Do you have any instructions?"
The inquiry from the speaker drew Azrael's gaze to the screen ahead. Looking at Trian, the commander of the combined fleet, a cold glint flashed in Azrael's eyes as he spoke.
"Ensure the safe transport of the nuclear weapons. This battle must result in the destruction of ZAFT's Boaz Fortress!"
"Understood."
Trian nodded in response, and the communication ended at that moment. Watching the terminated transmission, Azrael switched the communication line to the standby room.
In the standby room
Shani, Orga, and Cloth were each occupied with their own activities when the voice from the speaker caught their attention.
"The battle is about to begin soon. Don't disappoint me, you three."
Shani set aside what he was doing, a cold smile on his face as he spoke.
"Another battle is starting?"
Cloth's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke after Shani.
"Time to indulge to our heart's content."
Orga looked at Cloth and Shani, closed the book in his hands, and said with a smile.
"I hope we don't run into those guys again, or there'll be no fun at all."
Near Boaz Fortress
Aboard a Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship
Yzak sat grimly in the standby room, occasionally glancing up at the clock on the wall.
"Captain Joule, please mobilize your team immediately!"
The voice echoed from the standby room's speaker. Yzak sprang to his feet, looked at his subordinates, and calmly issued the order.
"Move out!"
With those two words, he picked up his helmet and strode out of the standby room first.
Shiho, hearing Yzak's command and observing his actions, was the first among the group to respond, following closely behind Yzak as they departed.
"Yzak Joule, Duel Gundam, launching!"
Yzak sat in the cockpit of the Duel Gundam, gazing into the darkness ahead, and addressed his subordinates.
"The upcoming battle will be extremely intense. Everyone must stay fully alert, or don't blame me if you lose your lives—I've warned you!"
After the reminder, Shiho and the others responded over the comms.
"Rest assured, Captain!"
Nodding, Yzak said nothing more and continued to look ahead.
Time ticked by second by second, the beeping radar alarm now echoing through the Duel Gundam's cockpit.
Yzak watched the display on the screen, his finger pressing the trigger.
The Duel Gundam's Beam Rifle fired rapidly.
The beam shot forward, merging with the advancing beam attacks.
"Everyone, stay alert! The battle has begun!"
Speaking through the comms, Yzak piloted the Duel Gundam to charge ahead at the forefront.
...
Meanwhile, aboard the Eternal lurking silently nearby.
"Miss Clyne, the battle has started. What should we do next?"
Andrew turned to look at Lacus and asked.
Lacus, her expression serious as she gazed ahead, gave a steady command.
"Have Kira and Athrun pilot their MS equipped with the Meteor and proceed first. We will follow behind them!"
"Yes!"