"You understanding is a relief!"
Hearing Richard's reply, Williams spoke with satisfaction. Richard ignored the meaningless remark and proceeded to ask his question.
"Commander, we can hold out longer, but I'd like to know what our next operation will be."
Williams glanced at Richard and stated bluntly, "Using nuclear weapons to attack ZAFT's Boaz Fortress."
Upon hearing this, Richard immediately understood the tactical implications and asked no further questions. Not hearing any inquiries, Williams then asked, "Richard, do you have anything else to ask?"
"No." Richard shook his head in response.
Seeing this, Williams reached out and ended the communication.
Staring at the blank screen, Richard's energy seemed to drain away, leaving him slumped against his chair back. After a long silence, he let out a sigh.
"Ah..."
On the Frontline Battlefield
Aboard the Flagship of the Earth Alliance Forces Fleet
"Commander, we've confirmed the location of ZAFT's special MS."
Landon reported to Thurman after reviewing the subordinate's update. Thurman turned to Landon upon hearing this.
"Go ahead."
Landon nodded and continued, "ZAFT's special MS has appeared on our left flank!"
Thurman's expression turned grave. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What's its current status?"
"Under combined fire from battleships, MS, and Mobile Armors, its advance has been stalled."
Thurman nodded calmly and inquired, "What's its objective?"
After brief consideration, Landon replied seriously, "Based on current analysis, it's highly likely targeting us."
Hearing this assessment, Thurman decisively ordered, "Increase the forces surrounding it. Don't let it get close!"
"Yes!"
Landon acknowledged with a nod.
Aprilius City District 1
In the Chairman's Office of the PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
"Zala, here are the latest reconnaissance results."
Ezalia stood before Patrick, placing the document she held on the desk as she spoke with her usual composure. Patrick looked up at Ezalia and gave a calm nod.
"Hmm."
After this brief acknowledgment, Patrick picked up the document Ezalia had set down. Scanning its contents, he asked, "Has the Earth Alliance restarted their nuclear weapons program?"
"According to our intelligence, reactivation of nuclear weapons was inevitable."
Seated in her chair, Ezalia nodded earnestly.
Patrick glanced at her briefly before returning his gaze to the document. After a moment of silence, he set the papers on the desk, leaned back in his chair, and looked at Ezalia.
"Where do you think the Earth Alliance will deploy these nuclear weapons first?"
"Given our current offensive against Ptolemy Military Base, I believe they will likely deploy nuclear weapons in that theater of operations."
After careful consideration, Ezalia voiced her speculation.
Patrick listened to Ezalia's conjecture and shook his head without changing his expression.
Seeing his denial, Ezalia appeared somewhat puzzled.
As Ezalia was feeling confused, Patrick spoke up.
"I think they might deploy nuclear weapons against our Boaz Fortress, or possibly other fortresses or military bases." At this point, Patrick took a deep breath before continuing. "However, I'm more inclined to believe they'll target Boaz Fortress."
"Target Boaz Fortress?" Ezalia murmured before looking up at Patrick with a questioning gaze. "Are they prepared to abandon what is currently the largest and most complete forward base in space?"
"Abandonment isn't necessarily the case." Patrick shook his head and spoke seriously. "But while ensuring maximum effectiveness of their nuclear weapons, they'll certainly employ a strategy of relieving the besieged by attacking the besiegers."
Hearing the phrase "relieving the besieged by attacking the besiegers," Ezalia immediately understood the situation. With a grave expression, she said:
"If that's the case, we'll need to readjust our current defensive deployment. Otherwise, given Boaz Fortress's current condition, it would be difficult to defend against such an offensive from the Earth Alliance."
As she spoke, Ezalia asked:
"Should we end our offensive on the Moon at that time, or fight both battles simultaneously?"
"Fight both battles simultaneously!"
When asked this, Patrick stated his opinion with absolute conviction. Hearing this idea, a trace of concern appeared on Ezalia's grave expression.
Seeing Ezalia's concern, Patrick knew exactly what she was worried about.
"Don't worry, given our current situation, we're fully capable of fighting two battles at once."
"Hmm."
Ezalia nodded calmly in response.
Seeing this, Patrick instructed Ezalia:
"Later, go coordinate with the staff officers at ZAFT Headquarters to reformulate our defensive deployment. Try to transfer as many forces as possible to Boaz Fortress!" At this point, Patrick added: "Deploy all forces outside the fortress. Even the troops inside Boaz Fortress should be completely withdrawn, while simultaneously evacuating all non-combat personnel from the fortress."
"I understand, Zala."
Ezalia nodded calmly in response, then stood up and straightened her uniform before saying to Patrick:
"Zala, if there's nothing else, I'll go attend to my duties now."
"Hmm!" Patrick nodded and said, "Go ahead!"
After hearing this, Ezalia turned and left.
After Ezalia departed, Patrick contacted Yuri.
"What is it?"
Yuri's voice came through the communication, and Patrick spoke:
"Yuri, hand over your current work and then coordinate with Orson to form a new research team. Develop equipment capable of secondary countermeasures against nuclear weapons."
"I understand." Yuri nodded upon hearing this and replied through the communication.
Felix maneuvered the Genesis Gundam to evade battleship fire from two directions. Assessing the situation on his screen, he quickly formed a plan.
His finger squeezed the trigger.
The 93.7cm High-Energy Beam Cannon fired.
Three explosions flared ahead before the Genesis Gundam shifted left and backward.
After dodging incoming beam attacks, the Genesis Gundam returned fire with its own beams, then turned to withdraw from the combat zone.
During the retreat, the four remaining DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannons targeted pursuing Strike Daggers.
Four beams streaked across the battlefield, destroying three Strike Daggers. As the DRAGOON units repositioned, one failed to evade a second beam attack in time - a thick beam grazed it, causing the entire DRAGOON Beam Assault Cannon to explode.
Hearing the urgent warning alarms, Felix glanced briefly before refocusing on his controls.
Pressing the left pedal forward and right pedal backward, the Genesis Gundam pivoted right.
The 120cm High-Energy Beam Cannon on its right arm fired.
A massive beam surged toward a Nelson-class Heavy Firepower Battleship.
Inside the battleship's bridge:
"Descend now!" the captain commanded.
The four-word order reached the helmsman, who immediately executed the maneuver.
The Nelson-class battleship began descending just as the beam arrived.
The powerful high-energy beam tore a massive gash through the battleship's hull.
Crew inside struggled to save the vessel, but their efforts proved futile against the devastating impact.
The battleship ultimately disintegrated and exploded mid-air.
"Bastard!"
On the bridge of a neighboring Nelson-class battleship:
Watching his comrades' ship destroyed, the captain's face contorted with rage, his words grinding through clenched teeth.
He immediately followed with new orders: "Hard right rudder! Evade that MS!"
"Aye!" the helmsman responded, already turning the rudder hard right.
As the battleship executed its evasive maneuver, Felix paid it no attention.
Instead, he guided the Genesis Gundam to evade beams attacking from behind, then used the Fortissimo Beam Cannon of the Destiny Support Fighter to destroy two pursuing Mobius units.
After these shots, Felix maneuvered the Genesis Gundam into another evasive turn.
Pressing both pedals forward, the Genesis Gundam accelerated rapidly away from the area.
While retreating, Felix continuously dodged attacks from pursuing forces.
After sustained flight, the Genesis Gundam successfully broke through to reunite with ZAFT Forces attacking the left flank.
"Orange, Alpha, beam attack!" Felix urgently warned a GINN pilot over comms, observing the mobile suit's predicament on his screen.
"Received!" came the immediate reply.
The GINN pilot swiftly evaded the attack, raised its weapon, and returned fire.
Another explosion illuminated the battlefield.
After firing, the GINN pilot immediately began repositioning the mobile suit.
Observing the situation, Felix maneuvered the Genesis Gundam to evade.
His fingers danced across the command buttons as the Genesis Gundam swung its mechanical arm, its thick Beam Saber instantly destroying a Strike Dagger that was about to open fire.
After this, Felix operated the control stick and pulled the trigger.
The deployed Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon fired.
Two Sandwich Beams shot from the cannon's muzzle.
The glow of the beams appeared on the screen, followed by two explosions lighting up the display.
Having completed this, the Genesis Gundam moved again, dodging incoming beam attacks.
His finger pulled the trigger, and the 93.7cm High-Energy Beam Cannon fired.
"Commander, that ZAFT Forces MS has withdrawn."
Landon looked at the report and turned to brief Thurman.
Hearing the report, Thurman asked with a grave expression, "How many battleships did we lose due to that thing's surprise attack?"
"According to current statistics, three Drake-class Space Frigates were destroyed, two Nelson-class Heavy Firepower Battleships were destroyed, along with one Drake-class Space Frigate damaged and one Nelson-class Heavy Firepower Battleship damaged."