Seeing Creuset's response, the maintenance squad leader threw himself into the inspection work on the Providence Gundam. Creuset watched the maintenance team members conducting their checks, his eyes beneath the mask lingering deeply on the Providence Gundam before he turned and left.
The maintenance squad leader, glancing at Creuset's departing figure, couldn't help but wonder to himself.
'What was Captain Creuset here for?'
He pondered for a long time but couldn't figure out the reason, so he simply stopped thinking about it.
His scattered focus gathered once more.
He devoted himself entirely to the work.
......
Several hours passed in the blink of an eye.
With the help of equipment, the Providence Gundam underwent a full-body inspection. After confirming everything was in order, the maintenance squad leader addressed his subordinates.
"The inspection is complete. Everyone, go and rest!"
"Squad leader, won't there be any issues with the Providence here?"
One of the maintenance team members looked at the squad leader, voicing his concerns. Hearing this, the squad leader rolled his eyes, his tone tinged with exasperation.
"There are armed soldiers guarding the outside. How could anything go wrong?"
He paused for a moment, then continued half-jokingly.
"Even if something happens to you, nothing will happen to the Providence!"
With that, he ignored the subordinate and urged the others.
"Everyone, go and rest. We have work to do tomorrow."
A chorus of voices responded in unison.
"Yes!"
The group dispersed, heading toward the exit.
The maintenance squad leader followed behind them. Before leaving, he took one last look at the Providence Gundam, confirmed there were no issues, and closed the hatch.
After exchanging a few words with the soldiers guarding the hatch, the maintenance squad leader turned and left.
Over an hour later,
Creuset's figure reappeared at the hatch of the warehouse where the Providence Gundam was stored.
The guarding soldiers stood at attention, saluted, and spoke respectfully.
"Captain Creuset, hello!"
"Hello!"
Creuset nodded slightly, his voice calm and gentle in reply. Then, his gaze fell on the hatch, and he feigned curiosity as he asked.
"Has the maintenance squad finished their work?"
Hearing Creuset's question, the soldier replied without suspicion.
"The maintenance squad completed the inspection over an hour ago!"
"I see!"
Creuset pretended to understand, then smiled at the two guarding soldiers and strode away.
At that moment,
On the Athena,
In Felix's room,
Felix, who had been resting, was awakened by the sound of a communication alert.
He opened his eyes, got up from the bed, and went to the desk. Seeing the communication display, he sat in the chair and pressed the answer button.
The screen lit up, revealing Patrick's face.
"Chairman, hello!"
Felix saluted and spoke respectfully.
Patrick nodded lightly in response, then asked.
"Has the leader of the support team communicated with you?"
"I had a corresponding communication with him not long ago." Nodding in response, Felix continued. "Currently, the support forces are resting at Lorentz Military Base and will arrive at the current frontline battlefield tomorrow."
After explaining the situation, Felix's gaze met Patrick's eyes. Seeing that Patrick remained silent, Felix took the initiative to ask.
"Chairman, is there something you need?"
Hearing the question, Patrick thought for a moment before asking.
"When do you plan to launch the attack?"
Observing Patrick's questioning expression, Felix replied without hesitation.
"I plan to launch the offensive against the Earth Alliance Forces in three days!"
Learning that the attack would commence in three days, Patrick calmly nodded with an "Mm." His gaze still fixed on Felix, Patrick asked.
"What is the objective of this operation?"
"To either annihilate this Earth Alliance Forces unit or inflict heavy damage on them."
Answering verbally, Felix then added to Patrick.
"However, compared to the latter, I prefer accomplishing the former objective."
A faint smile appeared on Patrick's stern face as he nodded in agreement.
"I also quite favor the former objective."
Seeing the smile on Patrick's face, Felix allowed a smile to show on his own. The two looked at each other and smiled briefly, before Patrick's expression shifted first, returning to its usual seriousness.
The determination in his voice grew more intense.
"Felix, your mission in three days' operation is to firmly pin down this Earth Alliance Forces unit!"
"Pin down?" Felix frowned upon hearing Patrick's request, murmuring the words. The next moment, Felix seemed to realize something.
Though understanding in his heart, Felix still pretended not to comprehend and asked.
"Chairman, is just pinning them down sufficient? Don't you need us to do anything else?"
"No need, just pinning them down is enough."
Shaking his head, Patrick replied with resolute determination.
After saying this, Patrick added.
"When the time comes for further actions, just await my orders. Without my command, do not arbitrarily end the engagement with the Earth Alliance Forces!"
As he spoke, Patrick's eyes turned extremely sharp, his voice carrying a warning tone.
"Understood?"
Seeing the warning expression on Patrick's face, Felix raised his hand in salute and replied with utmost respect.
"Understood!"
Hearing the response, the sternness and warning faded from Patrick's face, his entire countenance softening considerably.
"Contact me promptly if there are any developments."
After calmly stating this, Patrick unilaterally ended the communication.
Felix looked at the terminated communication and pressed the communication button. An encrypted communication was initiated by Felix.
Soon, Lacus's face appeared on the screen.
"Is something wrong, Felix?"
Lacus looked at Felix's face, her eyes affectionate and her voice gentle as she inquired.
Hearing Lacus's question, Felix spoke to her with a serious expression.
"There's some rather bad news I need to tell you!"
"Bad news?"
The smile faded from Lacus's face, the tenderness in her eyes receding as she murmured in a more serious tone.
Watching Lacus, Felix nodded.
"That's right, a very bad piece of news."
Replying, Felix continued speaking.
"Patrick has no intention of honoring his agreement with you. The war is still ongoing, and he's preparing to deploy the Secret Weapon."