Seeing Patrick's shocked expression, Felix explained the matter once more. After hearing it again, the shock on Patrick's face gradually faded, replaced by a look of grim seriousness.
Observing his solemn expression, Felix waited quietly.
After a long while, Patrick spoke in a somewhat heavy voice.
"Felix, I order you to depart immediately and destroy the Providence Gundam!"
As the command reached his ears, Felix calmly inquired.
"What about the battle on the Moon?"
Patrick slightly raised his eyes, replying with calm determination.
"Leave the battle to your Adjutant for command!"
"I understand!"
With a solemn expression, Felix raised his hand in a salute.
Before his arm could lower, the communication ended.
Lowering his arm, Felix contacted the Bridge of the Athena.
He relayed Patrick's order.
"Understood?"
"Understood!"
The crisp two-word response came through the communication. Felix reached out to end the call, then stood up and headed for the door.
Meanwhile
PLANT Homeland
Aprilius City District 1
PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
"Can someone explain to me what exactly is going on?"
Facing the design bureau members on the screen, Patrick looked grim, his voice tinged with anger as he questioned them lowly.
Hearing Patrick's question, the members glanced at each other and fell into thought.
Seeing them deep in thought, Patrick suppressed his inner fury, leaning back in his chair as he quietly awaited an answer.
Time passed, and after about a minute, a voice broke the silence in the communication.
"Chairman, to activate the Providence, aside from the proper input of the key, the only ways are to replace the entire operating system or bypass the security lock through some means."
Beneath a calm exterior, Patrick restrained his anger, muttering under his breath.
"Replace the entire operating system?"
The design bureau chief on the screen nodded, then added.
"However, the Providence is equipped with the Dragoon System. The complexity of its entire system is only slightly less than that of the Genesis. It can be said that without the original operating system files, it's impossible to replace the entire system."
Hearing the additional explanation, Patrick lightly tapped the table, his voice betraying no emotion.
"So, Creuset bypassed the security lock through some method, is that it?"
His question was quickly met with a nod of agreement.
Seeing the nod, some of Patrick's suppressed anger spilled out, his voice carrying a tone of fury as he demanded.
"What have you all been doing? How could you allow the security lock to be bypassed!"
"Chairman, it's a matter of constant vigilance against thieves, but one can't be on guard every single day. No matter how thorough our considerations, there will always be oversights."
With a helpless expression, the joint design bureau chief replied to Patrick. After speaking, he took a deep breath and continued.
"Chairman, there is no flawless security lock in this world. Any lock can be opened or bypassed."
Hearing these words, the anger on Patrick's face did not dissipate, and his voice carried a cold edge as he issued the order.
"You have three hours to figure this out!"
After receiving the response, Patrick directly ended the communication.
Central Hangar
"Captain, will you be deploying with the Destiny Support Fighter this time?"
Taiber stood respectfully beside Felix as he asked.
Glancing at Taiber, Felix nodded calmly.
"I will!"
With those two words spoken, Felix picked up his helmet and headed toward the cockpit.
...
"Felix Leo Griffith, Genesis Gundam, launching!"
Felix piloted the Genesis Gundam, hovering in the airspace!
The Destiny Support Fighter was catapulted out, flying toward the Genesis Gundam.
The connection rod on the back of the Genesis Gundam rose, while the two connection ports on the Destiny Support Fighter lit up.
As the connection completed, Felix grasped the thrust lever and pushed it forward.
The moment he pressed the pedals down firmly, powerful thrust propelled the Genesis Gundam into high-speed flight.
The flying Genesis Gundam turned in mid-air and headed straight back.
"Aric, I'm temporarily handing command of the unit over to you. Don't mess up!"
"Rest assured, Captain!"
A loud and confident assurance echoed through the communication channel.
Felix glanced at Aric, gave a slight nod, and then ended the communication with him. Adjusting the comms, he sent a transmission toward Phelps.
Moments later, the communication was connected!
"Captain Griffith, you—"
"Skip the formalities for now. Just report the situation!"
Interrupting Phelps' greeting, Felix cut straight to the point.
After being cut off, Phelps quickly explained the situation.
As he spoke, the anger in Phelps' eyes was palpable through his voice. His fury continued to build, and at that moment, he wished he could tear Creuset to pieces.
"Has the Providence Gundam escaped yet? Is Creuset's unit acting alongside him?"
With a stern expression, Felix inquired calmly and composedly.
Upon hearing this, Phelps immediately replied.
"The Providence Gundam hasn't escaped our tracking range yet, and Creuset's team is also involved in this betrayal!"
After learning the situation, Felix thought for a moment and then gave the order.
"Maintain tracking and report updates as they come."
"Yes, sir!"
A confirmation came through the communication, and Felix ended the call with Phelps.
After the communication ended, Felix pondered as he piloted the Genesis Gundam on its journey.
'Why would Creuset's team follow him in such an action?'
Doubt clouded Felix's mind, but then a flash of insight, like sunlight, dispelled the uncertainty.
Once everything became clear in his heart, Felix stopped dwelling on the matter and devoted himself entirely to piloting the Genesis Gundam.
...
One or two hours later,
Above Lorentz Military Base
The Genesis Gundam, having traveled all the way, stood poised in the sky!
Inside the cockpit
Felix observed the situation at Lorentz Military Base, his hands clenched tightly into fists, a cold, murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
'Creuset!'
He silently seethed with killing intent, yet his voice was laced with concern as he inquired once more.
"How is everyone holding up?"
"We lost thirty-two MS units in the interception, with twenty-eight pilots killed in action. Three Lawa-class Battleships were destroyed in combat, and casualties are estimated at around one hundred and fifty-two!"
Phelps' grave voice echoed through the cockpit.
Hearing the extent of the losses, Felix's grip on the control stick tightened further, the murderous intent in his eyes blazing even fiercer.
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