After being rejected, Lacus continued gazing at Vania, calmly waiting for her response. Feeling Lacus's steady gaze, Vania pursed her lips and finally nodded, replying, "Understood, Miss Clyne."
"Keep constant watch over the battleship's situation. Leave the remaining matters to me," Lacus instructed gently, her expression softening upon hearing Vania's answer.
Vania nodded again and responded, "Yes, Miss Clyne."
Seeing that she had nothing else to report, Vania addressed Lacus once more, "Miss Clyne, if there's nothing else, may I take my leave?"
Watching Vania prepare to depart, Lacus smiled faintly while stroking Haro and instructed, "Make preparations. I need to meet with Felix again."
"Understood!" Vania replied promptly before turning to exit the room.
...
Two days later
"You've been seeking me out rather frequently lately," Felix remarked with a light laugh, staring down at his coffee cup as he stirred it gently with a spoon.
Hearing this, Lacus maintained her gentle smile and responded in her characteristically soft voice, "Is that a bad thing?"
"From a rational standpoint, it's not ideal," Felix replied, ceasing his stirring with an amused tone before adding playfully, "But from a male perspective, it's quite delightful."
"I'm honored!" Lacus exclaimed, a sudden wave of joy rising within her. After the moment passed, her expression turned serious as she continued, "Felix, I'd like to ask you something."
"I'll tell you everything I know!"
"Really?"
"Of course it's true."
Nodding, Felix adopted a somewhat earnest expression. "Oh?" Lacus uttered meaningfully, studying him with a smiling gaze. Meeting her look, Felix responded with a smile of his own.
After sharing this mutual smile, Lacus spoke first. "I want to inquire about the current state of the war."
"Everything's calm for now. We haven't made any major moves, and neither has the Earth Alliance," Felix explained, sharing what he knew in response to her curiosity. Lacus committed this information to memory before pressing further.
"How do you think the war will develop in the future?"
"The calm only signals an approaching storm," Felix declared, his expression growing serious as he took a sip of coffee. Leaning forward slightly, he added with increased gravity, "How are your preparations coming along?"
"I've been preparing continuously," Lacus answered with a faint smile.
Watching the smile on her face, Felix also broke into a grin. After sharing this moment of laughter, Felix handed a phone to Lacus.
Staring at the device, a flicker of confusion rose in Lacus's eyes, her heart filled with puzzlement. Just as she was about to ask, Felix's voice reached her ears.
"This phone contains what you need."
Hearing this, Lacus was momentarily stunned. Collecting herself, she looked at the phone before her, a wave of warmth surging in her heart, and a sincere smile spread across her face.
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
With a light smile, Felix spoke while gently pushing the phone closer to Lacus. Seeing it within reach, Lacus extended her slender fingers and picked it up.
Without rushing to check its contents, she calmly slipped the phone into her pocket.
Glancing at the clock, Felix stood up and said,
"It's getting late."
As he spoke, his gaze settled on Lacus, and he continued calmly with his farewell.
"Let's talk again when we have the chance!"
"Wait a moment!"
Hearing his goodbye, Lacus looked at Felix and called out to stop him. Pausing his movement, Felix waited for her to speak.
Seeing that Felix had halted, Lacus stood up, walked over to him, and with a look of sincerity and apology, pulled a small object from her pocket.
"This amulet is for you."
In response, Felix took the amulet from Lacus's hand. Examining the plain, even somewhat worn-out amulet, he murmured,
"An amulet?"
"Yes." Nodding, Lacus explained, "I've carried this amulet with me since I was a child. It has always protected me. I hope it can protect you too, and wish you all the best in the future."
"You've always worn it on you?"
Studying the amulet, Felix suddenly thought of something, a playful smile forming as he teased Lacus.
Without overthinking, Lacus nodded.
"Yes."
After this response, Lacus suddenly caught his implication, her beautiful eyes tinged with a hint of reproach as she silently stared at Felix.
Sensing her somewhat resentful gaze, Felix smiled slightly, glanced at the amulet in his hand, and then with a grateful expression, sincerely thanked her.
"Thank you!"
Hearing this, Lacus shook her head, her voice carrying a note of apology as she said,
"Compared to yours, mine is just a trivial gesture. So, I should be the one saying thank you."
"Gestures aren't measured by size." Looking at her, Felix smiled gently, comforting Lacus's apologetic heart. As he spoke, he glanced at the amulet again and added, "Besides, I think your gesture is quite meaningful."
With that, Felix tucked the amulet Lacus had given him into his pocket.
Gazing at Lacus, Felix smiled faintly and said,
"I'll be going now."
"Take care on your way."
Nodding, Lacus revealed a gentle smile on her face, offering her blessing. In response, Felix nodded back at Lacus.
...
In the house where Lacus was hiding
Lacus sat on the sofa, glanced at the Haro on the table, and then reached into her pocket to pull out the phone.
Looking at the brand new phone in her hand, Lacus pressed her finger on the power button.
After the startup interface appeared, the phone was officially turned on. A clean and tidy screen came into view, and Lacus noticed a folder on the interface, its concise filename immediately catching her eye.
"Everything You Need!"
Seeing this filename, Lacus tapped on the folder.
The contents of the folder instantly appeared before her.
A minute or two later,
Having finished reading everything in the folder, Lacus held the phone, gazing at the darkened screen. A joyful smile spread across her face, and beneath the joy, a hint of happiness quietly emerged from the depths of her heart. She murmured softly.
"Thank you, Felix!"
...
One week later,
PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
Inside the Chairman's office
"Chairman, you asked for me?"
Standing before the desk, Felix looked at Patrick and inquired respectfully. Observing Felix's rosy complexion, Patrick asked with a tone of concern.
"How is your health?"
"Already recovered."
Looking at Patrick, Felix truthfully reported his condition. Upon learning the result, Patrick picked up a document from the desk.
"Felix, this is your new appointment!"
"New appointment?"
Muttering in confusion, Felix took the document.
Patrick then briefly explained to Felix.
"To ensure that some of our vital interests on Earth are not compromised, I plan to consolidate and redistribute our forces. Your new assignment will be to garrison the Carpentaria Base, responsible for safeguarding our interests in Oceania, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and other regions."
"I understand."
Just about to read the document, Felix grasped his mission after hearing Patrick's concise explanation. Looking at Patrick, Felix responded.
After speaking, he raised his hand in a salute and said,
"Chairman, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
"Dismissed!"
Nodding, Patrick replied softly.
...
One day later,
The Athena departed from PLANT's homeland and, after a period of travel, landed at the Carpentaria Base.
Carpentaria Base
"Captain Griffith, it's truly wonderful that you've arrived."
Base Commander Benny stood before Felix, speaking with a sincere and delighted smile. Seeing his joyful expression, Felix asked with a smile.
"Commander Benny, has something happened at the Carpentaria Base?"
"More than half of the base's forces have been reassigned due to the Chairman's newly implemented deployment plan."
Upon hearing this, Benny explained the current situation at the base.
Learning this outcome, Felix gained a preliminary understanding of the base's circumstances. Looking at Benny, Felix comforted him.
"The Chairman had no other choice. Please try to understand."
"Captain Griffith, rest assured, I fully comprehend the Chairman's decision."
Hearing the reassurance, Benny replied to Felix.
Noticing the situation here, Benny then extended an invitation to Felix.
"Captain Griffith, let's talk inside the building. I'll take the opportunity to give you a more detailed report on the base's situation and update you on current events on Earth."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Upon hearing this, Felix nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Benny slightly turned and extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. Looking at Benny, Felix smiled and nodded at him before striding forward.
Base Office Building
In an office
No sooner had Felix taken his seat than he saw Benny project the current base situation onto the large screen.
Looking at the displayed information, Felix could sense that the base's strength wasn't what it used to be.
"Captain Griffith, the Earth Alliance Forces' new battleship has entered Orb."