Listening to his resentful tone, Creuset understood what he was referring to. In response, Creuset replied with utmost calm.
"The arrangements made by the Defense Department and the Chairman are the most reasonable based on the current situation. We only need to follow the orders of the Defense Department and the Chairman."
After being lectured in this manner, the resentful captain of the Vesalius had no choice but to suppress his frustration.
His expression returning to calm, he looked at Creuset, stood up, and saluted.
"Captain, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave to attend to my duties."
Creuset nodded slightly and replied, "You may go."
With that response, the captain of the Vesalius stood and headed out.
After watching him leave, the smile faded from Creuset's face.
Beneath his mask, his eyes turned cold, and his voice grew icy as he muttered, "It seems Patrick's wariness of me has not yet dissipated."
As he spoke, Creuset turned to look to the side, his fingers lightly tapping on the desk.
On the Moon
Several hours had passed in the tense and perilous battle. Seizing the moment when the Strike Dagger units surrounding him were rotating positions, Felix broke through the encirclement in the Genesis Gundam.
Once free, the Genesis Gundam turned to face the pursuing enemies.
Felix pulled the trigger.
The Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, Sailfish Railgun, and Beam Rifle fired simultaneously.
A torrent of firepower surged toward the Strike Dagger units ahead.
Explosions lit up the void, instantly destroying over a dozen Strike Daggers.
Without a backward glance at the explosions, Felix piloted the Genesis Gundam toward the Athena.
"Pursue him! Don't let him return!" Thurman ordered through the comms as he watched the Genesis Gundam's movements on the screen.
The command echoed through the Strike Daggers' communication channels.
The Strike Dagger pilots acknowledged the order and swiftly redirected their units to chase after the Genesis Gundam.
Inside the Genesis Gundam's cockpit
Felix clearly assessed the situation behind him through his skills and the screens.
His hands and feet moved rapidly, executing maneuvers.
The Genesis Gundam performed aerial rolls and evasive actions, dodging the attacks from behind.
While evading, Felix noticed two Strike Daggers appearing ahead.
Their Beam Rifles were already firing.
With precise footwork, the Genesis Gundam dodged the incoming shots.
Raising its Beam Rifle, Felix fired two shots, obliterating the enemy units.
Sitting firmly, Felix commanded Aric, "Provide fire support! Intercept the pursuers!"
"Yes!" came the concise reply.
The next moment, a volley of Air-to-air Missiles launched from the Athena.
The missiles flew past the Genesis Gundam, heading straight for the pursuing Strike Daggers.
Seeing the incoming missiles, the Strike Daggers quickly abandoned their attack on the Genesis Gundam and redirected their fire toward the missiles.
Taking advantage of the reduced attack density from behind, Felix piloted the Genesis Gundam swiftly back to the Athena.
After returning, Felix emerged from the cockpit and looked at Taiber.
"After inspecting the Genesis Gundam, I'll sortie again in ten minutes!"
Upon hearing this, Taiber saluted Felix.
"Yes, Captain."
Hearing the response, Felix gave Taiber a slight nod before heading toward the ready room.
Entering the ready room,
Felix showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he saw Lacus there.
Seeing Felix enter, Lacus stood up and walked toward him.
"Felix."
The gentle call came from Lacus's lips.
Hearing Lacus's voice, Felix concealed his fatigue and gave her a tender smile.
"Lacus."
Calling his lover's name, Felix embraced Lacus and held her close.
Lacus also held Felix tightly.
After a moment, the two released each other.
Felix looked at Lacus and asked with a smile.
"What brings you here?"
Hearing the question, Lacus replied to Felix.
"Aric informed me."
Hearing her answer, Felix immediately understood, then smiled at Lacus.
"Lacus, from now on, you can communicate with me directly using your abilities. There's no need to trouble Aric."
Lacus nodded in response.
"Mhm."
After this acknowledgment, Lacus looked at Felix and asked.
"Felix, should we have Athrun and the others join this battle?"
Hearing the question, Felix's expression turned serious as he said.
"Let's wait a bit longer!"
Lacus frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled, and asked.
"Do we really need to keep waiting?"
"The Earth Alliance Forces likely still have trump cards. We need to wait until they've played all their cards before we act."
Explaining this, Felix took a deep breath and continued to Lacus.
"The doves within the Earth Alliance haven't contacted you yet, have they?"
Gently nodding, Lacus replied.
"Mr. Waltfeld hasn't contacted me about these matters."
Hearing Lacus's response, Felix informed her.
"In that case, we must continue to wait. We'll act only after the doves within the Earth Alliance contact you.
Only then will our actions have a chance to stop the war; otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."
Lacus immediately understood after hearing this.
Looking at Felix, she nodded and did not bring up her earlier suggestion again.
Seeing that Lacus had dropped the subject, Felix also let it go, and the two tacitly avoided mentioning the matter further.
Sitting hand in hand on the seats, Lacus leaned closely against Felix, gripping his hand tightly.
"Felix, I'm so worried about you. Watching you fight on the battlefield, I feel afraid every moment."
"It's alright, I'll be fine." Gazing at his anxious and fearful lover, Felix comforted her softly, while inwardly cursing Aric fiercely.
'That bastard Aric, why did you show Lacus those battle scenes? Nothing better to do!'
Lacus listened to Felix's comforting words, recalling the battle scenes she had witnessed earlier. The worry and fear in her heart and on her face did not dissipate, persisting stubbornly like a chronic illness.
Seeing the expression on Lacus's face, Felix momentarily did not know how to console her. Unsure of what to say, he chose to tightly hold Lacus's small hand.
Through this tangible touch, he sought to give Lacus a sense of security.
Time passed minute by minute, and in the blink of an eye, ten minutes had gone by.
Seeing that the time had come, Felix pressed his lips together and spoke.
"Lacus, the time has come."
Hearing this, Lacus felt her heart tighten, but she replied calmly.
"I understand."