"I will do my best, Captain!"
Felix saluted, his expression resolute as he answered firmly. Hawkins nodded in satisfaction, gave Felix a final pat on the shoulder, and then took the lead in departing.
After Hawkins left, Felix followed in his footsteps and exited the area.
...
PLANT
Aprilius One, District One
Ministry of Defense
Office of the Defense Committee Chairman
"Is something the matter, Aisharia?"
Patrick pulled his thoughts away from his official duties and looked up at Aisharia as she entered. Standing before him, Aisharia placed the documents in her hand on the desk and met Patrick's gaze.
"The military branch just received a report from the commander of one of its subordinate units."
"Is it about the Earth Alliance?"
Watching Aisharia's eyes, Patrick asked. Aisharia shook her head, and a trace of suspicion appeared on Patrick's face. At that moment, Aisharia spoke.
"It's about nuclear weapons!"
The words "nuclear weapons" reached Patrick's ears, and his expression instantly turned serious.
Aisharia continued.
"A Mobile Suit Pilot from this unit raised the possibility that the Earth Alliance might use nuclear weapons."
"Nuclear weapons."
Patrick muttered the words in a low voice from his chair. His face remained stern as he pondered, thinking for a long while before speaking.
"This is indeed an oversight on our part! The agreement signed in C.E. 1 because of 'The Last Nuclear' has dulled our judgment.
It has caused us to become negligent in our preparations."
"The Last Nuclear agreement did lead to our negligence, making us momentarily forget that although the Earth Alliance banned and dismantled nuclear weapons, declaring they would no longer use nuclear energy for nuclear weapon production, they still possess the technology and capability to manufacture them."
Aisharia nodded slightly, agreeing with his words.
After expressing her agreement, Aisharia went on.
"However, I don't think the Earth Alliance's leadership has gone so far as to directly use nuclear weapons against us. After all, deploying nuclear weapons would mean a fight to the death, a situation they don't want to see.
So, I believe the likelihood of them using nuclear weapons is relatively low."
"Although the possibility is low, it doesn't mean it's nonexistent. We must take this matter seriously."
Patrick nodded in agreement, correcting her in his response. Aisharia did not argue, nodding in acknowledgment.
Then, Patrick looked up at Aisharia and asked.
"What is this Mobile Suit Pilot's name?"
"Felix Leo Griffith, this year's top graduate from the Military Academy, who also achieved the best graduation results since the academy's founding."
Aisharia looked at him as she explained Felix's background. Hearing the name and the accompanying achievements, Patrick formed some impression in his mind and nodded with satisfaction.
"Such an outstanding talent, and with such foresight—he is someone worthy of focused attention and cultivation. We should keep a close eye on him."
"Mm! My thoughts align with yours."
Nodding with a faint smile, Aisharia responded in agreement.
...
Time passed swiftly, and before they knew it, it was February 14th.
On the defensive line one thousand kilometers from PLANT's homeland.
A military-green GINN moved through the pitch-black void of space.
Inside the cockpit.
"Felix, don't be too tense. We just need to do what we're supposed to do."
Heine's comforting voice came through the comms.
Hearing Heine's reassurance, Felix, who was gripping the control stick tightly, smiled slightly, but the gravity on his face remained unchanged.
After listening to Captain Hawkins' briefing, he knew that the Ministry of Defense was already aware of his suspicions and had taken corresponding precautionary measures and issued warnings.
But ultimately, there was too little time to prepare adequately. In the end, it would still rely on them—the ZAFT soldiers.
How could he let his guard down under such circumstances!
"Everyone, get ready!"
Amid his thoughts.
Captain Hawkins' voice sounded over the comms.
The brief command was like a charge signal. Felix tightened his grip on the control stick once more.
His eyes fixed on the screen, he watched as several thick beams shot from behind toward the front, while similar beams emerged from the dark expanse ahead.
Where the beams intersected, violent explosions erupted in space, lighting up the void.
After the flashes.
The warning radar beeped urgently. Felix glanced at it out of the corner of his eye.
After a quick look, he maneuvered the GINN through space.
The large-caliber heavy machine gun in its hands spat fire from its barrel.
Several rounds shot out.
The high-speed bullets tore through the silent cosmos, illuminating the path ahead.
Watching the explosions bloom in front of him, Felix piloted the GINN to advance forward.
"Felix, don't push too far ahead!"
Over the comms.
Hawkins' stern reminder rang out.
Hearing the captain's order, Felix calmed down slightly and reduced the GINN's thrust.
Beep, beep, beep—!!!
The rapid radar alerts showed no sign of stopping. Though no enemy units were visible on the battlefield, Felix knew it was fraught with danger.
A single moment of carelessness could mean being taken out by an attack.
His hands worked the controls, and the GINN shifted sideways to evade.
Dodging an incoming missile, he adjusted the attitude control thrusters, spinning the GINN around on the spot.
The heavy machine gun fired.
Two rounds obliterated the missile.
Watching the explosion, Felix turned the GINN around again.
The radar and display screen worked in tandem.
An Earth Alliance Forces Mobile Armor in the distance was magnified on the screen. Observing the MA, Alex interpreted the data feedback from the computer.
His hands moved, raising the GINN's heavy machine gun, and his finger pulled the trigger.
A three-round burst fired!
The bullets raced forward.
The MA on the screen maneuvered while launching a Dogfight Missile. A bright explosion flared, swallowing the bullets.
Passing through the explosion, the MA continued its charge, firing the cannons mounted on its frame.
Though the distance was considerable, through the screen's feedback, Felix could clearly see the tongues of flame from the cannons.
Based on the muzzle flashes, Felix tightened his grip on the control stick and executed the corresponding maneuvers.
The GINN moved according to the commands, evading the incoming rounds.
He raised his hand and fired at the MA ahead once more.
Three bullets were fired in rapid succession, heading straight for the MA.
Inside the MA cockpit:
The pilot detected the three incoming bullets through the radar warning system and radar detection system.
The fire-control radar automatically locked onto the bullets, and the pilot pulled the trigger, launching a Dogfight Missile.
Guided by its front-end targeting system, the Dogfight Missile detached from the MA and collided directly with the three bullets. An explosion erupted instantly, engulfing the bullets.
"Damn it!"
Watching the explosion before him, Felix let out a low, frustrated growl. He muttered under his breath at the radar.
"Annoying radar!"
Checking the distance displayed on the screen and recalling the recent situation, Felix began adjusting his tactics.
The GINN started maneuvering in the area.
Unlike the previous three-round burst, Felix now prepared to fire in single-shot mode.
Just as he was about to shoot, the MA took the initiative, launching its last two Dogfight Missiles simultaneously. The missiles streaked forward at high speed, trailing flames from their tails.