Just as everyone was filled with intense anger, a communication came through. Sheldon, the leader wearing a White Uniform, answered the call.
"How is the current situation?"
"Chairman, those people threw Captain Griffith out of the shuttle. We have successfully rescued Captain Griffith."
Upon hearing this, Sheldon looked at Captain Griffith still lying on the hospital bed and reported to Patrick. Watching the chairman on the communication screen, Sheldon could clearly sense the tension fading from Patrick's face.
After a moment, Sheldon heard the chairman's voice again.
"What about the others?"
"They only released Captain Griffith. The others are still in their hands."
Sheldon looked at Patrick's still stern expression and relayed this bad news to the chairman. Hearing this, Patrick lightly tapped the table a few times, suppressing his inner fury, then issued an order in a low voice.
"Continue tracking them. Felix Leo Griffith will be transferred to the Athena, which is coming to assist."
"Yes, Chairman."
Saluting, Sheldon solemnly accepted the command.
Watching Sheldon, Patrick gave a slight nod.
"Hmm."
"Put Felix on the line."
Keeping his gaze on Sheldon, Patrick made the request. Upon hearing this, Sheldon lowered his arm and brought the portable communicator to Felix.
"Captain Griffith, the chairman wants to speak with you."
"I understand."
Felix replied weakly, his voice tinged with exhaustion.
Shifting his gaze from Sheldon to the communication screen, he gave a feeble salute to Patrick.
"Chairman, hello!"
Seeing Felix in such a weak state, the concern that had just subsided in Patrick's heart surged again. He spoke with a voice full of care and worry.
"Felix, how are you feeling now?"
Hearing this, Felix offered a faint, weary smile and reassured Patrick.
"I'm alright."
"Chairman, Captain Griffith's current condition is due to the drug's effects not having worn off yet. Once they subside and he rests for a few days, he will recover fully."
A calm doctor standing nearby interjected, reporting Felix's condition to the chairman. Upon hearing this, Patrick's worried heart relaxed.
Looking at Felix, his expression softened considerably as he said with concern,
"Felix, rest well."
"Thank you for your concern, Chairman."
Felix looked at Patrick with a grateful expression and thanked him.
After speaking, Felix saw that the communication had ended.
About ten minutes later,
Felix was transferred from this Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship to the arriving Athena.
On the Athena
In Felix's room
"Captain, are you really alright?"
"Don't worry, I'm completely fine."
Turning to see the worried expression on Aric's face, Felix smiled and comforted him. Hearing this, Aric's concerns subsided. After sitting with him for a while, he got up and left Felix's room.
Watching Aric leave, Felix smiled.
'The plan is progressing smoothly!'
...
Two days later
December City District 1
ZAFT Headquarters Apartment Residential Area
Inside Felix's apartment
Andrew sat lazily on the sofa, leaning back casually as he asked with a playful grin.
"I heard you were taken hostage two days ago?"
Hearing this, Felix continued playing his game and replied nonchalantly.
"Yeah! I was taken hostage by Lacus Clyne."
"They're quite impressive, aren't they?"
Andrew chuckled, pretending to be serious as he offered praise. After complimenting them, Andrew glanced around Felix's apartment before pulling his phone from his pocket.
Tapping on the screen, he expressed concern to Felix.
"Are you alright?"
"Just got knocked out by some special anesthetic they used. Once the effects wore off, I was basically fine."
Listening to the concern, Felix kept his eyes on the display, fingers still operating the controller as he calmly replied to Andrew.
After speaking, Felix glanced sideways at Andrew, who was still on his phone. At that moment, Andrew stopped what he was doing.
The phone screen tilted slightly toward Felix, allowing him to clearly see the text displayed.
「Is your place secure?」
"Don't worry, I check the apartment every time I return. It's completely secure."
Seeing how cautious Andrew was being, Felix smiled and replied confidently. Hearing this, Andrew relaxed his vigilance and slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Lacus Clyne's people have contacted me privately!"
"To recruit you?"
Continuing to play his game, Felix asked calmly.
Andrew nodded. After a quiet "Mm," he looked at Felix and asked with some uncertainty, "Be honest with me - have they tried to recruit you too?"
"They have!"
Nodding, Felix responded naturally.
Seeing this, Andrew pressed further.
"What are you planning to do?"
"We've already started working together."
Watching the game end on screen, Felix set down his controller and turned to Andrew with a smile.
Andrew was momentarily stunned by this, then chuckled in understanding.
"So that's how it is!"
"What do you plan to do?"
Leaning back in his chair, Felix glanced at Andrew with a smile and asked. Andrew looked back at him with a grin and countered directly.
"What I should do probably depends on what you say."
"On me?"
Felix raised an eyebrow meaningfully.
Unfazed, Andrew remained calm as still water. He reached for the glass on the table, took a sip of water, and said.
"You're the one who pulled me onto this path. As the helmsman, you should naturally be considering these things."
"Accept Lacus's offer!"
After glancing at Andrew, Felix put away his meaningful expression and decisively gave Andrew the answer he wanted.
Hearing this, Andrew didn't ask further questions but calmly nodded, accepting Felix's thoughts.
Seeing Andrew's nod, Felix smiled and moved past the topic, asking Andrew, "Is the Chairman planning to keep you from continuing to fight on Earth?"
"Whether I'll continue fighting on Earth or not, I'm not entirely sure," Andrew replied, shaking his head before his expression turned serious. "But I can clearly sense that ZAFT's battle lines on Earth are going to contract—especially in Africa."
"Some contraction of the battle lines is a good thing," Felix agreed with Andrew's speculation.
Andrew smiled and nodded. "I feel the same way you do!"
Felix smiled in response. At that moment, Andrew stood up, glanced at Felix still seated on the sofa, and said with a smile, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
"Remember to keep me informed about Lacus's situation," Felix reminded, looking up at Andrew.
Andrew chuckled teasingly. "Aren't you working with her too?"
Felix's smile turned lazy as he replied, "We may be cooperating, but there are some things she won't tell me, just as I won't tell her certain things."
"Alright, no problem," Andrew agreed with a nod, silently adding in his heart, Poor Miss Clyne!
"I'll take my leave now." With that, Andrew waved and headed out.
Felix stood up to see him off.
...
One day later
"Miss Clyne, we've received a response from Andrew Waltfeld," Vania announced, approaching Lacus, who was playing with La Haro.
Hearing this, Lacus broke into a happy smile and said, "The forces for peace have grown once again."
"Yes," Vania nodded, her expression joyful. "The forces for peace have indeed increased."
"By the way, how is the investigation into the New Battleship going?" Lacus asked, noticing Vania's delight.
Vania reported, "It's been confirmed. The battleship under construction at the Mattheus City shipyard is in its final stages and will be completed in about a month."
Lacus's smile widened as she gazed out the window. Watching her happiness, Vania's expression turned slightly worried. "Miss Clyne, will we be able to secure this New Battleship?"
"We must secure this battleship," Lacus replied firmly, turning to face Vania.
"You've learned about the situation of this New Battleship through your investigation, so you should understand how crucial this vessel is for us."
"Miss Clyne, I am indeed fully aware of that." Vania nodded, then added with a hint of concern, "But a battleship like this is bound to be heavily guarded. Given our circumstances, succeeding will likely be very difficult."
As she spoke, Felix's figure surfaced in Vania's mind, prompting her to shift her tone and suggest, "Miss Clyne, perhaps we could—"
"We will secure this battleship using our own strength."
Seeing the expression on her face, Lacus had already guessed her intention. Her smile faded as she cut off Vania's words, speaking with utmost seriousness.
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