Two knocks sounded at the door.
Felix looked up toward the entrance, his finger pressing the door release button. The room door slid open, and Aric stepped inside.
Watching Aric enter, Felix calmly inquired, "Is something the matter?"
Aric saluted in response. Felix gave a slight nod at the gesture.
Lowering his arm, Aric began his report. "Captain, the Earth Alliance Forces have withdrawn!"
"Withdrawn?" Felix repeated in surprise, his expression shifting to one of astonishment. Seeing Felix's reaction, Aric nodded seriously.
As Aric confirmed, the surprise on Felix's face faded, replaced by a look of puzzlement.
"Captain, what should we do?" Aric asked, his gaze fixed intently on Felix.
Felix looked up, met Aric's eyes, thought for a moment, and replied, "Hold our position."
"Yes, sir!" Aric saluted again, then turned and left the room.
After Aric departed, Lacus, who had been silent, spoke up. "The Earth Alliance Forces have retreated from the battlefield?"
Felix turned to the screen, nodding at Lacus. "According to Aric's report, that's correct."
Lacus lowered her head, lost in thought. After a long silence, she voiced her confusion. "What is the Earth Alliance trying to achieve?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but I have a theory," Felix said calmly, glancing at her.
Lacus looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with curiosity as she focused on Felix.
Sensing her inquisitive gaze, Felix began to explain. "The Earth Alliance may have found a way to use nuclear weapons again."
"Have they developed thermonuclear weapons that don't require fission reactions?" Lacus blurted out in shock. Then, calming herself, she considered another possibility. Her expression grew serious as she looked at Felix. "Or have they found a way to neutralize the effects of the Neutron Jammer?"
Felix gave a subtle nod. "Both are possible, but I lean more toward the second scenario."
Hearing his response, Lacus tightened her grip on Haro. She lowered her head, her voice tinged with sorrow. "Is the worst we feared about to happen again?"
Listening to her despondent tone, Felix spoke gravely. "Lacus, we must prepare for the worst."
Lacus pressed her lips together, then looked up at Felix and softly replied, "Mm."
With that, she composed herself, determination returning to her expression. Clutching Haro firmly, she spoke with unwavering resolve.
"We absolutely cannot allow nuclear weapons to be used again!"
Feeling Lacus's determination, Felix verbally agreed while sighing inwardly.
"Mhm."
'But nuclear weapons are in the hands of the Earth Alliance. We can't control whether they use them or not!'
"Felix, I'll continue contacting the doves within the Earth Alliance and try to prevent nuclear weapons from being deployed through them."
Noticing the fleeting sigh on Felix's face, Lacus shared her thoughts with him.
Hearing Lacus's idea, Felix first nodded in approval, then cautioned her.
"Lacus, your idea is good! However, the hawks and extremists currently hold power within the Earth Alliance. The doves have very little chance of stopping this."
Upon hearing this, a gentle smile appeared on Lacus's face as she spoke with optimistic hope.
"Even if the chance is small, we still need to make an effort. We can't just do nothing."
Seeing the expression on Lacus's face, Felix also smiled and nodded calmly.
After nodding, Felix spoke to Lacus with a smile.
"Lacus, I'll also do my best to communicate with the Chairman."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Lacus nodded gratefully, her voice gentle.
Hearing this, Felix waved his hand dismissively and replied casually.
"No need to thank me. This is what I should be doing."
As he responded, Felix's gaze grew tender and his voice softened as he continued.
"Get plenty of rest. Don't overwork yourself."
"Mhm." Lacus responded with a sweet smile, then looked at him affectionately and gently reminded him. "Felix, you should do the same. Get plenty of rest and be careful on the battlefield."
"Don't worry, I will."
Hearing this, Felix smiled sweetly and nodded in agreement.
About ten minutes later,
Felix ended the communication with Lacus and dialed Patrick instead.
After two beeps, the call connected.
Patrick's face appeared on the screen.
"Is something wrong?"
Felix looked at Patrick, then heard his inquiry through the communicator. Continuing to watch him, Felix solemnly explained the Earth Alliance Forces' withdrawal and his suspicions.
When Patrick heard the speculation that the Earth Alliance had found a way to neutralize the Neutron Jammer's effects, his initial reaction was disbelief, which he voiced unconsciously.
"Impossible!"
"Chairman, sometimes it's better to believe something might be true than to dismiss it entirely."
Seeing Patrick's disbelief, Felix patiently persuaded him. After hearing this, Patrick fell silent for a moment, then realized he had been too absolute in his judgment.
Setting aside his earlier certainty, Patrick said to Felix:
"I'm putting you in full charge of matters on the Moon. The assessment of the situation is entirely in your hands, and I won't let anyone interfere with your judgment.
As for other matters, I have my own plans."
Hearing Patrick's response, Felix straightened up and replied in a clear, loud voice:
"Yes, Chairman."
After hearing this, Patrick gave a slight nod and ended the communication the next moment. Looking at the terminated call, Felix leaned back in his chair with considerably improved spirits.
"With this promise, many things will become much easier to handle."
...
Meanwhile
PLANT
Aprilius City District 1
Inside the Chairman's office of the PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
After ending the communication, Patrick summoned Ezalia and Yuri.
A few minutes later, inside the office
"Zala, is there something you need to instruct?"
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!