After hearing Lacus's response, Felix stepped forward to embrace her, then released his hold and turned to leave. Lacus watched Felix's departing figure for a long time, her gaze lingering as worry and prayers never faded from her eyes.
Athena's Central Hangar
"Captain, will you be deploying with the Destiny Support Fighter this time?"
Taiber stood before Felix, his expression solemn and voice serious as he inquired. Felix turned to look at Taiber and shook his head in response.
"Not taking it!"
Upon hearing this, Taiber nodded, then watched as Felix entered the cockpit.
The moment the cockpit closed, Taiber turned away and addressed the rest of the maintenance crew.
"Evacuate!"
The two words reached the ears of the others.
Everyone followed Taiber's lead and evacuated.
The Genesis Gundam moved forward along the ground rail.
...
"Felix Leo Griffith, Genesis, launching!"
A resounding voice came from Felix as he spoke.
He pressed the forward pedals firmly.
With the assistance of the electromagnetic catapult, the Genesis Gundam was launched out at tremendous speed.
After clearing the Athena, Felix pushed the thrust lever forward!
The Genesis Gundam's backpack thrusters erupted with even greater propulsion, driving the mobile suit forward at an accelerated pace toward the battlefield ahead.
During flight
Felix activated the Multiple Lock-on System.
Targets on the unified observation display were locked one by one, and as he pulled the trigger,
the Whale Plasma Cluster Beam Cannon, Sailfish Railgun, and Beam Rifle fired simultaneously toward the front.
Under three rounds of full-firepower mode attacks, large clusters of explosive flashes erupted ahead of the Genesis Gundam.
Inside the cockpit of a Strike Dagger
The pilot, after clearly zooming in on the Genesis Gundam through the screen, quickly reported to the rear.
"The Sword of Damocles has reappeared! The Sword of Damocles has reappeared!"
The situation report was relayed through the chain of command until it reached the flagship bridge of the fleet group.
Thurman, upon hearing the report, issued an order.
"Pull up the corresponding footage!"
Following the command, the large screen ahead displayed the relevant content.
The figure of the Genesis Gundam stood prominently on the battlefield.
Looking at this MS, Thurman immediately gave the order.
"Continue to engage with the main force!"
Landon, upon hearing the command, turned to salute Thurman and replied.
"Yes!"
After responding, Landon relayed Thurman's orders.
On the front lines of the battlefield
The Strike Dagger units, upon receiving the orders, began to surround the Genesis Gundam piloted by Felix.
The commander of the surrounding unit, Thomson, issued an order over the communications.
"About ten of you, come with me to pin down this MS. The rest, follow the tactical plan and surround it from multiple directions—front, back, left, right, above, and below."
As soon as the command was given, Commander Thomson led the way in his Strike Dagger.
From the moving unit, dozens of Strike Daggers followed behind Thomson in action.
The Strike Daggers not following Thomson began to maneuver according to the tactics, closing in on the Genesis Gundam from multiple directions.
Inside the Genesis Gundam's cockpit
Felix watched the approaching Strike Dagger and sensed the positions of other Strike Daggers through his abilities, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his mouth as he sneered.
"How could I possibly let your encirclement tactics succeed!"
With that, Felix focused his mind intensely, instantly entering SEED Mode.
In this state, his senses and abilities were elevated once more.
He handled all incoming information with even greater ease!
Under Felix's control, the Genesis Gundam moved swiftly like a cheetah across the plains.
As it moved, Felix pulled the trigger.
The Beam Rifle in the Genesis Gundam's hand fired.
The beam shot forward rapidly, heading straight for a Strike Dagger ahead.
"Evade!"
Thomson, seeing his subordinate in danger, shouted with extreme urgency.
But as he cried out, all Thomson witnessed was his subordinate being struck by the beam, the MS he piloted exploding into a ball of fire in the vastness of space.
Anger and hatred intertwined within him, yet there was no time for such emotions now.
His expression tense, Thomson issued an order.
"Everyone, stay safe and keep this guy pinned down!"
Following the command, replies echoed back through the comms.
"Yes, Captain."
Hearing the responses, Thomson carefully piloted his Strike Dagger, his finger pressing down on the trigger.
The Strike Dagger's Beam Rifle aimed and fired at the Genesis Gundam.
Inside the Genesis Gundam's cockpit
Felix observed the enemy's attacks ahead, maneuvering the Genesis Gundam with aerial movements and rolls to evade.
While dodging the assaults, Felix controlled the Genesis Gundam to return fire.
The beam from the Beam Rifle raced forward, accurately predicting the movement of a Strike Dagger.
Under the pilot's terrified gaze, he and the Strike Dagger he piloted were sent skyward in a blaze.
Earth Alliance Forces General Headquarters
Members of the mixed-race Coordinator unit affiliated with the Atlantic Federation had gathered here.
Williams, looking over the assembled mixed-race Coordinators, cleared his throat and spoke.
"Proceed with the tests according to our requirements. Those who pass will receive new military ranks and assignments, along with Atlantic Federation citizenship."
At this, Williams scanned the mixed-race Coordinators present. In their eyes, he saw desire.
Not dwelling on their longing, Williams turned his gaze to an officer beside him.
The officer, noticing Williams's look, stepped forward understandingly.
Once the officer had moved, Williams turned and left.
After Williams's departure, the officer opened the folder in his hand. Reading its contents, he announced.
"George Jomell Chiryura!"
The moment the name was called, George stepped out from the ranks.
Facing the officer ahead, he raised his hand in a salute.
"George Jomell Chiryura reporting!"
"Proceed with the test!"
The officer glanced up slightly at George, speaking impassively.
George lowered his hand and strode into the room.
Upon entering, George saw a Simulation Pod placed inside.
A lieutenant standing by the pod looked at George indifferently, opened the pod, and pointed inside.
"Get in!"
George felt a sense of indifference, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. The next moment, he relaxed his hands, nodded at the person, and strode into the simulation pod.
As George entered, the pod's hatch closed.
Inside the simulation pod
George looked at the control stick and the screen before him, his finger pressing the activation button.
The moment the simulation pod started, a white-painted MS appeared on the screen—this MS was none other than the Genesis Gundam piloted by Felix.
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