Seeing the expression on Lacus's face, Felix reached out and took her small hand, changing the subject as he spoke.
"Lacus, when the war is over, let's go on a date?"
Hearing the word "date," Lacus temporarily set aside other matters, a smile appearing on her face as she nodded at Felix.
"Mm."
Seeing Lacus temporarily set these things aside and smile again, Felix felt relieved. Continuing to gaze at her, he asked, "Where should we go for our date when the time comes?"
Hearing his question, Lacus played with Felix's hand while thinking about where to go for their date.
After a moment's thought, Lacus suggested to Felix, "How about we go watch a movie when the time comes?"
"No problem." Felix nodded slightly and agreed readily.
Seeing this, Lacus continued, "After the movie, how about we go to that great ice cream shop in Aprilius City District 1 for ice cream?"
"No problem." With a doting look in his eyes, Felix agreed cheerfully.
Lacus then went on talking enthusiastically about the places she wanted to visit during their date. Felix listened to all the places she wanted to go and agreed to each one.
While the two were discussing where to go for their future date, along the space route to the moon, the ZAFT support forces were advancing swiftly and methodically.
Aboard the Vesalius within the fleet, Creuset looked at the document in his hand, lightly tapping the table with his fingers as he calculated something in his mind.
As he pondered, Creuset thought to himself, 'I need to find a way to get the security lock key for the Providence!'
At this thought, a troubled expression appeared beneath his mask. Currently, he had no leads on this matter whatsoever.
After some fruitless contemplation, Creuset set the matter aside for the time being. He placed the document on the table into a drawer, stood up, and headed out of the room.
...
Aboard the Nazca-class High-Speed Battleship where the Joule Team was stationed, Yzak sat in the cockpit of the Duel Gundam, his fingers tapping away on the keypad.
"Captain, what are you doing?" a voice came from outside.
Yzak paused his work briefly, looked up to see who it was, and replied calmly, "I'm adding to the Duel Gundam's preset action library!"
After responding, Yzak lowered his head to continue his work while asking Shiho, "Is there something, Shiho?"
Hearing his question, Shiho smiled and replied, "I'm also here to update and supplement the MS's preset action library."
Yzak looked up at Shiho upon hearing this, his expression showing a hint of approval. Feeling satisfied inwardly, he advised her, "Shiho, the battle on the moon will be even more brutal than the previous Boaz Fortress Battle. When the time comes, make sure to pay extra attention to your safety, and use this rare period of calm to train and improve yourself."
Listening to Yzak's instructions, Shiho felt a small surge of inner delight and nodded solemnly in response.
"Please rest assured, Captain. I will."
Hearing Shiho's reply, Yzak continued in an even tone.
"Go attend to your duties now!"
Saluting crisply, Shiho replied with a mix of efficiency and cheerfulness.
"Yes!"
Lowering her arm, Shiho departed from the Duel Gundam's cockpit. After watching her leave, Yzak resumed his work.
As he worked, Yzak murmured softly in admiration.
"Captain Griffith is truly remarkable!"
After this praise, he buried himself back in his tasks.
Aprilius City District 1
PLANT Supreme Government Office Building
"Zala, here is the latest combat report from the lunar front."
Ezalia stood before Patrick, set down the documents, and spoke.
Patrick looked up at Ezalia, then picked up the report to review it. After scanning the contents, he inquired.
"Has the support force for the lunar front been dispatched?"
"The first batch has already departed; the second will follow in two weeks!"
Seated in her chair, Ezalia responded to Patrick. He glanced at her, gave a slight nod, and continued reading the report.
A minute or two later, Patrick set down the report with a grave expression.
Leaning back in his chair, he remained silent for a long moment before speaking.
"Based on the current report, our situation is not optimistic."
Ezalia nodded, her expression equally somber.
"Indeed, it is far from optimistic."
Gazing at Ezalia, Patrick thought for a moment and asked.
"Any recent news from Siegel?"
Ezalia shook her head in response.
"Still the same as before. The Earth Alliance has given no response."
Hearing this outcome, Patrick was not surprised. His expression showed neither gloating nor sarcasm; instead, it grew even more weighted.
Seeing the heaviness on Patrick's face, Ezalia understood its source.
With a stern look, she spoke in a serious tone.
"If the Earth Alliance offers no response, it means they are prepared to fight to the end. That is not good news for us."
Snapping back to attention, Patrick looked up at Ezalia and nodded in agreement.
"You are right."
After nodding, Patrick said to her.
"Now that we know this result, perhaps we should find another way to force the Earth Alliance to change their current stance!"
Ezalia looked bewildered and murmured softly.
"Another way?"
Seeing her confusion, Patrick retrieved a document labeled "GENESIS" from his drawer. Holding it, he placed it before Ezalia.
Glancing down at the document, Ezalia picked it up.
Reading its contents, her expression turned to shock, and she looked up sharply at Patrick.
Patrick, observing her stunned reaction, remained composed and spoke with firm resolve.
"..."
"By using this weapon to continue delivering heavy blows to the Earth Alliance Forces' space fleet, we can make them recognize our power once again, forcing them to abandon their current stance and engage in negotiations with us."
After hearing this, Ezalia placed the document on the table and fell into silent contemplation.
After a long while, Ezalia nodded in agreement.
"You're absolutely right. Only by deploying such weapons can we make the Earth Alliance abandon their current position and come to the negotiating table.
This would also allow us to seize the dominant position in this war!"
Taking a deep breath, Ezalia added, "Moreover, it would significantly reduce casualties among our forces!"