"Captain, why don't you go rest? I can keep watch here."
Seeing that their voyage was proceeding smoothly, Aric turned to Felix with concern in his voice as he made the suggestion.
Hearing this, Felix observed the current stable situation and nodded.
"Alright."
As he stood up to leave, a communication alert halted his departure. Seeing the incoming call, Felix reached out to accept it.
"Felix, what's your current location?"
Patrick's inquiry came through the communication channel.
Felix glanced at the space outside before responding.
"Chairman, we've returned to space and are currently heading toward PLANT!"
"Hold off on returning. There's a matter I need to assign to you." Patrick replied. Upon hearing this, Felix already had an idea of what it might be.
Patrick's voice continued.
"On February 2nd, Siegel's daughter Lacus Clyne's ship encountered an accident near Junius Ten. She's currently missing. I need you to proceed there and conduct search and rescue operations."
"Yes, Chairman."
Felix saluted as he responded to Patrick.
Before his arm could fully lower, the communication screen had already gone dark. Looking at the blackened screen, Felix turned to Aric.
"Pull up the spatial chart for the area near Junius Ten!"
"Captain, aren't we going directly to Junius Ten?"
Aric sounded puzzled as he carried out Felix's instruction while voicing his confusion.
Glancing at his confused subordinate, Felix focused on the spatial chart that had been displayed. Scanning through it, he explained.
"Today is already the 4th. About two days have passed since the incident, yet she hasn't been found. There are only two possibilities - either she's dead, or she was picked up by non-ZAFT vessels."
"If she were dead, we would have confirmation by now. The fact that death hasn't been confirmed means she's still alive."
"If she's alive but hasn't been found near Junius Ten after two days of searching, then she must have been rescued by non-ZAFT vessels."
After speaking, Felix continued studying the spatial chart while Aric's confusion instantly cleared up. Just as Aric was about to ask another question, Felix spoke again.
"Set Junius Ten as our starting point and follow the descent route toward Alaska."
"Descent route toward Alaska?"
Aric muttered in confusion, but without hesitation issued the order.
"Proceed according to the captain's command!"
"Yes!"
Joss responded verbally.
He manipulated the control yoke, steering the Athena to change course in space.
After completing the turn, Joss reported.
"Course change complete! The Athena is proceeding along the designated route!"
"Acknowledged!"
Aric responded.
Turning to face Felix, Aric finally voiced the question that had been puzzling him.
"Captain, how did you determine this route is correct?"
"Based on timing, Junius Ten's trajectory, and potential ship movements, the Earth Alliance's new warship being pursued by Creuset's team is most likely the vessel that took Miss Lacus."
As he spoke, Felix manipulated the controls.
The results from Felix's recent computer analysis were projected ahead. Aric and the others watched the screen, the detailed information making everything instantly clear to them.
"Understood?"
Felix smiled as he asked Aric.
Aric nodded and replied.
"According to your analysis, Captain, this new Earth Alliance warship is the most probable vessel."
"But Captain, how can you be certain they're heading for Alaska?" Aric looked at Felix and asked another question.
"Wasn't the analysis chart clear enough?"
Felix glanced at Aric and spoke calmly.
Aric froze for a moment, then looked back at the analysis chart on the screen. This time, he immediately felt embarrassed.
His embarrassment came from having asked without fully examining the information first.
Seeing Aric's awkward expression, Felix chuckled teasingly.
"Understood now?"
"Yes, Captain."
Aric replied with an embarrassed smile.
Hearing this, Felix said nothing more.
On the afternoon of February 5th, the Athena traveling through space received a communication from Creuset's team.
On the bridge, Felix looked at Creuset on the screen, wearing a polite smile as he greeted him.
"Good to see you again, Captain Creuset."
"Good to see you too, Captain Griffith."
Creuset's response came through the communication.
After exchanging greetings, Creuset asked Felix.
"Captain Griffith, have matters on Earth been resolved?"
"They were concluded several days ago."
Felix replied with a smile before countering.
"Captain Creuset, have you managed to capture the Earth Alliance's new warship?"
"Not yet." Creuset answered with a smile.
Then Creuset asked Felix in return.
"What are you doing out here?"
"We've received orders from the Ministry of Defense to conduct search and rescue operations for Miss Lacus, which we're currently carrying out."
Felix responded to Creuset.
Hearing this, Creuset thought for a moment before asking.
"Your presence here suggests you have new leads on Miss Clyne's whereabouts?"
"We do have new findings."
Creuset then requested, "We've also received orders to search for Miss Clyne. Could you share your intelligence?"
"Of course, we'll transmit it to you immediately."
Felix nodded in agreement.
Early morning, February 7th. "Captain, distance five hundred, green, thirty-six, seventy-two, Bravo, large heat source detected!"
Oakley turned to report to Aric.
Hearing this, Aric acknowledged and turned to Felix.
"Captain—"
"Follow standard procedures!"
Felix interrupted Aric, speaking calmly.
Aric stopped talking and focused ahead, giving the order.
"Engage!"
"Yes!"
The fire control department acknowledged the command, and the crew began operations.
The beam cannons and missiles all entered combat readiness.
"Preparations complete!"
"Fire!"
Aric gave the command.
Following the order, the soldier pressed the launch button.
The beam cannons fired forward while missiles were catapulted into space, their tail thrusters igniting as guidance systems propelled them forward at high speed.
"Captain Creuset, it seems we'll have to engage in battle before finding Miss Clyne."
Felix smiled as he spoke to Creuset through the comms.
Hearing this, Creuset responded with a slight smile.
"With Captain Griffith here, the battle will be over quickly. It won't delay our search for Miss Clyne."
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