Hearing Lacus's response, Felix nodded gently with a soft expression. Turning his gaze to Andrew and the others, he bid farewell.
"Andrew, I won't disturb you here any longer. Until we meet again."
Andrew nodded upon hearing this, patted Felix's shoulder with a smile, and spoke earnestly.
"Felix, we're entrusting Miss Clyne to you. You must protect her well!"
Felix nodded firmly in response.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen as long as I'm here."
After speaking, Felix looked at Lacus, his eyes filled with affection as he gave a faint smile. Lacus lifted her head to meet his gaze, responding with a sweet smile of her own.
After a deep glance, Lacus turned to Andrew and spoke seriously.
"Mr. Waltfeld, I leave matters here in your hands."
Andrew looked at Lacus and nodded with a smile.
"Please rest assured."
Lacus nodded in relief upon hearing this.
The Genesis Gundam was docked here. Under Andrew's escort, Felix and Lacus entered the cockpit of the Genesis Gundam.
Inside the Cockpit
Lacus looked at the Genesis Gundam's instrument panel and various operation buttons, then turned to Felix with admiration in her eyes.
"I never imagined operating an MS would be so complicated!"
"It's manageable!" Hearing Lacus's admiring words, Felix replied with a light smile. As he started up the Genesis Gundam, he asked Lacus, "Lacus, how about I teach you to pilot an MS?"
"No." Shaking her head, Lacus declined and continued, "Something this complex—I don't think I can handle it."
Felix smiled gently in response. Just then, Aisha's voice came through the comms.
"Felix, how are the preparations?"
Glancing at the comm screen, Felix replied calmly.
"All set!"
...
"Felix Leo Griffith, Genesis, launching!"
Inside the Genesis Gundam Cockpit
"How is the situation at the Ptolemy Military Base?"
Lacus gazed out into space as she asked Felix.
Felix glanced at her and replied calmly.
"The air defense system is armed to the teeth!"
Hearing this, Lacus asked with a worried expression.
"Will it be very difficult to fight?"
Felix piloted the Genesis Gundam and nodded lightly.
"It won't be easy, but it's not entirely impossible to take it down."
As he replied, Felix turned the question back to Lacus.
"Lacus, how are things with your contacts among the doves within the Earth Alliance?"
"We've been maintaining contact."
As she answered, Lacus's expression dimmed slightly.
"But currently, they have no say within the Earth Alliance. All operations have excluded them."
Hearing the discouragement in Lacus's voice, Felix replied with clear understanding.
"That's to be expected."
After speaking, Felix comforted her in a gentle tone.
"Lacus, don't be discouraged. When the war losses reach a certain point, the doves within their ranks will be able to accomplish something."
After hearing these words of comfort, a trace of sorrow appeared in Lacus's expression. Seeing the look on her face, Felix immediately realized he had said the wrong thing.
A flicker of panic showed in his eyes as he tried to think of how to comfort her further, but Lacus had already collected herself and returned to her usual composure.
At that moment, Lacus looked at Felix, and he met her gaze. When their eyes met, Lacus spoke.
"Felix, I'm fine."
"That's good! That's good!"
Relieved, Felix muttered under his breath.
After saying this, Felix focused all his attention ahead.
On the Moon
In the Central Hangar of the Athena
As the cockpit of the Genesis Gundam opened and Felix and Lacus stepped out, Taiber, who had rushed over, widened his eyes in surprise.
His gaze shifted back and forth between Felix and Lacus.
"Captain, weren't you supposed to be on a reconnaissance mission?"
"Yes!" Felix replied openly to Taiber's question. "But during the reconnaissance, I picked up Lacus along the way."
Taiber gave Felix a speechless look.
'Captain, it looks more like you did a bit of reconnaissance while picking up Miss Clyne, didn't you?'
As Taiber sighed inwardly, Lacus smiled warmly and greeted him amiably.
"Hello."
Snapping out of it, Taiber turned to Lacus, wiped the exasperated look off his face, and responded with a smile.
"Miss Clyne, it's good to see you!"
Felix cut in at that moment, giving Taiber an order.
"Taiber, the Genesis Gundam is in your hands."
Taiber turned to Felix, saluted, and said.
"Don't worry, Captain."
...
On the way to Felix's room
Walking beside Felix, Lacus remarked after passing a few people.
"It seems like the people on the Athena aren't particularly surprised to see me."
Hearing this, Felix turned to look at Lacus, sighed, and explained.
"We have Aric to thank for that."
Lacus understood immediately, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corner of her lips.
Noticing that sweet smile, Felix happily took her hand and continued leading her toward his room.
Back in the room
Before they could even sit down to catch their breath, Aric called.
Seeing Aric's communication request, Felix answered with a displeased expression.
"Aric, this had better be urgent."
Hearing Felix's irritated tone and seeing his grim face, Aric was momentarily taken aback, but the moment he spotted Lacus, he understood.
Looking at Lacus beside Felix, Aric greeted her with a respectful smile.
"Miss Clyne, it's good to see you."
Seeing Aric on the screen, Lacus smiled and greeted him in return.
"Hello, Aric."
After that, Lacus turned to Felix and said considerately.
"I'll leave you two to talk."
With that, Lacus stepped away from the screen.
Once Aric saw that Lacus had left, he began his report to Felix.
"Captain, Chairman Zala hopes you'll return his message when you get back."
Felix felt puzzled upon hearing this but nodded at Aric.
"Understood."
With that, Felix ended the communication.
Turning to Lacus with an apologetic expression, he was about to speak when she said first:
"You should go reply to Chairman Zala now. We'll have plenty of time to talk later."
Touched by Lacus's gentleness and understanding, Felix felt warmth in his heart and replied with a smile:
"Alright."
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