After listening to Siegel's speech, Felix was about to leave when the assembly was dismissed. Then he heard someone call his name from beside him and turned toward the voice.
A man in a black suit was walking over to him.
"May I ask who you are?"
Felix looked at him and asked in confusion.
The man stopped and explained.
"Captain Griffith, I'm Chairman Zala's secretary. On the chairman's orders, I'm inviting you to the Ministry of Defense."
"Understood."
Felix nodded and answered.
The Ministry of Defense
The chairman's office
"Felix Leo Griffith reporting for duty!"
Standing across from Patrick, Felix raised his hand in salute. Patrick looked up at him, and the grief and sternness in his expression softened slightly. He calmly gestured toward a chair.
Following the instruction, Felix sat down and waited quietly for Patrick to speak.
"Felix, how have you been enjoying your time off these past few days?"
"Very well! I'm ready to carry out a mission at any time!"
Felix sat upright and answered.
Patrick nodded, then handed him a document.
"This is the latest operational plan drawn up by the Ministry of Defense. You'll be taking part in this battle, bringing ZAFT even greater glory and giving the people some heartening news.
"Are you confident you can do it?"
"I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"
Felix looked at Patrick and answered firmly.
Then he turned his gaze to the document. Patrick understood and gestured for him to pick it up.
At Patrick's signal, Felix took the document and opened it to read. Its contents were just as he had expected.
An operation plan targeting the international space station, World Tree!
Those words stood out before him.
Felix looked down the page to see the objective of the operation.
They were to destroy the Earth Alliance's bridgehead to the Moon.
This would further weaken the Earth Alliance's strength in space and its ability to send troops there.
"Go make your preparations. Your unit will be formed in two days. Then you can officially take command!"
Seeing that he had said all there was to say, Patrick dismissed him. Felix stood, saluted Patrick, then turned and left the office.
Two days later
Dissenbell City
Inside the ZAFT Military Academy
Several children of high-ranking PLANT officials had gathered there. Their parents knew one another, so the group quickly fell into conversation.
As they chatted, they noticed a photo hanging on the first floor of the Military Academy's teaching building.
It showed Felix in his graduation uniform. Beneath the photo were notes about his outstanding academic record and remarkable combat performance.
The group stopped to look at it.
"When I graduate, I'm getting my photo put up here too."
Dearka gazed at the photo with a casual smile. Yzak glanced at him and scoffed.
"Quit bragging! You might not even make it into the red uniform!"
"Tch! Who are you looking down on? You'd better not be the one who fails to make it into the red uniform!"
Dearka retorted, unwilling to back down.
Seeing the two of them about to start arguing again, Nicol stepped between them to smooth things over.
"Come on, don't argue. We should focus on studying hard."
As Nicol calmed things down, Athrun quietly studied the photo. For a moment, he seemed to lose focus. The image brought someone to mind.
He looks so much like Kira!
He murmured inwardly.
Thinking of his good friend Kira, Athrun muttered anxiously to himself.
I wonder where Kira is now, and how he's doing.
Meanwhile, in space
Aboard the newly formed Griffith Squad's flagship, the Sebastian
"I can't believe you've become a squad leader in just a few days."
Heine looked at Felix in his white uniform and congratulated him, teasing him with a smile. Felix waved a hand modestly.
"It was all luck! Just luck!"
"You don't have to be so modest! You earned this. You were the biggest contributor in that last battle, so your promotion makes perfect sense.
"I certainly believe in you, and I fully support you as squad leader."
Heine heard Felix's modest reply and patted him on the shoulder with a smile.
Felix didn't say anything in response. He simply nodded calmly.
Heine checked the time and decided not to keep Felix any longer. He released his arm from Felix's shoulders, gave him a pat, then turned and headed to his quarters.
After Heine left, Felix made his way to the bridge.
On the bridge
Captain Yalik turned when he saw Felix arrive, then stood and saluted him.
"Captain Griffith!"
"Mm!"
Felix raised his hand in return and gave a quiet acknowledgment.
He lowered his arm and walked forward, speaking to Yalik.
"We'll soon be heading into another battle. As a newly formed unit, our priority is to quickly develop good coordination.
"Especially when it comes to coordinating the ships. We need to avoid unnecessary losses caused by a lack of teamwork."
"Captain, you can count on us. We've been training to improve our coordination."
Yalik stood beside Felix and assured him. Felix heard his words and nodded calmly.
He had nothing else to say.
After staying there for a while, he got up and left.
February 22, 00:00
After receiving their official orders, the Griffith Squad set off, joining the main force in the attack on the international space station World Tree. They headed for its location at the Earth-Moon Lagrange point, L1.
In the captain's quarters
Seated in his chair, Felix was attending a video conference organized by the overall commander of the operation.
"Felix!"
The overall commander's voice came through the communications system.
Hearing him, Felix sat up straight and looked toward the commander, awaiting his orders.
"Felix, I've heard about your combat record. But your unit has only just been formed, and it hasn't had as much time to develop coordination as the others.
"So I plan to place you on the flank. What do you think of that arrangement?"
The overall commander's plan reached Felix's ears.
Felix nodded and replied.
"I'll follow your orders!"
Before you continue