"Go on with your work," Felix said calmly, looking at Yalik. Then he added, "I'd like some time alone."
Yalik immediately understood. He watched his captain quietly, then raised his hand in a salute. Felix gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
The moment he lowered his arm, Yalik turned and walked toward the captain's station.
Watching Yalik leave, Felix turned his gaze toward the viewport. As he looked outside, his eyes gradually lowered, and his grip on the railing tightened.
"Is the captain all right?"
Seeing Yalik return, Oakley rose from the seat, came over, and asked quietly beside his ear. Yalik glanced at Oakley, then shook his head.
"I don't know."
As he answered, Yalik also turned his gaze toward Felix.
Watching Felix stand quietly with his head bowed, Yalik felt worry slowly rise in his heart. Amid that worry, he reassured himself.
The captain will be all right.
"What do we do next?"
Oakley looked away from Felix and quietly asked Yalik.
Yalik glanced over and answered directly.
"Continue with the previous arrangements."
"Understood."
Oakley nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then turned and returned to the seat. Once Oakley had sat down, Yalik walked toward his own chair.
Seated, Yalik still felt uneasy and glanced back at Felix.
After that glance, Yalik pressed his lips together, looked away, and faced forward.
At that moment, aboard the Eternal in space, Lacus stood before a viewport with both hands against it, her eyes full of worry as she gazed ahead.
"Hello! Hello!"
Haro called twice beside Lacus.
Flapping its little ears, Haro floated through the air toward her.
Lacus tilted her head slightly and glanced at Haro.
She lifted one hand from the viewport and gently cradled Haro in her palm, her soft voice filled with worry.
"Haro, how do