Two knocks sounded at the door.
Felix looked up at the doorway and pressed the button to open the door. As it slid open, Yalik stepped into the room.
Watching Yalik enter, Felix asked calmly.
"Is something wrong?"
At his question, Yalik raised his hand in a salute.
Felix gave a slight nod at Yalik's salute.
Yalik lowered his arm and reported.
"Captain, the Earth Alliance Forces have withdrawn!"
"Withdrawn?"
Felix looked at Yalik in surprise and repeated the question. Seeing the astonishment on Felix's face, Yalik nodded firmly.
At Yalik's nod, the surprise faded from Felix's face, replaced by a look of confusion.
"Captain, what should we do?"
Yalik looked at Felix and asked solemnly. Felix looked up at him, thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Hold our position!"
"Yes, sir!"
Yalik raised his hand in a salute as he answered.
Lowering his arm, Yalik turned and left.
After Yalik left, Lacus, who had remained silent, spoke.
"The Earth Alliance Forces have withdrawn from the battlefield?"
Felix looked at the screen and nodded to Lacus before answering.
"According to Yalik's report, yes."
Lacus lowered her head and fell into thought. After a long while, she asked in puzzlement.
"What exactly is the Earth Alliance Forces trying to do?"
"I'm not sure what exactly they're planning, but I do have a suspicion."
Felix glanced at Lacus and spoke with composure. His words brought her out of her thoughts, and her beautiful eyes turned toward him, full of curiosity.
Sensing Lacus's questioning gaze, Felix explained.
"The Earth Alliance may have found a way to use nuclear weapons."
"Have they developed fusion weapons that can be triggered without a fission reaction?" Lacus blurted out in shock. Then she calmed down, another possibility coming to mind.
She looked at Felix and spoke gravely.