Declaration of War! Valentine's Day Approaches

Inside the room.

Heine chatted with Felix Leo Griffith quite enthusiastically. Faced with Heine's warmth, Felix also grew interested in the conversation, sitting on his bed and talking animatedly with him.

The next day.

In the MS pilot standby room.

"Felix, there's no need to be nervous. Our mission is very simple: just conduct a routine patrol around the perimeter of Junius City in our MS."

Looking at the MS through the window, Heine caught a trace of tension on Felix's face from the corner of his eye and offered him warm, patient comfort.

Looking up at Heine, Felix smiled slightly and thanked him.

"Thank you, Brother Heine."

"Don't mention it. Looking after my juniors is what I should do."

As soon as he finished speaking, the standby room's comms crackled with a sortie order issued by the communications officer.

Neither of them spoke; they stood up and headed outside.

Entering the MS Hangar.

They proceeded with the handover from the maintenance crew.

"Felix, the MS is fully prepped and ready for you to take over."

"Taking over!"

Felix spoke the two words firmly.

Donning his helmet, Felix climbed into the MS cockpit and pressed the button to close the hatch.

As the Ginn MS hatch sealed shut, the maintenance crew began to evacuate the hangar.

"Felix Leo Griffith, ready! Standing by for sortie!"

Gripping the control stick, Felix reported over the comms.

A few seconds later, a response came through.

"Felix Leo Griffith, you are cleared for sortie!"

"Acknowledged!"

He replied with the two words.

Felix's gaze locked onto the open hatch ahead, where the electromagnetic catapult had completed its preparations.

He pushed the throttle forward, increasing the MS thrust output.

He pressed his feet firmly onto the pedals.

The Ginn responded; with the dual assistance of its own thrusters and the electromagnetic catapult, it broke free from the power cables and launched at high speed.

Entering space, Felix couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as he looked at the endless, pitch-black void and the massive, funnel-shaped colony structure that came into view not far away.

Humanity is truly great!

The universe is truly vast!

"Felix, let's move out!"

Just as he was lost in thought, Heine's voice rang out over the comms.

Pulling himself together, he replied to Heine.

He piloted his Ginn, following behind Heine to familiarize himself with the patrol mission he needed to carry out.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

As Valentine's Day drew closer, Felix's calm heart grew tense once again; this sense of anxious nervousness was particularly pronounced.

It got to the point where Heine took Felix to the infirmary to see a doctor several times, and Captain Hawkins also paid close attention to the matter after learning about it.

He spoke with Felix several times, offering him guidance and counsel.

"All MS pilots, assemble in the briefing room!"

Lying in his room resting, Felix heard the call over the intercom and quickly got up to head out.

He ran into Heine right at the door of the briefing room, and after a brief exchange, they walked inside together.

The briefing room was currently packed with all the MS pilots from the Hawkins Team. After exchanging simple greetings with his comrades, Felix took his assigned seat.

A few minutes later, Hawkins walked in through the door.

The large screen at the front displayed the relevant content.

"According to documents issued by the Ministry of Defense, the Earth Alliance Forces have officially declared war on our PLANT today. We have also learned that the Earth Alliance Forces have assembled and prepared at the Ptolemaios Military Base and are currently advancing toward our PLANT.

They are expected to arrive in the vicinity of PLANT in about two days."

Though Felix had already anticipated this in his heart, his pulse still skipped a beat involuntarily after hearing what Captain Hawkins had to say.

Tension was written all over his face.

Heine noticed Felix's nervousness and turned to gently pat him on the shoulder. Feeling the touch, Felix turned to look at Heine.

What met his eyes was Heine's encouraging and comforting smile.

"To prepare for the upcoming battle, the Ministry of Defense has ordered all units to enter a state of combat readiness, while simultaneously pushing our defensive and patrol perimeters forward by one thousand kilometers.

We must keep the battlefield far away from the PLANT homeland.

We must prevent the homeland from being caught in the crossfire."

On the podium, Captain Hawkins continued to elaborate on the decisions made by the Ministry of Defense, his words echoing in the room.

The moment Hawkins finished speaking, Felix immediately raised his hand.

Hawkins' gaze fell upon Felix, and he asked.

"Is there something you need, Felix?"

"Captain, I would like to ask if our deployment location is still in the vicinity of Junius City?"

Felix asked, looking at his captain.

Nodding, Hawkins replied.

"That is correct. Our deployment location remains near Junius City, and other units will also be arriving to provide support.

Together, we will build a defensive line to ensure the safety of the PLANT homeland."

"Understood, Captain."

Knowing that the place where he would be fighting in a few days had not been moved far from Junius City, Felix felt much more at ease; there were certain things he could still take precautions against.

Just as Hawkins was about to continue after hearing Felix's response, Felix raised his hand again. Seeing this, Hawkins had no choice but to pause and look at him.

"Felix, do you have any other questions?"

"Captain, the Earth Alliance possesses nuclear weapons. Will they use them against us when the time comes?"

Felix asked the question calmly.

Upon hearing the mention of nuclear weapons, the expressions of Hawkins and the others darkened, and silence descended upon the operations room.

After a moment of silence.

Hawkins spoke up to reply.

"I believe the Ministry of Defense has taken this into consideration, but I will relay your question to them.

Regardless of whether they use nuclear weapons or conventional ones, we cannot allow them to approach the homeland's space colonies, so we must defend against all attacks."

Having said that, Hawkins asked Felix.

"Felix, do you have any other questions?"

"No, Captain."

Shaking his head, Felix answered his captain.

Hawkins nodded slightly and proceeded with the briefing.

Over an hour later.

As Hawkins announced the end of the meeting, everyone stood up and headed for the exit. Just as Felix was about to leave with Heine, Hawkins called out to him.

"Felix, please stay behind for a moment."

Stopping in his tracks, Felix turned to face his captain.

Seeing this, Heine walked out alone, catching up with the other comrades and chatting as they left.

Inside the operations room.

"Captain, is there something else you need?"

Felix asked, looking at his captain.

Hawkins looked at Felix, patted him on the shoulder, and spoke in a kind and gentle tone.

"Felix, do not be nervous about the battles that may follow. Nervousness is a major taboo on the battlefield; it will cost you your life. Also, the questions you raised today were very helpful. I will report them to the Ministry of Defense and mention your name.

Keep working hard!

Your future is limitless!"