Teased by Felix, Andrew turned to look over the young man beside him. After studying him for a moment, he reached out and ruffled Felix's hair. The gesture left Felix completely bewildered. Just as he was wondering what was going on, Andrew spoke.
"How on earth did you end up with a brain like that? You've been officially in the military for barely two months—not even three—and you're already this good?"
"Maybe I was adjusted better!"
At the question, Felix froze for a moment. Then he recalled the scene he had witnessed just after his Rebirth and answered with a hint of speculation.
Andrew heard Felix's answer and didn't suspect a thing. He nodded in agreement, though he still felt that being well adjusted couldn't be the only reason the young man before him was so capable.
There had to be something else behind it.
Seeing that Andrew had fallen silent, Felix teased him again.
"Captain Waltfeld, what do you think of my proposal?"
"Not a chance!"
Andrew turned away and rejected the idea outright.
Afterward, he got up with his cup and walked over to the coffee machine.
"Want a cup of coffee?"
"I want extra milk and sugar in mine!"
Felix nodded and made his request.
Andrew corrected him with a teasing remark.
"Coffee without anything added is the purest kind. Adding milk and sugar ruins the flavor. You have strange taste."
Though he said that, he still made the coffee to Felix's liking. Felix just smiled at the correction and teasing, paying them no mind.
The next day
At around three in the afternoon,
Not long after ordering the Ginn patrol units to shoot down incoming missiles, Felix received a communication from near-Earth orbit.
"Captain Griffith, we've been ordered to come and support you!"
The brief message reached his ears, and Felix felt as if he'd just heard the most beautiful words in the world. Smiling, he thanked them.
"Thank you for coming!"
The voice came over the communication again.
"Captain Griffith, we'll be making an airdrop of MS units and supplies. Please secure the drop zone and prevent any unnecessary losses."
Felix heard the request and nodded in agreement.
"No problem!"
After replying with those three words, Felix ordered all units to take off and begin patrolling at different altitudes, protecting the supplies and reinforcements as they descended.
At 3:50 p.m., the airdrop began.
The Drop Pods carrying the reinforcements and supplies were released from near-Earth orbit. The entire operation took around thirty minutes. Once everything had been dropped, the transport units began their return journey without lingering in orbit.
On the ground
Inside Victoria Spaceport
Looking at the reinforcements and supplies that had arrived, Felix wore a radiant smile.
"The supplies they sent include all kinds of MS parts, weapons, ammunition, and food. They also brought newly developed low-altitude rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns and Anti-Air Missiles.
"With this equipment, the pressure on our air defenses should ease quite a bit."
Andrew stood beside Felix and spoke with a quiet laugh.
Felix heard him and smiled, nodding in agreement.
Just then,
A White Uniform officer walked over and stopped in front of him, raising a hand in salute. Felix saluted in return. The officer lowered his hand and spoke.
"Captain Griffith, we've come to provide support under orders from the Ministry of Defense."
"Thank you for coming."
Felix thanked him as he reached out to shake his hand. After the handshake, Doug looked at Felix and continued.
"By the way, Captain Felix, there's one more thing I need to inform you about."
"Mr. Doug, go ahead."
"Besides coming to support you, we've also brought the Ministry of Defense's order for your promotion."
Doug continued, looking at Felix.
"Based on your performance in this battle, the Ministry of Defense has promoted you to White Uniform with Gold Trim."
"Congratulations!"
"Same to you! Same to you!"
Felix responded modestly to Doug's congratulations. Andrew turned toward Felix, draped an arm warmly around him, and offered his own congratulations with a laugh.
"Congratulations! I'm so envious of how quickly you're getting promoted!"
"Don't worry. I think you'll get your chance for a promotion before long, too."
Felix smiled at Andrew's congratulatory teasing. Andrew heard him and thanked him with a laugh.
"Thanks for the good wishes!"
"All right, let's not keep chatting out here. Why don't we go inside and talk?"
Looking around, Felix invited them to continue the conversation inside the Temporary Command Post. Doug didn't object and nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile
At the Earth Alliance Forces' command post outside Victoria Spaceport
"Commander, we just received a report from one of our undercover scouts."
Horton walked into Hope's room and spoke.
Hope turned to look at Horton and asked,
"What is it?"
"The ZAFT Forces stationed at Victoria Spaceport have received reinforcements. Based on our estimates, they brought in at least 150 MS units."
Horton looked at Lieutenant General Hope and delivered the intelligence.
After hearing the report, Hope sat in his chair and thought it over.
"With at least 150 additional MS units, on top of the forces they still have inside the spaceport, they'll have at least around 250 MS units at Victoria Spaceport. That's a huge force. The battle's going to be even tougher."
"All right, I understand."
Hope looked at Horton and acknowledged the report.
He waved a hand, signaling that Horton could leave.
Seeing the commander's gesture, Horton turned and walked out of the room.
After Horton left, Hope reported to headquarters.
"Commander-in-Chief, the ZAFT Forces have reinforced Victoria Spaceport. They've sent more than 150 MS units."
"All right, I understand. I'll report this to the council. Any decision to send you more troops will have to be approved by the council."
The Earth Alliance Forces' Commander-in-Chief replied.
After saying that, he ended the communication. Hope looked at the communicator, now silent, and set it down on the table.
He sat in his chair and gave the matter no further thought.
Inside Victoria Spaceport
"Captain Griffith, how many Earth Alliance Forces are currently surrounding Victoria Spaceport?"
After entering the room, Doug looked at Felix and asked. Felix looked up at Doug, his expression turning more serious as he replied,
"Our fighting has wiped out some of the Earth Alliance Forces, but they still have a large force. They have more than 600 Vanguard Fighters and around 400 to 500 tanks."
Before you continue