"The Earth Alliance Forces' military reserves are astonishing!"
Doug couldn't help exclaiming when he heard this.
Felix smiled and replied,
"They may have been developing for hundreds of years, but their foundations are naturally formidable. It's only normal that PLANT can't match them in reserves or military strength."
"Captain Griffith, what should we do in the next battle?" Doug nodded in agreement, then asked Felix.
Felix answered without hesitation.
"Our mission is to hold Victoria Spaceport, so we just need to wait for the enemy to attack. If they don't, we'll stay alert and make preparations."
"Understood, Captain Griffith!"
Doug nodded and replied to Felix.
After he answered, the three gathered to discuss how to deploy their forces for the coming battle.
Meanwhile
At the Earth Alliance Forces' command center outside Victoria Spaceport
Hope received a transmission from headquarters.
"Commander-in-Chief!"
Hope saluted and greeted him.
The Commander-in-Chief nodded slightly in response, then began relaying the council's orders.
"Following the council's discussion, we've approved reinforcements for your unit. Within the next week, we'll send you five hundred Vanguard Fighters and three hundred and fifty ground vehicles. In addition, we'll provide two thousand supersonic missiles with a range of over five hundred kilometers."
"Thank you for the council's support!"
Hope expressed his gratitude upon learning that the reinforcements he'd requested had been approved. The Commander-in-Chief heard his thanks, but his expression remained stern as he warned him coldly,
"We've given you the reinforcements you asked for. Now you must retake Victoria Spaceport. We absolutely cannot let the ZAFT Forces establish a foothold on Earth.
"If you fail, you'll be court-martialed!"
"Rest assured, Commander-in-Chief. I'll complete the mission!"
Hope saluted and gave his assurance.
Hearing his promise, the Commander-in-Chief's expression remained unchanged, as calm as a statue.
He gave no further response and ended the call.
Once the transmission ended, Hope left the room and began discussing the next operation with the staff officers.
A week passed in the blink of an eye!
Inside Victoria Spaceport
After receiving supplies twice, Victoria Spaceport now had a relatively comprehensive air-defense system.
The air combat unit had received another hundred mobile suits and a hundred pilots. The ground forces had also been reinforced with six BuCUEs specially designed for ground combat, each equipped with two large-caliber electromagnetic cannons, as well as more than fifty ground vehicles.
At the ZAFT garrison's command center in Victoria Spaceport
"Victoria Spaceport is in better shape by the day. It feels like a lot of weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
Andrew sat in a chair, drinking coffee and speaking in a leisurely manner. Doug turned to him and smiled.
"Things are certainly less stressful, but we still can't let our guard down."
"Enough small talk. Let's discuss something important."
Felix looked at the two and interrupted them.
They turned to Felix, setting their cups on the table as they did.
Felix spoke up.
"The Earth Alliance Forces have been quiet for over a week, apart from their missile attacks. I have a feeling they'll launch another operation soon, and this time it'll be even more intense!"
"Reporting!"
A shout came from outside just as Felix finished speaking.
The three turned toward the door. A soldier stood there, waiting for permission to speak. Felix addressed him.
"What is it?"
"Captain Griffith, our forward scouts have sent back the latest intelligence!"
The soldier stood at attention and reported.
Felix gave a single-word command.
"Speak!"
"Intelligence indicates that the Earth Alliance Forces are making a move. They're very likely to attack us within the next day or two!"
The soldier reported loudly.
Felix replied that he understood, then signaled for the soldier to leave. The soldier turned and walked out. After he was gone, the three exchanged grave looks.
After a brief silence, Doug spoke.
"Captain Griffith, I didn't expect you to be right about this."
"Whether I was right isn't important. What matters now is discussing the situation." Felix gave a brief reply, then pointed to the electronic map before him and continued, "The Earth Alliance Forces have deployed in five directions around Victoria Spaceport: east, southeast, west, south, and north.
"They attacked from all five directions last time, so they'll certainly do the same again.
"That means we need to prepare to meet the enemy in all five directions."
As he spoke, Felix manipulated the electronic map. A proposed deployment based on the forces currently available appeared on the display.
After finishing, he turned to the other two and asked,
"What do you think of this deployment?"
"Captain Griffith, I have a concern."
Andrew looked at Felix's deployment and spoke up. Felix turned to him and nodded.
"Go ahead."
"Your record and performance are already well known to the Earth Alliance Forces. They'll certainly concentrate more troops in one area to stop or defeat you.
"If the area where you're stationed doesn't match the direction they reinforce, it could cause a series of problems. At worst, our defensive line could collapse."
Andrew paused, then took a deep breath and continued,
"So I think we should strengthen our forward reconnaissance, and you shouldn't join the troops at the front right away. That way, you'll be able to adapt to the situation."
"You make a good point. We'll do it your way."
After considering Andrew's concern and proposal, Felix agreed. He then turned to Doug and asked,
"Captain Doug, do you have any other suggestions?"
"I have no objections to the overall deployment."
Doug shook his head, then continued,
"But I think we should let them advance a little farther before engaging them, and meet them at a distance of two to three hundred kilometers. That should briefly separate the Earth Alliance Forces' air and ground units.
"That would ease the pressure on us."
"I don't think that's appropriate!"
Andrew shook his head and explained,
"The difference in timing between the two forces is simply too small. We wouldn't be able to turn that brief window into an advantage. On the contrary, letting them advance too close to Victoria Spaceport would greatly increase the pressure on our defenses.
"So, to ensure Victoria Spaceport's safety, I don't recommend letting them enter the area within three hundred kilometers of it."
Before you continue