"You're right. I didn't think it through."
After some thought, Doug agreed with Andrew's point and reflected on his own idea. Hearing their exchange, Felix looked at the electronic map before him and said,
"You're both right! So I combined your suggestions and made a reasonable calculation focused on minimizing the time required."
As he spoke, Felix pointed out the results calculated on the electronic map. They showed the time saved based on two factors: the Guul's flight speed and a reduction of two hundred kilometers in travel distance.
Seeing that the plan would save a few minutes, Andrew didn't object. He knew that sometimes, a few minutes could be enough to save the lives of several MS pilots.
Doug looked over the calculations and calmly agreed as well.
"Oh, right!" Doug spoke up again. The two men turned to look at him, and under their gaze, he continued, "I think we should change the paint scheme on Captain Griffith's MS to match the normal ones, so we can confuse the enemy. That way, they won't be able to identify Captain Griffith by his paint scheme and concentrate their fire on him. It'll make it easier for him to fight and take out the enemy."
"That's a great suggestion!"
Felix nodded and accepted the proposal.
He opened communications and notified the Maintenance Crew.
Inside the Hangar
After hearing the message, the Maintenance Crew's chief scratched his head and turned to look at Felix's White Ginn. In a loud voice, he replied,
"Rest assured, Captain. We'll get it done!"
Once he finished speaking, the call ended.
Lowering the communicator, the chief turned and gathered several members of the Maintenance Crew. When they were assembled in front of him, he gave his orders.
"On Captain Griffith's orders, change the paint scheme on the White Ginn he pilots to the normal Ginn paint scheme.
"We're short on time for this repaint, so we need to finish as quickly as possible.
"Is that clear?"
"Crystal clear!"
The Maintenance Crew members standing there answered in unison.
After hearing their reply, the chief clapped his hands and continued,
"Get to work!"
As soon as he said that, everyone got busy.
At the Earth Alliance Forces' command center outside Victoria Spaceport
"What does everyone think of the operation we've planned?"
Hope looked around at those gathered and asked.
After reviewing the operation plan, one of the staff officers raised his hand to offer his opinion.
"Commander, I have no objections to your plan to reinforce whichever area the ZAFT unit with the white-painted MS appears in. However, I think we should increase the number of reinforcements."
"How many more do you have in mind?"
Hope looked up at him and asked.
The staff officer continued,
"I think we should increase the number from two hundred to three hundred. If possible, we should send four hundred."
"That's a little too reckless!"
Another staff officer objected.
He then explained why he disagreed.
"We currently have only a little over 1,270 Vanguard Fighters, including the reinforcements. The planned deployment across the five fronts alone comes to 750, leaving us with only a little over 500.
"If we send three or four hundred Vanguard Fighters to surround this one enemy, we won't have enough left to protect the rear. What happens to our security and the safety of the logistical supply units on the other fronts if the enemy launches a surprise attack at that point?
"If we let our rear be destroyed just to kill him, our troops will be helpless once they run out of ammunition and can't get resupplied.
"So I disagree with your proposal!"
"I support Staff Officer Johnny!"
As soon as Johnny finished speaking, another staff officer raised his hand in support. After him, the other staff officers voiced their agreement as well.
Before long, the discussion had become completely one-sided.
The staff officer who had proposed sending more forces to kill Felix saw how things were going and said no more. He merely gave a cold snort to express his displeasure.
Seeing this, Hope spoke up to ease the tension.
"All right! There's no need to let this sour the mood. We can discuss sending more forces to deal with the white MS later, depending on the situation."
The commander's words eased the tension among the group.
Seeing that, Hope continued to preside over the meeting.
Two days later,
With all preparations complete, the Earth Alliance Forces launched their second operation to attack Victoria Spaceport.
Among the forces ready to deploy, a portion of the reconnaissance fighters took off first to scout from the air and ensure the ground forces could advance safely.
The main air force would take off according to plan after the ground forces had advanced a certain distance.
At the command center
"Have the troops deployed?"
Hope looked at the main screen and asked his adjutant, Horton.
Horton turned to Hope and nodded.
"Reporting to you, Commander, our ground forces have already set out!"
"Have the scouts up ahead sent back any information about the ZAFT forces occupying Victoria Spaceport?"
Hope gave a slight nod and continued questioning him.
Horton shook his head.
"No new reports have come in yet."
"Report immediately as soon as we receive any new intelligence!"
Hope spoke sternly.
Horton raised his hand in salute and replied in a serious tone,
"Yes, Commander!"
Inside Victoria Spaceport
At the ZAFT Forces' command center
"Captain Griffith, the scouts have sent back the latest intelligence!"
The soldier who rushed in reported in an urgent voice.
Felix looked up at him and calmly said,
"Read it!"
"The Earth Alliance Forces have begun moving!"
The soldier held the report and read its contents.
Felix, Andrew, and Doug all turned to look at him. Andrew was the first to speak.
"How are their forces advancing?"
"A small number of Vanguard Fighters moved out first, followed by the Earth Alliance Forces' ground troops. Their ground forces are larger than they were last time!"
The soldier recited the contents of the report word for word. At this point, he checked the estimated numbers carefully before continuing,
"Across all five fronts, the ground forces are estimated to have more than five hundred tanks!"
After finishing, the soldier handed the report to Felix.
Felix took the report and carefully read its contents. Then he passed it to Andrew and said with a smile,
"Andrew, it looks like the Earth Alliance Forces' operation this time is somewhat in line with Doug's idea."
"Only somewhat. Overall, they're still sticking to a combined air-and-ground strategy. It's not much different from what I expected."
Before you continue