For ORB to expand its influence and ideals, remaining merely an ordinary neutral nation would not suffice.
Fortunately, ORB possessed proud technological achievements and abundant undersea resources.
Now, as the tides of a new era gradually emerged, seizing this opportunity could elevate ORB into one of the world's foremost powerful nations, allowing its ideals to spread across the globe.
Thinking this, Athha clenched his hands tightly.
Kira had recently applied to study robot operating systems.
Perhaps he could take advantage of this situation.
Just as Athha was deep in thought, a side door in the conference hall opened, and a young man in a suit walked directly toward him.
"Representative Athha, the young lady is insisting on seeing you."
"Cagalli? What's wrong?"
Athha snapped back to attention, his expression turning serious.
"She made the teacher angry."
"I see."
With just that one sentence, Athha roughly understood the situation. He let out a bitter laugh and waved his hand.
"Let's head back."
The discussions were concluded, and the official inspection here was complete. It was indeed time to return.
Moreover, this place was gradually becoming dangerous.
Fortunately, Kiyo and Sahaku were relatively reliable.
"Before we begin the plan, have Kiyo and Sahaku quickly clean up the spy network here."
"Yes!"
Hearing this, the young man's expression turned serious as he swiftly acknowledged the order.
With their conversation concluded, the two strode out one after another, leaving only the bright lights of the conference room gradually dimming behind them, as if bidding them farewell.
Amidst this increasingly chaotic era, Fred, who had just moved to April City and was living a peaceful life distinct from the dangers outside, successfully completed his research on the High Mobility GINN.
"Thanks to my brother's help and the data feedback from recent GINN combat operations, all experiments for the High Mobility GINN have been passed. The experimental unit is now ready for deployment at any time."
Lacus stood in the familiar courtyard, looking at the young man before her with a faint smile.
Hearing Lacus's words, Fred's expression beneath his mask remained largely unchanged, and he nodded calmly.
"I understand."
According to their agreed-upon transaction, he provided the technology, but the first prototype unit produced would belong to him.
Otherwise, he lacked the financial resources to support the development from concept to completion.
Even Dr. Hibiki needed investors, and he was no exception.
However, while Fred felt excitement over the completion of this Mobile Suit, what he felt more was urgency.
The war had already begun, and he needed more knowledge and related technologies.
Relying solely on his own isolated efforts was insufficient; even with Clyne's researchers and Albert Heinlein, it was unlikely to be enough.
At the very least, he still needed the technology of the Dawn Organization.
Given time and this direction, he was confident he could build the Strike Suit's main body before the Dawn Organization.
But having just the main body wasn't enough.
Things like the Vibration Knife, small Beam guns, and Mirage Particles—he only had a basic understanding of these.
He was counting on obtaining these technologies to accelerate his learning progress.
Although his research on power and Engines was likely already at the forefront globally,
his skills in the remaining areas were still insufficient.
To speed up his progress, he needed insights from others' research.
Unlike the well-established fields of Engines and power systems, technologies like miniaturized Beams and Mirage Particles hadn't been extensively studied even in PLANT.
Without prior experience, he was essentially crossing the river by feeling for stones—learning would be slower.
Drawing inferences from one example requires a foundation to build upon.
He could research slowly, but that would waste more time.
And time was now his most precious resource.
If he could seize opportunities, why should he toil away researching everything himself?
With that time, he could make further breakthroughs in the fields he excelled in and where he was already leading the world.
If he obtained those research materials and fully mastered them, his own research progress would accelerate. In the future, most Mobile Suits could fall under his control.
"When will you go to retrieve it, brother?"
Lacus spoke, her cherry lips slightly pursed as she elegantly took a sip of black tea.
Every smile and gesture radiated the unique, gentle charm of a young girl.
As she grew older, Lacus, as an idol, was increasingly evolving into the highly popular goddess Fred envisioned.
"Leave it there for now."
"That's true, but Peide and the others will probably be disappointed."
"They've been saying they want to meet you."
Lacus wasn't surprised by this, as Fred certainly wouldn't go over at this time.
The Peide she mentioned was the person in charge of the Secret Factory.
According to Peide, young genius researchers like this would usually be eager to come and test-drive their completed creations.
In his view, Fred, who appeared quite young and passionate about research, would likely feel the same.
After all, their research was like their own child to these researchers.
They wanted to take this opportunity to meet Fred, the genius they had only communicated with online.
But clearly, they didn't understand Fred as well as she did.
Thinking of this, Lacus felt a small, inexplicable sense of superiority.
Of course, she didn't voice these thoughts.
Hearing this, Fred simply nodded, speaking with a hint of regret.
"There will be chances later."
Currently, there was no need to use this Mobile Suit for operations in Copernicus.
It was merely a proof of concept; this Mobile Suit didn't have much practical use and could be kept as a backup.
But unless necessary, there was no need to bring it out.
It could just be kept as a collectible.
Lacus smiled at his words and added,
"Athrun and Nicol haven't decided whether to join the military yet, but Yzak has already entered the military academy."
"Do you think they'll join the military academy, brother?"
All three were children of Supreme Council members, and all were rare aces. If they joined the military, they would provide tremendous support to Fred.
Upon hearing this, Fred pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
"It's not certain."
Previously, with the Julius incident, everything fell into place naturally. But now, it all depends on their determination.
Nicol truly wasn't very certain, while Athrun had the resolve to protect.
It all depended on how things would take root and grow.
With that thought, Fred sighed again.
"But all I can do is this much."
Chapter 244: Squad Members
Meeting Fred's seemingly unchanging gaze, Lacus also nodded.
"Then I hope Brother can successfully integrate the team tomorrow."
Tomorrow would be Fred's first day meeting his squad.
Before Fred's secret operations began, the first step was naturally to integrate the team.
Otherwise, even if they were all aces, a scattered group would have little combat effectiveness.
"Thank you."
"But can you still not say what kind of operation you're preparing for now?"
Lacus tilted her head, asking with a hint of playful cuteness.
"Not yet, for now."
Fred rubbed his nose, avoiding Lacus's gaze.
It was still too early to say that Copernicus would be attacked in the future.
He could only reveal it when the signs of battle began to show.
Anyway, there was still time.
"Eh~"
Just as Lacus was about to say more, a familiar voice accompanied by the sound of a door opening interrupted her.
"Brother~"
Flay's charming voice rang out as her gaze swept over the two people before her.
"Am I interrupting you?"
Faced with Flay's suggestive look, the two remained quite composed, with Fred merely shrugging.
"You came just in time."
"Let's get ready for class."
Fred stood up.
Even though Athrun and the others weren't here, teaching the two of them was still necessary.
After all, even if she was a princess, it was better to have some self-defense skills.
As for Flay, that was even more the case.
"Oh~"
Flay blinked, exchanged a glance with Lacus, and then nodded.
...
The next day, as scheduled, Fred arrived at the underground level of the Defense Committee.
It was a room similar to the one where he had met with Patrick and Siegel last time.
The entry procedure was also much the same as before.
"But we should go to the base from now on."
Looking at the respectful soldiers before him once again, Fred thought to himself.
Although this was headquarters, there were too many eyes and ears.
Moreover, since their battleships and GINNs no longer needed to be hidden, there were now many ZAFT bases throughout PLANT.
Among them, Fred's two Laurasia-class ships were docked and stored at the base in April City.
Of course, they were in an independent port, so no one would see him coming and going.
Meanwhile, ahead of where Fred strode forward, everyone in the conference room was looking at each other.
"Squad Leader Orphee, what kind of person is our captain?"
Mikhail Aiman, known as the "Twilight Bullet" from the back, asked a squad leader in front who had an honest face and a sturdy build.
The burly squad leader merely shrugged his broad shoulders in response to Mickey's words.
"Who am I supposed to ask?"
"I heard he's extremely mysterious, with no information about him circulating at all."
"Such a high security clearance?"
Hearing Orphee's words, the others all drew sharp breaths.
After all, they were a covert operations unit themselves, operating under security classifications.
They were one of the units that had been active in the shadows even before the war began.
Though not as ferocious as that squad under Andrew, they were all professionals in covert and infiltration operations.
They were privy to many internal operational secrets, yet now they knew nothing about this Captain Freed?
"Exactly, so he's most likely not an ordinary person. Don't offend him casually; just follow orders."
Squad Leader Orphee emphasized once more.
The tall, lean leader of the second squad also nodded in agreement.
Though they didn't know what capabilities the other side possessed.
This order had been jointly issued by Patrick Zala and Siegel Clyne.
Moreover, this unit was Unit Zero of the Special Ops Unit.
No matter how you thought about it, that commander couldn't be an ordinary person.
In regular units, there might be troublemakers who'd provoke others, only to be subdued by force.
But this was a joint command from the Committee Chairman and the Chairman.
They wouldn't dare lay a finger on that Freed even if they had ten times the courage.
Otherwise, even without Freed making an example of them, offending the higher-ups would leave them with no way out.
"In short, as long as the commander isn't someone completely outrageous, we should do our best to cooperate."
The tall, lean Captain Chiora added, though his tone then shifted as he chuckled.
"But if he's incompetent, we'll help you report it to the higher-ups."
A reliable commander was crucial.
Safety reasons aside, there were also considerations for achieving merit.
Even if they couldn't be publicly recognized, they still wanted to contribute to PLANT and ZAFT.
So, if that mysterious Freed couldn't lead them to create corresponding value, then they couldn't be blamed.
"Understood!"
Hearing the squad leaders' words, the others relaxed somewhat.
Since the squad leaders had spoken this way, they at least had some reassurance.
Amidst everyone's varied thoughts, the door soon swung open.
The young man who had been the subject of their discussion for so long now strode in wearing a mask, with Alec following closely behind, as both squads saluted.
Seeing the mask on Freed's face, everyone in the meeting room was stunned.
After all, a commander wearing a mask was something they had never seen before.
Of course, this Freed's identity was unlikely to be fake, given that the two highest authorities were backing him.
As for the adjutant behind Fred, he looked rather unfamiliar, though he didn't seem like someone to be trifled with either.
"No need to be so formal."
Fred said with a smile, as if oblivious to everyone's surprise, and continued.
"I don't bite. Take a seat."
"Understood."
Being experienced and well-traveled, the others quickly regained their composure and took their seats one after another.
"I believe everyone already knows what our Unit Zero is primarily responsible for before coming here."
"Yes, sabotage behind enemy lines."
Orphee nodded in agreement while observing the Commander before him. Judging by the corners of his mouth, he appeared quite young, certainly not over thirty.
Yet the unwavering composure he displayed when they saluted earlier proved he was no ordinary person.
As the Captain and the others pondered this, Fred shook his head and continued.
"Yes, and no."
"Our mission is to maintain the balance of the world, to make peace a choice."
"We are the architects of peace, the guardians of PLANT, and the unsung heroes."
Fred looked at the group before him and spoke earnestly.
His voice echoed in the somewhat empty room, stirring a surge of passion in those who listened.
Guardians of PLANT, architects of peace.
Each of these indeed aligned with their own goals.