Although their boss was not exactly dictatorial or domineering, he certainly had his own ideas.
Moreover, their boss did not seem like someone who would fight a battle unprepared.
This was something he understood deeply.
The other team members who had also connected to the communication widened their eyes upon hearing this.
Unlike Heinline, this was the first time they had learned of this news.
In their hearts, there was nothing but shock.
After all, they had not known that their director could actually pilot an MS.
However, upon careful thought, no one had piloted this type of MS before. In that case, the researchers themselves were the most familiar with the Mobile Suit, especially those responsible for the engine and the automatic attitude adjustment system.
In other words, after a year had passed, their director was undoubtedly one of the people in all of PLANT who understood MS the best.
The only question was, how skilled was their boss at piloting?
As they thought about this, a sense of curiosity naturally arose in their minds.
...
While Fred was nervously preparing, on the other side, in the Clyne Estate in April City, a pink-haired girl was looking at the report before her, her expression somewhat tense.
The girl was Lacus. Compared to a year ago, she had grown a little taller, and with age, her colors had become even more vibrant.
It was as if she were a colorful canvas gradually unfurling.
"Brother Freed is going to pilot the MS himself?"
The content of the report before her was simple—just the specific arrangements for tomorrow's test.
However, as the first complete test of the MS, the significance of this trial was self-evident.
Yet, she had never expected that Fred would be the pilot.
But upon careful thought, Lacus found it strangely reasonable.
After all, the two of them had known each other for over a year, and she was still familiar with Fred's affairs.
Aside from researching MS, he preferred piloting Powered Armor and the like.
As an advanced form of Powered Armor, it would be strange if he passed up the opportunity.
"According to Fred's recent records, he has become quite proficient in piloting Powered Armor, so there shouldn't be any major issues."
Siegel explained.
There was a threshold here.
Based on Siegel and Patrick's analysis, after a year of increasingly skilled operation, Fred was undoubtedly capable of piloting an MS.
As he thought this, Siegel looked curiously in the girl's direction.
He couldn't help but wonder to himself.
His daughter had been visiting over the past year, and it was normal for their relationship to have grown closer. But why did it seem like Lacus was so concerned about Fred?
Of course, this time they gave Fred some face, but they would still need to find other people for testing later.
There couldn't possibly be only one test pilot.
So if Fred wanted to play, they let him. Compared to the research on the machine, this wasn't much of an issue.
After letting him pilot it, Fred became even more enthusiastic.
But that wasn't hard to understand.
After all, boys tend to have a special fondness for giant robots, which is perfectly understandable.
Siegel didn't mind this youthful nature; in fact, he was quite pleased. Such a pure person was easier to control.
"Hmm..."
Lacus responded, understanding her father's meaning, and lowered her head slightly in embarrassment.
At the same time, she felt she had overreacted a bit. After all, the boy had already proven himself during the operation in Mendel.
Such a small matter shouldn't have put him in a difficult position.
But before she knew it, a year had already passed.
Thinking this, Lacus quickly followed up.
"Father, can I go along?"
The testing location wasn't on Jachin Due this time but was chosen in May City.
It wasn't far from April City—in fact, it was quite close.
This was true both for their April City and for Fred's Junius City.
"Hmm..."
After a brief moment of thought, Siegel nodded.
"That's fine."
If their assumptions proved true, then MS would become their primary means of combat in the future.
His daughter, who carried heavy responsibilities, would benefit from familiarizing herself with MS combat methods in advance.
He had no reason to refuse.
"But you can't go to the testing grounds. I'll arrange a room for you."
Siegel said.
"Okay."
Seeing her father agree, Lacus's lips curved slightly upward. After a brief pause, she continued.
"Can I bring Flay along?"
As she spoke, Lacus looked at Siegel with bright, expectant eyes, her expression adorably pleading.
Hearing Lacus's words, Siegel was momentarily taken aback.
But he quickly nodded.
"If Fred has no objections, you can bring Flay along."
During this time, Flay had been visiting frequently.
He had seen her quite a few times.
Over time, he had developed a sense of paternal care for the girl, who was about the same age as his daughter.
After all, she was sensible, well-behaved, and a rare good friend to his daughter.
As for confidentiality, Flay's brother Fred was already a core figure, so there was no need to keep secrets from her.
Flay's connections were also quite simple—all her friends were children of high-ranking officials on their side, so there was nowhere for her to leak information even if she wanted to.
Moreover, over the past year, Siegel had come to understand Flay's character and integrity.
"Great~!"
Hearing her father agree, Lacus's naturally pink lips, free of lipstick, curved even more upward.
During this time, Flay had often mentioned wanting to know what her brother was doing.
For things she could talk about, Lacus didn't want to keep misleading her friend every time.
And over the past year, Flay, who was already mature, had grown even more so and naturally wouldn't go around carelessly talking about things.
Of course, she still had to inform someone about it.
If he didn't agree, she would call him uncle!
Thinking of that person's helpless and resigned expression, Lacus's smile grew even brighter.
"Also."
Siegel interrupted Lacus's slightly mischievous train of thought, saying.
"The mentor should be coming over after this experiment. You might as well bring Fred along when you come."