After only a brief pause, Patrick continued speaking.
"However, you should also keep an eye on agriculture, and allocate some research focus to Mobile Suits designed for use within the atmosphere."
"We plan to publicly release some agricultural data soon."
Previously, PLANT lacked the means to protect itself, but now things are different.
With at least some defensive capabilities, they can gradually bring many technologies into the open.
At least on the surface, that was Patrick's intention.
Upon hearing this, Fred raised an eyebrow slightly, though of course, hidden behind his mask, no one noticed.
But internally, alarm bells were already ringing for Fred.
Undoubtedly, with their increased strength, Patrick might be thinking of provoking the Atlantic Federation to some extent?
But... should they really not seek allies before doing this?
Although Patrick had alliances with South America and some other smaller nations.
On Earth now, aside from the Atlantic Federation, the Eurasian Federation, and East Asia, all the others were practically useless.
Patrick's allies were pretty much the same as having none at all.
Or perhaps, this was just Patrick testing him?
No matter how he looked at it, Patrick didn't seem like someone who would act so impulsively now.
After weighing the situation for a moment, Fred spoke up.
"Exposing ourselves too early might cause Earth's moderates to realign their stance."
Fred's statement was neutral.
Even facing Shiva, whose expression had grown colder like an ice sculpture not far away, Fred showed no sign of guilt.
Of course, no one could see the expression on his face.
But at least in terms of body language, Fred was indeed upright and composed.
Fred had his own considerations for saying this.
Patrick wouldn't say such a thing without reason. Besides genuinely wanting him to oversee agriculture, there might also be an element of testing involved.
Testing the role Fred played between the Atlantic Federation and PLANT.
This also explained why Shiva had come to see him.
In any case, his answer wasn't problematic.
"Are you saying we still need to hide?!"
On the other side, upon hearing Fred's words, Shiva lashed out.
Her voice was cold, her attitude even more rigid.
"Not hiding."
Fred shook his head.
"I'm merely offering a rational analysis from the perspective of a researcher."
"With the current unknown combat capabilities of the MS, we're still not sufficient to oppose Earth."
It was no joke—resource scarcity was resource scarcity.
Relying only on the occasional drifting asteroid, if the Atlantic Federation, or even the entire Earth, cut off supplies to PLANT,
even with food, they wouldn't have the resources for a prolonged war.
If it weren't for the Neutron Jammer, PLANT would have been destroyed long ago.
To win, they would truly have to fight to the last breath.
He certainly couldn't let that happen.
Thinking this, Fred took a deep breath and continued.
"I believe the way to resolve this issue is to expand our allies and reduce our enemies."
Fred did not yield to Shiva's pressure; his voice and the curve of his lips remained unchanged.
Watching Fred's demeanor, Patrick pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"I understand what you mean. I'll discuss it with Siegel."
Patrick's words at this moment could not be considered a concession, but they did provide a way out for both of them.
"Alright."
Fred did not press further either.
As an outsider, he was clearly not the best person to push this matter.
Moreover, the other party had already said they would discuss it with Siegel.
At the very least, things wouldn't escalate too much.
It did seem like a test directed at him.
Thinking this, Fred simply lowered his gaze and acknowledged with a hum.
"And for this time, is there anything you want?"
Patrick asked.
The atmosphere shifted once again from the earlier stiffness to a more relaxed tone.
"Just give me a raise."
What he wanted, only he could strive for.
If he couldn't achieve it himself, having Patrick promise it wouldn't mean much.
But taking nothing at all wasn't ideal either, so he simply asked for money.
Lacus was on his side, so there were ways to circulate the funds.
Although having power without money was useless, his good relationship with Lacus meant her power was effectively his power.
"Alright."
Hearing Fred's simple request, Patrick chuckled and nodded in agreement.
The two didn't speak much more after that, and soon Fred left.
Watching Fred's retreating figure, the two slowly turned to look at each other.
"Do you still think Fred can't be trusted? His reaction to what I just said was almost too normal."
Patrick shook his head helplessly.
If Fred had remained completely silent, it would have been more suspicious.
But no matter how you looked at it, Fred still adhered to the path he had spoken of from the beginning.
"Hmm... yes."
Hearing this, Shiva did not refute him, instead recalling how Fred had faced their imposing presence without showing the slightest weakness. She furrowed her brows.
Could someone as clever as Fred really not see through their test?
But delving deeper into it would only lead to an endless chain of suspicion.
Now that Patrick trusted him, there was little point in saying more.
Moreover, through their conversation just now, Fred's value had risen a notch in Shiva's estimation.
There was no need to push him to the brink.
While Shiva was still conflicted, Fred ran into Lacus and Flay on the other side.
"Brother~!"
Flay excitedly rushed over and hugged him.
"I was so worried~!"
The girl's voice carried both excitement and relief. Only in the warmth of the young man's embrace did her anxiously suspended heart gradually settle back into place.
"It wasn't that scary, was it?"
Fred smiled gently, his hand stroking Flay's hair as he spoke.
After comforting her for a while, he finally released the girl.
Nearby, Lacus watched the siblings share a few private words with a smile before chiming in.
"Brother Fred, congratulations."
As she spoke, a hint of curiosity flickered in Lacus's eyes.
He must have just come from Patrick's side.
And he seemed a bit preoccupied—who knew what they had discussed inside.
"Thank you."
"Let's talk on the way."
Lacus said with a smile.
There were still matters regarding the mentor to arrange, and Fred, who had just come out of Patrick's office, also seemed to have something on his mind.
"Alright."
Guessing that Lacus had also keenly sensed something, Fred did not refuse.
Now that the GINN was nearing Mass Production, it was indeed necessary to discuss the follow-up arrangements clearly with Lacus.
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