As the two transferred to the special train heading toward the Plantation, the interior of the space colony's breathtaking scenery gradually unfolded before Fred's eyes.
The bright sunlight streamed through the reinforced glass into the train carriage, creating a dazzling spectacle.
Outside the window, countless farmlands had already been enclosed.
Looking at this scene, Fred took a deep breath.
He would soon be returning to the agricultural research institute to follow up.
He could only hope that this time, it wouldn't explode.
No, it definitely wouldn't explode.
He absolutely would not allow Junius City to explode; otherwise, even if he had arranged for his family to go to April City in advance, his conscience would still be uneasy.
Thinking this, Fred's resolve grew even firmer.
Beside Fred, Alec, observing the young man's demeanor, also felt a sense of reassurance.
After all these years and one successful operation after another, there was no doubt in his mind that Fred was the one who could bring peace to PLANT.
And as long as that premise held true, he would protect the other even at the cost of his own life.
Both lost in their own thoughts, the carriage fell into a temporary silence.
And as Lacus had said, the subsequent events unfolded exactly as she predicted.
Although Fred didn't know exactly what Lacus had done, the disseminated video footage, backed by official endorsement from South America, exposed the Atlantic Federation's wanton slaughter of civilians, inciting widespread outrage.
This successfully plunged the Atlantic Federation, and indeed the entire Earth, into turmoil.
Seizing this opportunity, PLANT publicly announced its own mass production plan for food.
One piece of news after another, like waves rising higher and higher, showed no signs of subsiding even days later, with discussions continuing unabated.
Public opinion was now clearly divided into several factions: some supported PLANT, while others felt PLANT was too radical and uncontrollable.
Of course, regardless, PLANT's plans had now entered the next phase.
[One month has passed since the Mandelbrot incident, but its impact continues to this day.]
[In addition to condemnation and protests from South America, PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne officially signed a historic executive order today, announcing that PLANT will formally launch its domestic food production plan. According to the resolution, Junius City's Districts 7 to 10 in L5 will be fully converted into dedicated grain production bases.]
[Chairman Clyne stated in the Council: "The victims of the Mandelbrot have issued a warning to us with their lives. Achieving food self-sufficiency is not only an economic strategy but also a tribute to the deceased and a cornerstone for safeguarding PLANT's sovereignty and the survival rights of its citizens."]
[The ambitious Chairman also announced the reorganization of ZAFT, led by Military Committee Chairman Patrick Zala, merging with PLANT's internal police and security organizations to formally establish and transform into PLANT's own armed forces.]
Watching the overwhelming news coverage on the television before him, Kira blinked, then furrowed his brow tightly.
He was worried about his friends.
With the Atlantic Federation acting so arrogantly and PLANT not backing down either, it wouldn't be surprising if the two sides started fighting at any moment.
"Why can't Athrun come here?"
Kira muttered while looking out the window.
Sunlight bathed the streets, and the few pedestrians exchanged polite greetings—a scene of peace and tranquility.
This place is really nice, after all.
And yet, his brother had been missing for several years and still hadn't been found.
He wondered how he and Flay were doing...
"Kira, what are you thinking about?"
Tolle, Kira's new roommate at Heliopolis, interrupted the boy's melancholy.
"N-nothing, just thinking about starting at the technical college next year."
Tolle was a friend who had come with him from ORB's mainland and had also been admitted to Heliopolis Industrial College.
The two got along well, but Kira didn't know how to express the worries in his heart, so he replied somewhat dismissively.
"I thought you were worried about the war."
Tolle sympathetically pointed at the news on the television, then offered a comforting smile.
"Don't worry, this place is safe. Nothing will happen."
Tolle had guessed, but only half-right, assuming his friend was afraid of being caught up in the war, and spoke understandingly.
"But speaking of which, those Blue Cosmos people are really going too far, attacking civilian ships like that. They're clearly violating the navigation agreements."
"No wonder they want to achieve food self-sufficiency. With all this back-and-forth, who can stand it?"
Tolle's opinion reflected the mainstream public sentiment, and Kira had heard it many times before, so he didn't disagree.
As a hidden Coordinator,
he actually felt it more deeply than Tolle did.
But just as he was about to agree, he remembered his hidden identity and kept quiet.
He couldn't let his new friend know he was a Coordinator.
Based on his experiences back home, if others found out he was a Coordinator, they might not say anything openly,
but there would be plenty of gossip behind his back, and they would distance themselves from him.
Of course, despite Kira's many worries,
he still felt this place was safe.
Even though he had to hide his identity, at least there was peace here.
Compared to the constant threat of war, hiding his identity was nothing.
That's why he worried about them even more.
Seeing that Kira still seemed distracted, Tolle quickly changed the subject.
"Let's not talk about that. Have you decided on a major for college?"
"Huh?"
Hearing Tolle's words, Kira snapped back to reality and immediately looked at Dolly beside him.
That was a gift from his brother.
What had he said when he gave Dolly to him?
That the two of them would meet again someday.
"I want... to study robot operating systems."
He didn't know why, but looking at Dolly now felt like his brother was guiding him.
He wanted to create a mechanical bird like this too, to give to that girl...
It was also a silent outlet for his quiet longing.
"That one, huh? But it makes sense, since you're interested in systems and all."
"My mom says that's a popular major!"
"Lots of money in the future~ I'm planning to apply for that major too!"
Perhaps wanting to help him shake off his mood, the boy in front of Kira spoke in a somewhat playful manner, which also made Kira smile.
"That's true, a stable job after all."
The two chatted and shared a smile.
For them, it seemed the future was still stable and certain.
However, at the Blue Cosmos headquarters on the other side, there was no such pleasant atmosphere.
"Knowing it was a trap and still stepping right into it! Foolish!"
Beside the news playing on the massive screen, the old Leader slammed his cane heavily onto the floor covered with a luxurious carpet.
"I'm sorry!"
Standing before him now was that Captain, though he no longer carried the confident demeanor he once had. Disheveled and battered, his body covered in wounds, he wore handcuffs on his wrists, and his once handsome, square face was now bruised and swollen.
It seemed he had suffered greatly during this time.
"I... I did suggest boarding for an inspection, but my Adjutant encouraged me to go straight in. I failed to see through it in time... I misplaced my trust!"
"Leader, it's my fault!!"
"I have failed your trust!"
The Captain spoke in a continuous stream, tears and snot streaming down his face.
He crawled toward the Leader, then wrapped his arms around the old man's thin legs.
"Failed to see through it in time?"
The old man sneered.
"The story I heard doesn't match what you're saying."
As the old man finished speaking, a recording of the previous operation began playing in the room. In it, the Captain had confidently dismissed Barnes' proposal for a ship inspection—how bold he had been then, and how pitiful he looked now.
As the recording continued, the Captain's bruised face grew increasingly pale. By the time the recording ended, he looked like a ghost.
His face was a mix of green and white, a truly terrifying sight.
Yet he knew he couldn't simply admit guilt. If he did, death might await him—or worse, a fate worse than death.
With this thought, the Captain lowered his head and began sobbing again.
"I'm wronged—"
"Hmph."
Seeing that this man still wanted to make excuses, the old Leader didn't waste any more words. He brought his cane down again, this time striking the man's head.
Though an old man, the force behind this vengeful blow was enough to leave a bloody gash on the Captain's face, eliciting a series of agonized cries.
The dim room felt even more terrifying.
"Take him away. Don't let him die too easily."
As the old Leader spoke, two shadowy figures appeared and took the Captain away, as if they had never been there at all.
"I recall that Adjutant was named Barnes?"
"Yes."
A middle-aged man resembling a secretary nearby respectfully lowered his gaze upon hearing this.
He was already accustomed to such scenes, showing not the slightest hint of emotion.
"Make him the Captain of the Special Action Team. Have him stand by at all times."
The old Leader gritted his teeth, his expression dark and brooding.
"We must teach those Coordinators a lesson!"
"Yes!"
Their conversation was brief. Meanwhile, on the other side, in PLANT's Junius City, Fred was walking with Lenore through a rice field.
Although the ground beneath their feet was quite muddy, neither of them paid it much mind.
"I heard this was your plan?"
While checking the data at hand, Lenore asked.
"You could say that. It also succeeded thanks to the cooperation from the Clyne side."
Fred replied candidly.
"That's still impressive."
"Patrick mentioned it to me earlier as well, and he was quite moved, saying something about heroes emerging from the young."
"If he weren't so busy with ZAFT matters lately, he probably would have come to see you."
Reyna remarked with a sigh.
Her husband had been talking nonstop lately about heroes emerging from the young.
Right after learning of Fred's successful plan, he even mentioned wanting to adopt Fred as a godson.
Though he didn't bring it up again after calming down, and only said it in front of her.
But his high regard for Fred was undeniable.
Hearing this, Fred showed no signs of pride or arrogance, merely lowering his head humbly.
"You flatter me."
After speaking, Fred raised his eyes again, sweeping them over the rice fields before him.
What appeared before him were the dense data displayed above this expanse of rice fields.
"This batch of rice fields is progressing very smoothly. The yield might be significantly higher than we estimated."
Fred said with a smile.
Compared to praise, the success of countless such rice fields made Fred even more eager.
Success here meant success on Mars and even farther places.
Then reaching Jupiter with their footsteps was no longer a dream.
They could even go to more distant places.
"This is our future."
Lenore echoed Fred's sentiment with a sigh.
Her thoughts clearly differed from Fred's.
But Fred only nodded before changing the subject.
"Soon, the Atlantic Federation probably won't be able to hold back anymore."
Although they had recently transferred anyone who could possibly be a spy,
they couldn't stop the hundreds of thousands of people in the entire space colony—some would sell information, others would directly cause damage.
Of course, they couldn't enter the plantation or other core areas where Fred was, but these outer areas were still quite dangerous.
Moreover, as the plan advanced and production sites multiplied, the pressure to protect them grew.
These were just internal threats; externally, the threat from the Atlantic Federation was even greater.
"We've made so many preparations. It'll be fine."
Lenore said solemnly.
"Hmm..."
Fred naturally knew how many preparations they had made, but the gravity in his eyes deepened.
Facing the approaching war, Fred felt a hint of unease at this moment.
But it was quickly extinguished.
He had prepared everything. War was inevitable, and what he needed to do was just those few things.
"Director Lenore, once production stabilizes, I'd like to return to research."
"Also, the time for MS deployment might be approaching soon. I want to observe."
"Even if you hadn't mentioned it, Park had already arranged it that way."
Lenore blinked and smiled.
...
Their conversation didn't last long, and they soon bid each other farewell.
As soon as Fred returned home in the plantation, he was surrounded by Athrun and the others.
All in their growth spurts, their heights were now nearly on par with his.
Those sparkling eyes were a delight to behold.
"What's with that sneaky grin?"
Fred, having already composed himself, looked at the group with curiosity.
After all, when they first learned that the Atlantic Federation had shot down their refugee ship, they had all worn expressions of deep resentment.
Especially Yzak, who was practically itching to grab a gun and enlist on the spot.
It took considerable persuasion from Yzak's father to finally talk him out of it.
And now, this impulsive youngster was actually smiling at him.
Though it was just a slight upturn of the corner of his mouth, it still made Fred feel rather uneasy.
"Lacus told us."
Athrun was equally excited, though his words carried a hint of reproach.
"Brother, why didn't you tell us?"
"Exactly! You made us worry for so long!"
"Well, it was classified information, after all."
Fred shrugged.
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