He hadn't intentionally concealed the details of this operation, but it wasn't something he should have disclosed either. His original intention was to use this opportunity to temper their dispositions. After all, they had been following him for several years now—they should be calmer than they were in the original storyline.
Judging by their earlier reactions, he was quite satisfied. Although Yzak was still rather impulsive, at least he could be restrained and hadn't resorted to harsh words.
Still, he didn't think Lacus was overstepping. Tempering their dispositions was one thing, but it couldn't go on forever. Besides, he had guessed some of Lacus's intentions. These were the children of city representatives, and their parents represented PLANT's entire decision-making layer. By telling them, she was also elevating Fred's image in their minds.
He just wondered what the Zala Faction thought of it and whether they approved of Lacus's approach.
As Fred pondered this, Yzak on the other side bowed his head deeply.
"I'm sorry…"
"Hmm?"
Fred looked over curiously. Although Yzak had lost his temper earlier, he hadn't dared to direct it at Fred, so Fred wasn't sure why he was apologizing now. He had even silently praised Yzak just moments ago.
"Earlier, I thought you… didn't care at all," Yzak muttered, turning his head away awkwardly.
Fred couldn't help but chuckle. So, Yzak was apologizing for silently criticizing him earlier. That was… quite honest of him. Thankfully, he hadn't turned out badly.
Under Fred's gaze, Yzak's usually proud head sank even lower, looking utterly guilty. At the same time, his admiration for Fred grew even stronger. He had always thought of Fred as just a researcher and teacher working behind the scenes. Even though Flay had vaguely hinted that Fred was involved in other research, Yzak hadn't paid much attention. It wasn't until Lacus explained Fred's role in this operation to them that he realized—Fred wasn't just impressive; he was downright legendary. Strategizing from afar, achieving victory from a distance—he was a true hero.
Thinking this, Yzak felt his heart surge with excitement as he looked at the masked man before him. He could hardly wait to follow him to conquer territories in the Atlantic Federation.
"I forgive you," Fred said with a smile, skillfully ruffling the boy's hair and messing up his perfect mushroom-cut hairstyle.
"Mm…" Yzak's face flushed red, but unlike before, he didn't proudly turn his head away.
Fred found this rare display from the proud young master amusing and added, "But next time you feel impulsive, think about the purpose and the plan first."
"Yes, sir!" Yzak replied eagerly, his expression filled with excitement.
Seeing this, Nicol and Athrun also playfully pestered Fred with questions about the earlier operation. Fred, of course, didn't refuse.
On the other side, Lacus watched the scene from a distance, a satisfied smile curling at the corners of her lips.
"I wonder if it was inappropriate for Lacus to reveal it on her own."
Compared to Lacus's relaxation, Flay beside her was somewhat uneasy.
After all, what Lacus had mentioned were confidential matters. Although her few close friends could be considered well-connected, confidentiality regulations still existed.
"It's fine, I asked my father," Lacus shook her head upon hearing this.
"It's better if they know, so they won't keep looking so grim all the time."
"And..."
Lacus didn't finish her sentence, but seeing the excitement and admiration on the faces of the others outside, she felt reassured.
They were all Elite Coordinators, with parents who were city representatives.
They were destined to become a significant force once they matured.
Fred being able to guide them in a good direction was a great thing.
After all, as a girl and a child of the Clyne Faction, there were many things she couldn't easily speak about.
For now, it was impossible for her to gain their favor and admiration.
But Fred could, and he could also guide them toward the right path.
That was enough to put her mind at ease.
Moreover, all three of them deeply loved PLANT.
Even if Fred were to leave PLANT in the future and abandon his path, their loyalty to PLANT would remain unwavering.
So there was naturally nothing to worry about.
Of course, although she had considered this as a safeguard, Lacus didn't believe Fred would abandon his path.
They were all comrades on the road to peace.
Fred was an especially strong leader.
The lively atmosphere continued for a while longer. Finally, after finishing his explanation to the three of them, Fred stood up under their admiring gazes.
"Alright, I'll go cook."
His cooking skills were improving, and the greater the benefits, the more motivation he had to cook.
"I'll help," Lacus, who had been observing, raised her hand.
According to their arrangement, it was her turn to be the cooking assistant.
"Alright," Fred responded, and soon the two of them entered the kitchen one after the other.
Seeing this, the others exchanged glances.
"I think they suit each other well," Nicol rubbed his chin. If he weren't afraid of being a third wheel, he would have wanted to go in and help too.
Lacus had been gradually maturing lately. Though still a bit short, she was now a bright and lovely young woman, no longer the little girl she once was.
"Hmph, I don't think Brother has any such intention," Yzak said, now quite comfortable referring to Fred as "Brother" after what had happened earlier.
In his view, Fred was a great hero—how could he possibly be interested in such trivial romantic matters?
"What do you think, Athrun?" Used to Yzak's tsundere attitude, Nicol turned to the quiet boy beside him.
"Well... matters of the heart should be left to fate," Athrun was also a bit curious.
He wondered whether two people from such different backgrounds could truly end up together.
"As if you've experienced it yourself," Yzak scoffed disdainfully, showing none of the obedience he had displayed in front of Fred earlier.
"I'm just speaking from feeling," Athrun glared at Yzak.
The two of them went back and forth, and the atmosphere quickly grew tense again.
Meanwhile, in the lively living room, Fred wasn't doing anything special—he was just chatting with Lacus about his earlier conversation with Athrun.
"You want to go observe?"
Hearing that Fred actually wanted to go to what might become the future frontline, Lacus paused her hands washing vegetables for a moment.
She let the water flow over her fair, slender wrists.
"Yes, but just from a distance."
Although Fred said this, Lacus clearly didn't believe him.
"This kind of data—can't you analyze it after you return? Why must you go there?"
Lacus knew how cautious he was. Would he suddenly become bold enough to go watch a battle now? How could that be?
Moreover, thinking of the dangers outside, Lacus, who had originally been confident, couldn't hide a trace of panic in her words.
"I just want to move around a bit, and what if someone launches an ambush?"
"There's no guarantee they won't covet Junius City."
As Lacus said, he could easily analyze the data after returning, but staying in the rear was also to guard against a possible ambush by the enemy.
The plot had changed. This time, they had dealt a heavy blow to Blue Cosmos. It wasn't impossible for them to launch a nuclear ambush earlier out of spite.
He still had to take precautions.
This was also the main reason he was going out.
Of course, it would also be good to gain a more intuitive understanding of MS combat.
All things considered, he had to go.
"Hmm..."
Lacus pondered for a moment.
"If it's as you say, it's best for them to leave Junius City."
"That's the plan. Flay and the others might have to trouble you then."
Fred said seriously.
Although Junius City had been made very secure by him, that was only against ambushes.
Knowing that an attack was coming, sending Flay and the others to April City with Lacus was the safest choice.
"I'll protect them, don't worry."
Lacus understood his meaning and nodded slightly with her delicate, smooth jawline before adding, "Come back safely."
Only after saying this did Lacus resume washing the vegetables.
Amidst the sound of running water, Fred smiled reassuringly.
"Nothing will happen."
He didn't think too much about Lacus's concern, as it was perfectly normal for her to worry about her partner.
After all, at this point, he was no longer just a partner.
He could even be called a pillar within the Clyne Faction.
Although not many within the Clyne Faction knew of this pillar's existence.
But that didn't stop her from promising to protect his family.
Soon, a meal was quickly prepared with their cooperation.
At the dining table, the rising steam blurred their faces but couldn't hide the spirited expressions of the youths.
Nicol was pulling Athrun aside to talk about what had happened in class earlier, while Yzak occasionally chimed in.
The youths' emotions were written all over their faces, full of vitality.
The gloomy mood from a few days earlier had completely vanished.
...
However, this relaxed atmosphere seemed like the final calm before the storm. A few more days passed, and the alarms arranged outside PLANT were triggered one after another.
Clearly, the Atlantic Federation's army had arrived.
Not far from PLANT, at the East Asian base, Captain Chen was also observing the imposing Atlantic Federation forces through the camera feed.
"Captain Chen, the Atlantic Federation is ordering us to follow them."
The adjutant spoke with a nervous sweat, but before he could finish, he already knew what his superior's response would be.
"Follow my ass."
Captain Chen snorted disdainfully.
"Those scum who attack civilians think they can order me around?"
"But according to our intelligence, they were likely set up in that previous incident."
The adjutant forced a bitter smile.
"That makes it even worse."
"A bunch of fools who were set up and still rushed headlong into death—following them would be a sure way to die."
Captain Chen snorted disdainfully again and continued.
"Higher-ups also want us to watch and wait, not to intervene."
"After all, those Eurasian Federation folks probably don't plan to act either."
Despite the anger in his words, a thoughtful glint appeared in Captain Chen's eyes.
This time, the Atlantic Federation was clearly furious.
He wondered what the outcome of the first direct confrontation between the Atlantic Federation and PLANT would be.
He'd be happy to see the Atlantic Federation suffer a setback.
But the issue of PLANT rising up couldn't be ignored either.
Those people in PLANT, suppressed for so long, might have developed some psychological issues. Releasing that pressure was necessary, but how should it be released? And after it's released, could they hit the brakes? Would they lose control?
In short, there were many problems to consider.
Thinking of this, Chen's head began to ache again.
Resentment toward the Atlantic Federation resurfaced in his heart.
It remained to be seen whether PLANT would succumb to pressure, sacrifice a scapegoat, and throw away all their previous efforts, or whether they would resist to the end.
However, he leaned toward the latter.
"They probably plan to use new weapons, right?"
Chen said.
"Yes."
The adjutant replied.
"The new Laurasia-class battleships and the single-unit combat MS have already appeared."
"It's just unclear how they'll perform in actual combat. If those MS can't withstand the first wave of missile attacks, they'll be practically useless."
In this era, battleships and cannons still dominated, and the adjutant wasn't too optimistic about PLANT's capabilities.
In his view, they were just a bunch of bookworms with no combat experience.
Hearing this, Chen said nothing, only nodding silently.
The gap between the two sides was indeed vast, which made him even more curious. Did the people in ZAFT truly believe the weapons in their hands could achieve victory against overwhelming odds?
Would things unfold as they imagined?
More intelligence would need to be gathered through careful observation.
As Chen pondered this, on the other side, at the Atlantic Federation fleet, the commander sneered coldly as he watched both the Eurasian and East Asian forces ignore his orders.
"Commander, what should we do now..."
The adjutant spoke cautiously, afraid of provoking his superior's anger.
"I'll deal with them sooner or later."
Gritting his teeth fiercely, the bearded captain waved his hand.
"All forces, advance toward the PLANT capital!"
The arrow was already on the bowstring—if they could intimidate the enemy, that would be best. If not...
At this thought, a cold glint flashed in the bearded captain's eyes.
Upon receiving the order, the numerous Atlantic Federation forces wasted no further time. Soon, battle groups centered around Agamemnon-class command ships approached the outer reaches of PLANT's space sector.
Meanwhile, at the very heart of the ZAFT forces, Fred was aboard one of the Laurasia-class battleships, standing on the bridge alongside Patrick, whom he had not seen in a long time.
As the enemy forces closed in, Fred shifted his gaze from the screen to Patrick, who sat in the captain's chair before him. A hint of curiosity flickered in his eyes behind the mask.
He had not expected Patrick to personally invite him aboard his flagship.
Even more surprising was that Patrick had taken to the field himself.
The crew around them, however, were even more astonished than Fred.
After all, they had no idea who Fred was. All they saw was a masked man suddenly appearing beside their commander. His expression was unreadable, but the corners of his lips showed no trace of emotion, reminiscent of the master strategists often depicted in television dramas.
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