If the Atlantic Federation truly possessed Mobile Suits that Naturals could pilot, or even if they simply had their own Coordinator Mobile Suit Force, it would be a fatal blow to them.
However, rashly sending spies could backfire. If they were caught and there was no evidence to prove that ORB was actually involved in the development, they would be met with ORB's condemnation.
The Atlantic Federation would certainly seize the opportunity to kick them while they were down and attack them in the court of public opinion.
Their righteous war would be stained.
The Atlantic Federation was always waiting for a chance to reverse the direction of public sentiment.
"I will take responsibility for the investigation."
"The operation at Yggdrasil still needs you."
Faced with Siegel's words, Patrick gave a silent nod and continued.
"Then what about Fred? The frame of the new generation Mobile Suit has recently passed Shiva's approval."
"Do you want him to go to Yggdrasil?"
With Fred there, although he wouldn't lead the main battlefield, he could serve as a hidden trump card to prevent unforeseen circumstances.
As for what those circumstances might be, no one knew.
A battlefield never proceeds according to simulations.
Anything could happen.
"Let's see what he wants."
"Then he's going."
Patrick shrugged.
Fred had indeed mentioned that he wanted to go—not to the front lines, of course, but as an observer in the rear.
This coincided with their own arrangements.
"Lately, he's looked more and more like an Ace pilot."
While Patrick was reflecting, Fred, on the other end, had just finished going through the data for the CGUE.
"The frame strength is sufficient. It's really thanks to you, Albert Heinlein."
"Not at all."
The young man, who already bore the vague shadow of his future self, gave a somewhat bashful smile.
"It's all because of your precise control over the general direction and research, Director."
"Let's stop flattering each other."
Fred interrupted him with a chuckle and added, "Although we've integrated experience from the High Mobility GINN regarding the power system, we'll need more data to achieve a balance between endurance and output."
Regarding this, Fred had actually already made a breakthrough at Clyne's secret factory.
He had even nearly completed the research for the CGUE as a whole.
For now, he was treating this as training for Albert Heinlein.
And the boy's ability was constantly growing stronger, just as Fred had hoped.
Without further delay, Fred soon hung up the Communication Channel.
He needed to carry out another part of his plan.
Looking at the sunset outside the window, the young man stood up.
"Brother, where are you guys going~?"
Seeing Fred preparing to leave the house with Lacus by his side, Flay came hopping over.
Her face wore a somewhat suggestive smile.
"We're going to do some work, Flay. Do you want to come along?"
"...No way~"
Hearing Fred's deadpan response, Flay rolled her eyes.
She realized things weren't as she had imagined.
But that seemed normal; after all, her brother's head seemed filled with nothing but training or research all day long, as if he didn't have those kinds of feelings at all.
Could her brother be... not normal?
It wasn't that she was cursing Fred, but that was Lacus, after all.
The Princess of all of PLANT.
The object of so many people's affection, yet he showed no sign of taking the initiative.
And Lacus was the same.
However, Flay didn't think Lacus would be the one to take the initiative either, which was why she was so anxious.
"It's not dangerous, is it?"
Thinking of this, Flay still asked a question.
"Don't take Lacus into anything dangerous!"
"Is that the priority..."
Fred gave a wordless critique, while Lacus let out a soft laugh.
"Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous."
"Right?"
"Mhm."
As they spoke, the two soon bid farewell to Flay and got into the specialized vehicle.
"We've looked into the person you're looking for. Ken Nolan Susa is indeed the illegitimate son of a high-ranking family in ORB."
Lacus was no longer bothered to ask how Fred knew the boy's identity before their investigation.
"His mother has contracted a rare disease and indeed lacks the funds for expensive treatment."
"But to use this method..."
Lacus's words faded along with her smile.
"It's not coercion. We will fully ask for his opinion."
Fred nodded.
As the female lead, having a proper moral compass was normal.
Threatening someone using their mother or using a favor to demand repayment would definitely conflict with Lacus's principles.
Fortunately, he knew Ken well enough. Ken was deeply devoted to his mother; he would repay the debt of gratitude.
"Alright."
Hearing this, Lacus's shoulders, which had been slightly more tense than usual, finally relaxed quietly.
Although she felt Fred wouldn't do such a thing, she couldn't be sure.
The act of planting a spy in ORB was already quite unsettling to her.
Regarding ORB, the place where her mentor lived, she felt a natural affinity for it, much like her father.
However, since intelligence suggested ORB might really be conducting secret research—though there was no concrete evidence yet—it was no longer something they could be sentimental about.
"Fred, do you really think ORB is making moves behind the scenes?" Lacus couldn't help but ask.
"They want power and international influence. As long as they have those goals, they will naturally come into conflict with us," Fred said, choosing his words carefully.
He had no positive feelings toward ORB, but he couldn't just bash them without any evidence.
At this moment, he was simply speaking the truth based on the available data.
"Thanks to you guys, we were able to find a clue this time."
ORB was indeed quite good at intelligence work, especially on Heliopolis.
If not for the fact that the Clyne family still had influence in the Kingdom of Scandinavia, and through the maneuvers of Scandinavia—a fellow neutral power—they really wouldn't have been able to find a flaw in the short term.
"After all, it's for the sake of peace..."
Lacus paused, looking at Fred.
"Yes, for peace."
"Then what does peace look like in Fred's heart?"
Everyone acted for their own interests. Although she had known this for a long time, the matter of ORB still gave Lacus a sense of unease.
Although she fully trusted Fred, she felt a bit of gain-and-loss anxiety.
"Peace in my heart... A world tending toward balance, returning to an era of mutual development and mutual restraint?"
He didn't dare to imagine a grand goal like total world peace.
Otherwise, he'd probably never be able to retire.
"I see..."
As she grew older, her own abilities seemed to have improved. Looking at him now, Lacus couldn't find any trace of a lie.
Mutual restraint was similar to her own ideas.
Someone had to break through their respective interests and work to achieve that goal.
"I understand."
As Lacus finished speaking, the high-speed vehicle slowly came to a halt.
Ahead was their destination: the April City General Medical Center.
.