"...Alright."
Despite their inner worries, the two still complied.
Meanwhile, on the bridge, Andrew took a deep breath and followed up.
"Begin preparations."
"...Yes."
Although everyone was concerned about whether Fred could manage it, Andrew had given the order, and they couldn't disobey.
Moreover, just as Alec had said, none of them had any better ideas.
On the other end, Fred gradually eased into the task. Perhaps because the situation wasn't critical enough, he didn't feel the emergence of the SEED ability like before. Still, he found himself handling these calculations with relative ease.
There was no need to rely on that SEED state.
These scattered thoughts flashed through his mind briefly before Fred refocused his attention on the intricate network of pipes and circuits before him.
At the same time, the three mechanical arms on the work pod slowly extended toward the sparking electrical lines.
"Ready. How about on your end?"
Just as Fred got into position, Andrew's communication came through.
"Ready."
"Then... three... two..."
As Andrew finished the countdown, the ship's power almost completely shut down, leaving only the emergency generators maintaining basic functions.
The nuclear reactor was completely powered off.
On Fred's side, his fingers rested on the two control sticks, performing the task with delicate precision and speed.
The two slender work arms on the PLANT work pod continuously cut and welded.
He was as calm and composed as a surgeon.
Time ticked by, and the silence on the bridge grew increasingly deafening.
Everyone, now uniformly wearing helmets, exchanged glances, seeing hints of unease and fear in each other's eyes.
Entrusting their lives to a Natural was absolutely terrifying for them.
Of course, an explosion would be the worst-case scenario. With so many safety measures in place, the most likely outcome was probably the engine being permanently disabled.
If they had to wait for rescue from their allies, they might run into a Council Nation fleet.
That would be disastrous.
But... if they succeeded, they could slip away and escape into the vast openness.
They could only hope Fred wouldn't run into any trouble at this critical moment.
As everyone prayed silently, three minutes slipped by unnoticed.
"Captain..."
Watching the seconds pass with no word from the communication line, the deputy couldn't resist opening the internal wireless comm.
"Don't worry."
Andrew replied impatiently.
Although he wasn't confident about whether Fred could repair the mobile suit, Fred's family was here on the ship.
He didn't believe Fred would attempt this without some assurance.
If they hadn't been piloting this broken-down ship, perhaps none of this would have happened in the first place.
"Unknown vessel approaching!"
Just as everyone held their breath in the darkness, the crew member stationed at the radar display cried out, shattering the bridge's silence.
"Who is it?"
Andrew frowned as he asked.
"No identification..."
As the crew member spoke, a dot on the main screen began rapidly enlarging.
Soon, a menacing skull came into everyone's view, followed by the slightly damaged fuselage that resembled a Space Ghost Ship. Combined with the dark environment of their Bridge, it was enough to send chills down one's spine.
Seeing this, Andrew wasn't frightened. After all, this was the Cosmic Era—how could ghosts possibly exist?
But...
Andrew rubbed his temples in frustration.
It was exactly what he had feared.
Without any identification markings, it was highly likely to be either some Earth special forces unit or pirates.
Although the ship before them was dilapidated and bore a skull emblem on its bow, he couldn't be certain of its identity.
In these times, while full-scale war hadn't officially broken out, there were plenty of covert operations disguised as pirate activities.
Not to mention they had deliberately chosen a remote route.
Moreover, they were returning empty-handed from Copernicus—an empty ship! Ordinary pirates wouldn't even glance their way.
"Level One Combat Configuration. Have Alec and the others prepare defenses. And Fred..."
"How's it going on your end?"
"...Need five more minutes."
Fred remained unaffected by the unexpected visitors, his tone still calm.
"Alright."
Five minutes—he sounded quite confident.
As the urgent alarm blared through the ship, George and the others in their rooms had already donned protective suits and were floating in the cabin, worry evident on their faces.
"...Is brother going to be okay...?" Flay couldn't help asking.
"He'll be fine. That kid's tough. He's just repairing the Engine—what could possibly go wrong?"
"Those pirates outside aren't going to beat Coordinators."
Heather tried to comfort her.
Although she reassured her daughter this way, Heather still felt the situation was far from optimistic.
This was a Level One Combat Configuration warning.
If they were ordinary pirates, it wouldn't have come to this.
"Your mother's right."
George nodded in agreement.
"If I'm right then stop squeezing my hand so tightly!"
Heather retorted impatiently.
"Where am I doing that!?"
Listening to her parents' bickering, Flay blinked.
Some of her tension seemed to ease.
But soon, a sense of frustration emerged.
Last time was the same—while her brother was out there taking risks, she could only hide here waiting for his protection.
He was someone she cared about too—she wanted to protect her brother as well...
But she was still too weak...
Not just compared to her brother, but even compared to Kira.
She wanted to become stronger—strong enough to protect her brother, and strong enough to protect her parents from danger.
Thinking this, Flay clenched her small fists.
Amid repeated threats to her family's safety, the girl's mindset was gradually changing.
Unaware of Flay's thoughts, Fred outside also knew what was happening.
But his hands seemed completely unaffected as he continued making precise adjustments on the control sticks.
Sweat dripped from his forehead for what felt like the hundredth time, trickling down his face inside his helmet.
Meanwhile, part of his mind was occupied with calculations.
If they were really here for reconnaissance, they wouldn't leave any survivors regardless of whether he was here or not.
And they might have even more lethal weapons.
Perhaps... he could use the resources at hand to set a trap.
...
Just as the entire ship was plunged into alert, on the distant derelict vessel, a young man narrowed his eyes at the ship that had been continuously magnified on the monitor.
"Boss, this appears to be just a cargo ship with engine damage, but its departure time aligns closely with Copernicus'. We need to investigate."
Before the radar screen, a burly man in a yellowish, rather unkempt coat reported.
As the man spoke, various details about the cargo ship appeared on the screen before them.
Their clearance level was clearly far superior to that of ordinary pirates.
And although this man looked like a pirate, there was a lethal sharpness in his eyes.
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