"You can go operate the Powered Armor at the port."
"And after you complete the engine, I have something to discuss with you."
Joule nodded, not waiting for Fred's excited heart to settle before quickly changing the subject.
"Also, this time's bonus will be deposited into your account."
"Alright, thank you."
Faced with the bonus, Fred instead calmed down quickly.
After all, he really didn't seem to have much opportunity to use PLANT's currency.
Everything in the Plantation was free.
And he had been earning money from all his overtime work along the way, with agricultural research also providing bonuses from time to time.
Up to now, he hadn't spent a single cent and had already saved a considerable sum.
Enough for an ordinary person to live on for a lifetime.
Of course, Fred wasn't so high-minded as to refuse it.
It would always come in handy someday.
Everything in the Plantation was ultimately given by others.
Better to be prepared.
It's just that this money could only be used within PLANT, so he would need to find a way to exchange it in the future.
...
According to Fred's plans, although news of the experiment's success hadn't been released at all at the grassroots level, it had already spread among several high-ranking officials in ZAFT.
"Fred..."
Siegel looked at the message by his hand, his face showing little expression, but his heart was churning like turbulent waves.
He had considered that Fred might succeed, but he hadn't expected it to be this fast.
How long had it been? Only a few months.
He had thought this research would keep the other party occupied for quite some time.
Yet now, the Ignition Experiment was already completed.
According to this report, completing the rest was only a matter of time.
"Father, what about Fred~?"
Lacus, who had just finished her music lesson and come to the courtyard greenhouse, asked curiously.
The warm yellow sunset fell on the girl's delicate face, making the entire courtyard brighter just by looking at her.
"He has researched the engine for the Laurasia-class."
Siegel didn't hide it.
His daughter was about to turn nine, and facing this clever, unusual—or rather, surpassing—Coordinator daughter who had been exceptional since childhood, he had no intention of keeping secrets.
After all, as his mentor had said.
This daughter of his would likely face even more in the future.
"A new engine..."
Hearing this, the faint smile on Lacus's face faded slightly in surprise.
"Yes, his research progress is very fast."
"If this continues, our Battleship will probably be completed before long."
As long as Fred's Power Reactor and engine could be completed, the Laurasia-class would actually be close to manufacturing completion.
Materials were already under research; they just needed to break through the theoretical barriers to produce them.
As for weapons, they would directly use Missile launchers, Vulcan Cannons, Beam cannons, and so on.
These weapons themselves are well-documented.
Researchers in May City are continuously improving them, so the issues aren't significant.
Therefore, once the Power Reactor research succeeds, essentially everything will be completed.
What remains is cost reduction, efficiency improvement, and scaling up raw materials and production lines.
As high-ranking officials of PLANT, they naturally had preparations in place long ago.
In short, one could even say Fred developed the Laurasia-class.
Even though Siegel had already consciously overestimated him before, he now had to admit that he still hadn't fully grasped Fred's capabilities.
"Is that so..."
Upon hearing this, Lacus fluttered her butterfly-like eyelashes, curiosity stirring within her as well.
Admiration for the talented is human nature, and Fred's various qualities had indeed left a deep impression on the young girl's still-immature heart.
"Father, what do you plan to do about the person Fred mentioned?"
Lacus asked softly.
"Not found yet, but we should observe first."
"And besides, we don't know what Fred intends."
Siegel gave a bitter smile.
After layers of screening, he was indeed close to finding the person.
If Fred had kindly provided them with intelligence, it would of course be welcome.
But arresting someone without evidence would be overly arbitrary.
"Perhaps we could have Brother Fred confront them face-to-face."
Lacus suggested.
"Hmm..."
Siegel felt somewhat persuaded by her words.
Lacus's suggestion did have some merit.
Whether the two individuals are genuine or deceitful might be revealed then.
Moreover, as Fred's abilities grew stronger, the likelihood of him having lied initially kept decreasing.
Thinking of Fred's earlier mention of world peace, Siegel began to form some ideas.
"But for now, our focus should remain here."
Siegel suppressed his thoughts, pointing to another message beside him.
The message was simple, just two lines.
[Atlantic Federation Minister of PLANT Affairs, Fran Harvey, plans to visit Junius One District in three months.]
[Beware of rats.]
A simple message, yet carrying an unsettling aura.
That minister, though not as high-ranking as a Secretary of State, was clearly no ordinary person. For such an individual to visit their agriculturally specialized Junius City...
The implication was self-evident.
It could only be intimidation or probing—no other possibility.
It certainly wasn't about repairing relations.
They had known about this visit for a while, but the "beware of rats" information had come from another party or faction.
"Who sent us this message?"
Lacus furrowed her delicate brows, whispering.
"Unknown."
Siegel gave a bitter smile.
"Unknown..."
"It could be another Council Nation, or some other faction, but regardless, we cannot ignore this information."
"Do you think this refers to Fred?"
Lacus asked softly.
"Impossible. His existence shouldn't be known to other factions."
"Likely someone intends to assassinate Harvey."
Siegel's expression grew increasingly grave as he spoke.
"If he dies here, the Council Nations will have a pretext for invasion."
"And this Fran is a neutralist, which doesn't align with Blue Cosmos' interests, so there is indeed a possibility they might take action."
"Now, adding this to the mix..."
Siegel tapped his finger on the document.
"We need to increase security personnel."
This increase isn't just about visible personnel but also includes various covert operatives.
There are also many issues here—this could be a message deliberately spread by the neutralists on Fran's side.
It could also be Blue Cosmos setting up a smokescreen to probe for information.
But regardless, we cannot let our guard down.
Although PLANT appears very calm on the surface, undercurrents are already stirring within.
"Can Lacus see anything?"
Siegel asked softly.
"No..."
Lacus shook her head.
"But it would be better to have Brother Fred pay attention."
"...Indeed."
Listening to his daughter's words, Siegel maintained a calm expression, but inwardly he was taken aback. Why did it feel like his daughter was also leaning outward, much like Athrun from next door?