His research on the power reactor was progressing smoothly, with final adjustments nearly complete. He only needed Fran to leave before beginning.
Now that a quarter of 66 had passed, there were only three and a half years left until the war began as depicted in the original plot.
Though uncertain how closely events would follow the original storyline, staying cautious and growing stronger quickly remained paramount.
Nearby, Alec watched Fred, who had suddenly begun studying intently, with renewed respect. Fred's ability to remain composed already set him above most people, including Coordinators.
Amid this apparent calm, the next day arrived swiftly—the day of Fran Harvey's visit.
Before the massive funnel-shaped space colony, the enormous Agamemnon-class ship and several Drake-class vessels gleamed with the distant sun's radiance, advancing slowly toward Junius One District as if flaunting their power.
"Identity confirmed."
"The lead ship is the Agamemnon-class Hamilton, belonging to the Atlantic Federation Second Space Force."
At the port control tower of Junius One District, many people had gathered. Some sat, some stood, others moved briskly—all busy and solemn.
Andrew stood at the central command position, clearly leading the operation.
"Third squad, begin another sweep. Second squad, maintain close surveillance of the target," Andrew said gravely, his eyes scanning the numerous monitors. The abundance of information left no room for his usual ease.
"Yes, sir."
Amid the tight escort, Remington, Vice Commander of the Atlantic Federation Second Space Force, turned to the elite-looking man in a suit seated beside him, his tone impatient.
"Minister Harvey, we are approaching Junius One District."
"Thank you for your escort throughout the journey," the man named Harvey replied, rising with a polite smile.
"Just make it quick," the Vice Commander dismissed him coldly, waving a hand to indicate Harvey should prepare to leave.
Unfazed, Harvey bowed slightly before turning and exiting the bridge.
"Commander, we've found no evidence of modifications, and surveillance shows no unusual activity in the colonies," the adjutant whispered into Remington's ear once the sealed door closed behind Harvey.
"Absence of evidence isn't evidence of absence," Remington snorted. "Have them try again. It's time for the Minister to make his sacrifice for the nation."
The plan had multiple layers; a leak didn't preclude assassination.
"Yes, sir."
Their conversation dripped with chilling intent. Elsewhere, Fred sat with his family in the living room, watching the live broadcast on television. The spacious room was filled with others, including Athrun and the students, whose classes had been canceled due to the day's busy schedule and potential risks. Everyone had gathered here to watch the news coverage together.
Though the scene at Junius One District on television was bustling with activity...
Yet within the tranquil confines of the Junius Seven Plantation, far removed from worldly clamor, an atmosphere of serenity prevailed as if these matters held no relevance to them whatsoever.
"Sister, why do they still seem so happy?"
Flay gazed curiously at the television screen showing crowds welcoming Fran Harvey, blinking her eyes as she couldn't resist asking.
The crowd appeared to number in the thousands, with many waving flags of both PLANT and the Atlantic Federation.
It created an impression of cordial relations between the two nations.
"Nothing but traitors!"
Yzak, who was watching alongside them, spat out the words bitterly.
His eyes burned with palpable resentment.
Clearly, he was dissatisfied with the behavior of his fellow citizens on screen.
If not outright spitting in contempt, they should at least have shown disdain.
Instead, the scene suggested harmonious relations between both sides.
Even though he had come to fully respect Fred as his mentor,
the ideology of Coordinator supremacy remained deeply ingrained in his mind.
Fred merely shrugged at this and continued,
"There are those who genuinely admire Earth, but maintaining a peaceful facade benefits PLANT as well."
"While some in this spectacle may be sincere celebrants, many are likely arranged by ZAFT officials themselves."
Fred gently cautioned against Yzak's use of the term "traitors."
With formal relations still intact and Fran Harvey representing a rare neutral faction,
ZAFT was naturally inclined to extend courtesy—a gesture clarifying their stance that dialogue remained possible.
After all, with the 70th anniversary still some time away, and assuming Blue Cosmos ignited the fuse, full-scale war likely wouldn't erupt immediately.
Siegel was undoubtedly exercising restraint in this regard.
As Fred had previously strategized,
avoiding all-out war was ideal. By maintaining balance and precisely eliminating Blue Cosmos influence, the local Radical Faction—under Patrick's control—could likely be stabilized.
As noted before, without nuclear capabilities, they lacked the victimhood narrative to incite major unrest.
The real challenge lay in vigilantly managing potential triggers everywhere.
With these thoughts, Fred added,
"Yzak tends to act impulsively; he must learn to think more deeply."
What appeared on television was, at most, a propaganda effort by ZAFT and Atlantic neutralists.
While ordinary people might be swayed by emotions—perhaps even finding solace in that—
a youth destined for the world stage like Yzak needed deeper reflection to avoid extreme actions.
Through their time together, Fred had come to recognize that Yzak's nature wasn't malicious.
He vaguely recalled from the storyline that upon realizing the lives he'd taken, Yzak had shown remorse and resolved to channel his strength toward righteous causes.
But repentance after the fact was little more than hypocritical regret.
It was far better to prevent such tragedies altogether.
Fred wasn't claiming to save every child worldwide; he was no superhero—even Superman wouldn't make such a boast.
He was merely an ordinary person, yet capable of rectifying certain regrets right before him.
And Yzak truly needed a calmer, more reasoned mind.
"Brother says Yzak has no brains."
Athrun, never one to shy away from stirring trouble, followed up with a retort that snapped Fred out of his thoughts, pulling a helpless twitch at the corner of his mouth.
It had to be said—when Athrun turned sharp-tongued, he truly possessed the ability to infuriate someone to death without compensation.
And as he grew older, this skill seemed to have only grown more refined.
"What did you say?!"
Just like many times before, Yzak immediately flushed with anger upon hearing Athrun's taunt.
The once cold and handsome youth was abruptly transformed into an irritable child.