"Sorry, I'll definitely join if there's a chance."
Although Wolf and the others felt regretful about Fred's words, they didn't say anything.
After all, when Wolf said those words, he knew it was unlikely to happen.
They had heard that Fred was making great strides in new weapons research.
How could he possibly participate in their covert operations?
Thinking this, everyone looked at Fred with a hint of pity in their eyes.
If they could act alongside Fred, they would probably achieve victory and return triumphantly every time.
Unfortunately, when Fred said "next time for sure," it likely meant there was no opportunity.
As for Fred standing before them, he wasn't joking when he said "next time for sure."
If there were future operations that could impact the world, he would definitely continue to participate.
Moreover, although this mission was perilous, both his piloting skills with Powered Armor and various other abilities had improved further.
As long as thorough plans were made to ensure nothing went wrong, there would be no issues.
In Fred's view, taking the initiative was always better than passive defense.
As Fred pondered, various upcoming events surfaced in his mind.
With Creuset dead, everything would change. Only his own abilities were the true guarantee of safety.
On the other side, after speaking briefly, Wolf's expression gradually turned serious again.
"Our ship, although only equipped with a Close-in Weapon System, fought near an East Asian space colony. They might have tracked our movements."
"Didn't you say East Asia doesn't interfere in such matters?"
Fred followed up on Wolf's words.
As the planner, he actually knew some reasons why East Asia might take action. He asked this to gauge the others' attitudes toward East Asia.
"That's right."
Wolf nodded with a bitter smile and continued.
"But we went too far this time. They might want to reprimand us."
"It's probably a boarding inspection."
"Wolf is right. That's how it went in previous operations."
Haken nodded in agreement.
Previous operations...
Upon hearing this, Fred fell into thought.
Haken was referring to past covert missions.
Fred certainly didn't know about them, but that didn't stop the young man from speculating.
In that case, this boarding inspection would be a good opportunity for him.
Although this version of East Asia might differ greatly from his homeland, it wouldn't hinder his probing.
If there were still traces of his homeland here, it might become an important force for maintaining balance in the future.
As for their ship, it was only equipped with a Close-in Weapon System. Even if inspected, there was nothing to worry about, as such modifications fell within permissible limits.
Given the valuable cargo, installing two cannons for defense against pirates was understandable.
The journey back proceeded smoothly.
A day later, their ship arrived outside PLANT, and the East Asian fleet, as Wolf and Haken had predicted, flew out in advance, blocking their path.
"Jinx freighter ahead, this is the East Asian Republic Space Force Third Fleet. Please halt for inspection!"
The speaker was a female voice, neither gentle nor particularly imposing.
However, in contrast, the Agamemnon-class battleship, accompanied by numerous Drake-class vessels, steadily approached them.
Even their formation was meticulous.
They looked imposing, with all the pomp and circumstance fully displayed.
"Received."
The prepared communications officer, under the captain's signal, slowly brought the ship to a stop beside one of the Drake-class vessels.
...
"Are you really going out?"
Alec looked at the masked young man before him, visibly tense.
"Their inspection shouldn't be too strict. We don't have to go out."
Although this was a show of force by East Asia, unlike the Atlantic Federation's brute force, East Asia valued face and rules.
They wouldn't forcibly gather people for body searches or the like.
Of course, this was based on past experience, and none of them could be certain now.
As seasoned veterans, no one would take anything for granted.
"It would be impolite not to go out."
Hearing Fred's words, Alec opened his mouth but didn't continue with his objections.
After all, the other man was the boss.
Fred's capabilities had long been proven through various past actions.
In Alec's view at that moment, if Fred said so, there must be a reason.
As for colluding with the enemy?
Fred, a former Atlantic Star, wouldn't collude with East Asia even if he were to betray anyone.
Moreover, Alec didn't believe there was any possibility of this man betraying them at all.
As Alec wrestled with whether he was comforting himself or refuting his own worries, Fred led him to the bridge.
When they arrived, the East Asian personnel had not yet come aboard.
Seeing Fred enter, Wolf showed no surprise. After all, Fred wouldn't act without consulting him first and had already discussed this with Wolf.
Wolf had agreed and now gestured toward a liaison officer's position in the corner.
Haken and the others had already switched ships before Fred and Alec arrived.
As elite operatives, Haken and his team carried an aura too conspicuous to ignore.
"Director Freed, you don't need to speak," Wolf said cautiously.
"Understood."
Fred nodded readily.
He had come simply to see how his old homeland's people were faring. Based on various inquiries, it was clear that East Asia was also engaged in balancing acts. Bringing Lacus along was good, but more allies were never a bad thing. If there was assistance to be had, all the better.
However, East Asia itself had many problems.
Everything still needed careful planning.
Standing here was merely his first step.
Just as Fred was thinking this, they didn't have to wait long. A man with a sturdy build and resolute East Asian features, accompanied by an equally capable adjutant, drifted in through the opened Bridge door.
Looking at the Military Rank on the man's shoulder, Fred's eyes narrowed behind his mask.
That was the rank of a major general—meaning this man was the commander of the East Asian Space Third Fleet. For someone like him to personally come aboard for inspection carried many implications.
The most obvious was likely a warning.