Just as the three were about to leave, having taken only a few steps, they were met by Yuri, who had arrived as the representative of May City and the overall head of the current Mobile Suit Research.
He was also a Mobile Suit researcher and, as mentioned earlier, held a higher rank than Shiva.
However, since he still belonged to the Clyne Faction, he had clearly been sidelined by Patrick.
Of course, he wasn't excluded from the research itself, as the project was currently a joint effort between both sides.
But the personnel from the two factions were clearly different, and the divide would likely become even more pronounced in the future.
As he approached Fred and the others, Yuri first glanced in surprise toward Lacus.
He hadn't expected the princess to come as well. It seemed what Nicol had told him was true—Lacus really was on good terms with Fred.
It appeared Siegel was indeed trying to win Fred over.
Or perhaps he already had.
With this in mind, Yuri followed up with a tone of paternal concern.
"Did Shiva give you any trouble?"
Shiva's unfriendliness toward Naturals was well-known even among their own ranks.
In truth, among Coordinators, such individuals were far from rare.
It was just that Fred usually interacted with people who didn't particularly care about such matters.
Or perhaps most of those who knew Fred's identity, for various reasons, didn't harbor the typical Coordinator animosity toward Naturals.
"No."
Fred shook his head in response.
In his view, the pressure Shiva had exerted earlier hardly counted as malice.
It was merely a test.
"That's good..."
As he spoke, Yuri's gaze toward Fred grew even more complex.
When Siegel had sent his own child to study under Fred, Yuri hadn't been without his doubts.
He hadn't thought Fred was all that remarkable, but now, he could only say that facts spoke louder than words.
Aside from making him marvel at the foresight of Patrick and Siegel, it also left him feeling uncertain about the young man before him.
Such a powerful Natural, and here in PLANT.
If he were in the Atlantic Federation, their situation would likely be even more difficult.
Moreover, Fred truly hadn't preached any ideology to Nicol and the others—he had simply focused on teaching.
But what was his real motive?
Was it truly, as he claimed, for peace?
At this thought, Yuri felt a sense of absurdity.
If even they weren't certain, how could Fred know that peace could be found here?
Of course, everyone had their own motives. Amalfi often spoke to Yuri about Fred, which had led the city representative to hold a bit more concern for Fred in his heart.
While Yuri was lost in thought, Fred continued speaking.
"By the way, I've already submitted my new research proposal to Councilor Zala."
"I'd appreciate it if you could take a look as well."
Fred took another new USB drive from his pocket as he spoke.
"Hmm... I understand."
Yuri was surprised to hear about the new research.
"Councilor Zala agreed?"
After all, Shiva had likely already met with Fred.
Wouldn't proposing a new research project right after meeting him invite trouble?
In Yuri's view, if Zala had truly agreed, then there was only one possibility: Fred's research proposal was genuinely compelling, enough to even sway Shiva.
"He agreed."
Faced with the youth's calm and unruffled reply, Yuri's lips twitched slightly.
He took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking slowly.
"Alright then, I'll make the preparations."
If Zala had agreed, it was likely there were no major issues. He would just have Siegel review it as well.
Although he hadn't opened it to look, since Zala had already approved, there was no real need for him to examine it further.
On the other end, Lacus, upon hearing this, remained much calmer compared to Zala.
Although she didn't know when Fred had come up with this new research, it was Fred after all—nothing strange, just something she was used to.
The conversation between Fred and Yuri didn't last long. After they finished speaking, they didn't linger elsewhere. Soon, Fred boarded a shuttle back to April City with Lacus.
Of course, Fred also shared the details of his earlier conversation with Patrick with Lacus.
After listening, Lacus frowned deeply and immediately asked, "So, Uncle Zala is planning to take the initiative?"
As a member of the Clyne Faction with keen political instincts, she was well aware that if they were to promote such an approach, they might receive even less international support.
Moreover, it would further deepen the distrust of Naturals.
They would shift from being the disadvantaged side to becoming two opposing forces locked in confrontation.
For the Clyne Faction, their research into MS was merely to develop weapons for self-defense, not to escalate tensions.
"Yes, but he said he would discuss it with your father, and it might just be a test for me."
Fred shook his head.
"That is indeed a possibility..."
Lacus lowered her head in thought.
As Fred said, it was very likely.
"How did you respond, brother?"
Lacus asked.
"I was straightforward and said it wouldn't be good."
"Oh..."
Given Zala's imposing demeanor, the fact that Fred could speak so honestly showed he had strong nerves under pressure.
But with Fred having said this, whether it was a test or not, Patrick would likely think twice.
While Lacus was pondering this, Fred continued, "Even if war is unavoidable, we should at least limit the scope of our opponents."
Could war be avoided? He didn't think so, nor was that his primary goal.
Of course, avoiding it would be best.
But not even he alone, nor even the Clyne Faction, could achieve that.
Even if he could rely on his knowledge of the plot to save the moderates heading to the moon once, could he save them a second time?
The roots of Blue Cosmos lay with the major corporations, most of which were in the Atlantic Federation, with a smaller portion in the Eurasian Federation.
Assassinating a few moderates would be all too easy.
Therefore, passive defense was not an option.
It would be best to make those moderates aware of their own predicament.
That left only two paths: complete resistance or submission.
The former was advantageous for him, while the latter—since they would die anyway—would have little impact on him.
At the very least, they wouldn't become the excuse for starting a war.
Lost in thought, Fred tapped his fingers lightly on the table in front of him.
A year had already passed, and his growth was not limited to his abilities alone; his plans had also matured over time, gradually taking shape in his mind.
His plans for peace had evolved from mere ideas into a structured framework.
To build anew, one must first break the old. The simplest and most direct way was to purge those warmongering and corrupt high-ranking officials.