"They actually managed to rescue everyone?"
Looking at the notification before him about new additions to his research institute, Durandal narrowed his eyes slightly.
There was no need to investigate their backgrounds—many names on this list were people he had known in Mendel.
"Did they actually tell him directly?"
This seemingly trusting gesture from the other party made Durandal think more deeply.
He couldn't recall having done anything to earn their trust, so it was likely this was still a test.
But on the surface, he was merely a researcher at a gene institute. Why would they test him?
If so, was the orphanage matter also a trap?
"Did Ola leave some flaw? Or..."
Feeling as though he were being controlled by an invisible hand, Durandal silently lowered his head, his thoughts churning.
However, the silence in the office was soon broken by the sound of a child crying outside and Talia's gentle soothing voice.
"What... are they really trying to do?"
Durandal let out a bitter laugh, then turned off the computer screen.
If this haven of tenderness had been deliberately woven by someone, then he had indeed fallen into a trap. Even if he was aware of it, he couldn't break free.
Still, he could continue to gather information here.
If someone was lurking in the shadows, he would lie low and wait for them to reveal a flaw.
Moreover, if the person or force behind the scenes truly wanted to bring peace to the world, he was curious about their methods.
.....
While Durandal was immersed in the haven of tenderness, not far from Mendel, in a space colony directly controlled by the Atlantic Federation, Ola was watching the hellish scenes from inside Mendel on the screen, a cold smile curling her lips.
"There weren't many casualties?"
Hearing that it was due to Clyne's intervention only made Ola angrier.
But it was fine. Those people might have escaped this time, but they wouldn't escape forever. Sooner or later, they would die.
And Siegel and the others, thinking they were clever by running away, were probably already dead. That should slow down their research progress.
At this thought, Ola's gloom vanished, replaced by a smug hum.
The Atlantic Federation and the big shots in Blue Cosmos were clearly the most powerful faction. Clyne and the others foolishly thought they could resist them.
As for her, using the name of the Elixir of Immortality, she not only secured substantial investments but also gained real security.
In the end, she would be the one to create the Ultimate Coordinator and lead this new era.
Thinking of this, Ola couldn't help but chuckle softly.
It was as if she could already see herself, in the near future, leading her child to become the guide of the new world.
As for those in Blue Cosmos, they would die all the same.
While Ola was in high spirits, on the other side, the Leader of Blue Cosmos at the secret base in the Atlantic Federation's capital was not in a good mood.
"Someone explain to me!? Why has our operation failed again!? Where did they deploy their forces from!?"
Over the past two years, the number of failed operations they had planned against Coordinators was beyond count.
On paper, every operation had a clear advantage, yet they repeatedly ended in failure.
And this time was different from previous failures.
Before, most of their setbacks were due to incompetent allies.
But this time, he had dispatched their true elite forces specifically to eliminate all the researchers inside.
Yet, those ships still managed to escape.
Although the elite forces barely survived, the cost was still too high.
Amid the elderly Leader's furious roar, the men who had come to report prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling as they quickly added.
"We have located the hidden space station from which they deployed their forces, but it has already self-destructed and shattered into pieces, leaving no evidence behind."
"That's right! This time, we cannot be considered a complete failure."
The men argued back and forth, each trying to justify their actions.
"A space station is nowhere near as important as those researchers!"
The elderly Leader snorted coldly but did not continue.
After all, a hidden space station was a tangible achievement, and such well-concealed stations were becoming increasingly scarce.
As for those researchers, they were indeed key to solving the fertility issues of Coordinators in the future.
But that was a matter for the future.
Who knew how long it would take?
Thus, it was difficult to determine the true outcome of this situation.
Besides, the elite forces were still intact.
"Do we know the whereabouts of that ship?"
Finally, the now-calm Leader asked.
His composed tone helped the men slowly regain their composure.
If he truly lost his temper, he would not hesitate to kill.
"Not yet. There are no records of them heading to PLANT. Perhaps they have another base outside that we are unaware of..."
One of them answered fearfully.
"Nonsense! They must have another secret base. Follow their departure trajectory and investigate! Even if we have to dig three feet underground, we must find their secret base!"
"Yes!"
Responding to the Leader's words, the men dared not delay, immediately answering loudly, afraid that a slow response would cost them their lives.
...
[Recently, a major biochemical leak incident occurred at the special research facility "Mendel" located in the L4 colony satellite cluster. According to the latest information obtained by our agency, the satellite has been completely sealed off. After causing significant casualties, the decision-makers implemented a brutal "decontamination" process, enveloping the entire satellite in lethal gamma rays.]
Several days had passed since the attack on Mendel.
Thanks to Siegel's mediation, PLANT's official reports at least avoided directly naming Blue Cosmos as the mastermind behind the conspiracy.
However, the public opinion warfare between the two sides remained intense.
Amid the news broadcast, Fred remained completely focused.
"Director Freed, when do you think we can begin actual machine testing?"
A researcher from the Clyne Faction asked over the communication channel.
The title "Director" referred to Fred, who currently held the position of research institute director within the Clyne Faction.
In the future, this position would likely belong to Albert Heinlein.
Of course, since his current deputy is Heinline anyway, there's nothing wrong with it.
And he doesn't have many researchers under his command—just a few dozen people.
It's far less than the research team in May City.
However, researching and analyzing just one Mobile Suit shouldn't be a problem.
Although these are all true confidants of the Clyne Faction, so there's no need to worry about identity issues.
But Fred hasn't revealed his identity or anything either, as there's no need to complicate matters unnecessarily.
As for what these few people think of him, Fred doesn't really care.