In any case, aside from research, he still had plenty of work to do.
Fortunately, from now until 70, or rather until the outbreak of war, there probably wouldn't be that many experiments.
After all, he wouldn't actually provide them with unlimited technology.
He didn't want to raise a formidable rival for himself.
In the future, Fendrissen would also claim to have stolen technology from PLANT.
He trusted Patrick, but he didn't trust the others in PLANT.
As for Shiva, if she lived until the time of the movie, she would definitely collude with Fendrissen.
ZAFT's strength still needed to be kept in check; they couldn't be allowed to grow too powerful.
Not to mention, as 70 drew closer, the problems he had to solve multiplied. There was no time for experiments or basking in everyone's praise.
It was simply a waste of time. Wouldn't it be better to spend that time reading more books or practicing MS operations?
As he contemplated his plans for the future, Fred felt a growing sense of tension.
What he was about to do would lay the foundation for future peace.
Achieving it alone would be difficult. Even with the help of the Clyne Faction, it would still be challenging. If he wanted to eliminate ORB, that fence-sitter, he would need another force to replace it.
However, since things were still far from settled, Fred didn't dwell on it too much.
Instead, he shifted his focus back to the screen in front of him.
If possible, he would have liked to maintain his current state.
Studying, working, and spending time with his family when he could.
Hiding away here, reading, training, and growing stronger.
Unfortunately, time was not on his side. The shadow of the coming war was already looming, and he needed to take care of his family.
...
Time flew by. A few days later, while Fred was still in the research group, diligently working while slowly concealing his progress and sneaking in some reading, he received a message from Lacus.
"The procedures on the mentor's side are all set. Next is convincing Durandal. Does Brother want to come and observe?"
"I'll go. Wait for me to finish their combat class first."
Seeing the message, Fred agreed without hesitation.
He could read on the way and squeeze in another round of MS training.
It wouldn't delay things too much.
Durandal's decision this time might very well determine the course of the future.
Even if he couldn't show himself, Fred would definitely go to witness the proceedings firsthand.
Based on Durandal's response, he would also need to adjust his future plans.
Lacus wasn't too surprised by Fred's reply.
Given how invested he was in this matter, he would definitely come—otherwise, she wouldn't have asked.
However, there might be more to the story, and she could take this opportunity to probe further.
"Alright, the ship is at the usual place."
After replying, Lacus stood up and headed toward the classroom.
Sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a hazy glow around the young girl as she walked.
Meanwhile, Fred quickly rose to his feet after reading the reply.
He had much to do, and if Durandal's matter could be resolved smoothly, that would be for the best.
And the answer might soon become clear.
For now, though, he still had his own tasks to attend to.
Training couldn't stop.
Fred's steps quickened with excitement as he thought about it.
...
"Bro, can't you get a motorcycle?"
Flay, sitting behind him, looked down at the little electric donkey beneath her and couldn't help but voice her frustration.
Fred was driving his little electric donkey toward the stadium with his sister in tow.
The speed was even slower than a motorcycle.
Fred's ride was an electric donkey.
This alone gave Flay an urge she couldn't hold back.
Even Yzak was saying that once he was old enough, he'd buy a cool motorcycle to settle things with Athrun.
And yet Fred, as their teacher, was riding a little electric donkey?
And he even had to bring his sister along?
Was that reasonable?
Clearly not very reasonable.
What she wanted was a much cooler vehicle.
"Lower speeds are safer, safety first."
"...You can pilot Powered Armor!?"
Flay retorted in disbelief.
She had seen clearly how Fred handled Powered Armor, and now he was telling her safety first?
"Being able to pilot it doesn't mean it's safe."
"..."
Flay looked at her brother's practiced demeanor and didn't know what to say.
Logically speaking, her brother was only three years older than her.
Why did he seem to be getting more and more like a dad lately?
And why did her brother look so happy, even a little nostalgic, while riding this electric donkey?
But, come to think of it, her brother did have a kind of otherworldly expert vibe to him.
Wasn't that how it always played out on TV?
There were even janitor monks.
So her brother would be called... the Electric Donkey Assassin?
No, it still felt so embarrassing.
As she thought this, watching the few friends in the distance who had spotted Fred riding this little electric donkey, Flay's face stiffened.
Her brother, really, didn't he care about his image in front of his juniors?
Electric donkeys did exist here, of course, but they weren't that common.
After all, in PLANT, most transportation relied on light rail, and everyone lived in urban areas where space was tighter, completely banning electric donkeys.
As for the wealthy who could travel on the main roads, they naturally rode cool motorcycles.
So, when they saw Fred's electric donkey approaching, everyone was stunned on the spot.
And Flay had already covered her face, unable to bear the doubtful looks from her friends.
"Brother Fred..."
Athrun greeted Fred, who had just parked his vehicle, with a complicated expression.
"Your ride... is pretty cool."
Hearing Athrun's shameless and baseless praise, the other two just stared blankly.
Was this cool? Wasn't it just an ordinary electric donkey?
What was cool about it?
Athrun, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, couldn't possibly be planning to approve of everything Fred did, could he?
"Yeah, I think so too."
"..."
Faced with Fred's shameless reply, Nicol and Yzak exchanged a glance. For once, Yzak didn't argue with Nicol, and both silently looked away.
As for Fred, he wasn't just teasing people for fun.
There was simply no need for a motorcycle.
Even though it wouldn't cost anything, it was still a hassle to ride. An electric donkey was so much more convenient—just hop on and go.
If it broke, he wouldn't feel bad about it.
And it also reminded him a bit of the old days.
This routine of riding an electric donkey to and from work—back when he was healthy, he never thought much of it.
But it is only when something is lost that one realizes its true value.
Of course, with more possibilities now, he wouldn't have to resort to menial labor.
Perhaps that's also why riding the Electric Donkey brings him so much joy.
It's like two people: one drives an ordinary four-wheeled sedan because that's all their wealth allows, while the other, though also driving an ordinary four-wheeled sedan, actually has enough wealth to afford a luxury sports car. Their mindsets are entirely different.