"I'll report this upward."
"You'll be trouble for me during this period, little friend."
Andrew walked up familiarly and wrapped his arm around Miha's neck.
"Ah... yes?"
What's going on here?
Weren't we just discussing important matters? How did this young superior end up hugging him all of a sudden?
What a lunatic.
Amid Miha's internal complaints, the terrorist incident was ultimately resolved through Fred's heroic efforts.
As expected, just one day later with the help of Copernicus' internal media, Fred and the many Mistral pilots under his command, along with those who fought hard in the command center, became heroes celebrated by all residents of Copernicus.
Particularly Fred as the central figure, who became touted by Atlantic Federation media as the Child of the Future.
As for whose future child, of course it was the Atlantic Federation's own.
Suddenly, the previously overlooked Copernicus maintenance team became one of the most sought-after professions in Copernicus.
Though this was only temporary.
Once the hype faded, this job would return to being just an ordinary position.
Amid all this excitement, Patrick received the detailed report of the incident just one day later.
Having read through the report for who knows how many times, Patrick still found it incredible.
That Fred actually saved all of Copernicus?
Of course, compared to Copernicus, he cared more about his own wife and children.
He hadn't just saved Copernicus - he'd saved the people Patrick cared about most.
There were too many coincidences here for this to be Blue Cosmos' ruse involving self-inflicted injury.
Given this, should he invite the other party to join his faction?
Invite a Natural?
If this were before he saw this report, he would have scoffed at such an idea.
After all, no matter how talented Fred was, in his view he still couldn't compare to a Coordinator.
And they had greater numbers too.
Fred was just one person - if they were to accept anyone's surrender, it should be the other side making the offer.
They should be the ones graciously accepting the other party from a position of superiority.
But... according to Andrew's report, this young man's temperament far surpassed that of ordinary Coordinators his age.
Though his physical abilities weren't outstanding compared to true Coordinator elites, he had a sharp mind and strong research capabilities.
If any of their own elites had been present at the time, Patrick didn't think they could have necessarily achieved what this youth did.
The plan sounded simple, but it encompassed extensive knowledge.
From the most basic welding of explosives to the thrust performance of the fixing devices, calculations of Drake-class data and thrust, even considering the explosive power and escape routes - all thought of within such a short time.
Not to mention that stunningly brilliant strike.
Using Copernicus' fixing devices as boosters, welding a bunch of high-pressure gas tanks to them, and actually hitting the target.
While the report mentioned that Fred had become quite proficient with the fixing devices through his daily work, could mere proficiency reach this level?
This was absolutely genius among geniuses.
Still shaken, Patrick put away the report in his hand and pressed the button beside him.
Without making him wait long, the Adjutant in purple entered his office.
"I need to go to Copernicus to arrange the ship."
"But Councilman Zala, the current situation..."
Patrick's trusted aide was startled by this, then looked somewhat troubled.
"It's fine. Clyne is still here. I'll return soon."
Patrick replied calmly.
He could no longer stay in Copernicus. His return would be a good opportunity to bring both of them back, and then he could find someone to replace Lenore's position.
Even if Lenore wasn't here, and agricultural research would stagnate as a result, there was nothing to be done.
Not to mention, Fred was still in Copernicus.
He would go personally and take the opportunity to see that young man with his own eyes.
If he truly had talent in agricultural research as well, perhaps he could complete the agricultural research here together with Lenore.
Moreover, according to the report, his own son had actually been in the cockpit with Fred at the time...
Just reading that part made Patrick feel a wave of fear.
Those despicable Blue Cosmos had completely lost their minds.
"Yes."
Seeing that Patrick had made up his mind, the adjutant lowered his head.
Meanwhile, Patrick's sudden movements naturally couldn't be hidden from his currently still close ally, Siegel Clyne.
Not long after, just as Siegel had finished his work and sat down at the dining table ready to eat, he received word that Patrick was going to Copernicus and wanted him to keep an eye on things.
"That guy is still so impulsive."
Siegel smiled wryly.
"Father, has something happened?"
Lacus put down her knife and fork, tilting her head as she asked.
The exquisitely doll-like girl, though not yet ten years old, carried herself with a certain elegance in every movement, as if she were a princess.
"Pat is going to Copernicus, probably to bring Lenore and Athrun back."
Siegel offered a simple explanation, picking up his utensils again.
"Is that so? But that probably isn't the only reason."
"That young man... I wonder what Uncle Patrick plans to do about him."
Lacus's lips parted slightly as she spoke, appearing utterly innocent and adorable.
"Yes, he'll probably want to recruit him."
Although Patrick was a hardliner, he wasn't as radical as the extremists.
Not to mention, judging by the contents of the report, even he himself wanted to recruit the boy.
At that age, to have accomplished such earth-shattering achievements - that young man named Fred had indeed attracted the attention of several factions.
"He definitely won't kill him."
Knowing what Lacus was worried about, Siegel said.
Patrick valued family above all.
This time, Fred had saved both of them. As long as Fred didn't instantly become a staunch Blue Cosmos supporter, Patrick probably wouldn't resort to killing him.
"Is that so..."
"But if he tries to recruit him, his father is an Atlantic Federation official. Would he agree?"
Lacus blinked her large, sparkling eyes, curious.
If possible, she'd like to speak with him too.
After all, he was the great hero who saved all of Copernicus. At just thirteen years old, he was already hailed as the Atlantic Federation's future son.
According to the information, this Fred actually didn't dislike Coordinators and followed a neutral path.
This made her even more curious.
"I don't know."
Siegel shook his head.
"Perhaps Pat has some information that we don't."
The two were merely allies. Though they were also good friends, they clearly hadn't reached the level of sharing all secrets with each other.
Precisely because of this, Siegel felt increasingly curious about what Patrick intended to do, and naturally, also about Fred's choice.
Would he politely decline? Or agree?
"I see."
"But it would be wonderful if that brother could come over."
Lacus chuckled softly, then picked up her knife and fork without continuing the conversation.
She had returned to that initial noble tranquility reminiscent of a little princess.
"Indeed."
Siegel responded similarly, bringing the topic to a close.
Judging solely by the records, that Fred's ideals should actually align more closely with theirs.
However, he was currently collaborating with Patrick as well.
It made little difference either way.