Not letting the silence last too long, Patrick followed up with a bold declaration.
"Remote work is not a problem. I will assign an Engine Research Group to you later, reporting directly to me."
"However, you'll need to compete with the main research group."
"If I determine that your performance is unsatisfactory or progress is inadequate, you'll be merged into the main research group. Is that acceptable?"
"No problem."
Fred agreed without much hesitation.
Patrick's conditions weren't particularly harsh.
It was natural for him to set benchmarks for himself.
Patrick didn't even demand that his progress must lead, only that it meets standards.
In Fred's view, this wasn't a major issue.
With his dual expertise in structural engineering and aerospace engineering, he was fully capable of leading research.
If he couldn't manage even this, then there was no point in thinking about advancement.
Only pressure drives progress.
Whether it's life-and-death pressure or any other kind.
Moreover, if he could succeed, his value would only increase. Someone capable of leading a team to develop a battleship engine would undoubtedly be more powerful and valuable than merely contributing under another director. This would grant him access to more materials and knowledge, accelerating his growth.
"Hmm."
Seeing Fred agree so quickly, Patrick continued.
"How many team members do you need?"
"A team of four is sufficient, preferably aces. You're aware that my position is somewhat sensitive, Uncle."
Fred responded, having already prepared for this question.
"Four people...?"
Patrick was taken aback by this response.
He had assumed Fred wanted authority, hence the request for a team.
As long as Fred could deliver results, assigning him a research team to manage wasn't a big issue.
The principle of meritocracy held even greater weight in the still-young Coordinator nation.
However, Fred asking for so few people genuinely surprised Patrick.
"Agreed."
"Two weeks from now, report to me weekly once operations officially begin."
Patrick was decisive, pondering briefly before nodding in agreement.
"...Alright."
Hearing Fred's response, even as a seasoned and steady individual, he was nearly moved to tears.
A researcher who asked for neither money nor power, yet was so capable—before meeting Fred, he wouldn't have believed such a person truly existed.
Just as their conversation concluded, the communication device in the study chimed.
"Everyone, dinner is ready."
"Athrun is back too."
Lenore's voice came through the communicator.
"Go ahead."
After their discussion, which finalized Fred's future arrangements, Patrick's tone carried a rare warmth.
"Okay."
...
With Patrick present, the Zala family dinner table was quieter than usual.
"Speaking of which, how are you all considering the recent matter of the Zodiac Alliance's name change?"
Lenore's voice rose amid the clinking of cutlery.
"It hasn't been finalized yet. After all, it's a significant matter."
Patrick replied seriously.
Though it might seem like just a name.
This name concerned the organization's future. How to encapsulate their new goals and the central ideology of leading PLANT toward independence within a single name was of utmost importance.
"How about the Freedom Treaty Zodiac Alliance?"
Fred's voice abruptly rang out at the dining table.
Generally speaking, matters like renaming organizations were certainly none of Fred's business.
But since this was when the Zodiac Alliance was changing its name to the Freedom Treaty Zodiac Alliance—ZAFT—he had spoken up with a somewhat amused mindset.
After all, whether it got approved or not, he wouldn't lose anything.
Hearing Fred's words, Patrick fell into thoughtful silence.
His hands holding the knife and fork naturally paused as well.
"I think that name is quite good!"
Athrun raised his hand.
He hadn't originally intended to speak, but fearing that his Natural brother naming a Coordinator organization might bother his father, he proactively took over the conversation.
And to be honest, he also thought the name his brother came up with was quite good.
"Hmm..."
Patrick finally responded with a nasal sound, then immediately said.
"Indeed not bad. I'll discuss it with Siegel."
If this had been before, hearing Fred—a Natural—propose a name, he definitely wouldn't have considered using it.
But considerable time had passed since then, and after their recent conversation, he already regarded Fred as one of their own.
More importantly, this name truly appealed to him.
Freedom Treaty—simple and clear, demonstrating their goals.
And the abbreviation ZAFT was quite catchy, carrying a sense of inevitability, as if destined to be.
Seeing the other party's interested expression, Fred smiled slightly without further persuasion.
It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea anyway.
Given how much influence he had already exerted, one more thing wouldn't make much difference.
Besides, being able to say in the future that he came up with ZAFT's name—how impressive would that be?
Thinking this, Fred maintained his proper smile and elegantly brought food to his mouth with his knife and fork.
....
"Freedom Treaty? A good name."
Just one day later, during his communication with Patrick, Siegel listened to the general situation before smiling faintly.
"As long as you don't mind, then we'll make the announcement in a few days."
"We'll officially rename ourselves ZAFT, fighting for the freedom of Coordinators!"
Patrick didn't hide his emotions much in front of his friend, his expression growing increasingly fervent with a touch of triumphant confidence.
"Good."
Siegel responded with equal excitement. After finishing discussions about the renaming procedures, Siegel changed the subject.
"I heard you're having Fred lead a research team?"
"Yes."
"I can provide personnel."
Siegel offered proactively.
"Just one."
"Fine."
Hearing Patrick's words, knowing he couldn't persuade him otherwise, Siegel nodded readily.
After all, one person would be sufficient.
On the other side of the study, Lacus—who had remained silent until now—listened to their conversation, her beautiful eyes widening slightly with curiosity, making her appear even more adorable.
"Father, is Fred joining the research?"
Lacus asked what was essentially an obvious question, but she still wanted her father's confirmation.
"Yes."
Siegel nodded, continuing.
"His abilities were already proven during his match with Andrew."
"Plus he's relatively trustworthy, so we recruited him."
"Will he be going to Mayura City?"
Lacus immediately followed up.
"No, it's remote work. That was one of the conditions."
"His family is there too, and given Fred's personality, he wouldn't leave anyway."
"Hmm～"
Fred's character values family above all.
This is beyond doubt.