Subsequently, the representatives from several Council Nations and the United Nations were quickly and properly accommodated, while Siegel looked at the young man hidden behind the scenes in his hotel room.
"We've captured the people, and we have both witnesses and physical evidence. Blue Cosmos and the Atlantic Federation can't deny it."
As Fred spoke, he played the footage of the several individuals who had been subdued in the hotel room earlier in front of Siegel.
"But even though we've jammed the signals of the micro-bombs in their heads, they'll still auto-detonate after more than a day."
"We need to perform removal surgery as soon as possible."
These were genuine Blue Cosmos insiders.
Given how utterly deranged that organization was, Fred wasn't surprised to find micro-bombs planted in their heads.
Or rather, it was exactly as he had suspected.
"Mm."
Hearing this, Siegel took a deep breath.
"Those representatives seem mostly inclined to cooperate with us."
"It's definitely going to come to war."
Siegel's face was resolute, but even as he said those words, he couldn't help but feel a complexity in his heart.
If he had a choice, he wouldn't want to make the decision for war.
After all, given the Coordinators' birth rate, they couldn't possibly survive on their own until they achieved a technological breakthrough.
Moreover, he couldn't even imagine how difficult it would be to take on the entire Earth alone.
"They'll never negotiate for peace."
Fred nodded in agreement.
This incident should have been enough to make Siegel see that clearly.
Blue Cosmos had already taken over the entire decision-making layer of the Atlantic Federation.
Peace talks were simply not an option, unless Blue Cosmos was eliminated.
Better yet, ruin their reputation and make them universally reviled.
That was precisely the goal Fred was working toward.
Just like how the exposure of that Enhanced Person facility from his memories had created a massive wave of public opinion against Blue Cosmos and the Atlantic Federation.
He was going to do the same thing.
Taking this opportunity, Fred could completely destroy the organization.
Without Blue Cosmos and the Death Merchants, most of his objectives would be accomplished.
User comment: In peacetime, there's only one way to deal with them—comprehensively gather intelligence on them and physically eliminate them in a short time. This is already terrorism, and it would provoke hostility from all nations.
"Mm..."
Hearing this, Siegel didn't deny it, only nodding and continuing.
"You did well with this plan. Go back and get some proper rest."
"Yes."
But he probably wouldn't get much rest, since he not only had to command but also conduct research.
After acknowledging, Fred didn't pause and immediately added.
"But I've heard that ORB has recently intensified its counter-intelligence activities in Heliopolis."
"The reports suggest it might be related to the turbulent situation on our side."
Siegel nodded in response, but then looked at Fred, who still wore a mysterious expression, and paused.
"You think they're up to something shady in Heliopolis?"
As someone who could become Chairman—especially Chairman of PLANT—his thinking was absolutely sharp.
He quickly understood what Fred was hinting at.
"Yes, I suspect they might be cooperating with the Atlantic Federation."
"Mm... Is that your intuition?"
Siegel asked after a moment of deliberation.
"Yes."
"...You should know that the Mentor also lives in ORB, right?"
Siegel said again.
The Mentor represented absolute peace and neutrality, and to be fair, he genuinely admired ORB's path.
Now, telling him that ORB had secretly been cooperating with the Atlantic Federation?
If Fred hadn't repeatedly helped them make the right choices, he definitely wouldn't have believed it.
And even so, he could only take Fred's words with a grain of doubt.
"Yes, I know."
"But without power, faith alone is useless. Perhaps ORB thinks the same way."
"..."
Siegel said nothing, simply staring at Fred for a long moment before nodding.
"Understood. I'll have more people keep an eye on that area."
He didn't want to believe it, nor did he want to waste resources on such matters.
But Fred spoke with such conviction, and given his track record, it made Siegel waver slightly.
"Good."
It wouldn't hurt to take a look.
In this regard, Siegel was more suitable than Patrick.
After all, conventional spies were easily discovered, but Siegel had resources from Scandinavia, making it not too difficult to plant spies.
Fred was satisfied with that.
But even though he only said to keep an eye on things, it would have to be done gradually.
This man before him was someone willing to hand over even the Neutron Jammer Canceller to the Mentor and ORB.
That showed just how much he favored ORB.
That favoritism might stem from ideology, or it might stem from the irresistible force of circumstance.
But the future could always be changed.
As long as ORB made any move, it would leave traces, and he could expand this chain of suspicion.
Moreover, regarding the spy matter, Fred actually had a better candidate in mind.
He just needed to find the person, and he could save a life at the same time.
Soon, neither of them continued on that topic.
Fred was busy wrapping things up, while Siegel needed to leave quickly to prevent any complications.
But while the two of them had a fairly pleasant conversation, the outside world was truly experiencing an earthquake.
The negotiation venue was hit by a terrorist attack, and including Chairman Siegel Clyne, many members of the Council Nations and the United Nations were nearly wiped out in one blow.
Such an event was too horrifying, and the moment it appeared online, it sparked an uproar.
It spread like wildfire even without media coverage.
Within just one day, it had spread across the entire Earth Sphere.
And while Blue Cosmos was still at a loss, not knowing what to do next, more and more evidence began to surface thanks to Fred's maneuvering.
Naturally, what followed in the tide were protests, demonstrations, and marches.
ZAFT had a hand in stirring things up, but the Moderate Faction's influence was equally indispensable.
After all, even though they were no longer the mainstream, they still had their base of supporters.
Now that they learned Blue Cosmos wanted to blow them up, they were all in an uproar.
On the other side, on ORB's Heliopolis, the space colony remained peaceful as ever.
And Tolle, who was still studying at school, was watching the news and muttered to Kira beside him.
"Blue Cosmos is way too insane. Blowing up ZAFT is one thing, but they even bombed the Moderate Faction."
"Yeah..."
Kira frowned deeply at the words. He hadn't expected Blue Cosmos to have gone this crazy.
Good thing they were in ORB—perfectly safe.
But Athrun...
Thinking of his friend, Kira's brow furrowed even deeper.
He wondered how Athrun was doing over there.
And Brother Fred...
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