This time, Fred activated the one-time accelerator again, causing his Mobile Suit to abruptly accelerate. Andrew had clearly anticipated this move.
With a quick barrel roll, Andrew dodged Fred's sudden attack while simultaneously returning fire.
At this moment, the ordinary maintenance work pods in their hands seemed to transform into agile fighter jets.
The spectators couldn't help but hold their breath.
"I won't fall for the same trick twice."
On the other end, Andrew laughed through the comms.
"Yeah, true."
Fred sighed in response.
Although his opponent wasn't a Saint Fighter, he was an experienced combat veteran.
Particularly telling was their earlier conversation - Andrew clearly held him in high regard.
If it were anyone else showing such appreciation, they might have gone easy to curry favor.
But not Andrew.
When he respected someone, he would give his all.
This wasn't just Fred's understanding of the character from the story, but also his profound comprehension of Andrew since arriving here.
Just like how Andrew never held back during their sparring matches.
More importantly, on the battlefield, hoping for mercy to secure victory was never an option.
Better to rely on oneself than others.
These thoughts flashed through Fred's mind in an instant.
The young man's eyes now shone with brilliant light, his knuckles turning white from gripping the control sticks with immense force.
Yet his hands remained exceptionally steady.
Under Fred's precise control, the mechanical arm on the work pod's side deftly grabbed one of the high-strength steel cables running from the port to the hub.
Relying on the instantaneous thrust from the twelve engines at the pod's rear, the work pod rapidly spun around the thick cable in a circular motion.
The mechanical arm maintained a death grip on the cable, friction from the high-speed movement creating a continuous stream of sparks.
Trailing sparks and electricity, the movement appeared as elegant and eye-catching as a waltz.
Though the scene was silent, it carried astonishing speed.
That velocity had definitely exceeded the work pod's maximum speed, even beginning to leave afterimages.
This unexpected evasion method successfully broke Andrew's lock-on.
Andrew's targeting system began frantically reporting errors as the orange live ammunition and paintballs completely lost their accuracy.
"He's using inertial acceleration!"
Athrun exclaimed as if discovering new territory.
Following Athrun's realization, others including the distant observing guards gradually caught on.
With this rate of speed increase, Fred's Mobile Suit was accelerating faster and faster.
While Andrew could react, his suit's targeting system couldn't respond with the same agility.
After all, it was just an ordinary maintenance work pod - its fire control radar couldn't be particularly advanced, merely adequate for basic use.
This very limitation gave Fred an opening to exploit.
And Fred naturally knew the critical velocity threshold required for breaking the lock-on.
Meaning, from beginning to end, everything had been within Fred's calculations.
Using the first additional engine to evade Andrew's attack, Fred then calculated their battlefield position to reach the steel cable, utilizing the cable's acceleration to dodge the opponent's second assault.
If this were a chess match, Andrew would have achieved checkmate multiple times, yet each checkmate was actually part of Fred's plan, and every single one was resolved by Fred.
"Freed..."
In the security office, those who hadn't thought much of Fred earlier now couldn't help but murmur thoughtfully.
Even the young man who had strongly supported Andrew was momentarily stunned before the screen, as if frozen by a spell.
"Is this guy really a researcher?"
With such meticulous strategic calculation at every step, he'd be qualified to be a commander.
Not only could he utilize new technology, but he could also adapt tactics to leverage it.
Not to mention the boy clearly didn't appear very old.
He could already be considered a combat prodigy.
In the future, perhaps... no, definitely a rising star in PLANT.
"I've always had faith in Freed. You just don't get it," someone said awkwardly, scratching his nose.
"Bullshit."
"Shh! The exciting part is coming!"
As they bantered, just as that guard had said, the battle between the two was nearing its conclusion.
"Interesting."
Andrew, who had also seen through Fred's intention, chuckled as he watched the wildly spinning crosshairs before him.
Since Fred planned it this way, the outcome would likely be decided after he released the cable.
The Mechanical Arm wasn't infinitely durable, especially being abused like this by Fred.
Fred would have to let go before reaching the limit.
His speed would rapidly decrease at that moment.
That would be the time for their final showdown.
Thinking this, Andrew couldn't help but grin widely.
Battling this boy was definitely one of the most intense challenges he'd faced.
Because Fred's every unexpected move prevented Andrew from employing his combat style and strength effectively.
It was frustrating, but it proved the boy's capability.
With that thought, Andrew's eyes narrowed slightly as he raised the Vulcan Cannon mounted on the Mechanical Arm beneath his Mobile Suit.
He abandoned futile aiming and chose to wait for his prey.
Meanwhile, Fred simultaneously released his grip.
Vulcan Cannons from both Mobile Suits' undersides fired simultaneously.
Watching the bright yellow tracer rounds shooting out from beneath the two Mobile Suits, everyone held their breath in unison.
This time, there was no room for other tactics—it was simply unknown who would emerge victorious.
...
"Never thought it'd end in a draw," Andrew remarked with a laugh in the bright, sparsely populated port, having descended in his Work Pod, helmet removed and tucked under his arm.
"Didn't you win?" Fred shrugged in response to Andrew's smiling face.
In their face-to-face duel, both had abandoned Radar targeting.
Fred, with his speed advantage, successfully hit Andrew's Engine, while Andrew struck Fred's Cockpit.
"You kid, you hit the energy source of my Ejector. The paint mark is still there," Andrew chuckled, scolding Fred for his modesty.
Fred simply smiled in response, saying nothing.
"In such a short time, your progress has exceeded my expectations."
Staring at Fred's still calm expression, Andrew let out a light laugh and sighed.
"Not bad."
Fred didn't show any visible delight upon receiving the other's praise, maintaining a perfectly humble smile on his face.
He had indeed progressed rapidly, but what truly secured his victory was his mastery of all knowledge, allowing him to turn the tables when his individual abilities were on par with his opponent's.
Just like this time when he still managed to fight Andrew to a draw.
This battle further solidified his conviction in the correctness of his path.
He would have it all!
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