Upon successfully returning to the Lorenz Base, He Kui was commended for his previous achievements. However, since he had left without full authorization, his merits were ultimately balanced with his infractions. This outcome was not unexpected for He Kui.
Following the completion of their tests, He Kui and Shi He returned to PLANT from the Moon, concluding their short business trip.
"The National Defense Committee needs the experimental data of our Beam Experimental Zaku handed over in three days. I'm counting on you all to organize the data."
"No problem."
He Kui nodded with satisfaction as everyone responded energetically.
Today, He Kui didn't leave work early; instead, he planned out the next steps for the targeting assist Haro and a new Haro integrated with a door-cracking function on his computer. It turns out that computer-assisted targeting can significantly ease the process. Though it might not work against elite opponents, it is nearly foolproof against ordinary ones.
However, increasing Haro's computing power might be risky. Although AI is present here, its automation level is strictly controlled and mostly used in city management, like their "Gene Matching Law," rather than on the battlefield. The concern is that if AI controlled armed forces and accidentally malfunctioned or got compromised by enemies, it could lead to scenarios neither side wants to risk.
"He Kui, why so slow~" Ed, now sporting a tanned look, quipped at a high-end restaurant.
"You've got some nerve! How long has it been since you said you'd come over?"
He Kui glared at the now sunburned Ed, who was joined by a red-haired, tanned young man in green.
"Let me introduce you; this is Da Costa, whom I met on the African front," Ed said with a light cough.
"Nice to meet you, Director He."
Da Costa stood up and bowed smoothly.
"No need to be so formal."
"He Kui, Da Costa is the deputy of the 'Desert Tiger'!"
Recently, the African front line, which had been somewhat sluggish, was revitalized by Andrew Waltfeld's Baku unit, tearing through the Eurasian Federation's tank formation. Commander Andrew earned the title of 'Desert Tiger,' becoming a hot figure alongside Creuset.
"I'm just assisting Captain Andrew."
"Mr. Da Costa, you're too modest."
"So, Ed, you said you went back but actually went to the African front?"
"Yes, I followed them to Gibraltar, barely surviving, and just as I recovered, things kicked off again."
Ed gave a bitter smile, expressing his wish to go home, though the situation at the time didn't allow it.
"You've had it tough."
"Speaking of which, Da Costa has something to discuss with you over this meal."
"What is it?"
"We want to purchase twenty Haros from you, paying twenty thousand upfront."
"Huh?" A thousand each, a good price, but not a large quantity.
"In Africa, the resistance is rampant, and the Blue Cosmos' harassment is relentless, with assassination attempts on our military leaders. We thought of you because your Haro radar saved our squad from an ambush by the resistance when we were camping, unfamiliar with the area."
Ed wiped imaginary tears from his eyes as he spoke.
"So, are you treating this meal?"
"You're a director now! And you want me to treat?!"
Faced with Ed's exaggerated expression, He Kui couldn't help but chuckle.
"There's no problem with the Haros. When do you need them?"
"Within a month."
"Understood."
After quickly reaching an agreement, Da Costa politely declined their offer to stay and left the restaurant.
"Ed, I'm a director now."
"Stop bragging."
"You know what I mean."
With his current position, He Kui could pull some strings to get Ed out of the front lines.
"Sorry, He Kui, but I've decided to make my own way!"
"I see."
He Kui wasn't surprised. The way Ed still addressed him showed that in his heart, He Kui was just He Kui, not Director He, and Ed didn't want He Kui's help as a director. While He Kui didn't know what had changed Ed's mind, he could only raise his glass.
"Here's to your success."
"Don't worry! It's safe with Captain Andrew, and I can learn a lot."
"Is that so."
The meal extended late into the night before they parted ways.
For now, things had settled, but life continued. Recently, material prices had been rising, while the acquisition price from "Mechanical Maniac" remained unchanged. The market stabilized, but it troubled He Kui. For others, less profit might mean fewer treats, but for He Kui, it meant losses since he gave away a good portion of his Haros.
Fortunately, he had stocked up before, so maintaining a balance before his academic endeavors bore fruit was feasible. But if material prices kept rising, the machine market might collapse.
Hopefully, PLANT would step in to stabilize the situation soon.
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