"This is the workshop for the latest production of the MA-M21G beam rifles."
He Kui led the students into the workshop.
This workshop wasn't the full production line but rather established as a trial production point.
The output wasn't large, but it could currently suffice for the production needs of other districts in May City.
Many students curiously peered through the tempered glass from the second floor, observing the orderly semi-automated factory below.
However, some students were not content to just observe; they had come for a purpose.
"Director He, do you know who is primarily responsible for the miniaturization of beam weapons?"
"This is classified information on a military level, related to ZAFT's national policy, so I can't disclose that."
He Kui replied cheerfully, using his official tone.
"But from what I know, regarding beam weapon miniaturization, Director He, you were merely assisting. Does this mean your position is only temporary, and once someone with greater achievements in beam weapons arrives, you'll step aside?"
This statement implied that he had no real achievements and was merely holding the position temporarily.
Given He Kui's background, few believed he had genuinely developed a miniaturized beam weapon.
He Kui didn't explain further, which sent a signal to many that he wasn't the inventor of the miniaturized beam weapon, hence his low profile.
"As for the position of the director of the beam weapon miniaturization research group, it's an internal decision of the design bureau; the capable will take charge."
"Regarding the application of beam weapons, our students have some insights."
The young man stepped forward, handing a document to He Kui.
"You suggested improving the focusing method of beam weapons to achieve area damage. This idea is interesting, but according to your simulated results, it would lead to uncontrolled focusing and potentially backfire."
"That's impossible! If we follow my method..."
The young man seemed determined to challenge He Kui's authority, pushing his theories.
If his theory had merit, He Kui would certainly acknowledge it.
The problem was that the young man's theory was superficial.
"I remember your paper."
He Kui smiled. He kept track of other research developments, and most of them were like the document handed to him—flashy but lacking substance. This one didn't even grasp the basic structure of beam weapons.
This was pure opportunism, and someone with that level of understanding would never displace him.
"Your theory was previously published under your name on an external forum. Not to mention that you based your conclusions on personal conjecture about the internal structure of beam weapons—first, you couldn't even generate the basic data; it's merely an empty article."
After He Kui finished speaking, he ignored the young man's defiance and clapped his hands.
"If there are no further questions, we can dismiss today's session."
"Director He."
Before he could leave, another student raised his hand.
"Go ahead."
"The conversion of the beam has further room for improvement. If we use more detailed energy, such as..."
"Yes, but that usually requires a larger size and more precise technology."
Hearing this student's insightful comment, He Kui's expression shifted to one of seriousness.
An expert could immediately discern the validity of ideas, and unlike the previous student, this young man matched the knowledge of researchers in his own group.
He was also quite young.
"Alright."
The student continued taking notes while He Kui passed the responsibility onto the accompanying staff and headed to the underground secret production area.
"You came quickly?"
"The talent here is incredible; I wanted to check the progress."
With these genius adjusters around, every moment could mean being surpassed.
While he was outside giving a tour, he felt like he was wasting time.
"How's the progress?"
"The casting is 73% complete. Your structure arrangement theory has worked excellently. The absorption layer and dispersion layer structures are beginning to fit together!"
The air in the forging room was hot and acrid, but it didn't dampen Shihe's excitement.
Previously, the anti-beam coating only had a single absorption layer.
Once the absorption limit was exceeded, the shield would crack or even fail.
Now, He Kui had introduced a dispersion layer in the arrangement, similar to the layered armor of the Archangel, which helped with heat dissipation.
This clever structure would evenly distribute heat across the shield, allowing the overall anti-beam coating to absorb beam energy more uniformly.
Thus, the shield's durability and strength had reached a new level.
"We need to conduct tests to confirm. How's the preparation for the testing grounds?"
"Everything's ready. Once casting is complete, we can start testing."
"Good."
The two sat at the main control computer in the forging room.
He Kui took on part of the workload, operating the nano-mechanical arm above the furnace to begin overlapping the fine structures.
"Speaking of which, Director He seems to have improved in microscale operations since before."
With He Kui's involvement, the others began chatting again.
"Yeah, the forging speed is even faster than the three of us combined."
"Much better than when we were making the beam rifle; it's truly a sight to behold."
"You guys! Stop chatting and get back to work."
Shihe scolded lightly.
"Otherwise, we won't finish in time for the tests; you're not asking me!"
"Understood!"
The group saluted and returned to diligently operating the mechanical arms.
Before long, a steaming anti-beam shield was complete.
The shield was unpainted, merely a basic black, and its sharp edges resembled a common shield.
"Next, we have beam irradiation tests, thermal cycle tests, mechanical strength tests, and finally, real-world testing."
After setting up the shield in the testing ground, Shihe pulled out a long evaluation checklist.
With this thorough list, the newly produced anti-beam shield could easily end up as scrap metal.
However, they needed to test the shield's limits to provide satisfactory results.
Each test aimed to measure extreme performance levels, meaning that testing each aspect could lead to the destruction of a shield.
Despite the funding limitations, He Kui had his own methods—repairing the original shields before moving on to the next test.
As long as his theory held, the shield's structure wouldn't need alteration or reconstruction.
The anti-beam shield's internal structure would remain intact; only the coating would gradually dissolve under beam exposure. As long as materials were available, repairing would save more time than making a new one.
This way, the time spent would be reduced, and the funding could barely stay within the hundred million mark.
With all his savings, it would be unreasonable for the Defense Council not to reward him.
"Let's get started."
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
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