"Regarding the aid to the Oceania Alliance, we will prioritize supporting our internal military-industrial enterprises, increasing job opportunities and creating more GDP, so the public need not worry too much," the television broadcast echoed across the empty testing ground.
At that moment, He Kui was not paying attention to the TV behind him.
"The twenty-third basic functionality test for the miniaturized MS officially begins."
While He Kui spoke into the recording device, he was also remotely controlling the miniaturized MS, executing actions from running to jumping smoothly.
However, upon landing, the MS stumbled due to a loss of balance.
"Twenty-third basic functionality test failed."
"The neural drive system needs further optimization."
In reality, the development difficulty was much greater than anticipated.
After more than half a month of work, even with the Kin as a reference, this was a miniaturization project rather than a simple copy, and various issues continued to arise. Fortunately, progress was steadily moving forward. At this rate, 300 million would indeed be enough.
"You're still here."
As one of the informed parties, Su Lei easily found He Kui in the underground research facility of the industrial design bureau.
"Another failure?" she inquired.
"Yeah, but we're getting closer," He Kui replied, his hands quickly typing on the keyboard in front of him.
"What's that smell?!" Su Lei exclaimed as she opened He Kui's thermos, a sweet and fishy aroma wafting up to her nose.
"Goji berry water."
"What?"
"Have you not heard of it?"
"I have."
Su Lei's gaze swept over He Kui from head to toe, particularly lingering on his lower half.
Then she gave a solid pat on his shoulder.
"You've been so busy lately; you should take a break from that kind of thing."
"Goji berries are good for the eyes."
"Mm, I understand."
She had never heard of Coordinators needing to drink goji berries for eye health, but she got it.
"Anyway! Are you here to help or what?"
He Kui quickly changed the subject.
"Sure, what do you need help with~?"
"The leg drive system needs optimization; we can't just copy the Kin's system."
"Got it. I see now that this mini MS has different stress levels compared to the larger one."
Su Lei picked up the data from the recent failed test and continued, "But it looks like as long as you keep at it, you might reach the compatibility testing phase within a month. I'll let Lacus know."
"Thanks."
"I can earn a nice commission too, and if this mini MS is successful, it could earn Klein a lot," she added.
"Maybe Lacus will thank you then, who knows~"
Though they joked, He Kui knew that his mini MS still had a long way to go to fully replace the powered suits. It wouldn't be possible to eliminate the existing powered suits all at once; the transition would be gradual.
However, some maintenance tasks could be performed with the mini MS first. With mechanical arms added, the mini MS would certainly be more agile than the powered suits.
As they chatted, they completed the final adjustments.
This time, the mini MS ran swiftly and then jumped agilely.
It landed steadily.
"Basic functionality test successful; next is…"
"Armor impact resistance testing~"
"Alright, let's head back; we've made good progress today."
Su Lei stretched and grabbed He Kui's hand, pulling him toward the exit.
"Wait, we still need to turn off the power."
He Kui shrugged, placing his goji berry water cup back in his bag before leaving the design bureau with Su Lei.
By now, the sky in the colony had completely darkened. The clean, simple streets were lined with a few greenery trees.
Without atmospheric interference, the starry sky was bright and clear. Even with the light-blocking system, the glow of the Milky Way still faintly shimmered above their heads.
"Here, for you~"
He Kui chuckled as he pulled out a moon-shaped pendant while walking down the road.
"Why are you suddenly giving me this?"
Su Lei had expected him to pull out a few owls instead.
Seeing the pendant appear before her, her tone brightened.
"It's a return gift for the necklace from last time, a protective charm, though it's a bit late."
"Actually, it's not late at all."
The moon was indeed a place filled with memories for both of them.
Without needing to say it, a warm, unspoken understanding resonated between them.
"Is that so?~ That's good."
The glow of the stars cast upon Su Lei, making her look almost radiant.
"He Kui, since the first phase was successful, you should take a break from this for now. I'll talk to Lacus for you; Erin has been pushing you quite hard, hasn't she?"
The kind of push she meant wasn't just about pressure, but in a more physical sense.
"Yeah, if I don't produce some results soon, I suspect she'll come knocking with a gun."
She must have felt the pressure to achieve results upon taking office. Seeing He Kui, someone who had only theory yet no practice and was still involved in outside projects, would surely make her dissatisfied.
"Anyway, just handle it as you see fit."
"Mm, thanks."
The next day, just as they had discussed,
early in the morning, Erin arrived at the Beam Weapon Group's office where He Kui was.
"Deputy Director, good morning! What brings you here?"
He Kui quickly stood and greeted Erin politely.
"Director He, I came here because I heard you are short-staffed. I remember that after the previous director left, you haven't had any personnel added, right?"
Compared to her previous friendliness, Erin now wore a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
She appeared much more authoritative than before.
"Yes, we are short three people."
"Then I will arrange for the personnel department to fill the positions as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Deputy Director."
"Do your best."
After giving He Kui a meaningful look, the Deputy Director walked away, her high heels clicking against the floor.
He Kui exchanged a knowing glance with Shi He.
"Does she want to send someone over to monitor our group?"
In the two-person office, Shi He dropped her formal tone, frowning.
"Probably. But even if she sends someone to monitor us, they should be technical talents in pulses, so it could be an opportunity for us to gain some leverage."
It wouldn't make sense to send someone who didn't understand their research to monitor them.
So, Erin must have had a backup plan in mind.
"However, our progress is still a bit slow."
"Don't worry; I've had some ideas recently. I talked to Lacus and told her we could hold off for a bit."
"So you're not going out!?"
Shi He's mood suddenly brightened, her voice light and joyful, as if touched by a spring breeze.
"Right, I won't be going out for the time being. I can spend time with you, and we can work on the high-energy pulse cannon together."
"Great!"
"Then tonight, let's make Haro and see how much progress you've made recently."
"Ah, sure!"
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Shi He suddenly looking perplexed, He Kui asked curiously.
"Nothing, it's great! I want to do it," Shi He replied, trying to mask her surprise.
Yes, it was great—she just felt like she had misunderstoo
d something.
As she thought about how excited she had just been, her ears, hidden behind her hair, flushed a shade of crimson.
Well, making Haro was indeed great; making Haro it was.
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