More than half a month had passed, and today, after officially receiving the Haro from Shi He, the final knowledge regarding the high-energy pulse cannon flooded into He Kui's mind.
"He Kui? What's wrong?"
Seeing He Kui dazed after taking the Haro, Shi He asked with concern.
"It's nothing; I'm just heading to the studio for a bit."
"Are you going again?"
Shi He glanced at the clock in the living room, which displayed that it was already midnight.
"I have some ideas about the high-energy pulse cannon."
"Is it about the design of the final pulse generator?"
"Yeah, I think I can solve it now~"
"Then I'll go help too!"
"Alright."
Facing Shi He, who wrapped her arms around him and acted spoiled, He Kui didn't refuse.
The next day, despite having nearly stayed up all night, both He Kui and Shi He appeared full of energy when they arrived at Erin's office.
"Director He, do you have good news today?" Erin asked, her smile more genuine than ever as she regarded the two before her.
"Our high-energy pulse cannon is ready for practical testing after assembly," He Kui stated, placing the data chart in front of Erin with a direct approach.
"Let's use the Zaku for the weapon testing."
"That's not a problem; I can arrange that immediately, and five sets of materials will be sent over right away."
Erin's previously stern demeanor transformed into visible enthusiasm.
After pressing a few buttons on the screen, she quickly lifted her head again.
"In B24, the materials you need have already been sent over."
"Is there no issue with the assembly of the pulse generator? Should I call a few A-level personnel to assist you?"
"No need; with Shi He helping me, but please prepare the beam-resistant shield we developed previously."
"I really envy you two as a couple. I'll arrange the shield for you, so go ahead and get started."
Erin's warm welcome to He Kui's confident assertion that the weapon would fire was evident.
"Alright."
With that, Erin cheerfully ushered He Kui out of her office.
He Kui exchanged a glance with Shi He, slightly helpless, before gathering the office personnel and heading to the underground secret factory of the Hailan Design Bureau.
"Shi He, you're in charge of assembling the energy storage unit. I'll take care of the pulse generator and discharge device. I've already written the control and auxiliary systems, so as long as we write them into the weapon control center, there shouldn't be any issues."
With several experiences under his belt, He Kui directed everything in an orderly fashion.
By the end of the day, just as they were about to clock out, they successfully completed the pulse cannon.
The barrel was nearly as tall as a Zaku and featured some retractable structures due to Shi He's research on composite guns, as well as additional structures to counter recoil.
Now, the lengthy barrel looked imposing in the Zaku's hands.
"Indeed, it's too large. If we want to mass-produce it later, we'll probably need a backpack system for easier handling."
Shi He maneuvered the Zaku, moving it around.
Due to the massive weight of the barrel, the overall power of the MS was reduced by about 20%.
Plus, with parts of its thrusters canceled, if it were to land on Earth, it might not even be able to move—just like a stranded duck.
Meanwhile, He Kui in the cockpit was also deep in thought.
He recalled that the Assault Zaku had a backpack system.
However, that required a skeletal structure, and the structures for both the Kin and Zaku were now considered finalized.
It was impossible to change the standard machines entirely.
"At least it can still be wielded," he noted.
"That's true."
The two maneuvered the Zaku slowly down the spacious corridor toward the testing ground.
As He Kui's weapon test began, it naturally drew attention from the onlookers.
"Su Lei, I heard He Kui has started testing?"
Lacus inquired curiously over the communication link.
"Yeah, he should have managed to get it working, right?"
"So soon?"
Lacus gazed out the window at the white clouds, seemingly lost in thought.
"Yeah, the pulse group has failed so many times already. Their progress was clearly faster than He Kui's beam group, yet they've now been caught up."
"Do you think he'll succeed?"
"Very likely."
"Are you that confident in him?"
Lacus teased.
"It's not just that; the weapons and shields from the beam group were similar, and the mineral radar was too. His foundational theories are always spot on, so the trial-and-error phase can basically be ignored."
"But as you said, he's also been diligently trialing the mini MS, right?"
"Perhaps it's because he has a talent for weapon and radar research?"
"Talent, huh?"
That seemed to be the only explanation; much like her singing voice, it was also a talent.
If he succeeded this time, they would need to adjust their strategies toward him.
A talent in weaponry was incredibly important, not just for the Sara faction but for them as well.
Back in the factory's testing ground, He Kui began the test methodically under the gaze of others.
"Function test: pulse cannon charging system is normal, discharge device is activated, control system is operational, auxiliary system is online, we can prepare to begin firing."
"Firing commence."
Instantly, a red and white beam struck the shield.
With a resounding explosion, the shield before everyone had lost its initial dazzling brilliance.
It looked as if it were in a state of half-destruction.
"The pulse generator is functioning normally, and the functional test is complete, achieving theoretical expectations."
"Director He!"
As the onlookers stood up to congratulate him, He Kui waved his hand.
Ultimately, it was just a weapon, not their limit, so there was no need for excessive excitement.
"Next, we have the ballistic test, thermal test, and extreme environment test. Don't celebrate too early."
"Understood!"
Even though they heard He Kui's words, the crowd remained spirited.
After all, the adjacent group couldn't even pass the functionality test; one shot and it exploded.
The upcoming ballistic test would, as the name suggests, assess range, accuracy, and penetration power against the Alliance's ships.
The thermal test would evaluate the limits of sustained firing and whether the overheating alarms would activate correctly.
The extreme environment test would assess the cannon's performance in high temperatures, low temperatures, humidity, atmospheric conditions, and outer space.
These tests couldn't be completed in this small testing ground.
Just as He Kui stepped out of the testing ground, Erin eagerly approached him.
"Director He, congratulations! It looks like the high-energy pulse cannon is nearing completion."
Erin shook He Kui's hand vigorously.
"Thank you."
"However, the bonuses won't be issued until all tests are officially completed."
"I understand."
"Then I'll be counting on you for the upcoming tests. As long as everything passes, I guarantee you won't receive any less!"
"All of them? What about the practical tests?"
"For the practical tests, you won't need to actually use them; just act as the lead researcher," Erin said, wearing an expression that suggested she understood.
"I see."
He feared he would be deployed again.
Thinking about the dangerous battlefield outside made He Kui's head start to ache.
As expected, he would need to seek out Lacus again.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!