The small Light Shield was nearly done, with only about 5,000 units left, equivalent to sending ten or so gifts—not much. Over the next week, He Kui spent his workdays verifying the small Light Shield technology and his evenings crafting small items.
Just before he exhausted the remaining funds, He Kui finally completed the Light Shield technology.
Reflecting on the successful simulation run on his home computer last night, He Kui felt a sense of relief, his mood visibly improved compared to the past few days. Even the unchanging blue sky and white clouds above seemed more pleasant to him.
"Director He, heading to work too?"
He Kui hadn't been in his good mood for long when Hirai, the director of the Nuclear Fission Group living next door, approached him with a broad smile.
"Yes."
Seeing who it was, He Kui's relaxed demeanor became more reserved, and he nodded slightly.
"I haven't yet congratulated you on completing the Boaz Light Shield System."
"Thank you."
"Shall we walk together?"
Hirai offered.
"Alright."
"But Director He's Haros really do follow you and Director Hanifs everywhere."
Hirai commented, looking at the three Haros following He Kui and Shi He.
"They're quite cute, after all."
These Haros were actually under his control and locked onto Hirai. Whether or not he was a spy, it was better to be prepared.
"Indeed, they're quite cute."
Hirai said no more, offering a nonchalant smile, and the three walked silently to the Hailan Design Bureau building, where they parted ways.
"What do you think?"
He Kui asked Shi He in the elevator.
"He seems fine. Knowing our names is pretty normal, actually."
"That's true."
Recently feeling a bit overly suspicious, He Kui continued.
"I've completed the final hurdle for miniaturization. Once I organize the data, I'll go see Erin."
"Great! So, about the armament this time..."
"We probably can't test it on our ZAKU. The equipment for the miniaturized Light Shield is still too large, likely requiring the removal of the entire backpack thruster, which would affect balance and not be conducive to atmospheric combat. However..."
"However what?!"
Shi He perked up at He Kui's words.
"There's a more compact Light Shield that can be mounted on the ZAKU's arms, replacing the original anti-beam shields."
He Kui wanted to equip the full version of the Light Shield system, but the energy was insufficient to support it. This equipment consumed too much power, allowing only five minutes of operation—just two minutes more than Ultraman.
Three minutes to attack and two minutes to retreat? That's impossible in a solo fight.
Using its own power to fire beams? Sorry, that counts toward the time too.
Overall, having three minutes was considered good.
Therefore, He Kui had to temporarily abandon the idea of fully implementing this equipment.
At least until a nuclear fission engine was developed, he didn't plan on using it.
"A small Light Shield!"
Unlike He Kui's regret, Shi He was clearly more excited.
A small Light Shield was impressive compared to an anti-beam shield, as evidenced by Boaz's performance.
"Shi He, you're drooling~."
"No, I'm not!"
Shi He playfully grabbed He Kui's hand, which had been teasing her lips, and mischievously licked his fingertip, leaving a wet mark.
"Hehe, you two sure are lively early in the morning."
The elevator doors opened, and Hoss, seeing the inseparable pair, let out an awkward laugh.
"Hoss, where are you headed?"
Retracting his finger, ignoring Hoss's awkwardness, He Kui asked calmly.
As long as he wasn't embarrassed, Hoss would be.
"To see finance."
"Good luck."
Hearing he was dealing with the accounting experts, He Kui encouragingly patted Hoss on the shoulder.
But Hoss deftly dodged.
Meeting Hoss's gaze, He Kui looked at the damp mark on his finger.
He really hadn't meant to...
"Hehe, I'm off."
Hoss left, and Shi He blushed from the encounter.
He Kui then went to the deputy director's office.
"Director Erin."
Unlike his earlier relaxation, He Kui was now quite formal.
"Director He, do you have good news?"
Erin warmly stood up, inviting He Kui to the guest sofa.
"Yes, I've filled in the last theoretical gaps for electromagnetic miniaturization. About the previous matter..."
He Kui casually inquired with a smile.
"Rest assured, once completed, with enough publicity, moving you in won't be a problem."
Hearing the deputy director's assurance, He Kui opened the laptop on the coffee table. With a scan of his bracelet, the completed backpack Light Shield system began to reveal itself on the screen.
The backpack was about the size of the assault-type backpack thruster on their ZAKU.
The black backpack, resembling pincers, had five yellow diamond-shaped components protruding from the top, bottom, and middle.
These were the Light Shield generators. When activated, the generators at the back would rotate over the shoulders, forming an all-around defensive shield.
Extra space in the pincers housed the internal thrusters that He Kui had suggested adding.
Together with the two large thrusters already on the back, it ensured 80% of the acceleration capability of the assault-type ZAKU.
However, a drawback was that with the pincers in front, backward thrust was impossible during shield deployment, slightly reducing maneuverability.
Increase defense to decrease speed, decrease speed to increase defense—it's balanced.
"Not bad. The simulation results passed?"
Looking at the backpack, Erin nodded with satisfaction.
"Yes, and I want to install two arm-type Light Shield generators on our group's ZAKUs for joint testing."
"No problem."
Though each arm-type small Light Shield cost nearly a billion, and the backpack Light Shield system cost ten billion, the value they could create on the battlefield made the cost irrelevant.
Erin nodded more enthusiastically, continuing.
"We need about a week to adjust and equip the ZAKUs with the Light Shield backpacks."
"Alright."
"And please keep an eye on your group's energy-clip beam rifles."
"I understand."
Having perfectly achieved his goal, He Kui left Erin's office, exhaling a long breath.
Since Erin could assure it, it must be true. The Zala faction's credibility was intact.
And a week coincided with Captain Hawk's plan to bring family to May City for dinner.
It was the perfect time to make some gifts and finalize the beam rifle design.
What did those two Hawks like in the storyline again?
"Maybe I'll just give them Haros."
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