With the loss of the signal from the owl-like robot, it should automatically destroy any data that could prove its identity.
This operation was akin to someone asking a friend to delete their browsing history before they die.
The owl would automatically erase all traces of its existence.
The system, the operator—none of these could be traced.
Of course, given that the owl was patented under his name, it could still be traced back to him.
But having a patent doesn't necessarily mean he was the one controlling it.
After all, he had sold several to Tiger in Africa.
Unaware that his owl was being cherished by someone, He Kui set aside the thought of searching for Cagalli and returned home.
"Is Ed alright?"
At home, after dinner, in the living room on the third floor where it was just the two of them, Shi He leaned on He Kui, asking with concern.
"He'll be fine."
Though it felt more like self-reassurance without concrete news, he had done everything he could.
He Kui sighed, then turned his attention to Shi He in his arms.
"The loan is almost finalized. The research period for hydraulic purification won't take long. Let's see if we can complete all tests before the end of this year."
"Is it that urgent?"
Shi He asked in surprise.
"I can't help it; I have a bad feeling..."
He Kui looked out the window at the still peaceful night sky, yet it was fraught with hidden dangers.
Recently, he had recalled more about the storyline. If characters within the story could gain abilities, he might soon need to head to the desert.
Compared to Orb and space, the desert seemed safer.
After all, no matter how powerful the Archangel was, it couldn't single-handedly conquer the entire Libyan desert. Of course, he had no plans to fight.
Just then, a news report caught He Kui's attention.
"Miss Lacus Clyne has been chosen as the representative for the first anniversary memorial service of Julius 7 and will be visiting the wreckage by February 2nd."
He Kui refocused on the TV in front of him.
Most people on Julius 7 had been rescued, with final casualty figures in the hundreds.
A far cry from the original twenty-four thousand.
So he thought he had altered this part of the storyline, yet Lacus was still going.
This raised another dilemma: to save or not to save.
Opportunity came with risk.
Saving her could potentially increase favorability significantly, but he wasn't sure how Lacus's ship would be attacked, and he might face the Archangel.
He could probably handle Mu in the Zero with the help of an auxiliary Haro that had analyzed Zero's attack data, but with Kira added in, he couldn't manage.
Moreover, he was just a researcher, and going to the battlefield was always against his will.
Not saving her meant no danger, but deepening Lacus's favorability would take a long time, and directly warning her was too obvious.
With these thoughts swirling, lunchtime of the next day arrived.
In the radar group led by Sulei, He Kui made another appearance.
"Here you are again."
Sulei said with mild annoyance, looking up from her computer.
"I heard Lacus is going for a memorial visit?"
"More accurately, it's a memorial service. With hundreds of civilians dead from a deliberate terrorist attack, the Clyne faction couldn't not respond."
"Why? Worried?"
He was worried...
But this thought circled in his mind without being voiced.
From any angle, he couldn't openly express this; it would be too suspicious.
"No, here."
He Kui handed her a lunchbox.
"Since Director He moved to the high-end district, I thought you'd forgotten about me."
Sulei teased, winking as she accepted the lunchbox.
"Eat your meal, stop working."
He Kui said, flicking Sulei's forehead.
"Do you think I want to? It's all because of your prototype! We need to upgrade the radar after it got stolen!"
Sulei glared at He Kui.
"That's not my fault..."
"I don't care! It's your fault, you owe me compensation!"
"Isn't this meal compensation?"
"That doesn't count!"
"A gift?"
"No! My place is full!"
"Then how about I feed you?"
He Kui opened the lunchbox, picking up a piece of boiled beef and holding it in front of Sulei.
"...I'm not a small animal!"
Despite her words, Sulei quickly bit into the beef as He Kui's chopsticks began to retreat.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah."
Sulei's cheeks flushed adorably, though it was unclear whether from the spice or embarrassment.
The beef's juices glistened on her full lips, making her even more captivating.
"What are you staring at?"
Facing He Kui's intense gaze, Sulei glared back.
"You have something on your face."
He Kui's fingers slowly approached, brushing against Sulei's lips.
"Oh."
The unexpected gesture quickened Sulei's heartbeat.
Instinctively, she licked the spot He Kui had touched but soon realized what she had done.
Feeling as though He Kui's taste lingered on her tongue, her heart raced wildly.
[Sulei's Favorability 140]
[Experience Bonus 6]
[Information Engineering A-Level: (34725/100000)]
[Unlocked: Directed Energy Communication (0/10000)]
Staring at the virtual display, He Kui paused.
The text wasn't difficult to understand, referring to long-distance communication via high-energy laser beams.
PLANT was developing this technology, and it seemed one of Sulei's current projects.
Since it involved beams, while not as strong as quantum communication, within the solar system, this communication speed was remarkable.
Moreover, being directed meant higher data transmission rates and lower error rates without a relay station.
Although their current communication efficiency was decent, it seemed irrelevant to the war. But!
"What's the matter?"
Noticing He Kui's prolonged silence, Sulei asked curiously.
"Nothing, here, for you."
He Kui handed Sulei the defensive Haro he always carried. Basic knowledge about directed energy communication surfaced in his mind.
Simultaneously, he recalled the incident where the owl shielded Cagalli from a bullet.
With this technology, remotely controlling a Mobile Suit via Haro using an auxiliary computer might be feasible.
Julius's wreckage lacked neutron jammers, allowing for theoretical remote control attempts.
Thus, layering multiple disguises could enhance his safety.
This seemingly unremarkable technology might be his best current option.
It meant he could strike the enemy from an absolutely safe distance.
Mass production was unlikely, as even a high-precision antenna would be costly.
"What are you grinning about?"
Sulei asked, stuffing a piece of boiled beef into He Kui's mouth with her chopsticks.
"Cough, cough, cough."
The spice hit his throat, snapping He Kui back to reality, though tears welled in his eyes from coughing.
"Are you trying to kill me?"
He Kui coughed, speaking helplessly.
"It's not that bad."
Watching He Kui's face turn beet red, Sulei sheepishly placed another piece into his bowl.
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