After replenishing their energy, they began their return journey from DSSD.
More than half a day passed without incident. Perhaps because they knew about the light shield, even when passing by the Moon, no one came to bother them.
"Director He, thank you for your hard work."
In the office, Erin apologized to He Kui.
"It was for PLANT."
He Kui smiled.
"Yes, for PLANT. But many directors are dissatisfied with the electromagnetic propulsion system you brought back."
With so much black technology available, taking only one propulsion system was bound to cause dissatisfaction.
According to the agreement, they couldn't acquire technology from DSSD until the next meeting.
Moreover, with the director possibly being promoted, many reserve talents were eyeing this position. They'd be delighted to see He Kui fail and would naturally fuel public opinion against him.
"Although the electromagnetic propulsion system is less effective in water compared to our scale motors, it can reduce power consumption in general situations."
"Most importantly, I believe it has the potential to develop a positron cannon."
He Kui explained as he sent detailed information about the technology to Erin via his wrist.
The office fell silent, Erin quietly reviewing the data before her.
After a moment, Erin looked up.
"Director He, are you trying to derive the positron acceleration system from the acceleration principles?"
"Yes, while it's not guaranteed to lead directly to success, it provides a promising direction."
"How likely is it to succeed?"
Erin, who had supported sending He Kui to DSSD, knew that if he couldn't produce results with this technology, her reputation would be affected.
Conversely, success would bring rewards far exceeding any losses.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent He Kui.
"Further verification is needed, but it's certain the development time for the positron cannon will be significantly reduced."
"Then proceed. And next month is the vote; support the director when you can."
Erin's serious expression relaxed into a smile.
Her gaze at He Kui gradually shifted from that of a subordinate to a peer.
"I understand."
After agreeing with Erin, He Kui returned to his office and immediately began verification, starting with computer simulations.
The formulas for electric field acceleration needed to incorporate positrons for calculation, but with a fixed framework, progress wouldn't be slow.
"You were attacked!?"
Having just learned about the company's latest developments and excavation progress from Hoss, Shi He hurried over, exclaiming.
"We had the light shield, fortunately."
Otherwise, those beam cannon shots aimed at the port would have been deadly.
"Refuse such dangerous tasks next time!"
Shi He said, hands on her hips, with a hint of annoyance.
"A representative and a director are big targets!"
"True, but this time it probably wasn't aimed at me."
"What do you mean?"
Shi He asked, puzzled.
"They would have acted regardless of who went."
Disguised as pirates, they could seize all the technology and eliminate ZAFT researchers and leaders.
He believed the Atlantic Federation would do it.
Ignoring moral issues, it was a profitable venture.
"Let's not dwell on that. We need to expedite the analysis of the electromagnetic propulsion system. Have them pause their other tasks."
"For us, the competition for the director position has already begun."
Without a system, research required substantial data as a foundation.
According to Hoss, tensions among team members were high.
"He Kui, we can do this!"
Shi He raised her small fist cutely, cheering for He Kui.
"Yes, let's do our best."
He Kui's hand enveloped Shi He's clenched fist, and a gentle kiss landed on her soft, pouting lips.
In the following days, He Kui stopped wandering and focused on a busy routine between the company and his dormitory.
In November, in May City District 1,
Even though Earth was preparing for winter, PLANT remained a scene of springtime warmth and greenery.
"What are you looking at?"
Shi He curiously followed He Kui's gaze out of the office's floor-to-ceiling window.
It was still the industrial area, and with work over, employees were leaving in small groups.
"Nothing much. How's the positron acceleration test going?"
Retracting his slightly nostalgic gaze, He Kui asked softly.
"It passed! The electric field acceleration, using a modified railgun's electromagnetic guidance system, successfully launched positrons in the simulation."
Shi He said excitedly.
"The next step is testing the stability of the cannon body! Where will we conduct the tests!?"
Such violent gamma rays left few materials capable of direct resistance, unless thick or involving black technologies like PS armor.
Of course, the cannon body didn't need to be that thick; the main cannons on the Archangel's legs weren't excessively thick in memory.
Layered armor, combined with radiation-isolating composite materials, would encase the cannon.
Maintaining a strong magnetic field within the barrel to confine the positrons and prevent direct contact with the barrel.
Electromagnetic coils and superconducting materials were essential, though installation varied by individual.
How to construct the magnetic field and what shape the muzzle should be for optimal stability were subjects of research.
However, this couldn't be completed within PLANT.
If the positron cannon energy exploded, the entire colony would be destroyed.
Such dangerous technology needed to be completed in space.
"Probably Boaz again."
With the light shield now, it's relatively safe and can serve as a test base.
"The current director mentioned that if he becomes the district governor, he'll propose converting an asteroid into a zero-gravity lab or create a dedicated satellite for the design bureau."
"Not sure if it's credible."
Promises, to garner votes, have been made countless times throughout history.
A zero-gravity lab is extremely useful for various tests and research, without worrying about local safety.
However, being too far requires stationed troops for protection, while being too close risks affecting tests or battles.
The manpower and resources required are considerable.
Boaz is still usable now.
For such bases, He Kui liked the idea. Who wouldn't want a secret base?
It's just that the difficulty of realization is too high.
Perhaps with money in the future, he could create one and live there without anyone knowing his whereabouts.
With these thoughts, He Kui bid farewell to Shi He and headed towards Erin's office.
Along the way, he encountered a familiar yet unfamiliar person.
"Director Park, what a coincidence."
Seeing the recently appointed director of the antimatter group, a reserve for the director position, He Kui greeted him as if unaware of the recent tensions between the groups.
"Indeed, Director He is here to see the deputy director as well?"
"Any breakthroughs with the positron cannon?"
Facing Director Park's barrage of questions, He Kui shrugged.
"A little."
"Congratulations, Director He."
Hearing He Kui's confident response, Director Park's facial muscles tensed but quickly resumed a smile.
However, the smile didn't reach his eyes, exuding a coldness rather than warmth.
Ignoring him, He Kui entered Erin's office.
"Did you see Director Park?"
Erin stood and led He Kui to the sofa, asking.
"He seemed a bit unpleasant."
"He's ambitious."
"I reviewed the materials you provided. Your progress surpasses Director Park's. Once the cannon body model passes testing, it goes to Boaz for trials."
"Yes, how's Boaz doing lately?"
"Don't worry, Boaz is safe now. The Alliance, unable to take it down, is concentrating forces to regain ground on Earth."
With Erin's reassurance, He Kui could only nod.
However, he still needed to prepare his own contingencies.
Meanwhile, in April City, Lacus pondered upon hearing from Sulei.
"You say he might be the next deputy director?"
Deputy director, nearly the head of the design bureau, and He Kui was still young.
In the future, he could become a representative like Amarfy.
He Kui's value had unknowingly increased significantly.
"Yes, if the positron cannon succeeds."
"With three state-of-the-art weapons developed for ZAFT, he'd be the undisputed candidate for deputy director."
Sulei's tone, unknowingly, carried a hint of pride.
"A deputy director, huh?"
Lacus murmured.
Still leasing a few small MS from him, it would be time to chat upon his return.
After all, He Kui seemed to have some need for her, but it didn't appear to be lust.
Understanding it could be one of her advantages.
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