After returning from Boaz to PLANT, following his promotion, business expansion, and other matters, it was already the end of December. He Kui sat in his office, looking at the computer. The timing of the rescue should be just before Lacus is saved, considering the time it takes to travel from Heliopolis to Artemis' Umbrella and then to Julius 7.
Calculating based on the speed of a Nazca-class ship and potential encounters, He Kui quickly estimated the time on his computer.
"The 24th or 25th... just in time for the Lunar New Year."
He Kui sighed with a slight smirk.
"If there's no definite news, I'll activate Haro on the 25th."
With his decision made, He Kui stood up from the garage, looking at the fully prepared Aegis.
He felt a bit nervous.
Hoss's cargo ship definitely didn't have a mobile suit for him to use.
There was a ZAFT escort team on board, so at most, he could control the ship's maintenance work pod.
It had a small Gatling gun, which would put him at a disadvantage against Moebius if both sides had equal piloting skills.
But unless the attackers were elite, he could still give it a try.
After all, He Kui couldn't figure out why Lacus was attacked or why the escape pod wasn't destroyed afterward.
There were too many uncertainties.
Sighing, He Kui's computer suddenly received a communication request.
"Shi He, what's up?"
"Why aren't you home yet? It's the last day of the New Year! Dinner's ready!"
Shi He playfully chided from the other end of the communication.
"Yeah, I'm heading back now."
Seeing the darkened sky outside, He Kui laughed.
Soon, he returned home, where the dining table was filled with steaming dishes.
Each one was incredibly appetizing.
A feast for the senses.
"Isn't it a holiday? Why are you still going back?"
Seeing He Kui, his mother playfully scolded.
"Just a bit of work."
"Why are you busier as a director than before?"
"It's good for him to be busy."
"You dare say that!"
His mother glared at his father.
"Let's eat; Shi He is hungry."
"I'm not."
Shi He blushed, speaking softly.
"What's there to fear? It's all He Kui's fault. If he's late again, don't let him in the room."
Hearing his mother's words, He Kui's lips twitched, but Shi He burst into laughter.
"Alright, these are from the garden outside. Try them."
"Grown?"
He Kui looked at the lettuce, his face stiffening in surprise.
He knew his parents spent time in the garden but didn't expect them to grow vegetables.
"Yes, we used to grow them at Julius 7. Heard that the technology in Districts 80 and 90 has improved, but it's resource-intensive."
Discussing gardening, his mother spoke passionately.
"With the cost of nutrients, it's about the same as buying vegetables."
His father lamented, looking at his mother.
Their nutrients weren't subsidized like in Districts 80 and 90, where they were tax-free, making home-grown produce more expensive.
"Home-grown is healthier! Even Chairman Klein can't get this."
"But if one day He Kui can develop better crops, that would be great."
His mother sighed, looking at the lettuce.
He knew what that sigh meant.
ZAFT's aggressive strategy was due to food shortages. Without uniting against the Alliance, the lack of a common enemy would have led PLANT to surrender long ago.
If food issues were resolved,
there could be two outcomes: the Alliance might go all out, or they'd acknowledge their equality and start negotiations.
"I'll do my best."
He Kui replied. He had considered it, but more defense was needed to prevent the Alliance from going all out.
Focusing solely on agriculture without defense wasn't viable.
Otherwise, another Julius incident could happen, and who knows if it would fall on them.
"Why so serious after dinner?"
In their room, Shi He pinched He Kui's cheek.
"I'm leaving on the 24th."
"Where? Boaz?"
"Yeah, the nuclear reactor isn't finished."
"Isn't that the Lunar New Year? Mom will complain again."
"Can't be helped."
He Kui didn't know why they chose to depart around Lunar New Year—perhaps for good luck?
"Then I'm going too."
"Alright."
Shi He wasn't an outsider, and having another person would be helpful.
Thinking this, He Kui nodded.
As a "whoosh-bang" exploded outside, they looked out the window.
From the director's district, He Kui's window had a perfect view of colorful fireworks blooming nearby.
Deep blue and vibrant red intertwined, dreamlike.
Success or failure would be decided next year.
Over the next half month, He Kui used the excuse of feeling guilty for freeloading to send gifts to Lacus, reaching the mid-upper B-level before returning to Boaz.
"Director He, happy New Year! Why are you here again?"
Boaz's staff greeted warmly.
Previously, his attitude was somewhat nurturing towards He Kui.
Now, he treated He Kui as an equal.
Though in terms of rank, He Kui was still one level below.
"Haven't you gone home?"
"We're rotating. I already took my leave."
"Director He, checking the radar again?"
"It's almost online."
"Waiting for Gibraltar's radar tuning. How's the earth battle?"
He Kui asked.
"The offensive intensified, but they're targeting spaceports."
"Thanks for your hard work."
He Kui consoled the frustrated staff.
As the rear of the battlefield, Boaz mainly defended against attacks from the Moon's Ptolemy base.
With both sides focused on Earth, the Alliance couldn't spare time for lunar offensives.
He Kui wasn't surprised; Erin and the district chief had told him similar things.
With insider information, his company continuously mined, accumulating capital.
"Any activity in other sectors?"
"Other sectors? Not really, but the Cruzer team left, on some secret mission."
"Secret mission, huh."
"Elites are great, and Director He is one of them."
"Thanks. With you here, I felt safe coming."
After mutual compliments, He Kui and Shi He headed to their usual room.
"I'll handle the nuclear reactor. I'm going to the radar station."
"Okay."
Though puzzled by He Kui's use of the radar station, Shi He trusted him and didn't question further.
"Let me know when you're done."
"Okay."
The next day arrived, the 25th.
Sitting at the radar console, He Kui felt the frustration of lacking intelligence sources.
The Cruzer team wouldn't tell him; they'd report to the National Defense Committee, then the Supreme Council.
He Kui could only monitor Erin and the Junk Guild website for updates.
By afternoon, the Junk Guild website finally posted a blurry image of Heliopolis.
[Big news! From the Junk Guild's spaceport telescope, Heliopolis seems destroyed! Apparently by ZAFT's high-energy pulse cannon!]
Compared to its
former grandeur, Heliopolis was now a space ruin.
Whether the destruction was by his high-energy pulse cannon or Strike's, he wasn't sure.
Regardless, he had only one task!
Orb's core technology, here it comes!
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