The next morning, in the radar room, Erin's communication came through early.
"Director He, how is the nuclear reactor research going recently?"
"It's going smoothly."
"That's good to hear."
Erin sighed in relief at He Kui's words, though her brow remained furrowed.
"Is something wrong?"
"As you predicted, Heliopolis had five mobile suits and a new type of ship."
"What about our people?"
"Cruzer's team captured four of them, but one mobile suit and the new ship got away."
Erin said, displaying photos of the five machines and the ship on He Kui's screen—indeed, the five Gundams and the unsinkable Archangel.
"The MS made by Orb is much stronger than our current GINN, especially the Archangel, which already has a positron cannon. Without your previous weapons, we might not have been able to compete."
What could be said? Thankfully, Cruzer's team captured them, giving them time to act before mass production started.
Fortunately, He Kui had already upgraded their armaments.
"It's not too late."
"Yes, the National Defense Committee plans to integrate our five design bureaus to develop the latest mobile suits as quickly as possible."
"Akteon Company will be competing with us, and the proposal will likely be presented at the next Supreme Council meeting, with swift approval expected."
Hearing this, He Kui had some other thoughts. The current number of GINNs was too high, making a complete renewal impossible within a few years.
Perhaps soon GINNs would be sold cheaply.
Not many could buy them, maybe mercenaries, junk dealers, or pro-PLANT countries.
He wanted to see if he could get one later.
But for now, more pressing matters needed attention. He Kui thought and continued to ask.
"Is it a true merger, or..."
"Everyone is nominally under the National Defense Committee now, but positions remain unchanged."
"Understood."
This was expected; otherwise, five design bureaus meant five vice directors and five directors.
No one would be entirely convinced of who to listen to.
"And our Hailan Design Bureau is leading, so there's no need to worry, though the pressure will be much greater."
Erin focused on frameworks, and He Kui on weapons.
If they were surpassed by other bureaus, their positions might not be secure.
The director's position was stable before, but now with the National Defense Committee shaken, they might use the director as a scapegoat.
Moreover, there's a ready excuse.
Even if removed, ZAFT would likely offer compensation, allowing them to regain the position once capable.
Being removed wouldn't be too disgraceful, just a setback in their career.
"So, finish up there and return. Provide us with a detailed experimental report on the reactor, as they might develop an anti-neutron interferometer."
Erin frowned, concerned.
"In a few days, Captain Cruzer and Councilor Zala's son should return with the data on the four machines. I'll send you some basic data now to see if you have any ideas on countering them."
"I understand."
After listening to Erin, He Kui furrowed his brow tightly.
The merger of the five design bureaus meant his comfortable life as second-in-command at Hailan Design Bureau was short-lived.
Suddenly, he had four superiors. Though they couldn't directly manage him, the pressure increased significantly.
"But I still have to wait for Lacus..."
Not dwelling on other Gundams, He Kui directly opened the Blitz.
Mirage Colloid, capable of concealment, defense, creating viruses, solidifying beams, and enhancing communication.
Truly a versatile particle.
Though Blitz was currently a bit useless, based on this technology...
"He Kui, why are you only looking at Blitz?"
Shi He, sitting beside He Kui, asked curiously.
"Which design do you think is better, Shi He?"
He Kui didn't answer, only asked back.
"Buster."
"Because of many cannons?"
"Is that wrong!"
Shi He glared playfully at He Kui.
"Not at all, I can add more cannons next time."
He Kui chuckled, ruffling Shi He's nose.
"I was just saying."
"But do we really need to use nuclear energy?"
Once the technology is used, it's only a matter of time before it's stolen.
Just like what they're doing to Orb now, there's no impenetrable wall.
"In a situation with huge disparities in population and production capacity, unless we can extend the elite's sortie time, we'll likely be worn out."
He Kui sighed. Previously, the Alliance only had MAs, so the National Defense Committee was calm.
Now, there are MS, and Gundams with much better performance than their regular MS.
How could they sit still?
ZAFT was forced to focus on elite strategies, forming a force with one person.
"We will definitely win!"
Sensing He Kui's unease, Shi He seriously held his hand, her bright eyes fixed on him.
"Yes, of course, we'll win."
They smiled at each other, a sense of mutual understanding and warmth flowing between them.
[Shi He Hanif's favorability: 160]
[Experience bonus: 8]
[Micro-component processing A-level: (82340/100000)]
[Unlocked Academic: Mirage Colloid Field (0/10000)]
Seeing the Mirage Colloid Field, even though he had anticipated it after the theory, He Kui couldn't help but feel excited.
A Mirage Colloid Field could bend beams, combined with PS armor and a nuclear reactor...
Together, he could create four PS armor and Mirage Colloid Field shields around the new machine, boosting defense to a terrifying level.
Though it couldn't block a positron cannon, avoiding it was possible as it was too cumbersome.
But they couldn't be blindly optimistic; technology progressed continuously, and Mirage Colloid dissipated naturally, limiting its endurance.
Meanwhile, near Artemis' Umbrella, on a Laurasia-class, the crew stared at the tactical screen's fortress, in a bind.
"Didn't expect their light shield system could be used offensively. Wasn't it said the Eurasian Federation lacked this technology?"
Yzak recalled the recent danger, displeased.
"Did our technology leak?"
Nicol looked serious.
"Perhaps they developed it in response to our advancements."
"The Eurasian Federation originally invented the light shield, so it's not surprising."
The black-clad captain said helplessly.
"What now? I heard He Kui is at Boaz. Should we consult the expert?"
Dearka joked with a smirk.
"I remember He Kui's light shield system had exposed generators, right?"
Ignoring Dearka, Nicol analyzed the strategy map, asking.
"Yes."
"Then using Blitz Gundam's stealth might break it."
Unlike the other three rookies' bewildered excitement,
the captain frowned, sighing internally.
If their light shield, identical to Boaz's, could be broken,
then Boaz was no longer safe.
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