Lacus was attacked and saved by a passing cargo ship, but soon encountered the Alliance's new ship. Thanks to the new Haro provided by He Kui, she escaped danger and gained an unknown ZAFT hero who sacrificed themselves to protect her. These events caused an uproar at the council meeting.
While some were celebrating, others were worried. The proposal by the Zala faction to strengthen Earth's military power to suppress all Alliance spaceports could no longer be opposed by Klein.
As the Supreme Council's bigwigs were still in session, He Kui, having confirmed Lacus's safety through the Haro on the cargo ship, returned to Hailan Design Bureau from Boaz. Sitting before him and Erin was Kuradis, the former director and current district chief of District 1.
"With intensified operations, we need to boost production. He Kui has caught a good wave."
He Kui's small businesses operated under his name, a well-known fact.
"Thank you."
He Kui smiled modestly.
Though the future seemed tougher, more money meant more room for maneuver.
"Erin, I've reviewed your framework design proposal."
"Overall, the strength is indeed improved compared to previous designs, incorporating parts of Duel's framework, right?"
"Yes, the composite sword and shield with beam rifle are still adequate. By increasing the new machine's power, we can match the performance of those units."
"Director He, any thoughts?"
Kuradis turned to the silent young man.
"Erin's analysis is correct, but such powerful thrust increases operational difficulty, and high-performance technology can cause production inefficiencies."
While these machines appear formidable, blindly pursuing performance on par with the G series could lead to pitfalls.
They were discussing mass-produced units, not technology demonstrators.
"Though the G Project machines have more resources than us, they are undoubtedly harder to operate. For green coats, slightly reduced performance shouldn't be a major issue."
Kuradis nodded at He Kui's remarks.
Weapons are for people to use, and mass production's main role is proliferation, like the GINN.
If ordinary soldiers can't operate them, mass production is meaningless.
And the hastily made MS likely don't have impressive performance.
"If this new machine is positioned as a command unit for the CGUE, we can modify it into a GINN-like unit."
Two proposals would be easier for the National Defense Committee to accept.
Judging by the captured Gs' operating systems, their MS's auxiliary controls aren't learning AI, theoretically allowing Naturals to pilot, but the system is immature.
Even if completed, operations might be rigidly patterned.
Maintaining mass production advantages might offset inferior Gundam performance.
"It can be done."
Erin agreed after some thought.
The three aimed to chart a path for Hailan Design Bureau's future.
In the unified design bureau, Hailan's leadership must not be lost.
Even if the future unified bureau had only one director, it still had to be one of them.
To achieve this, the new machine must be developed by them.
"Also, He Kui, your Mirage Colloid Field system is indeed impactful."
"But it's costly. Mars and Earth have more raw materials for the anti-neutron interferometer. We can't produce much through asteroid mining. I've asked, and you can oversee a technology demonstrator."
PS armor with Mirage Colloid Field concentration, plus a nuclear reactor and anti-neutron interferometer, along with trial and error, would cost billions for a new machine.
With technology still unexplored, mass production is uncertain.
"However, this machine must be piloted by elites, unlike your CGUE."
"I understand."
He Kui wasn't surprised. If built, it would be nearly invincible defensively, and ZAFT wouldn't let a regular Red Coat pilot it.
Unless he demonstrated value or equivalent strength in upcoming battles.
Of course, He Kui didn't want to charge into battle himself.
To obtain the machine, unconventional methods were needed.
For example, deliberately discarding materials during trial and error.
With system support, he hardly needed trial and error. Even if he failed once or twice, it wouldn't arouse suspicion.
But where to send discarded materials was a problem.
"District Chief Kuradis, are you familiar with prices for abandoned asteroids?"
"Abandoned asteroids? How large?"
Kuradis asked curiously at He Kui's inquiry.
"About the size of a football field. I plan to relocate the company, simplifying things."
"An abandoned asteroid that size isn't expensive, only about ten million. If bought in the company's name, there are corporate discounts and 50% tax reduction. But internal development is tricky, requiring around two hundred million to make it usable."
Maintaining asteroid power needs costly generators, plus internal facilities.
Even the lowest-grade solar power equipment can't handle complex tasks.
As for price, a football-field-sized asteroid couldn't accommodate a warship, so it was largely unwanted.
"Thank you."
He Kui had a rough idea.
"You're welcome. He Kui, return from Gibraltar soon; development must start early."
"I understand."
After their discussion, as He Kui stepped out of Hailan Design Bureau, he barely inhaled the fresh greenery before his wristband vibrated.
"Director He, can we meet?"
"Sure."
A bit puzzled, but He Kui had matters to discuss with Lacus, so he agreed quickly.
Lacus's car was parked in front of the design bureau.
Even a stretch limousine, probably worth millions.
"Director He, I'm sorry about your friend."
Upon entering, He Kui was met with Lacus's bright gaze.
After returning, Lacus investigated but found no information on the girl.
She had no identification, and even asking the captain only revealed she was He Kui's friend, hitching a ride.
Now, with the girl dead, they still didn't know her identity.
It was as if she appeared and vanished suddenly, which was odd.
But her tragic and determined death made further inquiry difficult.
"It's okay."
"Mm."
If she left after being rescued, they might not have encountered the new ship.
Though guilty, she had no regrets; she had her mission.
Her goals wouldn't waver easily.
Lacus sighed.
"But do you know if she has family? I'd like to speak with them."
"I don't know; we met by chance."
"I see, then never mind. You gave her this, right?"
Lacus held up a green Haro.
"Yes."
"Then I'll return it, and thank you for the locator."
"It's for Miss Lacus's safety."
"Is it? Why protect me?"
Lacus earnestly gazed at He Kui, scrutinizing his subtle expressions.
"PLANT and the world need Miss Lacus."
He Kui wasn't lying; Lacus would lead the Klein faction.
If she died, the Zala faction would be unchecked.
"Director He, you're quite the speaker."
"Do you really think I can?"
What she meant was clear.
"Miss Lacus is capable."
"Then why not join us?"
Lacus leaned closer, their eyes meeting. He Kui could faintly smell the peach blossom-like fragrance in her pink hair.
"I haven't found my path."
He Kui responded cryptically.
"Really? I'll prove to Director He that our path is true, ending this war."
And make him join them.
Previously, even after He Kui became director, Lacus only sought to win him over.
Now, something was budding in the girl's heart.
"Miss Lacus, do you know about abandoned asteroids?"
He Kui didn't answer, awkwardly changing the topic.
"I do. Want to buy one? How big?"
"About a football field size."
Lacus should know better than him.
Her asteroid was likely a convenient acquisition.
But the interior was surely Klein faction work.
"That's not hard. If you need power equipment, I can help. Consider it a favor."
"As for excavation and furnishing, I won't compete with Director He."
Hearing Lacus's offer, He Kui smiled.
So he just needed to buy an asteroid, then excavate it.
Of course, various systems needed installation.
But with time, he could manage.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!