After two days of meetings, He Kui finalized the DSSD's follow-up research plans, and Selene and her team prepared to return to L4. Naturally, He Kui was going to see them off.
"Thank you this time," Selene said.
Over the two days, once the Supreme Council approved their research on photon propulsion, Selene finally felt at ease. Her usually bright face now showed signs of fatigue.
"How long will this research take?" He Kui asked in the car.
"If it's the propulsion system, we've just started. It'll take at least two to three years. The learning AI might take even longer. Although we have the basics, it's cutting-edge research."
"I see."
He Kui had anticipated this, nodding without further questions.
"By the way, you're not far from Mendel at L4, right?"
"Mendel?"
"Yes."
"Depending on speed, it's a few hours to half a day. But there's nothing there, it's been abandoned for a long time, and we don't know if the decontamination has been completed."
"Do you ever go there?"
Instead of responding directly, He Kui asked another question.
"No, are you planning to go?"
Selene crossed her legs, exuding the charm of a mature woman.
"Next month, if all goes well, I'll be over to check your progress," He Kui said with a gentle smile without elaborating.
"Alright, I'll have a shuttle ready."
Selene rolled her eyes at He Kui's vague response.
"Thanks."
"No problem, you've helped us a lot too."
As they talked, the maglev car gradually stopped at the central elevator. He Kui courteously got out and opened the car door for Selene.
"See you in a month, sister?"
Hearing He Kui call her that, Selene's lips curved in a pleased smile.
"Then I'll welcome Director He with open arms."
[Selene McGriff's favorability: 60]
After seeing off Selene, life in PLANT returned to a busy normalcy, even busier than on Earth. But there was one piece of good news: they had finally found an asteroid.
Although not fully paid for, they had put down a six million deposit.
In the interstellar development bureau of November City, He Kui was satisfied looking at the asteroid's structural data. The asteroid had little mineral content, low mining value, and thin walls, making it unsuitable as a military fortress or port.
It was perfect for He Kui's secret base.
Although the walls might not withstand a few beam cannons or high-energy pulse cannons, it wasn't meant to be a military fortress. If this asteroid had to face the battlefield, PLANT would be in dire straits.
He could also relocate his parents there temporarily; it would be safer than staying in PLANT until the ceasefire.
"Congratulations, Director He."
The head of the resource management department of the interstellar development bureau warmly extended his hands to He Kui.
For them, the deal with He Kui was quite profitable. Their main business was asteroid resource extraction, so transactions like this were rare.
Privately, they earned quite a bit.
"Thank you."
He Kui shook hands with the official, confirmed the details, and left the office at the port.
Just as he readjusted his disguise and reached the central elevator, a pink figure approached slowly.
"Director He, long time no see, what a coincidence~"
Hearing Lacus's sweet, almost sing-song voice, He Kui looked at the elevator behind the girl.
It seemed like she was waiting to ambush him.
"Quite the coincidence. Does Miss Lacus have something to discuss?"
He Kui forced a smile, feeling a little uneasy.
"Can't I just come to see Director He?"
Lacus's words seemed to sting, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterflies, giving a pitiful appearance.
"Of course not."
He Kui forced a smile and replied.
"Good~ Shall we talk outside?"
Lacus gestured towards the VIP lounge at the port, moving with the grace of a princess.
He Kui didn't refuse.
Inside the VIP room, it was just the two of them, with two guards stationed at the door.
"It's just necessary security."
"Please, have a seat, Director He."
Lacus explained with a soft smile, as if she owned the room.
"Alright."
"Congratulations on buying the asteroid, Director He."
"I just paid the deposit."
Ignoring He Kui's modesty, Lacus shrugged her shoulders and continued.
"That new ship has yet to be shot down."
"The Archangel?"
"Yes, I've seen it. Their strength is beyond imagination."
Lacus spoke softly.
"But if they return to Alaska, based on the Atlantic Federation's usual methods, they might be left to fend for themselves once their value is exhausted."
The data on the Archangel and the Gundams had likely been sent to the Atlantic Federation by Orb.
Having a Coordinator pilot on the Archangel was detrimental to their propaganda.
For Lacus, who had studied the Atlantic Federation extensively, this outcome was predictable.
"You want to save them?"
He Kui asked with a grim expression.
"Director He, I can't save them."
Lacus blinked, her suspicions of He Kui lessening slightly. If He Kui had easily agreed to her suggestion of rescue, she'd have been more suspicious.
He Kui, too, felt relieved. Despite their long cooperation, Lacus was still testing him.
However, Patrick, under the influence of love, wasn't radical enough to want to destroy the world, and since Athrun's mother's incident, she had returned home to continue her research.
Her security was tighter than He Kui's, so he didn't believe Blue Cosmos could assassinate her again.
The Clyne Faction seemed more focused on solving the issue politically.
And the most crucial part of that was forming alliances, both current and future.
"Once your asteroid is settled, our power generation equipment will be ready."
"Thank you, Miss Lacus."
He Kui slightly bowed.
"You're welcome. If you have any research needs, just let us know."
"Alright, and take these."
He Kui handed his two owls to Lacus.
Though Lacus's favorability remained middling, progress was still necessary.
His current abilities were comparable to Dearka's, or maybe he could match Yzak. But facing a more complex battlefield and those formidable three, his strength was still lacking.
He wouldn't charge into battle, but just in case.
Only he could truly protect himself.
"More owls? Director He seems to have no new creations lately. Even when researching new mobile suits, remember to rest."
"If there's any difficulty, let me know~"
Teasing He Kui, Lacus stood up gracefully and left.
He Kui sighed, unsure if she was a fairy or a siren. Just as he was about to leave, his wristband vibrated, stopping him.
"He Kui, where are you?"
Erin's voice was slightly hurried.
"November City, what's up?"
"Actaeon is entering the bid for our next-generation mobile suits."
"What?!"
Actaeon was a private military company. They had collaborated before, and the GINN had competed with them, but relations soured after the VV incident.
"Yes, although they lack MS manufacturing experience, we can't be complacent. The other design bureaus, spurred by this, have also presented their plans. Our new mass production model needs to accelerate, so hurry back."
"Understood."
If Helan Design Bureau lost the bid, it would be embarrassing. More importantly, future fun
ding would be harder to secure.
Lacus's parting words echoed in He Kui's mind. Perhaps she knew this beforehand.
However, their current research was smooth, so they shouldn't need Lacus's help.
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