The next day, He Kui wasted no time and returned to November City. After arriving via the central elevator, he headed to the office his company rented in the industrial park of District 6. Since it was a workday, most people were working in the asteroid concentration area outside of November City, leaving only Hawk and a few of his liaison officers to handle any potential emergencies.
"Director He, what brings you here?" Hawk was startled to see He Kui, then quickly put down his headset and greeted him warmly.
"Just checking in."
"Everything okay?"
Though it wasn't his first visit, He Kui nodded in satisfaction at how busier the office had become. With some free time lately, he was finally able to come by.
"No issues! Things are improving, and the asteroid handover is almost complete, all thanks to you, Director He."
He Kui's recent success in PLANT had brought considerable attention, and, consequently, his business ventures were thriving.
"Hawk, just call me He Kui."
Facing Hawk, He Kui felt a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry about the trouble with the freighter earlier."
"No, I should apologize. I heard about your friend..."
Hawk said apologetically.
"It's alright. It was her choice."
After catching up on the recent work situation, He Kui drove to a park near the plant area in November City.
There, Luna sat on a vine-covered swing bench, looking a bit bored. Her white, tight legs peeked out from denim shorts, and her chest was beautifully outlined beneath her shirt.
"Sorry, have you been waiting long?"
Approaching the girl in a pink skirt and white blouse, He Kui asked softly.
"Not at all. Did you just come from my dad?"
Luna asked shyly.
"Yes, but is it okay to hide this from him?"
"It's fine. I told him I'd be back in the afternoon~"
"But I'm not sure what kind of gift Mr. Hawk would like."
Their conversation was ambiguous, but in reality, the girl was just seeking He Kui's help in choosing a birthday gift for her father.
"No worries, He Kui's opinion is very valuable!"
In truth, it didn't have to be He Kui, but Luna wanted an opportunity to chat more with him.
She hadn't expected He Kui to agree, given how busy he was, as she had heard rumors in military school.
Yet, seeing He Kui standing in front of her, knowing she was sneaking out without her father's knowledge, Luna's cheeks flushed as red as her hair. The thrill of it all made her heart tingle in a strangely exciting way.
"Just call me He Kui."
He Kui said, leading her to his car.
"Let's head to the shopping area first."
After spending a day with Luna, on the way back, He Kui was satisfied to realize his abilities had unknowingly increased by nearly a hundred meters in range, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Soon after, as Gates completed all tests and went into mass production, progress on their new mobile suit became more apparent.
Modeled entirely after the Strike's role, the new Gundam, though still gray, turned into a perfect blue and white color scheme upon activating the PS armor, resembling an authentic Gundam.
This suit shared its frame with Gates, with many of its armaments evolving from Gates, such as the beam talons on the hips that turned into XM1 Shark Beam Drill Beams, a genuine Dragoon System.
However, as it was their first iteration, it still retained cable connections for testing purposes to prevent it from flying off or getting lost.
Like the hip-mounted Dragoons, the Warrior Gundam's back housed a red Dragoon backpack with four large beam cannon pods, totaling thirty-six beam cannons.
Equally innovative was the new 360-degree panoramic cockpit, replacing the traditional single-screen display with a spherical 360-degree view, enabling the pilot to detect distant threats more swiftly.
"Director He, you've come. Since we last met, your career has skyrocketed."
Professor Ivan, responsible for anti-neutron jammer research and also director of the Clark Design Bureau, warmly shook He Kui's hand.
Though they'd only met once at the last five design bureaus meeting, barely acquaintances, it didn't affect the director's glowing smile.
With the Helan Design Bureau's current power, He Kui as deputy director was nearly equivalent to a director of other bureaus.
"Director Ivan, long time no see."
He Kui didn't have much impression of Ivan but saw that he wanted to establish a connection.
He Kui didn't shy away from his good intentions.
"Director Ivan, thank you for your hard work. How's the anti-neutron jammer?"
"Very well. Look, it's already here."
Ivan pointed to the Warrior Gundam's head.
"Isn't mounting the anti-neutron jammer in the head a bit risky?"
He Kui was surprised, looking at the Warrior Gundam's two-eyed head.
He was responsible only for the Warrior Gundam's equipment, like the Dragoons and beam shield.
Regarding the anti-neutron jammer, whether due to confidentiality or because they thought he didn't need to know, He Kui hadn't even seen the design, let alone the installation.
But this design flaw was obvious.
If the head gets hit on the battlefield, losing the anti-neutron jammer means the Warrior is immediately out of action.
Even Kira's Freedom got its head blown off. Despite facing the likes of the Three Aces or Cruzer, placing the anti-neutron jammer in such an obvious and fragile spot seemed excessively risky.
"No worries, it's just for the test unit. Mr. Amalfi said once the new technology is verified, it'll be removed."
Ivan said lightly.
"Remove it?"
He Kui's eyes widened slightly at Ivan's revelation.
After all, it's one of the Gundams, ZAFT's first. Dismantling it seemed a bit wasteful.
If it were to be dismantled, could he take it?
Perhaps he could use the excuse of continuing to test and improve the Dragoons.
But with the test unfinished, He Kui temporarily shelved the idea.
Moreover, acquiring the anti-neutron jammer might require persuading the Defense Committee. Without achievements, they wouldn't heed his proposal.
As they chatted, directors, including Erin, gradually gathered.
Meanwhile, a familiar platinum-haired young man appeared in the transparent-glass-covered test field ahead.
It was Courtney Hieronymus.
"He has excellent spatial awareness."
Ivan commented, standing beside He Kui.
"He is the Warrior."
As the Gundam's name symbolized the brave protector of PLANT, among researchers, it became a joke that the brave soul piloting the nuclear-powered machine was the true warrior.
Having the anti-neutron jammer in the head and the nuclear engine close to the cockpit was still too dangerous.
Though He Kui had personally handled the nuclear engine, ensuring no leaks under normal circumstances, testing a new suit was anything but normal.
And to test the panoramic cockpit, remote control wasn't an option.
Considering this, He Kui quickly took his place at the data
monitoring station.
Given the new suit and new control system, researchers needed to constantly adjust settings online.
The workload was enormous.
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