"System self-check successful, basic performance test successful," He Kui announced while monitoring the data on the screen in front of him.
"The first phase of the experiment is a success."
With He Kui's declaration, everyone present relaxed, smiles spreading across their faces.
Next was the dynamic performance test of the Dragoons, where the system would be used to target moving objects in space. However, this test would require a few more days of adjustments.
"Do you need an additional Dragoon system?" Erin furrowed her brows at He Kui's suggestion.
"Yes, even though the first phase of testing was successful, the data and structure indicate several areas for improvement."
Was there a problem? Not really. He Kui's theory was sound, but he had deliberately introduced some deviations. It wouldn't cause significant delays.
The improved Dragoon's performance and mobility would increase by about 10%. For PLANT, this was a minor concern.
However, for He Kui, who wanted to keep a set of Dragoons for personal research, it was important.
He had helped PLANT avoid many missteps and saved a lot of money. Asking for a set worth billions wasn't unreasonable, was it?
Besides, it wasn't like he wasn't going to return it—he just wanted to borrow it temporarily for research.
"I understand."
This was still within He Kui and Sulei's domain, so Erin nodded. Requesting an extra set, even with some personal intentions, wasn't overstepping.
"Thank you~"
"Alright, the two Mirage Colloid Field Generator Shields you made are almost ready, too. This will proceed simultaneously."
"Time is tight lately, so give it your all."
"Got it."
Suppressing the smile threatening to break out, He Kui nodded politely to Erin.
Inside, however, he was even more excited.
After all, it was the Dragoons. Even though they currently lacked a power source, who knew what the future might hold?
Combined with the future Mirage Colloid Field...
"What's got you grinning like that?"
As soon as Sulei entered He Kui's office, she noticed his mischievous grin.
"Nothing, just looking at the Dragoon data."
Hearing this, Sulei's eyes lit up.
"Let me see!"
Excitedly approaching He Kui, Sulei tripped over the heavy desk and fell towards him.
"Are you a kid or something?"
Catching her in his arms, He Kui teased.
"I'm not a kid!"
Sulei looked up at him from his embrace.
"My foot hurts! It's your desk's fault!"
"My desk's the problem, huh."
He Kui's amused expression only irritated Sulei further, her small nose wrinkling adorably.
"Sit down, let me take a look."
He Kui placed Sulei on his chair and knelt down to remove her shoe.
Perhaps due to genetic modifications, her feet, despite being in shoes all day, were not smelly but carried a faint, girlish fragrance.
Her toes, wrapped in black velvet socks, tensed and curled, the outline visible through the not-so-thin fabric. The light pink nail polish contrasted delicately against the black.
Just as He Kui was about to continue, the door suddenly opened, startling Sulei, who reflexively kicked He Kui in the face.
It felt like a soft cloud, not painful, but He Kui thought it best not to go out like that.
"Director Su?"
Hawk, who had rushed in, saw Sulei sitting in He Kui's seat, but He Kui was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Director He?"
Hawk asked curiously.
"He went out for something."
Sulei said, pausing unnaturally as if shocked. Her eyes flashed a warning at He Kui, who, under the desk, was teasing her foot.
But He Kui was quite enjoying himself.
The softness of her sole was like untouched snow, pure and sensitive. Every light stroke of his nail sent ripples through it.
Causing her delicate toes to curl up tightly and adorably.
"Is that so? Do you know where he went?"
"Not really..."
"Alright, I'll come back later."
Clearly in a hurry, Hawk didn't notice Sulei's increasingly flushed face and left the room.
"Enough already!"
Sulei pressed her foot against He Kui's shoulder, embarrassed.
"Okay."
He Kui said, moving her foot aside, and gracefully stood up, dusting off his clothes.
"Your foot seems fine. I'll go find Hawk. Call me if you need anything."
Hawk probably had something urgent.
Though he wanted to tease Sulei more, it was better to find Hawk quickly.
"Got it, now go!"
Sulei glared at He Kui, picking up the sock he'd removed and throwing it at him as he left.
The good mood from chatting with Sulei was quickly disrupted in the beam department head's office.
"What's the issue with our purchased asteroid?"
He Kui frowned at Hawk, who looked equally serious.
"The rock wall is too fragile. Forcing excavation might cause the asteroid to collapse."
"We can't drill it."
Hawk showed more images of the asteroid, results from their company's exploration.
"Good thing you had us check it out in advance."
Instead of feeling relieved, He Kui felt more resigned.
Asteroids with differing internal and external rock structures weren't uncommon, but they had been unlucky.
"The development company said they could refund half of our deposit."
For such a rare event, refunding half was generous.
Some asteroids, if containing sulfides or cyanides, might react chemically or change phase under solar radiation or impact, altering their rock structure.
With so many substances in the universe, some oddities were bound to occur.
They had signed contracts for such possibilities.
"No rush, let's take a look first."
Losing three million wasn't acceptable.
His Aegis hadn't returned yet, and he was already losing most of another Aegis.
He couldn't accept it, but maybe he could restore the rock's internal structure.
Since it happened, the best-cost solution had to be found.
With that in mind, He Kui informed Erin and quickly left the design bureau with Hawk, disguised.
They soon arrived at one of the asteroids in the outer region of November City.
With the size of a football field, it appeared quite large.
Dressed in spacesuits, He Kui, Hawk, and Hawke ascended the unimpressive, pockmarked asteroid.
Possessing space adaptability, despite rarely being in zero gravity, He Kui felt surprisingly at ease.
"Did the mineral radar detect anything?"
"No, only structural changes."
The tablet in He Kui's hand lit up, synchronizing the asteroid's structure.
The center remained obscured by mist.
"It could be rare metals or useless materials."
Hawk pondered.
"Such extensive corrosion hasn't occurred with rare metals before, so it might be useless."
Those materials, besides corroding rock, had low hardness and little value.
"Let's check the altered area."
"Hawk, Hawke, stay here."
After instructing them, He Kui used his thrusters to reach the altered rock area.
"It should be sixty meters below."
Right at the asteroid's center.
But since it wasn't fully purchased, no drilling was allowed, only exploration.
A more powerful detector was needed.
Combining quantum communication with mineral radar could extend its range.
First, he needed to ask Sulei.
With a preliminary decision made, He Kui returned to where the others were.
"Did the Resource Management Bureau say how long we have to decide?"
"A week."
"That's good."
Relieved, He Kui thought it should be enough time to modify the radar. Otherwise, he'd have to gamble on a big rock.
Who knew what was inside? But as Hawk said, experience showed it was likely useless metal.
Gambling wasn't wise.
Preparation was key.
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