As soon as He Kui connected with the Haro at DSSD, a flood of information appeared on his computer screen. Some of it pertained to the photon propulsion system, while another part was related to autonomous learning AI.
However, progress on both fronts was slow and currently held no strategic value.
Looking at the screen, He Kui saw Serena at work, her intelligent demeanor complemented by her slightly curled hair draping over one shoulder.
It seemed she was unaware that He Kui had briefly taken control of the Haro in front of her.
But just as he finished observing, their communicator suddenly rang.
"Serena, it seems there's an unknown signal on your end. Is everything alright?" The voice on the other end sounded a bit tense.
Considering DSSD's cutting-edge technology, He Kui wasn't surprised his signal was detected.
Serena, too, showed no signs of surprise. She glanced at He Kui's Haro, then continued speaking.
"It's nothing, just a friend contacting me."
"Alright then."
After hanging up, Serena walked over to He Kui's Haro.
"Is this a live call?"
He Kui remained silent.
"I was considering dismantling your Haro for research, but you've made it quite secure."
Serena rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner, one of the most charming eye-rolls He Kui had ever seen.
Her teasing tone held a hint of ambiguity, stirring something within He Kui before he quickly refocused.
Through the computer connected to the Haro, a set of data and text soon appeared.
[Progress is slow, keep it up.]
[Attached is an intelligent support interconnection system, which might be useful for you.]
"It really can't communicate?"
Serena mused as she looked at the intelligent system before her.
"Never mind, thanks, little brother."
She didn't leave empty-handed after all.
Her spoken words differed slightly from what appeared in text.
"Director He, your system received it, thank you."
He Kui resisted the urge to retort, simply closing the radar without replying.
No more trips to Boaz were needed.
After erasing the remaining traces and saying a few awkward goodbyes to the staff, He Kui headed to November City.
Seeing Lacus in her bulky spacesuit in front of him wasn't surprising, but the pink Haro following her made He Kui uneasy.
"Uh..."
"What's wrong~?"
"Actually, Miss Lacus, you could monitor the console from the cabin."
Currently, there was only a team sent by Lacus for surveying and drilling on the asteroid, along with the two of them.
As for the issue of not being able to drill without purchase? Lacus, with her considerable resources, had directly paid for the asteroid in full for him.
According to the agreement, if there were indeed metals inside, she would cover all construction costs for the asteroid as well.
As the staff began drilling ahead, He Kui and Lacus started chatting behind them.
"The Warrior Gundam is completed by now, right?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Lacus continued gazing at the hourglass-shaped colony satellites ahead, seeming lost in thought.
"Director He, you were the one who issued the warning for June City's District 7, weren't you?"
".What?"
He Kui looked at Lacus, confused.
"There's no one else. After over a year of investigation, our friends still can't find anything, but they could confirm this."
Lacus cradled the Haro in her hands.
The bright red face and clear eyes seemed to see right through him.
"This Haro was made a long time ago. Perhaps someone bought it? What does Miss Lacus mean?"
He Kui feigned innocence.
"Humph, the message is still inside!"
Lacus's little nose wrinkled, her serious demeanor making He Kui tense.
When Lacus got serious, her angelic appearance exuded an undeniable authority.
"What message?"
"On the day the gifts were delivered, our surveillance captured Director He."
"It was just a coincidence. How would I know about the attack on June City?"
"Right, how would you know? If you didn't know, why did you have your parents leave early?"
Lacus blinked, curiously questioning.
"And that was during a time of financial constraint."
Step by step, Lacus closed the distance until their helmets nearly touched.
He Kui had considered deleting the call records with his parents, but hacking into PLANT's communications bureau was nearly impossible.
"I'm sure Miss Lacus's investigations revealed that my father, being older, had back issues and retired early."
"As for my appearance at Miss Lacus's concert, it was purely coincidental. As a fan of Miss Lacus and the creator of Haro, my presence wasn't unusual."
There were suspicions, but no matter how it was viewed, He Kui had no access to such information.
Even if Lacus exposed Haro's existence, he might only face temporary investigation.
He wouldn't even be suspended.
"So, Director He wants to play dumb?"
"I don't think we need to harm each other. I have no ill intentions towards the Clyne faction, PLANT, or even humanity."
He simply wanted the war to end soon, to earn more money, and to live a good life.
The two stared silently at each other.
Only their communication channel remained quiet.
"If you won't admit it, then fine, coward."
Lacus stuck out her lilac tongue, making a face at He Kui.
"But thank you anyway."
Two hundred forty thousand lives, a year of time—if another organization had been involved, they'd have acted by now.
Lacus was nearly certain He Kui was the source of information; there was no one else.
Eliminating all impossibilities left only the truth.
[Lacus Clyne Favorability: 50]
[Experience Bonus: 2]
[MS Piloting Skill B-level: (7413/10000)]
[Spatial Awareness C-level: (768/1000)]
Seeing the virtual interface, He Kui's excitement was palpable, especially with the new skill appearing.
Even if space adaptability wasn't Newtype-like, the floating cannon technology differed significantly.
At least he couldn't create Newtype-use floating cannons yet.
The foundational tech trees were entirely different, making spatial awareness crucial.
"They've broken through! Miss Lacus!"
"It's definitely rare metal! Larger than anything we've seen before!"
Hearing the workers' voices, He Kui turned to Lacus.
Rare metal was known for its resilience against conventional weaponry, including physical and beam attacks.
In essence, a mech forged entirely from rare metal would be impenetrable without PS armor or a beam shield.
Currently, only weapons made from rare metal could breach its defense.
Even a direct hit from a positron cannon could be resisted for a while.
However, Genesis might still penetrate it.
"Our reserves aren't much~ just for emergencies."
Seeing through He Kui's thoughts, Lacus spoke gently.
"We are strong, but fragile, Director He."
"Numerous colony satellites, a few positron cannons, or pulse cannons could tear them apart."
"And you don't have children yet, do you?"
"Director He, we can strive to make the world better and safer."
Lacus sighed as she looked at the magnificent yet fragile colony satellites.
"I'll do my best to protect PLANT."
He Kui replied softly.
As Lacus said, his life was still a
t risk, and his financial reserves were limited. He needed more ways to ensure his survival.
He wasn't lying; protecting PLANT was also a means of protecting himself.
Mutual prosperity or mutual ruin.
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