"Has her skill improved?"
The Defense Minister was sitting alongside the President, both intently watching the footage of He Kui's recent battle, particularly his intense clash with Forbidden Blue.
"The way she fought—an average elite couldn't pull that off," he commented, noting He Kui's final charge with a sense of admiration and surprise.
It wasn't common for mercenaries to fight with such intensity. Most were simply there for the paycheck, not willing to risk their lives. But He Kui wasn't just any mercenary; he was associated with "Pallas," a mysterious organization they believed to be world-class, at the very least.
"Perhaps my hunch was right," the President said thoughtfully. "She might be a clone, imbued with some kind of obedience gene."
"A clone?" The Defense Minister swallowed hard, imagining the implications. Ethically fraught as it might be, if they could produce even a few dozen clones of such caliber, they could secure the entire United South American Nations with ease.
"So, should we try to keep her here?" the Minister asked pointedly.
"No. From the data we've gathered, creating clones of her caliber must be an incredibly complex process. If it were easy, this organization would already be unstoppable," the President replied, his hypothesis surprisingly accurate.
The conversation continued as He Kui worked in the hangar, sorting out usable parts from the two Downburst units he'd secured. With the central controls punctured, he'd have to replace critical components himself, but the frame compatibility with the X100 series made repairs straightforward.
As he finished preparing the salvaged parts, a familiar figure walked into the hangar. Against the blinding sunlight, the outline gradually became clearer.
"Bernadette Le Lou, the PLANT reporter… What brings you here?" He Kui asked, approaching her.
He knew Bernadette Le Lou—a prominent PLANT journalist and news anchor who, in the original timeline, knew enough secrets to be targeted by Durandal himself. Given his own achievements and constant presence in major events, he'd crossed paths with her multiple times.
"A, you recognize me?" Le Lou asked, her unique "crab" hairstyle and tousled appearance making her easily identifiable.
"Of course. Who wouldn't know the famous Ms. Le Lou?" He Kui responded with a polite nod.
Le Lou chuckled lightly, covering her mouth. "You're quite the smooth talker, A. I'll get to the point. I'm here to produce a feature on the United South American Nations and show the people back home the hardships they're facing."
It was no surprise that PLANT was planning a documentary to showcase its alliance with the USAN. The narrative could frame the Atlantic Federation as weak and incompetent, even while enhancing PLANT's image as a benevolent supporter of an oppressed nation. This could boost morale, make the Atlantic Federation look foolish, and encourage further aid to the USAN.
"And why do you need me, Ms. Le Lou?" He Kui inquired.
"Pallas," she replied directly. "I'd like to interview your group."
He Kui's eyes narrowed slightly. He wasn't surprised that Le Lou had heard of "Pallas." Her position as a senior journalist afforded her access to many confidential channels.
"Even if I give the interview, it's unlikely it'll air anytime soon, right?" he replied.
"It'll find its moment," she said confidently.
"Fine. But I can only spare an hour—I need to rest," He Kui replied, conceding to her request. Establishing the image of "Pallas" as an elite organization could be beneficial. He Kui's strategy had already paid off, especially with the President, who was now fully convinced of Pallas' grandeur.
With his rest delayed, He Kui sighed inwardly. There was still progress to report on the nanobot project, and even an iron man would feel the strain at this rate.
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