Shihe was in charge of MS combat, Sulei handled data analysis and radar, Meyrin managed electronic warfare, and they had a fully equipped GAT-X with PS Armor, Aegis, and the Three Little Birds.
Finally, there was the all-rounder himself, He Kui. This was the strongest force he could muster in this world.
As long as they didn't encounter a full-scale battlefield, this strength was more than enough to ensure their survival. Even in combat, they were confident of turning the tables even if they ran into Elite Red Coats.
Of course, this was assuming the Mobile Suits were on par. The only downside this time was the lack of a good Mobile Suit, even though he had made significant progress in the development and testing of the mass-produced Z-Gundam.
But he couldn't just ship the test unit down there.
Even a fool would know who he was.
To be honest, the resources he could squeeze out of ZAFT were limited. Previously, it was a low-spec GAT-X, and this time it was a high-spec GAT-X with PS Armor.
Still, it was a significant improvement over before.
After thoroughly inspecting the Mobile Suit and Aegis, He Kui took a deep breath.
From the nuclear bomb ambush to South America and Orb, Creuset had screwed him over so many times. This time, he was determined to return the favor.
"Inspection complete, all systems normal," He Kui continued.
"Then let's rest for now. We're expected to arrive in Alaska in twelve hours, and we still have our own work to finish."
The two women in front of him, Sulei and Shihe, had both been promoted from deputy branch chiefs to branch chiefs, and they still had plenty of projects on their hands.
As the chief director, he was only in charge of managing people and didn't have the power to command the winds and rain. He couldn't just tell them not to work—the Defense Committee was still overseeing everything.
The three girls nodded in agreement. Just as He Kui was about to step forward to spend some quality time with them, his wristband suddenly vibrated.
With a wry smile, He Kui answered the call.
"Erin, what's up?"
"Sorry, am I interrupting?"
Erin's tone was a far cry from the stern and serious demeanor she had when they first met.
"Not at all."
"Good. Kuradis and I didn't get a chance to congratulate you earlier, so we thought we could have a meal together or something."
Erin laughed.
There was a hint of anticipation in her voice. After all, He Kui was now the nominal chief director of the Integrated Design Bureau and a council member of May City.
Both titles had left her and Kuradis far behind.
Fortunately, the three of them had always had a good relationship and had subtly formed their own faction.
Climbing onto He Kui's increasingly golden coattails was still easier than trying to cozy up to other directors.
"No problem, how about tonight?"
He Kui didn't hesitate and quickly replied.
It wasn't that he could do whatever he wanted just because he was the boss. To have absolute authority within the Design Bureau, he needed support, just like in politics.
Although he was a neutral, neutrality was the most ambiguous boundary. Others were neutral, and so was he, but that didn't necessarily mean they were on the same side.
Just like how Orb was neutral, and other countries were neutral, but without shared interests or common ideals, this neutrality was just a broad category with countless subcategories.
As for Erin and Kuradis, the three of them had always been close, and that bond hadn't been broken.
With shared interests and similar backgrounds, they could easily be brought together under his wing.
This was also an important first step on the path he was about to take.
"So, are you leaving?"
Sulei looked at the young man in front of her with a hint of annoyance.
She had originally thought they could have a good fight before the big battle, but now it seemed they had to attend a social event instead.
"Sorry, I need to take care of some work for tomorrow. I'll be back soon."
"Yeah, right. 'Soon,'" Sulei retorted, glancing enviously at Shihe.
As the legitimate wife, Shihe always accompanied He Kui on such occasions.
"I'll hurry. If you and your disciple feel lonely, why not spar with each other?"
"No way!"
Faced with He Kui's teasing, Sulei quickly blushed.
Meyrin, with her fair complexion, turned even redder than Sulei.
"We'll wait for He Kui."
Meyrin nodded earnestly as she spoke.
"Alright."
"Then be good at home."
Listening to He Kui's obviously childlike tone, Sulei pulled the dazed Meyrin behind her and shot He Kui a glare.
"I'll take care of Meyrin. You go ahead."
"..."
Smiling, He Kui didn't retort but quickly left with Shihe, arriving at the upscale restaurant at May City's harbor.
It was the same place they had dined at before.
However, unlike last time, as soon as He Kui and Shihe entered the most exclusive private room, they saw three people standing up to greet them.
Why three? Because Talia, who had been away for a long time and was said to have been teaching command courses at the military academy, was also there.
Talia, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, seemed to have found a second wind in her career, or perhaps it was due to her deep conversations with Durandal. Her face now radiated a brilliance far more striking than her previous facade of gentleness.
But after just a glance, He Kui quickly averted his gaze.
The two soon took their seats amidst the warm welcome of the others.
"I didn't expect He Kui's promotion to come so quickly. It really puts pressure on me as a senior, haha."
As the district head, Kuradis felt somewhat embarrassed in front of He Kui, who was technically his superior.
Back when he was the bureau chief, He Kui was still tightening screws.
Now that he was the district head, He Kui had already become a council member.
The speed was astonishing, but when Kuradis thought about the myriad of research projects He Kui had under his belt, all he could do was envy the man's powerful genes.
Even though he had been the bureau chief and had overseen the development of GINNs, he could never have accomplished so much research at the age of seventeen.
"Not at all. It's only because of your guidance as a senior that I've been able to achieve what I have today."
With that, He Kui smoothly raised his glass to toast Kuradis.
"Haha, He Kui, you're too kind. Just call me Kuradis. If anything, I should be calling you 'sir.'"
Kuradis also raised his glass, and the two clinked their cups with a crisp 'ding.'
Seeing Kuradis's reaction, He Kui's smile widened slightly.
From Kuradis's attitude, it seemed he was also considering switching from the Zala Faction to their side.
However, the situation remains unclear, so nothing has been explicitly stated.
As for Erin's enthusiasm since she arrived, it's clear she wants to place her bets on him.
However, everyone present is a cunning fox, each with their own plans
and considerations. Therefore, no one has spoken too definitively. This is merely a preliminary probe. For deeper cooperation, He Kui will need to demonstrate new value and continue to prove himself.
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