Chapter 240: Odin’s Spear and the South American Union

"What does Director He want with Setona~?" The girl looked at him curiously.

"Since we're partners, I just thought having one of your people here would make things more convenient for both of us."

"…And her identity? How does Director He plan to handle that?"

"Naturally, I can have Setona take on a reception role at our company's asteroid base."

"Of course, if Miss Setona wishes to visit PLANT, that won't be an issue either."

Hearing that she could potentially engage with PLANT, Setona's eyes lit up.

"…"

Matthias visibly hesitated, visibly torn.

Though Setona seemed willing, he knew her status well, and letting her roam freely wasn't necessarily a good idea.

"If Setona wishes to go, she can only stay for ten days each month."

"As for communication, we'll use alternate methods."

Matthias gave He Kui a sharp look before replying coolly.

"No problem!"

Before He Kui could respond, Setona had already agreed.

It seemed she was truly eager for a change.

"There's also the issue of her identity. Setona has an identity in PLANT, but make sure she doesn't get caught up with your intelligence agents."

"Understood."

"Moreover, Setona resembles… her highness quite a bit. It would be best if she wore a mask."

Matthias continued, half-worried and half-grumbling, giving a lengthy list of precautions before finally allowing the two to leave the secure chamber.

"Looking forward to working with you, Setona~" He Kui smiled warmly.

"Likewise… Just call me Setona."

"You can call me He Kui."

"Then… He Kui~"

As Matthias mentioned, his intelligence network had already prepared a false identity for Setona within PLANT.

The two returned smoothly to the asteroid base.

"Will this room do?"

He Kui led her to a standard guest room.

It had a spacious layout, with one bedroom and one living area.

"It's perfect! When do I start?"

"Take tomorrow to familiarize yourself. If you'd like to visit PLANT, just let me know."

He Kui had enough free time to help her settle in. Having her here for even ten days was beneficial.

This young woman might be the key to building stronger relations with Mars in the future.

"Thank you very much~"

The girl gave a graceful bow.

"No need to thank me."

Just as he finished showing her the room, a red-haired girl approached He Kui.

"He Kui! Bringing another girl over?" Meyrin pouted playfully.

Due to her unique role, Meyrin remained on the asteroid base. She spent her free time researching electronic devices on the computers here and occasionally helped out as a temporary receptionist, giving her a fairly relaxed lifestyle.

"I happened to know someone interested in joining. Since you're free, could you show her around?"

"Oh, that girl's hair color is just like Lacus's."

"Yes, though the hairstyle is different."

"Really? Well, it's not like you could bring Lacus here."

"…You're getting cheekier, Meyrin."

He Kui playfully patted Meyrin's head, giving her a lighthearted scolding.

"Hehe."

Meyrin giggled and extended her small hand.

"My present?"

"Here."

Prepared, He Kui handed her a Haro.

[Electronic Warfare Grade A: (10260/100,000)]

His electronic warfare abilities were slowly advancing, and Meyrin's affection for him was noticeably high.

But clearly, his time was limited; just enough was good enough.

After ruffling Meyrin's hair, He Kui bade farewell to the girl and returned home.

Life returned to a relative calm for He Kui, with even the chaos on Earth seemingly settling down—though it was likely only the calm before the storm.

"Didn't expect Senator Joule to assign me to test Odin's Spear."

Currently stationed outside May City's orbital zone in a Nazca-class battleship, He Kui observed the device in front of him—a small machine capable of unleashing a powerful electromagnetic pulse in an instant.

"She probably considers you one of her own by now," Erin shrugged.

"Is that so?"

He Kui's lips curled slightly at her words.

Erin wasn't wrong; while this weapon's secrecy wasn't on the level of the Genesis project, it was still classified.

Ordinarily, he, not even affiliated with the Zala faction, wouldn't have access to this information.

"Of course. But it's also because of your expertise in fields like electromagnetics. Didn't your recent force field modulation research align with improving this device?"

"Yes, but such a powerful electronic pulse could also disable our own units and even affect Panama's mass driver."

Examining the data, He Kui spoke.

There was no need for computer simulation—one could easily deduce that such a strong pulse would likely devastate Panama.

"That's why we need force field modulation. I reviewed your research, and if the magnetic field can be refined, it should help control the pulse's range."

"That's correct…"

Adjusting the magnetic field distribution could indeed alter the direction and range of Odin's Spear's electromagnetic pulse, and even improve energy efficiency.

"How long until completion?"

"By the end of the month, though I can't disclose an exact date."

"…Understood."

So far, his research on force field modulation was still in its early stages.

However, it could certainly assist Odin's Spear.

For the next couple of weeks, though, he'd likely be working day and night to stay on schedule.

"How are our negotiations with the South American Union?"

He Kui sighed like a worn-out worker.

"We're in contact with the resistance, though they don't have much power. The Defense Committee is considering helping them regain independence, but few of their soldiers are qualified to pilot GINNs. The Dagger systems aren't compatible with the GINN, and we don't have many Daggers in stock."

"Rumor has it, however, that a significant number of South American soldiers still harbor rebellious sentiments."

"Do we have a chance?"

"I don't know. The Atlantic Federation always intended for the South American Union to act as cannon fodder, so by now, their numbers are severely reduced. But each remaining soldier is an elite."

"One pilot, in particular, known as 'Edward Scissorhands,' could be key if we manage to sway him."

"Mm."

Edward Scissorhands had quite a reputation. Although his abilities weren't on par with Mu's, his skill in piloting aircraft rivaled that of mobile suits—especially now that the Earth Alliance had its own mobile suits.

"If the South American Union can regain independence, PLANT's situation would greatly improve. That's the second objective of this operation."

The Atlantic Federation had used the South American Union's grain exports to PLANT as an excuse to decimate it.

Currently, the interim president of the South American Union resided in PLANT.

However, without power, legitimacy was elusive.

For now, that president still had a long road ahead.

"If the South American Union stabilizes, the cost of food supplies, materials, and even anti-neutron jammers will drop, right?"

"Exactly, hence Odin's Spear."

"Understood, I'll do my best."

Erin's gentle reminder drove He Kui to g

ather the data and head over to the computer.

"Force field modulation requires a few components and numerous trials."

"If we can't get them here, let's head back first."

"Alright."

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