Chapter 245: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

As He Kui exited the radar room, he was met by two rather annoyed women.

"Honestly!"

"Weren't we supposed to go out for dinner? What were you doing in there?"

Su Lei pouted, smacking He Kui's head lightly in frustration.

"Sorry, something came up suddenly."

"Hmph, if it happens again, you'll go without food."

"Right, Shi He?"

Su Lei turned to Shi He, who responded with a gentle smile.

"Alright, let's eat."

"You're always letting him off the hook!"

Su Lei shook Shi He's hand playfully.

Even though He Kui could skip a meal or two without any issues, seeing Shi He's warm smile reminded him of his own hunger.

Soon, the three were back in his room. After dinner, they all snuggled under a large blanket together.

"Shi He, I already discussed this with He Kui."

"Hm?"

Shi He blinked in surprise on the bed.

"Tonight, I'm on top!"

With that, Su Lei playfully climbed over Shi He.

"Ah! Su Lei, don't touch there—"

Shi He squirmed, laughing as Su Lei tickled her sensitive spots.

"I'll be gentle~"

Watching the two of them, He Kui chuckled. Though the progress on the Z Gundam was advancing, the latest technological breakthroughs still hadn't unlocked any new developments.

Since there was no need to rush, he slowly leaned forward under Su Lei and Shi He's eager gazes.

Soft warmth filled his embrace, a comforting weight of happiness enveloping He Kui.

Meanwhile, back at DSSD in the director's office…

A private meeting of senior researchers was taking place.

"How were you able to perform maneuvers like that?"

Serena's mother stared at the replay on screen, watching as her daughter's mobile suit moved as if it were alive in space.

With each shot, an enemy GINN exploded. She even managed to hold her own against two CGUEs, suppressing them with ease.

This level of skill wasn't something Serena should have.

Even though she was a talented Coordinator, her genetic enhancements were geared more toward research than combat. Executing such advanced maneuvers should have been impossible.

"I think… something awakened in me, maybe that SEED ability you talked about," Serena replied, nervously bluffing her way through.

"SEED? If that's the case, it would explain things…"

Serena's father looked at her Haro with curiosity but chose not to probe further.

After all, SEED remained a largely unstudied phenomenon.

Even its original theorist, Professor Marchio, hadn't fully grasped its nature.

Detecting it in an ordinary person was nearly impossible.

"Still, this accident seems almost… too convenient," Serena said, changing the subject to steer attention away from herself and He Kui.

It felt strange to lie to her parents for He Kui's sake, especially when she respected them so much.

"Indeed. The solar flare was unusually strong, and the pirates' timing was suspect," her mother, a traditional-looking researcher, said, frowning as she looked at the person sitting at the head of the table.

"Are you suggesting someone manipulated the solar flare?"

"That's unlikely, but with some intervention, it might be possible. After all, Genesis A was one of our projects."

"And we're building our own version as well."

"With scientific methods, it's theoretically possible to make minor adjustments to solar flares. This is within our current capabilities," Serena's father added.

His words left the room in a thoughtful silence.

"Send a probe to inspect the sun's surface," he concluded, ending the discussion on that note.

"Oh, by the way, is He Kui visiting this month?"

"Ah?"

Serena blinked, momentarily taken aback by her father's question.

"He probably won't be able to make it. Things have been pretty intense lately."

"That's true. Even we're at risk."

"But from what I hear, he's made significant breakthroughs in technology."

"Really?"

Not realizing He Kui had achieved so much, Serena blinked in surprise.

"Yes, so if you get the chance, talk with him. You two seem to get along well."

Her father smiled warmly.

"If He Kui could apply his abilities to exploring outer space, it would be a boon for all of humanity's future."

His eyes grew increasingly enthusiastic as he spoke.

"...I understand."

After saying her goodbyes, Serena returned to her room, blushing as she noticed the clothes she'd taken off for a bath lying on her bed.

It was because of that man… but also thanks to that man.

With mixed emotions, Serena sat down with Haro in her arms at her computer.

Just as her father said, He Kui was impressive—in piloting and even more so in his research.

She wondered if he was just as skilled in other areas…

Quickly shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Serena focused on her screen.

Her intelligence network hadn't uncovered anything, but maybe He Kui would have some ideas about who might be behind the recent events?

She'd ask him next time.

Without even realizing it, she was growing increasingly reliant on him.

With that thought, Serena closed her eyes, letting herself sink into her soft bed.

Meanwhile, back in He Kui's quarters…

After the events of the day, He Kui reviewed the new knowledge he'd acquired.

"It's time to start developing Gundarium Alloy."

This was the alloy that, even in the first generation, could withstand the 120mm rounds of a ZAKU's machine gun—a well-regarded defense material.

While its defensive capabilities didn't reach the level of Phase Shift Armor—which could even resist positron cannons if power was sufficient—it was still impressive, especially for suits with limited energy.

If he could apply this technology to the Liberator…

Then he could craft the entire suit out of Gundarium Alloy.

He could even integrate the DRAGOON and Beam Shield technologies.

On top of that, he could add a PS-tech-powered assault armor shell.

That would make it nearly indestructible.

Lost in pleasant thoughts, He Kui reflected on the day's events.

The DSSD incident had been far too coincidental.

A solar flare and pirates…

If he hadn't been there, the prototype might really have been lost.

Of course, knowing the DSSD director, he might have initiated a forced self-destruct.

"But while the pirates make sense, the solar flare…"

If someone could weaponize solar flares, it would be devastating.

Of course, the extent of destruction would depend on their control and the flare's power. For now, the current power level didn't pose a major threat to PLANT.

In space, PLANT had already developed countermeasures for solar flares.

Still, this was an ominous sign—a sword hanging over their heads. Could it be "The Clan"? 

This sneaky behavior matched their style.

It seemed they were already paying attention to

the Radiant Thruster.

Fortunately, his identity was still safe, but he would have to be more careful.

At the very least, the identity of "Palas" must remain strictly confidential.

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