"The second phase is to go to Jupiter!" Serena exclaimed excitedly.
He Kui wasn't surprised by her words and continued, "I happen to have some business on Mars. Can I tag along?"
"Will they let you go?"
"It wouldn't have been possible before, but now it is."
With the travel time to Mars shortened and the need to understand their neighbors after the peace, he could likely make it happen, especially since he had already promised Setona. Moreover, if possible, he wanted to establish a second base there. That way, if anything unexpected happened, they would have a place to escape to. Plus, it would be an opportunity to develop Martian technology.
"Is He Kui going to Mars alone?" Sulei blinked and asked.
"Of course not, but it's quite desolate there."
"I'm not afraid~" Sulei said, placing her hands on her hips.
"What do you think, Sister Serena~?"
"The more researchers we have going, the better," Serena nodded noncommittally.
Despite Sulei's appearance as a delicate wife, Serena had heard of her reputation in radar research.
"Hehe, thank you, Sister Serena~"
Watching the two women embrace—one cute and the other alluring, like an angel and a demon—He Kui couldn't help but swallow hard. Although he had played with Serena many times, he hadn't felt anything for her. So, it was impossible not to feel thirsty, especially when he saw Serena's well-proportioned and firm legs under her black silk stockings, with a hint of pink peeking through the black, which was enough to stir his imagination.
"What are you thinking about?" Serena licked her lips and asked naturally, meeting He Kui's gaze.
"Nothing. How long until Orb arrives?" He Kui smiled.
"Probably tomorrow."
"Why are you so concerned?" Serena narrowed her eyes.
"What else could it be~?" Sulei rolled her eyes at He Kui and then leaned in to kiss him. However, her other hand was still holding Serena's wrist, as if she intended for the three of them to be together. This bold move startled even the usually open-minded Serena, especially in the stuffy server room, which made her even more nervous.
"Shall we join in, Sister~?"
"...Mhm."
If Sulei didn't mind, then why should she?
Unlike Sulei, who had to stand on her tiptoes to kiss He Kui, Serena, wearing high heels, easily reached him. However, since they were inside the server room, after a kiss that seemed to heat up the entire space, the three of them eventually separated.
"Did you find the technology?" Serena straightened her skirt and asked.
"Yes, let's go with this one." He Kui pointed to a light shield folding miniaturization technology on the screen. This technology used Mirage particles to shape the shield. Compared to his previous light shield miniaturization technology, this one had a unique folding structure that provided stronger defense, similar to the Strike Freedom. He could probably develop it himself given time, but why bother when there was a ready-made solution?
"Alright." Serena glanced at the technology and shrugged.
"Then let me take you to the Stargazer Gundam."
"The Stargazer..."
Hearing the name, Sulei was visibly excited. After all, now that they were in space, it was impossible not to have the desire to explore beyond.
Just like the explorers of the past, as long as the technology is conceivable, human pioneers will surge outward in waves.
Whether this is a good or bad thing, He Kui couldn't say for sure.
But at least it has given this world a new impetus.
The three of them quickly moved from the server room to a more secluded area within the DSSD space station.
The hangar here only had space for one Mobile Suit, and the skeletal frame of the Stargazer stood quietly in place.
The core of its cockpit was exposed, precisely where the learning computer would be placed in the future.
"The experiments on the Radiant Thrusters are complete, but we haven't installed them yet."
"Good, make a few more."
Currently, including the prototype modified from the original, there are only two Radiant Thrusters.
First, the battleship will definitely need them, and if his Mobile Suit requires them as well, then two are far from enough.
Not to mention this one is for the Stargazer.
No mistakes, no omissions, no deviations—everything must be perfect!
"We're out of money."
"..."
Hearing Serena's blunt statement, He Kui's mouth twitched.
"Such a stingy He Kui..."
Not hearing a response from He Kui, Serena tugged at his sleeve.
Despite her usual cool and composed demeanor, she now looked pitiful, evoking all sorts of thoughts.
"I'll figure something out. This project can't be kept secret for much longer."
After all, this is a project funded by several major nations.
A single thruster costs at least two billion.
One billion is manageable, but twenty billion is truly beyond his means.
Selling his company might cover it, but there's no need for that.
He still has the entire PLANT backing him.
"That's possible. I also think this is an opportunity."
Serena chimed in.
It will have to be made public eventually. Deep space exploration can't be left solely to DSSD.
The reason the nations have invested so heavily in DSSD is for the resources of deep space.
It's the future, it's hope, and it's profit.
Initially, it made sense to keep it hidden to avoid covetous eyes.
But if DSSD secretly develops deep space and gets discovered, it would be disastrous.
"An opportunity?"
Hearing Serena's words, He Kui was momentarily stunned.
"Yes, after all, the subsequent development will mainly rely on you."
"So now that you're here, we can reveal that you saw our latest technology, had a sudden inspiration, and found the solution to the Radiant Thrusters."
"How about it?"
Serena smiled faintly.
"That works, but your contribution is greater. Just say I stumbled upon the solution."
Serena's arrangement is indeed good, and he can't refuse the rewards.
The reputation that benefits the entire world is a great reward.
Of course, He Kui didn't take more than his share.
He only claimed a portion of the credit that was rightfully his.
"Did you talk to your father?"
"We've already discussed it. We were thinking of using this opportunity to keep you here."
Hearing Serena's words, Sulei, who had been quietly listening, belatedly stepped between the two with a guarded expression. "He Kui can't stay here! How about you come to PLANT instead, Sister Serena?"
"Just kidding."
Seeing Sulei's pouting expression, Serena shot He Kui a meaningful glance and then displayed the Stargazer's data on the screen in front of everyone.
"If you can complete the research within six months, we will submit the detailed plan to all countries at the annual report meeting in three months, which will be at the end of the year," Serena continued excitedly.
"Once the remaining technical research is completed, we can officially launch the plan. The timing should be just about right."
"No problem," He Kui replied.
What Serena had said aligned perfectly with his own plans.
Although the Atlantic Federation no longer posed a threat, He Kui had yet to uncover the forces behind the creation of entirely new human species like Setona and Lacus.
The world was not entirely safe.
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