With their business on PLANT concluded, Yang Hui, Creuset, and their group no longer needed to remain there. They had already returned to Orb, awaiting PLANT's resolution of public sentiment before Orb would initiate its next move.
Upon returning, Yang Hui immediately headed with Creuset, Athrun, and Canard Pars to the underground research facility of Dawn Company—a highly classified laboratory deep beneath the surface.
By the time they arrived, Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria, and Erica Simmons were already waiting for them.
"How did it go?"
"The activation test was a complete success. The TD Filtration Layer is functioning well, and toxicity levels are within safe parameters. We're now preparing to test operational endurance and output."
"Proceed."
Behind the glass, Yang Hui and the others watched with intense anticipation.
The subjects being tested were the first and second prototype Quasi-GN Drives developed in the Gundam SEED world. After relentless efforts by Erica Simmons and her research team, they had successfully developed the TD Filtration Layer, eliminating the harmful effects of the red GN Particles emitted by the Quasi-GN Drives.
The filtered GN Particles were no longer red but orange—nearly identical to the harmless Quasi-GN Drives from the later stages of the Gundam 00 world.
After another half-hour of testing, the endurance and output results were finalized. The endurance and output were twice that of ultra-compact energy batteries. As Yang Hui had predicted, they still fell short of nuclear engines, but the results were nonetheless outstanding.
"The remaining tests require installation onto an MS to proceed."
"How long will that take?"
"Don't worry. Since you provided the design, I prepared for success from the start. The Mobile Suits are ready—installation will only take half an hour."
"Begin."
No one left. After waiting for thirty minutes, they saw two fully upgraded Strike Gundams standing in the center of the testing area.
"Hmm? The test pilots are Mu and Morgan?"
"Yes. Since they've been assisting with the development of Independent Autonomous Units, I had an idea related to the Quasi-GN Drives and asked them to serve as test pilots."
Yang Hui paused, then turned to Erica Simmons. "The possibility of using Dragoons in gravity environments?"
"Exactly. If the special particles you described truly possess anti-gravity properties," Erica Simmons nodded. Independent Autonomous Units were incredibly powerful weapons—a single pilot wielding them could rival an entire MS squadron.
However, their limitations were significant. First, the pilot needed Spatial Awareness; otherwise, controlling such a weapon would be impossible. Second, these weapons could only be used in space—gravity environments rendered them ineffective.
If GN Particles indeed had anti-gravity properties, the second limitation would be eliminated. As for the first... Whether Wired Pods or the Dragoon System, these were never meant to be mass-produced or wielded by ordinary pilots. They were high-tier armaments from the start.
Yang Hui marveled at Erica Simmons' brilliance—she truly was the foremost MS expert in the Gundam SEED world. Before he could even bring it up, she had already thought of the solution herself.
"Mu, Major Chevalier, begin the test."
"Roger." x2
Their voices came through the comms as the Strike Gundam's eyes lit up, its gray body transforming into vibrant colors. Mu's Strike Gundam Unit 1 retained the classic blue, white, and red scheme, while Morgan Chevalier's Strike was painted in dark gray. One stood bright and heroic, the other a shadowy phantom.
"Quasi-GN Drive activated. Output normal. All Mobile Suit systems operational."
As the Quasi-GN Drives hummed to life behind them, orange GN Particles scattered like stardust, painting the testing grounds in fiery hues.
"Begin hover test."
"Roger, commencing hover test." x2
Following the order, both Strike Gundams maintained their standing posture as an invisible force gradually lifted them off the ground. They rose steadily until hovering 20 meters in the air.
"Systems nominal. Hover test successful!" x2
"Whoo-hoo~!"
Even this simple test drew cheers from everyone. The anti-gravity properties of GN Particles had been proven—their prototype could now defy physics and float midair. The excitement was palpable.
"Quiet! Proceed with the next phase!"
"Roger!" xN
With the underground facility's limitations, tests were restricted to hovering, aerial movement, basic energy consumption, power transmission, and weapon performance.
The team spent the entire day there. With each successful trial, their exhilaration grew harder to contain—even Yang Hui and the others were on the verge of bursting. Once Quasi-GN Drives were fully developed, Orb's military strength would ascend to unprecedented heights.
Imagine it: an MS army capable of agile aerial maneuvers without flight equipment, or fleets breaking free from gravity to achieve true aerospace integration. Who wouldn't fear that?
Of course, mass production feasibility remained crucial. If manufacturing costs couldn't be reduced to scalable levels, full deployment across the Orb Military would remain impossible.
"Basic testing complete! Excellent work, everyone!"
"WHOO-HOO~!!!!"
Researchers leapt in celebration. The trials had confirmed GN Particles as a military-industrial marvel—anti-gravity, propulsion, offense, defense—they fulfilled every Mobile Suit need. Publishing these findings would crown them pioneers, ushering in a new era of scientific advancement.
"My, my. This is something extraordinary," remarked Mu and Morgan Chevalier as they entered the command center post-test. Even as test pilots, the Quasi-GN Drive's potential left them awestruck.
"Good work out there, Mu."
"Hardly. We just followed your instructions for simple tests."
"Wait, I have a question, you two..." Yang Hui suddenly interrupted Mu and Erica Simmons' affectionate gaze, asking with a teasing expression.
"Ahaha, we're dating," Mu replied, scratching his head as his face turned red with embarrassment.
"The wedding date is already set—the 5th of next month. Commander, you'd better prepare a big red envelope, right?" Unlike Mu, Erica Simmons, who had been married and had a child before, was calm and straightforward.
"No problem! Just name your requests!"
Yang Hui wasn't too surprised that Mu and Erica Simmons had gotten together. Erica's husband had sacrificed his life as a frontline Mobile Suit pilot during the Orb Defense War. Now that she could be with Mu, Yang Hui was happy for them.
As for those who might say things like "she remarried too soon after her husband's death" or "she's a terrible woman"—give me a break. This wasn't ancient times. Did life have to stop just because her husband died? They were all adults. People could remarry after divorce, let alone a widow raising a child alone.
(End of Chapter)