Chapter 63: Let’s Call It the Screaming Eagle

"I'm here."

After stepping back a little, He Kui slowly responded.

The door wasn't locked, but thankfully, Amafi was polite; otherwise, who knew what kind of scene he might have walked in on?

"Director He, and Director Su is here as well."

"Hello, Mr. Mayor."

The two greeted him in unison.

"No need to be so formal; I just came to see you, Director He."

"Alright."

He Kui nodded, unsure of what was so interesting about him.

"Then keep up the good work; both the Defense Committee and the design bureau have high hopes for you."

"Thank you, I will continue to work hard."

"Hmm."

Amafi patted He Kui on the shoulder like a mentor, and after seeing him off, neither He Kui nor Su Lei felt inclined to continue their previous conversation. They quietly exited the venue, walking some distance away.

"Want to grab a bite before heading back?"

Noticing it was around afternoon, He Kui asked.

"Wearing these uniforms, how can we go out to eat?"

Although Su Lei felt a bit tempted, they were both in director's uniforms without a dedicated vehicle for safety.

Most of the troops present were there for security, and while the colony wasn't large, ensuring complete safety was still a challenge. The streets outside didn't appear much different from usual, aside from a slight increase in police presence.

"We don't have to eat out."

As he spoke, He Kui pulled out two lunch boxes.

"I checked; this room provides a rest area, so we can eat and then leave."

"."

It sounded a bit odd, but looking at the enticing mapo tofu in the transparent lunch box, Su Lei couldn't resist the temptation and obediently took a seat opposite He Kui.

"Su Lei, does the Dawn Society of Orb have any connections with us?"

As he opened his lunchbox, He Kui asked.

"...Why do you ask?"

Su Lei was startled, and the aroma of the lunchboxes couldn't mask her surprise.

"Nothing, just curious about neutral countries."

"To my knowledge, the Dawn Society doesn't have any connections with us. You can tell me, but don't mention it to anyone else, okay?"

"Only because it's you."

Hearing this, He Kui chose not to press further. If he had to warn the Klein faction to be cautious about the Dawn Society's movements, he would need to come up with some sort of explanation.

Besides, knowing about that mysterious Gundam project wouldn't be of much use.

He had no combat capabilities; could he really single-handedly waltz into Orb and steal their five Gundams?

It was better to focus on research at home.

With such thoughts, He Kui absentmindedly picked up his water cup and took a sip, feeling the spicy warmth rise.

"...He Kui!"

Seeing her cup's lip print slightly faded by his, Su Lei blushed and playfully scolded.

"Ah?"

"Ah!"

The two of them seamlessly transitioned from confusion to surprise.

"Sorry, want me to get another one?"

"...There's only this one!"

He Kui glanced toward a nearby spot where disinfected cups were placed.

Then he looked back at Su Lei, whose face was flushed yet showed no strong resistance.

Hmm... maybe it was better not to mention it.

In the awkward yet slightly intimate atmosphere, the two lowered their heads and continued to eat.

That night, after returning home, He Kui continued to work diligently in his studio.

The parts for the braking system of the maglev vehicle were completed, but the outer shell was made from the lowest grade materials. Not to mention its effectiveness against nuclear blasts, a strong hit could easily dent it.

Putting that project aside for now, He Kui focused intently on the creation of a bird—no, it wasn't a bird; given its size and shape, it should be called an eagle. A pure black, imposing eagle.

He had long forgotten what the bird that Athrun had given to Kira looked like, and that small creature seemed to have little practical use aside from looking good and offering limited area alerts.

As for his eagle! It was something he had been working on in his office over the past few days, capable of autonomously patrolling a one-kilometer radius above its owner around the clock. Its claws and beak had been sharpened to perfection, ensuring it could pierce an enemy's eye with a single strike.

If it weren't for the gun ban, he would have added some extra features to the eagle's belly or beak, but unfortunately, he couldn't.

Instead, he had equipped it with two auxiliary mechanical arms on its belly for easier transport of goods, which could also serve as a small bombing mechanism when necessary.

Of course, given its size, the missiles it could carry were limited to the most ordinary micro-missiles, offering minimal offensive capabilities.

However, He Kui's aim wasn't to kill; he merely wanted to create distractions to buy time for escape. The tactic of targeting the eyes might seem underhanded, but it stemmed from this premise.

The internal space was filled with sensors and processors, and all of his operations were conducted to ensure that the sensors met the expected standards.

The black color scheme was chosen to provide camouflage in space; being small and moderately fast, it could evade most less-accurate radar scans when the neutron jammers were activated.

"Su He, this is for you~"

After conducting several confirmations to ensure the functionality was intact, He Kui excitedly left the garage and headed to the study, which also served as Shi He's office.

"You finished your research!"

Shi He was already familiar with the eagle.

"Yeah, I've completed the experiments, but I can't release it in here."

He Kui said with a hint of regret.

After all, this thing had lethal capabilities, and it was unlikely they would allow him to set it loose in the A-Class area.

It could be released outside, though.

"That's fine; it just seems a bit flashy to take it out."

While electronic pets were quite common, having such an imposing eagle paired with Shi He's gentle demeanor felt somewhat disjointed.

"It's better to take it out when necessary."

"What will you name it? Have you thought of one?"

"I've thought of it; let's call it the Screaming Eagle."

"...Why?"

Shi He could only maintain a polite smile as she awkwardly inquired about He Kui's peculiar naming taste.

"Because it's an alert eagle; I set its sound to be a piercing alarm, which is essentially a scream, so it's called the Screaming Eagle."

It wasn't because he remembered the sound from his past life that reminded him of a screaming chicken, but that sound was several times stronger.

"However, I think if it were on Earth, an eagle's call could serve as a good disguise."

Feeling a bit sorry for the eagle that could only scream, Shi He patiently remarked.

"True, if I added some camouflage paint or used a low-visibility coating similar to that of a pre-warning DEEN, it might perform better within the atmosphere. However, that would require changing its power system."

Muttering to himself, He Kui left Shi He's room.

Only Shi He and the Screaming Eagle remained, staring at each other.

"It seems like your name isn't going to change back."

Shi He helplessly stroked the eagle's steel head.

Uncertain if it understood, the eagle lowered its proud head.