Chapter 172: Preparations for Farming

Not long after, He Kui returned to PLANT.

His relationship with Lacus seemed to have cooled again. Although they still exchanged words occasionally, Lacus no longer asked him questions like before. Even with He Kui's attempts to bridge the gap through gifts, their relationship remained unchanged, staying at the level of mere collaborators.

This was probably as it should be, he thought—after all, they were just that, collaborators. Yet, He Kui couldn't shake the question of how to make Lacus see him as a friend.

A few days later, he received an invitation from Ed, who held a position in December City, to meet him at a restaurant.

"I didn't expect you'd pick this place again," He Kui remarked as he arrived.

The location was the same restaurant where Ed had first treated him to a meal. It hadn't even been a year, but somehow it felt like so much had changed.

"I can't afford to take Director He anywhere too high-class," Ed joked.

"This place is just fine."

With his altered appearance and sunglasses, He Kui didn't worry about being recognized. Besides, Blue Cosmos seemed preoccupied with testing their new Mobile Suits lately. Without any visible developments from He Kui, it seemed they'd temporarily backed off from attempting another assassination.

"So, you're pretty close to becoming a full director now, aren't you?" Ed mused, pouring tea for He Kui.

Ed had been watching He Kui's career ever since he joined the Hailan Design Bureau, initially thinking he might avoid the battlefield and settle into an ordinary worker's role. Instead, He Kui had risen quickly, advancing to deputy director within a year. While the Defense Council's support had helped, He Kui's own research skills and potential had been the foundation of that support.

"Still waiting for the right opportunity. So, what brings you here? I thought classes were still going on?"

"Surprised you remembered," Ed replied with a curious look.

"Just keeping up," He Kui shrugged. He'd memorized the recent class schedules, mostly because of Luna.

"Let's get to the point. I have some news for you, but try not to be too shocked."

"How can I be shocked if you haven't told me yet?"

"Fair enough…" Ed teased before finally revealing, "I'm getting married next month."

"Congratulations."

Marriage... He Kui brushed away thoughts of his own situation, pushing aside the images of a few young women in his mind.

"Can't you at least pretend to be more excited?" Ed gave him a look of mock disappointment.

"So, when's the big day?"

"The 20th of next month." Ed handed He Kui an invitation.

"I'll be there."

"Thanks. You should consider settling down too."

"I doubt I'm cut out for it like you guys," He Kui responded, smirking at Ed's implied criticism.

He rarely thought about marriage or family matters. But population issues were indeed becoming serious. Back when his responsibilities were smaller, he didn't need to worry about such things. Now, as deputy director, perhaps it was time to think about solutions that could benefit Coordinators as a whole—assuming his own safety was secure.

Helping solve such issues would also bring him benefits, both in money and influence. Keeping these thoughts in mind, He Kui tucked them away for future consideration.

Back home, after confirming the plans with Shi He, he returned to his office to resume his work on the Mirage Colloid magnetic field and the theoretical framework for the Round Magnetic Shield.

Given that it wasn't unique to this world's technology, there were still many preparations to make. From a defensive perspective, each Round Magnetic Shield unit could generate an electromagnetic pulse shield capable of blocking most beam particles and physical attacks. However, sustained heavy bombardment would eventually overwhelm it.

The shield might withstand a few shots from positron cannons and perhaps even resist a direct strike from Genesis. Besides its exceptional defense, this shield system also had offensive applications. Paired magnetic pulse shields could create a repelling force to disarm enemies in close combat, with response times faster than traditional light shields.

"The cost is definitely a problem."

From the initial estimates, building such a shield would require at least five billion. But even more challenging was the rare material capable of supporting both high-voltage and strong magnetic fields—something abundant only on Mars, with minor deposits possibly on Earth. Neither of these places was easy to negotiate with.

For now, he'd let the Defense Council worry about this aspect.

After a busy day, He Kui returned home, his attention immediately drawn to the heaping plate of stir-fried kidneys on the table.

Noticing the expectant look from his parents and Shi He's blushing face, He Kui tactfully refrained from asking questions and began to eat in silence.

Children… probably not anytime soon, he mused.

Shortly before completing the Mirage Colloid system, He Kui found an excuse to take leave and was discreetly escorted by Lacus's people to a secret Clyne faction facility in the L5 asteroid belt.

The factory was hidden within the asteroid field, not far from Julius Seven.

"I thought you'd blindfold me," He Kui quipped upon seeing Lacus waiting to greet him at the port.

"No need—I trust you, Director He."

"I'm honored."

Looking at the factory, which was over three times the size of the asteroid Lacus had gifted him, He Kui gained a new appreciation for the Clyne family's resources.

"Let me show you to the control center," Lacus said.

"Lead the way."

Following Lacus, he soon found himself in the factory's core.

"Everything has been installed according to your designs, Director He. The next step is configuring the system."

"Understood."

"Something on your mind, Director He~?" Lacus quickly noticed his momentary hesitation, smiling knowingly.

"I was waiting for Miss Lacus to explain."

If it was only about system setup, Su Lei could have handled it, so there had to be more to it.

"I wanted you to see it firsthand. And, I recall you previously worked on a networked support system, yes?"

"Yes?"

He Kui wasn't quite sure why Lacus was bringing this up.

"Our crop research in June City needs more advanced AI management."

"You're aware, Director He, of how difficult it is to cultivate crops in space."

The challenges of microgravity, high-energy cosmic radiation, soil structure issues, absence of microbial communities, and a simplified food chain all impeded plant growth. Some of these factors were deliberate restrictions placed on PLANT by the Alliance.

"We need an intelligent monitoring and management system to stabilize the soil structure."

"You're asking me to enhance the network system to autonomously maintain soil stability?"

"Yes."

"Understood."

"Hmm?" Lacus, who had been considering offering him an incentive, blinked in surprise.

"For the sake of PLANT," He Kui said with a smile.

He was highly skilled in information engineering, almost at a master level, even if soil management wasn't his specialty. As long as he had the data, he could work with it. Lacus's request likely came at someone else's suggestion—perhaps from Councilor Zala's wife?

But why not let Councilor Zala know about it? Did they fear that removing such a critical factor might undermine the war effort, or was there a concern this might disrupt his focus on weapon development?

As He Kui pondered this, Lacus's expression softened, her previous smiles replaced by one of genuine warmth. 

With a slight bow, the soft pink dress she wore accentuated her graceful silhouette.

"Thank you~"

"No thanks needed. But why did Miss Lacus want me to come here in person?"

"I already told you—I just wanted you to see it with your

own eyes."

This time, Lacus didn't refer to him formally as "Director He" but used "you," her soft tone carrying a hint of familiarity.

-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/LegendaryTL

Thanks!