Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

As the Strengthening Operation approached, most people in PLANT were hard at work. He Kui's mining business was booming, and instead of hoarding small MS units, they used the profits to pay off loans and purchase GINNs.

Currently, he had four GINNs and a few fighter jets. If he acquired a mothership, He Kui's fleet would be officially established.

"Move the vegetables and meat here," He Kui commanded, directing the transport robots to bring enough supplies of food and water to the asteroid to last fifty people for three months.

Although he had enough funds to purchase fresh produce, PLANT's supply was limited, with priority going to the military and design bureaus. Thus, most of the food had to be in the form of synthetic meat and canned goods. Though a bit hard to stomach for those used to fresh food, it would suffice for a month or two. Moreover, the asteroid still had a plot for vegetables; although the plants looked a bit wilted, they were edible.

"So, why did you drag me here?" Su Lei squinted at He Kui with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"With the upcoming battles, this might be the only safe place," he replied, his expression serious. Fortunately, he had completed this base before things escalated. Equipped with four GINNs and his modified beam mining laser, they had a good defense setup.

"Is it really that bad?" Su Lei's playful demeanor faded as she sensed his seriousness.

"Better safe than sorry."

"Alright. Well, the network here is decent, so I can keep working." Su Lei stretched, her slender form captivating in its subtle charm.

"What are you staring at?" she asked, noticing his gaze.

"Did you wear that outfit Aisha gave you under your uniform?"

He Kui smirked, eyeing the faint trace of lace peeking through her otherwise formal white attire. The mix of modesty and allure stirred excitement within him. It seemed Su Lei had ditched the miniskirt portion, layering the lacy undergarment beneath her white uniform.

"So what if I did?" Su Lei glanced at him, her youthful face seasoned by his affection into a more flirtatious expression.

"Nothing." He Kui grinned and stepped forward, pulling her into a close embrace.

"You've finally grown," he teased, leaving the specific meaning unspoken.

"Have I?" Su Lei looked down, noting the difference. Compared to Shi He, she might still fall short, but it seemed she had surpassed Lacus in this area. The realization brought a soft smile to her face.

"Maybe I should reward you for noticing?" she whispered.

"No need, I'll handle it myself."

After a heated moment, he left the now-sleeping Su Lei in her room and headed to the port. He Kui waited a short while before spotting a tan transport ship emblazoned with the Junk Guild's emblem slowly docking outside the blast-resistant windows.

On the surface, he had hired the Junk Guild to bolster the base's defenses, but in truth…

"Lowe, you finally made it," He Kui greeted the group as they disembarked.

"Hey, He Kui! Long time no see!" Lowe grinned, eagerly surveying He Kui's asteroid base.

"The setup looks nice."

"It's not much."

"So, as per our contract, we'll help reinforce the internal structure. But where's the cargo you mentioned?"

He Kui gestured toward a heavily sealed cargo hold, inside which was the secretly developed GAT-X machine.

"Just dropping it off there is fine?"

"Yeah, it's all ocean there."

"Got it. Thanks."

Knowing the Junk Guild's ties to Orb and Matthias, He Kui wasn't about to suggest stashing the unit on a hidden Orb island. Besides, strictly speaking, that would be illegal, and the Junk Guild wouldn't take on such a job. Thus, he arranged for Lowe to drop the unit in international waters outside Orb's territory. Alongside the unit, he sent the Aegis' battery, ensuring foolproof safety. After all, Lowe was infamous for his luck—no one would intercept him.

"Alright then," Lowe shrugged, happy to accept a well-paid, legal job.

After buying several multifunctional MS repair kits from Lowe, He Kui watched as they got to work. Meanwhile, he eyed "Number Eight" from Lowe's crew, intrigued.

If Number Eight could help analyze frame designs, it would speed up his new machine's progress considerably.

"What are you looking at?" Lowe asked.

"Could you help me calculate something?"

"Name your price."

"Of course."

He Kui smiled. He might not have Lacus-level wealth, but he had the funds to hire the Junk Guild.

"Well…"

Shortly after, Lowe reappeared with a professor by his side.

"What's up? Need something calculated?"

"The frame design."

"For that, three days probably won't be enough."

Even though Number Eight was a quantum computer, it wouldn't be able to calculate a fully viable frame design in three days. Otherwise, it would truly be a godlike machine.

"No problem. As long as it narrows the options, that's enough. My AI will handle part of it too."

Although his AI hadn't reached a quantum level, learning from Number Eight's algorithms would be beneficial for his future quantum computer. Plus, he didn't want Number Eight to handle the design entirely on its own.

"No problem, three million," the professor beside Lowe chimed in.

"Deal," He Kui agreed, glancing at the professor before nodding.

"But…" Lowe started to protest, only to be pulled aside by the professor. After a long, whispered conversation, he reluctantly agreed.

Though the cost stung a bit, He Kui was pleased. Three million was a small price to pay for even a fraction of Number Eight's computing power. After the Strengthening Operation, he'd likely visit Serina as well. He had already altered the story's events too much, and a truce might not be achievable through the Three Ships Alliance alone.

Thinking about it, with things as they were, the Three Ships Alliance might not even form.

But broader military strategies were matters for Uzumi, Zala, and Clyne to handle. His role was to do his part, protect those he cared about, and remove any unstable elements as quickly as possible.

Once he brought peace to PLANT…

He Kui's mind drifted back to Lacus' earlier words, feeling aslight stir in his heart. She indeed had an enticing charm that often unsettled his usually calm demeanor.

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