Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

After plunging into the water, Aegis immediately activated its remaining power reserves, returning to the small deserted island. It skillfully slipped into the hidden dugout He Kui had prepared beforehand and entered standby mode.

"Seems like it's time to build two more Aegis units when I return. This process is too tedious. Maybe I can look into getting one from Serena's side. After all this time, there must have been some progress in AI technology."

As He Kui stepped out of the radar station, he was greeted by the sight of a beaming Andrew.

"Commander Andrew?"

"Oh, Director He! We've managed to apprehend several spies here. How's the fortification coming along on your end?"

"We're about 80% done. Final testing should be ready by tomorrow."

"Then you'll be heading back soon? A lot of folks have been eagerly awaiting your return, you know."

"Understood." He Kui didn't mind. In fact, Andrew's timing was perfect—just as he was finishing his work here.

However, before he could exchange more than a few words with Andrew, a call from Da Costa interrupted them.

"Da Costa, what's going on?" Andrew asked, putting the call on speaker.

"The Zala Team's operation failed. They're retreating to Victoria."

"So that tall friend of yours really was in Orb," Andrew remarked, glancing at He Kui. "Director He, seems you won't get to avenge your friend this time."

"No, the chain of hatred must be broken."

His Aegis was safely hiding in the cave, far from any notions of vengeance. But playing along with the part of a man ready to let go of the past was essential.

"Is that so?" Andrew looked at He Kui thoughtfully. "I feel like you seem more relaxed than a few days ago, Director."

"Do I?"

"Maybe it's the thought of a potential promotion."

Indeed, with his current tasks wrapping up, plus Erin's promise, he felt closer than ever to achieving his goal. Once he completed the Light Shield, refined the Mantis Crab suit, and perfected the nanobots, the tide of the war would undoubtedly shift. And that would bring him one step closer to his exit from the military.

At this thought, He Kui could barely restrain his smile.

"Well then, let me congratulate you on your upcoming promotion, Director He," Andrew said, giving a slight bow.

"That's the customary way to show congratulations in your culture, right?"

"Yes, it is."

Seeing the familiar gesture, He Kui smiled. "Let's go. Let's gather the ladies and have a proper meal."

"We might even run into those young folks on our way back," Andrew said.

"Right." He Kui smirked. Technically, he was only about a year older than those "youngsters." But he suspected Andrew's comment was more about their lack of tactical maturity than their age. For Coordinators, they were all capable of handling serious responsibilities.

After wrapping up their remaining tasks, He Kui and Andrew boarded a transport bound for Victoria, though this time, with extra caution. The area around Victoria was not entirely secure—it was still within the South African Union's territory, a staunch Earth Alliance ally.

"Our supply lines seem stretched thin. Won't that affect logistics?" He Kui asked Andrew over the comms. With such a skilled commander at hand, He Kui couldn't resist the opportunity to inquire further. Over the past few days, he'd gained a clearer understanding of the war from Andrew's insights.

"You've hit on one of the oldest military challenges—logistics," Andrew replied. "It's not just the essentials of food, water, and shelter but also the maintenance of mobile suits."

On Earth, mobile suits had a 30% higher malfunction rate than in space. The GINNs, initially designed for space combat, weren't intended for large-scale terrestrial deployment. Though the GAT-X series was an improvement, Earth's varied terrain still took a toll.

Transporting spare parts also posed a problem. They could use air drops, but with Earth Alliance bases on the moon, those drops weren't always feasible, as they risked being intercepted. As their frontline stretched further, their vulnerability increased.

"So their main priority will be the mass driver. If necessary, they might destroy all Earth-based mass drivers."

"But without the mass driver, our food supply..."

"Exactly. That's why it's a last-resort measure. No mass driver means they'd have no way to support ground operations within six months. That's enough time for them to gain control over the moon."

"I understand now."

If not the ultimate measure, it was certainly one of their last lines of defense. With allies, food supplies could be secured, but without the mass driver, things would become much more dire. Employing Genesis to strike Earth was a drastic, unacceptable option to most.

Just as they finished, alarms blared within the cabin.

"We've encountered enemy aircraft. Based on identification, it's Earth Alliance. Stay alert."

The transport's pilot spoke, and He Kui glanced at the map. They had just entered the South African Union's airspace, where Victoria was located. The fact that they'd encountered hostility was unusual. This was a standard supply route, supposedly safe.

"Could there be a problem at Victoria?" He Kui frowned.

Beside him, Shi He turned, grasping He Kui's hand. "It'll be okay."

"Yes, it will," he replied with a nod, reassured by Shi He's calmness. Soon after, the pilot's voice echoed again over the comms.

"The enemy's equipped with beam weapons; our transport can't hold up against that."

The moment he finished, the entire aircraft began to shake violently. It wouldn't last much longer. 

"Prepare for combat. There are six new-model fighters," He Kui said, watching the images from his reconnaissance Haro. The six aircraft, resembling Mobius, circled the transport, their beam weapons targeting potential heat sources.

"They're tracking heat signatures."

"Commander Andrew," He Kui spoke urgently while maneuvering the mobile suit. 

"I understand. Stay alert," Andrew responded just as He Kui's view shield was pierced.

But he was ready. With the Light Shield-equipped arm raised defensively, He Kui activated it just as the enemy attempted to shoot through the steel plating to target his cockpit. The beams struck the shield, dispersing without harm.

Meanwhile, Andrew, using his beam saber, tore open the transport's steel frame and, with the advanced fligh

t system in his backpack, leaped out like a tiger, charging at the Earth Alliance's new fighters.

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