Luna came and went like a gust of wind.
Only the lingering fragrance remained in He Kui's radar room before she vanished without a trace.
With Luna's departure, the situation in South America began to worsen significantly.
After unlocking nuclear energy, the offensive from the Atlantic Federation grew increasingly intense.
Finally, one week after the Atlantic Federation unlocked nuclear energy, the first batch of Neutron Jammers from ZAFT was transported down.
"Aegis, I'll leave the installation of the Neutron Jammer to you."
"Money is not an issue."
At this moment, the president of South America stood in front of his transparent floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the machine, which was tall enough to be three people high and escorted by dozens of people.
"I understand."
Such a massive Neutron Jammer would not be installed on a Mobile Suit but rather on top of a nuclear power plant.
With this device, their production capacity and the defense of the light shield would further improve.
"However, it's still quite dangerous if we encounter a nuclear-powered machine."
Although Oracle and Rebirth could not exert their full power in the atmosphere, they were still the most advanced nuclear-powered machines in the world.
Underestimating the opponent would be extremely perilous.
"We can only proceed this way for now; after all, we lack the foundation to manufacture nuclear-powered machines."
Currently, only a few countries could handle nuclear-powered machines: the three council nations, plus Orb and ZAFT.
That was about it; other countries either lacked the technology, resources, money, or simply had none of the three.
As for South America, it was a place used to poverty. They could barely scrape together the cost to manufacture a Gundam, but their technology and resources were subpar.
All of these needed upgrades and imports, which required money.
Unlike the other countries that could allocate a portion of their tax revenue for military expenses, gradually upgrading production lines and technology.
If South America wanted to catch up immediately, it would need to pay several times the cost of other countries, and many technologies were simply not available for purchase, even with money.
To put it into perspective, they were currently scavenging for PS Armor and Anti-beam coating.
He Kui had knowledge of the relevant technologies, but that also required equipment support.
Moreover, those were ZAFT's technologies; if he were to give them away, the president of South America would probably not dare to accept them.
If he offended both sides, his death would be imminent.
"I understand. I will install it as soon as possible."
Of course, the main reason He Kui was so eager was that there was money involved. "Aegis!"
Just as he stepped out of the president's office and felt the scorching sun of Panama, Ailina bounced in front of He Kui like a little rabbit.
"Why did it take so long?"
"Aren't we supposed to go install the Neutron Jammer?"
Clearly, Ailina was very enthusiastic about the Neutron Jammer.
But that was to be expected; with the Neutron Jammer ensuring nuclear energy, the energy situation in South America, at least in Panama, would improve significantly.
No more enduring the sweltering heat in summer, nor the biting cold in winter.
"Yeah, let's go install the Neutron Jammer."
"However, we first need to take the Strike PLUS over."
"Why?"
Ailina asked, puzzled.
"Just to be safe. After all, if they find out, they might try to attack while the light shield hasn't been installed with the Neutron Jammer yet."
Although the nearby radars had been upgraded to detect Mirage particles, the detection range was still limited; it was better to be cautious.
"I understand!"
Ailina readily agreed, and soon the two returned to the estate, where the Strike was quickly maneuvered by the two of them, stepping onto the massive Wing Pack and soaring into the flawless sapphire sky.
"Are you still good with your hands?"
He Kui asked.
"Of course not~"
Ailina replied, raising her hand and striking a pose like a strongman.
"I could even take on a tiger~!"
"That's good to hear."
He Kui smiled at her response.
The Strike PLUS was fast, and before long, it landed at a factory near the inland of Panama.
"This is Aegis, sent by the president to install the Neutron Jammer."
He Kui said from inside the Mobile Suit.
"Fairy! I knew I would run into you!"
A cable connected to He Kui's Mobile Suit's right arm.
Then a familiar voice came through.
"Uncle? What are you doing here?"
He Kui asked, puzzled.
After all, this wasn't the logistics area; it was indeed strange for those from the maintenance team to appear here.
"Hehe, didn't I say my granddaughter was coming?"
"I thought since I'm getting old, I might as well apply for a transfer from the maintenance team."
"Thanks to the fairy, I'm now the director here, still holding the rank of lieutenant."
With He Kui's previous guidance, Uncle's skills had been gradually improving.
This was the difference between Coordinators and Naturals.
If it were a Coordinator, at Uncle's age, his physical potential would have been mostly exhausted, and further progress would be nearly impossible.
But Naturals were different, or rather, Uncle's genetic potential had not been fully developed.
"Why isn't the fairy coming down? We're all ready to welcome you!"
"Is she shy?"
Hearing Uncle's teasing words, He Kui's lips twitched, but he still managed a smile.
"Of course not, but it's more convenient for me to do the installation here. This Mobile Suit has mechanical hands."
"Well, that's fine then."
Upon hearing the refusal, Uncle tactfully didn't press further.
"Director, is she not coming down?"
A young man beside Uncle frowned deeply, clearly dissatisfied with He Kui's attitude.
"She doesn't need to come down."
"But how will we install it like this?"
It was precisely because they hadn't had nuclear energy for a long time that they were more anxious, and it was understandable that they were unhappy with He Kui.
"He doesn't need to come down."
Just as Uncle finished speaking, He Kui had already controlled the Mobile Suit to lift the cloth covering the Neutron Jammer, and his left hand, modified by Luo, extended with five massive fingers, opening up.
Inside was a plethora of tools, revealing a small maintenance toolkit.
"The next bit of work is a bit boring; if Ailina wants to go down, she can."
Amidst the astonished atmosphere of countless factory workers, He Kui meticulously operated the finger tools, adjusting the black box-like Neutron Jammer while asking.
"No need! I like watching Aegis work~!"
Ailina replied straightforwardly, her eyes sparkling as if they contained stars, fixed on him.
"Is that so?"
While speaking, He Kui also learned from the outside Little Bird about the conversations happening outside.
Most people were inquiring about who he was, a small number wanted to confess to her, and only one person seemed out of place.
(End of Chapter)