Who is Playing the Love Development Game in Gundam

As He Kui anticipated, the Sahaku family was aware of the existence of Super Coordinators but didn't know the specific individual's identity. Quite a few scientists who had worked with Dr. Hohenheim had sought refuge in Orb, but they didn't know the identity or location of the final "successful" product either. They had only been able to trace Kanard, who had been taken in by the Eurasian Federation, but he was a flawed version, only possessing the skill level of a regular elite, with unstable emotions.

But if the "Pallas" organization claimed there was a Super Coordinator in Orb, there were two possibilities. Either Aegis was throwing them off track, or the information was true. If a Super Coordinator really was hiding in Orb and Sahaku wasn't aware, then whoever held this knowledge was immediately suspect.

Mina's calculating expression made He Kui wonder how much information the Sahaku family had. If his mention of the Super Coordinator caused friction between the Sahaku and Asuha families, then maybe it would help him uncover whether Kira was indeed in Orb and, if so, precisely where. Either way, he'd gain valuable intelligence.

"As a host, there's also something I'd like to discuss with you, Miss Aegis," Mina finally said.

"What might that be?" He Kui asked, his interest piqued.

"Tomorrow, the Atlantic Federation's Deputy Foreign Minister will be visiting," she replied.

He Kui's eyes narrowed in surprise. The Atlantic Federation's Deputy Foreign Minister, George Allster—Frey's father. "I believe his daughter is attending school in Orb, correct?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"So, compared to others in the Federation, he's quite pro-Orb."

"Indeed. And I imagine you understand the purpose of his visit, Miss Aegis?"

"Of course," He Kui replied. This was likely a preliminary diplomatic gesture, attempting to persuade Orb to allow access to its mass driver.

"The Atlantic Federation has substantial influence here," Mina continued. "Be cautious, Miss Aegis."

He Kui was about to respond when Mina received a call and had to leave hastily. He Kui remained, noting the curious glances directed his way. So, Cagalli hadn't shown up after all? It was probably just as well; he wasn't here in person, anyway.

But from what Mina had hinted, it seemed Frey was indeed still in Orb. If he could track down the university where Kira was studying, he might be able to find Kira himself.

With that thought in mind, he quickly rejoined the Winslet duo and soon returned to his accommodation. After setting up a perimeter of monitoring drones, he disconnected from the remote communication. Seeing the dawn light begin to creep in, he felt the exhaustion creeping up on him.

Maybe, just maybe, he'd get a chance to sleep before dawn in South America after he submitted his latest findings on the nanobot project.

"I really wish I had an AI…" he sighed and reluctantly returned to his work.

---

Meanwhile, in the basement lab of the Central Hospital Research Institute in February City, Rau Le Creuset was calmly playing chess with Gilbert Durandal.

"I didn't expect you to leave Earth. How did the mission go?" Durandal asked.

"We managed to eliminate the Atlantic Federation's base on Midway, but the war has reached a stalemate. Tiger's forces are stalled near Alaska," Rau replied, making a move on the chessboard.

"I suspect they're planning something big on the moon, which is why they recalled me."

"Hmm…" Durandal raised an eyebrow. "Did they assign you a new mobile suit?"

Rau's lips twisted into a chilling smile. "Yes, they've given me a machine equipped with an anti-neutron jammer."

"And how are the nanobot developments coming along?"

"Progress is slow," Durandal admitted, shaking his head.

"Recently, it seems someone's been looking into Vlada," Rau remarked, his tone growing more cautious.

"Luchini's intel?"

"Indeed."

"Who could it be?" Durandal asked, frowning.

"Most likely 'Pallas.' Luchini hasn't managed to uncover many leads."

Considering Pallas's supposed commitment to peace, it made them a natural enemy.

"I've already instructed Luchini to scrub most of the traces with a quantum virus, but I'm not sure how long we can hide it."

"In the worst-case scenario, I may have to take Providence and leave."

The fact that Luchini couldn't find much, or even mount a counterattack, indicated Pallas's influence exceeded Luchini's reach. A more effective approach would be capturing someone from Pallas to investigate their operations more closely. Right now, they were operating in the open, while Pallas remained concealed.

"Do you have any leads? You've encountered Pallas at close range, after all," Durandal asked, maintaining his calm demeanor.

"I have a theory."

Whenever Rau recalled the Pallas agents charging at his mobile suit, something about it seemed… off. Initially, he thought it was just poor piloting. But upon reflection, those movements felt more like there was a delay—as if their bodies couldn't keep up with their intentions.

"I think it's possible that these Aegis units are remotely controlled machines," Rau stated coldly, his eyes gleaming beneath his mask.

"But that was on Earth, where there's a neutron jammer presence…"

Durandal's hand paused mid-move.

"Luchini has the quantum virus, and there's the Dragoon System with quantum communication."

"If your theory holds, there's someone who might be able to assist you."

"You mean He Kui?"

"But isn't he rather suspicious himself?"

A brutal smile played on Rau's lips. "Why would he reveal nanobot research to you? More importantly, he has his own asteroid base, so secure that not even PLANT's special forces have managed to infiltrate. For all we know, he could be conducting his own research there."

"But if Pallas's influence is as extensive as it appears, can someone like He Kui, a mere researcher, really establish such a well-informed intelligence network? And saving the world doesn't seem like his style," Durandal replied.

"Perhaps he's just an accessory to it all."

The chessboard in front of them was approaching an inevitable conclusion as Durandal tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. "He's now one of the most highly protected individuals in PLANT. You'd only get close by risking everything in a direct confrontation."

"I could have Luchini attempt to hack his base."

"If he finds any leads, we may be able to use him to capture someone from Pallas."

Rau rose, his expression resolute. "Is Rey at the usual spot?"

"Yes."

After a nod, Rau turned and left. The room fell back into silence, the chessboard bearing silent witness to their conversation.

"He Kui, hmm?"

Durandal murmured

thoughtfully, watching Rau depart. If Rau's plan failed, could He Kui become his next target—or perhaps an ally?