While scientists, politicians, and wealthy merchants from every nation in the CE Universe's Earth Sphere gathered in Star Palace City, Reid Isaac announced he was in seclusion. In reality, however, he was receiving a special guest.
Actually, calling her a guest wasn't quite accurate. This person was, at least nominally, his own employee—well, a shared employee.
Alright, the root of the matter was that the announcement of the Lightwave Thruster had drawn the attention of D.S.S.D.
Based on the publicly released technical principles, the Lightwave Thruster was far too similar to the Starlight Transmitter that D.S.S.D. was currently developing.
The only thing was, the development of the Starlight Transmitter had just completed its theoretical validation phase. The Stargazer Gundam, meant to be its testbed, didn't even have design blueprints yet. Faced with the already practical Lightwave Thruster, D.S.S.D. had no grounds to accuse Reid of plagiarizing their technology.
The purpose of sending a specialist to the New Misurugi Kingdom this time was for D.S.S.D. to see if the Lightwave Thruster could completely replace the Starlight Transmitter. If it could, or even if it could replace over 50% of its functions, D.S.S.D. would terminate the development of the Starlight Transmitter and redirect its limited funds and energy to other projects.
Thus, the D.S.S.D. representative who came this time was none other than Selene McGriff, one of the lead developers of the Starlight Transmitter. She wanted to witness with her own eyes whether her research goal had already been achieved by someone else, so her project could at least have a clear reason for its demise.
The moment Reid heard that D.S.S.D. was preparing to axe the Starlight Transmitter project, he didn't dare pretend to be in seclusion any longer and immediately arranged a secret meeting with Selene and her party.
Although Selene was a bit surprised that Reid—a man whom even foreign ministers couldn't get a meeting with—had agreed to see her just like that, she still dressed up carefully, approaching the meeting with Reid as if it were a job interview.
The two met in the conference room of the surface-level laboratory, the part of Star Palace City known to the outside world.
However, this time, Selene's side consisted only of her and a guard named Edmond Duclos. Even for the surface-level lab, he was not qualified to enter.
So, Selene entered alone.
As for Reid, he naturally wouldn't have anyone accompanying him in a place like a laboratory. The Xia sisters went straight to stand guard at the door, as their sharp eyes could tell at a glance that Selene was truly a researcher with no strength to even truss a chicken. (As an elite Coordinator who could pilot a Mobile Suit, Selene was at most just not skilled in combat.)
And so, Reid and Selene, a lone man and a lone woman in a sealed environment, began to size each other up.
To be honest, the current situation was a bit like a blind date between two people from STEM fields, both of whom were introverts. They first sized each other up upon meeting, and the scene instantly fell silent.
Alright, the actual situation wasn't that ambiguous. Reid was indeed observing this scientist, famous in Gundam history for her kindness and beauty (referring to her ability to rescue an enemy she had been fighting to the death with just moments before).
Reid couldn't comprehend how someone could offer aid to a person they were trying to kill just a second ago, without any communication in between. If it were him, not putting a bullet in Swen would have been a sign of his own mercy.
As for Selene, she simply felt that Reid had a rather powerful aura, and as a woman, she could tell he was constantly sizing her up.
Of course, Selene could sense that Reid's gaze wasn't malicious, but more like someone who couldn't help but stare a little longer upon seeing a rare animal.
Therefore, considering her status as a scientist, Selene found herself at a loss for how to begin.
Fortunately, Reid didn't let the silence drag on for too long. He had seen plenty of beautiful women and felt no need to keep staring.
As if he had seen enough, Reid picked up the file in front of his seat and said, "Dr. McGriff, I've heard much about you. I've already read the report D.S.S.D. submitted to the New Misurugi Kingdom. If you have any questions, you can ask me directly."
Seeing Reid get straight to the point, Selene breathed a sigh of relief. Most researchers found worldly pleasantries annoying, feeling they severely hampered efficiency, and she was no exception.
So, she didn't dislike Reid's typical, no-nonsense attitude. She also shifted into work mode and said seriously, "Dr. Isaac, may I first confirm whether you are meeting me in your capacity as a shareholder, or as a fellow researcher and a more advanced senior?"
Hearing this, and with his Newtype senses telling him that Selene still held some resentment and unwillingness in her heart, Reid understood that she was in a bad mood because the research project she had poured her heart into was about to be terminated. He didn't mind the confrontational tone in her words and answered directly, "I am both. It depends on what you plan to discuss with me."
Reid's response left Selene speechless. He had built a three-dimensional defense. It seemed she wouldn't be able to bring their statuses to the same level.
However, Selene didn't give up on her goal. She had told D.S.S.D. that she was coming to accept her project's fate, but in reality, she wanted to persuade Reid to continue supporting the development of the Starlight Transmitter, because she believed her Starlight Transmitter was theoretically more powerful than the Lightwave Thruster.
Of course, Selene also understood the principle that a theory without practical application was worthless. After all, the concept of a nuclear fusion reactor had been proposed in the 20th century of the last era, but it wasn't until last year that the man before her, Reid Isaac, led a team to make the theory a reality using Minovsky Particles, developing a true nuclear fusion reactor.
Therefore, Selene said with exceptional tact, "I understand, Dr. Isaac. I hope you will continue to support the development of the Starlight Transmitter. I believe this project has great potential. It could even take your Lightwave Thruster a step further."
To ensure her research wouldn't be aborted, Selene had taken the initiative to concede, offering to have her technology serve as a stepping stone for Reid's. This was almost equivalent to admitting her technology was inferior to Reid's, a huge concession for a researcher.
After all, Kirst Mosjous and Nanai Miguel, who were both researching Newtypes, often argued over differences in theoretical understanding.
Nanai didn't care that Kirst was technically her senior; she would argue back whenever necessary, often leaving the less verbally adept Kirst fuming by himself.
Fortunately, the two were now in charge of different projects, or else Reid would have to spend his days mediating between them.
However, Reid had never said he wanted to terminate the development of the Starlight Transmitter. The current request for termination was proposed by D.S.S.D. itself.
The personnel from various countries assigned to D.S.S.D.'s project review committee would certainly not agree to D.S.S.D. continuing to waste everyone's money developing existing technology. Once D.S.S.D. saw that the Lightwave Thruster was already installed and in use on Mobile Suits, they naturally didn't put up a fight and proactively submitted the termination request, allowing everyone to save face.
In fact, the three major powers of the Earth Alliance and PLANT had all approved D.S.S.D.'s request. Only the New Misurugi Kingdom had yet to state its position.
That was why Selene felt there was hope with Reid and had rushed over to make one last struggle.
Of course, the reality was that because Reid was publicly "in seclusion," he hadn't gone to his office to look at D.S.S.D.'s request. Une didn't have the authority to make such research-related decisions; everything had to be personally approved by Reid.
With Reid slacking off, the report naturally went unanswered.
Fortunately, because one major shareholder hadn't replied, D.S.S.D. didn't dare to halt the project rashly, so there was still room to salvage the situation. Otherwise, Reid would have had to bite the bullet, find Selene, and personally invite her back, which would have put him in the position of begging her.
So, Reid dropped all pretense, afraid that Selene would throw in the towel. He answered directly, "Who said I was going to terminate the development of the Starlight Transmitter? Not only am I not going to terminate it, but I'm also preparing to invest additional funds to support this project."
Reid's words left Selene a bit dumbfounded. She felt this happiness had come too suddenly, like a pie had fallen from the sky right into her mouth.
As everyone knows, pies that fall from the sky are usually poisoned. Selene suddenly wondered if Reid Isaac had actually taken a liking to her just now. Was supporting her project just a way to get a hold on her?
Selene was not prepared to offer herself up just like that. Just as she was about to open her mouth to make things clear, Reid, who had already sensed the sudden disgust rising in her heart, spoke first.
"The practical application of solar sail technology in the last century, converting solar wind—the stream of charged particles emitted by a star—into light pressure for propulsion, was a genius idea. My Lightwave Thruster also utilizes solar wind to reduce energy consumption, so I understand the validated theoretical value of the Starlight Transmitter project that D.S.S.D. submitted.
"Just as you said, the Starlight Transmitter project can indeed compensate for the shortcomings of the Lightwave Thruster.
"In fact, to be precise, if the Starlight Transmitter can truly perform as your theory suggests, my Lightwave Thruster would likely become an auxiliary system for it. It would only be used as a backup propulsion method in regions with weaker solar wind, to allow a spacecraft to reach the next star system."
As Reid said this, the trace of disgust that had just risen in Selene's heart instantly flipped and doubled into favorability. For a researcher, there was nothing more gratifying than having one's own theory recognized by a higher-level peer in the same field.
From Selene's perspective, Reid's words clearly showed that he had read her theory and was expressing genuine approval from the bottom of his heart. Moreover, he had fairly judged the difference between the Starlight Transmitter and the Lightwave Thruster.
A woman's change of heart is just that magical. Now, Selene felt that if Reid wanted to sleep with her, it seemed it wouldn't be unacceptable, because Reid truly understood her.
Of course, Reid had no intention of sleeping with Selene. At most, his collector's instinct was acting up, and he wanted to recruit this beautiful, high-caliber researcher to his side.
Unfortunately, Reid knew that the Starlight Transmitter couldn't be completed quickly by Selene alone. She was the lead developer, but the project's completion in two years' time was not her achievement alone.
And right now, Reid obviously couldn't just poach the entirety of D.S.S.D. He could only wait for Phantom Pain to attack D.S.S.D. and then seize the opportunity to take everyone away.
Still, a little probing was necessary. So, Reid looked at the cheerful Selene and continued, "Dr. Selene, to be honest, I think very highly of you. I can continue to increase my investment in D.S.S.D. for your project. As you know, I'm not short on money. By the way, since I'm calling you by your first name, you can also call me by mine."
Selene understood instantly and said, "So, Dr. Reid, are you saying you want people?"
Reid nodded and said directly, "Yes, Dr. Selene. You can use this project to prove your abilities. If you complete the development of the Starlight Transmitter, I can poach your entire team. I'm quite confident that the research funding and foundational technology here are much better than at D.S.S.D."
Hearing this, Selene immediately felt ashamed of her own lewd thoughts.
Come to think of it, Reid Isaac was one of the few men on Earth who could openly have a harem. What kind of beauty couldn't he have? Although she was attractive, she wasn't so stunning as to make a man like Reid Isaac want to violate her on sight.
It was obvious that Reid Isaac valued her abilities as a scientist more than her looks. Moreover, he was clearly challenging her, demanding that she prove her ability before he would take her under his wing.
Selene certainly wasn't arrogant enough to think that completing the Starlight Transmitter would elevate her status in the scientific community above Reid's.
After all, whether it was the implementation of controllable nuclear fusion or the creation of the Regenerative Medical Pod, Reid Isaac had undoubtedly played a crucial role.
Although the publicly credited inventors of these two technologies were not Reid Isaac, his name was on the list of developers for both.
Moreover, any discerning person could see that these inventors were all obscure before joining Reid's ranks, even ridiculed and disdained in their respective fields. It wasn't until Reid joined that their research successfully came to fruition.
If one was an accident, and two were good luck, now that there were three such cases (the discoverer of Minovsky Particles was Tem Ray, the inventor of the Psycho-Induction Device was Elvira Hill, and the inventor of the Medical Pod was Nanai Miguel), even the most stubborn scientists in the scientific community had to admit that Reid Isaac was the first super-scientist of this century.
Therefore, Selene, who was exceptionally confident in her own research, naturally puffed out her ample chest and accepted this "challenge," saying directly, "Dr. Reid, please rest assured. I will definitely lead my team to complete the development of the Starlight Transmitter. I won't let your money go to waste. If there are any mistakes, I will compensate you with myself."
Reid was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. At this moment, it was hard to say whether Selene or the Starlight Transmitter was more important. He could only say half-jokingly, "Dr. Selene, don't put too much pressure on yourself. We both understand how scientific research works. Being too hasty won't lead to good results.
"You can rest assured, when the other four powers of the Earth Sphere see me investing in the Starlight Transmitter project, they will definitely follow suit. Your subsequent research funding will be more than sufficient.
"After all, if I invest in the financial sector, many people might wait to see me make a fool of myself. But if I invest money in a research project, I'm afraid everyone will try their best to throw in a sum."
Hearing this, Selene smiled and nodded. "That's natural. If you have new research in the high-energy particle field, I would also be scrambling to squeeze into your team.
"But as I said, the continuation of the Starlight Transmitter is thanks to your support. I welcome you to my lab for guidance at any time. If it's inconvenient for you to travel abroad, it's no problem for me to come to the New Misurugi Kingdom to report on our progress."
Hearing this, Reid figured he had probably coaxed Selene enough. In the future, he just needed to have her report on her progress regularly to deepen their "relationship," and he should be able to poach her and her team.
Thus, Reid smiled and began a session of mutual flattery, and he also took her to see the top-secret theoretical model of the Lightwave Thruster.
This one-two punch moved Selene beyond words, because the theoretical model of the Lightwave Thruster would be a great help to her research, allowing her to avoid many pitfalls.
Although Reid couldn't possibly let Selene take the theoretical model with her, or even record it on paper, looking at it for a while was enough for a high-IQ individual like Selene to memorize the key information.
In short, everything Reid did was to ensure the Starlight Transmitter could be born as soon as possible. That way, the mobility of all the Mobile Suits under his command could be collectively upgraded by a whole level.
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