"Oh, by the way, Kira is calling for you down there. Maybe he has something to discuss."
Just as Lu Tianming was rendered speechless by Xia Chuan's antics, the latter suddenly switched the monitor's view while speaking.
Lu Tianming shifted his gaze accordingly—indeed, Kira was excitedly waving toward the cockpit from beneath the Strike Suit, seemingly eager to share some good news.
"Alright, I'll go down and see what's going on."
"Perfect timing—I'll shut down and take a break once you're gone... By the way, could you lure Cagalli away too? Being stared at all day gives me the creeps."
Lu Tianming found this amusing... Hadn't this guy been thrilled about having a girl in the cockpit earlier? Why the discomfort now?
Xia Chuan simply retorted that Lu Tianming should mind his own business regarding Gundam matters, grumbling as he maneuvered the seat to push him out of the cockpit.
Lu Tianming slid down from the cockpit, exasperated. He hadn't expected Xia Chuan to eject him using the seat... truly inventive.
After landing, Lu Tianming composed himself to ask Kira about the news, but the latter eagerly approached first, reporting cheerfully:
"Mr. Lu, the Flight Pack you asked me to develop should be ready soon!"
"Oh? Really?"
Hearing this, Lu Tianming felt a surge of excitement. No wonder Kira was so happy—a major project was nearing completion.
The Flight Pack alone could serve as a high-end aerial configuration, and its ability to mount additional packs greatly expanded the Strike Suit's combat versatility and potential.
"Absolutely! We had the blueprints but lacked sufficient parts earlier. I scavenged through the BuCUE wreckage and the resistance's supplies, and somehow managed to gather all the materials!"
Kira nodded emphatically, confirming the news.
Most key components had been sourced during resupply with the Eighth Fleet, leaving only railgun-related parts missing.
Coincidentally, the recently destroyed BuCUE was equipped with railguns, and after some dismantling, Kira secured the final pieces.
According to Kira, with all parts now assembled, only fabrication and assembly remained. The Flight Pack would likely be operational within a day or two.
"However... there are two issues."
After the initial excitement, Kira sobered up and hesitantly decided to disclose the current shortcomings.
"First, due to limited railgun components, if the weapon is damaged in combat, repairs will be impossible without additional parts. This requires special attention."
"Second, the mounting system. While multi-pack combat is feasible, calculations suggest the actual performance may fall short of expectations."
"Hmm? How so?"
Lu Tianming raised an eyebrow. The mounting system was a key feature of the Flight Pack, and he was particularly interested in it.
With the Freedom upgrade still distant and 100% Resonance Level usable only as a last resort, the Flight Pack's implementation represented the Strike Suit's most significant combat enhancement.
"Ignoring the single Flight Pack configuration, mounting one additional pack offers the best cost-effectiveness. Whether enhancing the Launcher or Sword Pack's mobility or boosting the Striker Pack's firepower and endurance, it's a solid choice... roughly an upgraded replacement for the Manta Ray."
The Manta Ray is already being replaced... Kira's equipment upgrades are progressing rapidly.
Lu Tianming marveled inwardly, reaffirming that keeping Kira as a technician was the right choice... but this didn't sound like a drawback.
Kira sighed, shrugged, and continued:
"But mounting two or more packs drastically reduces efficiency... both mobility and energy consumption become unreasonable. Three packs render it almost stationary, requiring the Striker Pack's thrust just to hover slightly."
He sighed again, seemingly dissatisfied with the situation.
"I wanted to improve power efficiency... but after research, I found both materials and my knowledge insufficient. The physical weight limitations also make improvements challenging..."
Lu Tianming facepalmed. He'd thought there was a genuine flaw... turns out Kira was just being humble.
Mastering pack-mounting technology was impressive enough—it was essentially a scheme by Bandai to sell more model kits, and he'd only mentioned it casually when drafting the design.
Yet Kira actually made it work... proving why he's hailed as the Ultimate Coordinator. His R&D skills are akin to Ork tech in the Gundam world.
Seeing Kira genuinely disheartened, Lu Tianming chuckled and patted his shoulder:
"I thought it was a real issue... no need to be so discouraged. The Strike isn't a mobile fortress—if it could move normally with layers of packs, we'd just mass-produce Flight Packs stacked endlessly, surely terrifying the enemy."
Hearing this, Kira paused, envisioning infinite Flight Pack stacking, and couldn't help but laugh along.
"If Mr. Lu doesn't mind, then I'm relieved... but after this project, is there anything else you'd like me to work on?"
Kira nodded, gazing at the nearly completed Flight Pack with a hint of emptiness... after a moment's thought, he inquired further.
Lu Tianming was taken aback—he hadn't considered follow-up plans. After pondering, his eyes fell on the nearby Manta Ray.
...Maybe we could repurpose it?
After brief consideration, Lu Tianming suggested:
"The Flight Pack replaces the Manta Ray's endurance role, and the Skygrasper handles support. The Manta Ray's position is awkward now... maybe you could figure out how to repurpose it?"
"Great! I'll work on it after finishing the Flight Pack!"
Kira, pleased that Lu Tianming entrusted him with R&D, promptly accepted the task.
After handling Kira's matters, Lu Tianming glanced toward Cagalli's previous location... wow, she's no longer watching the Strike Suit but is now staring directly at him.
Noticing his gaze, she even guiltily averted her eyes, pretending to be just passing by...
Lu Tianming sighed helplessly, pointed toward Cagalli, and asked Kira:
"How long has she been like this?"
Kira followed Lu Tianming's gesture, spotting Cagalli feigning nonchalance, and looked confused:
"Not sure... she was probably there before I started working. I think you were programming the OS inside the Strike Suit at the time?"
"She's been here quite a while."
Lu Tianming sighed. No wonder Xia Chuan complained about being watched—he'd thought the guy was just being sensitive, but it seems he'd endured it for some time.
Nodding, Lu Tianming patted Kira's shoulder, suggesting he take a break, then headed toward Cagalli.
Cagalli, having turned away to pretend she was strolling, still believed her disguise was effective.
After being saved by the Strike Suit—or rather, its pilot—her feelings toward it had grown complex.
Disgust toward the Strike as a weapon of war clashed with gratitude for rescuing her and the resistance members, leaving her conflicted.
Were MS good or evil? Previously, she viewed them as life-taking instruments, omens of war for peaceful regions.
But being saved made her think... this power could sometimes shield others.
This ideological conflict plunged her into confusion, prompting her to seek answers.
After careful thought, Cagalli decided the Strike's pilot might hold the key.
Having fought alongside the Strike, he likely understood MS, war, and the suit itself more deeply and comprehensively than she did. Understanding him better... might resolve her inner turmoil.
As for how to understand him? She didn't dare converse directly... so observation was the only option, embodying "investigating things to extend knowledge." She'd study Lu Tianming like bamboo.
Composing herself, Cagalli turned to resume her observation... only to find her "subject" already standing before her.
"Y-You... need something?"
Startled by Lu Tianming's sudden approach, Cagalli instinctively stepped back.
"I should be asking you—how long have you been staring at our Strike Suit? You've nearly scared it."
Lu Tianming shrugged and sighed. Seeing Cagalli feigning ignorance, he cut straight to the point.
Caught off guard, Cagalli flushed, stammering:
"W-Who's staring at that hunk of junk! Besides, how could an MS be scared... it has no feelings."
Cagalli stubbornly denied it... and genuinely didn't believe the Strike could feel fear, assuming Lu Tianming was teasing her.
In fact, if she thought the Strike was genuinely afraid, that would be strange.
Seemingly to confirm her thoughts, she subconsciously glanced toward the Strike... seeing it stationary in the restraint rack, lifeless as ever, her confidence grew.
"Who says it has no feelings? Everything has a spirit—even MS have their Machine Spirits. After being stared at relentlessly for so long, it'd be weird if it wasn't scared."
Lu Tianming crossed his arms, speaking earnestly.
Cagalli rolled her eyes. Was she staring at the Strike? She was staring at you! If not for fear you'd slip away unnoticed, why would she watch an immobile metal lump all day?
Of course, she couldn't say this aloud... lest she seem like a stalker.
Snorting lightly, Cagalli feigned disbelief and changed the subject:
"Hmph... if you say the Strike has life, prove it."
"I can't just show you for free... how about a bet? If I call the Strike and it moves, what then?"
Lu Tianming wagged a finger meaningfully, smiling.
"If it really moves, I'll do whatever you ask during our cooperation!"
Provoked, Cagalli immediately accepted.
While speaking, she glanced at the Strike—likely powered down, so remote manipulation seemed impossible.
Why not bet? Could he really make the Strike respond by calling it?
"Deal?"
"Deal!"
Seeing Cagalli's firm agreement, Lu Tianming nodded, walked to the Strike's base, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Wake up! The advisor is taking attendance for the 8 AM class!"
Meanwhile, Xia Chuan, who had powered down to slack off, felt some deeply ingrained instinct triggered, instantly booting up and turning in panic toward the sound.
But upon seeing Lu Tianming's smug grin below, he froze, processing for a moment before realizing.
Damn, I'm a Gundam now—what 8 AM attendance?
That wicked Lu Tianming... tricked me!
But currently immobilized in the restraint rack... after pondering, Xia Chuan found no subtle way to retaliate, frustratedly powering down again.
I'll remember this... next time he boards, I'll make him regret it with the seat!
Seeing Xia Chuan fall for the trick, Lu Tianming chuckled inwardly... indeed, teasing a good friend idly is the most stress-relieving thing.
After a moment, he remembered Cagalli, coughed lightly, suppressed his smile, turned, and shrugged:
"See? I didn't lie."
"...You didn't use some special voice command?"
While doubting, Cagalli tried shouting herself. But her voice lacked the trigger effect of Lu Tianming's, and with Xia Chuan now wary after being tricked, there was no response.
Seeing her attempt fail, Cagalli was baffled... what was the principle here?
"See, I didn't lie."
Lu Tianming spread his hands, smiling as he patted the stunned Cagalli's shoulder.
"But honestly... if you have questions about the Strike, just ask me directly. Why sneak around like a thief..."
Cagalli blushed, murmuring an acknowledgment... if only you'd said so earlier. Had I known you'd answer questions, why would I have sneaked around?
But wait... did she impulsively agree to some strange bet earlier?
Cagalli was slow to realize—when proposing the terms, she never expected to lose, so she made them broad.
Now that she'd lost, she felt unsure how to handle it. "Whatever you ask"... it didn't seem like a big deal when said, but now it felt potentially dangerous.
She looked up at Lu Tianming's face—still smiling, unreadable.
But this only made her more anxious... was he plotting something unpleasant?