Kapitel 197: Chapter 197: The Test Ends
Through the monitor, He Kui and Andrew watched as the decoy slowly made his way to the designated meeting point. He Kui hadn't asked, but it was clear that Andrew had already stationed his men around the area. After all, Andrew was the renowned "Tiger of the Desert," and he had plenty of trusted subordinates.
"What do you think, Director He? Are they after your life, or are they genuinely interested in making contact?" Andrew's deep voice sounded more menacing in the quiet of the night.
"They'll probably try to capture me," He Kui replied, speculating.
A dead He Kui had little value to them. Now it was just a matter of how they would approach this meeting.
The two spoke as the young man on the monitor arrived at the location. Other than the sound of distant cicadas, the area was eerily silent, with nothing happening.
"Anything unusual on your end, Director He?" Andrew asked.
"Nothing at all. Not a single shadow," He Kui replied, his surveillance revealing no signs of life from any direction.
"Seems they're just testing the waters, trying to gauge your intentions. If you were in their shoes, what would you do now?" Andrew asked.
"I'd leave," He Kui answered simply.
"Alright."
Andrew ordered the decoy to turn back, avoiding any unnecessary commotion.
"They may contact you anytime now. Should we cut the line?" Andrew asked, deferring to He Kui as the person in question. Although he wanted to bait them out, he prioritized He Kui's preferences.
"Leave it open for now," He Kui replied. He was curious to see if a safe opportunity for conversation with the other party would arise. But he wanted to ensure Andrew was involved to avoid unnecessary risks.
Even though Lacus wasn't exactly an ally, she still had a connection with him, and negotiating with "the Clan" directly was far too risky. Leaving this line open seemed wise, at least for now.
"Understood. I'll assign people to keep an eye on the room from which the calls originate," Andrew replied.
"Thanks," He Kui said.
"No trouble at all. Need extra protection?"
"Yes," He Kui answered firmly, making Andrew chuckle.
That response was certainly in line with his cautious approach.
"Looks like nothing's happening tonight, then. Let's call it a day."
Andrew's serious expression melted into an amused grin.
"Alright." He Kui gave a slightly reluctant nod and returned safely to his shared quarters with Shi He.
"How did it go?" Shi He asked anxiously, hugging him tightly.
"For now, nothing happened."
"And who was it this time?" she asked, sensing something unusual. She'd noticed that He Kui had been preparing for this even before they'd arrived.
"The Black Market," he answered.
"They?" she echoed in surprise.
"Yes. I'm not entirely sure of their intentions, but they probably mean no harm."
"Alright…" Shi He didn't push further.
She'd long sensed that He Kui had his secrets. Living together for so long, she understood that his silence was for everyone's safety, so she didn't pry.
"Thank you."
Acknowledging her trust, He Kui leaned in for a kiss—a gentle, loving kiss rather than their usual passionate one. Still, the kiss deepened, and they soon found themselves lost in each other.
The next day, Shi He didn't go out. She stayed with He Kui, waiting for the other party's contact. Meanwhile, Andrew and Aisha joined them in the room.
"Will they actually reach out today?" Shi He asked, watching the clock as it neared noon.
Just then, He Kui's computer screen lit up with an incoming call. After Andrew ensured all exits were secured, He Kui answered.
"Director He, don't you want to work with us?" It was the same voice as yesterday, with the same tone.
"I don't know who you are or what you're capable of. This contact was merely a veiled threat, not a genuine invitation, wasn't it?" He Kui replied calmly.
"You're quite perceptive, Director He."
"But rest assured, my previous offer still stands. One day, you'll understand our capabilities."
The call ended abruptly.
"They're gone," Andrew reported, hearing from his men that the call was relayed remotely from another location.
"Their signal was different this time as well," He Kui added with a sigh.
"How's the effort to root out infiltrators going?" he asked Andrew.
"We've caught four so far, but I suspect there are more. This place is like a rabbit warren, with holes everywhere," Andrew replied with a sigh.
"I appreciate your help, Commander Andrew. Although they seem to have retreated, we shouldn't let our guard down," He Kui advised.
The call seemed to indicate an end to this round of tests. Though unlikely to be a trap, He Kui suspected the group's operations involved a certain level of theatricality and symbolism.
And with Andrew's protection, he could continue his work without undue worry. As for whatever the Clan might try next, He Kui had the option of consulting Matthias and possibly glimpsing the so-called Martian princess.
"Not bad at all, Director He. Pretty calm about all of this," Andrew said, admiringly patting He Kui on the shoulder.
Initially, he'd thought He Kui was merely a brilliant researcher who might fear combat, but He Kui's attitude revealed a surprising amount of courage.
"Calm or not, I'll get by. Oh, and would you mind lending me some of your surveillance units, Commander Andrew? I'd like to upgrade them."
Andrew grinned. "Sure thing."
"Those little gadgets are certainly handy, though most of the time, they're hardly necessary," Andrew joked.
He Kui chuckled awkwardly. True, they mostly sat unused in MS cockpits, only shining in these more clandestine situations.
"Oh, by the way, know anything about the current status of the Sarah team?"
"The Sarah team?" Andrew repeated. "They're still holed up in Orb, on guard duty. That's dedication for you."
Spending all their time on a submarine sounded far less comfortable than Gibraltar's conditions.
"Thanks."
Seeing Andrew off, He Kui stretched and embraced Shi He.
"So, next up is the flexible wings, right? Installed yet?"
"They're already on," Shi He replied with a playful look, nudging him aside before showing him the tablet with the 3D model of the GaT-X outfitted with the wings.
The design looked like a pair of dark red Freedom wings, which gave the unit a peculiar, even menacing appearance.
"Courtney's arrived, and we're ready to begin," Shi He reported.
"Then let's get started. Any further delays, and our return to PLANT will get pushed back again."
He Kui started considering his plans involving Orb. Since he'd brought Aegis along, the goal would be to deploy it to an island near Orb.
Getting it there without raising suspicion would be difficult, though, as no direct route from Gibraltar to Orb existed, meaning he'd likely need to head to South Africa first, then arrange a separate flight.
It would also mean finding someone trustworthy to carry out the plan. Perhaps Ed could help with that, as he'd rather not involve Andrew.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein