"Phew... finally finished." Yang Hui wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the results before him.
For an entire week, Yang Hui had led the research team through sleepless days and nights to complete the design and testing of a large number of new Mobile Suits. They integrated various technologies, such as the fusion of the Trans-AM and the Over Limit System, successfully enabling a two-stage burst for the Trans-AM system while enhancing its controllability. This allowed the burst duration to be extended and enabled active deactivation and reactivation mid-burst.
Furthermore, the miniaturization of the Ahab Reactor and other technologies ensured that the Mobile Suits remained within the 18 to 20-meter size range.
However, the plan to develop a new type of engine that combined the strengths of the Ahab Reactor and the GN Solar Furnace while discarding their weaknesses had not yet succeeded. Despite trying various methods, no significant progress was made, so it had to be temporarily shelved.
"Tch, as expected of you, Yang Hui." Lowe, Madonna, and other research project leaders stepped forward to congratulate Yang Hui, as well as themselves. "The new multi-purpose rifles and cannons—compressing the switching speed between particle energy and solid rounds to within one or two seconds—is a leap-forward improvement."
"And the new optical radar and ultra-miniature nanobots for detection! They've achieved a maximum optical detection range of 1,000 kilometers. Plus, the Graviton Radar has a detection range of 5,000 kilometers. This is simply invincible!"
"I couldn't have done it alone." Yang Hui shrugged, not fully accepting the praise. "I only provided the theories and the general direction. The remaining detailed research, experiments, verification, and testing were all completed by you."
"Hehe, so everyone is amazing," Lowe laughed frankly.
"That's right, hahaha..."
"Alright everyone, you can take a break for now. Three days of leave, and then we'll continue with the subsequent research projects," Yang Hui told everyone. Despite their happiness and energy after a week of non-stop research, he knew their nerves were still wound tight. Once they relaxed, they would fall asleep instantly.
"Alright, we have shifts. Though they aren't long, we get two or three hours of rest a day. You're the only one who truly hasn't slept," Lowe gave Yang Hui a push, urging him to leave and go rest.
"Fair enough." Yang Hui shrugged. He was indeed exhausted and needed a good sleep. His bloodlines as an Innovator and a Newtype only strengthened his physical constitution; the enhancements from the Prometheus Fortress didn't mean Yang Hui could go without food, water, or sleep indefinitely.
Mustering his last bit of energy, Yang Hui walked toward the Central Hall. He waved back at everyone he encountered who greeted him.
"Yang..."
"Revil? Is something wrong?" Stepping into the elevator, he happened to run into Revil, Argreus, and Durandal. Seeing the three of them looking for him, he asked.
"...It's nothing, just a minor issue." Seeing Yang Hui leaning against the wall, finding it difficult even to stand, the word "weakness" was written all over his face. The three of them swallowed their words.
"Mm, I'll leave it to you then." Seeing the three of them together, Yang Hui guessed what they wanted to say. Unsurprisingly, the additional personnel from the three worlds had likely arrived. But Yang Hui trusted them to handle it, so he didn't press further.
The three were headed to a conference room, so they exited the elevator before Yang Hui. After the doors closed, they shook their heads with bitter smiles.
"The Lieutenant General is indeed working too hard. I feel like we haven't been of much use," Argreus said self-deprecatingly.
"It can't be helped," Durandal shrugged. "There are plenty of people who can share the burden of the command system, but he still has to personally oversee the scientific research department."
"Is there really no one who can take responsibility? Among the scientists of five worlds, we can't find a single person to take the lead?" Revil asked.
"So far, no," Argreus and Durandal shook their heads. "There are many excellent scientists, but most are specialists in a single field. They can handle a large-scale project in their specialty, but they still can't oversee the entire situation."
"Hmm... this problem needs to be solved quickly. Yang Hui's energy is being spread too thin."
"I think this problem will be solved soon," Argreus said.
"Aeolia Schenberg? Is he really that formidable?" Revil asked.
"To be honest... I'm also skeptical," Argreus spread his hands. Like Revil, he was a total layman when it came to scientific research.
"He is indeed a monster." However, Durandal, who also held the status of a researcher, strongly supported the claim. "In the Gundam OO World, Aeolia Schenberg was able to raise the world's technological level by two centuries even two hundred years ago. And two hundred years later, he was still a generation ahead of the world."
"But that's all according to the accounts of the Lieutenant General and Ms. Huang, isn't it?"
"Can the Solar Furnaces and GN Particles not prove it? The solar power generation systems and orbital elevator projects being carried out in various worlds can also prove it, right?"
Indeed, the scientific technologies consolidated from various worlds were not only used in the Prometheus Fortress. They were also distributed to the various connected worlds. Because of the peace, an arms race was impossible, but military technology was steadily improving, while civilian technology was being popularized on a large scale.
Especially the solar power generation systems and orbital elevators—these could fundamentally solve one of the most common causes of conflict: energy.
"Mm... alright, the additional personnel have all arrived. Let's do our own jobs first."
"The testing and assessment data for each department is also out. Let's organize it and start the assignments."
"Understood. But Argreus, you should change how you address him," Durandal said to Argreus with a smile.
"Haha, habits are hard to change." Argreus laughed. He had been addressing Yang Hui the same way for decades; correcting it now was truly not easy.
"It doesn't matter in private. Haven't guys like Jung, Brad, and Amuro also not changed how they address him? We're all used to it. Just pay attention in public," Revil said. In fact, he didn't want to change it himself either. Whether nominally or practically, Yang Hui was now his superior, and he recognized this relationship, but he just didn't want to say it out loud, so he kept calling him "Kid Yang."
What? Yang Hui's actual age was more than twice Revil's? Doesn't matter. In ten thousand years, Yang Hui would only be a hundred or so years older than Revil.
"True. We've been used to it for so long; if it suddenly became so formal, he'd be the first to object."
"Hahaha, that's the kid's style. Let's go. The documents from all departments have been sent over. Let's try to finish the assignments today."
"Mm." X2
...
Yang Hui returned to his room. He was so tired he didn't even wash or take off his clothes; he simply collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep.
"He's really exhausted."
The second after Yang Hui fell asleep, Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Yurin, Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, Lacus, and Cima walked in one after another. They sat by the bed, looking at Yang Hui with pained expressions.
"Once this mission is complete, he'll be a bit more relaxed."
"Mr. Aeolia Schenberg?"
"That's right. If he comes, the matters of the research institute can basically be handed over to him."
"The question is... will he agree?"
"He definitely will," Sumeragi nodded with certainty. "Infinite worlds, infinite possibilities, an infinite future—he won't be uninterested."
"Hehehe..."
"Let's go. Let him have a good rest alone," Sumeragi said to the other women. She was Yang Hui's first lover and was the acknowledged head of the household among them.
"Mm."
The women each gave Yang Hui a light kiss on the cheek before leaving the room and returning to their respective posts.
And the lightly snoring Yang Hui seemed to be having a beautiful dream, a gentle and happy smile gracing his face.
This beautiful dream lasted for two days. It wasn't until two days later that Yang Hui slowly woke up from his slumber.
"Ugh..." Rolling over and seeing that no one else was in the room, he didn't feel like grabbing his PAD and instead called out for Mephis. "Mephis..."
[Commander.]
"How long was I out?"
[49 hours, 21 minutes, and 15 seconds.]
"...Couldn't you just say a bit over two days? Why be so precise?" Yang Hui said, speechless.
[...Understood.]
After sleeping for two days, all his fatigue had vanished. He comfortably stretched his stiff body, rolled out of bed, and headed toward the bathroom. He felt sticky all over; it was unbearable not to shower!
"Mephis."
[Commander.]
"Notify the decision-making level. Meeting in the large conference room in half an hour."
[Completed.]
"Thanks, reliable as always."
[It is my duty.]
After taking a shower, moving his body, and letting his soul fully wake up, Yang Hui changed into clean clothes and headed to the conference room. When he arrived, he saw that everyone was present and waiting for him.
"Well-rested?" Creuset teased.
"Yeah, not bad." Yang Hui sat in his empty seat, his expression turning serious. "Alright everyone, report on the situation."
"Understood." XN
The additional personnel had all arrived, filling the vacancies in the five integrated space fleets. They had undergone preliminary testing and integration training. Members who originally belonged to the Prometheus Fortress were also assigned to the various fleets based on their test and assessment results.
However, above the regular fleets, there was a special fleet—or rather, it would be more appropriate to call it a unit, because this unit had only one warship. It was also the overall flagship when the entire Legion deployed. Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, and Yang Hui were members of this special unit. Additionally, it included a super ace unit led by Yang Hui, composed of the top MS pilots: Yurin, Graham, Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria, Kira, Athrun, Mikazuki Augus, Gerard, Rena, Cima, and Amuro.
Yang Hui had no objection to this decision. From his mission experiences across several worlds, the role a super ace unit could play in war no longer needed detailed explanation.
At the same time, he also knew that their approach served another purpose: to act as Yang Hui's escort.
They knew very well that once a battle began, Yang Hui would surely charge ahead of everyone, leading the way. But Yang Hui was the commander of the Prometheus Fortress and the Grand General of the Promis Legion; his safety outweighed everything. Therefore, he needed the various super aces to assist and protect him.