"Oh, by the way, if you encounter any technical hurdles and need opinions when you're free, you can ask Haro."
Just as Lu Tianming was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something. He picked up Xia Chuan in his Haro form and showed him to the others.
"...Him?"
The people nearby looked at Xia Chuan, each showing varying expressions—some surprised, some skeptical... but it all boiled down to one thought.
Him?
"Right, me?"
Even Xia Chuan himself was somewhat doubtful. He pointed a mechanical finger at himself and spoke with a skeptical expression.
"Don't underestimate him. This guy has stored a lot of data inside. Although he can't provide substantive advice, his creativity is absolutely top-notch."
Lu Tianming patted Xia Chuan's head as he assured them.
Xia Chuan might seem silly, but he's actually not foolish at all. It's just that when Lu Tianming is around, he's more accustomed to leaving the thinking to Lu Tianming.
But when he's really tasked to do something, once that astonishing wisdom kicks in... whether the results are wise or not is debatable, but they're guaranteed to be astonishing.
Moreover, the number of models Xia Chuan has seen and played with is no less than Lu Tianming's. Combined with the Machine Spirit's exceptional memory, tapping into that vast database to offer a breakthrough solution for Erica and the others when they hit a creative block was as easy as pie.
"But even if he has ideas, how is he supposed to express them? All he can say is 'Haro Haro.' He's even sillier than Lacus's."
Erica glanced dismissively at the black Xia Chuan Haro—due to its programming, only Lu Tianming could hear Xia Chuan's human speech through the sunglasses and earphones. Everyone else just heard the "Haro Haro" sounds.
It didn't even repeat words like Lacus's Haro.
Before Lu Tianming could explain, Xia Chuan hopped over and stood beside Erica's computer.
Suddenly, a port opened in his palm, extending a data cable that connected directly to her computer—immediately uploading the concept designs for the Emerald Blitz and Nebula Blitz.
He couldn't write programs, but copying from the official design collections? He was an expert at that.
For Erica and the others, however, the subsequent detailing was the easy part. The real challenge was creating the design from scratch.
So... this Haro just slapped two complete sets of plans right in her face?!
She looked incredulously at Lu Tianming, then at Xia Chuan, feeling a mix of complex emotions.
She had thought she was only inferior to Lu Tianming... who would have guessed she couldn't even compare to his electronic pet?!
For a moment, a deep sense of defeat washed over Erica.
Watching the dejected Erica, Lu Tianming, Xia Chuan, and Kira—two humans and one Haro—exchanged helpless glances. They wanted to say something but, after a moment's thought, simply waved it off.
Forget it. At times like these, explaining would only sound like bragging. It was better to let her be.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Lu Tianming turned to see Cagalli rushing over, holding up her skirt, looking as if something major had happened.
She stopped in front of Lu Tianming and the others, panting as she called out his name:
"Lu... Lu..."
"Stop 'Lu'-ing and sit down for a rest first. Be careful not to choke on your own spit before finishing a sentence."
Lu Tianming somewhat helplessly found a seat for Cagalli and had her sit down to rest properly. However, before she could catch her breath, she sprang up from the seat again and said impatiently:
"Tianming, come with me quickly! My dad's gone crazy, and you're the only one who can talk sense into him now!"
"Expected."
Lu Tianming nodded, put down Xia Chuan, patted its dark little head, and instructed:
"You and Kira stay here and watch the house. I'm going with Cagalli to deal with that old man."
Then Lu Tianming stood up and waved to Cagalli, looking fully prepared:
"Let's go, lead the way!"
————————————————
In the ORB Presidential Residence, Uzumi looked at Lu Tianming, whom Cagalli had brought in, and sighed helplessly for a moment.
If this scene were Cagalli bringing home a son-in-law, he would be quite pleased—after all, Lu Tianming had exceptional piloting skills, research capabilities, and even political acumen, making him an excellent candidate to inherit the Athha family legacy.
But unfortunately... this time, he was brought here by Cagalli as backup to confront him.
This left Uzumi with mixed feelings.
Upon entering the presidential conference room, Lu Tianming didn't immediately question him but maintained some decorum with a smile, greeting him before asking:
"I could see Cagalli was furious when she dragged me over... saying you were about to make some foolish decision or something."
"I wonder what exactly you said... to make Cagalli this angry?"
Seeing Lu Tianming come to inquire, Uzumi waved his hand, shook his head, and sighed:
"This is the Athha family's... or rather, ORB's own affair. There's no need for you to worry too much. But since it's you, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to explain in detail."
Uzumi began with a meaningful statement—the first half clearly hinting to Lu Tianming that this was their internal matter and he, an outsider, shouldn't interfere.
But then he shifted his tone, implying to Lu Tianming.
Roughly meaning that Lu Tianming originally had neither the right nor the need to hear what followed, but perhaps due to Lu Tianming's great contributions to ORB, or his special relationship with Cagalli, Uzumi, as ORB's president, recognized his uniqueness and allowed him to stay.
The message he wanted to convey was simple—if you're here to stand up for Cagalli, then leave; this is none of your business. But if you're willing to share ORB's burdens, then stay, and he would explain the difficulties he faced and the decisions he made accordingly.
"ORB has long been like a second home to me; there's no need to distinguish between yours and mine."
Lu Tianming replied with a smile, clearly stating his stance.
Seeing Lu Tianming confirm his position, Uzumi sighed in relief and began to explain:
"Although we repelled the Alliance and ZAFT forces in the last battle, after these days of regrouping and reinforcements, they've returned to their pre-battle condition... perhaps even stronger."
"With the resumption of hostilities, I fear ORB may fall this time... especially with both sides joining forces to attack us together."
Uzumi's eyes reflected profound helplessness as he spoke.
He certainly wished to defend to the last, but ORB was ultimately merely a small nation with advanced technology, not some mysterious major power concealing formidable strength. It absolutely couldn't withstand a three-sided assault.
"But since they're coming for the Mass Driver, I might as well destroy it so none of them can obtain it... Once they see there's no profit to be gained, they'll leave us alone, won't they?"
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