Temporarily setting aside the matter of the plants, these terrorist attacks still required some assistance for Orb.
After all, this also concerned Cagalli's political achievements.
Given the current relationship between the two, if Cagalli came to power, the benefits for him would undoubtedly be numerous.
Thinking this, He Kui began to disperse the nearby surveillance with Little Bird.
"Do you have any leads?"
It was only after the two had moved from the office in the Orb Defense Building to a black government vehicle that Cagalli asked.
"I have a bit."
Previously, while helping Cagalli eliminate terrorists, he had indeed obtained some information.
"Your immigration management bureau has loopholes; we need to access their computers directly."
"Do we need anyone else?"
"Yes, have them maintain surveillance around. Chisaka and I will be by your side; there won't be any problems."
He Kui said, glancing at the car driven by Chisaka that was following them.
He wondered if it was because there hadn't been any wars recently, but Chisaka was back again.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
If it were the old Cagalli, she would have rushed in headlong upon hearing He Kui's words.
But Cagalli was different now; as the head of the counter-terrorism team, she had to be responsible for the lives of her subordinates and ordinary citizens.
Under He Kui's patient guidance, she had become less impulsive than before.
Every action she took could potentially affect the lives of countless people.
This was also the reason Uzumi had appointed Cagalli to this position.
To make her bear more responsibility.
Right now, it was about the team members and the civilians threatened by terrorism; in the future, it would be about every single person in Orb.
If she charged forward recklessly again, she would never become a qualified leader.
Of course, being on the front lines was still Cagalli's insistence; this time was no different. Even if he asked her to stay outside on guard, she probably wouldn't listen.
But it was precisely this kind of personality that made her more beloved, so He Kui had no plans to change that for now.
After all, he still had the capacity to protect Cagalli.
"There shouldn't be any problems; over there, it's just a bribed employee and a mastermind with a grenade. We'll go over to find evidence, just in case."
He Kui replied.
"Okay."
Cagalli slightly parted her cherry lips, wanting to say something but stopping short.
Isn't a grenade a problem?
However, recalling the scenes they had experienced together, Cagalli accepted this statement.
Having faced the brutal scene of fighting Bakku, she was not afraid of a grenade.
"Here you go."
A mechanical little sparrow appeared in He Kui's hand.
"It can be used for reconnaissance and is linked to your wristband and communication device."
"Don't use Owl."
He Kui looked at the Owl perched on Cagalli's shoulder, saying helplessly.
"No way! This Owl is my lifesaver!"
Cagalli treasured the sparrow He Kui had given her while retorting.
"That was me, right?"
"Did you block bullets for me?"
Cagalli said, hands on her hips, in a spoiled manner.
At this moment, Owl also cooperatively put its hands on its hips.
"Fine."
[Physical Quality A (34513/100,000)]
[Academics: Space Hydroponic Pod (560/30,000)]
"We're almost there."
The immigration management bureau located at the border of Orb's capital was bustling, mostly with people leaving.
Originally, as the most powerful neutral country, they shouldn't have so few people entering, but due to the recent frequent terrorist attacks, naturally, more people were leaving.
Many individuals chose to go to Eurasia or other peaceful neutral countries.
Although other countries weren't as strong as Orb, at least preserving their lives was the most important thing.
Most people shared this sentiment, so naturally, the number of those leaving increased.
Over time, if a significant portion of Orb's labor force left, Orb's strength would decline accordingly.
The Atlantic Federation's strategy was indeed clever.
Given Uzumi's character, it wouldn't be so easy to shake him.
He wouldn't change even if you killed him.
As the two spoke, the empty vehicle had already stopped outside the immigration management bureau.
"Everyone disperse; Chisaka and Little Six will follow me inside."
After discussing with He Kui in the car, Cagalli now had a commanding presence that she hadn't shown in front of He Kui before.
"Yes, Lady Cagalli."
Everyone responded, then scattered according to the plan, while Chisaka stayed close behind Cagalli with He Kui.
Through the employee passage's security checkpoint, the guard, seeing the child and the obviously foreign-looking Chisaka, was about to shoo them away when he caught sight of Cagalli standing right in front of him.
With the media's coverage, almost the entire PLANT had come to know Cagalli.
And with each report of thwarting terrorist organizations' plots, Cagalli's image had gradually taken root in people's hearts.
The guard stood up excitedly at this moment and gave a deep bow to Cagalli.
"Lady Cagalli!"
"No need for that."
Cagalli offered the guard a slightly stiff smile.
After initially feeling embarrassed, Cagalli had gradually gotten used to the reactions of those looking at her.
Following Cagalli, He Kui and Chisaka sighed like old fathers.
However, Cagalli's rapid progress was mainly due to her own efforts.
Or rather, the knowledge she had absorbed from Uzumi over the past decade began to surface.
"We're going in to investigate."
Cagalli took out her work ID, and with her professional attire, she looked somewhat intimidating.
"Of course, I'll contact the supervisor for you."
Seeing the guard's face filled with unreserved trust, He Kui's lips curled slightly.
He felt that even without that ID, the guard would still let them in.
"No need; I'll go in myself. It's a surprise inspection."
"We're looking for Director Craig McKinney in Zone 5B."
"He's one of our diligent employees; is there some misunderstanding?"
Another guard happened to come out at that moment, approaching with a smile.
"It's just an investigation."
"Yeah, Lady Cagalli wouldn't wrong a good person."
"…"
Hearing his colleague's words, the guard was speechless. Why did everyone here trust the Asuha family so much? Even if the other party was just a little girl, it was no exception.
He couldn't understand at all, but since he couldn't stop them, he had to find a way to warn them, at least to destroy the evidence.
"Cagalli, temporarily detain that person."
Through the internal communication, He Kui's voice directly transmitted to Cagalli's mini earphone.
With Little Bird's scanning, he could clearly see the guard's slightly unnatural reaction upon hearing the name Craig McKinney.
Nodding lightly, Cagalli skillfully signaled Chisaka with her eyes.
The two had a tacit understanding; Chisaka stepped forward and tapped the guard on the neck, causing him to faint.
Given the guard's quality, he shouldn't have been so defenseless, but their actions were too sudden, leaving him no time to react.
(End of Chapter)