Capítulo 72: Preparation

The main battle was at its deciding moment when Sy and Eran's mechs pinged their location with a number of congregating enemies. Thankfully, a few with some sense broke off from the main force - rushing to the canyons and arrived at the scene flabbergasted upon seeing the two mechs on their side still alive and kicking. An extraordinary feat which none of them could boast so easily.

What happened next was a one sided massacre. When the main force routed their opposition, they surgically sweeped every area and annihilated the entire enemy team. A good way or the only way to win a 100 vs 100 annihilation match.

And that was enough combat simulation for one day.

Before logging out, Sy exchanged some private messages with Mina.

[I'll exit Steel Arena for a moment. We'll come back later.]

[I have something to tell you. I'll wait in your workshop.]

As the upper protective glass casing of the gaming pod slid open, Sy climbed out - mysteriously in a daze. He assessed his situation to find some clue from his sudden grogginess, and soon found it on the notifications in his vision.

The System had some news for him.

[You have gained a new Martial Skill!

Hand to hand = Level 0]

'What?'

His astonishment only increased when he viewed all the new panels.

[You have gained a new Martial Skill!

Mecha Pilot = Level 0]

[Perk received!

+ 0.1 Neural Affinity]

'Does that means that I can finally use the data bank to download information into my brain?!'

No matter how small, this addition in his attribute opened up a lot of possibilities for him, including the Neuro-link of mechs. He can finally receive a feedback from their computer system even if it's vague - something he suspected.

Furthermore, there was a new mission. He rubbed his eyes thinking that he was seeing things as he was already used to the System giving him nonsensical missions. However, this one was a bit too serious.

[New mission!

Craft your first pioneered mech!

Rewards:

500 PS

New function!

New Shop Items!]

'Something big is coming..' Sy concluded as a nagging presentiment occurred to him. He couldn't exactly determine it, but he somehow knew. The System was preparing him.

[Indeed.]

Sy chuckled. He did not have the time to have a mental discussion with the feisty System. Many things required his attention. But it didn't hurt to have a few more seconds of contemplation.

The system giving him the hand to hand combat was something he could practically understand. Their instructor in the academy was very specific to the last lesson, and it was deliberately not taught to them. Now he apprehended its meaning. It was the capacity to hurt someone.

Now that was something that Pioneers won't easily learn. They were meant to help people, not subjugate them. Though later on, they will have to inevitably defend themselves from violence.

However, the Mecha Pilot accompanied by a perk which was coveted by him... seemed a bit forced. Or was it?

Sy had been mostly surrounded by Pioneers in his whole lifetime. He was adopted by one after he was rescued from the independent factions, and then spent a few weeks on the streets of the Federation before finally sent into the academy. Since then, he was with brilliant peers who seemingly couldn't do anything wrong - except being adamantly stubborn, of course.

As such, his standards were high. Actually, Pioneer standards were too high. The hand to hand and weapons mastery were a comprehensive data gathered by Pioneers from every available combat forms, and compiled into one. These implied that every effective and practical applications were integrated to these combat arts.

So, if the system declared that he was now a Mecha Pilot in the standards of a Pioneer, wouldn't that make him some sort of a veteran? He would know soon enough.

For now, he massaged his head, feeling that there was a slight change in his cerebral cortex.

"You alright?" Eran who was observing him from the very time they exited their pods, inquired with a look of concern on his handsome face. The scion was leaning an elbow on his designated gaming pod.

"I'm fine. Don't mind me." Sy jumped down from his pod.

"I gotta get going," Eran hastily parted from the entertainment device, "my sister is waiting for me. I'll see you back here."

When the yellow haired man was a few meters away, he added with a cheerful tone while waving a hand, "That was a good game by the way."

Sy watched the other man exit the gaming center before he made his own move. He walked around glancing in every direction searching for the girls. The first one he found was Genevieve sliding out from a pod. There was a look of satisfaction on her face. It seemed like arguing with Mina brightened her mood.

"Sy!" The Runerie greeted with a bright smile. She then turned her sight toward the exit, "That was a good watch. You're a natural for battle. I have a meeting with the mayor. We'll meet later."

Before she could leave, Sy caught her wrist and handed a data device. "I've listed all the materials I needed here. See if you have them stocked in your independent business."

Genevieve's face slightly changed for a brief moment, knowing what Sy was up to. With a sigh, she reminded, "Don't forget my seat."

With that, she headed for the exit. Sy watched the second scion leave the area. A moment later, he rounded a corner and found Tiff standing before three gaming pods while holding a tablet in hand.

"Tiff." Sy greeted her, and then peered at the pods. Visible from the glass cover, the three girls were laying with their minds already in the virtual reality.

"I already instructed them what to do. They are currently creating their accounts." Tiff said, smiling while observing them through the translucent layers. She then asked, "Do they know your in-game name?"

"They know." Sy answered, spying a nearby unoccupied pod.

Suddenly, the blonde's tablet came alive as a voice stated:

[A number of transport ships are now in orbit here in Pyr Prime. Civilians are currently alarmed by this event...]

Tiff looked at her tablet for a few seconds with great interest. She then said in an urgent tone, "I have to see this. You guys have fun."

"Of course, we will." Sy retorted, heading into the empty gaming device.

Tiff giggled as she hurriedly made her way back to her counter.

Soon, Sy was back in Steel Arena. But not in his stable. Combat simulation was now over, and it was back in the drawing board: his virtual workshop.

The familiar equipments entered his vision. Right in front of him, in the left corner, was the assembly line with dozens of hybernating aviator bots dotting the area.

To his right, just a bit toward the entrance, was the Fabricator I - Sy's hated machine. Just on the opposite direction, neatly placed on a corner, were the two Stragglers.

The Pioneer's eyes widened after seeing a figure studying the the two collosal war machines. Without wasting any seconds he approached the woman with long strides.

Mina was just as he remembered her; aloof but actually a curious person. Although, her clothes differed from her previous selection. On top of her dark-green skinsuit, were a white long sleeves and a black sweatpants - adorning her long, athletic legs.

The moment he was only a couple of meters away, Mina glanced toward him with a scrutinizing look. In a few seconds, she joked, "I didn't know you have a knack for military affairs."

Sy shrugged, "A man's gotta know some stuffs."

A soft chuckle escaped Mina's lips. Turning her attention back at the Stragglers, she murmured, "I can't believe you designed and built these things here in Steel Arena."

"I just made them out of desperation. At first, I thought some sorry sod would take interest." Sy explained.

This time, Mina's face became serious as she turned to face him. "I've personally seen what these mechs could do in a simulation. I was terrified."

The Pioneer was speechless.

"The GT took interest in it. They illegally acquired its data. They are on a desperate operation with my brother to try and fabricate it in the real world. I volunteered to be a part of it."

Sighing, Sy correctly assumed, "I'm guessing they can't open its computer system."

Scoffing, Mina stated , "They can't even fabricate your components. Including my brother."

"I don't really mind sharing my designs if they politely ask." The Pioneer nonchalantly stated.

Mina gave him a scolding look before a smile adorned her face. "Will you help us?"

"Well, I'm actually planning to finish the void utility system for the Straggler within this day."

A drastic change appeared on Mina's face. She opened her mouth, but closed them, unable to find the words.

Notification beeped on Sy's game interface. "The girls are here."

He accepted the friend requests and sent invites.

After a moment, three figures appeared out of thin air.

There was a brief silence, before Mina rushed toward the trio. She grabbed one of them and gently lifted - carrying the teenager like a child. Of the three she could choose from, it was Jinae.

"So these are the girls that Niel mentioned?" Mina eyes sparkled while switching gazes between the three.

The silver haired girl's emotionless voice echoed in the workshop.

"I'm not a child."

More like, 'put me down.'.