章 19: Chapter 019 Car People, Transform!_1
In the strength of numbers and under the synergy of collective wisdom, the mecha designed by Ji Xinghe was not only blueprinted but also successfully manufactured in the virtual world using data.
"Ji, you indeed have talent."
Inside the virtual world, many people looked at the colossal mecha that finally reached a height of 6.3 meters, expressing heartfelt admiration. In the spacecraft, communication was not convenient, so they hadn't seen any documentaries about Ji Xinghe, nor had they heard many people say that Ji Xinghe was an unrecognized genius. Hence, they referred to him as merely talented.
Talent is not the same as genius, and there are fundamental differences between the two. When the thousand people on the spacecraft said, 'Ji is talented', there was more a tone of jest than seriousness in their voices.
They called Ji Xinghe talented, not because Ji Xinghe truly produced a mecha on his own; after all, hundreds of people had genuinely participated in its production. It was a product of collective effort, not exclusively Ji Xinghe's design.
Neither was it because the mecha had superior performance, amazing combat capabilities. Being manufacturable in a virtual world using data does not imply that it can be created in the real world. Even if it could be actually manufactured, it does not mean it could indeed be applied on the battlefield.
"6.3 meters, it's taller than all standard-type mechas, isn't it?"
"Yes, our thirty-sixth generation standard-type mecha is merely 5.1 meters high at its tallest, and very few people use it because its massive size makes it not agile enough."
"I remember when the mechas were first produced, there were ones seven or eight meters high and even over ten meters. Still, it was discovered during the testing process that they were absolutely unsuitable for fighting on the frontline of alien planets, and were eventually all abandoned."
"Yes, because the environment on alien planets is too complicated, the taller the mecha, the heavier it is. Standing with two legs and making explosive movements would cause the mecha's feet to sink into the ground of the alien planet. Even a slight delay could make it an easy target for the empire's mechas."
"Ji's mecha weighs 4.6 tons, which is fairly average."
"That's nonsense, it only weighs 4.6 tons because of the virtual data simulation. If it were created in the real world, its weight would definitely exceed five tons. If Ji were to run around in his mecha, as soon as the ground underneath gives way, he would fall over of his own accord, without anyone needing to hit him."
"But the problem is, it's unlikely to be produced in the real world. Didn't Shen Mu say that there are two key issues yet to be resolved, so it can only be manufactured in a virtual world?"
Shen Mu was one of the two expert-level mech repairers on this spacecraft, and one of the first to notice Ji Xinghe was creating a mecha. His specialty is mecha repairs, so he has the highest say on the spacecraft regarding Ji's mecha.
"What if Ji could acquire the special alloy Shen Mu mentioned to serve as the key material, and could obtain the most advanced engine?"
"If Ji could get these resources, why would he bother to create his mecha? Which of the thirty-six generations of standard-type mechas is not superior to his mecha? If there's a special need, modifications can also be requested."
"True, if he could get these resources, he would definitely have the permission to modify the standard-type mecha, so indeed there's no need for his mecha."
"Why are you all talking so much? The mecha is just to let the old man have some fun, everyone is happy, Ji is happy. After all, he's only a private mech repairer, he can't possibly drive a mecha, he can't even touch a mecha, just think of it as everyone's mecha dream."
Yes, everyone has a mecha dream, but not everyone is qualified to drive a real mecha, as driving a real mecha requires a very high level of personal ability.
Not to mention a 65-year-old man, even if it were a 25-year-old in the prime of life, most would not be able to pass the level three mecha warrior test and gain permission to drive a mecha.
The crowd no longer discussion, just watching Ji Xinghe in the distance testing his mecha. There weren't many people allowed to stand beside Ji Xinghe, Han Li was one of them, Shen Mu was another, and a few mecha warriors were there to spectate at close range.
After the external testing was completed, it was time for the drive test. Although there were professional mecha warriors present, no one wanted to steal Ji Xinghe's first test rights. They were all curiously watching as Ji Xinghe remote controlled the front armor of the mecha to open, and clambered in by stepping on the metal grilles on the outside of the mecha.
At this point, not a single mecha warrior present wished to pilot Ji's mecha, because apart from the earliest few generations of federation standard-type mechas, all other mechas have the landing hatch at the rear.
"Ji," Shen Mu yelled, "Why don't we modify it and put the landing hatch on the back of the mecha? Otherwise, the front defense of your mecha is too weak."
Han Li hesitated for a moment without saying a word, but several mecha warriors next to him had no restraint and promptly voiced their opinions.
"Yeah, Ji, putting the cockpit on the front, someone can pierce it just by aiming for the crevice. Without the armor layer, your body can't withstand the mech's impact."
"The mecha mainly faces the enemy from the front. If an empire's mecha can get to your rear and you can't react in time, you'll be virtually defenseless. Hence, the primary defensive power is concentrated on the front of the mecha, and no matter how well the hatch door closes, it can't be better than an integrated defensive armor."
"Also, Ji, if someone hits your hatch door from the front and it gets jammed, you'd really be trapped inside. After many tests and practical applications by countless Federation experts, it became a standard design to place the landing hatch at the rear of the mecha. Your modification is meaningless."
In the time these people were talking, Ji Xinghe had already climbed into the mecha and sat down silently, closing the hatch door behind him.
Yes, Ji Xinghe sat down, not stood up.
Seeing this scene, Han Li and others could not help but twitch the corners of their mouths. They truly couldn't understand the thought process of Ji Xinghe. All federation mechas were driven standing up. The posture of the mecha warrior within closely mirrored the mecha's movements. The reasons for this are many and needn't be elaborated, as Ji Xinghe most certainly knew them.
During these days, Ji Xinghe managed to convince this group of people to help him create a mecha due to his age, being the father of Ji Chenxing, and in addition to these reasons, Ji Xinghe indeed possessed stunning talent, learning and knowledge retention abilities that took everyone by surprise.
The problem was, Ji Xinghe knew some rules but was unwilling to follow them. Put nicely, it could be said he chose an unconventional path - if not, he was merely stubborn.
Expertly buckling up the safety belt, putting on the brainwave sensor and the helmet that provided the mecha's view, Ji Xinghe placed his hands on the two gear sticks, his feet stepping on two of the three pedals in between. Ji Xinghe, while fastened to the safety belt, didn't seem to be piloting a mecha, but driving a car. In fact, his cockpit didn't resemble a normal mecha cockpit, but more like a car's driver seat.
No, not a car as there's no steering wheel. It should be a digger's cockpit, given there were two sticks, three pedals and a few mechanical buttons.
Shen Mu watched the interior of Ji Xinghe's cockpit through the holographic projection on his hand, seeing those designs he repeatedly objected to but Ji Xinghe ignored. He didn't know what to say.
A mecha for fun, so long as it brought joy.
"Ji, activate your mecha. Prepare for the first test, test name - Autobot, transform!"
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