章 21: Mingle
Time slowly ticked by as Sy read the terms and services of Steel Arena, focusing all his intellectual ability to finish it in a single streak. After a few minutes, he collapsed on the chair facing the computer core of the workshop.
The game system made a suggestion that he register his components for licensing. The policy forbid any form of automated production by the game without the proper sanction of any materials subjected to the authority of the mech guilds.
He sighed. The creed forbid Pioneers from retaining any ownership of technology. Anything they pioneered will be contributed and will solely belong to human society. This go both ways as Pioneers were also not subjected to intergalactic laws and treaties. As such, they could tamper with anything without restrictions. Sy would have made many modifications to unsophisticated techs by now if he had his license.
The young Pioneer realized something after comparing the Mathilda 800 and the Straggler S1-2 in his Simulator. Although he could not determine the computer system of the Mathilda, he could see that its internal computers and structural development were outdated. Even if the Straggler S1-2 was made up of inferior materials, it would outperform the Mathilda by a great deal as it was designed with far more advanced applications of the six main branches of technology.
Browsing the online market, he saw that the stock model of the Mathilda 800 priced at 3,000,000 Gold. Any legal customization ranged between 2,500,000 to 4,200,000 Gold.
Sy cupped his chin. He realized that the game system changed his poor judgement and accurately judged the price of the Straggler S1-2. Although it would seem that it's invincible against energy based weapons, the distortion field would not protect it from conventional projectiles such as cannons and missiles. It's only in the next level of Energy-tech which covered the application of Force Field could he build a better shielding.
He had been used to The Trinity Federation and overestimated the technologies applied to mechs. The lesser factions were left behind by a huge margin. Their techs were basically fossilized by the standards of the greater factions.
With this, he came to a sad conclusion. The Pioneers were too busy exploring the far fringes of the quadrant, and hadn't mingled with society for far too long. The thrill of new discoveries were insatiable. He, as well, after making a huge money, was planning to sell more mechs - get his license back, and then fund his own expedition. The void was just too irresistible.
'What if I mingle?' The thought occured to him as he saw a less bleaker future. How many years would it take for him to lift up the Union from its technical deficiencies. A century?
Well, perhaps.. after that, he could go exploring. However, he would only have less than a century left in his lifespan as his System suggested. A thorough investigation of a newly discovered life-giving planet would take a decade. A star System, almost half a century. How much could he be able to achieve with that time? The good thing about exploring was that he would spend most of his time in hypersleep and not waste precious life years while navigating the void.
'Perhaps.. my System can extend my life span. Hehe.' He made a weak joke after making a final decision.
'First, since Niel's mech facility will be upgraded in a few days.. I too will make some improvement to my virtual workshop.'
The initial stage that grabbed his attention was the Fabricator. He searched for any upgrades, and found that the latest model was the Fabricator VI priced at 50,000,000 Gold. In his mind, the latest of the outdated fabricators was the Fabricator XII.
"Bah!" He scoffed and decided to make more gold and craft his own. He should be able to build the Advanced Fabricator II.
"Hehee-- HAHAHAAA!" His chuckle turned to a sinister cackle as the thought of turning useless rocks into one of the most exotic minerals came to him. He would not need to spend Gold or real money for a few tons of Hybrid Titanium. The ability to fabricate a whole mech in one go would be within his reach.
With that in mind, he stood up and began crafting the spears. He bought a dozen of Duranium ore for 20,000 U-Credits - fused it with the Hybrid Titanium in the fabricator to make a strong and heavy spear tip. It took half an hour before he hammered the last spear into shape.
Just as he was about done, Kerby and his gang was already there, bickering with another group of mech pilots.
"Haha! The doves are here to feed the falcons!"
"The falcons are actually worms!"
"The worms are actually falcons!"
"Heh! You have no sense of pride, don't you?"
"Quitters don't have pride!"
"Let's go one vs one!"
"Come! I took your dignity last time, I'll leave nothing this time!"
"You f*ck!"
Sy presented the spears which the groups eagerly paid, amounting to 12,000 Gold. It was a good profit from the money he spent of about 5,000 Gold.
"Sy!" Kerby excitedly called out, "I would like to know more about this 'cavalry charge' when we come back!"
"Sure. But there won't be repairs and customization in my workshop for a few days as I'll be upgrading some of my equipments." The older man explained as he was planning to build four Straggler S1-2, before revising the Gamma Welding Machine which would take some time to finish.
Not far away, Hanz was watching. He approached the mysterious owner of the workshop and introduced himself after a handshake.
"I would also like to learn more about this 'cavalry charge'." He said in a low voice, trying to hide it from the orange head but was discovered.
"I told you. You're mech is too slow." Kerby teasingly said.
"Maybe you two should form a party. Two ranks of charge has a greater penetrating power against densely packed enemies." Sy interrupted before the two team leaders started an argument - again.
"Well, if they can keep up.. why not." Kerby turned and called out his team.
The two groups brought their mechs, and Sy could see that they were all Mathilda 800s. The Falcon Set and the Valkyrie FM was the only contrasting module that they carry. The mech came with a powerful ECM, and he would not be able to customize or replace it. Only thing that came to mind was to put a more powerful Targeting System in the mech.
"Hanz!" Sy motioned the younger man, "I might be offline after a few days in game, but when I come back, I might have a good upgrade for your mech."
Nodding, the groups left for a match. The young Pioneer was unaware of what he was teaching them would result into the re-emergence of an ancient warfare and would have a wide ranging impact.
To save gold, Sy bought eight Straggler S1s and scrapped them in the fabricator. A repeat action that would induce tears on the developers' eyes. Since the game system could not auto produce his mech, he would have to do it himself. Once again, he was bored with the pace the outdated fabricator produced the desired material. His mind began to wander to other things.
After a few hours..
"Aargh! You slow f*ck!" Sy scolded the machine.
-----
Meanwhile, on Pyr Prime, the Fanick siblings had finally reached their destination after making a few personal visits in other star systems.
As the enormous level 3 Starport of the planet's main city came to view, Mina's eyes showed envy. Logria's own level 1 Starport was nothing compared to this.
The private space shuttle entered the que on the Starport's tip among countless of space faring vessels that was also designed for planetary atmosphere.
"Funny how I always admire the more prosperous planets when I was younger." Mina said, watching the live screen.
"Logria will have a bigger Starport soon." Niel confidently declared making his sister smile.
Their shuttle finally entered the Starport's Guidance System. In order to skip the painful orbital drop, it placed itself in an elevator with an anti-gravity shell. Although, the way down was a lot longer, it was safer and more comfortable.
The Fanicks had a good and long view of the continental planet's beautiful atmosphere - unlike their home planet with a red menacing colour befitting a desert planet.
"By the way," Niel said while Mina marveled at the image before them, "I would like to testify for Sy."
"What do you mean?" His sister turned to him.
"Well.. I was thinking that Sy does not have any papers to tinker with mechs, I used my.. you know - prestige to apply him for an exam in the Union's Mech Association." He explained.
"That's good! He would not need to undergo those complicated process that involve the mech guilds." Mina's face brightened as she returned her attention to the view.
Niel directed his gaze at the emblem hanging alongside the dog tags on his sister's chest. His smile turned to laughter when he heard her say, "I don't wanna hear about nephews and nieces!"
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