章節 14: Chapter 014: The Mecha with 73 Gold Stars_1
For the first time, Ji Xinghe saw the Federation's spacecraft with his own eyes. Previously, he had only seen them on television, in games, and on his phone...
Completely different from the spacecraft depicted in sci-fi movies, they looked more like somewhat bulky airplanes. In fact, most of the Federation's spacecraft were upgraded space shuttles, relying on reusable rockets to ascend into space.
There indeed were cars capable of directly reaching space, and Single Soldier Starships that could fly directly from Azure Star to the alien frontline, but both the payload of the space cars and the Single Soldier Starships were limited.
Just like climbing a mountain, an ordinary person with a heavy burden can't possibly reach the peak, but traveling light is the key to reaching the highest summits. The difference in difficulty between launching two tons and twenty thousand tons into space is huge.
Essentially, the Federation's engine technology had yet to make a giant leap forward. However, this was of no concern to Ji Xinghe, as long as he could reach the alien frontlines.
After successfully passing his physical examination and tests, Ji Xinghe donned his spacesuit and entered the spacecraft. He secured himself to the hull using safety buckles and belts. There were no seats, no hibernation pods like in the sci-fi films, everything was rudimentary, aimed at resource conservation. Even his spacesuit was not individually customized; it was intended for repeated use.
Ji Xinghe was not alone inside the spacecraft. Many others heading to the alien frontlines were there, all in spacesuits, silent. Because of their helmet, it was impossible to get a clear look at one another—all eyes were focused on a metallic giant amongst them.
Standing 3.9 meters tall, it was a human-shaped weapon of war constructed entirely from metal, but not at all bulky. One shoulder boasted a mini-missile launcher and the other held a gun muzzle. Both elbows and knees sported cold, gleaming metal spikes. One hand carried something akin to a cutting machine, and the other something resembling knuckles.
Accounting for all its weapons, this machine seemed somewhat simplistic and not suitable for complex combat environments. However, simplicity meant durability, and as long as it didn't break, it could keep fighting.
Compared to all the types of Mecha in the Federation and the various modifications employed by users according to their individual preferences, this brand-new Mecha didn't stand out. Yet it caught everyone's attention in the cabin, not because they had never seen a Mecha before, many amongst them had piloted one for training.
It was because 73 gold stars were painted on this Mecha, indicating that its pilot had destroyed 73 imperial Mechas. There was a good chance that he was an Ace Mech warrior.
The Federation's Mech warrior levels weren't many. Third and second levels could be achieved by passing the relevant tests. For the first level, one needed to destroy ten imperial Mechas in actual combat. For the special level, twenty Mechas needed to be destroyed, and for the Ace level, one hundred were needed.
The promotion from special level Mech warrior to Ace Mech warrior was extremely difficult, not intentionally so by the Federation, but because achieving Ace level meant owning a customized Mecha. Constructed from the Federation's most precious materials, it was crafted by the Federation's top scientists.
Below the Ace Mech warriors, only special-level Mech warriors could use custom-made Mechas. Beneath the special level, they could only use standard-type Mechas. If they wanted to modify their Mechas, they had to do it themselves without relying on the Federation's resources.
This was not unfair but a reasonable distribution of resources to maximize the benefits of limited resources.
Most people looking at the Mech held reverence and envy in their eyes. Ji Xinghe, however, was filled with sadness. This was his first time seeing this Mech, but it was not his first time seeing the Mech warrior inside it.
Han Li, the Federation's new war hero, a special-level Mech warrior with the rank of Major, he was the classmate of Ji Chenxing, Ji Xinghe's son. Han Li once scored first place in the school's fighting competition defeating Chenxing. After graduation, he became Chenxing's comrade in arms, and due to his outstanding performance and commanding ability, he became Chenxing's superior officer.
Chenxing's last battle was fierce and relentless, fought under Han Li's command. And so, Chenxing died.
If Chenxing hadn't died, could he have become a special-level Mech warrior by now? Could he have modified his standard-type Mech? If he could have, then the modification plans that Ji had previously designed for Chenxing... could they have...
Ji Xinghe closed his eyes. It was clear to him that Chenxing would have never used his modification plans. To everyone, including Ji himself, his designs were inferior to those of the Federation's professional scientists.
Just like he was well aware that the relentless battle couldn't be blamed on Han Li. Han Li was merely following orders from higher authorities, holding the line with the lives of his comrades.
From a greater perspective, the sacrifice of Chenxing and his comrades held immense significance. In retrospect, Han Li's command and personal combat were flawless. The mission, deemed impossible by the command center, was completed. It was a victory worthy of praise and admiration.
However, the cost of victory was Chenxing's sacrifice. The result of the victory was Han Li being the sole survivor.
The spacecraft began to shake; the rocket had been ignited successfully. The force pushed onto Ji Xinghe's body, as if stepping hard on the accelerator while driving, but multiplied by ten. His space suit protected him well, and the oxygen supply system within the helmet ensured he wouldn't suffocate.
Ji Xinghe, with his eyes closed, calmed his thoughts. Eliminating all distractions, he fell into a state of intense concentration, meticulously feeling his body. He had been doing this for a while because only by completely controlling his body could he fully utilize all of its capabilities.
Under the will of the mind, the human body is the primary machine, not the mech.
It was what he once told Ji Chenxing. Yet Ji Chenxing scoffed at the remark, as Ji Xinghe had never truly piloted a mech. He had only played mech warrior characters in games.
Even the most realistic consciousness-level virtual game is still just a game. Otherwise, the Federation's battle heroes wouldn't be people like Han Li. Instead, it would be those streamers and professional gamers stuck on the Azure Star, immersing themselves in the gaming world every day.
Suddenly, the feeling of weightlessness hit them. A gentle voice echoed in the cabin, advising the passengers that they could remove their spacesuits and move freely. Once the spacecraft arrived in space, they no longer needed the protection of the suits. The bulky spacesuits restricted their movements, and they would not need them again until the spacecraft landed on the frontline of an alien planet.
With the crisp sound of clicks, seat bels and safety hooks were released. The passengers took off their spacesuits and secured them in the designated places. However, they didn't start their free activities immediately; instead, they kept their eyes on the mech nestled amongst special plastic cases.
A louder click sounded as the mech's back armor opened up. Han Li, dressed in a specially made battle suit, floated out from within it. With his mech, he didn't need the protection of a spacesuit, just as if he were fighting on an alien planet.
After nodding to the admiring gazes surrounding him, Han Li floated over to Ji Xinghe, who was in the process of removing his spacesuit. Compared to the younger people, Ji Xinghe's movements were noticeably slower.
"Uncle Ji, let me help you."
"Thank you, but it's not necessary. I can handle it."
Han Li didn't persist and simply floated quietly nearby.
With the spacesuit off, Ji Xinghe began moving about, gripping the safety harness. If he didn't, he would start floating. He wasn't accustomed to the weightless environment in space and couldn't control his body's floating direction as adeptly as Han Li -- let alone remain still or move about. This was Ji Xinghe's first visit to space.
"When Chenxing..." Han Li struggled to begin, "When he first came to space, he was just like you... He said you were the one who taught him."
Ji Xinghe paused in his movements, wordlessly silent.
"Actually, he remembers everything you've taught him. But he doesn't like to admit it. He says... he doesn't want you to worry too much or get too tired."
Ji Xinghe remained silent as Han Li continued, lowering his head as if trying to explain on behalf of Ji Chenxing.
"He says you're old now. It's tiring for you to search for information, read books... And even gaming is exhausting for you. You do all these things to learn knowledge you won't need, just to teach him. But in fact... There's no need to, because we have more professional people to instruct us."
In other words, Han Li was saying Ji Xinghe was fussing too much. But this wasn't said in mockery or derision; it was a lead-in. He didn't want Ji Xinghe to go to the dangerous frontlines of an alien world – even if Ji Xinghe's destination was the relatively safe base.
Although Ji Xinghe wasn't the cunning old man that people often portrayed, he was indeed old, and he understood what Han Li was trying to tell him.
"I know," Ji Xinghe replied calmly, looking at Han Li with firm conviction. "But from now on, all of this knowledge will be useful, won't it?"
Han Li fell silent, unable to voice his premeditated discourse.
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