The Ultimate Move

Sy was at the computer core of his virtual workshop, contemplating his next actions. He stole a few glances at the girls with envy evident in his eyes. The three had max neural affinity and bonded with the mechs completely. He could even see their mannerisms being portrayed by the Stragglers. With such a seamless neural relay, one might mistake the war machines as a giant made of flesh and bone wearing an armor.

Shaking his head incredulously, he reverted his attention back at the cluster of computers.

Aside from designing a void cockpit with integrated sealants, radiation shielding and sophisticated life support, he will also have to install new utility system for the whole mech.

Black titanium would not brittle under extreme cold condition, but was also a good conductor of heat. To make sure the Straggler won't break up during planetary dive, he will have to set up heat regulators in crucial points of the mech's interior as well as provide internal shielding for the components.

In order for the flight module to be mounted, the twin buster cannons had to go.

Nano-tech was an integral application in Construction-tech, acting as movable and automated replacement parts in starships. Sy thought of a similar role it could undertake in the mech, but only limited to the flight module. Along with his miniaturization specialty, he could make tiny pores from which the anti-gravity particles could be emitted. Furthermore, during battles, orbital drops or even in the harsh environment of the void, the flight module was the most fragile part of the mech. Some tiny mobile parts should be able to maintain the mechanical wings operable, acting like a living body that could regenerate itself to an optimal condition.

There was also the case of planetary sensors and scanners to aid the pilot during dives. He had to overhaul the entire design of the Straggler S1-2.

Sy spent some time doing the math before he finally started designing the Straggler S1-2A. With his two additional intelligence, he was more decisive due to the fact that he was more certain to his calculations. That factor alone reduced the time he needed to devise a scheme.

After a few hours, the Pioneer was staring at the screens in disbelief. His eyes narrowed while studying the new designs. Of course, it was not yet done. He had deliberately left some part incomplete for the girls to solve.

Taking a last look at his work, Sy stood up and called for the girls. The three were totally absorbed in piloting the Stragglers that none of them was able to hear him at first. Eventually, Vii whose turn has yet to arrive and was left on the ground watching - caught his voice and hurriedly made her way toward him.

This action alerted the other two as they exited the cockpit and hastily tried to catch up with the other girl. When they reached the computer core, Vii was already studying the screens with great intensity.

With all of the girls there, Sy began instructing them. Each were placed on a designated area as he attentively observed while the three pieced together the puzzles he left.

In under thirty minutes, the problems were solved. Sy had been there to guide them whenever they reached a slump. They were quick to learn, easily perceiving his explanations.

Jinae was in charge of the semi nano-bots. Due to her specialty in living metal, she was designated to that area since the role of the tiny objects were a bit similar to her specialty.

The black haired girl, Vii, had to draw a new scheme for the Straggler. Her specialty had nothing to do with mechs, and it was a good way for her to learn more about the mechanics of the war machines.

Lastly, Nasena was somehow knowledgeable in anti-gravity particle physics. With her specialty in Archaic Particles, the problem was solved in no time. She even proposed a particle engine instead of a flight module relying on conventional propulsion. Sy entertained the idea for a moment, but gently refused it afterward. The technology was too advanced as the greater factions were still developing it in its infancy. Introducing it to the Union would not yield a good result. Humans needed to learn slowly. With enough experience, they could wield fire without setting things ablaze.

With everything set, Sy accessed the market and brought the necessary materials to craft the new Straggler, spending 800,000 gold in one go. Then, he led the girls into the fabricator. Each of them showed their own facial amazement when piece by piece, Sy printed the framework of the Straggler S1-2A. After demonstrating it for a few more times, he let them do it on their own right after he uploaded the blueprints of the components to serve as a guideline for the machine and the girls.

This time, it was him who watched in bewilderment. With their sharp mind, attention to detail and steady hands, the components were flawlessly crafted into existence. Not even Niel was capable of fabricating the components, and the girls were doing it without difficulty after only witnessing it for a couple of times.

Nodding with each finished goods printed, Sy went to the interface of the assembly line and uploaded the Straggler S1-2A's data. Soon, the aviator bots came back alive. With the need to carry heavy materials, they unfurled their true physiques - transforming into humanoid robots. In an orderly and efficient fashion, they carried all the parts into the assembly line.

It was finally time to put the Gamma Welding into good use.

-----

Only a few jumps away from Logria, the IO transport ship drifted around a red star. Its solar sails were outstretched, recharging its spent energy.

Located in the cargo hold, Niel, Thales, Cia and Fei were sitting with dark circles under their eyes. The atmosphere was gloomy as they were not able to fabricate at least one operable component.

Here and there, derelict objects littered the floor. Surrounded by computers, Fei, the orange head director, stared fiercely at the schematics, doubt settling into her heart.

"How did the negotiations go?" Mina's voice echoed in the room as she approached the disheartened group.

Niel did not answer his sister, letting one of the directors do it.

"The main branch will not send us any funds. They want us to move into the empire." Cia explained, her starry eyes apparently showing her disappointment.

"I didn't sign up for that," Mina did not shy away from displaying her disapproval, "The Straggler S1-2 was designed in the Union and it will be crafted in the Union! It will stay here!"

The morale of the four was already rock bottom for any of them to respond. Niel decided to change the topic and asked, "So, how did it go?"

Mina put her hands on her waist, "I went for a few spin with the Straggler S1-2 that Thales bought. It's too advanced and deviated from the interface I'm used to, but I got the hang of it."

She paused for a moment before reluctantly adding, "I also met Sy."

At the mention of the man, Niel's expression brightened. He asked with enthusiasm in his voice, "How's Logria? If he's in Steel Arena, then the AO guild had probably left."

"I didn't ask. We'll soon be there and see it for ourselves." Mina shook her head.

"You shouldn't worry too much," Thales consoled his fellow specialist, "The AO are not dumb enough to bring the ire of the entire Union down on them."

There was momentary silence.

"This Sy..." Fei, who had been silent in the corner suddenly spoke up, "What if we brought him here? Maybe he could craft the Straggler?"

"He can." Niel assured, his voice was without doubt.

"By the way," Mina interjected, "he told me that he can finish the void design today."

The specialists and the directors opened their mouths, but no words came out.

"Holy crap!" Thales managed to react, "If he can produce a flight module worthy of his mech within a single day, I don't even know what to think..."

"That's impossible!" Cia expressed her disbelief, "It takes years to even finish a single design much more for a 6th Gen which we happen to be unable to finish. We were only hoping that he could come up with one after a few months."

"Well, he said he would." Mina dismissively stated.

"I'll trust him then." Fei added without a hint of doubt in her tone.

"But even if we acquired a flight module, what then? We can't even recreate the Straggler from the simulation." Thales murmured in deep thought.

"Sy should be here." Mina suggested, "He might even craft the Straggler within a single day."

The others except Niel, regarded the ace pilot with reservation.

Mina swept her gaze at them, "We've seen him do it in the tournament."

After another moment of silence, Niel suddenly spoke after mulling over the options for some time, "I was thinking... Why don't we send one of the private shuttles to pick up Sy tomorrow?"

The room suddenly became lively with separate reactions, each trying to voice their opinion in the idea.