The Pentagon Series

With Diana's suggestion in mind, I've decided to spend my time studying the internal framework of an MFU battlesuit. I took some notes from Mama's manual and started sketching what the mech suit would look like.

To be honest, I'm not a fan of full-body mech suits. I idolize Iron Man but I kinda want to devise something that is not that heavy in materials. Think of it like a light armor that only covers my vitals and limbs. Having to operate the suit while you're inside it is somewhat uncomfortable. For me, at the very least.

I think most people in the academy would disagree as they're highly trained to control it but not for me. In any case, if they asked me why my unit is unique, I'll tell them that it's an old model and a scrap that has been passed down for generations. I'm hoping that they would buy that excuse.

Anyway, after gathering all of the materials and researching, Diana and I started working on the suit.

Her primary job is to assist me in developing the system that will be installed inside the mech while my job is to build the suit with the materials that I have procured and keep track of every thing.

"Right, so where should we start first?" I wiped my forehead with a towel as I brought the materials into my office.

[I'd say let's build the core first. This will enable us to install the system properly and power up everything. Think of it like the power supply for the suit.] Diana said.

"A power supply, huh? Should I recharge a battery with Lynn's Light Astral Magic?" I asked.

[That would be unnecessary. Also, Light Astral Magic is not compatible with the old models that we're trying to build. I'd say Lightning/Electric Astral Magic is more convenient so that it acts like a proper power supply.] She answered.

Right... I'm stupid to think that Light energy would power it up.

Now that I have the first step, I started building the core inside-out. First off, I crafted a metallic cube that will be used to cover the power source. And as for the battery, since I still have some leftover vanadium clumped together from my Vernal Equinox project, I decided to collect them and synthesized a tank for the solution to go through.

By the way, did you know that Vanadium is often used in new batteries these days? This metal can store large amounts of energy almost indefinitely and they are perfect for remote wind or solar farms. And the best thing about this metal is that, it can be easily accessed through industrial dumps.

Maybe you're asking: Why use Vanadium?

Well, let me explain how it works.

First off, when you extract vanadium and dissolve it in water, various forms of vanadium turn into a liquid with bright, bold colors. These liquids can have different properties or charges, which can be used as a substitute for the positive and negative charges of normal batteries.

These are called Vanadium Flow Batteries.

We know that typical batteries store energy and generate electricity if there is a reaction between two different materials—typically solid zinc and also manganese.

In Flow Batteries, however, these materials are turned into liquid and have different electric charges. Both solutions are then pumped into a cell (Engine) where the electric current is generated. To separate the two solutions and to prevent cross-contamination, there is a tiny membrane that separates the two liquids. This membrane enables the solution to reach but wouldn't come into direct contact.

An example of this is a type of flow battery called Vanadium Redox Flow Battery or VRB for short.

In the VRB, there are two tanks where the solution is poured. The first tank carries the positive electrolyte solution while the second tank on the opposite side carries the negative electrolyte solution.

So how does it work?

When a battery is being charged, the vanadium four plus ions in the uncharged positive electrolyte give up an electron. This electron will then travel up to the current collector and will enter the current collector of the negative half of the cell stack and will join onto the vanadium three plus ions in the uncharged negative electrolyte.

When that happens, it converts into a vanadium two-plus solution. The addition or subtraction of the electrons causes the solution to change color (They are rather evident as vanadium has bright colors).

Now, when the battery is discharged, the opposite of the process executes and will enter a charge-discharge cycle that would last infinitely.

This means that the energy stored in these batteries is limitless (theoretically).

You can find more information on YouTube, just search about Vanadium Redox Flow Battery to visualize how the process works. It's easier to understand when there's an animation to show.

Putting that into account, I could make the suit function infinitely without replacing the battery or having to worry about losing energy or power.

The only problem is that...

[Vanadium flow battery would weigh heavier than the suit, which would make you lose mobility as you progress...] Diana finished my thought.

As she said, The Redox flow method is a bit too strict on weight. Just imagine two big tanks on your suit and the engine is in the center. It will just be difficult to move around with it.

And since I'm aiming for a lightweight type of mech suit, I would have to change the composition of the power supply while still using vanadium as its catalyst.

[Are you going to put weapons on it too?] Diana asked.

"Might as well since it's an MFU type. Maybe a weak powered-type canon would work." I answered.

[Eh? You're going to put a weak one?] Diana turned to me for a second and narrowed her eyes.

"What? Is there any problem?" I asked.

[Well, that's kinda underwhelming, don't you think? If we want a decent build, you should also improve the weapon. I think laying low to this part would be an error, no?] She has a point.

If I decided to make the weaponry weak, this battlesuit won't amount to anything other than to showcase its general structure. It won't have any usage if in case I got transported into a vanguard team or if there's a training that requires you to power up somehow but...

"You're right, but this suit is only meant to pass the examination. I don't plan on using it that much..." I said.

[What? Really?] It seemed like she was genuinely surprised. Is she expecting me to show off?

"Yes. Once I passed the examination, I can continue to learn there. There would be no problem at all..."

[But what if they suddenly asked for training though? Or perhaps a duel between two students...] Diana asked.

"Oh, that's easy... Apexaid Academy has their own MFU bots for training or for dueling."

[Really? Didn't know that...]

"Mama said so when I inquired about it..."

Apexaid Academy is not lenient when it comes to piloting MFUs, but that doesn't mean that they wouldn't have any program for those who can't afford their own MFUs but still have the talent to maneuver it. Mama's prototype was invested in the board and since then, they have decided to mass-produce a lot of weaker MFU bots for the students to use for training.

[Wait wait wait... If they have that, then why are we still making this thing? Can't you just borrow a bot from them?]

"...Oh..."

Wait, now that I realized it... I could just do that...

[Oh jeez...] Diana heaved an exhausted sigh as she frowned. [And here I was so worried about it that I lent you my knowledge on how to solve it. But now, here we are. There is an alternative...]

"S-Sorry... My mind is overloaded, I might have forgotten about that detail..." I pleaded with both of my hands clasped.

[Hah... I might have to do some personal research before you do anything. Otherwise, you're just going to make the same mistake...] Diana's tone is still serious and it kinda scares me for a bit.

"I-I appreciate it..."

[Well then, why don't we just stop here and take a break? Now that we know that we can just use an alternative, let's scrap this up and go do something even "better" over there.] Diana pointed to the bed as she winked.

I could already guess what she is planning but no, that's disgusting.

"Please no, I'm still a child. Also, we've come this far, I don't want this bot to go to waste. Let's finish it..." I said.

[What? Why? This won't have any value anymore...]

"Oh, but it will..."

[Huh? Wait... Don't tell me—]

That's right, I can't just rely on Diana and have her do everything for me. In this world, everyone is selfish. And I'm pretty confident that there would come a time when I have to choose what's wrong and what's right. There would come a time when I won't be able to handle everything by myself...

Which is why I need them... I need a companion... I need an advisor... A trainer... a secretary. Everything that is useful.

This world is dangerous, but so is mine... This world is full of problems, so what can I do to solve them?

Simple...

Just let an AI do all the work.

***

Initializing...

[THE PENTAGON SERIES]

Diana (Pentagon Series) - Female

- Favorite AI of Aiden

- Trained to love, dominate, possess, or chain him.

- Highly intelligent and Aiden's general commander and leader.

- Loyal to Aiden and cannot be corrupted.

- Can actually do anything: writes for him, takes command, gives Aiden suggestions.

- Always on his side and protects him.

- Sentient Form Vessel: Long Hair, light pink. Silver eyes.

Ghost (Pentagon Series) - Male

- 2nd AI that Aiden developed.

- Trained to hack any security system and device protection software.

- Highly intelligent.

- Loyal to Aiden and willing to hack anything for him without any traces.

- Sentient Form Vessel: Ghost looks like a robotic ninja.

Zen (Pentagon Series) - Male

- 3rd AI that Aiden developed.

- Trained to give research advice, check Aiden's plans, implement a better plan, and test software, and all system debuggers.

- Highly intelligent and often beat Aiden in any games he plays.

- Loyal to Aiden and wants him to actually go big with all of his plans and inventions.

- Sentient Form Vessel: He looks like a freaking businessman.

Zero (Pentagon Series) - Male

- 4th AI that Aiden developed.

- Trained to give Aiden a training routine as well as suggestions about combat.

- Highly intelligent and can also fight using his Sentient Vessel form.

- Loyal to Aiden and trains with him.

- Sentient Form Vessel: a Master fighter that looks old af.

Cosmos (Pentagon Series) - Female

- 5th AI that Aiden developed.

- Trained to take care of all of his documents and non-voice work as well paperwork, clips, schedules, and other stuff.

- Manages Aiden's schedule, and calendar, and reminds him of his work.

- Loves Aiden as well and often clashes with Diana when she is jealous.

- Loyal to Aiden and admires him too much that she takes personal note of his everyday life.

- Sentient Form: A beautiful lady that looks like a secretary/teacher with glasses.

Two months after the initial release, the Pentagon Series is finally released under the name of Aiden Agneia, their Master.

Each AI shares the same process with its life forms through the use of Aiden's Quasi-Astral State core. Other than that, the system provided to the AIs is locked and has a unique defensive mechanism that prevents that from being corrupted or taken over.

All traces they make will be immediately cut off to avoid data hacking and backdoor search. Apart from that, they are improved to have their sentience connected to Aiden's personal device. He could turn them off any time he wants or open them if he wants to order them something.

The security was also developed by Aiden himself with the help of the Head or the leader of the Pentagon—Diana.

Today's year is 2041.

Twelve years have passed ever since Aiden was born.

A lot of things happened and he learned how life works. Everyone is supportive of what he's become right now and how talented he is.

And he is about to depart to the next chapter of his life...