Centerpoint V

Ves returned to the Barracuda via a shuttle, leaving Delta-Gina behind to pick up and guide another mech designer.

"How has it been?" Gavin greeted his boss. "Did they force you to slit your palm and shake hands or something?"

"Nothing of the sort." Ves shook his head. "I can't say much about what I've been through, but it's mostly a bunch of formalities mixed with grand displays of the MTA's might."

"Makes sense. The MTA is really adamant about keeping every mech designer under their thumb. It's kind of weird how every mech designer accepts their dominion."

The MTA could hardly tolerate a rival organization that tries to govern mechs, Ves knew. They wanted to control as many mech designers as possible in order to harvest their gains when they advanced to Master.

"You should mind your words, Benny. We're still in MTA territory. Besides, the Association has done a lot more good than bad for the mech community."