2.4

The mech testing grounds were an exact replica of real world environments. Everything down to the soil and air was the same. The testing grounds even simulated the exact possible weather conditions or even unforeseen circumstances. This was to allow the soldiers who piloted the mechs to feel as though they were truly out in the universe.

Both parties had their pilots enter their respective mechs and access the battle simulation grounds. The fifth fleet's mech pilot was Jared. Qiao Chen didn't have a specific fleet to choose from, so Caesar approached the third fleet and requested a pilot from their unit. On Qiao Chen's end, the mech pilot was a male named Mike. Both pilots were seasoned with countless battlefield experiences. However, Jared had the upper hand in mech piloting efficiency and combat effectiveness. Both competitors were full of confidence. Each believed that their mech was superior to the other.

Everyone stood in the observation deck. It was located outside of the simulation grounds, directly to the exterior. The deck had a large screen that allowed the audience to watch the all of combat test process. Since this was only a test simulation, many of the mech's functions and features had been temporarily turned off. This let people to properly observe and compare the new features the engineers developed.

The new mech that the fifth fleet developed was programmed with aerial mobility and positioning capability. The current mechs in use were limited to ground in terms of movement capabilities. Aerial mobility, specifically in outer space, had not been created yet due to an overwhelming amount of variables and factors that interfered on the logistics side. All previous development focused on positioning capabilities for mechs on land. These ground-based programs and data were not compatible with outer space positioning capabilities. Therefore, engineers were unable to reuse the development and research from land mechs as the basic foundations to develop mech with space moving capabilities.

The fifth fleet had been preparing this new technology for a long time. They were very confident and certain that they would be successful. With such certainty, the fifth fleet wanted to keep a high profile as they unveiled the project. It was very obvious that they wanted to show off. Demonstrating such bravado during competition among the various fleets was a common occurrence. All their funding came from how well the performed, so no fleet wanted to hide their best qualities. However, that also meant that Qiao Chen had a very clear understanding of what Greene's project entailed.

Knowing that Greene was completely responsible for the project, Qiao Chen developed a program that worked quite similarly to the fifth fleet's mech program. The only difference was that his program's capabilities and features were vastly superior to theirs. Qiao Chen wanted history to repeat itself, but with Greene as the victim not Qiao An in this lifetime. He named this new program the Aerial Guidance and Positioning System.

The Aerial Guidance and Positioning System was capable of outer-space mobility. However, the program was able to do much more than just fly. Its key functions were the ability to induce the opposing mech to commit unforced errors, thereby missing or attacking in the wrong direction. It also had an algorithm that predicted enemy movements through calculating the highest probable attack and positioning movements. This allowed the pilot to 'see into the future' when in reality, they were just calculating the highest probable course of action.

The battle between the third and fifth fleet began. The battle on screen quickly answered everyone's question of which mech was stronger.

Everyone watched as Jared had piloted and positioned his mech to attack Mike several times now. However, he failed at each strike. Not even one of his attempts even grazed Mike's mech. The audience had the sense that Mike's positioning before each of his attacks was perfect. His hits landed exactly where Jared moved or stopped. It began to look like Jared was purposefully walking right into Mike's blows.

As the battle continued, Jared was burning with restlessness. This simulated test forced him to use over 60% of his mech's standard firearms during real-life combat situations. He'd been hit multiple times now too, so now this newly upgraded mech was also severely damaged. On the other side of the field, the opposing mech didn't even have a single nick on it. This only served to make Jared even more anxious. Jared calculated that if he couldn't even hit the Mike's mech within the next few blows, then he could just count his match as a flawless victory for Mike. Jared also knew that his own mech couldn't hold out for much longer either. If he didn't do something soon, then the fleet's newly updated mech would end up as scrap metal soon.

Mike, on the other hand, didn't show an ounce of mercy. He continued to zealously attack Jared with all his might. Artillery shells exploded with fiery blasts and deafening booms.

-In the observation deck-

The audience continued to watch the screen as they were filled with awe. Greene and the fifth fleet members, on the other hand, looked worse and worse. Every single time the artillery shells were fired and connected to Jared's mech felt like a slap in their faces. However, they couldn't even clap back. Their mech was too inferior for them to even put up a fight.

As the one who confidently proposed to do battle in the first place, Canette had the ugliest complexion of them all. Caesar, on the other hand, was beaming. He had his arms crossed as he watched the screen with a smug smirk pasted across his face. It looked like he was watching an extremely satisfying and enjoyable movie. From time to time, Caesar would also glance over at Canette in a very self satisfied manner.

-At the simulation grounds-

Of all the mechs in the fifth fleet, Jared was the most familiar with this mech. It was the one he used whenever he was deployed out in the field. This was his favorite mech to use from the fifth fleet's armada, so he did his best as he was piloting his mech to dodge. However, in the end, Jared failed to dodge Mike's final barrage of attacks. The mech collapsed like a sack of trash that was thrown onto the ground. The outer shell was covered in gaping gashes and deep dents. It was basically torn to pieces, and since it was practically reduced to rubble, there was no way to repair back to 100%. To make matters worse, this mech was also one of the best mechs in the entire fifth fleet's armada.

Jared's mech also suffered critical internal damage during Mike's last barrage. The shields from the pilot protection system malfunctioned and Jared had been physically injured along with the mech. He had to be carefully carried out of the mech by the paramedics.

Mike exited the testing grounds and excitedly ran in front of Caesar and eagerly gushed, "Vice President, this new program you've developed is too cool. You must let the third fleet use it. It felt like I was being possessed by the God of War."

"You really… Can't you take it a bit easier? To destroy someone's mech like that. That mech was someone's baby you know. Well, now what will Vice Captain Canette be able to do or even say when he goes back to his base?" Caesar lectured. However, his eyes were twinkling with laughter and joy and the 'lecturing' alone didn't have an ounce of anger or criticism.

"Ah! Well because it was too easy to use, I just couldn't stop myself." Mike scratched his head and said to Canette. It looked exactly like a tall child admitting their wrong doings to their parents or teacher. He apologized, "I'm so sorry Vice Captain Canette. Next time I will be more careful."

Caesar patted Mike's shoulder and reassured, "He is a Vice Captain. When people reach such esteemed statuses, even if they weren't as good as a regular solder, they wouldn't be so low as to pick a fight with a one. Besides, the contract we signed specifically stated that neither side would be able to blame the other for any damages that may have occurred during our little test. Wasn't that what we agreed upon, Vice Captain Canette?"

You couldn't even tell what color Canette's face turned into. He was just stood there speechless. Building a basic mech alone took many resources, and it wasn't even that easy to turn a fully functional advanced model mech into scrap metal. Even then, the principle of the matter was that people didn't just destroy a mech like that. Cannete huffed inwardly. He choose to maintain his dignity as the vice captain, so Canette kept silent.

Canette knew that all the work they spent on their project was clearly shown. The fifth fleet spent untold hours as they prepared to achieve what they thought was the cream of the crop for today's event. Canette couldn't even count the amount of money and man power invested into their project. However, all their time an effort fell short compared to Qiaoyi's performance. They were the ones who took a high-profiled approach as they unveiled their project. They were the ones who constantly boasted and bragged about how their achievements were second to none. As a result, they were the ones who had to eat their words with today's complete and utter defeat. The fifth fleet became a laughingstock of the military because of today's poor performance.

Canette fiercely glared at Caesar and Qiao Chen as he departed with his entourage. On his way back, he had to think of a way to explain this whole thing to the captain. He didn't have the time to bother with such riffraff. He needed to find a way so he wouldn't have to take the brunt of the blame.

Greene also glanced at Qiao Chen before he left with everyone as well. Greene headed the project. He was the one who made sure that the project was completed successfully. They ran numerous simulation experiments at the base; therefore, he knew that his project functions ran perfectly. There shouldn't have been a single error in sight. Them coming here was just a formality as they only wanted to formally register the exclusive copyrights to their new invention for the fifth fleet unit. Then, they were prepared to go off and celebrate their success. Greene would have been named as the main contributor to the project and honored as one who served with great merit. He was supposed to be the one envied and fawned upon as the best of the best.

But all those rosy colored dreams fell apart. Qiaoyi stepped on those fantasies with his success. However, Greene didn't have to suffer any consequences as a result of this match. As the chief engineer who oversaw the project, he did his duty to successfully complete the project. He wasn't the one who proposed the match nor was he the who piloted the mech. His reason could have been that he had done his job, but it was others who failed to rise to the occasion. But the fact of the matter was that there was someone better than him. That fact alone made Greene feel deeply unsatisfied and uneasy. He wanted to be number one.

In fact, if the fifth fleet hadn't compared their new developments against Qiaoyi's, then they would have been praised as innovative and forward thinking. Their developments were still rather good, so this could have been something that was worthy of them to show off and celebrate… However what's done was done. They competed against Qiao Chen's developments, so now their innovative accomplishments turned into a complete waste of time.

In short, the saying that person's true value could only me measured through comparison rang true.

Caesar watched as the group left in a downtrodden manner. Then he turned to Qiaoyi and said, "Now we know that the failures you experienced during your enlistment with the fifth fleet weren't your fault."

Qiaoyi smiled and replied, "But we don't know if I just lucked out this time or if I really did have problems I didn't know about. Let's wait and see."

"Although it's good for you to reflect over past mistakes and learn from them, you still shouldn't just blame yourself for everything. Where'd all that confidence from before go? Don't beat yourself up." Caesar warmly encouraged.

Qiao Chen smiled and nodded his head.

Mike waited for the right timing before he interrupted. He looked at Caesar and eagerly said, "Vice President, are you going to release the rights to this new development you've created to the third fleet? You are, right? Aren't you?"

"You're just a common soldier, but you've learned to fight over these things too? It's entirely your captain's fault. He's the one who set such bad examples for his soldiers to follow. Now please do tell me why do I need to give the third fleet this innovative project I have? Hmm? I'll tell you what, ah yes, this time I'll…"

Caesar didn't finish talking when he was interrupted by another voice, "What do you mean I'm setting bad examples?"

After Caesar recognized the voice, he felt a headache start up. Of all people to meet today, why'd I have to run into him?

A spirited, middle-aged, and uniformed officer headed to Caesar's direction. He was the third fleet's captain. A few other soldiers behind him followed suit. One of them was particularly eye catching. He projected an aura that made it seem like he was very outstanding and upright individual. He also had a tall, rugged, and sturdy physique. And the most important thing of all, he was unusually handsome. This nearly perfect of a human being looked extremely similar to General Aunan Andrei. Therefore, this man was likely the subject of Qiao Chen's mission.

"Captain." Mike saluted and stood at attention.

"Why are you here?" Caesar asked pointedly.

"Why can't I be here? Ah well… I did just see everything on the screen right now. You really don't have any goodwill towards me. You had such a wonderful project you were working on and you didn't even give me any hints about it. Well, what do you want for it? If there are any other conditions you want, then just let me know while you're at it." Rouble said.

He was traveling through the second floor's corridor when his eyes were attracted to the screen. He was captivated and ended up watching the entire battle- everything from beginning to end. After such a splendid showing, he was quite enamored with the capabilities of the mech on Caesar's side. He immediately made his way over, ready to do whatever it took, whatever it needed to attain this project for the third fleet. No other fleet or unit would be allowed to snatch this opportunity from him.

"It's useless to talk to me about these things. There's nothing I can do on my end, because this isn't one of the college's projects." Caesar said.

"Hah?" Rouble uttered in disbelief. If this isn't one of the college's projects, then what are you even doing here? Obviously this is one of the school's mechs. Rouble gathered himself and grumbled, "Looks like I have to get Richard to go out for some drinks with me. He'll spill the beans."

Richard was Caesar's husband. Richard worked at the military's headquarters and had been Rouble's friend for many years now. Whenever the two had time to spare, they'd hang out and go out for a few drinks. However, because Rouble himself was an unmarried man, he'd always go to places that Caesar didn't like. They were the type of establishments where they had the beautiful waiters accompany the customers with their drinking. Although Richard hadn't gotten too drunk or made any mistakes throughout the years he went with Rouble, Caesar still disliked the thought of random ghers accompanying or even taking care of his own husband.

"It's also useless to invite him out for drinks." Caesar replied unhappily and rolled his eyes. Then he pointed at Qiao Chen and continued, "This is the person you're looking for. He was the one who researched and developed the idea. He was also the one who directed and completed the project. I just let him borrow the lab and the mech, therefore the project solely belongs to him. It has nothing to do with me or the college."

"This person is…?"Rouble inquired as he looked over to Qiao Chen.

"He's my student. However, it's been a few years since he graduated. He isn't a part of any fleet or unit either." Caesar replied. Then he looked at Rouble with an expression that hinted him to stop asking any more questions.

Rouble had known Caesar for several years now, so he quickly understood. Rouble nodded and said, "I'll come over and invite Richard out for drinks in two days."

Rouble left with his group. During their conversation, Qiao Chen used the system to identify the one who looked extremely similar to Aunan Andrei. The system confirmed the match, so Qiao Chen had confirmation that he found his target. The target's name was Auray Rust. He was a general who served as the captain of the third fleet's Special Operations unit.