Baby Steps

Fell's eyes lit up as his excitation spiked. As he couldn't control his agitation, he threw himself inside the MechSuit, plunging deep inside the armor's belly.

The armor closed itself around him, fitting every part tightly around his body.

"But boss, we didn't connect his AI with the MechSuit's system!" one of the technicians swiftly noted.

When he heard his subordinate observation, a broad smile appeared on Mark's face. He didn't have to wait too long to get his revenge.

"That hillbilly was too excited to even wait for our instructions! Serves him right; he'll scream for help when he notices that he can't take a single step forward!" He laughed in his head, waiting for the young man's scream to reach his ears.

"Wait! He was with Walter, maybe he's someone that the West Police Department nurtured!" exclaimed another technician. The rest of the test piloting team agreed as they heard him.

"You guys are right. Let's see how he fares, be ready to eject him if any problem happens!" Mark responded to his subordinate.

After a few seconds of silence, a shrill noise coming from the MechSuit joints echoed in the room. The MechSuit that Fell was driving moved his wrist, producing a mechanic noise.

A muffled laugh escaped from the MechSuit's helmet. Fell's juvenile voice spread in the room, showing everyone that he could move the armored body fitting suit.

The spotless white armor took a step forward, producing a deep muffled sound. It lost its balance shortly after the simple motion, almost falling due to that simple step.

It stayed still after its first step. Then, it took another one and again was very close to falling on the ground. It stopped in its track, puzzled like a newborn baby who was learning how to walk for the first time.

Mark was first surprised to see that Fell was in possession of an Assist AI chip, but as he saw the white MechSuit act like a child. He couldn't help but produce a shrill chuckle filled with ridicule.

"Why is this happening?" a brown-faced technician asked with a deep voice.

It was his first time seeing someone struggle so much in their first MechSuit piloting. The assist AI was supposed to link the suit with its driver, making the pilot control of the suit as simple as moving his own body.

As he watched the white MechSuit struggle in executing the simple act of walking, he felt that something was wrong. Billy had been working in the West Police Department for a few years as a MechSuit engineer, and his brilliant mind didn't take much time to doubt that something was wrong.

He dashed in the direction of the control panel. As he was traversing the room in a rush; Fell's haphazard steps were gradually getting smoother. Similar to a newborn baby, his baby steps were producing slow but steady results.

The instant Billy arrived in front of the computer that recorded the data of the suits; a group made its entrance in the room.

At their forefront was a man in his twenties, he had an angular face, and his black hair was slicked on the back. His steps were suffused with confidence, and anyone with martial art knowledge could notice that he had absolute control of his balance. Behind him, a group of middle-aged men were following his steps. Their faces were filled with large beaming smiles, and they were introducing the place with a soft submissive tone.

The moment the guest entered the test room, they instantly stopped in their track. They noticed the strange scene that was happening in front of them, and a shiver traversed the group of middle-aged men as they noticed the struggling white MechSuit.

Mark noticed the newcomers and recognized them. The middle-aged men dressed in three-piece suits were New Casablanca's West Police Department bosses, the chairman and his counselors were currently accompanying the slick-haired man for a tour. He immediately dashed to their side to greet them. Mark wanted to explain to them that the pilot wasn't part of the police force and it was Walter's new protege.

"Mark, explain yourself! Since when did our department accept individual this lacking! Who is the pilot of that MechSuit!" The police force Chairman howled with deep anger, emptying his heart on Mark.

He was already sickened due to having to lick that man's boots during the tour; he couldn't afford to fail today's work. He wouldn't just lose his job if he was unable to please him, even losing his life would be an easy ending compared to what he risked.

Mark trembled due to his boss's tantrum, he swiftly explained himself with a quivering voice.

"I don't know him, chairman! He's Walter's new protege!" He explained, throwing the problem to his friend Walter without an ounce of regret in his tone.

"Walter again!" The police chairman blurted between his gritted teeth.

His old colleague appeared in his mind; sorrow traversed his thought as he couldn't help but pity his old mate's fate, "Why did he need to always go against the noble…" this simple thought appeared in the chairman's mind before being crushed to pieces. He couldn't afford to be kind-hearted, he might lose his own head today!

The PD Chairman turned in the direction of the slick-haired man and said with a fawning tone.

"Sorry for the poor spectacle Sir, I hope it didn't extinguish your envy of MechSuit!"

The slicked hair man didn't respond to the Chairman. His eyes were fixed on the faltering white MechSuit that was exercising in front of him. An excited murmur escaped from his lips, he turned to the chairman and looked deep in his eyes.

"I want to spar with him." His voice was calm, but his tone showed his great confidence. It wasn't a proposition; his words were orders.

The DP Chairman trembled as he heard his word. Pity flashed in his eyes, but it swiftly disappeared. He turned in the direction of Mark and barked.

"Go, Tell him to prepare himself for sparring!"

Mark rushed in the direction of Fell as soon he heard his boss's order. Similar to a well-trained dog, he rushed to Fell said and explained the situation to the Slum native with a passionate voice.

"Hey, buddy! Look, our chairman liked the way you drive MechSuit and want to see you in action! Cheer up; it's your opportunity for success, give it your all!" His snakelike voice hissed as he blabbered endless lies to Fell.

The wobbling white armor stopped in its track, failing to fall in its deceleration. Hidden behind the helmet, Fell's amber eyes shone as he heard Mark's proposals.

On the other side of the room, Billy was shaking in front of the control panel; his eyes were darting and consecutively looking at the white MechSuit and on the computer in front of him. His eyes were wide open, and his hand regularly ran on his curly hair, showing the intense state of mind that he was currently in.