Shi Lang was inside the mech wincing in pain he received from the mech’s fall. He heard a mechanical voice, “Left leg unresponsive.”
The boy sighed and said, “Power down the mech, disconnect the neural link.”
“Command accepted.” with that said, the module sticking to the back of his helmet disconnected. The cockpit door opened and Shi Lang labored his way out.
He saw that a bulky man was also standing beside his mech looking at him with great curiosity. The man was wearing a military-colored pilot suit. The grey suit with silver thread circles embroidered on his shoulders. The man had slightly longer hair, he had taken off his helmet already.
The man said, “You broke my mech.”
Shi Lang flinched a bit and raised his hand to scratch his head only to touch the smooth helmet. He hurriedly took it down. He placed his right palm over his heart and said, “I apologize, Sir.”
Aries was a man with dashing features. He nodded and said, “You did well.” He also placed his right palm over his heart with a smile.
The heart over the heart was a standard salute in The Federation. Shi Lang respected Aries for the level he has achieved. While Aries respected the boy for his capabilities. The two people had developed a mutual respect for each other through the duel.
Aries said, “You seem to be against the humanoid design of mechs?”
Shi Lang was surprised but he did not hide and nodded in all honesty. Aries asked him, “Why so?”
Shi Lang replied calmly, “Sir, the humanoid design has its limitations. You are more aware of it than I am.”
Aries nodded and said, “You have a point but do you think that you are the only one who had spotted these limitations?”
Shi Lang was surprised again. He had never thought of such a thing. However, what Aries said was also true, there were countless researchers in The Federation. He realized that he was being too naive. He asked, “Then why have the designs never been changed?”
Aries replied, “If you consider your mech as a machine, you may add good things to it. Making it explode with power, however, the familiarity you have with controlling a human body is better than controlling an odd machine.
The neural link is heavy taxing on the human brain as it is, what do you think when you give a soldier an unfamiliar design mech on a battlefield. The toll will increase and decrease the performance output. will decrease. For example, your mech just now gave you a good burst of speed and helped you take me down, but what about it? In a battle, you do not face an individual enemy. The consequence of unfamiliarity with your machine and a rapid decrease in strength is death.
You landed slightly heavier on the left side and the result was the disabled leg, also you rushed the battle not because you were that skilled with mech pilot but because I underestimated you and thus I lost. However, you will not be so lucky forever. You have good potential. Try not to look at things from a materialistic perceptive.”
Shi Lang felt enlightened. This was true, he was looking at it all too subjectively. He saluted the man again. Aries nodded and said, “Let’s go. Your class must be waiting for you.”
Shi Lang nodded and walked out of the trail grounds with Aries. They had to walk for two kilometers and took it slow. The boy asked the Commander a lot of questions about the military and some things that have always bothered him.
Aries patiently replied to him, but he only divulged the knowledge known to other people. The commander said, “Do your best in the upcoming recruit assessment, let us see if we have a fate.”
Shi Lang froze for a bit and then nodded. The commander had hinted at him to join his battalion. The temperament of this man was to his liking and thus, Shi Lang decided to do his best in the assessment three months later. The two people came out of the trial field. All Shi Lang saw was a crowd rushing up to him and then he felt his body leaving the ground as his friends tossed him in the air to cheer.
Shi Lang.
Shi Lang.
Shi Lang.
Shi Lang.
They chanted with excitement and happiness. Today was the first time a technology branch student could get out of the shadows and take the lead. What was even more, he played all the cards right to make the best of the situation he was caught in. The battle class may have passed the exam but they all only survived. However, Shi Lang defeated the invigilator. For the second time.
After Rosa scolded the student did they put down the hero of their course. Shi Lang looked around and found that Aries had already left the place. Jane stepped forward from the crowd of boys and said excitedly, “Jenkins ‘the jerk’ Edwards coughed up blood. You did well. I am proud of you.” as she patted his shoulders like an elder.
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “We are still one step away from the celebration. Get your asses to the classroom. We have to come up with something to get the group battle cleared.”
The students nodded and Rosa walked up to Shi Lang. However, the boy detected that her eyes were filled with hesitation. He took the initiative and asked, “What is going on, Head Teacher?”
Rosa sighed and said, “The principal has called for you.”
Shi Lang raised his eyebrow in surprise and said, “Could it be because we came forward to outshine his pets?”
Rosa glared at him and said, “Watch your language, Young Man. Do not overthink before you get to the depth of it. Go to his office now.”
Shi Lang looked at her visage for a few seconds and then left without a word. Rosa ground her teeth and sighed as she heard a voice behind her, “True to his name. A stone that will make huge waves in the sea.”
The lady turned around and found Aries standing behind her. She did not say anything but the man said, “I will deal with the principal. The first general is a fair man, do not worry.”
Rosa nodded and said, “Commander, I have to go to my class. Thank you for your help.”
Aries nodded and left to the principal office before Shi Lang could get there. The boy had created some waves, however, they were too big for him to face at the moment.