From the neural connection Maximiler shared with the experimental mech unit, an influx of information flowed into his mind. Information concerning the state of the laser rifle that was wielded by the mech, information concerning the accurate positioning of the distant targets.
Different notifications popped up in his mind as the weapon charged up. With a gentle nudge from his mind, the rifle discharged the high powered laser beam. The distant target almost instantly got scorched by the high powered energy beam. He fired a few more times, adjusting his aim each time until he managed to his the center of the target.
"Phase One complete. Proceeding to the next phase - Moving targets." The supervisor spoke through the speakers once again. With that, the targets started moving, slowly at first, but steadily picking up speed. "Try to hit as many as you can in under one minute."
Maximiler adjusted his aim after every shot, the technical prowess of the machine doing most of the calculation needed in order to accurately aim at the distant targets. Each and every target was hit squarely in their center as he shot with an increased frequency.
The supervisors that were watching him in the viewing room were increasingly more surprised by what they saw. In the last testing phase, the pilot had clearly performed about twenty percent worse than this performance.
"This... This skill... Quickly, check the telemetry that's coming in!" The supervisor commanded, turning his head to face the stream of technical data that was pouring in with every passing moment.
The data that was running through the screen reinforced their thoughts. The responsiveness, reflexes and piloting ability that was being displayed was indeed that the very peak of the Grade B piloting rank!
They kept watching as Maximiler shot down each and every target that popped up with unerring accuracy. His mind was concentrated into the sharpest point it has ever been, open to receiving a continuous influx of information from the mech.
All of a sudden, no more targets popped up, therefore interrupting his rhythm. He lowered his laser rifle, looking over to the observation window where the supervisor and their assistants could be presented with live feed of his actions.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Shut down your mech and step out of the cockpit, pilot." The supervisor spoke with a surprisingly stern voice.
Maximiler gave a start, surprised but also wary. 'Did they find out who I am?' Different thoughts ran through his mind quickly but he pushed them aside, opting to act calmly so as to not draw any unwanted attention just in case they hadn't found out his identity yet.
He opened up the cockpit, lifting himself up from the inside of the mech. As soon as he was perched on the outside, numerous armed drones popped out from some hidden compartments, zipping towards him with their various weapons trained on him.
"Open up your piloting helmet." Came the next instruction. At that moment, Maximiler knew that he had been found out. He calmly tapped the side of the helmet, causing it to retract back into the compartment in the neck area before letting out a sigh.
He remained that way for a couple of minutes until a vehicle that was loaded with infantry personnel arrived at the base of the mech. Maximiler was forced to climb down from the mech and was subsequently forcefully apprehended without any warning.
"You're coming with us, fake. You're going to be in a lot of trouble now." One of the armed men spoke up as they escorted Maximiler into the back of the vehicle. It wasn't too much of a surprise how they knew he was a fake. They must have tapped into the footage of the changing room in order to see who the pilot that was in the mech was. Once they found out it was a simple clone, they would surely remain apprehensive, wondering what exactly he wanted that made him take to piloting a Special Unit.
Maximiler was taken to a holding cell. The plain white walls and ceiling did little to entertain him as he waited. Although he knew they would find out that he wasn't the actual pilot for the experimental unit, he didn't expect them to find out that fast. He hadn't even gotten to show them his real skills.
After waiting for roughly half an hour, Maximiler heard the sound of a set of firm and steady footsteps approaching his cell. A tall, dark man that was dressed in a prim business suit came into view, along with an escorting squad of armed guards.
"This is Unit Xi-A?" The man spoke as he scanned through the clipboard that was handed to him by one of the armed guards that followed him. "Interesting. Not only is it sentient, but its learning ability is superb, plus it has the ability to proficiently pilot mechs. This Unit is a Godsend!" As he kept on listing various things from the clipboard, his eyes scanned Maximiler's blank face with a new, profound interest.
"Take him back to the research facility. I want Doctor Freya to work overtime figuring out exactly how this clone came about." Although he tried to keep his face blank and professional, the man clearly also held that hint of fanaticism that Doctor Freya had exhibited when she first came into contact with Maximiler.
The man gave one last look at Maximiler before walking away with his guard detail. Soon after that, a new set of footsteps grew closer to his cell. This time, it was someone much more familiar.
"Max..." Jacob sighed and palmed his face. His voice held a tint of exhaustion and resignation. He already knew how much trouble Maximiler would bring him in the future.
Maximiler turned his attention to the stressed guard. "Hello, Jacob. Sorry for the trouble." He smiled as he stood up from the low bed of the holding cell.
Jacob just waved him off before gesturing to the guard that was assigned to watch Maximiler to open the cell doors. With a low beep, the door slid open, making way for Maximiler. The pale skinned clone followed behind Jacob as he was led out of the holding facility.
"Really, Max? You just really had to get into the mech?" Jacob threw a pointed glare at Maximiler. Maximiler raised his hands in an 'I surrender' posture, not knowing what more to say to the annoyed guard.
"Please, next time just... just tell me, okay? You could have gotten into a lot of trouble today if the Research Facility's head didn't come over to bail you out of the Military head's pot." Jacob sighed tiredly and rubbed his head. Over the past week that he had known Maximiler, he had come to sense a sort of unfathomable depth within Maximiler. A depth he wasn't sure of ever being able to overcome.
The two of them made their way out of the holding facility and back up above-ground. Jacob didn't waste any time sightseeing, and just led Maximiler straight back to the Research Facility. The large white building loomed over their heads in a foreboding manner.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do, Maximiler." Freya's voice called out as soon as the pair stepped into the building.
Maximiler cursed in his mind as soon as he heard her.
'Damn it. Why couldn't you just stay buried under your stack of papers?!'