The base research center was actually just a normal military research place. It had all kinds of magic tech and magic testing areas for war stuff. Regular people weren't allowed to enter anyhow they like. But I didn't feel like exploring the secrets there now. We kept walking for a bit, and when I saw nobody around, I couldn't help asking:
"Who exactly are these Idini and Memi you're pretending to be? They seem to be big shots in this base."
Military bases like this wouldn't change guards just because some small researcher wanted it, especially not high-level guards like Apton. You'd need to be a leader to get that kind of treatment! If the real Idini and Memi were base or research leaders, how could Reed and Mia take their place so easily?
"At first they were just normal soldiers who just joined this base. They might have some faraway noble blood too. But because light mages are so rare, they usually get better jobs, like working in the research center. We saw this chance and offered to take their place!"
Mia thought for a bit and slowly explained what happened. Unlike Apton and the others, Idini and Memi didn't really want to join the army. They were half-forced to come to this base. When they found out Mia and Reed were angels, they happily agreed to their request. They didn't suffer at all and even escaped army duty.
The reason Reed and the others got such high positions later was mainly because Reed used her knowledge to help the Midas research team overcome many problems. She even got praise from Emperor Reider himself. This caused quite a stir, so no wonder the guards treat them so special.
"What about me and Feliciana? Are the people we're pretending to be different in some way?" Cyra asked right away, very interested in Tagilu and Niki's situation.
"Those two aren't anything special! They used to be in the magic fighting unit. But as low-level light mages, they were very helpful for experiments on the Midas. So they got promoted to be research assistants in the center!" Reed glanced at her and gave a very practical answer. Basically, it was still a low-level job, being lab rats! She also reminded Cyra:
"Don't forget what I told you - Niki is usually very obedient and quiet. She hardly ever talks much. Also, she and Apton seem to have a special relationship. They're extremely close, more than just coworkers. This rumor has spread all over the research center!"
Cyra went quiet. Now we all knew why those guards at the door looked so weird when they heard her bad-mouthing.
Luckily these were small issues. We kept walking a bit more and soon arrived at our destination.
"So it's here!"
As the big door opened, it showed a huge space behind. At first I didn't realize where we'd been taken, but when I saw the giant mechanical ankle behind the door, I suddenly realized we'd come back to that warehouse from before!
But now we were in a different position, entering from another door. The meeting room we were in before was hanging high above us. Of course, Emperor Reider wasn't there anymore.
"We still have some adjustments to make, so you can rest nearby if you have nothing to do. Try not to talk too much with other people."
We could see many researchers working on different parts of the Midas. Mia casually arranged a rest area for us to sit down. She took a magic elevator that slowly rose up to the Midas's head to continue her work.
"Did you really make this thing by yourself?" Cyra looked up at the window, still not quite believing it. She couldn't help asking Reed again to make sure.
"I already said many times, it wasn't just me!" Reed was looking for something in a toolbox. She looked up impatiently and explained again. "When we came here, the whole structure of the Midas was already finished. But those mages had no idea about the core energy source and power transmission parts. Even though the empire's magic tech is top-notch on the continent, they couldn't understand the circuits and signal diagrams in the design. Even I could barely manage it. For parts we really couldn't do, we had to use magic formations instead!"
"So you're saying the design from that person in white actually recorded tech related to Earth?" I got excited when I heard this and quickly asked to confirm. Having circuits and signals - isn't that obvious?
"We can't say that either. Even Earth tech probably couldn't make something like this. Plus, the design also has a lot of magic stuff about using and changing elements efficiently. The two are combined very nicely, with very unique ideas. I can't fully understand most of it." She shook her head, seeming unsure. "Maybe it has some connection to Earth, but the difference is still quite big. Rather than Earth, it's more like that ancient civilization you mentioned!"
This was a bit strange. Now the situation was - we found many tech clues in this magic world, but on Earth nobody ever discovered elements or magic! Let alone combining the two.
"Is Idini here?" Just as we were all guessing, a researcher suddenly walked in from outside. His purpose was very clear - he was clearly looking for Reed.
"Emperor Reider just gave an order. He wants all adjustments on the Midas finished in three hours. Then we'll start the first full test. Are you sure there's no problem?"
"So urgent?" Reed was surprised when she heard this. But she looked back at us, then firmly replied, "No problem! But I still insist on choosing the driver myself!"
"The driver? That's no issue, actually..." The person sighed and spread his hands before continuing.
"According to news from the front, Talon - the chief driver the research center leaders chose - sadly died in battle while helping attack the Republic's rear. So now we can only use the backup plan. Isn't that just what you wanted?"
"Who's this Talon again?" After the person finally left, I frowned and asked Reed, not quite understanding.
"He's not really an important person. His status came from being related to some high official in the capital. This connection, plus having good light element affinity, got him chosen as the Midas's chief driver!" She shook her head and answered. She picked up the toolbox she'd prepared and was about to leave, but suddenly turned back and locked eyes with Cyra.
"For the remaining backup drivers, Niki fits the requirements best. So you should know what to do next, right? Better prepare in advance!"
"Huh, Niki? Isn't that me? What can I prepare?" Cyra was stunned. She never imagined she'd end up with the job of piloting a giant robot. She just stood there frozen.
"Hey, are you scared? If so, why not just give it to me? I asked earlier, actually Tagilu is a backup driver too. Either of us could do it..." Seeing her not react for so long, I couldn't help poking her a few times and asking.
"No way! I'm not scared of such a rare chance. I definitely won't give it to you!" When she heard this, she jumped up high. Her reaction was just as I expected.
"Aren't you worried about dissolving like Rei Ayanami?" I asked again, not giving up. No matter what, piloting a giant robot is a legendary "good job". It's impossible not to be tempted. Of course I wanted to try getting it too.
"I'm not scared! Besides, I'm not Rei Ayanami, and that thing isn't an Eva. You can't scare me!" But Cyra was very stubborn. She didn't budge at all from my kind persuasion, so I had to give up.
"But she's pretending to be Niki. She never learned how to pilot this... mechanical man. Is it really okay to suddenly make her the driver?" Adrian, as a guard, finally spoke up after watching us argue for so long.
"Don't worry. If Reed decided this, she must have thought it through. We just need to wait for instructions!" I naturally trusted Reed a lot. But seeing Adrian looking a bit unhappy, I knew he was upset about not being very useful in this escape. So I quickly comforted him. "Don't worry! Reed told me earlier there's a big problem only you might be able to solve. So we all need to help each other to get through this tough situation!"