A soft smile appeared on Genevieve's noble face while watching her cousin who diligently studied the Straggler S1-2's interface. His performance earlier even if it resulted in a victory, was beneath the threshold of mediocre, as he failed to properly prepare. There was a time deviation between the game and the real world. With Steel Arena having a slower perception of time, too many things had already happened by now and she could not afford to watch it all.
With the coming war, the Naval High Command gave their most valued officers ample time of leave, and the promise of a unit in full compliment when they were recalled back to duty. Genevieve decided to stay with her family and perform her obligations.
She also wanted to pilot the Straggler S1-2 and pry all of its mysteries herself but she had her own responsibility in the family. A new mining expedition would commence within a few hours and she volunteered to lead it.
The beauty slowly got up from her hover chair deciding to change to a proper attire. She was wearing a tight body suit with a hue of light-brown, tracing her beautiful curves. Placing a hand on her left thigh, she gently caressed upward, trailing the side of her shapely hip and abruptly stopping before her chest. There was a pleased look on her face, as the sensation of her own touch gave her a tiny form of pleasure.
'Now, time to change.'
-----
Gregory's former teammates spied on his account. After witnessing the weapon that easily annihilated a megamech, they became curious with his mech. Their pride was still intact, so they did not make any effort to talk to the young man.
Instead, they preferred to track his every movement, as if they were shadow units. When Gregory did not enter another match for a long time, this frustrated them. They decided to check the mech itself.
"Straggler S1-2?"
"Ain't that a first gen?"
"Sold by Vulcan444."
"Vulcan is a volcano, right?"
"What's a volcano?"
Later, after a series of discussions, their leader stepped up to enter the workshop of the Straggler S1-2's creator.
-----
"Ah! A customer!" Sy stood up and dusted his clothes - still unaware of the multiple notifications.
On the entrance of his virtual workshop, a younger man stood - sporting a well refined body, arduously trained into fitness - a wavy orange hair and a handsome face that could make the common girls to squeal in its presence.
This young man looked around, seemingly surprised at the empty workshop. He was more accustomed to the presentation of highly educated mech designers and engineers, displaying their achievements in the form of papers and trophies, which Steel Arena supported by virtually copying them when presented by the holder.
There was also no disport of badly sought up mechs with a few customization. One that could certify their ability.
"Now, now.." Sy clamped his arm around the shoulder of the younger man, unwilling to let go of his first customer, "What would a man of good quality like you require of me?"
The younger man laughed nervously. He could feel he was being dominated already. After a cough, he proceeded to explain, "I would like some customization for my mech. Although, one of my favourite workshops assured that there were no other upgrades available, or else it will be encumbered and limit its flight power, I was hoping that someone can still make a few adjustments. May I?"
Sy instantly understood that the orange head was trying to get his permission to transport the mech in his workshop. With a nod, a mech appeared out of nowhere.
The Molecular Data Imaging Simulator automatically activated and scanned the mech. This function was really handy as it displayed the complete copy of the mech into a detailed blueprint. Sy would have been sweating buckets by now if the function did not exist as he knew little about most mechs.
[Mathilda 800, 4th Gen. 1st Tier
4th Series of the Mathilda 200 developed by the Hetern Group, now held by the Tyrese Brothers.
]
Sy registered the Mathilda 800 in his mind for a few minutes. It was a light mech with aerodynamic armour platings - designed to fly. Its spine was robust and inflexible so that it can carry a flight module. What separated this flying mech from others was its compatibility with many components.
'Falcon Set X4 FM, five forward thrusters and 2 flank thrusters.'
'Two energy blasters acting as turrets on its shoulders. Three machine-guns in its chest. Dogfight arsenal.'
'An energy rifle with a holster. Two knives hidden in its back. Knives?'
"What's your name?" Sy asked, after assessing the mech for a few seconds.
"Kerby."
"Call me, Sy." The young Pioneer made his way into the computer core of the workshop. "Unfortunately for you, Kerby, I'm not licensed to tamper with this mech or its components. But I do have an idea which will take advantage of the speed of your mech."
The orange head looked confused. Every mech designers would purchase the Mathilda's license as it was the most sought up flyer. With the Union favouring aviators, it was a very logical thing to own the latest series.
As the older man started working, Kerby waited patiently beside his mech. After some time, he turned around upon hearing footsteps coming from the hallway of the workshop. There was another customer. This newcomer was of the same age as him with brown hair, and sporting the same athleticism.
The newbie had the same look of confusion on his face when he first entered. This other young man met Kerby's eyes for a brief moment before gazing up to the only mech in the vicinity. A look of surprised appeared on his face as he exclaimed, "You!"
Kerby was dumfounded at first before recognizing the voice. A cocky grin appeared on his face as he turned, "Ah! The quitters! So, you're spying one of my teammates earlier, aren't you?"
"I could say the same to you since you immediately knew why I'm here." The other young man retorted. He added, "You're lucky one of my teammate is toxic."
"We won though."
An invisible magnetic force of hostility emerged between the two. After all, they personally fought each other on that last match. And now, they were both on the same side trying to find out more about a mysterious mech.
"It's a good thing you know each other." Sy's voice grabbed both the younger men's attention as he approached closer. "Now, Kerby. Do you know what's a cavalry charge?"
When both younger men showed dubious look on their faces, Sy activated a projected screen.
"Men, long ago, fought on top of warhorses." The older man started, "The animals were bred for war, and could crash into men and trample them. But animals do not possess high intelligence. Put a human on top of it, clad them both in armour - a single mass charge could devastate foot soldiers if done the proper way."
The 3D hologram presented what Sy narrated making it more interesting for the younger men.
"Now, a heavy cavalry relied on shock. They were armed with spears or lances which can skewer enemy soldiers in a charge. I would like to incorporate this with your mech."
A weapon appeared on the projected screen.
"So, I made a spear. When activating a trigger, the shaft would extend with its hardened tip expanding outward to deal more damage to components as it penetrate into the enemy's armour. If there was trouble pulling out the spear, you can revert it back to its original shape." Sy grinned, "With your Mathilda 800 and its Falcon Set Flight Module, we can recreate the same effect as the cavalries of old by charging into the enemies with speed."
"So, you're saying that it's more devastating when done in a group?" Kerby showed interest.
"Yes. But do note that a charge was always dangerous even for the well armoured men from ancient times. The opponent's mech could explode and bring you along." Sy warned with a raised finger.
"Fits me." Kerby was stroking his chin as if he had a nonexistent long beard, chuckling with sinister intention, "I'm gonna buy four of these spears. I would like to try this tactic with my team."
The orange head turned to leave, but the other younger man interrupted, envy evident in his eyes. "Wait.. wait! I would also like to order five of these spears."
"Ha!" Kerby mocked, "Your Valkyrie module do not have the same speed as my Falcon Set. You won't be able to charge with your slow mech! Hahaha!"
The other younger man slammed his forehead against the cocky orange head, their eyes almost shooting out laser beams, "We could also direct our thrusters for a forward burst!"
The brown haired young man was Hanz. There was a reason he also wanted spears as he remembered this Kerby guy and his gang slamming into his team back in the match. What if they had these spears? His team would have been annihilated on the spot. As such, he did want to be left behind.
The two younger men walked to the exit, their foreheads still glued at each other. They had forgotten the purpose of their visit.
Sy was scratching his head at their behaviour.
'Now, let's find ourselves some materials.' He glanced at the remaining parts of the two Straggler S1 he scraped before deciding to check the market in order to find a cheap material to strengthen the spear tip.
His eyes bulged out as soon as he saw the notifications.
[The Straggler S1-2 was purchased by GregoryR]
[23,750,000 F-Credits was deposited to your account.]
[spacecommandeer pre-ordered a Straggler S1-2 with 5,000,000 Gold]
Not only that there was someone willing to buy the Straggler S1-2 with real money, but there was also a second crazy person who ordered in advance.
Sy looked to his own System.
[Pioneering Score +25]