As Hall's truck pulled away, Chappie and Marvin waved, calling out, "See you next time! Thanks for the puppy, Uncle Hall!" Chappie added, "Don't forget to miss us, bye!" Hall looked back in his rearview mirror at the two quirky robots, smiling to himself.
With the recent arrival of essential electronic materials, Merlin began organizing two specialized mechanical units: the Marvin Mechanical Corps for production and logistics and the Guard Mechanical Corps for security. Merlin's plan was to divide the androids and mechanical legions into two categories. The androids would continue using blue-blood energy, while Marvin's mechanical corps would operate using fire-source energy, which could be supplied across various offline bases. This setup allowed the Marvin Corps to handle both material production and armed security.
Despite Hammer Industries' continued promotion of their armored units, Merlin had been focused on his lab. If not for occasional calls from Gwen and others, they might have thought he had disappeared. Over the past two months, the once-empty Merlin Lab had transformed into a bustling hub.
---
End of the Month at Merlin Laboratory
"Wait, Merlin," Chappie asked, eyeing the newest android prototype in front of him. She was designed with a curvaceous figure, wearing a loose robe, her metal framework partially visible, but her allure still striking. "You said Marvin robots are for production, and the ones modeled after me are for security. So, what's the purpose of this…um… 'sexy' robot?"
Merlin's creation was a prototype in development, lacking some outer features and still visibly mechanical, but nonetheless appealing. "Well… let's just say she's here to 'entertain' and clean up," Marvin answered with a chuckle, adjusting his hat.
The alloy doors opened with a hum, and Merlin stepped out with Ada King at his side. Following the robots' curious gazes, he spotted the latest android prototype, designed to test market appeal. "I'll be out of the lab for a bit. Ada will handle operations, so I need you both on high alert. No one unauthorized is to enter," Merlin instructed firmly.
"Yes, boss!" Chappie and Marvin responded in unison. Just as he was about to leave, Merlin turned back, adding, "By the way, the dog food's nearly out. Order some online, will you?"
---
Merlin headed to his private collection room. After a quick iris scan, the doors opened, revealing rows of display cases illuminated by sensor-activated lights. Each case contained a carefully crafted android figure posed uniquely: Tsunade in a robe, Esdeath in delicate pajamas, Bunny-Girl Mai, 2B in an eyepatch, 02 in a red dress, General Raiden with a sword, Tifa in a fighting stance, and others like Silvana, D.Va, Lara Croft, and Princess Peach.
After glancing over his treasured collection, Merlin took a small armor backpack from the workbench. "Alright, Ada, if you need anything, contact Sol. I'm counting on you," he said to Ada, who stood nearby with a stack of documents.
Leaving the collection room, Merlin crossed the lab's sunlit square, watching Marvin robots move goods between the warehouse and production areas. In the sterile workshop, androids received their final adjustments—technical chips, blue-blood injections—before activation. Nearby, photolithography machines worked on creating the technical chips that would power future androids and robots.
Beyond the production area stood an unused high-tower factory for rocket and satellite manufacturing, intended to become operational once the technical android numbers were sufficient. With Los Santos' online service zone now live and steadily gaining user interest, Merlin's plans were advancing smoothly. His recent creations had already begun strengthening the Liberty City service area, setting a firm foundation for the Los Santos zone.
---
Outside the lab, rows of police robots equipped with firearms kept vigilant watch, their camera systems providing enhanced surveillance. Some units were out hunting vampires, tasked with keeping nearby regions secure.
"Finally, everything's on track," Merlin murmured, taking a deep breath. His armor backpack transformed into sleek, black-and-white armor, enveloping him before he soared into the sky, leaving a streak of white light.
---
### Manhattan, Hammer Industries Manufacturing Division
Merlin arrived at Hammer Industries upon receiving an invitation to develop weapons for Colonel James Rhodes, also known as War Machine. He was also invited to tour Hammer's unmanned armor division, which Ivan had built.
Inside the vast workshop, Hammer awaited him, wearing sunglasses and looking confident. Standing next to him was Rhodes, a wiry man with a warm smile. Nearby, tall, gray unmanned armors lined up, and a long-haired man in work clothes, Ivan, was busy repairing one of them with a toothpick in his mouth.
"Merlin! You made it!" Hammer greeted enthusiastically.
"Hello, I'm James Rhodes," Rhodes extended a hand. "Stark's told me a lot about you."
Merlin took Rhodes' hand, nodding politely, while Hammer, visibly eager to impress, began showcasing the rows of unmanned suits.
----
Check out advance chapter in my patreon:patreon.com/Asriel_sain