First Steps

The first thing I had to do was unlock the Titan from the maintenance platform.

To do that I just went to the platform console and selected the unlock option.

The platform started to move and, one by one, all locks on the Titan were undone, and after the last lock opened the Titan stood by itself inside the platform.

After pushing up the leg button, the cockpit opened up and the Titan got down to it's knees, creating some kind of stairs that allowed me to easily climb up.

"All right, no odd sounds, the structure seems stable, it seems like there will be no problem..."

After getting inside, I put on the key and turned it, powering on the Titan O.S..

Multiple messages quickly scrolled by the monitors, most of them green, a few of them yellow.

I stared at the monitor with attention to make sure no red message popped up. The likelihood of it happening was small, but if it did happen, it could mean even a threat to my life.

Finally the O.S.'s logo appeared along with it's welcoming message.

[Welcome to O.T.O.S.!]

The name O.T.O.S. came from Open Titan Operational System. It was an opensource operational system akin to what Linux is for computers. While it's visual and usability features weren't the best, it could be easily modified to fulfill the needs of any kind of Titan, and the most important part, it was completely free.

As the O.S. finished starting up the Titan engine turned on. The lights around the cockpit lit up and it slowly started to move, getting up from it's knees and standing in a lose T pose.

"Good! The system is ready! Now the controls..."

I took out my sneakers and put them on the bag. I put on my leg inside the simulation boots, closed the sensor belts on my thigh, then the one on my waist, arms and finally put on the control gloves.

"Now let's pray all my training paid off...."

At this time I was just a high-school student. My family wasn't rich and all the money I had ended up being used to buy the core parts of the Titan I was making. That's why there was no way I could afford to hire a professional test pilot, leaving all test to myself.

To prepare for this I trained many hours in the simulators available at the game center. But a simulator will never be the same as the real thing so my heart couldn't help but accelerate as I gave the last start up command.

"Activate Titan!"

If I could see it from outside, I would have seem it's eyes lighting up as the Titan cameras turned on, showing a 180 degrees view separated in 3 window-like monitors. I lifted my hand over my face slowly and saw the Titan mimic my movements.

"Hmm... There is still a bit of delay... But it can't be helped since it's using an outdated processor..."

Moving my hands was easy, but I had to gather a bit of courage to try moving my legs.

The three times before when I tested them I had problems with the balancing system, which made the Titan lose it's balance and fall to the side causing quite a big commotion because of all the noise and developing a bit of a trauma on me.

Luckily none of those time I got hurt because there are many shock absorbing features included on the controls.

Taking a deep breath, I lifted my leg just a little.

...

...

"GREAT! It's working!!!"

I couldn't help but celebrate with a sudden movement raising the fist.

Obviously that was not a good idea as the Titan copied my move, doing a rising upper cut in the air, it's balance shifted so much that it almost made us fall.

My heart almost burst out from the scare as I felt the g force shift and my body being forced against the chair. I expected myself to fall again but the situation suddenly stabilized as the balance system was able to adjust again, stopping the Titan in an odd pose as if it was dodging a bullet by bending it's back.

"Wow...Ha ha ha hahahahah! That was close! I need to be more careful!"

As a bit of the tension dissipated I started laughing at my own stupidity.

"Well, at least this proves that the system is working fine! Then, let's try it again..."

Taking a step, then another, slowly I moved around the garage.

Grandpa who was still polishing the armors stopped for a second upon seeing my Titan approaching him.

"Well done son! You did it! Congratulation!"

After deactivating the manual controls I open the cockpit and showed him a big thumbs up.

"Yeah! I did it! It was all thanks to you grandpa's support!"

"It was nothing, at most I just gave you a few advises."

"No way. I'm sure I would not have made it without your help!"

"So, the balance is working fine now? It's not going to fall and damage the shop again, right?"

"It's a lot more stable than before. I think it's battle ready now, but it's better to make a few more tests just to be sure."

"That's great news! So, what are you planning next? Do you want to take it to the shooting grounds?"

"No, no. I want to test walking, jumping and running first. If you can't even run, what's the point of knowing how to shoot?"

"That's right! Then let's go to the Golden Forest Park this weekend. We can transport your Titan in my truck. That Park has a lot of open space to do the tests and I know the owner so there should be no problem."

"Eh? Can't we do it now?"

"It can't be helped son, I still got to deliver these two beauties and I can't lend you the truck as you are not old enough to get a driver license."

"Hmm... All right. It seems like I got no choice but wait..."

"Stop acting spoiled! Tomorrow is already Friday, you only got to wait two days!"

"Yeah, but..."

"No buts! Look at the bright side! Let's invite little May and the three of us can have a picnic."

"Sure, but who will make the food?"

"Ugh..."

"Both me and you don't know how to cook and that brat almost put the whole house on fire last time she tried using the oven."

"...How about the convenience store? It's open 24/7!"

"...Alright, let's go with that, I guess that's better than nothing. Any news about when uncle Jin and aunt Rose are coming back?"

"You only remember them when we talk about food right?"

"O-of course not!"

"Well, last night I talked to them and they said they had just arrived in Italy. Their jobs usually take a week or two, so they should arrive at this month's end or maybe the first week of December if they don't get called to another mission."

"Let's pray they don't. I'm starting to miss aunt's dishes."

"See? Your true thoughts are lacking out."

I show my tongue while acting dumb.