Chapter 28: Mech Piloting
[PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR'S THOUGHTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAPTER]
Two futuristic mech models were seen when the steam cleared out. One that was outfitted with more guns than the other. While the other mechs seemed to built for close quarter combat. The first one sported guns all around it. while the second was built to resemble a swordsman.
" Master Designed the Mechs to let us completely use our full combat potential. Though it has been just less than 2 weeks, Master was able to design a mech specifically for you", Magnus spoke to a star struck Race pulling him out his daze.
" So would you like to give it a drive ?" Magnus asked Race.
" Do you even have to ask" , Race ran towards the mechs.
" Yeah, not yet Race, you have little to no experience fighting in a mech. You have never even piloted one before" Magnus pulled Race spirits down a notch.
" Here take this", Magnus threw a data stick to Race. " That contains the schematics of the design, plug it into the secure VR network of the Minotaur. It will let you pilot the model before you try to take your first steps in the real world. Now follow me", Magus said as he led the way towards the VR room.
Race followed him to the VR room. The room contained about 10 VR pods. Each far more sophisticated than the portable VR set that Race had. " You insert the data stick here, in the slot below the power button." Magnus helped Race to get his pod ready. Magnus waited till all checks on Race's pod showed positive before he entered.
When Race activated the pod a helmet was slowly placed on race's head. The helmet made sure that no light was able to strike Race's face. After which a small ray of light fell on a specific sensor on Race's clothing, which caused green lines to appear throughout his dress. The dress further expanded to completely cover his entire body to provide the ultimate level of immersion.
Race was able to feel this but he already new about the various functions of the dress, Magnus and Sione had already told him. The VR pod slowly started to activate taking Race into something like a cool restaurant setting. There were many tables and Race saw Magnus near one of the table savouring a glass of wine.
" Hey, How your the first on to arrive here", Race asked Magnus.
" I have used the pods before, but you are a new user; so the pod had to setup a specific configuration according to your body. That took some time". Magnus spoke as he finished the last of his wine. He waved his hand upwards causing a holographic menu to pop up. Race saw him select a few options which then led to the appearance of star map.
Magnus then slowly searched through it to find Race's home world and selected it. " Race, get ready".
" For what?"
" For this" Magnus said as he pressed yes on the confirmation menu.
The restaurant and its walls disintegrated to reveal a large pasture surrounded by dense jungles.
" This..this is the green eyed forest from my home world", Race was surprised.
" It is cool isn't it", magnus spoke as he summoned another pop up menu.
" It is. It really is. I can't..." Before Race was able to complete his sentence as he heard big 'thunk'. Turning to look at the origin of the sound, Race saw the earlier gunner mech standing before Magnus.
" This is where we will begin your training to become a mech pilot", Magnus said as he walked towards Race. He then helped Race summon the swordsman mech as well.
" Now get in your mech, let me see if you are as much of a genius as my master believes you to be", Magnus said as he watched Race enter his mech. The mechs had a small winch inside the cockpit, It would let down a synthetic rope that had a hook at the tip. A pilot would be able to hook it to his cloth and be lifted up by the rope. Thus entering the cockpit. Race was hoisted into the cockpit just like this. Of course, this was means used in the wild areas, usually in mech hangars there are mobile platforms that is used to lift the mech pilot to his cockpit.
Race though never having piloted a mech before knew the basics. He quickly placed the Extra-Cranial control helmet (ECC) on his head, and activated the Mech.
" Ok", Race took in a deep breath, " Lets do this". The Mech slowly came to life as Energy started to flow through all the components of the mech. The entire Mech gave of a rhythmic hum giving it magical ambience.
The ECC helmet was a way to let people control mechs directly with their thoughts. It also provided a brief status report of the mech. Master Selia also had added a basic instruction manual on Race's data stick allowing him to quickly understand the various features of his Mech.
Race took a few minutes to read through the instruction manual. He then proceeded to move the mech around, slowly adjusting himself to the Mech. Though being much heavier than his Mobile Armour Race found that it was almost as easy to control, Thanks to the brilliance of Master Selia.
Seeing that Race had quickly grown accustomed to the Mech, Magnus decided to begin his training. He pulled up a holographic pop-up menu and found a specific option. With his fingers hovering over the option, Magnus talked to Race through the comms in Race's Mech,
" Since you have gotten a hang of things, Lets see how you do in combat"
Magnus finger then pressed down on the option, causing multiple containers to fall down from the sky surrounding Race's mech, Each popped open to show various close combat mechs.