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The second task involved the blueprint of the "Crimson Python" in his mind.

The Rubik's cube's rotation provided Thomas with not just the design of the Crimson Python, but also more detailed information. This included the alloy characteristics needed to create the Crimson Python, the ideal metals, and the ideal energy source.

Theoretically, if crafted strictly according to the blueprint, achieving the optimal state was indeed possible. But of course, it was just a possibility. As a mechanic, Thomas wouldn't make definitive claims without conducting experiments.

However, the problem was that he currently lacked the appropriate materials and sufficient time to craft such a Crimson Python. As a weapon held by a several-ton field mech, the Crimson Python's blueprint indicated a preparation weight of up to four hundred kilograms. Thomas, working alone in a rather rudimentary workshop, couldn't possibly craft it in just three days.

Therefore, Thomas could only attempt modifications. This was why he and LCH had carried back a heavy energy gun. Although the two guns had similar structures, there were many differences, the greatest being the material. The energy gun Thomas brought back differed in material characteristics from those required for the Crimson Python. To transform the energy gun into a Crimson Python equivalent, Thomas needed to recalculate the weapon's maximum output energy levels based on the material.

It was a massive project. If Thomas had to do the calculations himself, it would take at least half a month, and accuracy wasn't guaranteed. Fortunately, Simon had prepared a sufficiently advanced computer, sparing Thomas the most complex calculations. With the computer's assistance in calculations and LCH, the iron manipulator, occasionally helping, it took Thomas three days to create a 'pseudo-Crimson Python'.

***

"I've fixed that heavy energy gun; it will give you an extra method of attack in tomorrow's flag capture battle."

At night, Thomas, Simon, and LCH gathered in the president's prison cell. Simon, as usual, was drinking expensive red wine, while Thomas and LCH had warm water in front of them. Thomas didn't particularly like drinking, and LCH, with a battle looming the next day, didn't want to ingest alcohol on the eve of combat.

"Won't carrying that energy gun affect the agility of the Mammoth?" Simon asked. Although he wasn't versed in mechanics, he knew that increased weight could impact agility.

"There will definitely be some impact, but it shouldn't be too significant," Thomas nodded and continued,"It's a necessary compromise. The Mammoth has almost no firepower configuration and extremely limited long-range attack capabilities. To compensate for this weakness, we must equip it with a weapon. Relatively speaking, energy weapons are much lighter than others."

LCH nodded in agreement with Thomas and then asked,"Is there anything we should be aware of?"

Thomas nodded and held up three fingers,"This gun has three modes… or you could say three gears. They are the low-output practice mode, the medium-output normal mode with stable power, and the full firepower war mode. But I suggest you avoid using the third mode unless absolutely necessary."

"Why?" asked LCH.

"…This gun, after all, was refurbished and repaired from scrap. It's not very stable. If you use full power, it's likely to overload and explode," Thomas replied after a brief pause.

In fact, he was lying. It was true that fully powering the weapon could cause it to overload and explode, but not because the weapon was old. The real reason was that he had modified it based on the most ideal state of the "Crimson Python", a state that pushed the theoretical limits of the weapon. Thomas wasn't sure if this theory was actually viable.

Without a place to experiment in the prison, he had to lower the weapon's output power, dividing it into three levels. Apart from the highest output war mode, Thomas was absolutely certain that the other two modes wouldn't cause any issues, which is why he advised LCH to use the war mode only as a last resort. After all, if something went wrong with the weapon affecting LCH and the mech, he would be responsible. Mentioning this in advance was also a precautionary measure for LCH and Simon.

"Alright, I'll be careful," LCH nodded, then suddenly remembered something and said to Thomas,"Make sure to thoroughly review the data I gave you on the other mechs and iron manipulators. You are my support now, and understanding them will help you make on-the-spot analyses for me."

"Don't worry, I've already gone through it," Thomas replied lazily.

In flag capture battles, iron manipulators were allowed to be equipped with wireless communication. While the iron manipulators were in combat, mechanics would also connect to the communications soldiers to watch the live stream. This was done to monitor the status of the mechs and to observe the situation, providing off-field support to the iron manipulators. In the matches before Thomas's appearance, this task had been assigned to Simon himself. However, since Simon was clueless about these things, LCH had been virtually fighting alone, which wasn't a pleasant experience. So, for the past few days, LCH had been hoping that Thomas would take on this role. After careful consideration, Thomas agreed to help.

There were two reasons for his decision.

Firstly, Thomas believed that Jenna wouldn't easily give up, or rather, the people behind Jenna wouldn't easily abandon their pursuit of him. At the moment, he wasn't safe. To survive, he still needed Simon's protection.

Secondly, while repairing the mechs, Thomas had also carefully observed and analyzed the prison's structure and security forces. He concluded that it was almost impossible for him to escape on his own. The force behind Simon was the only ally he could turn to at the moment. Maintaining a good relationship with Simon and demonstrating his value might eventually help him regain his freedom.

With this in mind, Thomas decided to help LCH and Simon, and to do so wholeheartedly. Thus, he had already thoroughly reviewed and memorized the materials LCH gave him.

Five matches had already passed, and out of the original twenty mechs, seven had been eliminated, leaving thirteen. Among them, three were particularly challenging: two were retired military-grade field mechs, modified for use, and one was a former military-grade competition mech.

"Military mechs are developed for the battlefield. They are heavy, have thick armor, and are well-armed, but their movements tend to be sluggish. I suggest you avoid direct confrontations with them," Thomas advised.

"As for the competition mechs, they are high-performance mechs used in professional leagues. Their energy reserves are comparable to military mechs, but for the sake of the spectacle in competitions, these mechs aren't as heavily armored or as defensively strong. However, in exchange, they have higher agility and more diverse tactics. If you face one, I suggest keeping your distance and using the energy gun for mid-to-long range attacks," Thomas suggested.

"Alright, I'll be careful," LCH responded, nodding solemnly, feeling more confident after listening to Thomas's professional advice.

After a brief exchange, the three of them went back to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, as the blue star rose, its first rays of light spilled onto the earth. Thomas opened his eyes and got up, gazing into the distance through the window. The sixth Death Star flag capture battle was about to begin today!