Fireworks

The makeshift simulation room was eerie silence, but occupied with activities. Cia and Fei, along with their crew, inspected the replays of the simulation in great detail. The Straggler S1-2 could be classified as a melee specialist due to its performance against The Red Beast. Not many mechs in the new pool of 6th Gens could go up in a full confrontation with the red ape.

It was also sufficient to say that if amateur pilots would enter the cockpits of the two mechs, it was no doubt that The Red Beast would win in a face-to-face battle. The initial explosiveness of the red ape would prevail between the inexperienced pilots. However, when it came to elite pilots, they could utilize the Straggler's almost human-like frame at its maximum potential. It was a mech destined for ace pilots.

Mina was also observing behind her brother, her fierce green eyes attentively watched every replays - only minding the combat efficiency of the mechs. The Straggler was indeed a masterpiece of a machine. Being able to completely bond with its human pilot, it also had a quick response time to neural relays. In her calculation, the delay should only be 0.4 second. That was already a new record for all mechs. In her memory, the official fastest response time was 0.6 second recorded from a 5th Gen light mech.

On the other hand, The Red Beast should have around 0.7 second delay. Furthermore, since the mech was designed after the structure of an archaic animal, Mina suspected that Commander Varus could not even execute a normal punch with its long and bulky arms. Compared to humans which evolved from swinging from branches to branches, to handling tools and perfectly synchronizing the mechanics of their body in an erect position, a gorilla's arms had less complicated roles such as basic hand functions supposedly for holding food, but not on a technical fist fight since it could not properly stand up with its stumpy legs. The animal's deadliest weapon was still its powerful jaws and canines.

As such, she had not witnessed a technical stand-up fight or a high level grappling. It was just pure violence with The Red Beast.

With the red ape's humongous body, she was also surprised to see it jump in the air and sprint at a considerable speed like a light mech. Its engines were a marvel. Director Porter was indeed a formidable mech designer.

In the end, the Straggler was still the one that captured her heart. Not only because it was Sy's design, but also, because it can become a killer in the battlefield if it carried a melee weapon. Although humans don't have sharp fangs and claws, thick hides, furs.. which basically made them fragile creatures, but when you put a weapon in their hands, they could go up against almost any beasts..

..and a human made of metal on top of that.

While the specialists compressed their succinct assessments into data files, the next simulation was about to commence in a few minutes.

Since they had to make a few more jumps to reach a strategic point, the urgency of the situation only allowed them to perform a simple simulation comprised of two stages. First one, the hand-to-hand combat which already concluded. Second was the mech's offensive and defensive capabilities.

There was no time for the standard procedure that created numerous obstacles for the Straggler to overcome. However, once they reached their next destination, more simulations will commence.

"My, oh my.. such beauties gracing my sight!"

Director Porter's image appeared on the screen of the two female directors. First one to react to his words was Fei - in the form of a hateful glare.

"Now, now.. I suggest we don't pursue this next simulation. The graceful and elegant Straggler might turn to ash if we continue." The handsome director stated, feigning a pained look on his face.

"Porter! Cut the crap! This is part of the simulation we agreed." Fei retorted with a frown.

"Well, if you insist.." Porter turned to the technician on his left and nodded. "We are already uploading weapons data for The Red Beast. I suggest you do the same."

Cia and Fei glanced at each other. After a troubled expression, the orange head was the one to turn and respond. "We're good. We already uploaded everything before the first simulation."

"I see." A brief smile surfaced on Porter's face. He was surprised that the two female directors were able design such an outstanding mech, close to that of a human's body. As soon as the first simulation ended, he tried to look at the Straggler's blueprint, and then realized that it was encrypted since he did not understand any of it - only the framework made sense to him but it was still too complex. No matter. It should only take a few pleasing negotiations before the two beauties surrender the real blueprint.

"All data accounted. Connecting simulation pilots." The lead technician stated through the comms.

The huge screen reappeared on the center of the room, displaying the same rocky terrain.

This time, however, the two mechs appeared with a significant distance between them. Well.. they were gonna test their armors and weapons, after all.

As usual, a wide grin appeared on Porter's face as soon as The Red Beast materialized in the battlefield.

The red ape this time was reinforced with more armor platings. Unlike its former appearance, it resembled a fearsome beast ready for war.

On all fours, a huge weapon platform was comfortably mounted on its back with all kinds of destructive arsenal towering above it. This was probably one of the advantage of the gorilla's physique - to be able to carry a massive amount of firepower on its wide and slightly slanting rear.

Fei gritted her teeth. That damned Porter went ahead and fitted the gorilla into a massive walking machine of destruction!

Looking at the other director beside her with a bit of worry, she asked silently, "Does the Straggler have a shielding component?"

Cia only shrugged. They did not understand even a single component of the black mech, and this was a good time to witness what they can actually do.

Switching their gaze on the other side, the two saw the Black Straggler standing leisurely, a giant rock protruding just a kilometer behind it. It was now equipped with the twin buster cannon which were currently disengaged, and in both hands, it carried an ugly looking rifle.

Being the intuitive of the two, Cia immediately checked the status of the pilot. For the first time, a slight reaction occured on her indifferent face right after she saw Graves yawning on the feed.

Why was he so calm? Judging by the impressive arsenal of The Red Beast, it could probably annihilate an entire mech company of 5th gens.

"It seems like break's over." The commander shifted on the cockpit, "Fell asleep. I did not know that simulation pods were this comfy."

Taking a deep breath, Cia ignored the carefree commander and closed her eyes for a moment before returning her attention to the host of the simulation.

"Usually, I'd go for the formality of ladies first. But since I am very manly, we will be the ones to initiate the opening stage of the second simulation." A shameless look was plastered on Porter's face. It was clear that he was aiming to demoralize the opposing team by obliterating the Straggler. After a dramatic effect, he ordered through the comm, "Varus, give our audience the best hospitality we can produce.. fireworks!"

"You sure?" Graves nonchalantly questioned in the comms.

"Yes, I'm very sure." Porter responded.

With that, the red ape lowered its posture as two sections of its weapons platform gaped open. After a lock on the target, a huge rocket took off from each holes and soared into the sky.

Porter closed his eyes, a pleased expression on his face. A single warhead no matter how destructive can be easily shot down..

He spread his arms wide as a peculiar sight occured. The two rockets continued to ascend without any intention of arcing and reaching their target. However, on a closer look, they were actually containers dropping miniature rockets on the way up. Soon, the sky was blotted with the cluster of missiles.

Fei's eyes widened at this. At first, she thought the Straggler could use its agility and speed to maneuver its way out of any incoming projectiles, but now.. with that many submunitions, no matter how far the Black Straggler would run, or even if it had shielding which would prove to be useless, it will be caught in the countless explosions.

Cia and Mina had the same concerned look on their faces. The Straggler did not have any preventative measures to such weaponry.

Meanwhile, Niel and Thales waited in anticipation. How will the Straggler survive the current ordeal?

The miniature rockets finally began their descent. One could already foresee the numerous explosions that could erase a whole mountain out of existence.

In the next second, however, all of the audience's attention turned to the Union commander who lazily stated, "Straggler, you do your thing."

Suddenly, the black mech robotically raised it head, before two sections of its helmet receded, as an autocannon deployed outward from each opposite side and started tracing the incoming projectiles.

Bo-bo-bo-boom!

After releasing Anti-air rounds by the hundreds within the span of a single second, the autocannons disengaged, and retreated back inside the helmet, followed by the receded part closing the gap.

What followed after was the chain of violent explosions in the sky.