3gdhdjdj - H.G.M.W.S.¹⁰¹

Humanity's Greatest Mecha Warrior System

27 Chapter 27

After a week in the gravity enhanced environment, Max started to notice major changes to his physique. First was the expected toning of his body, which was a welcome improvement. The boyish softness was disappearing in favor of a chiseled look better suited to a proper soldier.

Since all the kids are taken away to military academies at age twelve, Max had never seen anyone go through puberty in this life, and it hadnt previously seemed like an important memory to look up, so the whole process took him by surprise.

Not as much as the changes to his face though. He had often wondered which of his parents he would look like, but looking in the mirror now, shaving the scraggly blonde beard from his youthful face, he recognized this face. Not a mix of his parents but his own face from his previous life.

It was the first memory of his past life that had ever triggered, and all Max could do is stare at himself and try to recall something, anything else about that past life. But nothing was coming to him.

He wondered if the system is upgrading his entire body back to what it was in his past life, or if its an effect of being reincarnated. Because from what little he had learned of biology, his current appearance makes no sense..

For one, his height has shot up to 180cm over the week, a full 15cm taller than his father. Combined with the physique and the face, he no longer resembles his current family at all. A small blessing, but an important one in his opinion.

If Max is stunned by his changes, Nico is only annoyed. Her growth stopped at 145cm tall and stubbornly refuses to increase. Shes gained a lot of strength this week though, since her stat was so low to start with.

She reminds him of the professional bodybuilders he had seen on the data net as a kid, every muscle in her body was visible and rippled when she moved.

Compared to his own square jaw and strong Roman nose, her facial features looked very angular, elfin and delicate. That was a cruel joke to Max though, there was nothing delicate about his friend. Now that her strength has mostly adjusted to the constantly increasing gravity she routinely beat him down during training.

But not for much longer. Nico might have the advantage of experience, but Max was quickly catching up in skills. The new style General Tennant was teaching them seemed tailor made for him and he was confident one day soon he would be the one to secure the wins. Just a little more speed and dexterity should do it.

Max had just got his coveralls on when the General came in with one of the school doctors, who almost missed a step as the effect of the additional gravity hit him.

Weekly checkup for you both, plus your Central Governed Mandated birth control shots now that youve reached puberty. The fleet doesnt want any incidents during Academy training after all. General Tennant laughs.

Max supposes that makes sense, with coed facilities and hundreds of hormonal adolescents, its only natural that at least a few romantic relationships would form. The Kepler Military doesnt mind that, they just dont approve of unnecessary downtime.

The checkup was a simple thing, just checking their progress. Max read the doctors mind as he worked, learning that his physical progress was well ahead of what the doctor expected for his stat bonuses, which he credited to the gravity training.

General Tennant assigned them a morning warmup of stretches, push-ups and burpees while he went back outside with the doctor to discuss the results.

So Doc, what did you find?

As we already knew, Cadet Nicos family is indeed that ancient Tarith military family, and not from Kepler Terminus originally. The size is totally normal for them, in fact the Mecha formerly belonging to the main branch of her family are still in storage and reported to be sized too small in the cockpit for most users.

The surprise was Cadet Max. Despite his birth records, the Genome search shows he is not a native of Kepler Terminus either. His mother certainly is, but we will need to research who his father is. What I can tell you is that he reacts exceptionally well to the system, and all other forms of nanotechnology. The doctor confirms General Tennants suspicions.

Thanks Doc, I owe you one. Ill have someone look into both families. Alpha level Compatibility doesnt just come out of nowhere like that, theres got to be something were missing.

The doctor goes back to his work and General Tennant heads back inside to put the Cadets through another day of training. The gravity training is working wonders and their bodies have almost stabilized enough to move on to the next phase of training, moving from simulators to actual Mecha.

While the experience is very similar, live Mecha training teaches responsibility. Cadets will be forced to assist in the repairs and maintenance of the units they damage in training, alongside the mechanical classes, and it teaches them respect for the equipment and their fellow soldiers.

At least for most of them it does. This phase of training in the other classes is where the determinations of potential officer promotions begin to be made, with the Cadets attitudes and leadership abilities being put on full display in a real world scenario.

For these two its already obvious theyre qualified, and that Cadet Max is more of the everymans leader, while Cadet Nico has all the grace and charm of a Drill Instructor with a sore tooth. Shes a great tactician, and a good leader, but shes better suited to scaring Cadets into action than inspiring patriotism in the masses.

Perhaps he could arrange for her to be Cadet Maxs Executive Officer? General Tennant has friends in the Commissariat, the armys police and internal logistics department, and he could have them send someone here early to give the Cadets a dose of additional training.

A well trained Commissar handles a units provisioning, with logistics officers and staff doing the leg work. Theyre also tasked with handling discipline matters, and are the perfect choice for an executive officer, a units second in command.

General Tennant decides to add it to the list of required topics for the semester, despite the Cadets already having their hands full with physical training.

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Two days after General Tennant reached out with his offer of Venetian Brandy, a high quality liquor favored by Kepler officers, it drew an unusual face to the Academy on Kepler Terminus.

Inquisitor Wolf, of Central Command Internal Affairs Investigation Department was not a figure that anyone usually looked forward to seeing. His words alone could have entire Academies closed, or Battalions brought up on charges. Due to this reputation and level of power wiring the Kepler Kingdom, seeing an Internal Affairs Inquisitor was considered very bad luck.

But he wasnt here to reprimand anyone, he wanted to see the Cadets that his uncle was training as successors. The old man was notoriously picky, and if he said these would make good successors when properly trained, Wolf was happy to help.

He had arrived in the causal slacks and polo shirt version of his uniform instead of full regalia to try to ease the anxiety of the academy, but he could still see everyone tense as he walked by. He would have come in civilian clothing, but it had been thirty years since he owned any. Duty was his life, and an Inquisitor was never truly off duty.

He easily found the training area that was being used by the General due to the distinct lack of foot traffic nearby. Stepping inside, he was almost floored by the gravity change from the outside normal to easily twice Imperial standard. Unlike a Mecha Pilot who required a high Rank System to advance, Inquisitors only needed intelligence and dedication. Wolf only had a Gamma Rank System, so even in his middle years, he could just barely match the strength these Alpha Rank Cadets attained without Modifiers.

The two Cadets, Max and Nico if he recalled correctly, were sparring when he came in. Coveralls tied at the waist and gray tank tops sweat soaked, theyd obviously been training for a while already this morning. He also noticed that the reinforced training batons they were using were bent from the force of the impacts..

He wasnt sure if it was the gravity or another part of their training, but these Cadets were monsters. Having over a hundred bonus points while still in primary training, with a two point base, Alpha Rankers were just built differently.

They also seemed to be using his familys variant of Kep Maga, which could only have come from the General. He really was going all out for his successors.

When they heard his boots cross the threshold, both stood facing Inquisitor Wolf and gave the fist to the chest Kepler Salute.

Inquisitor On The Deck. Nico called out and General Tennant came sauntering out from the other room, smiling at the new arrival.

Nephew, thanks for coming. Cadets, this is Inquisitor Wolf, he will be teaching you the duties of a Commissar over the next few weeks. Diversity of input is important, so I wont be teaching you this myself, only examining you on what youve learned.

Thank You for educating us Inquisitor. The Cadets answer in unison.

Im here as an Instructor today, so you may call me Major Wolf. General, how much do they know about discipline rules and Requisitions?

I had then memorize the Imperial Handbook, so they know the theory, but we havent touched on it yet. That makes Major Wolfs job easier. He wont have to undo years of local indoctrination on planetary loyalty, customs and standards.

Discipline is as much about motivation as punishment and a proper Commissar needs to balance the two aspects well to keep their troops at maximum efficiency. That holds especially true for a mixed force that contains infantry. More bodies means more issues, and many infantry soldiers are little better than conscripts, serving out a term of service so they can go home.

For those planets where the system didnt take well among the population, or where Mecha Piloting isnt as culturally ingrained, sending annual Regiments of infantry to the war effort is common practice. They serve ten years and then the survivors return home to a civilian life.

We will start with a knowledge quiz. After physical training, hit the showers and return in casual uniform. Ϻ√∟ΕМРΥᎡ.ϲӨƜ

Max and Nico return to their match, having only a few minutes left in the session. Max is certain hes about to win this time when he captures Nicos wrist and twists, hes stronger so its only a matter of seconds and hell have her pinned.

General Tennant gives him an approving look that neither Cadet notices but Inquisitor Wolf shakes his head. Hes lost.

How do you see that? Thats a textbook lock. General Tennant asks quietly.

Exactly, its textbook. You recall the Gang Wars at the Salt Mines?

Victory is the only virtue. That bunch of savages? The General says, thinking deeply.

Just like them.

Just as he says it, Max pulls Nico in close for the pin and she very clearly bites him, making him flinch. Before he can recover, her flexible body has folded in half and shes got his neck in a secure choke hold between her thighs. Max does his best to hold out, but ends up tapping out first.

You bit me.

Lies and Slander. I did no such thing.

You know I can read your mind, right?

Then why did you let me bite you?

The two officers share a laugh as the banter fades behind the sounds of the showers.

Are they always so competitive? Wolf asks.

Its even worse inside the Mecha. Theyre both fanatics and hate losing to each other, but theyre still pretty evenly matched for now. Give them another year or two at the most to activate their first few System Abilities and it should sort itself out. The General confirms.

Youve got your hands full then. But dont worry, teaching then the reality of Commanding and Provisioning a unit wont take long at all if theyre that dedicated. I hope youre intending the small one for Commissar. The big one seems like a genuinely good person, we need more like that in command.

General Tennant smiles at his nephew. I knew wed see things the same way. Thats why I reached out to you for their training. If we had to separate them it would be a waste of talent

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Inquisitor Wolf was just as intense of a teacher as General Tennant was, taking over a three hour slot of their mornings. There was no gentle start, no introductory exercises, instead he started them directly with the task of provisioning a newly formed Battalion.

They spent an hour going over the relevant sections of the regulations, and then the Cadets were dropped directly into the virtual reality scenario as the Commanding officers.

As the Instructors hoped, they fell naturally into the roles, meaning that after they compiled the list of necessities Nico mercilessly referred everyone to Max for final signatures while working out the budgeting with the department heads created by the simulation.

The whole scenario takes place aboard an Imperial Light Cruiser, the sort of vessel that carries special forces strike squads to their destinations. Both Senior officers decided this was the best location for it, since that was likely to be their first command, and the plasteel walls covered in gray blue paint is what their training area was designed to duplicate, keeping a sense of total integration between inside and outside the simulation.

The idea that the General has was to make them forget that they were Cadets while they were training, and have everything flow seamlessly from one task to another. In theory, it should help smooth their transition from the academy to a duty station.

Drawing on Nicos memories from her previous life, the Cadets agreed to leave every department a bit of discretionary money after the necessities were ordered. The staff in the scenario are programed to behave as normal soldiers would, and not long after receiving their instructions they start returning to Max with requisition orders for additional items that werent on the list..

Most of these things were fine to approve, but he did catch a number of questionable orders. Either overpriced, not itemized or straight up unnecessary.

Hes almost through the list when he sees a requisition order for training equipment in the quantity of two crates with no additional details but with Nicos signature on it.

Max uses his Innate Talent to see what she was up to and finds that the crates have sports equipment, musical instruments, playing cards and other such items in them. Entertainment and Leisure items arent on the approved list for their requisition, but nothing in the crate is specifically prohibited.

Max signs off on it and when the orders are placed the scenario ends, bringing them back to reality.

Lets see how you did Cadets. I believe in a level of officer autonomy, so I didnt watch inside the scenario, instead I will audit your requisition orders as a Commissariat Officer. Inquisitor Wolf informs them with his unnerving toothy smile and starts going through the budget and orders.

Theyve come in five percent under budget, a good sign, and the items look good. The scan from his data tablet says they got everything necessary, plus most of the additional items that new Commanders miss if they micromanage their staff. Just like Max did, he notices the training equipment order, but only has the order sheet to go by.

So, he pulls up the data from the training scenario and checks the content to find out if they missed one of the planted corrupt logistics officers and ended up with contraband in their order. What he finds are two very standard enlisted troops motivational shipments.

Ordered as they were, theyre not technically prohibited, but most Cadets and rookie officers would deny them as wasteful spending and then end up with a low unit motivation score when their scenario is run through the preset mission metrics by the Simulation program.

Overall, hes very impressed with this first attempt even if a number of their quantities are off from what is actually required and they missed almost every efficiency upgrade because they didnt force the departments to collaborate on their orders. With Keplers advanced technology, many specialty items can be replaced with a single multi tool.

He sets the simulator to complete the mission the Cadets were assigned to prepare for with their approved Requisitions, getting back a score of 73 points, comfortably passing, but not nearly good enough for his standards.

Barely passable. High scores for readiness and morale, low scores for efficiency, spare parts supply and ammunition reserves. He informs the eager Cadets once the data is compiled.

Tomorrow, we will be going over the extensive list of mistakes you made. Expect it to take all three hours.

Max decides Major Wolfs smile is a lot like Major Paynes. It looks friendly, but it really isnt. Three hours worth of mistakes for a two hour simulation has got to be a lot, certainly far more than Max thought hed made.

The lecture was just as painfully long as Max feared, but over the course of the next two weeks he learned an incredible amount about supply consumption by military units and the variety of Kepler technology which quietly powers military society. Which led him to the inevitable conclusion that energy weapons are underrated.

Sure, they might not be as effective as projectiles and explosives, but the sheer volume of munitions that are required for an extended bombardment are mind boggling. Even with the Kepler Kingdoms caseless artillery rounds that the Battle Cannon of a Crusader Class Mecha uses, its still a struggle to store more than a few hundred in the giant Mecha.

Thats more than enough for a normal battle scenario according to the regulations, but Max isnt sure who defined that term, or if theyd ever personally seen combat.

While they finished their crash course in basic provisioning, their afternoon physical training was starting to pay dividends for Max. His dexterity and speed had been growing at a rapid pace even though his Strength stat had barely advanced, making everything from martial arts to Mecha Piloting easier for him.

He didnt have to struggle to keep up with the maneuvers anymore, the pace was almost comfortable to him now, and General Tennant had declared they were almost done with the Line Mecha training.

Once he was satisfied with their provisioning skills, Inquisitor Wolf moved on to troop discipline in combat scenarios. Methods, theories, and how everything from deployment formations and equipment to the availability of a field cafeteria instead of reheated rations could affect behavior.

Unlike provisioning, that topic would not be done quickly, with the plan being that he would spend the entire semester on that portion of their officers training.

The end of the second week also marked their final checkup from the doctor, to determine if their bodies development had stabilized after the System Enhancement at 100 bonus points. Both Cadets really hoped he would say it had, because that was the last thing that General Tennant was waiting on to change their piloting courses.

The Corvette Class Mecha were faster, more responsive and more heavily armed. Piloting them with a developing body could lead to internal injuries, which would delay training even more than waiting until the Cadets were fully prepared. For that reason the academy didnt usually teach it at all. The lower the grade of System Compatibility a soldier has, the closer to a systemless human their growth rate becomes.

Everthing relating to youths in society was based around that fact. Even the age of adulthood was set at two years after system induced puberty finished, since that was when their mind and body could be expected to be fully developed. For Alpha Rank Cadets, that often meant during primary training. For Delta Ranks, that could be after their university years if their early training was slow to progress.

The Doctors response wasnt as good as hoped. Their Alpha Grade Systems were causing more changes than usual to the existing state of their bodies, and theyd need more time to adapt before moving on to new forms of training.

Part of that delay was also due to the gravity training continually increasing their abilities, which prolonged the change, so General Tennant altered the schedule a little. Instead of teaching them new piloting tricks, next theyd learn Mecha maintenance after their morning command lessons.

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At noon the next day Colonel Black arrives with two damaged Line Mecha for the Cadets to diagnose and repair.

Theyd been damaged by the senior class during their live fire training, and he thought the damage on these units perfectly suited the way that Cadets Max and Nico had treated their simulated machines during the qualification exams.

Enough chatting Cadets, Lets get to work. I picked these two damaged Mecha specifically for the pair of you, based on your combat styles. Somebody thought her Mecha was an acrobatics cyborg and would have blown out a load of seals in the hydraulic systems. Colonel Black cant help but smile at the memory of Nico climbing up the parkade building, and the various barricades and obstacles she navigated during the examination.

And someone else thinks that if he cant see the target, it cant see him, so Ive brought you a mecha with blown capacitors and and scorched armor isolators all over the unit.

Both Cadets chuckle, knowing that this is going to be a long day, but it was mostly self inflicted. No level of mistake, no matter how small, goes unpunished under General Tennants watch, so even though their exam was virtual, hed found a way to make them do the repairs in reality..

They go over all the damaged areas, and Colonel Black hands each a data tablet with the diagnosis and repair information for the Kepler Line Mecha in it and instructs them to get to work. Just like Inquisitor Wolf, his theory is to see what they can make of the available information on their own.

Nico has some maintenance memories from her previous life, which Max has already reviewed, finding them only partially relevant due to differences in technology, but both Cadets had taken the time to read and understand the textbooks on the basic theories and techniques of Kepler Empire Mecha design and repair long before coming to the academy.

They couldnt bear to call themselves a true fan of Mecha is they didnt understand how they worked, after all.

The work begins slowly after they finish making notes on the visible damages, and Colonel Black starts offering advice and assistance as soon as the actual repairs begin.

No, you remove the end pin, then the C clip before unscrewing the cap, or it will jam and youll have to start over. The Colonel instructs Cadet Nico, pointing out the correct way to disassemble a particular type of hydraulic ram.

Nicos day has been the much more mechanical of the two Cadets. The unit Max is repairing just got shot a bunch of times, so hes mostly removing and replacing armor plates and energy absorption capacitors over and over, then checking electrical circuits and the internal structure for damage.

Nico has rebuilt 4 electric motors and two dozen hydraulic cylinders so far, thanks to the overload damage the unit she is working on suffered when the pilot managed to fall off an elevated walkway. Its still functional, but leaking from basically everywhere.

The systems are redundant and isolated, so there are dozens and dozens of small damaged parts from the Mechas fall and subsequent maneuvers to finish the course.

I should really have apologized to the repair staff in my last life. I brought them machines in much worse condition than this. Nico muses silently, going over both past life memories and her new learning to get this job done as quickly as possible.

That looks good. Cadet Max, double check all your left arm securements and then we can sign off on that arm. Cadet Nico, power up the unit and check for torso joint leaks.

Colonel Black actually enjoys spending all his time in the shop, away from the politics and nonsense involved in running an Academy. He asked for the transfer to this duty station specifically to get out of the political trap he had gotten himself promoted into. No senior officer truly escapes politics though, as theyre an integral part of every company command level and up posting.

That being the case, a whole afternoon, with only two Cadets, not even ones from the maintenance program, was almost a perfect day at work for him. If his old friend the General would bring some Brandy it might actually be perfect.

Once the mechanical repairs are done they Cadets clean the units, then run a double system check for damages and leaks, and finally refresh the academy regulation paint on their armor. By the time theyre done the two units work better than new, properly tweaked and tuned with every little lingering problem common to a training Mecha solved.

And thats two correctly serviced Mecha, ready for their next deployment. Enjoy your evenings and I will return tomorrow with more units for you to work on.

Second break is over, and the Senior Cadets are nearing graduation, so every day they will have more Mecha to repair, so many that the repair class students dread this final semester every year.

The Instructors say that its part of their training, the rush to get units operational during a battle, but the developing minds of the young Cadets always have problems truly appreciating that the reality would actually be much, much worse than what they receive in the academy.

Its a bit like heaven for the Mecha loving Max though. Hes literally up to his elbows in a real life Line Mecha, testing systems and replacing the composite armor plates that seem to get heavily damaged every training run.

Theyre built of sandwiched layers of a resin impregnated cloth and an advanced ceramic inside a metallic shell, designed to absorb impact, energy and heat and dissipate it without damaging the structure theyre mounted to. Deliberately sacrificial to save the components that actually keep the Mecha working underneath.

The design makes a lot of work for maintenance crews, but its far easier than repairing the more complex Armored shell of the Crusader Class Mecha. Most of these Line Mecha armor plates Max can maneuver by hand, even in the increased gravity of their training building. The plates for a Crusader Class Mecha require a crane and multiple team members to safely remove.

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It is while Max is working on one of the Line Mecha damaged by the Special Forces class that his system decides that he needs an upgrade. Most Alpha Rank Users will get an additional Function at some point in their school lives, since they become available after 50 points, with a second one likely after 100. The biggest question is what theyll get.

[Function Activating]

[New System Function Added: Unit Optimization] The System will assist the User in Maintaining Peak Performance of their Mecha Unit. Touch Required for activation.

Max marvels at the notification for a while, wondering just what exactly the system is going to do for him. But, when he touches the screen to run a system diagnostic on the next Line Mecha, a new interface opens in his mind, like a heads up display.

[42 Faults Found]

[Efficiency Reduced by 37%] Correct Now?.

Max decides to see just what the system is doing, when a drop of his blood, then another and a third fall from his fingers onto the screen, quickly soaking in. Within seconds the damaged interior is pristine again, so Max exits the unit to see what still needs done and what the Nanobots that form his system can do themselves.

The wires and hydraulic hoses are mending themselves as he watches, and then a notification pops up in his mind, telling him which armor plates and mechanical components need replacing. Max simply follows the list, swapping damaged components as he goes until everything is done.

[Optimization Complete]

That is an absolutely incredible function. It will only perform the most basic of repairs, reattaching broken wires and mending hoses using the existing material, but the diagnostic ability alone makes it more than worth it. Before he can sign off on this unit he needs to systems test it, so Max straps himself in the cockpit and powers up the unit. The controls respond the instant that he wishes them to, none of the usual lag of outdated programs and decades of patched software. The interior lighting is just right, and when he takes it for the test walk around the Shop, the controls are exactly at his preferred sensitivity.

In short, the unit is perfect, better than the day it first came off the assembly line, and optimized to his own preference. In a higher quality mecha, the difference will be even greater. His Speed and Dexterity might not be amazing, at least not yet, but at this point, it almost doesnt matter, since the system has optimized the unit to his preference and ability.

Colonel Black, Ive got another unit ready for final checks. Max calls, opening the hatch to jump out onto the ground, and the Colonel comes over to double check his work.

To the Colonel, the unit is not quite as perfect, as its optimized for Max and not him, but the quality of the repairs is immediately evident.

Excellent work Cadet. Whatever you did to the software is working exactly right. Praise from the head mechanic and Principal of the school is hard to come by, so Max is going to savor this moment for a while, while he starts in on another unit. This one is entirely inoperative, it wont even boot up, but as soon as Max touches it, the System Function activates again.

[Unit Inoperable: Performing Emergency diagnostics]

[Solution: Replace Power Capacitor 7A and cycle power circuits to begin diagnostics]

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Max follows the instructions and its not long before hes got the unit up and running. It wasnt badly damaged, but the blown capacitor in the power relays killed it and cut all power to the mecha. This time Max doesnt optimize it for himself, only repairs the damages and sends it on its way. Finally he has a true advantage from his system, and not just the Alpha Rank privileged playing field that he started life with. That can hardly be counted, since hes not even the only one in his class that can boast about that level of system compatibility.

Max passes a few more days testing out his ability before theyre finally cleared to start training on the Corvette Class Mecha. This will be the first real test of his new system function, using it inside a real Mecha on the live fire range. The Academy doesnt have full immersion trainers for the Corvette Class that train your body like they have for the Line Mecha, and once you know the controls, theres not much more to be learned inside a VR simulator. So, General Tennant has booked them three hours a day on the live fire range with Corvette Class Mecha usually reserved for staff members, equipped with Ion rifles to save on ammunition costs.

Both Cadets understand that theyll be repairing any damages they do to these units, so theyll have to treat them well, but thats not going to dampen their enthusiasm. When they strap themselves in and boot up their Mecha, Max takes a moment to check his system stats.

[Compatibility Determined] Rank A

[Primary Attribute] STR 2.5x modifier

[STR] 2+70%

[DEX] 2+24%

[SPD] 2+24%

[Innate Talent] Mind Reading

[Additional Function: Unit Optimization] activated

[Unit Optimized For Use]

Compared to the clunky and basic Line Mecha, the Corvette class machines are a thing of beauty. Standing 5 meters tall, they are a perfect mix of flowing lines and hard edges. Their torso isnt as tall as a Line Mecha and its more human proportions, since the power plant has been relocated behind the pilot instead of below, and the head is removed in favor of more widely distributed sensor systems.

These models have standard humanoid hands and carry an Ion blaster, with flak rifles on either shoulder that the Academy doesnt provide ammunition for during training. While they cannot fly, they can jump huge distances with thruster assistance. Very convenient at the Academy, as theyre used by teachers to intervene should a Cadet make a grave error.

Max and Nico line up side by side, in adjacent lanes of the live fire course and General Tennant starts the scenario without warning, causing a hail of fire to come flying for their mecha. The agile Corvette Class unit responds exactly as Max wants it to, throwing him out of sight behind a barricade and then spinning out the other side to shoot at the first of the dummies. The shot is true and the incoming fire slows enough for Max to move to the next point, gaining an angle to take out two more of the turret dummies.

Theyre designed to look like the Academy Line Mecha, but theyre actually just energy absorbing ablative plating and a low powered Ion Rifle. His shots wont really damage them, just trigger their system to inactivate them for the run, but their weapons will certainly leave battle scars on his Mecha that he will have to fix later if they hit him.

Having the ability to see into everyones memory is coming in handy now that his mecha does exactly what he wants it to. The instructors know this mecha in and out, every bit of what it is theoretically capable of, and with his new system function, Max can push it to the absolute limits.

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At the end of the course, Nico has a very respectable 95 percent hit rate, and under 10 percent damage taken, a result on par with the elite results of all her previous examinations. Max, on the other hand scored absolutely perfectly. Perfect accuracy, no damage taken and nearly perfect efficiency and timing through the course, with minimal wasted movement.

Nico looks at the results with a melancholy smile, but still manages a cheerful sounding taunt for her friend. Looks like my head start has been squandered. You got good while we were working on the repair training. Is this what they call the Male Advantage?

That was an acknowledged thing within the Piloting Ranks. The system didnt optimize all bodies the same way, and Female Pilots would cap out lower on strength and speed but higher on dexterity than their male counterparts. Max wasnt sure exactly what level Nico was at now, but as he understood it, the differences started after 100 total bonus points and only got more and more evident among the elite ranks.

Because of that, not many elite female pilots existed, but with the right System Functions, there was no reason short of crippling injury that the Kepler Kingdoms advanced medicine couldnt repair that an Alpha Ranked Cadet like Nico wouldnt qualify for and successfully complete the Special Forces training..

The fact Max got a perfect run first was just a bittersweet reminder to her of all the ways shed taunted him during martial arts training, where she had the natural advantage so far.

Not bad Cadets. But watch your footing, the Corvette Class is much more agile than the Line Mecha, but the ground isnt any more stable, so rapid maneuvers are prone to cause you to lose traction and send the whole mecha toppling to the ground. Especially you, Cadet Max. You prefer to lean your body to stabilize for a shooting position, but that puts a lot of pressure on one foot. In soft sand or mud that will be a hazard. Now, go again.

The General only increases the difficulty every day, along with the increasing gravity in their training center, pushing both Cadets to the limits until finally Nico breaks. Not mentally, literally breaks her arm during martial arts training when her bone density can no longer keep up with the extreme stress of increased strength and gravity.

The System has optimized her as much as it can, or will, and her body has reached the peak of its adult state, at least until she reaches 150 bonus points and the System sees fit to upgrade her in some way again.

That upgrade isnt always physical though. Sure, its often a bonus to a base stat or multiple base stats, but it is also a common point in their training for Kepler Kingdom pilots to gain one or more additional System Functions, often just before their University exams are due to be taken, should their progression follow the Curriculum expected rates.

While Nico recovers over the next few days, her healing accelerated by the Nanobots, Max has to train alone, except for the theory courses with Inquisitor Wolf. Nico is spending extra time in the theoretical classes now, due to her injury and likelihood of repeat injuries until the recovery is complete, while Max continues with piloting classes under General Tennant.

Max really didnt realize how much he relied upon the competition and having something to prove, until he had to do it alone.

Why the long face Cadet? Surely you still see each other more than enough during Commissar Training and after classes? General Tennant jokes as they bring Maxs mecha back for daily maintenance.

Its not that, more like all this time, I really wanted to prove that I was just as good as the Cadet born with all the advantages. The loving family, noble heritage, Alpha Rank System, plus her amazing Innate Talent. But now, I guess I have, and Im not sure what I should do now. Does that make any sense General?

General Tennant nods sagely to the Cadet, lost in his own memories. When I joined the Military, there was a Cadet just like you. He had the ability, and the drive, but that was it. I was the one born to a heritage of Mecha Pilots. He drove me every day to be a better Pilot, just to keep that one step ahead of him. Then one day he managed it, his unit held their assigned point while mine was pushed back and had to be reinforced.

But our Commander had a bit of advice for him when he was feeling like you are now. You might be ahead, but life is never won until the day you die. The translation from his native dialect is a bit rough, but what he meant was, you are now in her position, the one being chased to defend the title as the best. If you slack for even a second, she will take it back from you, so you need to make yourself the absolute best Pilot and Commander you can be every single day, without fail.

Max wasnt expecting a profound life lesson from the usually silent General, so it takes him a while to digest that philosophy before he comes up with a question. Where is that Pilot now?

Waiting for us to bring in one of his Academys prized Corvette Class Mecha. Now get a move on or the Colonel will chew us both out for being late.

General Tennant was right, the moment that Cadet Nico was cleared to return to live fire training, it was like a fire was lit within her to take back her spot at the top, and prove to herself that she could keep up with the very best. Max started out with the handicap and had to play catch up, but Nico has just started to work though hers. That ability she has to interface directly with the Mechas systems cant be underestimated though. Shes good, and getting better with practice. Max might have a perfectly optimized mecha, but hes still got to work hard to keep his position.

The semester draws on peacefully as they master all the basics of Provisioning, discipline, repair and piloting, training to be well rounded Officer Cadets, but all is not calm in the Kepler Kingdom. External battles are a constant fact of life for the Kingdom, and both General Tennant and Inquisitor Wolf know that their time here is limited.

If they want to take these Cadets with them as the Generals presumptive successors when theyre inevitably forced to leave, theyll have to work hard to find a way and have the Cadets prove themselves.

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33 Chapter 33

The central government overseer is deep into the drink before the sun goes down that night. Aristocratic Imperial politicians sent him here specifically to prove that the old General was no longer fit for duty.

Putting him in charge of children was a disaster waiting to happen, and the bureaucrats were certain that he would either fail or become drunken and violent to the point that he could be relieved of command and his Phalanx Class Mecha Reallocated to a piloting team more loyal to the Aristocracy and their bureaucracy.

But after this. After a pair of first year Cadets crushed the qualification exams mere months into his tutelage, what was the overseer to report to his superiors? His best bet was to suppress the news and buy time to come up with a plan. If that Phalanx Class Mecha goes to students loyal to General Tennant, they will be loyal to the Monarchy directly, as the original agreement stipulated, not the regional governments run in its name by the local aristocrats.

When the Kingdom of Kepler was founded, all Phalanx Class and mightier Mecha Swore Loyalty to the monarchy before all else. So now that the Observers superiors in the government feel that the monarchy has become obsolete and is ready to be replaced by smaller fiefdoms run by the aristocratic class and their centuries old structures of government, that loyalty must be erased.

But its not easy. The pilots pick their successors, both by tradition and by law. Turning the younger generation is the best chance they have. That or sending the venerable machines out on far flung patrols so they cant return in time to stop the Monarchy from being eliminated.

The overseer finds no solace in his thoughts and in the end drinks himself to sleep well before lights out.

While the Observer bemoaned his fate over expensive whiskey, General Tennant was making plans to accelerate the Cadets training and to move them to a safer location..

What he has come up with is a training mission. Not a short journey through the woods, a six month tour of duty where he will be the only one overseeing them, and where he will be able to help them earn the commendations that they will need to take over the Shining Darkness before the politicians can find a way to strip her from General Tennants Possession.

The actions of the overseer, and other double agents within the Academy are no mystery to the General. The sensors in the venerable Phalanx Class machine are no laughing matter, he can find out anything that happens within this Academy. Why else would he choose to sleep in his mecha every night when he could have an opulent VIP suite assigned along with base staff catering to his every whim?

He has managed to contact a ship of the fleet that is on a routine training patrol for Kepler Naval Pilots, with a minimal crew and no intentions of entering into actual danger. Thats just the thing hes looking for, a few landfalls that can be polished up in reports and half a year of peace.

The Captain of the ship is more than happy to have the Shining Darkness on board, the Phalanx Class Mecha are a good luck symbol to the entire Empire, and Colonel Black has agreed to the Generals proposal to take his Cadets on the mission.

The Colonel understands the current situation quite well, and hopes that it never comes to the worst of outcomes. They have enough enemies without a civil war.

The next morning most of the Instructors have gathered in the viewing decks to watch the two Cadets under General Tennant practice on the Corvette Class Mecha, curious to how well his secluded students have been progressing.

Mecha Ready. Weapons check

Cadet Nico, All Green. Weapons Check Ready.

Cadet Max, All Green. Weapons Check Ready.

Standby for launch in 3, 2, 1

The two hurtled out of the starting area at a blistering rate, taking out the first set of targets before even meeting the incoming fire. Cadet Nico goes a bit more gently than usual on this run, not wanting to cause herself the need to do any unnecessary repairs after just recovering from an injury. Its a faster pace than the Line Mecha qualification by quite a bit, but not even close to pushing the more agile machine to its limits.

Beside her, Cadet Max is taking a very efficient line, but emphasizing his hiding to ensure hes entirely behind the available cover.

Its two perfect runs someone in the control room sighs. Side by side, its like watching instructors demonstrate.

I dont know if I want to kiss the General for training such talents or kick him for not training the rest. Major Payne snarls.

Now, now Amanda. You know you cant kick ranking officers. Inquisitor Wolf coos and promptly gets a kick leveled at his backside.

I said no kicking, absolutely no kicking. He laughs as he dances across the room, having enjoyed the friendly banter of the Instructors here in comparison to the suspicion and fear his presence usually elicited.

But now theyre into the hardest part. Do you think theyll notice the ambush target that pops up behind the Cadets at the 90 percent mark?

A target not noticed is a missed target, not a huge deal to these two Cadets, but it is the point when many others fail their run, having missed their opportunity at earlier targets.

The two Mecha are side by side as they come to the 90 percent mark and the ambush drone comes out. Cadet Max doesnt even turn, simply spins his shoulder around to aim backwards and blasts it into oblivion.

Cadet Nico noticed a moment too late, still in time to avoid the ambush, but the drone had moved behind cover before she could target it and she must either waste a significant amount of time looking for it or continue the run with the missed target. Nico chooses to take the miss, moving into the final groupings and completing the course.

Cadet Nico, you do know it is customary to shoot all of the targets, yes?

Yes, sir. This Cadet knows they failed to shoot the Ambush drone, sir.

0 missed shots, 0 percent damage taken, 1 missed target. Passable score Cadet.

Now that weve covered your negligent targeting, tell me this. Were you out for a leisurely stroll? Needed a moment to do your nails? What is with the sedate pacing Cadet? General Tennant barks, making everyone in the control room laugh. Her pace was still a third faster than required for the actual Corvette Class qualification.

Sir. This Cadet found the previous Mecha to be exceedingly fragile and did not want to damage more of the Academys property, sir.

Then we will have to teach you how to run without hurting yourself Cadet. Thats all for this lesson, fall out to the hangars and return your Mecha.

Passable he says, passable. Major Payne chokes looking at the scorecard.

Cadet Max, not bad, but you almost took a shot to the back wasting time in cover. Get in, get the job done and get out. Corvette Class Mecha are fast attack Mecha.

I understand General.

Excellent, now fall out and get showered for your next class. The General dismisses him and the second Corvette Class mecha heads for the customized training hanger to be serviced and put away for the evening.

0 missed shots. 0 missed targets. 0 damage taken. Perfect run.

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Chapter 34 Charter 34 Change Of Plans

The overseer silently ends the call with his superiors, hearing the instructors come back from the observation room. The Cadets just have finished their run. He briefly wonders how they did, but pushes the thought from his mind. One more week and they can send an Inquisitor that theyve turned to their cause.

The Royal auditors known as Inquisitors are a hard bunch, but they do have weaknesses. Someone has found this ones and recruited them to help eliminate the General through forced retirement, giving the Aristocracy control of his Mecha.

As the overseer ends his call, General Tennant begins one of his own.

Move up the schedule, use my Command Codes if necessary. Were leaving today.

Cadets Nico and Max were doing the final checks before returning their borrowed Corvette Class Mecha to the Academy Armory. Both were in high spirits, laughing with each other while they ran the diagnostic scans, finding nothing wrong but a bit of depleted fuel and some added dirt.

Hey Nico, what do you think this field trip will be like? Will we just be observing? Do you think theyll let us do live training with the crew? Max asked, excitedly going through the notification of a 6 month off world field trip with General Tennant that he had just received..

Im sure there will be Training. Can you imagine General Tennant letting a Cadet slack for an entire 6 month tour? Thats just crazy talk. Ill bet if theres a patrol in a safe environment he might even let us off the ship.

For Special Forces Cadets in their final year of basic training, as the seventh year classes were, that was how these rare practical experience fields trips usually went, according to the Academys publicly available information. Training on board, then patrols on an uninhabited moon somewhere before returning to brag of their experience and begin their final semesters.

Not every graduating class even got to do one though, their planet was too low priority to get approval for annual excursions using a ship of the fleet.

The scheduled trip was to take them plus the graduating Special Forces Class to a feral world, on a mission to clear a location for a settlement. Heavy lifting inside their Mecha all day long, with a chance to get the top performing Cadets inside modified Crusader Class chassis designed for heavy lifting and military infrastructure under the Engineering Department. They were fitted with two hands instead of solid mounted weapons, making them perfect for heavy infrastructure projects.

Though the Cadets didnt yet know it, that plan was now scrapped. General Tennants worries about a coup pushed him to move forward his departure, putting them all off world should things turn violent as suddenly as he predicted.

Just before sunset, General Tennant got the news he had been waiting for. The 42nd armored Mecha battalion is passing by their star system and will be headed out tonight on an emergency deployment to cover for a patrol ship damaged in a border skirmish so the other vessel can be put in dry dock.

The sound of the giant landing craft awakens every student in the Academy. All eager to see what it might be bringing. Are they bringing a group of retired veterans home? Is the Academy getting another dignitary with his own Mecha like General Tennant?

Nico and Max have just reached the window closest to the lander when the door to the training area opens from outside.

Youve got 5 minutes to pack and meet at the lander. Our patrol has been moved up. The General informs them. Fortunately, as Cadets, everything they own still fits in the issued rucksack.

They dump the contents of their lockers into the bags and run out the door and across the Academy lawn towards the landing craft, where Shining Darkness now stands awaiting the loading crane and the Special Forces Cadets are running from their barracks.

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The loading process is simpler than any of the Cadets had expected. The huge Phalanx Class Mecha is too large to just walk up the loading ramp into the lander, so instead cables are attached to mounts on its shoulders by flying drones.

The General parked the Mecha crouched down, like he was going to sit in the grass and the crane on the lander, more often used to retrieve disabled Mecha, simply picked the Shining Darkness up and placed it inside. Once there, the cables detached and the mecha was moved to a more stable stance in its berth near the center of the lander.

Flight crew explained the protocols and procedures for takeoff while they were showing them where to stow their gear in the Mecha pilots area.

Top qualification? The crewman working the storage area asks when the Cadets arrive.

Both of us are qualified on the Corvette Class Mecha, Sargeant. Max answers.

The Sargeant smiles and leads them to a pair of lockers, full height and double width. Every Cadet knew, in theory, that advanced pilots got preferential treatment within the military, but even getting more storage space when theyre picked up for transport? Thats just pure luxury.

Permission to ask questions Sargeant? Cadet Max asks.

Certainly Pilot Max. Ask away, Ill answer what I can. No need to stand on formality.

If Cadets with pilot ratings are treated this well, Just how good does the general have it?

The Sargeant laughs, the corners of his eyes crinkled in mirth. Ranking officers like him get their own sitting room. Its got chests twice the size of your locker, but nobodys stopping them from using more than one if they desire.

Both Max and Nico chuckle at the animated way the man talks, clearly not used to interacting with Cadets, and torn between treating them by their military rank or their official status as technically still being civilians until their swearing in ceremony.

Thank You Sargeant. The man who brought them here nods. Now, if you will, Cadets, its time to buckle in for departure.

Cadet Nico takes the opportunity to discretely scan the tablet in the crewmans hands. Nothing fun or important in it, just a protocol tablet with the guest list. She already knew there were 15 of them boarding, but she did learn that Mecha pilots actually had a specified and regulated set of privileges that werent just hero worship.

Cadet Nico retracted her Innate Talent as they reached their seats and buckled in for launch. 6 months until they come back, if everything goes to schedule. Hopefully theres communication allowed on board the patrol ship, so she can talk to her parents before they return.

The moment he straps himself into the safety harness, Max is filled with excitement he cant explain, the simple act of leaving the planet brings him joy.

The Special Forces Cadets are no less excited, they never expected that theyd get to go on a full tour field trip, the General didnt tell anyone until the notifications were sent to dorm rooms and training Mecha just this afternoon

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Cadets Nico and Max only start relaxing a few minutes after the lander makes orbit and the artificial gravity kicks in. Their time in High Gravity training did wonders for their bodies, but did not prepare their minds for the rush of an emergency orbital launch.

Going through the memories he has collected since he reached the Academy, Max doesnt remember liftoff being so brutal, or it taking so long for artificial Gravity to kick in, but he simply chocks it up to differences in technology between ship designs, or the possibility that their crew is also in training and this is a full training mission with an experienced escort.

None of the customary announcements were made about an emergency launch or estimated travel time after all, but the timer on the wall says twenty six minutes until docking with the President class Mecha transport that they will be assigned to for their patrol.

The crew in the lander seems a bit on edge, so assuming its the presence of the Cadets, Max decides to ask a few questions to break the ice. He could likey get the answers from Nico, who is sure to be hacking someones personal device by now, but this method might prove to be more efficient.

Hello Corporals, I was wondering if we could talk until its time to dock? he asks.

No problems Cadet. What do you need to know? The man closest to him answers..

Our departure time got changed and we didnt get an itinerary or any details, can you tell us which ship were meeting and what unit serves aboard her?

Well be meeting the Abraham Kepler, a President Class transporter home to the 42nd Armored Mecha Battalion. The man says with pride.

Named after the third King of Kepler, I presume? Max asks and the corporal nods.

What is the strength of your armored battalion? Like I said, we got absolutely zero details before leaving.

The 42nd is near full strength right now. We have 9 wings of 100 Line Mecha each, fully staffed. 100 Corvette class operators in their machines, plus 50 Crusader Class Mecha. The Shining Darkness is also on board, but it is not part of the 42nd. Phalanx Class Mecha are rarely permanently assigned, and definitely not to a unit like ours without a glorious history or an important homeworld.

Theres more than Mecha on board of course, though theyre not of immediate concern to most of us. Another puts in. The 3rd Army Corps from Kepler 111 is also on board, for ground engagements and boarding actions. 40,000 strong they are. All seasoned veterans at this point, theyve been on patrol for 9 of their 10 years term of service.

So theyre not lifelong soldiers? One of the Special Forces Cadets asks and most of the others chuckle grimly.

It seems that your friends know. The 3rd division started out at the regulation 250,000 soldiers. Theres 40,000 left to complete their term of service. 10 years of war is more than enough combat to see an infantry soldier through this life and the next.

The ship must be fairly empty feeling then, with so few on board compared to full complement? Nico asks.

Its not bad in the Mecha wings. The 42nd is at full strength again, but the rest of the ship can feel pretty spartan. The President Class ships were designed to house two full Field Armies, not one depleted army. But were on emergency patrol and didnt have time to requisition any more troops.

[All hands prepare for rapid transition after docking. Do not release securements.]

[Repeat, All hands prepare for rapid transition after docking. Do not release securements.]

What did that announcement mean other than dont get out of our chairs? Nico laughs, unfamiliar with the term rapid transition.

Theyll be going to full faster than light travel the moment the lander is secured. Whatever is going on has the Abraham Kepler in a panic to get there.

Nico nods her thanks and stares at the digital star chart on the wall. Two hundred star systems make up the Kepler Kingdom, spread over hundreds of light years of space. Kepler Terminus is a frontier system, on the very edge of controlled space, where one would expect a patrol ship to end up, not leave in a hurry.

But they are certainly in a hurry. Less than 5 minutes on the ground and a rapid transition to faster than light travel? Either this under staffed ship is the last hope for someone, or theres more going on than she knows.

With a gut twisting lurch the huge warship accelerates up to interstellar velocities.

Well, that was fun. Max says sounding queasy and one of the soldiers beside him gives him a solid pat on the back.

Took me my entire first tour to get used to it. 6 straight months of feeling queasy at every transition. she says.

I remember that. another laughs First time we took off you vomited on Jalil. Almost got you killed without seeing action.

Max isnt the only one feeling Queasy. This was the first faster than light transition for them all, and only one Cadet doesnt look at least a little green. The transition didnt seem to bother Cadet Nico at all.

How are you not affected by the transition? Max asks, annoyed that all his scans of her memory didnt reveal such important information.

After looking at you lot this whole trip, a little light speed jump is nothing. Nico jokes, chewing on a piece of jerky.

Some people just arent bothered by the effect. It doesnt matter how strong or tough you are, it just happens or it doesnt. One of the Lander crew informs Max with a big grin, the experienced veteran enjoying the chance to see fresh young Cadets learning new things.

[All clear. Safety restraints may now be removed.] The mechanical voiced computer announcement comes blasting from the intercom speakers once the motion of the ship settles.

The crew all releases their harnesses while the announcement is still playing, preparing themselves to get back to work.

Thats our cue Cadets. Gather your gear and follow me to get your bunk assignments.

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The Cadets are led to two distinctly different areas of the ship to get their bunk assignments. Max, Nico and a pair from the Special Forces Class are kept aside when the others are shown to a bunk room with racks for fifty soldiers in it. Theyre free to pick their spots as they wish, tossing their bags into the footlocker that matches their chosen bunk.

The final four are brought to the next hallway, where a series of small private rooms line the walls. Its all very familiar to Nico and Max, since the gravity room was designed to look exactly like this, right down to the furniture.

Welcome home Cadets. Get comfortable, because the next stop is months away. The Corporal escorting them says with a smile and turns to leave.

Corporal, what is the current ships time? Nico asks before their escort can leave.

03:00, Cadet..

The Corporal leaves and Max swears under his breath. 3 hours isnt nearly enough time.

The two other Corvette Class Qualified Cadets look confused, so Max explains. General Tennant begins training promptly at 07:00 every morning. Every Morning. So if you want to eat before lunch, youve got 3 hours to sleep before its time to get up and get fed.

They passed the mess hall on the way over, its only a few minutes away, and straight down the main corridor.

Having four Cadets qualified on the Corvette Class Mecha is unusual, the Academies dont usually train the students in anything but the Line Mecha, leaving the official officers training in the Corvette Class Mecha up to the Universities. But Kepler Terminus had a very good Special Forces Class and two students, Ibanez and Gomez, were given special consideration.

A half dozen of the others are likely to also get the official certification before the end of the year, but they havent managed it yet. Much of that is just due to System Compatibility. Ibanez and Russo are both Alpha Ranked, with an advantage since birth. The others have had to grind hard to even try to keep up.

Have you been studying under The General for long then? Ibanez asks, only vaguely recalling having seen these Cadets before.

We transferred in this year and began studying under him when he arrived at the academy. Nico smiles up at the much larger Cadet.

Ibanez got hit hard by the effects of puberty, still showing heavy acne on his face even in his senior year. He also grew to nearly the top of the Pilot Uniform sizing options, leaving him in fear that hed be dropped from the program as unsuitable because of his size. Fortunately at 194cm he just made the cutoff, even if it was a tight fit inside the cockpit of the light and agile Corvette Class Mecha.

Russo got off easier, finalizing his growth at a stocky and hairy 170cm tall. He was near the maximum sizes for waist, but that wasnt fat, he was simply solid muscle.

Alright Pretty Boy, were off to bed. Wake me up if Im going to be late for breakfast. Theres nothing I hate worse than missing meals. Ibanez laughs, heading into one of the rooms.

Likewise, but not as tacky. Russo laughs, waving goodbye and setting an alarm on his watch.

Max decides hes going to have to requisition one of those soon, since he cant rely on the academy systems for the time being. Nico taps her empty wrist and Max nods, then heads for the datascreen to see if he can make the order.

Already done. It will be here at 06:15, in case you snooze a little past your alarm. The petite pilot laughs before turning in for the night.

Max considers telling the others, who are still joking and laughing next door, that theyre in for a long day tomorrow, but decides that they will learn better the hard way. Besides, a nice firm Kepler Navy issue mattress is waiting for him.

The nap might have been short and unfulfilling, but at least it was something, and Max is just about to hit the snooze button on the wall mounted alarm again when a Private from the logistics department arrives with his watch, plus an additional pillow and a fresh boot maintenance kit.

All Max can think is that the General was right, Nico would be a great Commissar. Hes the one that can read minds, but somehow she still knows exactly what he needs, before he needs it. She even knew that the standard issue pillow was too flat for him and ordered a spare.

Ibanez and Russo are both awake by 06:30 and the four head over to the dorm to let everyone know breakfast is being served. It actually started an hour and a half ago, but theyre all still up, gossiping and joking, so they might as well get some food in them before the General puts them to work.

Looks like you were right. I hear officers boots. Russo whispers to Max at precisely six fifty nine in the morning as theyre sipping coffee. How he could hear that is beyond Max, most likely one of his System Abilities.

Officer On Deck. Nico calls from her position nearest to the door as General Tennant walks in, forcing everyone to snap to attention.

At ease. Its good to see you all so lively and well fed. I had thought the time change might be tougher on you all. Now, the 42nd has a fine collection of combat hardened Sergeants among their ranks who will happily educate you fine young gentlemen in the art of Mecha Piloting. Ibanez, Russo, Max and Nico, youre all with me and Colonel Marino from the 42nd Armored.

Groans fill the air as the Cadets realize theyre about to face a full days training after being too excited to sleep, but the four senior Cadets only smirk at each other.

The two officers arent leading them to the same training area as the other Cadets though, theyre leading the four Cadets into the training area reserved for the 42nd Armored.

Welcome to day one of Crusader Class Mecha training. We dont have long to get you competent and certified, but youre all Alpha Rank talents, and we expect nothing but success from you. General Tennant declares when they reach the row of unfamiliar training simulators.

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Just to verify my own sanity, are you telling us well be graduating early and learning to pilot Crusaders? Ibanez asks and Colonel Marino begins to laugh.

Yes Cadet. Once we get to our destination, you will be Field Promoted to an Officer Rank befitting your skills. If you can qualify in the Crusaders, that will be Captain, right from the start of your careers. But first you need to qualify.

Thats enough motivation for all four Cadets to rush to their simulators and familiarize themselves with the cockpit layouts. Theyre all standard designs, the Kepler Military default, though Crusader Class controls can be customized to the pilots, who will usually spend the remainder of their career in the same Mecha.

Max is already very well acquainted with this setup, and lovingly runs his fingers over the controls, feeling them in person for the very first time. Sure, its not an actual Mecha, but the simulators control panel is made from the real Mechas cockpit parts.

Unlike the Line and Corvette Class simulators, the Crusaders and their simulators have a neural link, allowing pilots to control partially with their thoughts, and increasing their overall capabilities. Max slips the helmet on and gets a message from his system.

[Unit Optimized].

[Selecting Optimal Pattern]

[New System Ability Unlocked: Multi Point Targeting]

Max isnt entirely sure what that means, but once the Virtual Reality simulator comes online he can see the change right in front of his eyes. There are rows of moving Mecha in front of him in the simulated course, waiting for him to begin his run. He doesnt have his heads up display active, but focusing on any one of them gives him a targeting box in two colors.

Max tries focusing on more than one at a time and finds he can get to four before the colored boxes stop appearing.

[Number of Weapons Systems Exceeded]

So every color is a different weapon then. Like the Mecha of Colonel Black, Max got one with two weapon arms, one a Gatling Battery, the other a Main Battle Cannon. On top of his Mechas domed top shell sits a missile pod, and on the chest is a single Heavy Ion Blaster, best suited to single infantry targets, or sniping through open hatches as its roughly the same weapon that infantry soldiers carry, just hard mounted.

Alright Cadets. You should see your course in front of you. Eliminate all targets, take no damage, reach your destination in under five minutes. And GO. General Tennant announces through their virtual Mechas internal speakers.

[Select Automatic Targeting?] May not be optimized for target priority.

Max thinks about that for a second and decides to see just how well it will do. After all, hes going to be running this course way more than one single time.

Max steps his mecha towards cover, forgetting for a second just how big of a difference there is between the five meter tall Corvette Class and the Ten meter tall Crusaders. The wall blocks his lower torso, but both weapon arms are exposed over the top, and the automatic targeting mode activated by his System opens fire on the enemy Mecha, picking targets by distance, closest first.

Every weapon is going at once and Max winds his way through the course, avoiding incoming fire while his mecha destroys everything in range. It only has a few minor hiccups, like using the Main Battle Cannon against an infantry motorcycle while the Ion Blaster was busy with the rest of the unit. Other than that the System Function worked amazingly well.

Max didnt plan his route very well, not used to the volume of incoming fire, and took a significant amount of damage, but he finished in time and anything that moved is now dead.

Congratulations Cadet on the most magnificent waste of ammunition Ive ever seen in a training scenario. Using the Cannon against a motorcycle was a masterful touch, and I applaud your aim. Hitting a moving motorcycle with an artillery shell is no easy feat. Thirty percent hull damage taken, forty five percent of ammunition spent. Run again. Colonel Marino laughs over the intercom.

Over and over that morning they run, and Max learns how to fine tune his systems multi targeting skill. He can exclude types of units, so his light weapon only targets infantry, while the high explosive missiles wait until a group is present to fire.

Its also more efficient to control the main guns himself using the combination of the System Targeting and the Heads Up Display from the sensors than it is to leave them on automatic. Hes just starting to get the hang of positioning his mecha to avoid being shot to ribbons when they break at the end of the day.

Good job today Cadets. We will see you right here at 06:30 tomorrow morning. Dont be late. General Tenant dismisses them, sending the hungry Cadets jogging for the Mess Hall to see whats on the dinner buffet.

That was intense. Im glad I activated additional endurance for one of my Functions. Russo sighs, taking a seat next to the half conscious Ibanez.

I think Im going to die. Every part of me hurts. I got blown up so many times today I swear I heard the AI laughing at me. The big Cadet moans, looking to Russo for sympathy but finding none.

Nico is silent and thoughtful, and Max wonders if shes simply exhausted or if she learned something new today that might be interesting.

Max scans her memories to see what her System Functions might be, finding that she has activated two, the same as him. Only theyre a bit odd, and not entirely Mecha related. The first is [Rapid Recovery] allowing her to heal and recover energy more quicky and easily than others.

According to the function, she can survive off of a mere 200 calories a day, and if necessary her body will process the rest from her surroundings in a way that sounds to Max a lot like its photosynthesis.

The second function is [Mecha Modification] which looks much more like a utility for the techs repairing mecha than someone piloting them. Max can imagine that the Function might be truly deadly in combat though, with all her Weapons tweaked for increased damage and firing rate.

His Optimization Function only makes the best of what is available, her Modification Function gives her insight into how to change the Mecha to make it mechanically better, or does it automatically if no physical changes are needed.

Its not her System thats the most interesting though, its a memory she was just thinking about of a modified Ion Destroyer, similar to the one thats on her chosen Mecha. The memory triggers something in Max, and a whole series of combat memories inside an unfamiliar Mecha known as the Gloriana flood his mind.

Max understands instantly that these are the memories of his past life, no longer locked away, but still incomplete. What he recalls are nothing but portions of battle scenes and combat techniques that were used during them.

Still, its better than nothing, and Max already feels as if they are part of him, ground into his subconscious through a lifetime of repetition.

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When they get back to the training area for the afternoon, the General leads them to where the infantry are practicing hand to hand combat instead of back to the simulators.

Crusader Class Mecha see a lot of close combat, so the better you can fight unarmed the better you can survive when your Mecha is attacked. Today you will be demonstrating how much you know of combat to these veterans. Each of you, pick a number. General Tennant explains, holding out a hand with four sticks in it.

Max grabs a stick, finding that it is number four, so he will be fighting last.

Each of you will go until you win five matches or until you lose. Soldiers, Ill warn you in advance, these are Alpha Compatibility Cadets, there is no need to go easy on them. Number one, youre up.

Nico takes the ring and the soldiers chuckle, sending a rather scrawny looking Private out to meet her. The man takes a confident fighting stance facing her, knowing his comrades are messing with him, and just wanting to get the fight over with so they can see the actual fighters in action.

Ready? Go. General Tennant calls and before the soldier could even react a small, booted foot had hit him in the head, knocking him out cold..

Thats one for me. Thank you for the handicap gentlemen. Nico says sweetly as the soldiers try to process what just happened.

Next up they send a well toned Sergeant out to face her. By Maxs estimation, hes got a high Gamma or possibly a Beta level Compatibility. Hes certainly got higher total Modifiers than Nico does, and plenty of combat experience, its visible in his every movement.

Ready? Go.

The Sergeants first punch is knocked aside by Nico and used as leverage to try to kick him in the back. He sidesteps the attack, trying to grab her foot, but Nico has pulled it out of range. They trade punches, Nicos to the stomach, his to her shoulder, both with little effect.

The crowd of soldiers is cheering on the fight and its drawing even more over to watch. Both fighters are blindingly fast, blocking and deflecting the barrage of attacks their opponent is sending their way.

Were supposed to follow that up? Forget beating that Sergeant, Im pretty sure I couldnt beat Nico. Cadet Russo mutters, making Max chuckle.

Shes meaner than she looks. Just watch. Max tells his fellow Cadet.

The two combatants are trading blows again when the Sergeant grabs her wrist, going for the arm lock, a maneuver Max had failed at multiple times. With the boneless grace of a house cat, Nico rotates her entire body around her arm, floating in the air and swinging her legs up towards the Sergeanta neck for the leg lock.

He realizes his mistake a moment too late, letting go of her arm and driving his fist up to prevent her from getting the choke hold. He successfully gets her leg outside his arm and slams her to the ground on her back, but the tenacious Cadet continues to pummel his face until he throws her off.

Shes off balance from hitting the mat again, so he goes for the spear, knocking the breath from the much smaller cadet before wrapping her legs with his to prevent her from escaping before going for the chokeout.

She cant get the leverage on her elbow strikes to break his hold, and soon ends up tapping out, admitting defeat.

Thats a loss for Cadet Nico. General Tennant calls as the two get to their feet, the Sergeant bloody in the face and favoring his ribs, while Nico shakes off the grogginess.

Thank the stars for Sergeant Johnson, without him wed have been embarrassed by a forty kilo Cadet. One of the soldiers calls and a large group begins to laugh.

Johns once killed a Moor Bear with a combat knife, if he lost to her we were screwed. someone else jokes and the Sergeant laughs.

Good fight Cadet. If the other three fight like that, my boys might be in trouble. Johns commends Nico, who shakes his hand.

I have to watch the recording of that last pin, its been a while since anyone managed to immobilize me. She smiles back, grabbing a towel to dry off after the exertion of the matches.

Thats because youre secretly made of liquid. Max complains and the tired pair laughs.

Shes just so light that she can support her entire body weight on two fingers, If youre not prepared, its a bit like shes defying gravity. another Sergeant agrees.

Ibanez is up next, facing a similarly huge Corporal using a fighting style that looks like a bare knuckles boxing match. Theyre both using the Kepler standard fighting style, and the pairing is pretty well matched, but not as entertaining as the last fight.

Ibanez has just managed to knock his opponent out when an alarm begins to sound and all the lights switch to red. General Tennant takes off running for the hangars, but the Cadets arent sure what to do.

Its a Scavenger Swarm. Since you dont have assigned Mecha yet, youre with us. The Armory is this way, lets go. Sergeant z Johnson, who defeated Nico calls, taking off at a run.

The Armory has a variety of pressure suits hanging on racks, a sealed form of basic powered exoskeleton armor. They cant take much damage, but in the event that the Scavengers cause a breach theyre a lifesaver for anyone not in a sealed room.

The internal areas are already on lock down, but the training areas are near the outer hull. Max struggles into the unfamiliar equipment and laughs at Nico needing to clean the dust off the helmet of the smallest size they have.

Shes faster than anyone at getting into the suit, the lights on the chest going green to indicate the powered functions have activated and the suit is pressurized. She heads to the rack and grabs a Pulse rifle with a short barrel and a bullpup stock before moving to the side so others can get armed.

Max gets caught up on the rush of soldiers finishing near the same time, but manages to grab a pair of Pulse Pistols without too much delay. Pulse weapons are the ship based weapon of choice, since they dont ricochet like projectiles and dont leave molten puddles like Ionized Plasma weapons.

[All Hands Brace For Impact] the ships announcement sounds before a metallic screech fills the air.

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The Scavengers were a biomechanical species that many speculated were the result of an AI run amok. They could come in almost any form, but were most commonly the size of a medium dog, and multi limbed for efficient material extraction. Larger Sizes hinder movement, and smaller ones have trouble handling the materials they find without disassembling them first.

The shuddering and screeching continues for over a minute before the sound of shooting begins. That snaps the soldiers into action immediately.

The intercoms must be down. Cadets, youre with Bravo Company Third Platoon. Follow their directions and you will most likely live through this. Colonel Cortez, leader of this infantry unit directs, before giving assignments to the rest of his men.

Scratch that, the rest of his soldiers, Max sees that there are still some women in Bravo Company. With less than one fifth of their original numbers left, the infantry soldiers still alive in the unit are either the very tough or the very lucky.

Lucky you. Our post is right here. The Armory and the training grounds. You can usually hear Scavengers before you see them, but be careful, they can dive in from any direction, their claws let them climb walls. Sergeant Enns who leads the patoon assigned to them smiles..

He is sandy haired soldier who still looks quite young, despite his years of service, but his team all works as one, so he must be a good leader, Max decides.

The signs of combat are getting more distant as the soldiers move out, and Third Platoon waits, guarding the Armory. Ten minutes in to the battle, the first unit comes running their way, nearly out of ammunition and trying to make it to the Armory.

Look alive. Its time to work. Sergeant Enns calls and Max activates [Multi Point Targeting] finding that it works just fine in these basic powered suits with a pair of pistols.

Sure enough, the patrol is being chased by a number of Octopus looking mechanical creatures. The closest of them leaps at a fleeing soldier and meets a trio of Pulse blasts. One from Nico and one from either of Maxs pistols.

The creature collapses to the floor in a spray of black blood and the incoming troops move towards the center of the hall to give the guards a better line to the Scavengers that are mostly moving along the walls. Pulse blasts fly constantly for a few seconds until the Scavengers are dead and the hallway is drenched in inky ichor.

Thanks for that. I thought we were goners. The soldier who almost got eaten laughs as he grabs more power cells for his rifle and heads back out of the Armory.

No problem Corporal, but it was the Cadets who saved your ass. The targeting skills of Pilots are no joke. Sergeant Enns tells him, nodding at the youngest pair in his team.

You let Cadets shoot at my head? The Corporal complains, turning back to Enns.

Pulse rifle to the face hurts less than being eaten by Scavengers. Now get back to work. The unassuming looking Sergeant laughs, ushering more of the team in to restock.

The restocked patrol is still in the training grounds when the next group arrives, with even more Scavengers in tow and Max realizes why this location was chosen for the Cadets to be stationed. There will always be extra units around them, because they will need to get to the Armory, so this is the best guarded position in the area, but still a combat post and not hiding away somewhere.

Max fills his pockets with extra power cells for the pistols, which only have ten shots on a charge and he notices Nicos suit has gained a backpack. Someone attached a charging station to her suit to fill their magazines and power her rifle.

Being as short as she is, she can move between soldiers without impeding their firing lines, and the backpack meant she never had to stop shooting, a minor recognition of her talent with a rifle.

Max has taken a spot near the door to the Armory, while Nico is up front, in a kneeling stance where everyone can get to the spare cells on her back and swap in their depleted ones.

The returning patrols are stacking their dead cells outside in a trash bin for later recharging and Sergeant Enns tells off a private to start plugging them in to the charger inside the Armory.

Max thought these fights were usually short, but its been twenty minutes and the stream of depleted patrol units isnt showing any signs of stopping. Most of the time they cant hear the battle, but the Abraham Kepler is over a kilometer long, so thats not too surprising.

The prolonged battle teaches Max a valuable lesson in the Horrors of fighting the Scavengers. One of the units that comes back are infiltrators, a squad killed by the Scavengers, with their dead bodies controlled from the inside by the mechanical tentacles of the attackers.

Once they get closer, they burst out of their disguises and attack. The front rank doesnt hesitate, blowing them apart with massed firepower, but everyone takes at least some damage, with one soldier losing an arm to a razor sharp claw.

In the aftermath, everyone rushes to help the wounded, sending the most seriously injured with the next group that returns towards the medical wing. Max is helping load wounded on the stretchers when the sporadic fire turns to fully automatic ammunition dumps and the acrid smell of a flamethrower fills the air.

Max looks back and a hippo sized Scavenger has burst open and dispersed hundreds of small Octopus creatures. Theyre small, but far from harmless, Max can see that the steel floor is deeply gouged where they have passed by.

The flamethrower troops check the area, making sure they got them all, but that seems to have been the last hurrah for the Scavengers. A few minutes later the orders are given to clear their zones and assemble back at the Armory for casualty checks.

Scavengers are drawn to Kepler ships because of the System. They can sense it and want it for their own, but as far as we know, the Nanobots wont cooperate. Sergeant Enns explains, checking everyones suits.

Under half of them are still sealed, and the entire front row has had theirs shredded after the infiltrators attacked. Nico in particular looks like she was painted black and red with the combined blood of the two species, both the Scavengers and the dead soldiers they were using as disguises.

[Sensors Detect All Clear] comes the announcement and a cheer goes up all through the assembled soldiers.

Good work everyone, fall out and hit the showers.

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According to the data that was provided for the cleanup efforts, the Scavengers breached an airlock on the port side, towards the front of the ship. That area should belong to the Second Field Army assigned to the ship, but currently the Abraham Kepler is very short staffed.

That meant that there were no immediate casualties from the loss of pressure in the area, but it also meant that the infestation had time to spread before the teams could respond. Sensors say there are no remaining threats, but every square inch of the ship is to be visually scanned to ensure nothing survived.

The Cadets arent cleared to access most areas of the ship, so they have been excluded from the cleanup efforts, much to their dismay. They did help kill the Scavenger infestation, but military regulations say theyre not allowed to help out with the aftermath.

The group of Special Forces Cadets other than Ibanez and Russo are the most depressed about it. They were sealed inside their training area the entire time and didnt get a chance to do anything at all. Now, normally safer is better, but theyve never seen combat, and they have to endure Ibanez and his inflated version of his own heroics at every single mealtime..

That man was never meant to be a soldier, Max decides, hes much better as a story teller, and would make an amazing teacher. But unless he gets crippled in a way that not only an Alpha Rank System and the very best of Keplers treatments cant fix, thats not going to be an option for at least thirty years.

Hes on his way to becoming a Special Forces Mecha operator, and retirement doesnt come easy for them.

One area that didnt get breached was the Mecha training area, so the four most advanced Cadets are back to their usual training schedule the next morning, minus one of their usual instructors. General Tennant, as well as the Shining Darkness are needed to help blast apart the remains of the Scavenger ship, while the Line Mecha remove it from the hull so the Abraham Kepler can be checked for damages.

Not that Colonel Marino will allow that to be used as an excuse to slack. Hes been given specific instructions on what level of performance he is expected to hold the Cadets to while the General is away.

If anything, Tennant has set even higher expectations for the Cadets than he did the day before the attack. Colonel Marino writes that off to having seen most of them in unarmed combat against the real soldiers, but Nico and Max know thats simply how the General is. Every day the expectations increase and its up to you to keep up or get reprimanded for falling behind.

He does quietly adjust his expectations if you fail at a task he set, but he has perfected a guilt trip that would make any mother proud. The palpable sense of disappointment has been enough to drive dozens of Cadets to work hard enough to make the elite ranks of the Kepler Special Forces during the years General Tennant has been in the military.

Cadets, today we will be Training for group patrols. Short straw leads the mission. The Colonel says holding up four sticks in his right hand.

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Max draws first, pulling a half length stick with the number one and a line drawing of a battle Cannon on it. The others pull their sticks, looking intently at the sticks before Nico begins to smile like she won the lottery.

Your number is your squad position, the drawing is the primary weapon of the Mecha youll be piloting. Youve been getting too comfortable with only one setup, and thats not going to always be viable in the future. Its my duty to see you have a well rounded education.

Colonel Marino points to the simulators and the Cadets all rush to get buckled in. Max boots up his simulated Mecha, finding that hes been assigned a battle Cannon and a fist hand with energy type anti aircraft carapace weapons on top of the Crusaders top shell.

Ibanez and Russo also share the Anti aircraft guns, making Max think watching the sky will be important. Ibanez got the same pattern of Mecha that Max did, while Russo got an Ion Destroyer and a demolition claw.

The oddball Mecha is Nico, with two demolition claws fitted with thermal lances and no top carapace weapon. Instead it has a large fuel tank for the thermal weapons. Theyre more often used as cutting torches, but in an emergency can be a flamethrower. That design is better suited to construction crews than Mecha combat.

But thats what they have got to work with, and Nico is happily snapping her claws and spinning up the internal teeth used to shred anything they grab. The outside of the claws are bladed, but Max isnt certain how she intends to fight using that unit.

Nico and Russo, youve got the front rank. Russo, if youre not familiar with the claw, stand back of Nico until youve seen how she uses them. Ibanez youve got the rear. Everyone watch for incoming air assets.

Once theyre in position the mission parameters come through.

[Compliance Mission: eliminate resistance by recently added system. Mecha presence light, conventional military assets unmanaged.]

That doesnt really narrow down what theyll be facing, but it does suggest that most of what theyll be facing wont be Mecha. That could mean tanks, Armored vehicles, fighter jets, any number of things, so Max will have to be ready for whatever the simulation might throw at him.

The scene around them changes as the scenario begins, and they find themselves inside a burned out lander in what sensors determine to be a ruined city, as far as Max can tell. For once the scenario isnt jamming the Mechas radar, or the satellite feed from their presumed transport ship, so theyve got a pretty good idea what the layout is, just not much about enemy strength or the actual condition of the city at this time.