Shadow-Mirror's first mission complete, we return to Langley Base via Ladybird. I'm with Vindel, buried in paperwork, and Lemon, reading a report on her PDA. I check my status: Level 10, PP at 60 (35 saved, 10 from leveling, 15 from kills). I upgrade Air terrain to S, resetting PP to 0. Air and Land S achieved—next up: Attacker, Infight, Gunfight.
New Spirit Command: Focus. In-game, +30% evasion/accuracy for one turn. Here, effect unclear, but I assume one turn equals one minute. At 16 SP—twice Effort, four times Accelerate—it better be good. With SP Up Lv.9 and SP Recovery, SP cost isn't a huge issue.
Biggest change: skill slots. From 10 to 11 at Level 10. Thrilling, but why? Level milestone? Will Level 20 add another? Or kills, first mission? No clue.
"Axel?" Lemon interrupts.
"What?"
"You looked deep in thought."
"Nothing big. Just dreading the mission report."
I glance at Vindel. "Pilot since childhood, paperwork's not my thing."
"It gets easier," Lemon says.
"Spoken like a scientist."
We chat until the Ladybird lands.
Days later, the Time Flow Engine sample arrives. In Shadow-Mirror's hangar, Lemon and I watch maintenance crew unpack it.
"It's huge," I note.
About 1.5 times larger than standard nuclear fusion or plasma generators.
"Yeah," Lemon frowns, addressing the crew. She reads the accompanying report, sighing.
"What's up?" I ask.
"It's an older generation. Current ones match standard reactor sizes."
A sample, so not cutting-edge?
"Can it enhance my machine?"
Vindel mentioned using it for my Ashsaver.
"Not impossible," Lemon says. "It's big, but outperforms newer models in energy output and stability."
"But the size? No way it fits an Ashsaver. Maybe a special machine."
Useless if it can't be equipped.
"Exactly the problem," Lemon nods, grimacing.
"Why not switch to a special machine?"
"No way. High-mobility suits me. Special machines aren't my style."
"Style?" she teases.
I ponder using it. My knowledge is limited to originals and Gundam. Then it hits: Gundam 00's 00 Gundam had dual solar furnaces.
"Lemon, what if we modify Ashsaver's reactor placement?"
She sighs. "That's not a simple mod. It's practically a new design. Building a Time Flow Engine machine from scratch would be easier."
Shot down. "So, just for your research?"
It's a sample, but feels wasteful. Advancing her research could reduce risks for our world transfer.
"I'll think about it, but be ready—it might not work on your machine."
"Fair. Can't exactly strap it on externally. Too risky with enemy fire."
Her eyes sharpen. "Wait, what'd you say?"
"External mounting's too vulnerable."
"No, you're right, but… armor? No, that'd slow it. Mobility then? And weapons?" Lemon mutters, ideas sparking.
She's such a scientist. After minutes of muttering, she calms.
"Got it sorted?" I ask.
"Yeah. I'm getting Vindel's approval. Your Ashsaver's out for two weeks. Use another machine for training."
"Two weeks?"
"Might be tight, but I'll make it work."
"No rush. Make it reliable."
"Okay, a month then."
"Sounds good."
She bolts to Vindel. Wonder what she's cooking up.