A thought flickered in Chen Gu's mind. "Is this ship mainly used to transport Star Armors for repair?"
"Not just Star Armors, although they constitute the majority. There are also fewer than a hundred starfighters and several main battleship cannons."
As Chen Gu observed the dense swarm of insects outside, an idea formed. "Take me to see the Star Armors."
Andrew was taken aback. "Are you also a Mecha pilot?"
Chen Gu shook his head. "Not yet."
If the military's status in this era was extremely high, with nearly every young person harboring a "heroic dream," then within the entire military, the three most popular branches were Mecha pilots, starfighter pilots, and... starship gunners. Among these, starship gunners had the lowest physical fitness requirements, while Mecha pilots had the highest. And among Mecha pilots, Star Armor pilots faced the most demanding requirements. Many passionate youths were eliminated during the physical fitness assessments.
Simply put, the foremost requirement for Star Armor pilots was physical fitness—a quality Chen Gu certainly did not lack.
The combat staff were unaware of Chen Gu's identity as a special agent. They didn't even know the secrets of Professionals. Only Andrew, with his high security clearance, knew a little. The combat staff only knew that Chen Gu was a master tactician and seemed to be still in high school. Typically, individuals fitting that description had frail bodies or, at best, average physical conditioning. What use would it be to show him the Star Armors?
"Maybe the master tactician can design a set of Mecha tactics for us."
Star Armors in their complete form stood between sixteen to twenty meters tall, but those undergoing repair were in a "contracted" state, each housed within an eight-meter-high crate.
Chen Gu and Andrew arrived at the warehouse, where Andrew selected a few of the most advanced models. He was preparing these for himself, hoping to pilot the Confederation's finest Star Armor, "Glory," should they reach a desperate impasse.
Amidst a cacophony of mechanical roars, these Star Armors unfolded to their towering twenty-meter height, each bearing various marks of battle.
Chen Gu connected to one of the Star Armor's systems and quickly located the operation manual. After browsing through it, Chen Gu understood that piloting such a Star Armor required at least three times the physical strength of an ordinary person. It was very difficult for ordinary people to achieve this standard through training alone; the military must have provided specialized drugs to enhance the physical fitness of Mecha pilots.
"I want to give it a try," Chen Gu said.
Andrew hurriedly tried to stop him. "Master, please remain calm! We haven't reached a point so dire that even a tactical genius like yourself must personally enter the battlefield."
The combat staff also chimed in, "Piloting a Star Armor might look simple, but there are many demanding requirements that ordinary people simply cannot meet."
Chen Gu waved his hand. "I know my limits. I won't take any risks."
Andrew said helplessly, "Then... just try it out, but please don't attempt anything dangerous."
Star Armors had many maneuvers that could exert tremendous pressure on the pilot; for an ordinary person, a single move might result in a broken neck.
"Okay," Chen Gu agreed as the Star Armor's cockpit door opened at the Mecha's chest, some ten meters off the ground.
A combat staffer quickly maneuvered a gangway over, but before it could arrive, Chen Gu, with an easy leap, agilely ascended and slipped into the cockpit.
The combat staffer stared, eyes wide in astonishment. "..."
Andrew laughed heartily. "We all underestimated the Master, eh."
As the hatch closed, Chen Gu felt as if he were in a gaming pod, utilizing "Virtual Full-Sensory Feedback Technology," which made the controls feel like extensions of his own body. Chen Gu first made a few tentative movements to acclimate himself. Once adapted, he began performing complex maneuvers, then attempted a few moves from the "Ancient Martial Great Nine Forms."
Andrew and the combat staff were already staring, agape. Then Chen Gu executed several moves from the even more complex "Nuclear Combat Technique"...
The onlookers' jaws practically hit the floor. One combat staffer couldn't help but blurt out, "Master... is he planning to use a cheat code or something..."
Every Star Armor pilot was a precious asset to the military. Training them was extremely difficult, requiring not only a rigorous selection process but also a significant investment in resources, such as precious strengthening potions. Yet, for Chen Gu, it seemed as if he picked it up effortlessly.
As a Second Energy Level Professional, a Star Armor was truly like a large toy to Chen Gu. Professionals were already at the peak of human capabilities. If Professionals, having survived numerous life-and-death trials, still couldn't pilot a Star Armor, then what was the point of the "trials" they had endured?
His experimentation gave Chen Gu a clear understanding: executing the "Ancient Martial Great Nine Forms" posed no problem, but the "Nuclear Combat Technique" wasn't yet fluid and would require more practice.
Then he began to inspect the Star Armor's weapons and equipment.
Andrew and the others watched as a compartment on the Star Armor's right leg hissed open. A giant, long-bladed sword, wreathed in fierce energy flames, flew into the Mecha's right hand. Chen Gu swung it casually a few times. Then, on its left arm, a series of mechanical transformations assembled a triple-barreled rotary energy cannon on the back of its hand.
Chen Gu executed a few maneuvers, and the sword and cannon coordinated perfectly! For original chapters go to NoveI(F)ire.net
This left Andrew, a veteran Mecha pilot, slack-jawed. He stuttered, "Th-this... this is ace pilot level..."
At least, much stronger than me, he silently added.
Chen Gu felt good. He was drawing on Griffin Wester's memories, allowing him to operate the Mecha with ease. During the heyday of the "Blue Blood Thugs," Star Armors weren't as advanced as they are now. However, the "High-Energy Combat Art" paired flawlessly with current Star Armor models!
The "High-Energy Combat Art" truly is well-suited for space combat, Chen Gu mused. This gave his plan a greater chance of success.
From within the Mecha, he told Andrew, "Send a squad to coordinate with me. I'm going to destroy that swarm of Sky Spider insects."
"Ah?" Andrew was stunned. Didn't we just agree that we hadn't reached the point where a tactical genius like you needed to personally enter the fray?
One of the combat staffers said, "Sir, we don't have an Antimatter Bomb powerful enough. This transport ship's mission is solely to carry equipment for repair; it isn't equipped with any high-yield weaponry..."
"I have one," Chen Gu said decisively.
The combat staff exchanged bewildered glances. You have one? How could we not have seen it? You boarded with a pile of takeout boxes; where would a high-yield bomb be?
To destroy that swarm of Sky Spider insects, the bomb would need to be substantial. With current technology, even an Antimatter Bomb would be at least the size of a suitcase.