Kovacs gathered the engineers around the central table, unfolding the schematic he had been working on. At its core was a lightweight, versatile mech he’d named the Lee. It was the only design he’d completed, but he wanted the team’s input on his envisioned modular approach.
“Thanks for coming, everyone,” Kovacs began, clearing his throat. He tapped the Lee’s schematic on the table, looking up to catch their eyes. “This is the Lee—a 30-ton scout mech, optimized for speed and agility. But it’s more than just a scout. With this design, I aim to create a modular chassis that can adapt to multiple roles based on weapons loadout. I hope we can develop a flexible platform to handle different weapon systems, depending on mission needs.”
The team leaned in, examining the blueprint. Kovacs pointed to the primary construction frame of the Lee. “The core structure is light and compact, and I’ve kept the armor minimal to maintain agility. The engine I’ve chosen is the Wasp, rated at 180 kW. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s enough to give the Lee speed and maneuverability without weighing it down.”
Mara, one of the senior engineers, raised an eyebrow, her skeptical gaze scanning the design. “All right, you’ve got a lightweight frame and minimal armor. That gives us speed. But how are you planning to make this thing modular? You’re talking about a flexible weapons platform—how will that work with a scout mech?”
Kovacs nodded, expecting the question. He pointed to the weapon mounts on the schematic, which he had intentionally left adaptable. “Instead of building the Lee for a specific weapon loadout, I’ve designed modular weapon sockets here and here,” he explained, tapping the shoulders and arms of the mech. “Each socket can connect to different types of weapons. It’s plug-and-play. With this setup, we could swap in lighter energy weapons for recon missions or heavier ballistics if the mech needs to be supported.”
Davis, an engineer with a background in electronics, leaned in, studying the weapon socket controls. “You’re saying this thing could be outfitted in the field? With different loadouts on the same chassis?”
Kovacs nodded. “Exactly. Let’s say the Lee is going into an environment where it needs to stay light—then we load it with a smaller, more energy-efficient laser setup. But if it’s supporting an assault, we can equip it with heavier ballistics. I aim to give the general a flexible chassis that can be deployed for different roles with minimal modifications.”
The room was quiet as the engineers absorbed the idea. Kovacs could see some of them were skeptical; he knew the concept was ambitious, but he felt it had the potential to change how they deployed their mechs.
Mark, another senior engineer, crossed his arms, eyeing Kovacs with a critical look. “So, you’re saying this one frame will be a jack-of-all-trades? It sounds good on paper, but you will lose stability if you try to make it too adaptable. Modularity always comes with trade-offs. How do you plan to keep it stable with such varying weights in the loadouts?”
Kovacs had anticipated this concern. He tapped the legs and torso of the Lee on the schematic. “Good question, Mark. The Lee’s frame has a modular balancing system integrated into the torso and legs. Each time a different loadout is equipped, the balancing system recalibrates, shifting the center of gravity based on the weapons and weight distribution. I know it’s not perfect, but it keeps the chassis adaptable without sacrificing stability.”
Mara folded her arms, her expression softening just a bit as she considered the possibilities. “It’s ambitious, Kovacs, I’ll give you that. If you can make it work, it would give us a lot more flexibility on the battlefield. But what about control integration? Different weapons have different control requirements. How are you handling that?”
Kovacs flipped to another schematic, showing the internal control system. “Each modular weapon socket has a standardized control interface. The mech’s main system automatically syncs with whatever weapon is mounted, adjusting the HUD and controls accordingly. It’s like plugging in a new piece of hardware—the mech adapts to the control requirements of each loadout. The pilot doesn’t have to relearn anything; the system handles the integration.”
Davis raised an eyebrow, a hint of respect in his voice. “You’re talking about a universal plug-and-play system for weapon load-outs? That’s… not bad, Kovacs. If it works, it would save time in the field and let us adapt quickly to changing scenarios.”
Kovacs felt a flicker of hope. “That’s the goal. With a modular chassis like this, we’re not locked into one specific role for the Lee. The general can deploy it as a scout, support unit, or even a light combat mech if necessary. It’s like having multiple units in one.”
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The team exchanged glances, some nodding in cautious approval. Mark finally spoke up, his tone slightly more receptive. “It’s a bold approach, and you’ll need to iron out some kinks, but if you can get the modular system working as you’ve described, it could be a real asset. Just keep in mind that flexibility often means compromises. Don’t lose sight of the primary role of this mech.”
Kovacs nodded, taking in the feedback. “I’ll keep that in mind. The Lee’s primary function is reconnaissance, but I want it to be able to adapt when needed. I’ll refine the balancing and control integration to ensure we don’t compromise its core strengths.”
Mara gave him a nod, her gaze a little less guarded. “All right, Kovacs. We’ll see where this goes. Let’s keep working through the details and make sure this modular idea holds up in testing.”
As the engineers dispersed, Kovacs felt a surge of motivation. The team hadn’t fully embraced the concept yet, but he could tell he’d sparked their curiosity. He hoped the mecha they designed would provide the general with a mech chassis that could adapt to the battlefield in ways they hadn’t imagined.
Kovacs settled back into his workstation, shifting slightly to ease the relentless ache in his hip as he reviewed the Grant’s design. His conversation with the engineers about the modular weapon systems for the Lee had sparked an idea that he couldn’t shake. The potential for adaptability on the battlefield, the ease of in-field repairs, the streamlined logistics—he realized it was too valuable to limit only to the light scout mech.
What if he applied the same modular technology throughout the entire fleet? Every weapon platform, every mech outfitted with standardized, adaptable sockets and controls, can quickly swap parts and weapons in the field. It wouldn’t just improve the versatility of each mech—it would give them a crucial edge in repairs and reconfiguration during missions.
He leaned forward, tapping a rough sketch of the Grant on his display, feeling his mind sharpen with renewed purpose. Speaking softly, he began outlining the idea aloud, as if talking to his silent rubber duck. “All right, here’s the plan… If we can make every weapon mount modular across the Grant, Sherman, and Pershing, we won’t need a whole arsenal of spare parts for different loadouts. We just need compatible weapon sockets, adaptable for any loadout type.”
He outlined a new set of modular weapon sockets, envisioning a system that could easily integrate energy-based and ballistic weapons. “If we standardize these sockets,” he muttered to himself, “then the same weapon systems can be used on multiple mech frames. The maintenance crew won’t have to fuss over finding specific parts for each model—just swap out the damaged component and plug in a replacement.”
As he worked through the specs, he felt slightly anxious. This approach would mean overhauling the original designs and incorporating modular weapon mounts throughout each model’s frame. It was a bold shift, and he knew he’d have to convince the team of its value. The promise of faster repairs and adaptable firepower would have to be compelling enough to offset the added complexity.
Lost in thought, he didn’t notice Davis approaching until he cleared his throat. “Kovacs, you’ve been locked in here for hours,” Davis said, leaning over his shoulder. “Working on the Grant?”
Kovacs turned, his eyes bright with the intensity of his new idea. “Yeah, actually, I’m rethinking the entire approach.” He tapped the screen, highlighting the modular sockets he’d sketched out. “I want to use the modular technology we’re putting into the Lee and extend it across every model. Imagine if every weapon platform could adapt to different load-outs in the field.”
Davis raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “You’re talking about making all the mechs modular? Isn’t that going to complicate things?”
“Not necessarily,” Kovacs replied, growing more animated as he explained. “By standardizing the weapon mounts, we streamline repairs and upgrades. If a mech takes damage, the crew won’t have to search for specific parts. They’ll swap the weapon system or component with any compatible one on hand. Think of the advantage that would give us on the battlefield—adaptability and superior repairability.”
Davis rubbed his chin, considering. “So, you’re saying any weapon could fit any chassis as long as it’s within the weight limit and properly calibrated?”
“Exactly,” Kovacs nodded excitement in his voice. “We could deploy the Grant, Sherman, or Pershing with load-outs tailored to the mission, then switch them as needed if things change. Not only that, but it saves us from carrying as many spare parts. A few standardized components could be all we need for field repairs.”
Davis let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. “It’s ambitious. But if we can pull it off, it would be a huge advantage. Instead of being locked into one role, each mech could be configured to fit whatever we’re facing.”
Encouraged, Kovacs continued, “Exactly! And for the engineers and mechanics, it makes their jobs easier. We don’t have to waste time on specialty repairs or carry around complex tools for different weapons. The system will be universal so that any team member can do the swap.”
Davis gave him a nod, clearly warming to the idea. “Well, you’ve got my support. This could change the whole battlefield dynamic for us. Let’s make sure the other engineers are on board, though—they’ll need to be if we’re going to make this work across all the platforms.”
Kovacs smiled, feeling a surge of relief and satisfaction. “Thanks, Davis. I’ll present it to the team. With everyone’s input, we can make this happen. The Grant, Sherman, and Pershing are not just individual mechs anymore. They’re parts of a flexible system, capable of adapting to any situation.”
As Davis left, Kovacs returned to his workstation, his mind buzzing with the possibilities. They weren’t just building mechs but creating an adaptable, resilient fleet that would be ready for any battle, no matter how unpredictable.