The production facility hummed with activity, the low whirring of 3D printers filling the air as Kovacs and Pitt moved through the setup. The approval of the Lee prototype had ignited a new level of urgency in Kovacs—this was no longer a design on paper. It was real, and he was determined to oversee every step.

As they approached the printers, Kovacs meticulously examined the setup. The two sleek and efficient printers were each the size of a small vehicle, their internal mechanisms already preparing the raw materials. Pitt, a tall woman with strong features softened by a hard smile, adjusted the calibration on one of the machines, her fingers deft as she worked.

Kovacs nodded approvingly. “The dual printer setup gives us an advantage here. We should be able to build the Lee in half the standard time, safety checks included.”

Pitt raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her dark eyes. “That’s only if everything goes perfectly. One jam, one hiccup, and we’re looking at hours of downtime.”

“Then we won’t let that happen,” Kovacs replied, his tone steady. “I’m not taking any chances with this. I want the Lee to be flawless.”

A low chuckle escaped Pitt as she smirked, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “You’re a perfectionist, I’ll give you that. But it’s refreshing. Most people rush this part.”

Kovacs met her gaze, a glint of determination in his eyes. “Good design is only as strong as its execution. Let’s get this thing rolling.”

Together, they approached the control panel, with Kovacs inputting the specs for the build. The printers roared to life, and layer by layer, the Lee’s frame began to take shape before their eyes.

Pitt let out a low whistle, watching the intricate patterns form. “It never gets old, watching these things build from the ground up. The kind of detail you can get with these machines... it’s something.”

Kovacs nodded, his eyes fixed on the emerging structure. “There’s something surreal about it. Seeing the design come to life… knowing it will be out there, supporting soldiers in the field.”

The first day passed quickly as they monitored the build, Kovacs scrutinizing every detail. He ran diagnostic scans every few hours, checking material integrity and stability to ensure no errors had crept in. Pitt’s expertise kept things running smoothly, and her efficiency and attention to detail balanced his intensity.

By the end of the first day, the frame was nearly complete, and the printers were moving with mechanical precision as they began working on the final components. Pitt stretched, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck. “One day down, one to go. You’re lucky we’ve got two of these beauties,” she said, patting one of the printers. “Without them, we’d be looking at a week-long build.”

“True,” Kovacs admitted, glancing at the partially assembled Lee. “But speed doesn’t mean much if it’s not stable. Tomorrow, we’ll run full diagnostics and safety checks on every component before assembly.”

Pitt smirked, folding her arms. “Safety checks, huh? You’ve got more patience than most designers I’ve worked with. But I respect that—you want it perfect.”

Kovacs didn’t smile back, his focus intense. “Exactly. We’re not just building a prototype; we’re setting a standard. This Lee needs to be ready for anything.”

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Kovacs and Pitt were back at the station the next morning before dawn. The printers had finished, leaving a collection of parts waiting for assembly. Kovacs surveyed the components and mentally ran through his checklist. Each piece was critical, and each connection was designed with precision.

Pitt rolled up her sleeves, eyeing the parts. “Alright, boss. Where do we start?”

Kovacs handed her a tablet with the assembly order. “Start with the lower frame and limb connectors. We’ll work our way up, section by section. I want each joint tested for movement and weight tolerance before moving to the next.”

Pitt raised an eyebrow. “Testing each joint? That’ll add hours to the assembly.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” Kovacs said firmly. This thing needs to be field-ready from day one. It's not like we don’t have help, " he said, gesturing at the technicians standing idly watching the build.

Pitt sighed, a small smile as she shook her head. “You’re a stickler, Kovacs. But alright, let’s make it bulletproof.”

They worked in focused silence, assembling the mecha with a precision that bordered on obsession. Each joint, each panel, and each connection was checked, double-checked, and tested. Pitt occasionally muttered under her breath but didn’t allow a helper to skip a single check.

Halfway through the assembly, Pitt looked over, her expression mixed with admiration and exasperation. “I’ve worked with many designers, but most would’ve called this thing done hours ago. You’re treating it like it’s going to the front lines tomorrow.”

Kovacs met her gaze, his voice calm but determined. “Because one day it will. And when that day comes, I want it to be as close to perfect as possible.”

Pitt nodded slowly, a rare smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Alright, then. Let’s make it perfect.”

By late afternoon, the Lee stood fully assembled in the center of the production bay. Kovacs circled it slowly, examining every detail. The mecha was everything he’d envisioned—sleek, agile, with reinforced joints and modular points for easy equipment swaps.

Pitt joined him, wiping her hands on a rag as she admired their work. “Well, there it is. Thirty tons of scout mecha, ready for action. You satisfied?”

Kovacs didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he moved to the control panel, pulled up the diagnostic logs, and ran one final check. The readings came back clean: structural integrity, power distribution, and sensor alignment were all within optimal parameters.

Finally, he nodded. “Yeah. I’m satisfied. But now comes the real test.”

As if on cue, the door opened, and General Patton entered, flanked by Captains Reyes and Carter. They approached Lee, but their expressions were unreadable as they took in the prototype.

Patton gave a nod of approval, turning to Kovacs. “Impressive work, Mr. Kovacs. I see you took extra precautions with the safety checks.”

“Yes, sir,” Kovacs replied, standing at his version of attention. “I wanted to ensure it meets the highest standards before it sees the field.”

Reyes circled the Lee, studying it with a critical eye. “Not bad. Thirty tons, modular design. You’re confident this can handle recon and rapid deployment in hostile environments?”

Kovacs nodded. “Sir. It’s designed for speed and adaptability. With the right loadout, it can handle a range of scenarios.”

Captain Carter moved closer, examining the joints and connectors. “And stability? How quickly can it swap out components?”

“Every mount is standardized,” Kovacs explained. “It takes less than an hour to change loadouts, depending on complexity. I reinforced the modular points to handle frequent changes without compromising durability.”

Patton nodded approvingly. “Good. I want this prototype deployed for field testing immediately. Reyes, Carter, you’ll oversee the tests and put it through every scenario Kovacs outlined. I want a full report on its strengths and weaknesses.”

Reyes grinned, giving Kovacs a nod. “We’ll see what it can handle. Don’t worry—we’ll put your work to the test.”

Carter gave him a curt nod as well. “We’ll know soon enough if your design holds up.”

As they left to prepare for testing, Kovacs stood back, watching as the Lee was wheeled toward the deployment bay. This was it—the moment he’d been working toward. It was out of his hands now, but he felt a quiet pride in seeing it complete.

Pitt clapped him on the shoulder, a rare smile on her face. “Well, Kovacs, you did it. The Lee’s ready for its first steps. Let’s hope it lives up to the hype.”

Kovacs allowed himself a small smile. “It will. I’m sure of it.”

As the first Lee disappeared down the corridor, Kovacs knew he had three more mecha to complete.