With relief at having access to the System store, Kovacs looked at his Epona and set the unique Mecha for sale under the modded Mecha for Iron Reaper.

Pricing was always problematic, especially for modded units. The Mustang Striker was originally an old workhorse of a mecha; however, it was pretty common, and players often sold them when moving up to a new tear. The Epona was a horse of a different color. His armor was more robust than the original, offering better coverage. It could be shaped, giving the mecha a more sculpted and refined look.

The tri-barrel laser cannon was tied into the mecha's power generation systems. In contrast, the laser rifle used a type of capacitor cartridge. Once fired, the cartridge would cycle to recharge, drawing power from the central unit, but it allowed for a rapid-fire mode for the weapon; the trade was that after twelve fast shots, the gun could take over thirty minutes to recharge a cartridge. Trade-offs were the one thing Kovacs had learned; all mecha had to do was trade one thing for another. “You can have speed, weapons, or armor, but you can only choose two.” He quoted an old saying.

Reviewing the market, Kovacs found three other Mustang strikers, all in worse condition than he had purchased his for a significant price difference. He needed to make a little of the deal to pay for new licenses and to get his seed money back. With a heavy sigh, he set the credit price at ten percent over his stake. “Hopefully, twelve thousand credits won’t be too exorbitant,” he said to the rubber duck.

“System, can I see the system shop, please?” The pleasantries had been ingrained in him since his second or maybe third foster home.

Mech Designer System Shop

Skills and Knowledge

Skill Books and Manuals:

Advanced Mech Design Techniques

AI Integration for Mechs

Ergonomics and Human-Mech Interaction

Training Modules:

Virtual Reality Design Simulations

Interactive Tutorials on Mech Combat Tactics

Workshops on Emerging Technologies

Blueprints and Schematics:

Innovative Mech Frame Designs

Weapon and Defense System Blueprints

Modular Component Layouts

Licenses and Certifications

Design Licenses:

Authorization for Unique Mech Designs

Permits for Exotic Materials Use

Technology Patents:

Access to Proprietary AI Algorithms

Exclusive Rights to Advanced Weapon Systems

Operational Certifications:

Piloting Licenses for Prototype Mechs

Certification for Experimental Equipment Testing

Materials and Resources

Raw Materials:

High-Density Alloys

Energy-Conductive Fibers

Lightweight Composites

Exotic Elements:

Elemental Crystals for Energy Storage

Rare Minerals for Enhanced Armor

Resource Packs:

Bulk Supplies of Standard Components

Specialized Kits for Custom Modifications

Equipment and Tools

Design Software:

CAD Programs with Mech-Specific Features

Simulation Tools for Stress Testing

Fabrication Equipment:

3D Printers for Prototype Development

Precision Lathes for Component Manufacturing

Diagnostic Tools:

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Sensors for Performance Monitoring

Calibration Devices for Fine-Tuning

Enhancements and Upgrades

Mech Components:

Upgraded Servo Motors

High-Efficiency Power Cores

Customization Kits:

Aesthetic Modifications (Paints, Decals)

Functional Add-ons (Extra Armor, Boosters)

Pilot Enhancements:

Neural Interface Upgrades

Enhanced Reality Visors

Miscellaneous

Networking Opportunities:

Invitations to Industry Conferences

Membership in Designer Guilds

Market Insights:

Reports on Emerging Trends

Competitor Analysis and Benchmarking

Special Contracts:

Custom Design Commissions from Clients

Collaborative Projects with Other Designers

Kovacs felt a chill run down his back as he saw the list of services and items offered. First, he perused the license and patents. “No way!” he exclaimed as he saw that the purchase of a patent allowed him to not only use the patent in Iron Reaper but it would allow him to manufacture the item in reality for inclusion in a design. He started thinking furiously about what he would need for his own first mech design. He knew it might be a mistake on his own, but he could refine his ideas before publishing the design, couldn’t he?

First, he had to have a good idea of what he wanted. He thought about the state of his flat and his finances. Then, what he knew of the game was that most new players wanted an excellent all-around mecha to learn with, one that wouldn’t break the bank but gave them the ability to understand and win combat. Invariably, most of the mechs in the Iron Tier were light mechs boasting speed with one or two weapons and little survivability, and all were reasonably indistinguishable from one another.

“Tomorrow,” he said aloud, promising himself time to think and a longer chance to plan. Once more he logged out of the part of the game he inhabited, he rolled over and went to sleep.

***

Halfway around the world, a new chance stirred. “Morning, Sis,” a young boy happily crowed as he leaped onto his sister's bed.

Sleepily, she replied. “Wha… oph…” as the boy crashed into her, knocking the wind out of her.

Giggling, he rolled off the bed and ran down the doorway. “Nyeh neyh can’t catch me…”

“Stupid, ves Nyah sin.” She swore emphatically, the meaning carried more by the feel than the nonsense words. With a start, she looked at her calendar. It was her sixteenth birthday, and her parents had promised to let her finally play Iron Reaper.

Excitedly, she dressed and ran down to the kitchen. “Mum, Da,” She called as she saw her parents seated at the table.

“Mornin' Jackie.” Her father said as he sipped a cup of tea.

“Dear, some breakfast?” His mother asked solicitously, with a twinkle in her eye.

“Thanks, Mum, just something quick, yeah.” She said, hardly holding the excitement in.

“Now, what's all this on about?” Her father asked, seemingly mystified.

“Silly Da, it's my birthday.” She said, smiling.

“Nope, tisna, tomorrow is your birthday.” The brown-haired man stated unequivocally.

“No, it's today.” She said, concerned.

“Are you sure,” he asked.

“Yes, Da,” she said with an eye roll and a shake of her dark hair.

“Well, it is your birthday…” he said as he started to pat his upper pockets. I’m sure I’d have a present for you here somewhere,” he said in his upper-crust Abalonian accent. I say, what do we have here?” he said, pulling out a card from his jacket pocket. “Happy Birthday, Jackie,” he said, smiling, then drawing his daughter in for a big hug.

The young girl squeed in excitement, “What did you get me?” she asked excitedly.

“Open it up and see.” He said with a chuckle.

The teenager tore the envelope open, “Iron Reaper?” She asked breathlessly.

“I know it's all the rage; everyone wants to learn how to pilot a mecha,” he said half exasperatedly. He grabbed his daughter and gave her a big hug. That will get you an account. I researched it, and apparently, the free mecha they have for beginners is quite poor,” he tapped the card. “Your Mum and I decided to give you enough credits to choose your own mecha,” he said with a big smile.

The teenage girl started hopping around excitedly.

***

The gaming center was crowded when Jackie arrived. Registration took a while, but she was all right; it allowed her to look through the available mecha. She was on the Private tier. To advance in the game, she had to complete three randomly assigned missions out of thirty possible missions. That was on top of earning a thousand experience points and completing five ranked battles. She wasn’t sure, however, how many experience points she would earn. With a sigh, she continued to look at the mecha.

The mecha she could use that were free were generally the worst of the lot. She was somewhat more fortunate than most in that she had a fresh chit for a mech instead of being forced to take Hobson’s choice. When it was her turn at the interface to register, she inserted her chit and then filled out her Information. She recalled that her father had said they were descended from the Stewarts of old earth. She chose her Family name as her avatar name to honor her family. From the slot, she received her key.

The fob that she took was reminiscent of the pilot keys used in actual mecha. The young girl hurried from the registration kiosk to an open pod. From there she sat in the cockpit and pulled the helm over her head. Excitedly she inserted the key and the pods door closed. The interface engaged as Jackie Stewart presumed of the house Stewart was drawn into virtual war.

Welcome Pilot Stewart

Do you wish to select a free mecha at this time?

Jackie indicated no and requested the merchant tab in the interface. Then she saw the tab for modded mecha. With a grin, she opened the tab, remembering what her brother had said. Some were fine weapons, others… after moments of nothing striking her fancy, she saw a tab for new arrivals. Opening it brought up only one new Mecha. “Huh?” she said as she looked at the wire frame of the form, then she opened the photos. She spun the mecha around, looking at the deadly weapon from different angles. The more she looked at it, the more she liked it. Then she looked at the technical readouts. The Mecha was on the lighter end of the medium class, but it was fast, the fusion plant had enough power to make sure the weapons could fire effectively but there might be issues with the heat build up in and around the core systems. She noted that the intended purpose was to scout and hunt enemy scouts. The mecha would be good on the actual battlefield, but she felt she would do very poorly in the dueling arena.

She sat and gave herself a few minutes to decide. She liked the design. She recalled that the Epona, as it was called, was built off of the original Mustang striker. She pulled up one of the mechas to compare. “God, that's ugly,” she said. Then she pulled up the Epona. She shook her head in agreement, then clicked the button to purchase the Epona.

Once she selected her mecha, Jackie received another prompt from the system.

Quest received;

1) Basic training: Complete basic training

Movement tutorial

Weapons Familiarization

2) First Engagement;

Join a ranked battle

3) Team support;

Assist your unit by acting in an assigned role

Do you wish to enter Basic Training?

Jackie was filled with trepidation, “Yes, I want to enter basic training.” How hard can it be, she thought to herself.