I had done it in simulations several times but standing in front of the Control Orb in person was more nerve wrecking than I anticipated so I stood completely frozen for a moment.
A-G2-44 was huge but being in its head made me realize just how small we were in comparison.
I wore a special air tight suit and standing around me were technicians who were ready to hook me up to the titan we stood in.
So I took a deep breath and crawled into the Orb via a hatch at the bottom.
Two technicians followed me in and they hooked me to the titan.
One thick black tube was attached to the back of the helmet I wore and it would serve as my link to the machine.
Other tubes and wires would provide air and water to me. Additionally, Jenette and Bulkkoch were qualified to get me in and out the Orb in case of emergency.
The technicians left the Orb and sealed it.
A blue fluid then began flowing into it via one of the pipes and this was to keep me suspended and to allow me to move freely since it was my movements and thoughts that drove the steel golem.
The liquid quickly reached my neck and at this point my heart was racing. My breathes were frantic and my fists were squeezed tight.
I had to calm down but I couldn’t shake a certain feeling off.
I felt the machine even though we weren’t one yet.
I felt it’s weight.
It’s strength.
This was possibly placebo but it was pretty debilitating.
[44-Ghoul, this is Elvis from comms but you can call me and everyone who works up here Mama Bird, do you copy?] A deep drawl called, snapping me out of my daze just as my crew entered A-G2-44’s head.
[Mama Bird, this is A-G2-44, I hear you loud and clear.] I replied as the circular hatch beneath me opened, revealing a ladder that led into A-G2-4's torso.
Without even glancing at me, Chocolate made his way down as Jenette and Bulkkoch took their seats which were three meters in front of me.
Before then was a wide metal panel.
“Running system checks!” Bulkkoch yelled and even though one of the technicians handed him a helmet, he simply put it down next to his seat. Jenette did the same and while I wanted to question them I knew I was gonna get some snarky remark about death or something so I bit my teeth.
Several holographic displays then popped up in front of the two as the hatch beneath me.
“Nothing but greens from the cores and we are at 95% Glass capacity. There are currently no armaments attached but the Ghoul’s Central Skeletal Structure is giving me greens to so slapping some harpoon launchers on our shoulders should be no problem. Radiators 2 and 3 are still a bit toasty so they still need some work. More checks are running but it looks like we are a go for Belt Tethering.” Bulkkoch gave a thumbs up as more and more of A-G2-44’s head came to life with lights and sounds.
[Alright, Redacted. Safety measures are in place and all limbs have been disabled. Ready for Belt Tethering.] Mama Bird indicated as the technicians exited the head via the hatch at the back.
I then took several deep breaths, closed my eyes and visualized my Uyil Belts – the Manifestations of my very soul.
After the discovery of Glass, we learnt a few new truths of the cosmos.
The most important of which was the discovery of the Soul.
It was learnt that hidden beyond sight were ethereal strings that made up the souls of all living things.
These were dubbed Uyil Belts and one could animate otherwise inanimate objects by extending ones Belts towards them, possessing them in a manner of speaking.
This was how we were able to pilot the Alsayaadin.
I looked at my Uyil Belts and, as I had done during my training, I sent a handful down to the machines core where Chocolate awaited them.
He was housed in a spherical compartment that was directly above the nuclear reactor and he directed the circulation of Glass Energy in the Alsayaadin.
By tapping into the pseudo circulatory system he was making, I would be able to control the titan and so I allowed my Belts to touch his compartment.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
What followed was a wave of pain, horror and… something else.
Tears fell from my eyes as I saw glimpses of… galaxy?
I felt like I was underwater although I could breathe just fine.
And it also felt like I was kneeling.
I didn’t know what it all meant but I knew that my body was reacting as though it was in danger.
My eyes widened as Chocolate suddenly appeared in front of me only he had both his eyes back.
They looked at me with a sweetness and a tenderness that fought away the dread.
He offered me his hand and I accepted it without hesitation.
All of a sudden I was looking down at the Bird’s Nest’s floor from somewhere high above.
“Glass consumption is rapidly declining!” Bulkkoch yelled, his brows knotted and his eyes darting across the displays in front of him.
[Looks like he’s back!] Mama Bird announced.
[Mmm? What’s going on?] I muttered.
“That’s my question, asshole! You used 10% of our Glass Reserves in a matter of seconds! What the hell were you thinking?” Jenette snapped but I still wasn’t sure what was going on.
I knew I had zoned out for a but and had seen… something.
Mmm… I decided to hold off attempting to process everything for a while and instead chose to focus on my squad who I could see both in front of me and as if they were in my head.
[Apologies. I blacked out for a bit.]
[No harm no foul, 44-Ghoul just try and keep yourself steady. It ain’t every day that you connect your nervous system to that of a skyscraper so don’t stress too much about it.] Mama Bird assured.
[Yeah.] I said while checking up on Chocolate who I could see nestled in my chest- in A-G2-44’s chest. He appeared as a humanoid collection of ethereal strings.
[Sayaad Commander Mudziyo, this is Doctor Piorra. If it wasn’t already clear, you are currently piloting one of the spears that will be our salvation as designed by the professor himself. That is the fourth Sayaad of the Second Generation. Codename: The Ghoul.]
[Fourth?] I asked as I my sense of self expanded to fit the form of the Sayaad. I wasn’t able to move just yet but I could feel strength in my new fingers which were tens of meters below my head.
“Yeah. Someone took our unit number when we were dead.” Bulkkoch sighed but that only made me more confused.
I chose to shelf my curiosity and focused on Doctor Piorra's words as she spoke.
[Standing at a glorious 75 meters tall, the Ghoul was designed with short to midrange combat in mind weighing in at a solid 2250 metric tons unarmed! Its detachable shoulder turrets bring it up to 2400 and it’s fists can deliver punches that carry a minimum of half a million newtons of force! It’s maximum carry weight is 800 tons and it’s unarmed top speed is Mach 6!] Doctor Piorra explained and it sounded as though she herself had made A-G2-44 and was bragging about its specs.
[Now that the nerd talk is done and over with, let’s do some actuator tests. Activating limited limb control!] Mama Bird announced and I felt an immense strain on my back as the final connectors between A-G2-44’s head and body were coupled.
My sensors all fully activated and I had a 360 view of my titanic self.
The maintenance towers that once stood by A-G2-44’s sides had been moved away allowing me to raise my arms which filled the air with sound as countless hydraulics and motors went to work.
“Both cores are getting nice and toasty but within safe parameters.” Bulkkoch updated me as I squeezed my hands into fists.
“Chocolate says that our Glass usage is back within normal amounts and circulation is all green.” Bulkkoch reported.
[Alright. Arms down, cowboy. Time for you to go for a little swim.] Mama Bird instructed and I complied.
The large vehicle atop which A-G2-44 stood then started moving.
It was a wide platform beneath which were countless wheels which slowly turned as it took us out of the Bird’s Nest.
The hanger floor had been cleared meaning the caller could roll us out safely.
We were taken outside and onto a lower part of the island base which was right by the beach.
It was early in the morning and the rising sun’s light gently bathed the scarred metal plates that covered A-G2-44.
[Checking comms, do you copy?]
[Loud and clear, Mama Bird.] I breathed.
[Alright. Take the plunge.]
I nodded before finally moving my legs and I felt all of A-G2-44’s 2250 tons shift forward as I raised my leg.
I then stepped onto the beach and my legs dug several meters into the sand.
I walked into the ocean and felt it rush through my legs.
[In the face of the coming storm of malice and violence, we stand.] I muttered unthinkably while walking deeper into the waters. Those words left me as I fought away any semblances of fear, doubt and hesitation.
“Mmm?” Jenette sounded.
“The Symbolum Hominis.” Bulkkoch sighed as I recited the creed of Mankind United.
[Whether in the deep of the abyss or the heavens above, we stand.]
I was now chest deep in the ocean and at this point, my heart was beating so powerfully, I felt the pulsing blood knocking on my ear drums.
“Uh… sir… your vitals-“
[Such is the fate mankind chose for itself. From the first age and far into the future, we will stand!] I bit my teeth and, as if in response to my determination A-G2-44… no. The Ghoul responded in kind.
Both cores sent out pulses of energy that matched those of my heart which steadily slowed down as I stood far beneath the ocean’s surface.
[Phew… sorry about that. Syncing with the Ghoul required way more focus than I imagined.] I softly chuckled.
“Drama queen.” Jenette scoffed while Bulkkoch softly giggled.
A wave of embarrassment washed over me but before I could wallow in my shame, a soft, feminine voice came in through the comms.
[Mama Bird, this is A-G3-112, announcing arrival at the Bird’s Nest.]
I turned to the north and spotted a distant figure slowly approaching.
My sensors allowed me to hundreds of meters ahead and this revealed a white Sayaad which was only 60 meters tall but it was sleek, had large and wide plates that covered its shoulders, legs and chest like armor worn by the Samurai of old.
It also held in its right hand a 30 meter long katana.
[112-Weasel, this is Mama Bird. Welcome to the real world! How’s life outside the lab?]
[Expected crowds and cheers but all I’ve done is walk around at the bottom of the ocean- wait- and who might you be?] 2-Weasel asked.
[44-Ghoul.]
[Oh, yeah. I thought I recognized that chassis. What are you doing down here? I heard you got pretty roughed up not too far south from where we were first dropped and by the looks of it, that looks to be true.] 112-Weasel asked as she walked up to me.
[Yeah, I’m 44-Ghoul’s new S-com. We’re running a few tests right now.]
[Sweet. Mind if we watch-]
[Calling all active Alsayaadin in or around the Command Centerand! Seven Hayulâ have appeared in the Marianas Trench and they are headed in separate directions! Three of them are rushing towards the Bird’s Nest!]