After receiving a call from Wattan, Xiao made her way down to the mechbay. Following her first win with a modified ant mech, the young woman took a break from the academy. She returned to the Zavaso main office where she awaited the two crates promised to her for accepting the match request. Prior to the crate’s arrival, she went shopping with Lei to help pass the time. This was also the closest semblance to her old life before her pilot career took off. In some ways, she admitted that she missed the simpler times when she shouldered little responsibilities.
“These are big crates,” said Tuari as Xiao entered the mechbay. “Either they are big subcomponents or they are using large quantities of items to make the crate special.”
While Xiao was quite happy with the haul, it seemed like Wattan and Tuari didn’t share her excitement. When she first shared the news, the two of them complained that this was more work for them. This made sense as Zavaso wasn’t a mech organization that was strapped for credits. Many small mech organizations would happily accept any subcomponents to keep themselves afloat financially. Mechs weren’t cheap to maintain and equip so every little bit counted. Even subcomponents that weren't useful could be sold for extra credits. Zavaso was unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, not one of those needing a boost financially and Wattan was very clear on the matter.
“Better open it and get it over with,” said Wattan with a hint of impatience.
The young woman kept a wide berth between herself and the head mechanic. She was in no mood of angering the man further if she could avoid it. Meanwhile, Tuari operated the crane that slowly pulled open the crate lid. As soon as the lid was placed on a nearby shelf, Wattan and Tuari got on ladders to reach the top of the crate. Xiao waited for them to complain about worthless parts but the two men said nothing for a while after looking at the contents. After a full minute of silence, she called out.
“Are you two alright?” Xiao grabbed another ladder, deciding to see for herself. “Don’t tell me the crate is empty.”
The crate wasn’t empty. It was in fact packed to the brim as Tuari anticipated. However, the subcomponents were different from anything she had seen before. The subcomponents had silver bodies with an M engraved into them. She looked at the two men who appeared stunned. After shouting at them a couple of times, Wattan finally responded.
“I was in the wrong. These subcomponents are made by Marshwell Manufacturing. These subcomponents are on par with what you received from the Alpha Van Manufacturing.” Wattan made it down the ladder and gestured to both Xiao and Tuari to follow him. The three of them stood before the main mechbay monitor where he navigated to a website. “This is the vault where we kept the prized Alpha subcomponents Xiao won last time. Once we add the Marshwell subcomponents there, this vault might become one of the most valuable vaults owned by a mech organization. We will need the vault security increased. I have to call Anthony now.”
Xiao watched Wattan disappear before she turned to Tuari, inquiring more on Marshwell subcomponents. The man said that these parts were also rare. Most mech organizations might see one or two of them. The more powerful ones needed to pay exorbitant amounts and have the right connections to get their hands on a crate. The fact that Xiao got two for agreeing to a request was already ridiculous, not to mention the other eight crates promised if she won.
“I get that these subcomponents are valuable,” said Xiao. “Can you give me a better idea of how valuable they are? Let’s say if I replace all the subcomponents on my hornet with these.”
“If we did that and you are somewhat proficient, you should cruise to the top three leagues. There, you will encounter mechs with similar equipment.”
Cruise?
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The young woman knew that cruising through matches wasn’t possible until one had an overwhelming advantage over the other competition. From what Tuari said, it seemed like these subcomponents provided that much of an edge, assuming she had the skills needed to make good use of them. This was also what made the top three leagues that difficult to enter. Skills alone weren’t sufficient as everyone there was very skilled at their craft. When skills were at similar parity among the pros, then equipment was the difference maker.
To think that, even with big sponsors backing, one might not have access to Alpha or Marshwell subcomponents. I must be crazy lucky if I have these being stocked up for future use.
“Wait! Does Zavaso have any of these brands around?”
“We have one or two before your haul arrived. Now, Wattan is very picky with what we acquire, especially once we go through those two crates of yours.”
“Well, I can get eight more crates if I win the match…”
“If you win.” Wattan had returned and his tone was serious. “If these are the crates you’re receiving, then your opponent won’t have a simple background. I won’t delve into the details but I suggest you do your research and practice plenty. Otherwise, you might see yourself destroyed before you realize what happened.”
Xiao didn’t need Wattan to remind her. Her opponent was fielding an armadillo mech which was one of the best defensive medium mechs around. It should come as no surprise what equipment it would pack. Since her opponent wasn’t a regular, then the armadillo didn’t have the same limitations as the other mechs participating in the fighting ring. In essence, the versatility her opponent had would make the match unfair from the very start. Then, there was also the pilot who they had no information on. She was heading into the match within nothing except for her trusty cattlemech that had defied all expectations so far.
“I still will give it my best,” replied Xiao. “I don’t intend on going down without a fight.”
“Good! Now, let’s put the lid back onto the crate.”
Xiao watched as Tuari operated the crane before she asked Wattan what they were doing. The head mechanic explained that they had a rough idea of the contents within the crate. For their safety, they should send both crates to the secured vault. Apparently, the vaults had their own cranes and equipment which would allow Wattan to inspect all the subcomponents in private. The man was taking no chance with such precious cargo.
Guess I still don’t know the value of these parts. I’m still acting like these are ordinary heat sinks.
After the crates were taken away by secure transports, Xiao returned to her room within Zavaso. She originally wanted to take the rest of the day off but the upcoming fighting ring match was on her mind, refusing to be forgotten. After a few failed attempts, the young woman packed up her belongings and, after informing Vesna and Lei of her plans, left the main office to catch a flight back to the academy.
On her way to the spaceport, Xiao stopped outside a toy shop or, more specifically, a mech model store. For the kids aspiring to be mech pilots one day, their first step into the interest was through building mech models. Because her family was poor, the young woman could only stare through the window at the numerous models when she was a kid, much as what she was doing at the moment. She could feel a tear forming so Xiao quickly blinked her eyes.
Maybe I have earned myself a model.
Xiao entered the store, taking her time to look through all the displays. As she was looking at the deluxe models, Xiao stopped in front of an ant mech. She had to lean forward to read the small text on the card.
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Champion Ant (Prototype):
The champion ant was only designed on paper and a prototype was never built. Armed with some of the best equipment, this ant mech was believed to be capable of fighting in the top league. Given the low interest in developing such a mech, the designs had been lost and only this model is proof that the design once existed. The designer has hope that an individual one day will make this prototype a reality and prove to everyone the feasibility of the ant mech in the top tier professional scene.
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I wonder if this champion ant mech was also part of the project Vivian’s father participated in or if it’s something that developed independently.
Xiao then asked the storekeeper for a champion ant model, wanting to see for herself what this mech would have been capable of. If the designs made sense, then she might ask Wattan to build one for her. She hoped that her Alpha and Marshwell subcomponents would suffice in making such a mech a reality.