The more that Max dug into the structural design, the more small tweaks that [Optimize] found. The System Function actually only worked to optimize the Mecha for him, but in a setting where it was all structure, there was no way that he would make it worse for others by optimizing it for himself.
So, he identified the issues one at a time, and then optimized the area and updated it in the virtual design. Then he would move on to the next area and do the same until he had every issue that optimized found with the Mecha tweaked.
Then came the real annoyance. He had to build and replace all those areas of the Mecha and get the whole thing working again so that he could run the next round of [Optimize] looking for new conflicts and negative interactions.
Every round would make the Mecha a bit better, or a lot better, if there were major issues, but the system wouldn't optimize a Mecha that didn't exist, so he needed more than blueprints.
He could run the VR simulation and [Optimize] based on those results, but that needed Nico's software tweaks to be finished as well, and she couldn't do that until he had built the new frame since she was working on the control system.
So, the Terraforming Array was powered up to create a load of new parts for the experimental Mecha, and the reconstruction began.
Every so often, [Optimize] would inform him that there was an issue with the interactions between the part he installed and other parts around it, so another part would need to be made, and the process would repeat.
For three whole days, that was how things went while Nico worked on the software, and Sergeant Khalil finished his reports to her satisfaction.
At breakfast on the fourth day, the man had a relieved look on his face and a data tablet set on the table in Santa Maria.
"Finally, all of the report parameters are complete." He sighed.
"Perfect timing. We will be running the VR simulations based on the new frame today, and then we can run the initial tests again with the new design." Nico informed him with a smile.
"I swear you're not human. You're a tiny sadistic demon in a human-shaped body." The Sergeant joked, knowing that the whole process would be repeated over again as soon as they did the first tests.
But it was still better than regular duty.
"Alright, we have slacked long enough. It's time to hit the gym." Max instructed once the meal was finished.
"There are mandatory gym routines in this deployment?" Khalil asked with great concern. Both of these Reavers were superhuman. Working out with them would just crush his confidence.
"Did you think this physique just happened? I spend a lot of time in the gym to keep up with my stats. I'm working on flexibility and speed lately, with only maintenance on my strength to keep it at the cap." Max agreed.
So, when the call came in that the Arisen army was back in the system, attacking the Station, the three of them were in workout wear, contorted into intricate yoga poses intended to increase joint mobility and flexibility.
"You get a reprieve today. Get in the Mecha, and we will monitor your combat data. They are close enough to the Station that we need to intervene this time." Max informed Khalil.
"Wait, what? You can't just jump right to combat testing, can you?" He asked in a panic.
He fell silent at the look Nico gave him and went running for the Mecha. If they said that it was combat testing time, it was combat testing time.
"Today, we won't make you test the Warp Jump Function. I will carry you and Shattered Pride into position, and you will remain behind us and test your long-range weapons. Don't forget to bring your blades in case they get into melee range, though.
We will do our best to ensure that the prototype isn't destroyed, so your life should be pretty secure." Nico informed him.
"Understood. But if I can make a request, can Commander Keres do the motivational speech? He phrases it so that my life doesn't feel incidental to the inconvenience of having to rebuild the prototype." Khalil laughed.
The three Mecha launched from the Destroyer, and Max took them on a circular route at Warp so that when they dropped back to standard speed, it would look like they had come from the Asteroid Field.
It might not fool the Arisen Army, but it was better than just coming directly from the Destroyer and giving them the impression that the two massive vessels would be joining the battle today and not just keeping guard on the planet.
It wasn't uncommon for the planetary defence ships to hold Station unless the battle went very wrong, so the positioning shouldn't concern the Arisen, who were after the Space Station, and two of the three late arriving Mecha were already familiar to them as belonging to the Station.
The Arisen responded exactly as expected, splitting off a portion of their forces so that the human Mecha couldn't take the back of their main force, but this time the Koleska also split off their special forces units, forcing the Arisen force to split up even more to maintain their numerical advantage against the multiple groups.
Normally, this would be a suicide mission for the smaller groups of Koleska, deliberately feeding themselves to the Arisen, but with them being only the best of the best, their odds weren't too bad, and it took a lot of load off the main force.
Coupled with the excessive number of heavy War Walkers that the Arisen had learned to throw at the Humans, the numbers looked even better for them.
Until the second ship showed up.
That wasn't a shock to Max, though. Deployment wasn't finished yet, and the numbers didn't look good for the Arisen, so it was only natural that they would call for a second ship. What he didn't expect was that the War Walkers coming for him would turn to join the groups heading for the Special Forces groups while the new ship appeared between him and the main battle.
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