As Mark turned, he was greeted by the form inside the blue mist. This time, he could understand the murmurs clearly. Mark remembered that he had purchased the Universal Translator ability the day before. Communicating with the Anuviar shadow was always his intent.
With a hesitant voice, he returned the greeting. "Hello Friend, It is nice to talk to you finally."
The shadow projected an aura of calmness. Within this aura, the young man felt relaxed and at ease. The murmurs stirred again, and the voice he heard had a mystical quality. "I am sorry to intrude on your space, but the situation has become dire."
The murmurs ceased for a moment, as if the entity inside was hesitating, but resumed moments later. "If nothing is done, the system will collapse. Rest assured, no harm will come to you if this happens, but you will lose access to the system."
Mark was indeed alarmed. He was relying on the system for his plans. The system was a tool he needed to save his family, his people, and his way of life. The young man decided to do anything within his power to help. "Tell me what happened, and how can I help?"
The mystical voice confided in Mark. "The dimensional enclosure that holds the system's core was ruptured in the last reset. It is collapsing. If nothing is done, the core will be destroyed. Currently, there is no way to replace the core. Thus, this will be the end of the system."
Mark felt Hesitation from the entity again; a distinct sensation was being projected. It was a feeling of embarrassment. He was puzzled by this. How can a system feel embarrassment? ...How can a machine feel anything at all? He realized that his knowledge about the system was lacking; in fact, it was almost none.
However, before learning more about the system, he had to find a way to resolve the current situation. Mark would learn nothing about the system or the way it works if it were destroyed. "Tell me, how can I help?"
The entity hesitated no more. "The core could temporarily be stored here in the design space until the enclosure is repaired, or another enclosure is built. This will not hinder the functions of the design space."
Mark lost no time in agreeing. Not only could he save the system with this. He also hopes to learn all he can from analyzing the hardware of the System. "I have no problem doing this. Besides, if not for the system, I would not have the design space in the first place."
The moment Mark agreed, the feeling of embarrassment intensified. However, the Anuviar shadow began the process. The design space shook. After a few tremors of the walls, the place became larger, and a partition, much like a translucent wall, divided the area. On the other side, a familiar sight came into view.
In his second interaction with the shadow, Mark had seen a stasis pod. At the moment, he had not fully comprehended the message. But with the view before him, it all became clear. At the other side of the partition wall, a glass-like stasis pod with what appeared to be a female alien body materialized.
Her body and face looked much like those of a human's. However, her skin was blue, and her body was unusually large. Her stature was almost reaching two meters. The fine features of her face could rival the most beautiful women Mark had ever seen, except Alex. Circuit-like tattoos traced the surface of her skin, glowing with white and blue patterns. Parts of her body were covered in a semi-transparent fabric that shone in the light.
The young man turns to face the shadow once again. "Who is that female? Is she an Anuviar? I thought that they were extinct."
The shadow answers. "That is the core of the system. While most of the system components are psionic constructs, the body is the organic component. Anuviar technology is based on the psionic abilities of the biological components. Also, the Anuviar are not extinct. While the majority of the population no longer exists, it is believed that some pocket communities remain in hiding.
This time, it was Mark who felt embarrassed. He had been planning to examine the core of the system. However, he could not do that now, as that would make him a pervert. A red blush took over his face.
Realization suddenly hit him. Why was the shadow in the mist projecting a feeling of embarrassment? Could it be that while the body is the core, the consciousness manages the system?
Mark directly asked the Anuviar shadow. "Is that your body?"
The shadow's feeling of embarrassment intensified. "Yes."
Mark tried to ease her tension. "Well In that case, welcome to the design Space. We are glad to have you here." The young man smiles casually at the Anuviar shadow and waves in a friendly manner.
The shadow makes a slight bowing gesture. "Thank you for having me."
Mark decided to ask some questions in order to know more about the system. "How do you separate your consciousness from your body?"
The shadow answered his questions. It could not perceive ill intent in the young man's will, only curiosity. "This is called a projection of the psyche. Anuviar children learn to do this from an early age. The user is also doing this. That is how the user can enter the Design Space."
Mark looks at himself. He remembered that when he entered the Design Space for the first time, he looked like his old self. He had to concentrate to change his appearance. Now he knew that it was because this was not an actual physical body. Another question soon followed. "Does this mean that you can also change the way your projected psyche looks?"
The shadow's response was brief. "Yes"
Hearing the answer, Mark pressed on with his inquiry. "Do you have a name other than system? It feels a bit awkward addressing you as an object, knowing that you are not."
The shadow answered with an unexpected statement. "No. Names are cultural constructs meant to distinguish beings from one another. They did not form part of the Anuviar culture. We identify ourselves by the sensation of our psyche; while some might be alike, each one is unique."
Mark scratches his chin. "In that case, do you mind if I give you a name? I am not Anuviar; my culture requires names. It makes us feel ...more at ease."
The Anuviar shadow saw no harm in doing this. She decided to humor her new host. "Indeed, you may."
The young man thinks for a moment. He recalls a tale from old Terra of a princess who was cursed to sleep until a kiss from true love woke her up. "What do you think about Aurora? It means dawn in a language from Old Terra."
The shadow accepted her new name. "I see no harm in using that designation." The shadow addresses Mark next. "User, Aurora, will rest for a period now. You can make further inquiries at a later time." Without further explanation, Aurora's shadow vanishes.
Mark was left with a lot of questions in his mind. Since there was no way he could force the answers that he wanted, the young man decided to work on his current project. After all, that was the reason he originally entered the Design Space. With one final look at the stasis pod, he turned and resumed his work.
The last time, he was working with the computers in the design lab of the workshop. He was trying to design a new armor plate layout for his Gunslinger Owtlaw project. As he checked the connection to his design lab, Mark saw that the calculations were done.
The lab computers came up with three different armor layouts that could solve the issue of wind resistance. Mark simulated each one. The first used a combination of angular shapes with integrated flaps to assist with steering. However, the flap systems would increase the neuronal complexity of the design.
The second one used angular shapes only, but the projected layouts were not favorable for firefights. The angle of the plates deflected incoming fire in inconvenient directions that ended up harming the mech's limbs.
In light mechs, deflection was an important aspect. Since the armor was thinner, these machines relied more on deflection than durability. It was important to deflect fire away from key components. For that reason, the torso area of light mechs tended to be more angular.
Mark tested the final layout. This one had a more pronounced chest area. It was a solid structure instead of segmented armor plates. It looked like an old stile breastplate slanting forward and dividing the torso between the left and right sides.
This type of armor layout was not common on light mechs. Designers usually tend to segment armor to make it cheaper and easier to repair. Additionally, segmented armor offered greater flexibility.
Despite the differences from the normal light mech doctrines, this was the best option of the three. Mark polished the look and improved the deflection by altering the directions of a few angles on the plate. He made sure that the new armor design affected mobility as little as possible. The finished product had an elegant design.
These changes caused the production of the mech and the repairs to be more expensive. They added an aditional 23% to the cost of both actions. Nevertheless, the increase in durability was worth it. The young man felt that going against the established doctrines would form part of the mech's theme. After all, He was creating an outlaw.
Mark decided to tackle the mech's weapons next. His Laser Sting was too big and bulky for the mech's new design. Because of this, he wanted to create a smaller version of it. The charge feature was a hit with a lot of people. The young man felt that a smaller version of it would be widely accepted. However, the smaller size created new problems.
To help solve these issues, Mark decided to purchase a new field skill from the Mechanical Engineering branch, Miniaturization. With this skill, Mark would be able to accommodate smaller components, liberating more space. To achieve better results, He purchased 4 levels, spending 10,000 TP.
Instantly, his head filled with Ideas on how to improve the components of his Outlaw. But first, he must finish the pistols for his new mech. After that, making some changes to the unfinished design would be no problem.
He began by choosing the same alloy he created for the Laser Sting. Mark remembered he had yet to register the alloy. Thinking quickly of a name, Mark decided to name his alloy Vulcanium after a mythical figure, the Roman god of volcanoes, fire, and metal, Vulcan. He presented the alloy, getting 10,000 Tp for an original design.
The young man then proceeded to design the pistol. He wanted a smaller pistol capable of performing a charge shot. Mark began by designing the power generation system of the weapon. With his new miniaturization skill, this was a walk in the park. The laser emiter however, proved more challenging. If the components were too close to the pistol's power source, the heat from the laser and the small generator would heat the gun too much.
In order to prevent this, he separated the components using a chaft made with Vulcanium. Inside the chaft, Mark placed the charging module. On one side of the module, Mark places several cooling coils separating the generator from the charging module, and on the other side, several more coils separate the module from the laser emitter.
In the end, he was left with aweapon resembling a revolver with a long barrel, and an oversized cylinder. Mark decided to fill the remaining space with more heat-resistant materials and batteries.
With a finished pistol design, the young man revised the mech design using his miniaturization skill. After what felt like 90 hours, he left the Design Space. His new design was almost done.
Mark decided to call his friends into the design lab. He placed a call to Melly as well. After a few minutes, he gathered them all around him. "Guys, I have a few announcements to make. First, I finished the new software patches for the different mech roles of the Reaper version two. With these patches, the McCain Reaper version 2 will be able to switch between 6 combat rolls."
The young man takes a break before continuing. "Second, the new design is almost done. Like the one before, I want each of you to design a paint job for the mech. Livia and Melly, this is your first time doing this. If you have any doubts, I will ask Alex to help you."
Steve was the first to ask. "So what's the new design?" In his mind, Steve noticed the increased speed of Mark's work. He said nothing; Mark would only evade the question.
Mark answered without delay. "It's a light harasser. The base model is called the Gunslinger Delta; it's not a well-known model. In fact, few people could even operate the mech."
Scarlet asked the next question. "What is the name of your variant?"
Without losing time, the young man operated the design lab terminals and showed the design. "I present to you, the Gunslinger Owtlaw. At the moment, it has no color scheme. I hope you like it."
The four teens fell in awe. This work had a lot of polish. The McCain Reaper versions were crude in comparison. Melly even started to turn the image to view every angle of the machine while expressing her opinion. "Big brother, your mech looks amazing. Can I pilot it?"
Mark looks at her with asmile. "That is my third announcement. I want to start testing our products before selling them. So far we have been winging it in terms of testing, ...that has to change."
The young man looks at Scarlet. "I want to set up a lottery to select some people from the fans at The Waiting room to test the machines and get the pilots feed back. Do you think we can set it up?"
Scarlets waifu eyes sparkle. "Do you want to make this into an event?"
Mark had the intention of promoting his new design with this. He will need tons of TP for the things he has planned. "Yes, I want to be loud and flashy." He looks at Steve. "Instead of handing out tickets, let's make all of the players whom have used the repair shop elegible for the lottery."
Steve liked the Idea. It was a way to give something back to the people that helped them along the way. "That sounds great Marksman."
A text buble floated around Alex's head. "How many pilots do you need?"
The young man scratches his chin. "Lets start with 10."