The Mech Touch novel Chapter 1368

Ves had thought long and hard about the ethical conundrum with regards to neural interfaces.

If he really wanted to, he could opt to use slightly different neural interface models popular in other regions of the galaxy that possessed higher or lower limits.

While this course of action would definitely arouse some suspicion of the MTA, Ves figured it was fine as long as he stuck to MTA-approved models.

He could also do nothing at all and continue using the neural interface models that were prevalent in the Komodo Star Sector.

To be honest, Ves still leaned towards the status quo.

Certainly, he found the MTA’s policies to be abhorrent. They decided the limits themselves while withholding crucial information and agency in their own risk exposure.

It was for their own good. If too much hysteria emerged about the safety of neural interfaces, then how many potentates would still choose to pursue a career in piloting mechs?

As many potentates as possible had to be pushed into piloting mechs! All of the privileges, honor and high regard associated with mech pilots were there for a very good reason.

Without sufficient tangible and intangible rewards, not enough people actually chose to risk their lives in battle!

With so many potentates reluctant to become mech pilots, the last thing the MTA needed was people casting doubt on the safety of neural interfaces!

"It’s no surprise then that the MTA expects more from mech pilots." Ves muttered.

By setting the limits higher, expert pilots emerged in higher numbers, but at the cost of an uncountable amount of worn-out mech pilots who accumulated significant brain damage in the later stages of their career!

Ves even believed that unsafe safety standards may have played a role in forcing his grandfather Benjamin to fall from grace!

"My grandpa used to be an expert pilot, but then he regressed."

His grandfather didn’t like to talk about it. For an expert pilot at the prime of his career to suffer a devastating battle injury at that point was very painful. Though Benjamin seemed to have made peace with his descent, Ves nonetheless found it to be a huge pity, especially in light of the information he received.

"If neural interfaces were safer, would my grandpa still be an expert pilot?" He mused.

Another question was whether Benjamin Larkinson would have advanced to expert pilot in the first place if he made use of safer neural interface models.

Ves didn’t know the answer to those questions. His inability to make a solid argument against the MTA’s stance meant that he did not strongly object to them. In their view, they made the right choices.

"But is it the right choice for me as well?"

If Ves never met with Old Man Terrence, he would have guiltlessly kept making use of whatever neural interface models the MTA shoved down his throat.

Yet now that this blasted old mech designer pried open his eyes, Ves could no longer pretend ignorance.

"Thanks for that, old geezer." Ves scoffed.

He imagined that plaguing him with guilt and doubt was probably a funny game to Terrence Reedan. Ves both hated and appreciated the Chukan mech designer for enlightening him to the ugly truth.

Ves now faced a very difficult question. Should he condone an unsafe practice for the good of society, or should he reject it in order to protect his own vulnerable customers?

His brows continued to furrow as he struggled with his decision.

"Not every mech pilot aims to become an expert, ace or god pilot." He reminded himself.

Part of that was because the chances of any mech pilot to break through to expert candidate was low.

Even so, only a portion of mech pilots seriously wished to advance their careers. A lot of mech pilots simply saw it as a phase in their lives, a job they performed out of duty or to earn a lot of money.

It didn’t help that potentates exclusively attended mech academies, which almost solely focused on teaching mech piloting skills.

As for other subjects such as history, language, economics and more? Forget about it! Mech pilots should only seek to pilot mechs, not become a professor of economics or such nonsense!

Though the MTA and various states pushed as many potentates into becoming mech pilots, the people in question were not always so enthusiastic about risking their lives.

"These people are only in it to earn their paychecks and secure their generous benefits."

Ves did not begrudge their lack of commitment. It was just the way they were. The problem was that mech pilots with a ’nine-to-five’ attitude suffered the brunt of the consequences of the MTA’s perverse policies.

Unsafe neural interfaces benefited ambitious mech pilots the most, granting them a greater chance to break through to expert candidate and beyond!

As for the more casual mech pilots? Their brains aged and degraded faster, which meant that they spent less time enjoying their comfortable retirements!

No mech pilot was the same. An enormous variety of people existed who piloted mechs for a living. The MTA conveniently ignored this reality by unilaterally adopting a one-size-fits-all solution.

Ves chuckled to himself. "Now, I’m pretty much doing the same thing."

In an ideal situation, he would give mech pilots the choice to set their own safety limits. Yet that entailed disclosing the actual risks of piloting mechs to his customers.

While it was the right thing to inform his customers, Ves believed the MTA would resolutely stop him if he did!

To the MTA, telling mech pilots how some neural interfaces models wrecked their brains faster was the wrong thing to do!

Forget about providing mech pilots with the opportunity to make an informed choice! As many potentates had to be pushed into piloting mechs as possible, all for the sake of producing more high-ranking mech pilots!

As a mere mech designer, Ves lacked the power to resist the MTA’s will. Seeing how much effort they made into nurturing as many expert pilots as possible, Ves was sure that this was one line that he absolutely couldn’t cross!

Bereft with the option of giving mech pilots the choice, Ves found himself in the unenviable position of making this important choice in their stead.

"Most of my mech designs so far are aimed at advanced mech pilots."