The Mech Touch novel Chapter 1571

Chapter 1571 Send Off

Now that the sandmen have begun to attack the Bright Republic, a solemn mood had swept over the entire state.

Even as Ves, Ketis and Gloriana collaborated on the Prideful Soldier project, many Brighters began to deploy to the front.

The star systems facing the defunct Coman Federation were very clearly next. While a small number of sandman fleets might skip the star systems at the border in favor of going deeper, most sandmen admirals preferred to take more immediate hops.

As a result, the fighting at the border between the Bright Republic and the former Coman Federation had already begun to flare up! Hundreds of mechs and mech pilots already started to fall as the sandman race began to bleed the state of vital assets.

Losing a mech wasn't so bad. The government freely spent its money to encourage every mech manufacturer to produce as many mechs as possible!

The real problem was that mech pilots weren't so easily replaced. The Bright Republic had already lost many precious mech pilots during the previous war, and now the brave warriors and soldiers had to put their lives on the line yet again!

If too many of them died, then eventually who would be left to pilot the mechs? There was no way a state could resist the sandmen once their stock of mech pilots ran out.

Already, the Mech Corps had begun to draft numerous potentates who quit their training or dropped out of the mech academies for whatever reason.

No matter how deplorable they performed, as long as they could interface with a mech and point the muzzle of a rifle in the direction of a sandman, that was enough!

During this tense and uncertain times, the first detachments of Avatars of Myth and Living Sentinels were ready to set out for the front.

Ves, Gloriana and Ketis personally arrived at the landing zone in order to send off to the volunteers.

Ketis, who was clutching Lucky in her arms, admired the Desolate Soldiers entering the mech bays of the landed light carriers with an emotional sigh.

"There's not a single melee mech among them. I feel as if I've been born in the wrong time."

Ves patted her back. "Don't look too down. This is simply part of what it means to dedicate yourself to a narrow category of mechs. You've made your choice. Instead of regretting it, you should be looking forward to the times when a swordsman mech is the best possible solution to a difficult problem!"

"I know, Ves. You don't have to console me. I'm not as dimwitted as I used to be!"

Lately, Ves had been spending a lot of time with Gloriana, which meant he hadn't been able to get up to speed with Ketis.

It was difficult for him to juggle his time because his girlfriend always demanded much of his time.

His relationship with his student wasn't as close as it used to be. Ketis had grown up now. She was used to acting on her own and no longer needed him to hold her hand all the time.

In some way, that was good. Ves was confident that Ketis could already make it as an independent mech designer.

However, another part of him regretted the loss of the dynamic he had formed with her before his journey to Centerpoint.

He belatedly tried to make it up by reminding himself to pay more attention to her. So far, he hadn't achieved much success.

Fortunately, he wasn't alone. Despite some indeterminate tension between the two, Gloriana was more than willing to provide some guidance to Ketis.

"Mech designers with Class VI, Class VII and Class VIII design philosophies often band up with other mech designers. That way, they won't be rendered helpless when they face a situation like yours. Staying with us is the best decision you have made. In the times where you won't be able to make your mech designs useful, you can lean on Ves and I to cover your moment of weakness."

That sounded surprisingly insightful. Ves nodded in agreement. "Gloriana is right. While mech designers are mostly fine when they work by themselves, it is so much better to work in a team."

They chatted for a bit until the Avatar Commander and the Sentinel Commander stepped forward.

Compared to the mature and grizzled Magdalena, Melkor appeared way too young.

Nonetheless, the authority he projected was sufficient for him to hold his ground. Ves predicted that as long as Melkor saw more action and gained more experience in commanding his troops in battle, his commanding demeanor would soon match that of the former Mech Corps captain standing besides him at the moment!

Both commanders saluted Ves once they reached him. "Sir!"

Ves tiredly waved his hand. "I thought I told you to cut it with the salutes and stuff. We're not the Mech Corps and we shouldn't pretend we are. The Avatars of Myth are supposed to be champions and heroes. Strict discipline is even less appropriate for the Sentinels. A lot of mech pilots joined the Sentinels because they don't like the rigid structure of the military."

Magdalena Larkinson frowned. "These are trying times. Military customs and courtesy can do wonders in maintaining discipline and confidence."

In other words, she had no intention of cutting her act.

When Ves turned his gaze towards Melkor, the visored man said nothing, but his rigid stance signalled that he agreed with his aunt.

Among the Desolate Soldiers entering the carriers, a number of Aurora Titans stepped into the ships.

The Avatars and Sentinels only needed these two mech models. No more.

"Who will be rotating to the front first?" Ves asked.

"I am, sir." Melkor stated. "Between the two of us, I'm in dire need of experience."

"It'll be dangerous." Ves slightly frowned. "People are still figuring out how to deploy the Desolate Soldiers in the most optimal fashion. If you participate in the opening act, you'll have to figure things out on the fly."