Mech: Shattering of the Galaxy Chapter 4: The Seeds of Dreams

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For close to a full minute, Black remained silent before a modulated, softer electronic voice finally spoke. "Understood. May I inquire about the host's current knowledge level, quantified in interstellar standard academic years? This information will help calibrate the terminology to your comprehension."

"Year 0," Mu Fan responded instantly, a rare occasion of hearing genuine sincerity in the robot's voice.

"My apologies, dear host, Black is unable to provide an introduction at this level. Please acquire some foundational knowledge of astrophysics before rephrasing your query!"

Mu Fan's eyes glazed over like those of a dead fish. Cold words were forced out from between his lips: "Black... Egg!"

"Dear host, please place down the 317.4-kilogram steel boulder, and Black shall provide a comprehensive response to your questions."

With an audible thud, Mu Fan dropped the massive rock. He then fixed his gaze upon Black, speaking with an emotionless tone, "Proceed."

"Based on the fragmented records retrieved by the mecha body detector, it can be confirmed that Black is no longer within this particular space-time continuum. The data pertaining to temporal deviation is absent and cannot be accessed. Initial calibration requires the host to establish a connection to the local star system network."

"Rest assured, host, regarding any data-related matters, Black, as a controllable Smart Brain, is incapable of engaging in deceptive practices such as fabricating information for the primary authority figure," Black quickly added upon perceiving Mu Fan's expression of incredulity.

"Through calculations and inferences drawn from the residual data prior to the space-time transition, Black possesses an 89.1% probability of originating from a parallel universe. The temporal database is incomplete, thus confirmation is impossible. Black belongs to the Star System Council's premier sequence, ranked third—an SSS-class core laboratory product of the Yake Super Empire." The dispassionate electronic voice continued its report.

"Black·Complete Form, development cycle spanning 14,408 atomic days. Scale: planetary-level super-intelligent cluster core. Performance benchmark: recognized as unparalleled, surpassing the preceding strongest Smart Brain by a factor of 17. According to incomplete database records, on the day the planetary-level super-intelligent cluster project was finalized, an anomalous energy reaction occurred 0.7 light-years from the core laboratory. Energy signature: Level... beep, calculation impossible, database integrity compromised, leading to temporal disorder. Black's planetary-scale body sustained damage, initiating a space-time tunnel with a probability of one in a trillion. Black·Core activated its self-preservation procedure, initiating an ejection sequence. Current landing coordinates: unknown. The Alpha Supercomputer currently holds the secondary authority over Black; the primary authority resides with the host."

"Narration complete..."

Mu Fan drew a deep breath, his mind feeling somewhat disoriented. For the very first time, he perceived an entity of such immense scale intruding upon his understanding of reality.

"Black, what functions remain operational at this juncture?"

"Responding to the host, Black is presently managed by the autonomous Alpha Supercomputer. A significant 91% of the database has been lost, and the planetary-level super-intelligent cluster is entirely non-functional. The Alpha Supercomputer represents the highest-tier core Smart Brain within the Yake Empire, possessing the capability to manage..."

"Can you operate as a Light Computer?" Mu Fan directly interrupted Black's explanation.

"The Alpha Supercomputer, in its fundamental nature, is an artificial intelligence endowed with growth potential and independent consciousness, distinct from traditionally defined intelligent entities. It can perform all functions of a Light Computer at 100% efficiency once the host provides the requisite components."

"That is satisfactory. What specific components are required from me?" Mu Fan gazed intently at the Black Egg before him, contemplating the potential global ramifications of an artificial intelligence possessing autonomous consciousness.

An inexplicable surge of emotion coursed through his chest—a feeling he couldn't articulate, yet if it could be put into words, it would be the yearning of an ordinary person for the boundless expanse of the Galaxy, the dream of a Blue Eagle soaring through the clouds in pursuit of its destiny!

Nine light-years distant from Loga Star, on Blue Capital Star—the administrative hub of the Fourth District within the Galaxy Federation—stood Dingchuan Academy. Within its premises, the first virtual mecha training room was occupied. Rows of blue and white virtual cabins, emitting a soft, pulsing light, were meticulously arranged across the hall. Several young individuals clad in somber gray academy uniforms stood in a corner of the training room's observation deck, mesmerized by the three-dimensional projection before them. On the screen, a gleaming, snow-white mecha executed intricate tactical evasive maneuvers amidst a relentless barrage of firepower.

"Captain Renault, Senior Sister Lu Qingxue is in distress. Even though she recently ascended to the White Gold 2-Star rank on the PO Battle Net, it still feels overly ambitious for her to enter the professional-level survival competition," observed a young man with a short, crew-cut hairstyle beside him, beads of sweat forming as he watched the white mecha navigate various perils displayed on the screen.

"Continue observing; Qingxue possesses the capability. The instructor had previously assessed that Qingxue's true level surpasses mere White Gold 2-Star. She is likely refining other skills currently," Renault stated, his gaze fixed intently on the illuminated screen before him. His tall, slender frame was accentuated by the upright collar of his gray academy uniform. As the captain of the Dingchuan Academy's Mecha Fighting Team, his White Gold 4-Star strength marked him as the most formidable known within the academy.

The PO Battle Net, a platform primarily dedicated to holographic mecha combat, was the brainchild of the pan-Federal super interstellar conglomerate, PO Interstellar Group. It achieved a remarkable 95% reality simulation fidelity, enabling data-driven character simulations and brain-computer synchronization through full-body neural interfacing.

Within the PO Battle Net, two distinct combat modes were available. The first was Fantasy Combat, oriented towards pure entertainment, featuring a roster of mechas that do not exist in reality, supplied by the official platform. This mode offered a lesser degree of player simulation, slightly enhanced data parameters, and reduced operational complexity, allowing players to execute a wide range of imaginative maneuvers. Primarily catering to beginners or those seeking casual enjoyment, this mode aimed to deliver the thrill of mecha piloting. In reality, the most basic mecha models command prices in the tens of millions of Star Coins, placing them beyond the reach of the average individual. The advent of the PO Battle Net thus fulfilled the aspirations of countless aspiring pilots.

The second mode, Real Combat, served as a haven for academies, military personnel, and dedicated mecha enthusiasts. This mode provided stringent simulations of various officially recognized mecha models currently in existence, encompassing standard military-issue mechas and certain mecha model data acquired by the PO company through alternative means. The PO company supplied all available market engines, armor plating, weaponry, and a diverse array of components, alongside modification services. Players had the freedom to assemble their ideal mecha within the Battle Net. However, the 95% simulation limit meant that certain practical combat challenges, such as the necessity for daily maintenance and issues with component fitting, were absent. The data-driven nature of the mechas allowed players to engage in full-power combat without concern for such real-world complications. Nevertheless, it would be a miscalculation to equate proficiency in the PO Battle Net with competence in actual combat, as the unpredictable emergencies encountered in real mecha warfare were beyond the capacity of theoretically-inclined players to manage.

In the Battle Net, participants, ranging from novices to seasoned veterans, were ultimately evaluated through a comprehensive dataset encompassing kill counts, combat commendations, and skill proficiency ratings. These metrics were processed by a complex algorithmic system to generate a tiered ranking system, progressing from lowest to highest as follows: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Grandmaster, and King. Each tier preceding the Grandmaster rank was further subdivided into five ascending levels, denoted from 1-star to 5-star. Given that 85% of players on the PO Battle Net occupied the beginner stages, advancing through the ranks presented a significant challenge. Attaining a Platinum 2-Star level unequivocally placed an individual within the elite echelon of experts.

Within the Real Combat environment, there were relatively subdued test competitions that excluded powerful weaponry and stipulated specific regulations, along with somewhat spectator-friendly light-restricted matches, and unrestricted free-for-alls. The most unforgiving of these was undoubtedly the survival battle, the very scenario currently unfolding before Renault and his companions! Victory in this mode belonged solely to the last pilot standing, with absolutely no rule limitations! Weapons were unrestricted!!! The simulation fidelity was 95% plus an additional 1%; that solitary percentage accounted for the pain sensation, which was capped at a full 100% intensity!!

"This is bad, an enemy is approaching from behind! Qingxue is in imminent danger!"

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