(Broadcast) "All Resistance survivors, listen up – for your own good, your best option is to defect to our side."
The drone buzzed incessantly overhead like a fly, fueling Mò Zhī's growing anger.
Bt: "Our position has been compromised."
*Bang!*
After shooting down the enemy drone, Mò Zhī calmly replied, "This time, we'll make sure no one leaves here alive."
She had the confidence for it.
Holding the last battery, Mò Zhī knew that once Bt's final battery was slotted into the energy conduit.
Their combined unit would sweep away all obstacles before them.
Having witnessed the synergy between Captain Lastimosa and Bt firsthand, she understood the power of a fully realized Pilot-Titan pairing.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!!*
Switching to her sniper rifle, she eliminated a lurking Ghost Soldier in the distance.
Simultaneously, she rapidly approached a Specter near Bt, inserting her data knife into its data port.
The Specter's crimson eyes visibly turned pale blue as it moved to patrol around Mò Zhī.
This was a valuable find from the Macallan mothership.
After Bt's introduction, Mò Zhī decisively added it to her arsenal.
The data knife had only one function: to forcibly turn enemies into friends.
It could hack into certain mechanical devices, altering their programming code and turning them into her "allies" to serve her.
There happened to be a Specter near Bt, so she used it for an experiment.
Currently, the results were very apparent.
Not only did the Specter act as Mò Zhī's lookout, but it also intercepted enemy Ghost Sentinels when they charged.
This created the time for Mò Zhī to insert the third battery.
She still had the Sonic Knife and the Jumped Spider among other advanced tech gear in her backpack, but now wasn't the time for experimentation.
Bt: "It's an IMC drone scout. Enemy reinforcements are inbound."
Bt: "We must establish the neural link immediately. Please install the final battery."
The situation was dire.
Mò Zhī inserted the third battery into the energy conduit. Bt, who had been crouching on the ground, rose imposingly: "All systems online."
It raised its energy cannon, providing cover for Mò Zhī: "Pilot, we must establish a neural link to proceed."
*Gulp!*
Mò Zhī swallowed. She was just one step away from the scene of her dreams.
*Click, click, click!!*
Suddenly, Bt knelt on the ground, scanning its surroundings. Once it confirmed the area was safe, Bt stated: "No environmental interference. Prepare for boarding."
*Hiss, hiss, hiss!*
The cockpit hatch opened, releasing a puff of white steam.
The scene had a distinct proposal-like feel to it.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what are you thinking about!"
Mò Zhī immediately shook her muddled thoughts and, somewhat dazed, stepped onto the operating platform.
The journey had been arduous, but the final outcome was perfect.
The overwhelming sense of happiness made her feel lightheaded.
"Whoosh!!"
Taking a deep breath, Mò Zhī gripped the hatch handle and sat inside.
She had finally become a Pilot, in the way she least expected.
In the darkness as the hatch closed, she saw the look in Captain Lastimosa's eyes when he entrusted Bt to her.
"Captain, please rest assured."
"This time, I will not disappoint you."
"Bt will shine brightly in my hands!"
*Beep, beep, beep!!*
Rows of instrument lights illuminated.
Accompanying them was Bt's somewhat solemn mechanical voice: "Protocol One - Link Pilot."
"Establishing neural link..."
*Beep, beep, beep, beep ~~~*
Green lights flickered on one by one. Just like in the simulation, after a final blinding flash of white light, Bt's voice reappeared:
"Neural link: Complete... Rifleman Jack Cooper (Mò Zhī), you are now confirmed as the proxy Pilot for Bt-7274."
Mò Zhī clenched her fists slightly. The solemnity of the ritual made her a bit nervous.
Bt: "Protocol Two - Uphold mission."
Bt's authorization ceremony continued: "Pilot, we must uphold our mission. The order is to continue Special Operation 217 and rendezvous with Major Anderson."
*Boom, boom, boom!!*
At the same time, the sounds of gunfire and explosions raged outside like firecrackers. Even inside the cockpit, Mò Zhī could hear them clearly.
Bt: "I am detecting enemy forces approaching."
Bt: "Protocol Three: Protect Pilot."
*Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle ~~~*
As soon as Bt finished speaking, the darkness before Mò Zhī's eyes gradually shifted to the actual scenery outside. The massive screen, synthesized from several electronic displays, began to clear up.
It perfectly recreated the external environment. On the mountain peak opposite, the Ghost forces had fully assembled and were firing rounds at Bt.
The energy bar before her was steadily depleting, and the auto-defense field had activated.
*Biubiubiubiu!!*
A dense barrage of bullets flew like a rain curtain. Sparks flew across the display, but although Bt sustained no significant damage.
It still pained Mò Zhī greatly. This was the Titan she had just established a connection with.
Unforgivable!!
"Bt, retaliate! Retaliate! Kill them!" Mò Zhī said with a nearly red-eyed intensity, her left hand gripping the controls tightening slightly.
Bt: "Vortex shield activated."
Bt: "The Vortex Shield can capture incoming bullets and ordnance. The release button can then fire all captured items at the enemy."
*Hummmmm~~~~*
Bt raised its left arm, and a Tiffany green energy vortex condensed in its palm. Mò Zhī instantly felt a sensation transmitted from the engine to her left palm.
It was cool, like the feeling of sticking your hand out a car window at 60 mph. Power! True power!
Mò Zhī was absolutely certain that with a mere thought, Bt could either unleash the energy at the target's location on her behalf, or she could do it herself.
Ultimately, Mò Zhī decided to act herself, to experience the taste of controlling everything.
*Thump!*
*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~*
*Rumble, rumble, rumble!!*
Her palm opened slightly, and the energy shield dispersed instantly. Simultaneously, the bullets that had been blocked a meter away shot back along their original trajectory, accurately hitting everyone on the opposite mountainside!
"Whoa!!!"
Mò Zhī screamed, releasing her inner euphoria: "This is awesome!!"
"Guys, did you see that? Wasn't I cool just now!!!"
Controlling the mech herself, that sense of human-machine integration was a brand-new experience Mò Zhī had never felt in all her years of playing games.
Just for that moment of ultimate experience, Mò Zhī felt all the hardship she had endured was worth it!
'OMG, streamer, you're making me so jealous. I'm definitely saving up to buy my own VR equipment next year!'
'Quick, tell us, what's it like to pilot a mech?'
'Does it feel like a small horse driving a big truck?'
'Huh?'
"You're not right in the head!!"
......
The barrage of comments from her viewers was a one-way transmission; Bt couldn't hear them. Otherwise, the bot would have diligently explained "small horse driving a big truck."
That would have been explosive for the show's engagement.
As Mò Zhī was lost in thought,
Bt introduced her to another even more outrageous piece of advanced tech!
......
(Happy New Year!)
(Happy New Year!)
(Had a few drinks with friends to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Feeling a bit dizzy (from the baijiu). That's all for today, don't wait up.
I can still smell the baijiu with every hiccup. I feel the buzz kicking in, and if I try to write more, I feel like I'll lose control.
Then it won't be publishable, making it a waste of effort.)