"The T-Link System's done?" Axel exclaimed, stunned.
Summoned to Lemon's lab after her half-month stint at the Tesla Institute, Axel was blindsided by the news that she'd completed the T-Link System. Three months had passed since the Ecuador base became operational, and true to her word during their meeting with Vindel, Lemon had pulled it off with apparent ease. Axel stared at her smug expression, awestruck by her talent.
"Thanks to Tesla's tech, it should outperform the Special Brain Institute's version," Lemon said. "Though, installation and tuning will take a few days, so you can't use it yet."
"Hold on," Axel said, still processing. "Didn't you say in our last call that Aguieus was nearing its final stages? How'd you find time for the T-Link System?"
"My part in Aguieus is mostly done," she replied with a shrug. "It's not an issue."
"Got it. So, what exactly does the T-Link System do?"
Lemon tapped her computer, pulling up the Growsaver's schematics on the monitor. "First, the telekinetic field should nullify a degree of damage."
"Should?" Axel raised an eyebrow.
"According to the Special Brain Institute's data, it might not activate depending on the pilot's mood or energy," she explained.
Mood or energy? Axel thought. Sounds like Spirit Points from the game.
"Makes sense," he said. "We'll need to test it once it's installed."
"Please do. Next, the T-Link System enhances machine control, boosting reaction speed and responsiveness. It's essentially a telekinetic brainwave control system."
"Brainwave control?" Axel frowned. "The Growsaver already uses a brainwave system, doesn't it? Won't they clash?"
"We're replacing the Ashsaver's brainwave feedback system entirely with the T-Link System," Lemon said. "It's a clear upgrade in reaction speed. At the risk of oversimplifying, think of the T-Link as the brainwave system's superior successor."
So, the Growsaver's basically a new machine under the hood, Axel thought. With the Ashsaver's core feature replaced, it was practically an original design despite its exterior.
"And the Sword Breaker on the Chronos?" Lemon continued. "The T-Link System should reduce its operational strain. Plus, we're working on a smaller, high-performance T-Link-compatible Sword Breaker. Stay tuned."
T-Link-compatible Sword Breaker? Axel wondered how it differed from the R-3's Strike Shield. Given Lemon's use of Tesla tech, it was unlikely to be inferior, though.
"Also, related to machine control," Lemon added, "the Special Brain Institute's data mentioned that, depending on the thought amplification level, a sixth sense akin to touch can extend over a wide area, enabling detection of enemy units in space. If the T-Link System's efficiency is high enough, it could make operating the Sword Breaker even easier."
"That'd be a lifesaver," Axel said. The Growsaver's fourteen Sword Breakers were tough to manage—he could only handle about ten effectively. Any ease in control was welcome.
"Still, the T-Link System's amazing but has its quirks," Lemon said.
"Quirks?" Axel asked.
"It's versatile—machine control, barriers, weapons—but it's still a developing technology, so it relies heavily on the pilot. Like I said, the barrier might not activate if your mood's off. That's the biggest issue."
"Can't be helped," Axel said. "Telekinetic pilots are rare, so it makes sense the system's development lags."
"True," Lemon mused. "Makes you wonder about that special forces unit at the Far East Base using T-Link-equipped mechs. How'd they round up so many telekinetics?"
Her words brought a grim image to Axel's mind: Aya's brain, preserved in the Special Brain Institute's director's office. Unlike the original timeline, this world might be using darker methods to find telekinetic candidates.
"That's about it for the T-Link System," Lemon concluded.
"The barrier alone makes a huge difference," Axel said. "Machine control's great, but having a fallback for defense is clutch."
"Though your style's more about dodging than tanking, right?" Lemon teased. "That's why we added boosters to the Chronos."
"Sure, but I can't dodge everything perfectly," Axel countered. "Having something to rely on in a pinch is reassuring."
Sipping tea from the reception table, they slipped into casual chatter. It wasn't critical, just small talk, but after recent events, it felt meaningful. About thirty minutes in, Lemon shifted gears abruptly.
"Axel, what do you think of the W-Series?"
"The W-Series?" Axel blinked. "If they're finished, maybe you'll finally get a break. So, hurry up and complete them."
Lemon's expression faltered, clearly not expecting that response. "No, I mean… they're artificial humans. Don't you have any thoughts on that?"
"Not really," Axel said. "Artificial or not, once they're born, they're living beings, right? As long as they have individual personalities."
Without a personality, an artificial human was just a robot following orders—likely what the mass-produced W-Units would be.
"Living beings?" Lemon echoed.
"'I think, therefore I am,'" Axel quoted.
"Descartes?" she said, surprised.
"No need to overcomplicate it," he said with a grin. "Artificial or not, they're your creations—like your kids, right?"
Lemon smiled softly. "Thanks. Maybe one day I'll tell you the full truth," she murmured, the last part barely audible.
Axel's heightened senses caught it, though. From her words, he guessed she was grappling with her own revival through W-Series tech—or perhaps her past as Excellen Browning. Deciding to steer clear of that minefield, he changed the subject.
"Speaking of, the T-Link System's mostly done, right?"
"Yep," Lemon said. "The T-Link Sword Breaker's still in development, but the core system's complete."
"Then, could you consider a couple of new projects?"
Lemon raised an eyebrow. "You making requests? That's rare. What's up?"
"I heard from Dr. Fell about a high-performance ECM that bends electromagnetic waves along a spherical field's surface, preventing radar detection."
Of course, that was a lie. The ASRS was a stealth system developed by Neue DC in the original timeline, a headache for the Federation. It'd be perfect for surprise attacks.
Lemon's expression turned skeptical. "That's an interesting idea, but generating a spherical field with a high-performance ECM is tricky. Developing the ECM itself could take ages. I'll look into it, but be prepared for a long wait."
"Fair enough," Axel said. "Just do what you can. One more thing—could you develop a mothership for us?"
"A mothership?" Lemon frowned. "What's wrong with the Ladybird?"
"It's a transport, not a warship. Barely armed, so we always need escorts. That's fine if we're pulling back immediately, but it wastes time otherwise."
"A mothership, huh?" Lemon mused.
"Think Space Noah-class as a reference," Axel said.
"Whoa, hold on!" Lemon laughed. "Building a Space Noah-class is impossible. We don't have the budget!"
"Just a reference," Axel clarified. "Ideally, I'd love that firepower, but if that's not doable, prioritize stealth. Some armaments are fine, but stealth is key."
"Stealth?" Lemon asked.
"Yeah. Instead of retreating like the Ladybird, it could hide from enemies, letting us deploy safely."
Lemon hummed, clearly calculating timelines and resources. "Any other specs for this mothership?"
Drawing on the original timeline's Trilobite-class, Axel listed his priorities. "Stealth's number one, as I said. Since special forces get deployed anywhere, it should operate in space, air, and water. We're a small unit, so an automated defense system for the ship's interior is crucial. Armaments can be modest—just enough for self-defense. But since it's a stealth ship, it'd be cool to pop out of hiding and hit hard when needed."
Lemon nodded, processing. "So, stealth and automated defenses are key, capable of operating in space, air, and water. Armaments decent but not Space Noah-level. That sound right?"
"Exactly," Axel said.
"This is beyond our authority," Lemon said. "I'll need to clear it with Vindel. You're okay with that?"
Axel nodded. In the original timeline, the Trilobite-class's construction timeline was unclear, but with this world's timeline already fractured, there was a risk it wouldn't be built at all. Better to push for it now.
"I'll go get Vindel's approval," Lemon said. "You're coming with me, right?"
"Roger," Axel replied.
As they left the lab, Axel brought up another question. "You said Aguieus is mostly done, just fine-tuning left. Does that mean it's almost complete?"
"Pretty much," Lemon said. "Just minor adjustments now."
"So, teleportation tests are close?"
"Yep. Probably three or four months."
Three or four months, Axel thought. That's when Gilliam transfers to the other world.