Gino shoved himself forward immediately upon hearing the news. “If you can promise that those machines of yours can compete against those Gundams then you got a volunteer right here!”
Upon hearing his comrade’s outburst Suzaku gave the other man a look of mild apprehension. “Gino, do you think it’s wise to accept his offer without considering your current duties first?”
“My current duties are to back you up in maintaining order over Area 11 and taking down the Black Knights. However with those damn Gundam Knightmares around, without the proper firepower to fight back they’ll make fools out of us again!” exclaimed the blonde.
After a moment of quiet contemplation Anya spoke up in her usual dull tone. “There is also a good possibility the Black Knights are co-operating with the organization responsible for building the Gundams. An edge like this may be just what we need. I would like to volunteer myself as well Professor Steamhein.” It was left unsaid that the Knight of Six did not want to feel that sense of helplessness that occurred in their last battle ever again. Not if she could help it.
Suzaku had to admit that his companions had a good point. Given the recent strings of humiliating defeats at the hands of these Gundams on top of the Black Knights revival, an ace of any kind to tip the scales was needed. “You have a point there Anya. However I’m puzzled by a few things.” He turned to face the video-screen. “Professor I mean no disrespect, but how is it you already have machines you claim can match those monsters, nearly ready to go at this point?”
The image of Professor Steamhein on the monitor let out a long mirthful laugh. “I find no offense to your questions and I will indulge you with what answers I am allowed to give out. First off, the Neo-Knightmare project was started as a necessary precaution against a far fetched possibility, one that I won’t go into major details into. However despite the approval, many viewed it as a waste of resources and time. One could understand the skepticism. Who would need giant Frames when nobody but us could build them? Well now we all know that a very damn good reason for my project has sprouted up.”
Anya was the first to reply in that quiet tone of hers. “The Gundams appeared.”
“Correct, my Lady. And so what was once a very black project, considered a waste of time, money and resources, is now a forefront operation.”
“That still doesn’t really answer Suzaku’s question much. Before the Gundams showed up, why would anyone consider it worthwhile to build such things?” asked Gino.
“I guess being Knights of the Round I can be a little less coy, but I admit I am stretching how much I am allowed to tell you. There was a hinting of sorts that ‘metal giants’ far surpassing any current Knightmare Frame in sheer power might show up. I grant it sounds like superstitious rambling, but suffice to say those above my head have had good reason to give some of said ramblings the benefit of the doubt.” The scientist then shrugged as if the details were truly trivial and unimportant. “That said, the point is I have these lovely machines; machines that hopefully within a few weeks will be completed and I could use very talented pilots for them.”
“Professor, if I may ask a few questions of my own?” asked Nonette quickly. “Why did you vanish so suddenly, and on the eve of the unveiling of your Sixth Generation Knightmare? You spent months in preparation for the operations tests alone, and given all the anticipation I was expecting that Princess Cornelia and I would be piloting a machine that would probably still shine in the wake of today’s innovations in Knightmare technology. Then you suddenly vanish into nothing along with your Knightmare, all the test data and everything associated with your work. And to top it off dozens of rumors started emerging. Some said that you fell from grace with the Emperor. Others claimed that you were captured by a foreign land. And there were even outlandish claims you committed suicide or were abducted by aliens! Why go to such lengths to merely relocate you for a black project, and one you even claim was based on a wild whim?”
The professor had a good long chuckle upon hearing those things. “Commit suicide? Me?” His laugh grew louder as if he found it very amusing. “That’s something I wouldn’t dream of. And as for alien abductions, that would have been something since at least I probably would have had the opportunity to study new technologies. No I was merely pulled aside and asked to undertake the Neo-Knightmare Project. Given the level of secrecy, I had no choice but to allow rumors of my ‘fall’ circulate. I was asked by my liege to build giant Frames to protect our way of life. For that purpose, I shall set aside my life and reputation for king and country.”
The Knight of Nine smiled. “It’s good to hear that, Professor.”
He took a moment to polish his glasses before continuing. “Now that I have answered your questions without spilling any sensitive information, I must ask again if you all will still volunteer to be Neo-Knightmare pilots?”Steamhein noticed some hesitance still remaining on Suzaku’s features. “If you are concerned about alienating your Guardians by switching development teams Sir Kururugi, do not fret as I plan to include the tech and support teams that belong to each of you Rounds as part of my own staff. The more brilliant minds the better.”
That was all Suzaku needed to know for now. Even though there were more questions that nagged at him, he could hold off asking them until later. “You can count me in, Professor.”
With three of the four gathered Knights volunteering, there was no way Nonette was going to stay out of this. “Same goes for me. When and where should we link up with you?”
“For the time being, I am still gathering a few more individuals so we can get the project off the ground. When I am ready to proceed to the test flight stage, I will contact you immediately.” That was all he said before he cut the transmission.
Nina Einstein slowly came back to the waking world and adjusted her eyes to the scenery around her. The crick in her neck told her flat out that she fell asleep in her office chair again. “Oh, I did it again didn’t I?” After a leisurely stretch, she got out of her chair and headed towards the coffee machine.
‘Ah, sweet coffee… the nectar of the Gods who greet the dawn.’ It took a few minutes to brew a fresh pot. Once it was ready, she poured herself a cup, added cream and two sugars before savouring the aroma. Now for the first sip.
“Mmmmm…!” That feeling of rejuvenation from the hot beverage and its caffeine was now coursing through her body. Upon returning to her desk, she fired up her computer and switched on the news channel on the TV-app in a small vid-window, while she brought up reports from her science team with the results from yesterday’s experiments.
Sipping her coffee, she gazed over the reports with one eye while the other paid attention to the news channel. Normally she would wait before bed to read the news as what went on beyond the lab’s borders didn’t concern her very much these days. Getting the project completed for Prince Schneizel was her top priority. However that changed upon learning Zero was alive, and once again causing chaos and anarchy. ‘How dare he still be alive? How dare he continue to exist when his existence was a stain and a mockery against Princess Euphemia?’
“Coffee cakes?”
Nina jumped a little in her seat, barely managed to keep the coffee in her mug. “GAH?! W-who are you?”
The man in the door way smiled and held up a small basket. “I merely bring some refreshments and a wish to discuss matters of national emergency with a fellow scientist.”
While a part of her appreciated someone bringing her breakfast (namely her stomach), her rational mind noticed that something about him was off. For starters, he just let himself in and didn’t even bother with any basic courtesy. She adjusted her glasses and put her mug away before greeting her new guest. “And who would you be? You don’t look like anyone that’s on my science team. Are you new?”
He shook his head as he walked closer to her desk, using his foot to push the door shut before placing the basket down. “I am merely a visitor Miss Einstein. As for a name, you can call me Mikhail Steamhein.”
Nina stood frozen for several seconds and simply stared at the man, wondering if she heard that name correctly. Then she went back to her desk and doing some quick searches to verify the man’s identity. While this went on, he stood there and waited until she was ready to talk to him. Eventually she found an old news article on him along with pictures. “Y-you’re the real…?”
“Had to make sure I wasn’t a con-artist, hmm? I can’t say I blame you, given my disappearance and ‘fall from grace’.”
“W-wow, the legendary Mikhail Steamhein… H-how did, when did-” She stopped for a second; aware she was making herself look silly. “I mean… oh geez.”
He gently patted her shoulder in an assuring manner. “Easy now. I’m here as a fellow scientist and not to flaunt my once-held fame. Now before you ask any questions allow me to answer them for you. First question, my ‘fall from grace’ was an elaborate ploy to allow me to quietly fade from the public eye since our dear Monarch had asked me to join a hush-hush black project. Question numero deux: yes, the ploy was a bit much, especially on the eve of my unveiling the first true Sixth Generation Knightmare Frame, but King and Country called, and I answered. Third and last question: I am here to ask for your help in my project as I’ve hit a wall… the last wall that prevents completion.”
It took her a moment to snap out of her stunned state after hearing that large information dump before she responded. “My help? What can I possibly help you with?”
Steamhein reached into his own pocket and handed her a data-disc, which she took and inserted into her computer’s drive. The main folder showed up on the screen and as soon as she opened it, several photos and data schematics regarding the Neo Knightmare Frame project were displayed in front of her. “This is all real?”
Steamhein nodded as he adjusted his glasses. “Oh yes. I have ten endoskeletons completed. At least four or five of them have completed armour installation. However I am in need of a power source that can exceed what the Yggdrasil Drive can generate. After doing the number crunching, I’ve concluded that merely increasing the size of the drive to match the size of the Frame wouldn’t cut it. After all once you break it down to basics, the Yggdrasil Drive is an oversized battery. My machines can’t rely on batteries if they’re going to be fighting in long drawn-out battles. I read all your theories on nuclear fission, and your proposals for nuclear reactors. To be frank your work is what I need for these Neo Frames. Perhaps together we can crack the fission code so we can create the needed reaction for a power source.”
Hearing that one of her scientific idols wanted to ‘work’ with her on ‘her’ work sent a thrill throughout Nina’s body. She barely kept herself from jumping up and down and going giddy-crazy-happy. With a calm but delighted smile on her face, she gave the other professor her answer. “I would be honored sir! In fact together we might be able to find more applications for the nuclear energy reaction if we can stabilize and make it work.”
“Indeed we can and most likely will, my dear. Also I know that Prince Schneizel has been asking you to push ahead with coming up with weapons applications for this technology but my orders come from a higher authority so getting a working reactor for my project trumps your patron’s requests for now.”
“I’m sure Prince Schneizel will understand. After all, orders from the Emperor are to be carried out immediately, correct?”
Steamhein smiled and nodded while pondering whether she would suit his purposes. As he suspected from reading her profile information, the girl really didn’t have a lot of confidence in herself and sought approval from others. ‘So young, so bright and yet sadly naïve and easily to manipulate. It doesn’t take much imagination to see how easy it was for Prince Schneizel to get her to work for him without question. I wonder if she truly understands just what he was tasking her to build. If she managed to produce such a weapon, then the one who controlled it would be able to force the world to bend to his will. My apologies Prince Schneizel, but I’m going to need your worker bee for now. Your ambitions will have to wait assuming the Emperor will even allow them to pass.’
Pushing his thoughts aside, he handed Nina another disk. “These are the specs I drew up for a prototype of the reactor. Would you mind looking them over and giving me some feedback?”
“What are we waiting for sir?” answered the young woman with a smile.
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(Posted Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:07)
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