The Mech Touch novel Chapter 2820

Chapter 2820 - Roving Hunters

Ves and the others decided to continue forward. While it was a bit worrisome that an unknown crew was trying to activate the biomechs, they weren’t necessarily enemies.

From the way they moved and how they interacted with the entrance and the various devices in the hall, they were probably authorized personnel.

Vincent made a surprisingly insightful comment. "The unknowns are likely employed by Ruuzon Arena or one of the competitive teams that regularly compete here. In fact, I think it’s the latter. Notice how every biomech is different? I think they’re all units prepared for team matches."

The others studied the details pointed out by Vincent and agreed with him. The group of unknowns consisted of both mech pilots and mech technicians and possibly other personnel.

Maybe they were scheduled to take part in a match scheduled in the evening, but the sudden outbreak of violence convinced them to activate their mechs early in order to fight their way to safety!

When the Larkinsons reached the entrance of the underground mech hall, they encountered a locked gate.

There was no way the crew of unknowns were stupid enough to leave the entrance open! With trigger-happy idiots shooting at anyone they didn’t like, there was no way that any group could trust other groups. Even their own comrades might turn out to be enemies in disguise!

"How do you wish to handle this situation?" Nitaa asked.

"Don’t kill them." Jannzi warned from the side. While she held a weapon, she emphatically pointed it to the floor. "It’s easy to regard every stranger as an enemy in these crazy times, but that is exactly what we need to avoid. Most Lifers aren’t our enemies. They are simply unlucky citizens who got caught up in the fighting. While they might be jumpy, they won’t act unreasonably once they recognize that we aren’t their enemies. In fact, we might be able to cooperate."

Not everyone was as optimistic as Jannzi. Ves was skeptical, but he was not entirely closed to the idea. While it was risky to talk to a group of people who were potentially able to get their mechs to work, he doubted that he’d be able to get the biomechs to work by himself.

"You’re the best person to initiate the conservation, Jannzi." Ves turned to her. "From the way you subdued the crowd earlier, I think the people inside will react a lot more positively towards you than if I take the initiative to speak to them. I’m a very controversial figure in the LRA these days."

The people inside might shoot at him outright if they formed the mistaken perception that he was the instigator of all of the fighting!

Though Venerable Jannzi didn’t like the feeling of being used, it was the only way for her to make sure that the upcoming contact proceeded on her terms.

"I’ll send Lucky ahead as a hidden scout." Ves promised.

"Meow?"

"You heard that right. Now go out and make sure that the people inside aren’t secretly preparing an ambush or something!"

The gem cat grumbled a bit but did as told. He phased through the floor and secretly passed underneath the entrance. Along the way, he tampered with the security system and unlocked it so that the rest didn’t have to shoot their way inside.

They waited half a minute for Lucky to get in deeper before Venerable Jannzi took the plunge. She pressed the button that caused the entrance to open. She stepped inside while keeping her weapon holstered.

Her entry didn’t go unnoticed.

"INTRUDERS!"

The crowd of mech technicians and other people dropped what they were doing and scrambled for cover. The panic in their voices was very evident. Their arms shook as they held pistols or tools.

Clearly, the majority of the group weren’t trained for combat. They weren’t even armed!

"Peace! I mean no harm." Venerable Jannzi declared.

She slowed her pace but continued to step forward. While her armored form looked intimidating, her empty and outstretched arms was a good sign that she didn’t mean any harm.

Of course, there were plenty of combat armor models that incorporated integrated weaponry, but it was the thought that counted.

Twenty seconds passed before the group of Lifers calmed down. While Jannzi hadn’t come close enough for her force of will to reach out to their minds, she still possessed an extraordinary presence.

While Ves didn’t entirely ascribe to this theory, he could see that his cousin definitely had a talent for capturing people’s attention.

It reminded Ves of himself, actually.

A man wearing a more formal suit than everyone cautiously stepped out from the crate he was using as cover.

"Who are you?" He asked suspiciously.

The man held a pistol in a steady grip. Even though he exposed himself, his posture and the tension of his body showed that he was ready if the situation went ugly.

Jannzi tapped the side of her helmet, causing her faceplate to turn transparent. "I am Venerable Jannzi Larkinson of the Larkinson Clan."

A couple of seconds passed before the group of Lifers processed her words.

"She’s an expert pilot!"

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