The Mech Touch novel Chapter 3207

Chapter 3207: Overeager Student

Days passed by as the week of rest approached its end. The Larkinsons were doing much more than preparing an elaborate ritual to empower the fabrication of the Decapitator Project. Different elements of the clan were procuring an abundance of goods and supplies to fill up the cargo holds and increase their readiness for anything that might happen in the next couple of months.

Ves did not really take a proper rest during his time. He did not want to waste any time and would not feel at ease if he took a vacation while there were many matters that required his attention.

He mostly busied himself by working on the Chimera Project. He not only fleshed out the main design, but also supervised the progress being made on developing the mounted wargear that could potentially turn the Chimera Project into the most powerful weapon in the Larkinson Clan's arsenal.

Of special note was the organic loadout that was based on the Superior Mother. Since it was based on the same technologies that enabled biomechs, Ves wasn't able to contribute as much as he wished. He had to rely a lot on the biomech designers and biotech specialists who originated from the Life Research Association.

"How is your side project faring these days, Dr. Perris?" He asked.

The Apprentice Mech Designer who specialized in rapid regeneration did not look at ease. "Our progress isn't particularly great, sir. We have great difficulty with visualizing what our mounted wargear will actually be attached to. The Chimera Project hasn't progressed far enough for us to be certain about its exact dimensions, exterior design, physical strength and other vital parameters. We can make much greater progress if we have a better idea of what the mech frame will look like."

"That will happen in time. I think we will probably be able to provide you with most of the information that you need in six to seven weeks at most. Once we realize the Decapitator Project, we will be working at full speed on both the Chimera Project and the Bulwark Project."

"That will have to do, then."

They continued to address a couple of other design-related topics. The organic mounted wargear that Ves envisioned was not easy to work with. The mech designers had to find ways to integrate an organic system to a mechanical system. It was very complicated to combine the two elements into a hybrid amalgamation that kept both in line.

After they finished their discussion on essential matters, Ves moved on to quizzing her about her place in the Larkinson Clan.

"You've been with us for many months now. How is life here for you? I can imagine it is quite a challenge to get used to living in an environment that isn't as organic as your old home."

Dr. Avalon Perris nodded. "That is true. My fellow Lifers aboard the Dragon's Den have it better because the ship they are on is much more familiar to them. I don't have that privilege. The Spirit of Bentheim is a fine ship, but she is not what I would call familiar ground."

"You still aren't accustomed to living on this vessel?"

"I can cope with it, but I still visit the Dragon's Den every chance I get. I can never fully relax on a ship that is made completely out of cold hard metal. There is just something terrifying about it in a primal way."

Ves crossed his arms. "I feel the same way whenever I visit an organic structure back in the Life Research Association. I don't understand how people like you can cope with living in an organic abode that could go berserk and swallow you at any point. I still recall the times when Ruuzon Arena turned alive in the worst possible way and slaughtered thousands of unwitting spectators."

"That was deliberate sabotage. It is not as if a conventional structure can also turn into a deathtrap. There are too many ways to make any place dangerous that it isn't rational for you to exhibit greater fear on certain types of structures over others."

"You have a point." Ves conceded. "My technical expertise grants me greater understanding of conventional structures made with conventional technology. I at least have a chance of detecting and defusing anything improper if I'm in a normal structure. The same can't be said if I'm stuck in an organic tree building or a bioship. They're so different and alien to me that I don't feel I have any control when I'm inside them. I guess I better stay away."

"I think you're wrong, patriarch." Dr. Perris raised her voice. "Your design philosophy lends itself well to biotechnology. The four amazing statues you've made already proved that. I believe it is well worth your time to learn the basics of how to design a biomech. This shouldn't be a challenge for someone with your intellect. Once you begin to design your first real biomech, I sincerely believe it will surpass all of your other mechs!"

Ves groaned. "Don't get started on this topic. I am not going to dabble into an area that I have no foundation in. You can believe all you want, but don't believe in the words of Priestess Samandra Avikon. She and the Ylvainans she hooked up with are full of crap."

The look that Dr. Perris directed towards Ves did not make it seem as if she took his words seriously.

He grew a bit suspicious. The overwhelming majority of Lifers were supposed to be secularist due to their research orientation. Science had no room for superstition.

"Are you still a secularist?"

She did not answer for a few seconds.

"I'm… not sure. I have witnessed a lot back on Prosperous Hill. I… have been trying to cope with my experiences in several ways. I found that I can gain the most peace by spending time with the Eye of Ylvaine. I never took an interest in them until I heard that some of my fellow Lifers had become a part of the Ylvainan Faith. It is only after I begin to attend the sermons that I have found the peace that I wasn't able to find anywhere else."

"…I see."

Could Ves blame her? Not really. While the Larkinson Clan offered extensive counseling and psychological help, mostly to mech pilots, there was no foolproof way to cure every condition. The human mind was simply too complex and any measure that did work was liable to be too drastic and unethical.

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